90 Minutes Plus

According to the Bible, "...time and chance happeneth to them all." This is especially true about talent recognition in football. It's one of the major reasons why many aspiring players either fall victim to scam offers or fail to make it to the big stage.In this episode of the podcast, Rilwan Balogun joins us to discuss footballer education, and how the luck of time and geography influences talent recognition. We also review Ademola Lookman's move to Spain, Arsenal's title chances and coaches taking responsibility.Time Stamp00:00 - 04:30 - Introduction04:30 - 06:50 - The Mystery of Some 'Pro' Players06:50 - 12:20 - How the 'Luck' of Time and Geography Influences Talent Recognition12:20 - 30:00 - Myanmar Instead of Miami: Africa's Hydra-headed Football Problem30:00 - 40:40 - Analyzing CAF's Latest Decisions40:40 - 53:30 - Discussing Arsenal's Premier League Title Race53:30 - 1:02:00 - Ademola Lookman at Atletico Madrid: January's Most-impactful Signing in Europe?1:02:00 - End - Hansi Flick's High Line and Arrogant ArneFollow us on social media @the90minsplus

Why does football seem to struggle in Nigeria? What's stopping Nigeria from hosting the 2060 AFCON tournament? What makes Chelsea such a difficult side to predict in cup competitions? We try to answer these questions and touch on other topics in the latest episode of the podcast.Episode Timestamp00:00 - 05:10 - Introduction, Uefa Champions League and the Super Bowl05:10 - 13:15 - Papa-isere Lekan Salami Stadium and the Incoming "Traffic"13:15 - 29:00 - Why is Football in Nigeria not Making as Much Money as it Should29:00 - 31:00 - Football and its Supporting Ecosystems31:00 - 39:00 - Politicking and Incredible Budgets: Can Nigeria Celebrate 100 Years of Independence with an AFCON Tournament?39:00 - 52:00 - UEFA Champions League Play-offs52:00 - 56:30 - National Sports Commission's Unique Budget and CAF Sanctions56:30 - 1:00:00 - Analyzing The Interview1:00:00 - End - Is CAF Due a Nigerian President?For more podcast content, follow us on social media @the90minsplus

In the second episode of the year, we review the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco. We touch on the dramatic final in Rabat, discuss conspiracy theories and highlight disappointing officiating and distasteful color commentaries.We also had time to compare Nigeria with Senegal and Morocco, for both on and off the pitch performances and progress after the tournament. Not forgetting, we had time to ask: Dear NFF, where has all the prize 'monies' gone?Episode Timestamp00:00 - 01:30 - Introduction and Tosin's 'Aggressive' Start01:30 - 02:45 - Podcast Line-up and @the90minsplus on Social Media 02:45 - 06:00 - 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Review06:00 - 15:30 - Rabat's Dramatic Final and AFCON 2025's Digraceful Officiating15:30 - 19:15 - Debunking (or Confirming?) the Conspiracies Around A Rigged Tournament19:15 - 26:50 - Africa's Refeereing Dilemma and the Politics Behind It26:50 - 37:30 - NFF's Opaque Tournament Prize Money Expenditure37:30 - 51:25 - Nigerian's Golden Bronze: Comparing Processes, Investments and Positioning51:25 - 1:00:10 - Tactical Analysis of Super Eagles' AFCON Performance1:00:10 - 1:05:00 - Ex-Internationals Disappoint in Color Commentary Role1:05:00 - End - Greater Paris, AFCON's Biggest Talent Pool and the Deloittee Money Football LeagueWant more podcast content? Looking to further discuss some of the topics on this show? Tweet at us @the90minsplusFor further reads:Greater Paris: AFCON's Biggest Talent Pool Deloitte Football Money League 2026

The 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is down to its final eight teams. With heavyweight clashes looming ahead, we preview the tactical battles to look out for while predicting potential finalists.We also take time to discuss how the playing conditions in Morocco have produced top tier football and how the North African side is setting the standard for African football.Follow us on social media @the90minsplus

In this episode, Dorcas takes us through the world of women's football in Nigeria. She highlights the women's league, points out its challenges and reveals its money channels. Find the timeline below 00:00 - 03:22 - Introduction 03:22 - 04:15 - Celebrating Women's Day 04:15 - 08:00 - Why Women's Football? 08:45 - 09:45 - Follow Dorcas on Twitter 09:45 - 13:06 - Understanding the Difference between NWFL and NWPL? 13:06 - 21:02 - Covering the NWPL: The Good, the Bad and all in Between 21:02 - 26:00 - Why is the League Currently on Hold? 26:00 - 33:07 - Money Channels in the League? 33:07 - 37:30 - The Falcons, Voodoo and the Lionesses 37:30 - 42:50 - Replicating the World Cup Form in Paris 42:50 - 46:45 - Most Memorable NWPL Games 46:45 - 49:12 - Understanding the Abridged League Format 49:12 - End - Closing Remarks, Finding Dorcas, Team to Look out for Follow us on X @The90MinsPlus

At this stage last season, the Gunners were Premier League title contenders. That year, they had only Manchester City to contend with - and they came short. This season, Arteta's men are in a three-horse race for league title, with Liverpool also in the race. With a better team at his disposal, what's stopping Arsenal from a first title win in two decades? Follow us on Twitter @The90MinsPlus

In 2023, Barcelona was reported to have made $192mln from kit sponsorship and merchandise sales. How did the Catalan giants pull this off? Bayern Munich's dip in form may be bad news for Tuchel. But it is great news for Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen. Follow us on Twitter @The90MinsPlus.

It's been an eventful first round of AFCON games. In this episode, Papi the Great is joined by Tosin, Tolu and Adedeji to discuss the results so far. They touch on the surprise packages, predict the 'Final Four' and rate Nigeria's Super Eagles. Follow us on Twitter @The90MinsPlus 00:00 - 05:18 - Intros and Final Predictions 05:18 - 16:30 - Round 1's Best and Worst 16:30 - 26:30 - Understanding what is Wrong with Ghana 26:30 - 31:00 - Super Eagles Scorecard (after two games) 31:00 - 33:50 - More Intros and Predictions 33:50 - 38:40 - Is the Stock of African Football Rising 38:40 - 44:20 - The Battle between Pace, Power and Technicality 44:20 - 49:20 - Comparing Senegal and Cameroon 49:20 - 53:15 - The Mystery Surrounding Nigerian Football 53:15 - 58:15 - Informed Projections for the Rest of the Tournament 58:15 - 1:01:10 - Discussing North Africans 1:01:10 - End - More Predictions

Is it a coincidence that some of the best Premier League games happen just days to the end of the year? Are the Italians trying to replicate a superb marketing strategy by making the #JuventusRoma clash the clash Serie A game of the year? In other news, what a year 2023 has been! Here's wishing you a prosperous 2024. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @The90MinsPlus

One of the best ways to know a tournament is just around the corner: The outrage/displeasure/outcry that comes with a squad list announcement. Fans have been debating the composition of Jose Peseiro's list. To a sect of fans, the Super Eagles Nigeria manager seems biased. To others, a spot in the national team should be handed out on merit. The most interesting thing about both debates? They're both right! Follow us on Twitter @The90MinsPlus

The Nigerian striker was on course to be announced as CAF Player of the Year. What seemed to be a general consensus kicked up a bit of dust just hours before the award winner was announced. And again, the ugly head of 'My Opinion vs. Your Opinion' again reared its ugly head in football. Here we are, again asking: Are some comments in football more important than others?

Stamford Bridge served football fans a classic when Chelsea and Manchester City played out an enthralling 4-4 draw. Now that the dust has settled, it's time to ask questions about both teams and Erling Haaland.

In the Premier League this season, poor refereeing decisions have largely been accompanied by apologies. The PGMOL have been seen expressing regret to clubs who have been affected by the errors of their officials. But to what end? Are these apologies supposed to mean anything? Are they even necessary if the officials keep making these errors?

It's that time of the year when the initial Ballon d'Or shortlist surfaces and various fanbases make their argument. After what was a mind-blowing debut season as a Manchester City player in which he won The Treble, Erling Haaland has been nominated for the award. Same as Lionel Messi who, for the umpteenth time, has made the shortlist. But this time, the argument for him to win an eighth award is a different one: He has (finally) won the FIFA World Cup. But what argument should be made for a player who won both The Treble and the FIFA World Cup?

The third weekend in August was one like no other. It had the World Cup final, more Premier League games and, of course, the return of Serie A football - featuring a handful of sumptuous goals. But what's a weekend of football without questionable refereeing calls? That they're coming early in the season, should fans be worried?

Three African countries qualifying for the knockout stages is a rarity on the world stage when it comes to soccer. But it has happened, being one of the many firsts, that the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup has served since it began on the 20th of July.

It's football heritage like football fans would rarely see. On on hand, a Sevilla side that needed extra-time to get past Juventus in the semi-finals. On the other, an AS Roma side that needed extra-time to get past Feyenoord in the quarter-finals. The goal: To win the Europa League. Legacy, history, experience are all at stake as another continental title is decided.

And then they were EIGHT! As things get heated up in the UCL, the Italians have stolen the headlines. From the teams to the gaffers, it seems like Operation Resucitate Calcio in the Champions League this season. Also, as we countdown to the draws, Real Madrid seem to be the only side flying the Spain colors. Are they the team to beat (again) this season)

In the German Bundesliga, Bayern Munich (in 1st place) and SC Freiburg (in 5th place) are separated by just five points. These two sides, including the three sandwiched in-between are still technically alive in Europe. Add to that the 12 rounds of league games still to be played, and a lot can still happen in this race. However, this does not take anything away from what has been interestingly tight race at the summit of Germany's premier club football league. So, why is this neck-to-neck tussle in Germany not as popular? Why is the 'most competitive' of Europe's top 5 leagues this season not being deservedly discussed as it should?

Arsenal's loss to Manchester City was their first at the Emirates this season. Now joint-top of the Premier League table (second no thanks to goals difference), Arteta's got company in a position that was once lonely. Can the Gunners go the distance this season?