2024 | Page 45 of 75 | Trendbrio.com

Morocco 2025: Eguavoen drops Osimhen, picks 23 Eagles for Libya clash

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has called Captain William Ekong, rave-of-the-moment Ademola Lookman, in-form winger Moses Simon and 20 other players for this month’s home-and-away 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battle with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. Wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are included, as well as goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoya, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze. Reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is excluded on grounds of injury, just as South Africa-based centre-back Olisa Ndah, but defender Bright Osayi-Samuel makes his way back after missing the duels with Benin Republic and Rwanda last month, and in-form playmaker Chidera Ejuke returns to the fold after many moons. Veteran forward Kelechi Iheanacho is also listed, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and Frank Onyeka. The Super Eagles will host the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before flying to Benghazi to take on the Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometres away from Benghazi on Tuesday, 15th October. All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, 7th October. Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England) Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)

Pogba’s drug ban cut to 18 months from 4 years

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

French international footballer Paul Pogba’s four-year ban for doping has been reduced to 18 months, a spokesperson from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Friday. “I can confirm the decision: an 18-month suspension with effect from 11 September 2023. The reasons for the decision will follow later,” the CAS spokesperson said. Pogba, who is under contract with Juventus until 2026, will be able to return to competitive football from March 11 next year, four days before his 32nd birthday. Pogba tested positive for testosterone in August 2023 after a match between Juventus and Udinese. He was provisionally suspended in September of the same year, and then banned for four years by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal the following February. Pogba’s representatives said the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States. After the ban was announced, Pogba posted on his Instagram account that he had “never knowingly or deliberately” taken doping products. “I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me,” he wrote. On Friday evening, after the CAS ruling, his post was wordless, showing only a close-up of two feet wearing Pogba football boots with socks bearing his initials and decorated with the French flag and the two World Cup stars. A key figure when France won the 2018 world title in Russia, Pogba collected four Serie A titles in his first stint at Juventus but had a string of problems, on and off the pitch, after his 2022 return from Manchester United. During the 2022-23 season, Pogba made just 10 appearances for the club, mainly due to a knee injury that also ruled him out of the World Cup in Qatar, where France lost out to Argentina in the final in December 2022. He was also the victim of a case of organised extortion, for which six men, including his brother Mathias, were last month ordered to stand trial.

Basketball: Rivers Hoopers defeat Kano Pillars, advance to semis

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL), Rivers Hoopers defeated Kano Pillars 59-42 in the quarterfinals of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Basketball Championship in Abuja on Saturday. It was a game that renewed old rivalry between the two teams and the two coaches (Ogoh Odaudu and Scott Nnaji). Although 99% of Kano Pillars’ players who last played against Hoopers in the league had left the team, leaving just Azuoma Dike as the only veteran on the team. The KingsMen, whose last meeting with Pillars was the group stage of the 2022 NPBL Final Eight in Lagos, started the game with a 6-0 run in the first quarter. Hoopers led in all four quarters of the game, and had a slim 31-22 lead at the break. Despite efforts from Pillars to close the gap in the third, the KingsMen outscored Pillars 12-10 to take an 11-point lead into the last quarter.Pillars, who played with a six-man rotation, wore out in the fourth and could barely keep up with the momentum in the last 5 minutes of the game. Rivers Hoopers will play Suleja Hornets in the semis on Saturday evening at 4pm.

CDS tourney: Rivers Hoopers remain unbeaten, face Kano Pillars

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Rivers Hoopers have been drawn to play Kano Pillars in the quarterfinals of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Independence Basketball Championship in Abuja. The KingsMen defeated Gilali 77-41 to finish the group stage without a defeat, while Gboko City Chiefs finished second with two wins in Group C. Unlike the first two games, Hoopers took care of business in the first half and sailed through the remaining part of the game. At halftime, Hoopers had built an 18-point lead heading to the third quarter, which was extended to 29 points (62-33) going to the fourth. Although the KingsMen took their feet off the gas in the last quarter, they outscored Gilali 18-6 to pick up their third victory of the tournament. Hoopers will play against Kano Pillars at 8 a.m. on Saturday. The winner will advance to the semis scheduled for Saturday evening, while the winners of the semis will play in the final on Sunday.

NFF budgets N17.6bn for 2025

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has budgeted a whopping sum of N17.6 billion for the year 2025. Raising from its Annual General Meeting held in Asaba, Delta State on Thursday, the Congress in a communique approved the new budget. “The Congress approved the NFF’s 2025 budget proposal amounting to the sum of N17.6 billion,” the Communique stated. The Congress also approved the NFF’s Financial Statements for the Year ended 2023. The Congress acknowledged the Federal Government’s expectation for the Super Eagles qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Congress assured the government of its commitment to ensuring that necessary preparations are made to meet these objectives, while urging the Executive Committee of the NFF to prioritize decisions that will further develop Nigeria football. The Congress lauded the efforts of Nigeria’s national teams, especially the Super Eagles for their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations’ silver-medal feat and the Super Falcons for their participation in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 16 years.

Ex-Super Eagles goalie, Dosu Joseph cheats death

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Former Nigerian goalkeeper Joseph Dosu has revealed he narrowly escaped death in a road accident in Lagos on Wednesday, 2 October. Dosu shared his ordeal on Facebook on Friday; “To God be the glory, another death escape by Grace and Mercy of God… I and my friend SM were at Enyo filling station after Ojodu Berger bus stop, to get fuel… when this MACK TRUCK with registration number LND 470 XX, fully loaded with IRON, left the road and crushed my car.” Dosu, a member of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold-winning team, escaped in 1997 after an accident that ended his football career. After the 1996 Olympics, Dosu signed with Serie A club Reggiana but never made an impact due to his career-ending injury.

N110.4bn Fraud: Court orders Yahaya Bello to appear for arraignment

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT in Maitama, Abuja on October 3, 2024, has issued a public summon against former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello following his absence in a fresh arraignment on 16-count charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Bello, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu are facing prosecution bordering on criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy to commit an offence to the tune of N110.4 Billion. Justice Anenih issued the summon in a ruling following an ex parte application by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN praying the court to grant leave that the defendant be served the charges via substituted means, following his absence in court to answer charges filed against him on September 24, 2024. The court ordered that the charges be served on the defendant at his known residence, No 4, Benghazi Street, Maitama, Abuja, through a public summons to be published in widely circulated national newspapers and also pasted within the premises of the court. The judge granted two separate adjournments: October 24, 2024, and November 14, 2024. The former was for arraignment on the grounds that the defendant will be arrested and brought to court by EFCC and the latter when the 30 days of service elapsed. Bello is also being awaited for arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja on an 18-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2billion.

CDS tourney: Rivers Hoopers advance to quarterfinals

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Rivers Hoopers have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Independence Basketball Championship after they defeated Bauchi Nets 55-50 at the Mo Arena on Thursday. The Ogoh Odaudu-led team started the game with consecutive three-pointers to end the first quarter with a one-point lead, 13-12. The second quarter was a low-scoring game for the two teams who failed to score, but it was Hoopers who took a three-point lead (22-19) to the break. Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu was disappointed in his team, who played with less aggression against Nets. Asked about how he felt about the two wins against City Chiefs and Bauchi Nets, Odaudu said, “We played terribly in both games, but it was expected we have not played competitive basketball since we finished for the Basketball Africa League, so I didn’t expect anything less. We will keep working, getting better, and pushing hard. The KingsMen were down by five with two minutes left to play but crawled their way back at crunch time to seal their spot in the quarterfinals. ”It’s a great tournament, and we are using it to test ourselves and how far we can go. It is a good practice session for us ahead of the league later this month. Odaudu made comparisons between their two opening games played on Wednesday and Thursday (today). ”We didn’t play very well; yesterday’s game was more experienced than the team we played today. It was a lack of aggression on our part that happened today.” The Hoopers boss said he has two targets for the CDS tournament and hopes to accomplish both. ”Our goal is to see how our team is and to win the prize money attached to the tournament. It will be good to kill two birds with one stone.Test our team, get prepared for the league, and win the prize money, but every team comes with the intent of winning, and ours is a podium finish. The KingsMen will play their last group game against Gilali on Friday.