Sports

Obafemi Martins Plans Six-Zone Football Tournament for Tinubu’s Re-election

Published

3 weeks ago

September 12, 2026

Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins

Obafemi Martins Plans Six-Zone Football Tournament for Tinubu’s Re-election

Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has announced plans to organise and personally finance a youth football tournament in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Martins disclosed the plan during an interview with TVC, saying the competition, which he described as the Renewed Hope Youth Tournament, would be held in November.

The former Inter Milan and Newcastle United forward said the tournament would involve teams representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with an additional two or three teams expected to take part.

“There’s a tournament that I’m doing for His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu that I’m doing for his campaign, the Renewed Hope Youth tournament, and I’m doing it with geopolitical zones, which is six, and I’m adding two to three more teams with it,” Martins said.

He explained that the initiative was intended to serve purposes beyond political support, stressing that he wanted the tournament to create opportunities for Nigerian youths through football.

“I’m just happy to do it for the president with all his hard work and all that. And that is not just for the president, it’s for the Nigerians and the Nigerian youth as well; how we can help them,” he said.

Martins also confirmed that he would personally fund the tournament when asked whether he would finance the initiative himself.

“Yes, I’m doing it in November,” he said.

The proposed Renewed Hope Youth Tournament is coming as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with supporters of President Tinubu increasingly using grassroots, youth and sporting initiatives as part of efforts to mobilise support for his re-election.

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The tournament’s proposed structure around the six geopolitical zones could also give young footballers from different parts of the country an opportunity to participate in a national competition. However, Martins has not yet publicly announced the venues, participating teams, prize structure or detailed fixtures for the event.

The former Nigeria international has in recent months also become more vocal about the need for greater youth involvement in Nigerian football administration.

In August, Martins expressed support for Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, saying he believed Seyi could contribute to changing Nigerian football if he became involved in the administration of the sport.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast while discussing the crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Martins said Nigerian football needed younger people who understood both the game and the system. He identified Seyi Tinubu as someone he believed could contribute to such efforts.

Martins’ proposed tournament therefore adds a new dimension to his recent public involvement in football and his support for the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 election.

The former striker enjoyed a lengthy professional career, including spells with Inter Milan and Newcastle United, and remains a familiar figure among Nigerian football supporters. His latest initiative combines his football background with his stated desire to support young Nigerians and Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

The phrase “Renewed Hope” has become closely associated with Tinubu and his administration. It was used prominently during the 2023 presidential campaign of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima and has subsequently been adopted in the branding of government programmes and by political groups campaigning for continuity ahead of the 2027 election.

The development also comes against the backdrop of increasing efforts by pro-Tinubu groups to engage young voters ahead of the 2027 election. Recent political mobilisation initiatives have specifically targeted youths and women at the grassroots level in support of the President’s re-election bid.

For Martins, the November tournament represents an attempt to combine his support for Tinubu’s 2027 campaign with a youth-focused football initiative. While the political objective of the event is explicit, the former Super Eagles star has also presented it as an opportunity to support young Nigerians through the sport.

The details of the tournament, including the host city, participating teams, competition format and prizes, are expected to be announced by the organisers as preparations for the November event progress.

Martins has, however, made his central position clear: he plans to finance the competition himself, bring together teams from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, add other participating teams and use the event to support Tinubu’s bid for another term as President in 2027.

Obafemi Martins Plans Six-Zone Football Tournament for Tinubu’s Re-election

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Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Portugal defeated Denmark 4-2 in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday, producing a strong performance despite the absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The result extended Portugal’s perfect start under head coach Jorge Jesus, who has now overseen three victories from three matches since taking charge of the national team.

Playing in Copenhagen, Portugal took the lead in the 13th minute when João Cancelo finished from close range after Denmark struggled to clear the ball.

The hosts responded when Mikkel Damsgaard produced a composed finish to level the score.

Portugal regained the advantage shortly afterwards through Gonçalo Ramos, who found the net at the near post to make it 2-1.

Denmark refused to surrender and drew level again early in the second half through Rasmus Højlund.

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Portugal then regained control of the contest, with Vitinha heading home in the 57th minute to restore the visitors’ lead.

João Félix completed the scoring three minutes from full time, finishing a counter-attack to secure the 4-2 victory.

The match was played against the backdrop of Ronaldo’s absence after the veteran forward left Portugal’s training camp before the game.

Ronaldo’s departure followed a decision by Jesus not to start him against Denmark. The 41-year-old subsequently said in a social media post that he would explain the circumstances surrounding his exit at a later time.

With Ronaldo unavailable, Jesus handed Ramos the responsibility of leading the attack, and the Paris Saint-Germain forward responded with Portugal’s second goal.

The victory moved Portugal to nine points from three matches in the competition and maintained their winning run under Jesus.

Denmark, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another match in which they twice came from behind but were unable to prevent Portugal from taking all three points.

Portugal will continue their Nations League campaign against Norway, while attention is expected to remain on Ronaldo and his future involvement with the national team.

Portugal Beat Denmark 4-2 Without Ronaldo in Nations League Clash

Sports

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Published

5 days ago

October 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal national team camp ahead of the country’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark, following reports of tension over his role in the team.

Ronaldo’s departure came after Portugal coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the 41-year-old forward would not start against Denmark.

The situation reportedly followed Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, when Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout the match despite warming up during the game.

According to reports, Ronaldo was unhappy after he was not introduced and went straight to the dressing room at the final whistle rather than joining his teammates in acknowledging the Portuguese supporters.

Jesus later addressed the issue and acknowledged that Ronaldo was unhappy with the decision, but denied that there had been a major confrontation between the two.

The Portugal coach also dismissed reports that Ronaldo had refused to train, explaining that the forward had instead completed individual mobility and strengthening exercises.

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The situation intensified after Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo would again not be in the starting lineup for the Denmark vs Portugal fixture, with Gonçalo Ramos expected to lead the attack.

Jesus said Ronaldo could still be introduced as a substitute depending on how the match developed.

Ronaldo subsequently held a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença before leaving the national team camp in Copenhagen.

The Portugal captain later posted a statement on social media confirming his departure and indicating that he would explain the circumstances behind the decision at a later time.

He did not directly accuse Jesus or the Portuguese federation of wrongdoing in the statement.

The episode has nevertheless generated renewed questions about Ronaldo’s role in the Portugal national team, particularly as he approaches the later stages of his international career.

Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and one of the country’s most decorated players. He has also previously indicated that his playing career is approaching its final stage.

For now, the confirmed sequence is that Ronaldo was left unused against Norway, Jesus subsequently announced that he would not start against Denmark, Ronaldo met with the federation president and then left the training camp.

Portugal’s immediate focus remains its Nations League campaign, while further details about Ronaldo’s decision are expected to emerge if the player follows through on his promise to explain the circumstances.

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Sports

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2026

Trends Admin

Super Eagles after their defeat to Guinea Bissau

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a stunning 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday night, as their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign suffered a major setback in Bissau.

The hosts produced a dominant display at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro, scoring once in the first half and twice after the break to move to the top of Group L with six points from two matches.

Franculino Djú put Guinea-Bissau ahead in the 15th minute after receiving a long pass from Renato Nhaga. He worked his way into the Nigerian penalty area before curling a left-footed effort beyond goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The Super Eagles struggled to find their rhythm after conceding and failed to create enough clear chances to trouble the hosts before the interval.

Coach Eric Chelle responded at the start of the second half by introducing Moses Simon and Moses Usor for Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka.

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The changes did little to alter the pattern of the match, with Guinea-Bissau continuing to pose the greater attacking threat.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 66th minute through Mama Baldé, who collected a pass from Mamadi Camará before cutting into the Nigerian box and firing a low shot past Nwabali.

Chelle subsequently brought on George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika for Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi, while Tolu Arokodare replaced Ademola Lookman.

Ilenikhena came close to reducing the deficit late in the game, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Embadjé made another important save to preserve his side’s two-goal advantage.

Nigeria’s miserable night was completed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Álvaro Djaló finished a through ball from Tamble Monteiro to make it 3-0.

The result leaves Nigeria with three points from two matches, following their opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar.

Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, have six points after beating Tanzania 2-0 in their opening fixture before defeating Nigeria.

Madagascar and Tanzania drew 1-1 in the other Group L match.

With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament co-hosts, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the qualifying position available to the highest-ranked non-host nation in the group.

The Super Eagles will have an opportunity to respond when they face Tanzania in a double-header during the November international window.

For Chelle and his players, however, the 3-0 defeat in Bissau leaves little room for another disappointing performance as the AFCON 2027 qualifying race continues.