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Year: 2024

Morocco 2025: Eagles, Amavubi arrive Uyo for final group clash

Fola Badmus03 mins

Group winners Nigeria and final-day opponents Rwanda have both landed at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo ahead of Monday’s Matchday 6 clash in the concluding round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Deflated but not altogether supine, the Amavubi still have a mathematical chance of qualifying, though the supposition is not actually in their favour. They missed a big opportunity to enhance their chances when losing at home to Libya’s Mediterranean Knights on Thursday, and can only make it to Morocco 2025 if they defeat Nigeria in Uyo and Libya are victorious against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in North Africa on Monday. The Super Eagles, confirmed group winners, have nothing to chase other than national pride, and will play a more relaxed game against the visitors than the turgid contest with the Cheetahs at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday night. Nigeria’s delegation flew from the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft, arriving at 3.50pm. Rwanda’s delegation flew from Kigali to Lagos aboard a regular Rwandair flight, arriving at 1pm, before boarding an Ibom Air flight to Uyo. They landed in Uyo just before 5pm. Uyo’s magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium is the venue, and a carnival atmosphere is expected as the Super Eagles celebrate for 90 minutes and afterwards with the AFCON ticket long in the bag. Both countries battled to a scoreless draw in their first confrontation in Kigali in September, though the jury is still out on Ademola Lookman’s first-half headed goal that was inexplicably chalked off by the Moroccan referee. Incidentally, another Moroccan will be in the role of referee on Monday. 44-year-old Samir Guezzaz takes the stage in the centre at the game that kicks off at 5pm. Guezzaz alongside his compatriots Zakaria Brinsi (assistant 1), Abdessamad Abertoune (assistant 2) and Kech Chaf Mustapha (fourth official) are scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Saturday, same as Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana (commissioner) and Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia (referee assessor).

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Juventus terminates Pogba’s contract

Fola Badmus02 mins

Italian club Juventus and Paul Pogba announced on Friday that they have mutually agreed to terminate the midfielder’s contract on November 30. The 31-year-old had a deal with the Serie A club until June 2026 but is banned from playing until March next year after testing positive for DHEA, which boosts testosterone levels, in September 2023. “The club wishes Paul all the best for his professional future,” Juventus said in a statement. The former France international had his ban reduced from four years to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport last month and thanked the Serie A club and the fans for their support. “My time at Juventus has come to an end. It has been a privilege to wear the Bianconeri shirt and share so many special moments together. I will cherish the memories we have made,” the striker said in a statement. “I look forward to the next chapter of my career and to getting back on the pitch with my next club.”

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Nigeria to strenghten defence ties with Germany

Fola Badmus02 mins

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana has said that with the new circle of projects by the German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG), the Defence relationship between Nigeria and Germany will be strengthened. The Permanent Secretary stated this when he met with a high-level delegation from the German Technological Advisory Group, led by Mr. Marcus Ohm in Ship House, Abuja. He said: “ I am happy for accepting the new project circle and I promise we are going to sustain it.” Dr. Kana highlighted Nigeria government’s efforts since the last time the group visited the project. He said Nigeria government has developed a framework and the Defence Headquarters has been mandated to bring up projects within the framework for proper coordination, planning and execution. He emphasized the importance of modernizing the Nigerian Armed Forces through, enhanced security intelligence sharing, equipment upgrades and capacity building as well as the need for Nigerian personnel involvement in the project planning and execution for the purpose of sustainability. Mr. Ohm expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s progress, stating: “The project is going in the right direction.” He therefore pledged Germany’s commitment to delivering successful projects. The meeting highlighted the mutual benefits of cooperation, with both nations committed to transparency, dedication and enhanced collaboration.

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Jake Paul outclasses Mike Tyson in historic fight

Fola Badmus03 mins

Social media star turned boxer Jake Paul defeated former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson in the pair’s boxing match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Friday night. Paul won by unanimous decision after the fight went all eight rounds. Tyson, 58, was a huge fan favorite in the stadium, but was not able to stand up to the onslaught from the 27-year-old Paul. The former heavyweight champion started out fast, but looked his age as the younger Paul kept him at arms reach for much of the fight. Paul bowed to Tyson in the final seconds of the bout. YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul shows some love to Mike Tyson after their fight went 8 rounds on Friday night at AT&T Stadium. Paul won the fight by unanimous decision. “Let’s give it up for Mike, bro. He’s a legend. He’s the greatest to ever do it,” Paul said after the fight. Tyson stayed on his feet for the duration of the fight. Paul had knocked down or knocked out his competition in all of his previous fights. The social media star landed 78 punches, compared to 18 for Tyson. Tyson admitted he was dealing with a knee injury before the fight. “Yeah, but I can’t use that for an excuse because if I did, I wouldn’t be in here,” said Tyson. Paul is now 11-1 with seven knockouts in his career. Tyson’s record fell to 50-7. After the fight, Tyson was asked if that was his final time in the ring. “I don’t think so,” Tyson responded. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson seemed open to the possibility of more fights after losing his boxing match to Jake Paul. Paul vs. Tyson is now available to watch globally on Netflix. Paul said he would not call out specific names for his next fight, but did mention Canelo Alvarez.

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SWAN congratulates Olopade as DG Sports Commission, Super Eagles

Fola Badmus04 mins

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated Hon. Bukola Olopade on his appointment as the Director-General of National Sports Commission (NSC). In a letter to the new NSC DG dated November 15, 2024, through the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, described the appointment of Olopade as a round peg in a round hole. Benjamin expressed confidence that with the indepth knowledge and experience of Olopade over the years in the Nigeria’s Sports, the sector is about to excel more than ever before. The number sports writer in Nigeria is also optimistic that the combination of the new NSC DG and the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, will take Nigerian Sports to greater heights. Part of thr letter to Olapade reads, “No doubt your appointment is a testament of your unwavering commitment to sports development in Nigeria. “As sporting media, we are quite optimistic in your ability to make remarkable impact within Nigerian sporting architecture as we assure you of our support as always. Being a friend of the media, we believe our partnership will continue to be strengthened as you creatively evolve a progressive and sustainable grassroots development strategy for Nigeria’s Sports. “Also, we assure of our readiness to support you, just as we always play our watchdog role in highlighting areas the present administration could explore in reviving the huge sporting sector.” Meanwhile, SWAN has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for it’s renewed commitment which ensured that they clinched the ticket to 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. SWAN in a statement on Friday said the team’s early qualification is a testament of a well orchestrated plan and cooperation by relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Technical Crew and Players of Super Eagles. “SWAN welcomes the qualification of Super Eagles to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations without breaking sweat. This goes to show the quality of the current Super Eagles coupled with the level of organisation by the Nigeria Football Federation,” the SWAN President said. President Benjamin then urged NFF hierarchy and all concerned to ensure early and efficient preparation of Super Eagles to the Nations Cup scheduled for Morocco, adding, “having won AFCON three times in history and finishing second best in 2023 edition, it’s time to push harder to win the fourth laurel in Morocco.” The 2025 AFCON is scheduled for December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

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Olopade ‘ll revamp Nigeria’s sports sector -OGD

Fola Badmus03 mins

Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel has expresssed believe in the newly appointed Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr. Bukola Olopade to restore the country’s lost glory in sports. Senator Daniel, who Olopade served as the Commissioner for Sports his eight-year term as Ogun State Governor, took to his official X handle to attest to the capability of later on Friday. “One of the highlights of my administration was our conscious efforts in ensuring that sports and youth development receive the utmost attention. “This was evident in the landmark Gateway Games, Gateway Tertiary Institution Games (GATIG), the hosting of the FIFA Junior World Cup and many more. “All these were possible through concerted efforts and initiatives of which Chief Bukola Olopade as the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development played a great part. “It is therefore with great delight that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided to appoint him as the Director General of the National Sports Commission. “I am confident that he will right all the wrongs in our nation’s sports affairs and provide the needed leadership for Nigerians to compete in all competitions delightedly, bringing pride and victory to us all,” the former Governor now Senator assured. Olopade who is the brain behind the highly successful Access Bank sponsored Lagos City Marathon, becomes the second official of the recently revived NSC. He’s currently the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the next National Sports Festival to be hosted by his home state . Olopade’s appointment is one of those announced on Thursday by the Presidency in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

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Edo: Okpebholo appoints Gani Audu as Chief of Staff

Fola Badmus02 mins

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect. In an official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, Audu’s appointment will help Governor Okpebholo in driving meaningful reforms in the State. “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect,” the official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government read. Hon. Audu, born 18th August 1969, obtained an HND from Auchi Polytechnic in 1994, a PGD in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University in 2011 and an M.Sc in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja in 2024. Hon. Audu was an elected Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010. He was elected member Edo State House of Assembly (Etsako West Constituency 1) from 2015 to 2023. Hon. Audu was the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Edo State Governorship elections.

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