January 2025 | Page 17 of 18

CHAN’s Champions to pocket $3.5m

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Confederation African of Football (CAF) announced today that the Prize Money of the Winner of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 has been increased by 75% and the Winner will now receive USD 3.5 million. CAF also announced that the total Prize Money of the CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 has been increased to USD 10.4 million which is an increase of 32%. The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “We are excited about the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 and have significantly increased the Prize Money of the Winner to USD 3.5 million which is an increase of 75%. We have also increased the total Prize Money of the CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 to USD 10.4 million which is a 32 % increase. “The CHAN is an important Competition for the development and growth of Africa-based football players and talented young players and will contribute significantly to the global competitiveness of African football and CAF Competitions. “This Competition is part of our strategy of investing in African football and making it appealing and attractive to football fans, TV viewers, sponsors, partners and other stakeholders in Africa and worldwide.” The CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 will start on Saturday 1 February 2025 and the final will take place on Friday 28 February 2025. The following 17 countries have already qualified for the CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Sudan, Zambia, Angola and Madagascar. Two additional countries will also participate in the CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 after qualifying from the remaining matches.

Sports

NFF appoints Éric Chelle as Super Eagles’ head coach

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles. At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7th January endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee. Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been Head Coach of the Aiglons since 2022. At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, Chelle’s Mali came very close to a place in the semi-finals, losing to hosts and eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 after extra time, after leading by a lone goal until the final minute of regulation time. The 47-year-old featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career. His appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches (Matchdays 5 & 6) taking place in March.

ECOWAS Marathon MOC Chairman reveals increased prize money, more elite runners to commemorate ECOWAS 50th anniversary

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago24 mins

The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, which is part of the activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ECOWAS, will feature elite runners from all ECOWAS countries, also the prize money has been increased. According to Amb. Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, there will also be other goodies for participants. Njoaguani disclosed that participants in the people’s race, the 5 km fun run, which is to encourage ECOWAS citizens to exercise and make running a way of life because of its immense health benefits, will be the biggest beneficiary of the increase in prize money. Njoaguani, who is also the director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, said, ” The 5 km fun run is special to us because we initiated it as part of the 21 km race so that more of our people will embrace the culture of walking, jogging, exercise, and running and make it part of their daily routine. “That is why we have decided to increase the prize money for the 5km race from $750 to $1000 (about N1.7 million) to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ECOWAS and encourage our people to make running a way of life. We are not increasing the prize money for just the winner but all the top finishers as specified in the participants’ guide, we are also inviting elite runners from all ECOWAS countries”. The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will be held on March 1, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. The event, which features 21km and 5km categories, is expected to attract runners and fitness enthusiasts across the continent and beyond. The 5km Race will begin at Eagle Square and end at the ECOWAS Commission in Asokoro Abuja, while the 21km (half-marathon) will start at the ECOWAS Commission and return to finish at the same location. Earlier, Race Director Gabriel Okon disclosed that the race is open to all categories of runners. “The event is for elites and fun runners and other classes of fitness enthusiasts from across the continent, all vying for their share of over $71,000 in prize money. The marathon is not only a celebration of athleticism but also a showcase of unity and the vibrant spirit of the region.”

CHAN: Ogunmodede invites 26 players as Eagles commence camping in Ikenne-Remo

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Stand-in Head Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has called up captain Nduka Harrison Junior, goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defenders Sadiq Ismail and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielder Saviour Isaac, and forward Sikiru Alimi among a list of 26 players to begin closed-camping exercise at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo on Monday, 6th January ahead of the 8th African Nations Championship finals. Goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defenders Imo Obot and Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad, Rabiu Ali and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Adamu Abubakar and Emmanuel Ogbole have also been invited. The Super Eagles B, for the first time ever in the qualification series, bumped Ghana’s Black Galaxies to reach the final tournament, after a 3-1 win in Uyo last week that followed a scoreless first leg in Accra six days earlier. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, who have been selected to jointly host the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, have been handed the opportunity to test-run their facilities and operational efficiency with the African Nations Championship finals, scheduled for 1st – 28thFebruary. The 8th African Nations Championship will feature 18 countries, viz joint-hosts Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Niger Republic, Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Angola and Madagascar. 26 EAGLES FOR CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United) Defenders: Sadiq Ismail (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City); Imo Obot (Enyimba FC); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Nduka Harrison Junior (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Manyo (Rivers United); Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars); Afeez Bankole (Smart FC) Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International) Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United)); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Samuel Ayanrinde (3SC); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors)

Fuji musician Obesere plans 60th birthday party

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

Popular Fuji musician Abass Akande populary known as Obesere is set to celebrate his 60th birthday. The party is slated to hold in Lagos. Obesere also known as Omo Rapala who was born in 1965, will be 60 years old on 20th of this month. One of the singer’s associates, Waheed Salaudeen aka Buruj disclosed this on social media on Thursday. He hinted that only those with the lace and tags will gain access into the venue, saying fans that are interested in the cloth should contact Adunola Bello on 0803 462 7186. Obesere forced his way into the limelight through his unusual music style and slangs usage that throws his fans into a frenzy.

Hoffenheim agrees Gift Orban deal

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Hoffenheim has agreed a deal with Olympique Lyonais to sign Gift Orban. The club were handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 by the DNCG in November and in order to avoid that fate, they must sell players before the end of the campaign. Orban is one of the players earmarked for a departure and there is interest in the striker. The Nigerian has been on the periphery at Lyon ever since his arrival last January for a fee of €14m. L’Équipe rpeorted earlier this week that Hoffenheim had submitted a bid of €10m, which was close to OL’s €12m valuation of the player. An agreement has now been reached. Personal details must now be agreed for the Nigerian to complete the move to the Bundesliga. RC Lens and Galatasaray had both been strongly linked with a move for Orban, however, it appears that the striker is now Germany bound.

Dele Farotimi wins Man of The Year award

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

Nigerian Lawyer and Human Rights activist, Dele Farotimi has been named Man of the Year. The Editorial Board of Atlantic Digest, an online media publication on Thursday, adjudged the frontline legal luminary as their Man of the Year. “Dear Mr. Farotimi, we cherish you and all you do for public advocacy. “You remain a towering inferno against oppression and the primus inter pares amongst patriots who intend to liberate Nigeria,” the Editorial board Atlantic Digest stated. Farotimi was arrested in Lagos State on December 3, 2024, and extradited to Ekiti State by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The arrest followed allegations of defamation brought against him by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. Farotimi’s detention sparked widespread outrage, with activists, legal practitioners, and civil society organisations condemning the action as an attempt to stifle free speech and dissent.

Rivers: Fubara signs N1.1trn budget into law

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appended his signature to the State’s N1.1 trillion appropriation budget into law. Fubara signed the bill into law at the River State House of Assembly on Thursday. Shortly after the exercise, the Governor wrote on his X handle (formerly Twitter), “Today, I signed into law the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill. Tagged; “Budget of Inclusive Growth & Development.” “The bill is estimated at N1.1 trillion. “I deeply appreciate the Rivers State House of Assembly for their diligence and my executives for their unwavering commitment to service. “Together, we are setting the pace for a prosperous year ahead, focusing on education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure. “Let me, on this note, thank everyone and once again wish you a happy and prosperous New Year ahead as we continue the journey of making Rivers State great again.”