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NFF ‘deeply saddened’ by demise of 1980 AFCON winner, Charles Bassey

NFF Deeply Saddened By Demise of 1980 AFCON Winner, Charles Bassey

Fola Badmus02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation says it is ‘deeply saddened’ by the death on Saturday of another member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning Green Eagles squad, Charles Bassey. He was 71. Bassey died after protracted illness in his native town of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, hours after it was confirmed that the captain of that team, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, had passed on in Enugu. “This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigeria football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events. We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said. Forward Charles Bassey was in the 22-man squad that became Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations champions, after a 3-0 defeat of Algeria’s Fennecs at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980. Afterwards, he coached various clubs within the country, including Calabar Rovers, home-town club Mobil Pegasus, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi. His death brings to nine the number of persons in that squad that have departed, following the passing on of goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal and forward Martins Eyo.

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Green Eagles’ Captain, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, Dies at 74

Fola Badmus03 mins

1980 AFCON-winning captain, Christian Chukwu popularly known as ‘Chairman’ has passed away. The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow after it was confirmed that Chukwu, who captained Nigeria to her ever Africa Cup of Nations win and later coached the team, had died in his native city of Enugu on Saturday. Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ because of his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in front of the rearguard at both club (Enugu Rangers) and country, Christian Chukwu was overjoyed as he hoisted above his head the Unity Cup (the first time Nigeria would triumph in the continental championship) after receiving same from President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980. General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision and consistency. “We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and also grant the family and friends he has left behind, and Nigeria football’s fraternity the fortitude to bear this big loss.” Chukwu was in the Nigeria senior team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals in Ethiopia and Ghana respectively, before leading the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament. Born on 4th January 1951, Chukwu coached his darling club, Enugu Rangers (he played for only one club in his career) and then coached the senior national team of Kenya, nicknamed the Harambee Stars. He was named Head Coach of the Super Eagles in 2002, and led the team to finish third at the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia. His death comes exactly 20 days after the 45th anniversary of the 1980 AFCON triumph. Before him, other members of the squad that had passed on, are goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal, and forward Martins Eyo.

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Salah Shows Off £725,000 Wristwatch

Fola Badmus04 mins

Mohamed Salah was seen sporting a £725,000 watch as he signed a new two-year deal with Liverpool on Friday morning. Salah, 32, is one of Liverpool’s all-time greatest players, with the Egyptian having scored a remarkable 243 goals in 394 games for the club since joining from Roma in 2017 for an initial £36.5million fee. The forward, who is the Reds’ third highest goal scorer of all-time, has won eight trophies at Anfield and remains integral to Arne Slot’s side as they close in on the Premier League title. Salah’s previous contract was set to expire in the summer and speculation over his future has been a major talking point throughout the campaign, with the forward regularly providing cryptic answers when questioned over his future. However, on Friday, the club confirmed he had put pen to paper on a new deal until 2027 worth £350,000-per-week, ending the dramatic saga. And, as photos started to circulate of Salah’s contract presentation, eagle-eyed fans noticed what the Egyptian was wearing. Alongside his Liverpool shirt and a beaming smile, on his left wrist Salah was sporting a rather fancy-looking blue watch. The timepiece is from Richard Mille, a luxury Swiss watch company that was founded in 2001. Its full name is the Richard Mille RM 17-02 Tourbillon Titanium and one website had the watch on sale for $949,999 (£725,000). One review of the product described it as: ‘The new RM 17-02 Tourbillon Titanium hearkens back to some of the brand’s earliest models with Mille’s hallmark tonneau-shaped case fashioned from satin-finished grade 5 titanium. ‘A biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant, and remarkably rigid alloy, grade 5 titanium is 90 per cent grade 5 titanium, 6 per cent aluminum, and 4 per cent vanadium. ‘The manual-winding RM 17-02 debuted in 2022 with a lightweight TZP ceramic and satin-finished 18-karat red gold case and came in white and blue versions limited to 30 pieces each. ‘Then, earlier this year, the brand unveiled a version in White Quartz TPT, which was also limited to 30 pieces. ‘Now, this fourth titanium iteration, which is not limited, exhibits a more discreet character, underscoring timeless style with what may be viewed as an almost retro vibe for longtime Mille devotees.’

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Nigeria’s U-18, U-20 Women’s Handball Teams Hit Camp For IHF Tourney

Fola Badmus04 mins

Nigeria’s Under 18 and 20 Women Handball teams have opened training camp in Lagos ahead of the IHF Trophy’s Women Zonal Phase slated between 20th and 24th of April in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The National Under 18 women’s team led by Coach John Uzor and the Under 20 women’s team led by Coach Adewunmi Agbola Shittu are at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos wherein they are undergoing intensive training for the competition which is the first hurdle in the IHF Women’s Trophy calendar for the year. The Under 20 team is made up of the Under 18 team that made Nigeria proud by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time ever in the history of the country. Some of the players are; Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and her twin sister Taiwo Babatunde who plays for Seasider Babes of Lagos, Esther Mathew of ADDIDJA HBC of Benin Republic and Rahima Bello who plays for KIRYATONO HBC of ISRAEL. Others are; the Samuel Sisters (Prudence and Precious), Chidera Ogbusimba, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters all from RIMA Queens of Sokoto as well as Damilola Akinlade of Rivers Queens, Omole Joy of Rivers Queens, Taiwo Islamiat of Seasiders babes and Oluwalade Phoebe of Ekiti. For Coach Shittu, it is not a new experience as his present Under 20 Women’s team were the successful Under 18 team that he led to finish second in the IHF Women’s Trophy Intercontinental Phase in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last year, representing Africa following their success in the zonal and continental phase. Coach Shittu, however believed it is a different situation, saying this is the first Nigeria would be participating in the Junior category (Under 20) of the competition as it will be a new experience for the players. For Coach John Uzor, the Under 18 team wants to surpass the record set by their predessesors, stressing that the country would have the best players to do so. “We are entering into a big shoe worn by our elder sisters who are now in the Under 20 category and we must maintain and even surpass their standards. We have the best crops of players to overcome in Cote’d’Voire,” Coach John assured. The two teams must win the zonal phase in Abidjan to qualify for the continental phase later this year.

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Newcastle Eye Top Four as United Visit in Premier League Clash on GOtv

Fola Badmus03 mins

The race for Champions League spots continues this weekend in high-stakes games across various venues in the Premier League. All the games will show live on GOtv. The headline fixture sees Newcastle host Manchester United at St James’ Park. The Magpies are flying, with three straight wins, including a 3–0 dismissal of Leicester, and could move one point clear of fourth-placed Chelsea if they win. They have a game in hand.  United remain stuck in 13th after a goalless Manchester Derby, but can still influence the European race. The game kicks off at  4:30 PM on Channel 65 (SS EPL). Saturday kicks off with Manchester City at home to Crystal Palace at 12:30 PM. Despite last weekend’s draw, a win could move the champions back into the top four, depending on results elsewhere. Arsenal, held by Everton last time out, will be desperate to close the gap on leaders Liverpool when they host Brentford at 5:30 PM. Both games air on Channel 65 (SS EPL). Liverpool, beaten 3–2 by Fulham last time out, face a struggling West Ham on Sunday. The Reds remain top and will look to extend their lead with a win. Chelsea take on Ipswich, needing maximum points to keep pace in the top-four race. Both games kick off at 2:00 PM Other key fixtures include Brighton vs Leicester, Forest vs Everton, Southampton vs Aston Villa, and Wolves vs Spurs, all potentially impacting European hopes and mid-table standings. The round ends Monday night with Bournemouth hosting Fulham at 8:00 PM, a battle of attacking mid-table sides. Catch all Premier League matches this weekend on Channel 65 (SS EPL) with GOtv.

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Rivers Hoopers Through to Basketball Africa League Playoffs

Fola Badmus03 mins

Rivers Hoopers have secured their place in the Basketball Africa League Playoffs by defeating FUS Rabat, and will next face Al-Ittihad of Egypt in a crucial match on Saturday. For a second consecutive season, Nigeria’s representatives at season five of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) have qualified for the Playoffs holding in Pretoria, South Africa from 6-14 June. Rivers Hoopers defeated FUS Rabat 79-71 on Thursday night to move to a 3-1 mark on the Kalahari Conference table. With two games left to play, the KingsMen are second on the table behind Al-Ittihad of Egypt (4-0). While FUS Rabat sit third with a 1-3 record and Stade Malien on 0-4 mark. The KingsMen will battle the Egyptian champions for the first place while FUS and Stade Malien will slug it out for the third spot. Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu is excited to have qualified for the 2025 BAL Playoffs with two more games to go. ”It feels really good to qualify for the finals again. It is the highest basketball stage in Africa, and everybody in Africa wants to be there. I am really, really happy that we are there now. We hope to take some time off to celebrate. ”Right from the get-go our target was to make the playoffs. Now that we have made the playoffs, we are going to get greedy,” he stated. Odaudu said the current target of the team is to go past their previous record of a third-place finish. ”We came in third last year. We are hoping that we are going to go a step further. Everybody wants that for us; they have pushed us, and we want to go a step further than what we did last year. ”Right now we are enjoying the victory of last night and will get back to work this evening.” Rivers Hoopers will next play Egyptian champions Al-Ittihad on Saturday at 4pm WAT.

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Lekki Volleyball Club Hosts Thunder Games 2025, 28 Teams to Battle

Fola Badmus03 mins

The Lekki Volleyball Club (LVC) is proud to announce the hosting of the 3rd edition of the Thunder Games, a premier volleyball tournament that promises to bring together the best teams from across Nigeria. The highly anticipated event, scheduled to take place from April 15 to 19, 2025, will feature 28 teams, comprising 18 male and 10 female teams, all vying for the top spot at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. Volleyball, the fifth most popular sport in the world, has gained immense popularity in Nigeria, with a thriving community of enthusiasts and talented players. The Thunder Games, now in its third edition, has become a highlight of the Nigerian volleyball calendar, showcasing the country’s rich talent and passion for the sport. In the 2023 edition, Lekki Cruisers emerged as the overall champions, winning both the male and female tournaments. This year’s event promises to be even more exciting, with new teams and players expected to make their mark. Some of the top teams expected to participate in the tournament include Legacy Volleyball Club (Lagos), Phoenix (Ogun), Hitters Spikers (Asaba), Harmony Spikers (Kwara), and a host of other top teams from across the country, including the host, Lekki Cruisers. “We are thrilled to host the 3rd edition of the Thunder Games, which has become a flagship event for the Lekki Volleyball Club,” said Odafe Gbagbaje, President of the Lekki Volleyball Club. “We are confident that this year’s tournament will be an exciting and closely contested competition that will showcase the best of Nigerian volleyball. “The Thunder Games is a celebration of the passion and talent that exists in Nigerian volleyball,” added Olusola Aluko, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). “We have put in place all the necessary arrangements to ensure a successful tournament, and we look forward to welcoming teams and spectators from all over the country.” The Thunder Games 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience for volleyball enthusiasts, with thrilling matches, exciting performances, and a celebration of the sport’s growth and popularity in Nigeria. Stay tuned for more updates and information on the tournament.

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Salah Signs New £350,000-Per-Week Liverpool

Fola Badmus05 mins

Mohamed Salah has finally signed a new deal with Liverpool. The Egyptian has put pen to paper on a two-year contract worth £350,000 per week, ending one of the club’s biggest contract sagas of the century. Liverpool have broken club policy in offering him a new deal, as Fenway Sports Group are typically reluctant to hand out new contracts to players over 30. Mail Sport reported on Wednesday that Salah was close to agreeing a new deal. It is a major success for Liverpool to get this over the line, with Salah having given worrying updates throughout the season, and with the threat of Saudi Arabian clubs looming. In November he said he was ‘more out than in’. ‘Of course I’m very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football,’ he told the club website. ‘It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career. ‘I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies.’ In their announcement, Liverpool played on the ‘more out than in’ comment, writing he is now ‘more in than out’. The 32-year-old was pictured sat on a throne in the middle of the Anfield turf. A contract offer had been on the table for some time but Salah and his representative, Ramy Abbas, wanted a better deal. It is understood that Salah initially wanted a three-year extension, and while FSG have not given him that, they have broken their traditional policy by offering him a new deal at his age. Salah had attracted mass interest from Saudi Arabia in the last two years. That saw Al-Ittihad make a £150million bid in August 2023, which was swiftly rejected by Liverpool. The Saudis have retained an interest in Salah and explored whether they could convince him to join them this summer, when his Liverpool contract was set to expire. The 32-year-old has long been the ‘dream target’ of the Saudi Pro League. Salah has already cemented his legendary status at the club in another record-breaking season, which is on course to end with a second Premier League title. He is now the third top scorer in the club’s history with 243 goals in 394 appearances, having overtaken Billy Liddell and Gordon Hodgson this campaign.

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