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CAF announces match schedule for AFCON 2025

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced the match schedule for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 that will see nine venues used across six cities for the continent’s greatest football show. Morocco and Comoros will kick-off the tournament on 21 December, 2025 with a Group A fixture at the newly-built 69,500-seater Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, a fitting stage for the grand opening. Rabat will have four match venues, with other host cities Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier to have one each. The four quarter-final fixtures will be played at the Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, as well as in Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir. The semi-finals will be in Rabat and Tangier, with the third-place play-off set for the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. There will be 52 matches over 29 days in a feast of football for fans that showcases the skill and passion of African football. Morocco, hosting the CAF AFCON for the first time since 1988, is also preparing to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030.

Adidas unveils FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Official Match Ball

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

FIFA has announced adidas as the Official Supplier of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in truly eye-catching fashion, with the long-standing FIFA partner unveiling the tournament’s Official Match Ball, which features an iconic design and cutting-edge technology. The ball’s design paid homage to the host nation, the United States, incorporating bold graphics and emblems that celebrate and reflect the country’s heritage. Set against a pearlescent background, the match ball showcases striking jagged-edged block patterns and deconstructed stars and stripes in red, white and blue in a nod to the nation’s flag. The Official Match Ball is engineered to provide greater in-game accuracy thanks to PRECISIONSHELL – a 20-piece panel shape with strategically placed debossed grooves on the ball’s outer shell. Another performance benefit is to be found under the surface in the form of CTR-CORE technology, which is designed to enhance accuracy and consistency in flight and helps to retain maximum shape and air retention with a view to supporting fast, precise play. In addition, the integrated connected ball technology sends inertial measurement unit data to the video-assistant-referee system at a rate of 500 times per second in real time. When combined with player position data and the application of artificial intelligence, the technology helps video match officials to make faster offside decisions and can also aid them in identifying each individual touch of the ball, resulting in reduced delays in resolving specific incidents, e.g. possible handball offences. As well as supplying the Official Match Ball, adidas is set to provide uniforms for match officials, volunteers and FIFA staff across the tournament, with the garments reflecting the sports manufacturer’s commitment to quality and sustainability, offering high-performance apparel for those at the heart of the event.

PSC approves retirement of Senior Police Officers above 60 years

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Police Service Commission has approved the immediate retirement of Senior Police Officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age. The Commission at its 24th plenary meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017 had approved that the Force entrants should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment. The Commission has passionately revisted their decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of merger of service in the Public service and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 ( i & ii) which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age. Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extra ordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age. The Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu, rtd, mni, presided over the extraordinary Meeting and had Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Hon Commissioner representing the Judiciary; DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, fdc, Honourable Commissioner representing the Police and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission in attendance. The Commission’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.

UCL: Real Madrid to play Man City in knockout playoffs

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Real Madrid will play Manchester City in the Champions League knockout playoffs round in a standout clash of the past two title winners after the draw was made Friday. Man City, the 2023 champion, will host the first leg on Feb. 11 or 12 and the return game in Madrid is on Feb. 18 or 19. Madrid won a record-extending 15th European title last season. The winner over two legs advances to the round of 16 to face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen, who placed in the top eight of the new 36-team league standings that ended Wednesday. Teams that finished from Nos. 9 to 24 in the standings dropped into the two-leg knockout playoffs. Madrid placed 11th and Man City barely qualified in 22nd, after rallying to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in a must-win game. By finishing in 22nd Man City knew it would have to face No. 11 Madrid or No. 12 Bayern Munich in the playoffs. Munich was drawn instead to face 21st-place Celtic. Seedings decided by the 36-team standings means Madrid and Man City already know the winner of their two-leg blockbuster will be drawn then to face No. 5 Atletico or No. 6 Leverkusen. UEFA makes the round of 16 pairings on Feb. 21. The tennis-style knockout bracket in the fresh competition format also now allows teams from the same country to face each other before the quarterfinals. That was not possible for the past two decades when the round of 16 opened the knockout phase. That left Paris Saint-German to be drawn Friday to face French rival Brest, which it also plays in a Ligue 1 game Saturday. Monaco was left to face Benfica. National derby games between Italian and Dutch sides were avoided because AC Milan was paired with Feyenoord, before Juventus was drawn to face PSV Eindhoven. Concluding the matches, Club Brugge play Atalanta and Sporting Lisbon face Borussia Dortmund. Teams awaiting them in the round of 16 in March are Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico, Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa.

Basketball: Rivers Hoopers emerge victorious over Energie

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Rivers Hoopers survived a late scare to beat Energie of Benin Republic 64-59 in their last Group B game of the Louis Edem Invitational Basketball Championship in Lagos. Buchi Nwaiwu scored 12 points while Samuel Sani added 10 points for the KingsMen. Hoopers scored five 3s and shot 12-of-14 from the free throw line, which was pivotal to their win. The KingsMen, who held an 18-point lead at the end of the third quarter, struggled at both ends of the floor in the fourth. Energie outscored the Nigerian champions 28-15 in the last quarter. The Beninese team knocked down four-threes in the last three minutes of the game. For a second consecutive game, Michael Daramola came through for the KingsMen as he scored back-to-back points (4) to stretch the lead to 11 (62-51) with 1:44 left. An 8-2 run by Energie in the last few seconds reduced the deficit to 5 points. Rivers Hoopers finished with a 4-0 in the group stage while Energie finished with a 2-2 mark. Rivers Hoopers will play Spintex Knights in a repeat of last year’s semifinals while ASPAC will face Police Batons on Friday. The Ghanaian team defeated Hoopers in the last edition.

IGP’s continuous stay in office legal, lawful -AGF

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The continuous stay in office of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is legal and lawful. The appointment of Egbetokun, according to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) took effect from 31st day of October, 2023 would have come to an end on his attainment of 60 years of age on 4th day of September, 2024. “However, before his retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the occupant of the office to remain and complete the original four year term granted under Section 7 (6) of the Act, notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the age of 60 years. This has, therefore, statutorily extended the tenure of office of Egbetokun to and including 31st day of October, 2027 in order to complete the four year tenure granted to him. “For the avoidance of doubt, Egbetokun’s continuous stay in office is in line with the provisions of the Police Act amended in 2024 which allow the occupant of the office to enjoy a term of four years effective from the date of his appointment as IGP, in this case, 31st day of October 2023. “This advisory is necessary for the guidance of the general public,”Fagbemi stated.

Napoli rejects €65m Galatasaray bid for Osimhen

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Napoli have rejected a €65 million offer from Galatasaray for striker Victor Osimhen, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. Despite Osimhen’s current loan spell at Galatasaray, the Turkish club does not have a permanent option to buy. While Galatasaray are keen to make the transfer permanent, Napoli are holding firm on their valuation of the Nigerian striker. Osimhen’s contract with Napoli reportedly includes a €75 million release clause, which is valid from January. However, Corriere dello Sport suggested Galatasaray have a unique advantage. The clause for January is reportedly set at €81m (€75m + €6m compensation due to Galatasaray if Osimhen moves elsewhere mid-season). This means that Galatasaray are currently the only club able to acquire Osimhen for €75m this month. Any other club would have to pay that amount starting from next summer. Osimhen’s release clause was initially set at €130 million but was lowered to €75m last summer when he signed a new contract with Napoli before his loan move to Galatasaray. Despite Galatasaray’s eagerness to secure his permanent signing, Napoli’s rejection of their €65m bid indicates they are determined to receive the full amount of the release clause.

Leverkusen: Boniface stay amid Saudi bid

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said Wednesday that Nigerian striker Victor Boniface is set to stay at the club following reports of a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia. Boniface had been left out of the squad in Leverkusen’s preparations for their 2-0 win over Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Alonso had said Tuesday it was due to talks with an unnamed club. German media had reported the negotiations were with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays, and involved a fee of €70 million euros ($73 million). “He will train again tomorrow. I believe he is staying with us,” Alonso said when asked about Boniface after the win over Sparta. “So I have to say that I am satisfied, I am happy.” Alonso said Boniface could play Sunday against TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga and added: “He is comfortable here, so I don’t believe that this is a big stress for him.” The apparent collapse of a possible Boniface transfer could remove one obstacle for a move to Saudi Arabia for Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán. He has also been linked with Al Nassr and was an unused substitute in Villa’s 4-2 win over Celtic on Wednesday. Boniface hasn’t played since November because of injury, but had been on the bench for Leverkusen’s last two games before Wednesday.