Sports
Eligibility Rules Prevented Manchester United Move, Mikel Reveals
Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has disclosed that Manchester United were unable to sign him as a teenager due to Premier League eligibility rules governing young African players.
Mikel said he was just 16 years old when he spent a month on trial at Old Trafford, training regularly with the first team. According to him, then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed and often paired him with Roy Keane during training sessions.
Despite the interest, Mikel explained that league rules at the time required African players to have featured in at least 75 percent of their national team’s matches to qualify for a move. Having not yet played for Nigeria’s senior team, he failed to meet the criteria.
He added that his age also prevented him from playing competitive first-team football, making the transfer impossible. The revelation highlights the regulatory barriers faced by young African talents seeking early moves to top European clubs.
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Dangote, BUA, others drive industrial sector assets to N9.3tn
Five major industrial goods firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange recorded a combined asset base of N9.31 trillion in the 2025 financial year, reflecting improved profitability and stronger returns across the sector. The companies — Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement, Lafarge Africa Plc, Beta Glass Plc and Chemical and Allied Products Plc — saw their…
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Nigeria’s crude export earnings drop 14% to $31.5bn despite output rise
Nigeria’s crude oil export earnings declined to $31.54 billion in 2025, representing a 14 per cent drop from $36.85 billion recorded in 2024, despite an increase in overall production. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the fall in earnings dragged the country’s current account surplus down to $14.04 billion from $19.03 billion…
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Suspected bandits bomb bridge in Niger
Suspected bandits have bombed a bridge along Luma Road, cutting off access between Luma, Babana, and Agwara communities in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State. It was gathered that the incident occurred early Monday, disrupting movement and crippling the Babana major border market, which is held every Monday. According to sources, the bridge attack is…
