The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow on Tuesday over the tragic death of Abubakar Lawal, a Nigerian professional footballer in Uganda.

Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the sudden passing of Lawal in a statement in Abuja.

Tuggar, in the statement issued by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry, described the former Nigerian Under-20 international footballer’s death as a ‘great loss’ to Nigeria.

“In this moment of grief, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and the entire Nigerian football community during this difficult time,” Tuggar said.

Lawal was playing for Vipers Football Club in Uganda and was also a final-year Business Administration student at Cavendish University at the time of his death.

“The ministry has been in contact with the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, Uganda, which is collaborating with local authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

“We are committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation, including an autopsy to verify the cause of death.

“The ministry has also directed the High Commission in Kampala to provide all necessary consular support to the family and ensure that justice is served,” Tuggar stated.

Tuggar urged Nigerians to remain calm while investigation was ongoing and to refrain from speculation that could hinder the process.

“The ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely, while we remain resolute in protecting the welfare and rights of all Nigerian citizens abroad.

“May the soul of Abubakar Lawal rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has secured a house in Abuja for Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle.

According to SCORENigeria, the house rented for the gaffer is in a highbrow estate in Asokoro.

The NFF wants Chelle to live and work in Nigeria, which was not the case with the Super Eagles’ previous foreign coaches, Gernot Rohr and Jose Peseiro.

The Malian recently returned to the country following his tour of Europe, where he met some of the Super Eagles’ top stars.

Gatekeeper recalls that Chelle was appointed Super Eagles head coach in January.

The Super Eagles are gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Amavubi of Rwanda and the Warriors of Zimbabwe next month.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is certain that the Red Devils will win the Premier League title by 2028.

Manchester United last won the Premier League in 2012/13, under Sir Alex Ferguson.

For more than a decade, they have failed to win the English top-flight crown.

This season, Amorim’s side currently sit 13th in the Premier League table after 24 games.

Man United will face Tottenham Hotspur in an away Premier League clash on Sunday.

When asked whether Man United can win the Premier League by 2028, Amorim said (via Fabrizio Romano):

“Yes, we talk about that. Our focus is to win the Premier League, and we can change everything in a few years.

“At this moment, we are in a difficult position, but we need to work every day on the little steps.”

Amorim joined Manchester United after leaving Sporting CP last year.

It remains to be seen whether the Portuguese manager can lift a trophy for United this season.