Fola Badmus

Anthony Joshua To Spend New Year’s Eve In Hospital

Anthony Joshua is expected to spend New Year’s Eve at one of Nigeria’s best hospitals as he continues to recover from a car crash that killed two of his friends. The two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger in a black Lexus when it ploughed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria. The deaths of two of his long-term friends – Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele- were confirmed on Monday night, while the vehicle’s other two passengers miraculously escaped with their lives. After the fatal road collision, Joshua was rushed to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, which has been rated the best private hospital in Nigeria for the past two years. Local police told Daily Mail Sport that Joshua is ‘stable’ and suffered only ‘minor’ injuries, although there are fears they could be more severe than publicised. Sources now said that Joshua is set to remain in hospital for at least a couple more days while he continues to recuperate. Police investigators have confirmed the car crash was caused by a tyre blowout after Joshua’s Lexus ‘lost control’. According to The Telegraph, traffic police believe the car was travelling over the 50mph speed limit and lost control during ‘an overtaking manoeuvre’ on what locals have claimed is one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads. Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Police Commander of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (Trace), reported that the vehicle had ‘experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed’. An eyewitness has also told Punch newspaper: ‘It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. ‘Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash. ‘Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.’ Footage taken at the roadside showed the boxer grimacing in agony as he was moved from the wrecked vehicle into a police cruiser. Nigeria’s president revealed on Monday that Joshua’s mother Yeta Odusanya had rushed to his bedside at the hospital after being informed of the crash. The luxury hospital boasts an elite service dubbed the Harley Street Practice, located on the sixth floor, which offers Duchess Royal Suites for VIP patients. Patients receive one-to-one care 24-hours a day and have access to medical personnel and hospitality staff. They also receive gourmet meals fully catered to their taste. The basic packages for the Royal Suite with ensuite bathroom facilities starts at £2,000. A representative of Joshua issued a statement on Monday evening confirming the deaths of the boxer’s two team members and ‘close friends’. The spokesman said: ‘It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele. ‘Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. ‘We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news. ‘Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation. ‘No further information will be made available at this time.’ Joshua’s long-time rival Tyson Fury paid tribute to the two men who were killed during the crash, sharing a post to Instagram on Tuesday. ‘This is so sad,’ wrote the Gypsy King on the social media platform. ‘May God give them a good bed in heaven.’ The crash, which occurred at midday local time, came just 10 days after Joshua defeated Jake Paul in Miami. As reported by the Daily Mail on Monday, Joshua had been visiting family in Nigeria as part of a one-week holiday, with a view to resuming training ahead of a fight in late March, most likely in Saudi Arabia against the kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, prior to his proposed showdown against Fury in September or October. While the exact nature of Joshua’s injuries are currently unknown, it is thought to be highly doubtful that he will be in any shape for a quick ring return. There will also be the question of psychological trauma as the ordeal that killed two other passengers in the same vehicle.

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Morocco 2025: Eagles Trounce Cranes, Await Lions or Mambas in Round of 16

A strike by Paul Onuachu and a brace by midfielder Raphael Onyedika lifted a remarkably different Nigeria team to a 3-1 win over Uganda in their final Group C encounter at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.   Onuachu, starting ahead of Akor Adams as Coach Eric Chelle made several changes to the squad that defeated Tanzania and Tunisia in their earlier games, connected perfectly with a pass from the left by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the 28th minute to give Nigeria the lead, only two minutes after veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango had stopped a point-blank effort by the Trabzonspor of Turkey forward.   Before then, Nigeria had dominated play extensively, and as early as the 9th minute, Samuel Chukwueze’s shot came off the defensive wall after good work by Simon Moses. A teasing pull-out by Chukwueze in the 25th minute narrowly missed the head of Onuachu.   Moses himself came close with four minutes left in the first period, as his shot came off the wall after the Eagles poured forward in numbers once more.   In the second half, Rogers Mato came close to connecting with a good cross but missed. Nigeria regrouped and sustained the pressure on their opponents, who had won four of their previous eight encounters before Tuesday evening’s match in Fès.   Wing-back Bruno Onyemaechi side-netted in the 51st minute, and six minutes later, goalkeeper Salim Omar, who had come in for the injured Onyango, was red-carded after punching the ball outside his box as Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s stand-in-captain, loomed towards goal.   Midfielder Raphael Onyedika, playing his first game at this AFCON, scored Nigeria’s second in the 62nd minute after connecting well with a pass by Samuel Chukwueze. Chukwueze and Raphael recreated a similar process four minutes later, leading to Onyedika, who plays his club football in Belgium, scoring his second and Nigeria’s third.   In the 70th minute, Paul Onuachu’s header was a little too high, and five minutes later, Rogers Mato scored at the other end as Uganda finished well from a brilliant team move.   Victory gave the Eagles the maximum nine points from their three matches, and they will now certainly meet the third-placed team in Group F, with both third-placed finishers in Groups A (Comoros) and B (Angola) already eliminated. This could be any of Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants (Cup holders), Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions or the Mambas of Mozambique.   That match comes up on Monday, 5th January in Fès.   Tanzania’s gutsy 1-1 draw with Tunisia saw the Taifa Stars reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history. They will play host nation Morocco in the Round of 16.

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Tyson Fury Breaks Silence on Anthony Joshua’s Car Crash

Anthony Joshua’s long-time rival Tyson Fury has paid tribute to the two men tragically killed in a horror car crash in Nigeria. Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both integral members of Joshua’s team, lost their lives when the SUV they were travelling in with Joshua smashed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun yesterday. Local police told Daily Mail Sport that Joshua escaped with only ‘minor’ injuries, but sources close to the fighter fear they could be more severe than publicised. Former heavyweight champion Fury has now taken to social media to pay tribute to Ghami and Ayodele. ‘This is so sad,’ wrote the Gypsy King on Instagram. ‘May God give them a good bed in heaven.’ Fury’s tributes came only minutes after he teased his own return to the ring in 2026 – despite insisting he was retiring from the sport for good last January. The 37-year-old posted a picture of himself alongside his sons Prince and Johnboy with the trio wearing shirts bearing the message: ‘I’m back. Fury. My legacy. Old School.’ A long-awaited bout between Joshua and Fury, the two elite British heavyweights of the past decade, had been mooted for 2026 following the former’s victorious return to the ring over Jake Paul. But those hopes, Daily Mail Sport understand, now hang in the balance after video footage captured at the scene of the crash showed the boxer grimacing in pain as he was helped away from the wreckage. Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s management team,shared a tribute to Ghami and Ayodele on Monday night. It read: ‘It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele. ‘Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. ‘We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.’ Earlier on Monday night officials in Nigeria confirmed to the Daily Mail that Joshua was ‘awake and conscious and had spoken with his family’ after the 36-year-old had been pulled from the wreckage of the crash. A spokesperson for the Ogun state government said: ‘Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos. ‘Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time. A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely. ‘Anthony Joshua is conscious and has been in communication with his family. ‘The Governments of Ogun and Lagos States are closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that the affected persons receive the best possible medical care. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident have also commenced. ‘We appreciate the concern shown by members of the public and kindly request privacy for Anthony Joshua and his family at this time.’  

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Anthony Joshua Recuperating After Lagos–Ibadan Expressway Accident

World boxing champion Anthony Joshua is recuperating in hospital following a road traffic accident that occurred along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on (insert date). The accident, which occurred around midday, involved a Toyota Lexus jeep conveying Joshua and three other passengers. Two passengers lost their lives in the incident. They were identified as Ayodele Kelvin Olu (36), a Nigerian/British citizen, and Gami Sina (36), a British citizen. The Ogun State Government confirmed the incident and expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased. Upon receiving information about the accident, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, visited the hospital where Joshua was receiving treatment. He was later joined by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Both governors remained at the hospital for several hours to oversee the situation and ensure that appropriate medical care was provided. Speaking on the incident, Governor Abiodun said he immediately proceeded to the hospital upon receiving the report and personally monitored Joshua’s treatment alongside Governor Sanwo-Olu. “As soon as I was informed, I headed straight to the hospital and was later joined by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. We both took charge of the situation, oversaw Anthony Joshua’s care, and remained at the hospital for over seven hours,” the governor said. Other senior officials who visited the hospital included the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Bukola Olopade, who offered institutional and professional support. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was fully briefed on the incident. According to government sources, the President spoke separately with Anthony Joshua, his mother, and Governor Abiodun, during which he conveyed his sympathies and condolences. The British High Commission was formally notified of the accident. Officials of the Mission are monitoring developments and remain in contact with the hospital and the Ogun State Government. The Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Simon Field, visited the hospital and met with Anthony Joshua and the two governors. The families of the deceased have also been contacted through the High Commission. The Ogun State Government said Anthony Joshua remains in a stable condition and is receiving appropriate medical attention. It added that it is satisfied with the quality of care being provided by the medical team. Governor Abiodun assured the public that every effort was being made to ensure the best possible medical care for the boxing champion. “We are comfortable with the doctors and the quality of care at the hospital, and we appreciate the medical team for their professionalism,” he said. Authorities have ordered a full and diligent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. According to the state government, details of the investigation will be made public upon its conclusion. The Ogun State Government said it would continue to provide updates on Joshua’s condition and other developments related to the incident as necessary.   Quoting President Tinubu, Governor Abiodun added:“This immense tragedy has cast a deep shadow over this season. These are very difficult moments, and we must stand firm, united, and encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny”

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Tinubu In Telephone Conversation With Anthony Joshua, Mother After Tragic Accident

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke by phone today with Anthony Joshua, the Nigerian-British former heavyweight boxing champion, following the tragic accident in Ogun State in which Joshua was injured and lost two of his associates. “I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital. “I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call. “Additionally, I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them. The Governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention.” Earlier, in a statement on X, President Tinubu—who is currently abroad—expressed profound sympathy for the boxer over the accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. “I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident. As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride. “In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny. “I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.”  

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FRSC Blames Speeding, Wrongful Overtaking for Anthony Joshua Crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking caused the road crash involving British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday, December 29. The Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, disclosed this following preliminary investigations by the FRSC Ogun Sector Command. The accident occurred around 12 noon near the Sinoma area in Sagamu, Ogun State. It involved a black Lexus SUV carrying Joshua and a stationary red Sinotruck parked by the roadside. FRSC findings revealed that five adult males were involved. Two occupants were confirmed dead at the scene — identified as Sina “Evolve” Ghami, a pioneering sports rehabilitation specialist and longtime friend of Joshua, and Mohammed Bello, a 32-year-old Lagos-based entrepreneur and close associate of Ghami. One person sustained injuries, while two others escaped unhurt. Joshua was rescued alive with minor injuries. “The injured victim was evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the deceased were conveyed to Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, Sagamu,” the statement said. The Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division was notified for further investigation and documentation. Preliminary findings indicate the Lexus SUV was suspected to have been travelling above the speed limit when it lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and collided with the stationary truck. “The primary causes of the crash — excessive speed and wrongful overtaking — constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” the FRSC noted. The corps conveyed the condolences of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed to the families of the deceased. “On behalf of the entire management and staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps, heartfelt condolences go to the families of the deceased, and we wish the injured victim, Anthony Joshua, a speedy recovery,” the statement concluded.

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Ogun Mourns Victims of Fatal Road Crash Involving Anthony Joshua

The Ogun State Government has expressed profound condolences to the families, friends, and associates of the victims of a tragic road accident involving world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, who narrowly escaped death on Monday. The fatal accident occurred along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, within the Makun axis of Ogun State, and sadly claimed the lives of two persons. Anthony Joshua and three other individuals were reportedly travelling from Lagos to Sagamu at the time of the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that two male foreign nationals died on the spot. Their remains have since been deposited at the Livewell Morgue in Sagamu. Anthony Joshua and the driver of the vehicle were promptly rescued by security personnel attached to his convoy and taken to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention. The sport utility vehicle conveying the occupants was said to have rammed into a stationary truck along the expressway. While the severely damaged vehicle has been evacuated to the Sagamu Motor Traffic Division (MTD) office, efforts are ongoing to tow the truck involved to the same location to facilitate a comprehensive investigation. The Ogun State Government describes the incident as deeply unfortunate and painful, particularly with the loss of precious lives, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical care. Motorists are therefore urged to exercise utmost caution and adhere strictly to traffic regulations, especially during the festive season when vehicular movement is typically heavy. Road safety officers and other security agencies are also enjoined to intensify surveillance and enforcement efforts across the State to ensure the safety of lives and property. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, which the State considers a devastating loss. As we mourn collectively, we pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and for the speedy recovery of the injured. May Almighty God grant the families left behind the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

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Anthony Joshua Hospitalised After Fatal Crash

Anthony Joshua has been hospitalised after sustaining ‘minor injuries ‘ in a deadly car accident in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of two individuals, shortly after 11am on Monday morning. Reports suggest that the ex-heavyweight champion was in a Lexus Jeep when it collided with a stationary lorry on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in southwest Nigeria. The Daily Star’s sister paper the Daily Mirror reached out to Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, who is currently holidaying in the Caribbean and had just learned about the accident. Hearn believes Joshua to be alright and is en route to the hospital, but could not provide any additional details. Ogun State Police Command confirmed Joshua and other injured people have been taken to “an undisclosed hospital”. They also confirmed two individual’s had been killed as a result of the crash. Horrifying images of the aftermath were shared on social media, including Joshua, who was not wearing a top, in his Lexus Jeep looking dazed. According to local reports, four people were inside the Lexus at the time, while his security followed in a separate vehicle. Reports add that rescue efforts began immediately, with eyewitnesses flagging down passing motorists to assist. And local outlets added that officers from the Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps arrived within minutes to secure the area. Footage, which was shared on social media, appears to show Joshua being helped out of the car before he is offered aid by bystanders who were quick to the scene to help. Joshua was then filmed wincing in pain before he was seen speaking to officials. The camera then pans in the horrifying clip, which goes on to show the wreckage and images of the victims of the crash on the ground. Joshua, who has family roots in Sagamu, a town in Ogun State, was in Nigeria after he defeated Jake Paul in their lucrative heavyweight match earlier this month.

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