Former Nigerian international Friday Ekpo has advised Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle not to exclude players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) from the list of players that will be invited for the 2026 Unity Cup.

Nigeria will compete in the 2026 Unity Cup in London from May 26–30, 2026, at The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic FC.

As defending champions, Nigeria will face Jamaica, Zimbabwe, and India in this four-nation tournament celebrating Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.

In a chat, Ekpo stated that opportunities should be given to the NPFL players to prove their worth in the Super Eagles.

“The Unity Cup should be an opportunity for the Super Eagles handler to pick a few of the NPFL players who he thinks are capable of contributing positively to the senior national team.

“I have nothing against inviting foreign players to the team, but neglecting players in the domestic league should not be encouraged because we still have quality players who can be of great value to the team.”

Ghanaian ‌footballer Dominic Frimpong has been killed during an armed robbery on his club side Berekum Chelsea’s team bus as they returned from an away match in the Ghana Premier League, the country’s football association (GFA) said.

The attack on Sunday happened between Goaso and Bibiani as the teams were heading home from the game against Samartex in Samreboi in the south of the country.

 “On our way back to Berekum from Samreboi, our team bus was attacked by a group of armed robbers who ‌blocked the road to prevent our passage,” the club said in a statement on Monday.

“Masked men wielding guns and assault rifles started shooting at our bus as the driver tried to reverse.

The Ghanaian FA later said that 20-year-old Frimpong had died.

“The GFA has received with profound shock and deep sorrow the tragic news of the passing of Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea Football Club,” the FA said in a statement.

“This tragic incident is not only a huge loss to Berekum Chelsea but also to Ghana football as a whole. Dominic was a promising young talent whose dedication and passion for the game embodied the spirit of our league.”

It said ‌it would strengthen security arrangements for clubs travelling for domestic competitions.

In a similar incident in 2023, Legon Cities’ team bus ‌was ‌attacked following a game at Samartex, though no one was reported injured.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Central Organizing Committee (COC) of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup, has concluded arrangements for this year’s local government area (LGA) finals across the eight local government areas of the State.

‎This was contained in a statement signed by Tournament Director, Ebi Avi in preparation for this year’s edition of the LGA finals after weeks of beautiful football across thirty different centres.

The statement said the LGA finals began in Nembe LGA on Sunday, at the Nembe City Stadium as high-scoring Okoroma United of Okoroma battled Fantuo FC of Fantuo for the ₦1,000,000 prize money at stake.

‎Hon. Braah Oteigbanyo, the Member representing Nembe Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly and Hon. David Alagoa, Chairman of Member Local Government Council is expected to be on hand to cheer the boys.

According to the statement, attention will shift to Ogbia LGA on Monday, 13th April, 2026 with determined Movers FC of Otuasega confronting Edi 1 FC of Ayakoro at the Imiringi Mini Stadium.

‎The statement equally stated that Hon. Gabriel Ogbara, Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, the Chairman of Ogbia LGA, Hon. Jeremiah Golden, alongside other stakeholders, are expected to grace the occasion.

On Tuesday, 14th April, 2026, the excitement will move to Ekeremor LGA as two-time champions, Krosaders FC of Peretorugbene tackle Osunmabio of Osainmabio at Ayamasa School field.

‎The House Committee Chairman on Sports, Hon. Tare Porri will be joined by the Commissioner, Local Government and Community Development, Hon Thompson Amule and other stakeholders to add colour to the event.

The statement also explains that Kolobiriowei FC of Bulou-Orua will engage Agoro United of Agoro in the Sagbama LGA finals on Wednesday, 15th April, 2026 at the Ebedebiri pitch.

‎The Director General, Bayelsa Micro-Finance Enterprise Development Agency, Hon. Embeleakpo Apere is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour.

‎It further states that the Prosperity Cup train will move to Kolokuma/Opokuma on Thursday, April 16th, 2026 as Mountain of the Lord’s Deliverance Ministry, MLDM FC of Odi entertain Odi United in the battle of two Odi giants at the Kaiama pitch.

‎Hon Pamo Werenipre and Hon. Wisdom Fafi, both Members of the State House of Assembly and Hon. Lelei Tariye, Chairman, Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA will be there to add colour to the fiesta.

According to the statement, Amassoma will have the luxury of hosting the enterprising NDU Oilers FC of Amassoma and the rugged Onde United of Ondewari on Friday, 17th of April, 2026 in the Southern Ijaw LGA finals.

‎Women Affairs Commissioner, Hon. Joanah Gigi and Chairman, Southern Ijaw Local Government Council, Hon. Target Segibo will be among guests to be entertained.

‎Avi disclosed that Saturday, 18th April, 2026 will be the turn of Brass LGA as Mini FC of Minibie welcomes Igoni FC of Odioma at the beautiful Island of Okpoama, pointing out that Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere is among the dignitaries to watch the final.

‎The Tournament Director also said Bayelsa United Feeders and Brazil FC of Yenagoa will be at each other’s throats as they battle for glory at the Samson Siasia Stadium Sunday, 19th of April, 2026.

‎Hon. Ayibanengiyefa Egba, Member representing Yenagoa Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly and Hon. Bulodisiye Ndiwari, Chairman of Yenagoa LGA will be among the guests.

‎He equally stated that the kick-off time for all the matches is 1:00pm with the winners of each match smiling to the bank with ₦1,000,000 while the runners-up will receive ₦500,000.

‎Ebi Avi appreciated all the sponsors; Premium Trust Bank, the Bayelsa State Government, Linkage Assurance, NDDC, NCDMB, Nigeria Customs Service, Binad Table Water and the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue for their immense support for the growth of tournament.