Rivers Hoopers Move One Step Closer to BAL Playoffs

Rivers Hoopers look set to seal their spot in the playoffs of the Basketball Africa League season five after a dramatic 79-71 victory over Morocco’s FUS Rabat on Thursday. Despite trailing for the better part of three quarters, the Hoopers staged one of the most impressive comebacks of the conference, dominating the fourth quarter. Madut Akec led the way with a standout performance of 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Raphiel Putney contributed 14 crucial points, including key baskets in the final quarter. Peter Olisemeka was rock solid in the paint, posting a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Maxi Munanga Shamba added 11 points. Kelvin Amayo was instrumental all-around with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. “We had scouted them, so we knew what they could do and what they couldn’t do. All in all, it was down to determination and who wanted it most because it put us in a great position to qualify for South Africa for the playoffs,” said Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu. The Kingsmen will next face Al-Ittihad Alexandria in their fifth game of the Kalahari Conference on Saturday before playing against Stade Malien on Sunday. The Rivers Hoopers are now set to join the continent’s elite in South Africa for the main phase of the Basketball Africa League, marking a major achievement for Nigerian basketball.

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Trinidad battles

Unity Cup 2025: Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium to host Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana & Trinidad battles

The final signatures, seals and indentures were achieved on Wednesday, for this year’s Unity Cup Invitational Tournament involving Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana and Trinidad & Tobago to go ahead at the 17,250-capacity Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, West London in the last days of May 2025. Rotimi Pedro, of AfroSport, said: “We are proud to bring back The Unity Cup. It’s been a long journey to revive this important community event, and we’re delighted that fans of African and Caribbean football will once again enjoy top-tier international football at Unity Cup 2025. We are grateful to Brentford FC for providing a home at the Gtech Community Stadium and look forward to what, even after 20 years, remains a cultural moment for many who attended previous Unity Cup tournaments. Unity Cup 2025 is a week-long celebration of our interconnected culture in food, music and comedy anchored around elite footballing talents from our home nations.” The tournament will kick off with the first semi-final on Tuesday, 27th May as Trinidad & Tobago tackle Jamaica in the first-ever ‘Trini-Jam’ on UK soil. The following day, three-time African champions Nigeria will take on four-time African champions Ghana in the second semi-final, which will come with all the intrigues and elements of a 74-year rivalry between the two continental giants. All four teams will return on Saturday, 31st May for the grand finale, with the losers of the semi-final fixtures featuring in the third-place game, before the Final to determine The Unity Cup 2025 champions. President of NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “We signed on to the tournament as it offers a vital opportunity for our team to bond ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. The Unity Cup has a special history, and the Super Eagles have always been part of that journey.” While Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Eric Chelle, noted that “we’re looking forward to taking part in the Unity Cup as it will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad before the matches in September and October,” team captain William Troost-Ekong said: “This is a great tournament for us to reunite and continue strategizing for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games.” Marcus Gayle, Brentford FC ambassador and former Jamaican international, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Unity Cup back and to host it here at the Gtech Community Stadium. This tournament will not only showcase elite football talent from Africa and the Caribbean, but also celebrate the deep cultural and sporting ties between these regions. It’s a brilliant platform for players to shine, and we’re excited about the entertainment and community spirit the tournament brings.”

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16 Women Teams to Star at Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

FIFA is pleased with the decision taken by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to approve a proposal for 16 women’s and 12 men’s teams to participate in the Olympic Football Tournaments at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28) – a major milestone for the women’s game and a powerful endorsement of women’s sport. The expansion of the women’s tournament reflects the shared commitment of FIFA, the IOC and LA28 to elevate women’s sport, celebrate the strength of the women’s game in the United States and continue to open doors for more players and more nations on the world stage. “FIFA has always believed in the power of women’s football and today’s decision by the IOC Executive Board is a positive step,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Our vision is clear: we are investing in and expanding opportunities for women’s football at every level. More teams on the Olympic stage means more role models, more inspiration and more impact. “This development reflects our shared understanding that women’s football deserves greater representation and visibility at the Olympic Games. We thank the IOC for the fruitful discussions that will make LA28 a groundbreaking event, and we will continue to work with our partners to incorporate futsal and beach soccer into the Olympic programme.” FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafström, said: “FIFA has been working on the increase in women’s teams at the Olympics for some time. On behalf of FIFA, I would like to thank the IOC administration for their collaboration with us over the past months to prepare this groundbreaking decision. We are very pleased with the outcome but, of course, we will continue with fully commitment our daily and sustained work across all relevant areas of the women’s game including competitions, technical and the regulatory landscape to unlock the undeniable potential it has everywhere in the world.” FIFA has consistently advocated the expansion of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, including by having made a formal request to increase the number of women’s teams from 12 to 16 ahead of Paris 2024. This request was in line with Goal 7 of FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027 , which calls for more opportunities for women and girls in football and at all levels of the game. It also builds on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which was expanded from 24 to 32 teams, resulting in record-breaking engagement and showcasing the emerging talent from around the world. This move only increased the interest in the tournament, as eight debutant nations and an additional 184 players had the chance to perform on the global stage.

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Victor Moses, Luton Town Part Ways

Luton Town’s Victor Moses has less than three months left on his contract and his future is set to be away from the Championship club. That’s according to Africa Foot, who state the 34-year-old is aiming for new opportunities in the summer window. At the end of last season, Moses was released by Spartak Moscow and was without a club until Luton Town signed him on a free transfer in September 2024. He’s played 18 games so far this season. Luton Town appointed Matt Bloomfield as their new manager in January. Moses has played only once under his orders, against Preston North End in January. The manager has left the former Chelsea man out of the squad since then. Therefore, Moses has decided not to sign a new contract at Luton Town and leave them as a free agent. The player is managed by Roof and a source close to the agency has told Africa Foot that they can’t ignore his current situation at the English club. “He hasn’t played much since the beginning of the year, which is a fact we cannot ignore,” a source said. “But internally, the decision has been made: he’ll leave the club at the end of the season. He wants to end his time here on a high note, so he remains focused and professional until the end. His future will be determined very soon, but one thing is certain: he won’t retire.”

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Referees to Wear Body Cams at FIFA Club World Cup

Referees will wear body cams during the Club World Cup. The video technology can be used to monitor the officials, players and also offer the chance to be shown as part of TV coverage. It is part of a major trial which could then see the technology introduced across all levels of the game, including the Premier League in the future. Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has already championed the use of body cam technology to protect referees from abuse from fans and players from grassroots up. It would have big support across the English game and has been given the green light for a trial in this summer’s tournament in the United States by law makers IFAB. Pierluigi Collina, chair of the FIFA Referees’ Committee, said: “We think that it is a good chance to offer the viewers a new experience, in terms of images taken from a perspective, from an angle of vision which was never offered before. “It also has a purpose in terms of referee coaching. Because, of course, having the possibility to see what the referee sees is important in the debriefing, to evaluate how the call was made by the referee, which was his view, and so on. So it’s a combination of new experience for broadcasters and also for coaching purposes.” IFAB has also approved new rules on time-wasting which means a corner kick will be given if a keeper holds the ball for eight seconds or longer. The Club World Cup will pioneer that change by using a video count down on big screens during the tournament, similar to what is used in rugby on conversions. Collina added: “It will be a very, very interesting competition. [It’s the] first time ever to have the best clubs around the world, from each corner of the world competing. “So it’s, I would say, an extra responsibility for us, for refereeing, because we want to have our referees ready in the best conditions when the competition starts. And we are aware that a high standard of refereeing is key to having a successful competition.” Manchester City and Chelsea are England’s sole representatives in the revamped Club World Cup, which now has a vastly different format to previous editions. In a move heavily criticised by players, coaches, and executives alike, the competition has undergone a significant restructure for 2025 and will now feature an expanded field, with 32 teams participating in a summer tournament that closely resembles the World Cup. It begins on June 15 and runs until July 13. Miami hosts the opening fixture, with the final being held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Philadelphia and Nashville are a few of the other host cities.

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Azeez vs. Oyakojo: Power Meets Resilience at GOtv Boxing Night 33

The stage is set for an electrifying national super featherweight contest as Lateef “Captain” Azeez squares off against Sodiq “Golden Boy” Oyakojo in what promises to be a defining battle at GOtv Boxing Night 33. The fight, scheduled for eight rounds, will be a crucial test for both boxers, each seeking to assert dominance in the division. Azeez, a hard-hitting fighter with an impressive 80% knockout rate, has made a strong statement since turning professional in 2023. With 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, he has built a reputation for ending fights early, thanks to his explosive power. His opponent, Oyakojo, brings a wealth of experience, having fought 13 times since 2022 with 8 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws. Known for his resilience and tactical approach, Oyakojo has the tools to frustrate Azeez and turn the contest into a drawn-out battle. This bout represents more than just another fight. It is a collision of styles and ambitions. For Azeez, victory would further cement his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most promising super featherweights. Meanwhile, Oyakojo sees this fight as an opportunity to remind fans and analysts why he belongs among the country’s elite fighters. Beyond this anticipated showdown, GOtv Boxing Night 33 will also feature several other exciting matchups, including a 10-round international lightweight challenge between Ghana’s Emmanuel Otoo and Nigeria’s Tosin “Sojar Boy” Osaigbovo. Other national bouts include Segun Gbobaniyi vs. Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan and William “Kaki” Amosu vs. Emmanuel “Ability Famous” Abimbola, among others. Fans eager to witness the action live can purchase tickets at the venue. Regular tickets are priced at N300, while VIP access is available for N1,300. GOtv Boxing Night 33 will take place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, on April 26, promising a night of intense, high-quality boxing action.

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Dinamo Zagreb Sacks Cannavaro after Four Months

Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has been sacked from his position as head coach of Dinamo Zagreb after just over four months in charge, the club have confirmed. The 51-year-old, who had been coaching in Serie A with Udinese at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, was appointed as head coach of Dinamo Zagreb at the end of December 2024 on a reported 18-month contract until the end of the 2025-26 season. He ended up taking charge of 14 competitive matches and three friendlies before being given his marching orders. Cannavaro was dismissed after a poor run of form that saw the 25-time Croatian champions win just two matches from seven matches across all competitions. His final match in charge was a 3-0 defeat away against sixth-places Istra 1961 in the 1. HNL over the weekend. Zagreb currently sit in third place in the league table on 46 points, eight points shy of league leaders Hadujk Split, led by Cannavaro’s former Italy teammate Gennaro Gattuso.

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Osimhen Makes Huge Transfer Decision

Victor Osimhen wants a move to the Premier League or Juventus this summer following the conclusion of his Galatasaray loan spell, a report has revealed. Osimhen joined the Turkish giants on a temporary basis last September after new manager Antonio Conte froze him out at Napoli and talks over a move to Chelsea broke down. Facing a season on the sidelines, Turkiye’s late summer transfer deadline offered Osimhen a get-out route which he gladly accepted, and the Nigerian hitman has been in tremendous form this season. The striker has scored 28 goals in all competitions for the Super Lig leaders, with Gala poised to enjoy a trophy-laden campaign despite their early Europa League exit. Regarded as one of the very best forwards in world football, it’s no surprise that Osimhen has been so productive in Turkiye. His stay in Istanbul is set to be brief, though. ESPN report that Galatasaray have no agreement in place with Napoli to buy the Nigerian superstar permanently at the end of his loan spell, and Osimhen has made it clear that he wants to return to a leading European league. Juventus in Serie A and the Premier League have piqued his interest, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal among the clubs previously linked. All three clubs are in the striker market this summer, while Juve’s situation is complicated following the exit of Thiago Motta. The futures of Dusan Vlahovic and loanee Randal Kolo Muani are up in the air. Osimhen is on United’s shortlist for the summer, but Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is said to be emerging as their striker priority. Chelsea have also shown interest in Delap after coming close to signing the Nigerian last summer, while Arsenal’s new sporting director is eyeing a move for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres. The 26-year-old’s release clause in his Napoli contract, which expires in 2026, has dropped to £62.7m, but his salary demands, believed to be £9m after tax, may deter potential suitors. The Saudi Pro League is another potential destination, but Osimhen’s preference in regards to his future club means a move to the Middle East currently seems unlikely.

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