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News and Entertainment Update

Month: June 2025

We Achieved Our Objectives With the Unity Cup Tournament, Russia Games – Gusau

Fola Badmus04 mins

President of the Nigeria, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) has asserverated that the Federation is delighted to have achieved its objectives for making the Super Eagles prosecute the Four-Nation Unity Cup Tournament in London and the friendly match with the Russia senior national team in Moscow, all within the past 12 days. “I can tell you categorically that we achieved our sporting objectives, which were the most important in this case. The principal goal was to provide windows for the Coach and his crew to take a look at new players that might be positive additions to the team going forward. “I had some conversations with Coach Eric Chelle and I could see that he was pleased with the opportunities that the tournament in London (Unity Cup) that we won, and the friendly match with Russia that we drew, provided for him and his assistants.” Gusau reflected on the Super Eagles’ triumph in the Unity Cup Tournament (in which the Super Eagles defeated Ghana and Jamaica) and the gutsy draw with Russia, and expressed satisfaction with the output of most of the playing personnel. “Apart from the regulars that we already know what they are capable of, the tournament in London afforded us the opportunity to see players like Benjamin Frederick, Felix Agu, Christantus Uche and Igoh Ogbu. We saw more of Cyriel Dessers. The home-based professionals (Papa Daniel Mustapha, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Collins Ogwueze) did not fare badly either. “In Russia, we saw more of Uche and we saw Tolu Arokodare score a poacher’s goal. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was also excellent on his return and captain Ekong held the defence unit well. Now, we have options in defence, midfield and the attack, and I am quite satisfied with the team’s output in the three matches.” The Super Eagles defeated the Black Stars 2-1 in an entertaining Unity Cup semi-final at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium on May 28, and then outlasted Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the final three days later. Tolu Arokodare scored in the second half to stalemate the clash with Russia’s Sbornaya at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Friday, following Semi Ajayi’s inadvertent own goal in the first period. “Now, we have good options in all areas as we look ahead to the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, and I am certain that the technical crew is happy with that,” Gusau added.

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“Too Many Things Went Wrong”, Says Ogoh Odaudu after BAL Exit

Fola Badmus15 mins

Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu has said, “too many things went wrong,” while assessing his side’s quarter-final performance against Armée Patriotique Rwandaise [APR] on Monday in Pretoria. The KingsMen fell one step short of repeating last season’s heroic run to the Basketball Africa League semi-finals as they lost their quarter-final 104-73 to APR, their largest loss margin at the BAL. It looked like it wasn’t going to be Rivers Hoopers’ night, as early in the game as the first quarter, where APR doubled the KingsMen’s points, leading 24-11. Despite some bright moments from South Sudanese-Australian forward, Madut Akec, who scored 19 points, had four assists and two rebounds, the KingsMen were outplayed in the entirety of the game. Raphiael Putney attempted to begin a second-quarter comeback with three consecutive threes, but APR were quick to deal with the surge, continuing their show: efficient on both ends of the court. Speaking in a postgame news conference at the SunBet Arena on Monday, Odaudu said: “What’s changed [is that] we are no longer playing in the semi-finals. We’ve been knocked out, but on a general note, I think we had a really bad day today.” “We didn’t play as well as we thought we could play, and it happens in basketball. We are not upset. We may be disappointed, but we are holding our heads high. Too many things went wrong. The killer for us [at] the start was the 52 points made in the paint. The BAL Season Four Coach of the Year was critical of his team following the shots allowed in the paint by APR. “We didn’t defend the way we should have. So, nothing has changed; we are still Rivers Hoopers. We will still go back there [BAL], and we will still be back. Rivers Hoopers finished runners-up in Rabat, Morocco, during the Sahara Conference, where they finished with a 4-2 record. Recalling the team’s performance, Odaudu said the team exceeded expectations in the conference. “Nobody gave us a chance in Morocco,” Odaudu acknowledged. “But we stood our ground against all the teams that were there, and we came up second.” Odaudu was thankful for the support the Port Harcourt-based side has enjoyed so far, stating that it is important. “All in all, Rivers State, so far, has been giving us the support that they have been able to give us, and trust me, it is miles better than what other teams get. The heavy loss was one of the reasons Odaudu reflected on the domestic league, highlighting the importance of regular domestic competitions as the KingsMen look to regroup and return to Africa’s elite competition. “One major problem that we are facing, too, [is that] we played against US Monastir, who just came off their championship game – they lost – but they have been playing for a long time. “We played today against APR, who are still in the thick of their league… Rivers Hoopers have not played competitively since Morocco. It’s one of the problems that we have, too. We hope the Nigeria [Basketball] Federation is going to change all this [domestic league format], and then we are going to arrive at the BAL playing, not just coming to try to get into game shape while we are at the tournament.”

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APR Dumps Rivers Hoopers Out of Basketball Africa League Season Five Playoffs

Fola Badmus14 mins

Six-time Nigerian Basketball League champions, Rivers Hoopers, have been knocked out of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), after they suffered their biggest defeat in the history of the competition – a 31-point loss – to Rwanda’s APR in a quarter-final encounter at the ongoing BAL Season five, which ended 104-73. After both teams struggled to score any points during the opening minute of the game, APR found their rhythm with effective shooting and good perimeter defense to close out the first quarter 24-11, as the KingsMen struggled to get into their groove. During the first quarter, APR scored 14 while Rivers Hoopers had four, highlighting the early dominance of the Rwandese at both ends. While the KingsMen struggled to get going in the game, APR’s trio of Aliou Diarra (13), Chasson Randle (13), and Nuni Omot (12) ran the show, with each player hitting double figures for points by the halfway mark to give the Rwandan champions a lofty 25-point lead at 57-32. Hoopers Head Coach, Ogoh Oduaudu, tried to change things from the bench with the reintroduction of Kelvin Amayo, Rahpiael Putney, Peter Olisemeka, and Ahmed Doumbia after the halftime break. The move seemed to have an immediate impact as the KingsMen cut the deficit by 7 points inside the first four minutes of the 2nd half. But APR responded with a dominant 3-minute spell to re-establish a 31-point lead heading into the final quarter. Things moved from bad to worse for the KingsMen after Rahpiael Putney who notched 12 points as the team’s second best shooter on the day, was ejected from the game with a 5th personal foul within two minutes of the 4th quarter. However, the Nigerian champions rallied to put up their best showing of the game, with Madut Akec scoring 7 of his game-high 21 points to end the quarter at 21-21, but the damage had already been done as APR ran out 104-73 winners. Maxi Shamba (10) was the only other player to reach double figures for the KingsMen. APR, meanwhile, had four players score at least 10 points, as they dominated in the paint, outscoring Rivers Hoopers 52-32, while notching up 32 points from the bench. Hoopers managed only 18 bench points, with Chingka Garba particularly impressive grabbing 7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals off the bench. The result means APR will face Libya’s Al Ahly in the semi-final on Wednesday, 11th June, while Rivers Hoopers must now return home to prepare for the domestic season.

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Mobolaji Johnson Arena to Host 2025 President Federation Cup Grand Finale

Fola Badmus04 mins

For the second successive year, the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos will host the grand finale of the President Federation Cup competition, which is scheduled for Saturday, 28th June. The compact but dainty facility by the waterfront hosted last year’s grand finale, in which El-Kanemi Warriors defeated Abia Warriors to emerge winners of the men’s competition while Rivers Angels edged Naija Ratels 1-0 in the women’s version. The venue is also the site of the former King George V Stadium, which was later renamed Lagos City Stadium, and later known as Onikan Stadium. Lagos State has hosted a total of 60 grand finales of Nigeria’s oldest Cup competition, which was known variously in the past as Governor’s Cup, FA Cup, Challenge Cup and Federation Cup. Of the 60 Final matches, 18 were staged at the King George V, between 1945 and 1962. The venue was then renamed Lagos City Stadium, and continued to host the final matches until 1972, when the clash between Mighty Jets and Bendel Insurance was stalemated at 2-2 and had to be replayed. The replay was taken to the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, and that was the first time the Final was played outside Lagos. The National Stadium, Surulere, which was built in 1972 to host the 2nd All-Africa Games that Nigeria staged in 1973, commenced hosting of the grand finale in 1974, as there was no competition in 1973 due to the 2nd All-Africa Games and the maiden edition of the National Sports Festival. The National Stadium, Surulere hosted a total of 22 Final matches, with the last Final there in 2002, when Julius Berger defeated Yobe Desert Stars 3-0 to emerge champions. Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos hosted eight Final matches (2007 & 2009, and 2011-2016). The grand finale has also taken place previously at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi (1989 and 1994), Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi (1992 and 2008), Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna (1993, 1997, 2003 and 2019), Rancher Bees Stadium, Kaduna (1998), Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City (2004 and 2021), Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt (2005), MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta (2006), Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano (2010), Agege City Stadium (2017) and the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba (2018 and 2023). This year’s grand finale will see surprise packets Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi taking on Kwara United FC of Ilorin in the men’s final, while Cup holders Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt will tackle Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia in a much-anticipated women’s final.

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Carlos Alcaraz Wins French Open in Five Sets

Fola Badmus02 mins

Carols Alcaraz has won the French Open in five sets, defeating his opponent Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) in the final at the Roland-Garros stadium, Paris. Coming from two sets down and saving three match points, Alcaraz defended his French Open title, winning his fifth grand slam prize in as many finals. Sinner’s loss marks the first time the Italian has failed to win a grand slam final he has played in. The match set several records. At five hours and 29 minutes long, it was the longest in French Open history. The first time Sinner and Alcaraz had met in a final – it was the first grand slam final to be played by two players born this century. A victory for Sinner would have been the 23-year-old’s third consecutive grand slam win. For 22-year-old Alcaraz, it’s his fifth – matching his idol Rafael Nadal’s total at the same age.

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NFF Concludes Arrangements for FIFA MA Courses for Technical Instructors, Young Talents

Fola Badmus14 mins

All is set for the annual double-salvo FIFA Member Association courses for technical and physical fitness instructors, and for young talents in refereeing, with a total of 80 participants to undergo classroom andfield drilling from June 8 – 19 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The programme for technical and physical fitness instructors, who are 40 in number, will commence on Monday, June 8 with the objective of bringing Nigeria’s technical and physical fitness instructors up to speed with current trends, tendencies and ideals, for them to imbibe global best practices in the refereeing business. World football-governing body, FIFA, is sending Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed, as well as Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi to superintend the programmes, alongside Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Emmanuel Imiere and Stella Emoji, and IT/Video Instructor Promise Uwaeme. For the technical and physical fitness programme, participants will be taken through the course objectives, challenges and tactical fouls, and preparation of practical training on day one, with new law changes, tactical approach, handball, offside, penalty area incidents and use of new FIFA red among other presentations. Practical training with referees and players will kick off each day’s programme. For the young talents programme, there will be presentations on challenges and tactical fouls, penalty area incidents, modern refereeing, positioning and reading, fitness test analysis, among others. The exercise for technical and physical fitness instructors will end of Friday, 13th June, exiting the stage for the Young Talents program that will last between 15th and 19th June also inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium. Participants for Technical and Physical Fitness Course: Uwaeme Promise, Baba Abel, Alex Mana, Austin Eyeroli, Alfred Saiki, Aundugh Robert, Patrick Ishaya, Ben Neji, Wokoma Innocent, Umoh Sylvanus, Nasiru Ibrahim, Aliyu Jingi, Isaac Bolatito, Bukola Olisa, Kelechi Mejuobi, Victor Ijeremen, Ikechukwu Okpechi, Adamu Gambo, Uhumnwang Mike, Babatunde Irukera, Philip Alkali, Nicholas Achikasim, Friday Awugo, Mohammed Bala, Aku Margaret, Ibrahim Budah, Hanson Paris, Grace Obaze, Sesan Odukoya, Ahmad Rufai, Apeh Paul, Surakar Mahmoud, Umuago Paul, Fatimo Oyeniyi, Bethel Nwanesi, Innocent Egwutora, Folusho Ajayi, Joshua Dogo, Abdulrashid Oyakhire, Michael Oladeni Participants for Young Talents Programme: Mansur Mahmud Ngaski, Gbemisola Solihat Yusuf, Bashir Moukhtar, Dominion Chisom Kalu, Ibrahim Adams Boyi, Emmanuel Ajewole, Kwanga Eric Terhile, Asakpi Oritsetsolayemi, Esther Joseph, Patience Abi Azi, Ehinola Aanu Paulina, Omowunmi Adeola Oluwole, Adepoju Michael Oluwajuwonlo, Suleyman Sani, Semiat Opeyemi Mustapha, Stephanie Tse Henbafan, Alohan Uzoma Osakpamwan, Isah Nagogo, Ruth Ogunrombi, Andrew Iorkon, Jamilu Hamisu, Rachael Onyekwere, Adie Emmanuel Unimike, Umar Musa Anukpo, Yakubu Aliyu, Ismail Ishaq, Idowu Stephen Omolade, Al-Ameen Kabiru Yusuf, Scholastica Amalachukwu Ikeobi, Dahiru Mustapha, Baffa Usman Usman,Uzaifa Abubakar Ilela, Ebenezer Folaesho, Muhammad Bin Lawal, Aminu Kabiru, Habibu Salihu, Idris Ibrahim Buba, Aminu Muhammed Yakubu, Aziz Ahmed, Capehas Hamen.

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Osimhen Rejects Al Hilal Move

Fola Badmus02 mins

Serie A giants Napoli were close to selling Victor Osimhen to Al Hilal but the move will now not go through. Earlier today, it became clear that the Saudi Arabian club will trigger the player’s release clause and they were only waiting for the Nigerian’s go-ahead for a transfer. It seems as if the move will not go through after all. Gianluca di Marzio has reported that the striker has made it clear that he will not join Al Hilal. This has happened after the Napoli player made some final assessments about the potential transfer. Initially, the Saudi club had offered a fee that was slightly lower that the player’s release clause. But that wasn’t enough for Napoli, who wanted a higher fee and the release clause was triggered. Alfredo Pedulla has revealed that Al Hilal had offered Osimhen a wage of over €30 million per season but the player’s ‘no’ is quite decisive.

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