Fola Badmus

Nigeria, Egypt, Others Draw Opponents for 2026 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships

African table tennis giants Nigeria and Egypt are set to spearhead the continent’s campaign at the 2026 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships, which will unfold in London from April 28 to May 10. The official draws will take place at The Shard, London’s tallest building, on Monday, January 26, setting the stage for a historic tournament. In the men’s category, 12 African teams will line up among the 64 nations competing for global supremacy. The women’s category will see 11 African teams join the 64-nation field, a milestone that coincides with the centenary anniversary of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Of the 64 teams per gender, 52 qualified through continental championships, 11 earned their places via the world rankings of November 2025, while host nation England completes the roll call. Beyond Nigeria and Egypt, Africa’s representation in the men’s division includes Benin, Tunisia, Algeria, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Angola. In the women’s division, the continent will be represented by Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda, South Africa, Angola, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo DR. A century after the inaugural ITTF World Table Tennis Championships were staged in England in 1926, the sport now returns to its birthplace for a landmark centenary celebration. The 2026 edition promises intensity and spectacle, with 64 men’s and 64 women’s teams competing across 13 days at two iconic London venues. The format will unfold in three stages as Stage 1B features group stages determining qualification pathways, followed by Stage 1A seeding matches for the top-ranked teams, before Stage 2 delivers knockout rounds showcasing the world’s finest teams in pursuit of global supremacy. The ITTF World Championships remain the pinnacle of table tennis—a stage where legends are forged, and history is written. The countdown has begun, the teams are assembling, and the world awaits as London 2026 prepares to host a celebration of sport unlike any other.

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Idongesit Siblings Begin 2026 With Fencing Junior World Cup in Egypt

As two of Africa’s most active fencers in 2025, the Idongesit siblings, Sara and Mahathir, will open their 2026 season at the FIE Junior World Cup taking place in Cairo, Egypt, from January 30 to 31. Their participation highlights the progress of youth fencing in Nigeria and underscores the continued efforts of the Nigeria Fencing Federation to identify, nurture, and promote young talent internationally. Sara and Mahathir have demonstrated remarkable commitment, discipline, and growth in their fencing journey, earning the opportunity to compete at this prestigious event against some of the world’s best, including World No. 1 junior men’s fencer Schembri Kruz of the Virgin Islands. The Nigerian two-athlete contingent will depart on Sunday, January 25, and are expected to join the FIE-organised training camp under the supervision of top coaches at the Indoor Hall of Cairo Stadium. Sara will compete in the women’s junior category, while Mahathir faces stiff competition in the men’s event against elite opponents such as Kruz, World No. 5 Chen Bing-Jyun of Chinese Taipei, World No. 3 Pelle Domonkos of Hungary, and Africa’s No. 1 Shamel Youssef of Egypt, who is also ranked World No. 6. Based in Malaysia, the Idongesit siblings made their international debut for Nigeria at the 2025 African Championships in Lagos. Since then, they have featured in several international tournaments, gaining valuable experience ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Championships, scheduled to take place in Lagos this August. Over 30 countries will participate in the two-day FIE-sanctioned tournament, including Egypt (host), Algeria, Russia, Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Spain, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Mexico, Mauritius, Nigeria, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Switzerland, Slovakia, Chinese Taipei, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States.

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Arsenal’s Nwaneri Heads to Marseille

Arsenal have confirmed the exit of Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Marseille, in a move that will see the 18-year-old join forces with the twin brother of a current teammate. Nwaneri became the Premier League’s youngest-ever player in 2022 and continued his upward trajectory in 2024-25, scoring nine goals in all competitions as he burst onto the first-team scene. However, added competition for places has bumped Nwaneri down the pecking order this season, and he failed to make the matchday squad for any of Arsenal’s last four Premier League games. ​ ​Seeking guaranteed minutes for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, Nwaneri and Mikel Arteta quickly gave the green light to a loan move to Marseille, and the Gunners have now confirmed his switch. “Ethan Nwaneri has joined Olympique Marseille on loan until the end of the season,” a statement read. “Our hugely talented 18-year-old has made 12 appearances in all competitions this season and will now get more valuable game time with the Ligue 1 side. “We wish Ethan all the best for his time with Marseille and look forward to seeing him develop his talent in one of the best leagues in Europe.”   Nwaneri’s switch to the Orange Velodrome comes just a few hours after Les Olympiens announced the signing of Dutch midfielder Quinten Timber, the twin brother of Arsenal right-back Jurrien Timber.   The 2007-born Englishman will also join forces with ex-Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Marseille, who have also employed Nuno Tavares, Matteo Guendouzi and William Saliba over the past few years. Arsenal will hope that Nwaneri can follow in Saliba’s footsteps in particular, as the defender excelled at Marseille on loan in 2021-22 and has now blossomed into one of Europe’s most menacing defenders. Nwaneri temporarily leaves Arsenal having made just 12 appearances in all tournaments this season, scoring one goal against Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. Marseille do not have an option or obligation to sign Nwaneri on a permanent deal, though, as the teenager only extended his Arsenal contract until 2030 last summer. Arsenal will bank a small amount for Nwaneri’s loan move to Marseille, who will reportedly pay the Gunners an initial €1.5m (£1.3m), according to football.london. Arsenal could supposedly end up banking as much as €4m (£3.5m) through the attacker’s temporary exit, but the final fee will be dependent on how much Nwaneri plays in France. Marseille will supposedly have to pay less money the more minutes Nwaneri plays, giving Roberto De Zerbi another incentive to hand the Arsenal loanee as many minutes as possible. Nwaneri could make his debut for Marseille against Ligue 1 leaders Lens on Saturday evening; De Zerbi’s men sit third in the table, eight points off the top and seven adrift of Paris Saint-Germain.

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EFCC, NEITI Strengthen Collaboration in Tackling Extractive Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI have resolved to strengthen their collaboration towards seeing better performance from Nigeria’s extractive industries.   This pact was made on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 when Honourable Musa Sarkin Adar, NEITI’s Executive Secretary led his management team on a courtesy visit to Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of EFCC at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.   Addressing Adar, Olukoyede stated that the extractive industry was the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and enjoined Adar to see his appointment as an opportunity to oversee and monitor transparency and accountability processes in an industry that continues to sustain the economy of Nigeria.   The EFCC’s boss recalled that the Commission has been working together with NEITI over the years, “but upon my appointment as Chairman of EF we took it to the next level. Your report is like raw materials for us to work with and with your report over the years, we have been working and making recoveries. I can also promise you that in your own time, we will collaborate with you, probably more than we did with your predecessor. We want to continue and strengthen our collaboration and take it to another level.”   Speaking further, the EFCC boss noted that the enhanced collaboration may see improvements on the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies of government.   “We have an MoU with your organization. We’re going to review it and see what we need to improve on. Your Act may not have given you teeth, but mouth and hand to work, but we will lend you our teeth to bite from time to time,” he said.   In his remarks, Adar, who was appointed in November 2025, disclosed that the visit was in line with his prioritisation of critical stakeholders’ engagement, pursuant to NEITI’s mandate and his desire to enhance the existing EFCC-NEITI collaboration.   “I prioritize engagement with key institutions whose statutory mandate align closely with NEITI’s responsibility to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s explorative sector. I’ve been extensively briefed on strategic partnership between our agencies and the commendable work being carried out over the years. I wish to commend the effort of both agencies and to use this opportunity to ensure ways of further strengthening our existing partnership.   He further stressed that the meeting provided the opportunity to reaffirm the strong institutional relationship between NEITI and the EFCC under the existing Memorandum of Understanding and to renew shared commitment to addressing systemic weaknesses that undermine the effective governance of the extractive sector, particularly as Nigeria prepares to host EITI, the global partner body.

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Awujale Stool: Governor Abiodun Denies Imposition Claims

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has clarified circulating reports suggesting a confrontation between him and the Council of Afobajes regarding the Awujale selection. According to official sources, these claims are completely false and misleading. Media aide to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade in a statement on Wednesday, claimed Abiodun held a respectful consultative meeting with the Council of Afobajes, consistent with meetings he held in the past with the Olori Ebis that were hitherto polarised which fostered their harmonisation and, through such earlier engagements, he also persuaded one of the kingmakers to withdraw a filed litigation. The statement read; “The discussions he had focused on matters of mutual concern in the interest of the progress in traditional affairs within Ijebuland. “Contrary to the rumours, Governor Abiodun did not issue threats, ultimatums. Statements attributed to him, including ‘No Kuye, No Awujale’, are entirely fabricated and bear no relation to the Governor or his administration. No Afobaje will attest to such an occurrence, as it never happened. This is once again the fabrication of falsehoods by mischief makers. “The governor remains committed to upholding due process, respecting the autonomy of traditional institutions, and ensuring a fair process in the selection of a new Awujale for Ijebu. His administration continues to prioritize dialogue, harmony, and the preservation of cultural values. “We all know how highly the Governor holds the throne of Awujale which he has consistently demonstrated. “Members of the public, traditional stakeholders, and the media are urged to disregard these unfounded insinuations and rely solely on verified information from official sources.”

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Nigeria Begins Africa Handball Nations Cup Campaign with Victory Over Algeria

Nigeria’s Senior Men Handball Team, the Golden Arrows, began their campaign at the 27th Africa Men’s Handball Nations Cup on a winning note with a hard-fought 25–23 victory over Algeria in their opening Group A match on Wednesday in Kigali, Rwanda. The encounter, played at the Petit Stade, saw Nigeria take early control and head into the break with a 16–13 first-half advantage, thanks to a disciplined defensive display and efficient finishing in attack. Algeria mounted a strong fightback after the restart, closing the gap and testing Nigeria’s resolve, but the Golden Arrows held firm in the closing minutes to secure a deserved two points at the end of regulation time. Key contributions came from Faruk Yusuf, who provided leadership and goals from the backcourt, while John Shagari was influential on the left flank. In goal, Michael Agbaji produced crucial saves at decisive moments to frustrate the Algerians and preserve Nigeria’s narrow lead which earned him the man of the match award The win places Nigeria in a strong position in Group A, which also features hosts Rwanda and Zambia. The Golden Arrows will return to action on Thursday, when they face Zambia in their second group match, scheduled for 1:00pm as they continue their quest for a podium finish in the continental championship which serves as qualifiers for the 2027 World Men’s Handball Championship in Germany.

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AFCON 2025: Chelle Unleashes Osimhen, Lookman, Akor on Morocco

Super Eagles’ head coach, Eric Sekou Chelle has named a crack team for tonight’s semi final showdown against host Morocco at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025). In the absence of Wilfred Ndidi, Super Eagles’ vice captain, Victor Osimhen will lead the former African Champions attack along with Adams Akor and Ademola Lookman. South Africa based Stanley Nwabali retained his place between the sticks and would be provided with cover by Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi while Frank Onyedika, Francis Onyeka and Alex Iwobi are asssigned the midfield role. Winner of the second semi fimal will face off with the Teranga Lions of Senegal in the final on Sunday. The Nigeria versus Morocco clash is slated to kick off at 9pm Nigeria time.

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Tinubu Condoles With Ogun, The Onabanjos Over The Passing of Matriarch, Lucia Onabanjo

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the Government and people of Ogun State over the passing of the former first lady and matriarch of the Onabanjo family, Chief Lucia Onabanjo. Lucia Onabanjo passed away at 101 years on Monday, January 12. The President sympathised with the family, friends, and associates of the late wife of the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo. President Tinubu noted the compassionate investments of the matriarch in many lives in her community, the state, and the nation, as evidenced by the outpouring of testimonies during her lifetime and after she passed. “Lucia Onabanjo’s strong support for her husband when he served as Ogun State Governor for four years, 1979-1983, was commendable, and her keen interest on issues of children and empowerment of women was exemplary”, President Tinubu remarked. “I do not doubt that her legacy of charity and kindness will continue to resonate. “I urge the Ogun State government and family members to immortalise her by projecting her legacy of love for the poor and vulnerable. “I pray that the Almighty God will receive Lucia Onabanjo’s soul, and continue to strengthen her family,” Tinubu added.

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