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Category: Sports

Egypt-bound Flying Eagles Return to Abuja to Intensify U20 AFCON Preparations

Fola Badmus05 mins

Seven-time champions Nigeria have relocated back to the Federal Capital, Abuja as they intensify preparations for the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations starting later this month in Egypt. The contingent returned to Abuja after a three-week training programme in Katsina, where they had gone to camp in order to feel the weather which was found to be the same with that of Cote d’Ivoire – the country originally designated to host the tournament. With Cote d’Ivoire pulling out as host nation in the last hour, to the consternation of the Confederation of African Football and the participating teams, Egypt (host of the last edition in 2023) stepped in as hosts. “We are grateful to His Excellency, Governor Umaru Dikko Radda for hosting the team for three weeks in Katsina and making sure players and officials trained and camped in a conducive environment. The coaches have had some useful time to work on the team and it is now down to the final stages of preparation where the ascent will be on tactical and technical formations. “At the moment, due to the change of host nation, and the difference in weather conditions between Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt, we are looking at the team leaving Nigeria early to spend about 10 days in Egypt before the commencement of the tournament,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said on Wednesday. The team will make use of the FIFA Goal Project training field for training sessions before departing for Egypt in the next one week. For the purpose of the camping in Abuja, Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu – who led the team to successfully defend its WAFU B U20 Championship gong in Togo in October last year – has invited a total of 35 players, including three goalkeepers, eight defenders, 10 midfielders and 14 forwards. All four semi-finalists in Egypt will qualify to represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals scheduled for Chile, 27th September – 18th October. 35 FLYING EAGLES FOR CAMPING IN ABUJA: Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia) Defenders: Adewale Quadri (Nath Boys Academy); Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro Emmanuel (Sporting Lagos); Kenneth Igboke (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists); Chukwu Emmanuel (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United) Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Ujanik, Croatia); Michael Tunde (Simon Ben FC); Sabiu Mohammed (Niger Tornadoes); Akinniran Oluwashile (Water FC); Ibrahim Alani (Real Valladolid, Spain); Ayuma Isaac Israel (NK Istra, Croatia); Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists) Forwards: Umar Abubakar (KAA Gent, Belgium); Anthony Ezekiel (Inspire FC); Otu Joseph (Mavlon FC); Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Adeleke Abdulmuiz (Adoration FC); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Rickson Mendos (Niger Tornadoes); Mustapha Umar (Kano Pillars); Kingsley Matthew (Kings FC); Armiyau Yusha’u (Katsina United); Benjamin Precious (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)

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Rivers Hoopers Will Look to Bounce Back from Loss to Al-Ittihad

Fola Badmus04 mins

Rivers Hoopers were handed their first loss of the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) campaign, falling 80-100 to Egypt’s Al-Ittihad in their third game of the Kalahari Conference at the Salle Omnisports Moulay Abdellah on Tuesday. Despite the result, the KingsMen had some strong individual performances. Madut Akec led the team with 18 points and 4 rebounds. Putney followed with 17 points, while Kelvin Amayo posted an all-around effort with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Maxi Shamba added 11 points off the bench. The Nigerian league champions showed flashes of their quality, even taking a brief lead in the second quarter. But costly turnovers and breakdowns in transition defense allowed the Egyptian side to take control, especially from beyond the arc. Al-Ittihad’s Kyle Vinales led all scorers with 26 points and 7 rebounds, proving decisive during key stretches of the game. With two wins and one loss now in the bag, Rivers Hoopers will look to bounce back when they face Morocco’s FUS Rabat on Thursday, April 10. A victory will be vital in their quest to secure a playoff spot in the Kalahari Conference. Rivers Hoopers suffer first loss in Basketball Africa League season five. Rivers Hoopers were handed their first loss of the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) campaign, falling 80-100 to Egypt’s Al-Ittihad in their third game of the Kalahari Conference at the Salle Omnisports Moulay Abdellah on Tuesday. Despite the result, the KingsMen had some strong individual performances. Madut Akec led the team with 18 points and 4 rebounds. Putney followed with 17 points, while Kelvin Amayo posted an all-around effort with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Maxi Shamba added 11 points off the bench. The Nigerian champions showed flashes of their quality, even taking a brief lead in the second quarter. But costly turnovers and breakdowns in transition defense allowed the Egyptian side to take control, especially from beyond the arc. Al-Ittihad’s Kyle Vinales led all scorers with 26 points and 7 rebounds, proving decisive during key stretches of the game. Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu admitted his team needs to do better in the next game. “We had 20 turnovers today, luckily they didn’t really score from there. We also need to box out better. With 41 rebounds? We can’t afford to play basketball like that,” Odaudu said. “We gave them so many second chance opportunities. These are part of the things we can’t afford to do in our next game. We lost badly and so we will go back and work on that.” With two wins and one defeat, Rivers Hoopers will look to bounce back when they face Morocco’s FUS Rabat on Thursday, April 10. A victory will be vital in their quest to secure a playoff spot in South Africa.

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2,505 Athletes Set For MTN Champs Lagos Continental Relays

Fola Badmus08 mins

The third season of MTN Champs continues with the Continental Relays scheduled to take place in Lagos from April 9 to April 12. Events will be held at the Yabatech and UNILAG sports complexes. This follows the successful Benin Classics held from March 13 to 15. A total of 2,505 athletes have registered for the Lagos Continental Relays, with 6,298 event entries from 155 secondary schools, with 1,598 male athletes and 907 female athletes. The senior category will also include international athletes from the Republic of Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. Athletes will compete in a range of track and field events, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, relays, high jump, and long jump, in four age categories: Cadet (U-14), Youth (U-17), Junior (U-20), and Senior. Speaking at a press briefing on April 8, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said. “MTN Champs is a platform that continues to grow, transform and inspire the future of athletes and athletics in Nigeria. At MTN, we remain committed to supporting the dreams and aspirations of Nigeria, not only through innovative products, but involvement in socially impactful initiatives especially in football and athletics,” she said. MTN Champs was launched in 2023 to discover and develop young athletic talent across Nigeria. Twenty athletes identified as Most Valuable Players (MVPs) through the program are currently enrolled in a Lagos-based academy on a one-year scholarship. Deji Ogeyinbo, Country Manager at Making of Champions (MoC), MTN’s technical partner, highlighted the initiative’s impact. “MTN Champs was born out of a need to create structured training camps for athletes. We have been able to go to the remote villages in Nigeria, to discover exceptional athletes that otherwise would not have had the opportunity to showcase their talents,” he said. The Lagos Continental Relays are supported by the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). Lekan Fatodu, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, reiterated the state government’s support for the MTN Champs initiative. “There is no better way to describe this event than saying that it is exceptional and inspirational. This is a motivation for us as the government,” he said. Fatodu also outlined plans to reform sports infrastructure in the state, including upgrades to the Teslim Balogun Stadium, to support broader sports development in Nigeria. The grand finale of MTN Champs Season 3 will be held in Uyo from April 30 to May 3 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. MTN Champs aims to invest in the future of Nigerian youth through mentorship, development programs, and scholarships, identifying talent at the grassroots and supporting the emergence of Nigeria’s next generation of sporting champions. XXXXXXXXX Gov. Seyi Makinde Hits 335Km Roads In Six Years The Oyo State Government, under the able leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, proudly announces the completion of 335 kilometers of roads across the state within six years of his administration, with more projects still in progress. This milestone was highlighted by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, as a testament to Governor Makinde’s unwavering commitment to transforming Oyo State’s infrastructure and driving economic growth. Since assuming office in May 2019, Governor Makinde has prioritized road infrastructure as a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda to connect all zones of Oyo State, enhance urban mobility, and boost economic activities. Prince Oyelade emphasized that this achievement surpasses the combined efforts of all administrations between 1999 and 2019, underscoring the governor’s strategic vision to address the state’s infrastructure deficit. Among the notable projects completed are the 65km Moniya-Iseyin Road, the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road, the Adebayo Alao Akala road, and the recently commissioned 38.48km of feeder roads in Ibadan, alongside numerous other inter-zone and township roads totaling 335.77km as of mid-2024, with figures now updated to reflect ongoing progress. Additionally, 273.31km of roads remain under construction, signaling that the administration’s work is far from over. Prince Oyelade noted, “Governor Makinde’s approach has been deliberate and data-driven, focusing on roads that link production zones to consumption centers, thereby opening up opportunities for agribusiness and reducing rural-urban migration. “This is not just about building roads; it’s about building a modern Oyo State where every citizen benefits.” These accomplishments align with Governor Makinde’s promise to engineer a state where infrastructure serves as a catalyst for prosperity. As Oyo State continues to witness unprecedented development, the government reaffirms its dedication to sustaining this momentum, with plans for further road rehabilitations and expansions in the coming years. Governor Makinde remains committed to leaving a legacy of progress and institutional strength by May 2027, when his tenure concludes.

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EPL: Ola Aina May Return Against Everton

Fola Badmus02 mins

Ola Aina would be back for Everton although that feels like a bit of a long shot, some reports had claimed. The 27-year-old was struck down with a calf problem against United and it’s not clear how long he will be out for. Now, a photograph has been shared on the player’s official Snapchat and it would seem that he’s still not walking without the aid of crutches. That does feel like a blow for Forest as the team will undoubtedly view the home games as winable and crucial in the quest for Champions League football. The Nigerian international has been one of the most consistent players this season and would be in the running for Player of the Year. Aina is very important to the way in which Espirito Santo wants his teams to play and the hope will be that he can be back on the pitch in no time.

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Rice Cook Real Madrid With Stunning Freekicks To Double Fires Arsenal to 3-0 Win Over

Rice Cook Real Madrid With Stunning Freekicks To Double Fires Arsenal to 3-0 Win Over

Fola Badmus02 mins

Arsenal claimed a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. Declan Rice was the star of the match, scoring two brilliant freekicks. His first came in the 58th minute, followed by another in the 70th, both of which left Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with no chance. Leandro Trossard assisted on the third goal, with Mikel Merino finishing in the 75th minute to seal the win for Arsenal. Real Madrid, the reigning Champions League holders, struggled to break down Arsenal’s defense and were left frustrated throughout the match. The result puts the Gunners in a strong position going into the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, acknowledged that while the team had a decent first half, their defensive frailties were exposed after Arsenal’s opening goal. Ancelotti took responsibility for the defeat, stating that improvements would be needed in defensive play if his side hopes to turn the tie around in the second leg. The match also saw Real Madrid’s midfielder Eduardo Camavinga receive a red card in injury time, which will add to their difficulties in the second leg. The stage is set for a thrilling return encounter in Madrid, with Arsenal holding a significant advantage.

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Deputy Speaker of LAHA Gbenga Olowo, SWAN Lagos, Olori Yaba, and Other Notable Figures Praise InterGuide Academy

Deputy Speaker of LAHA Gbenga Olowo, SWAN Lagos Olori Yaba and Other Notable Figures Praise InterGuide Academy

Fola Badmus07 mins

Sports as a Weapon for Economic Growth: Social Vices Best Tackled in Schools and Homes As InterGuide Academy Holds Maiden Inter-House Sports The rise in social vices currently plaguing the nation can best be addressed within schools and homes. This was the view expressed by Dr. Gbenga Olowo, Group Chairman of InterGuide Group, during the Academy’s maiden inter-house sports event held at Agege Stadium, Lagos. Dr. Olowo, an international aviator who also served as the chairman of the occasion, stated, “Parents have a role to play, and schools also have a responsibility. School discipline must be revisited. There is no beauty in a child without discipline.” The event kicked off with a march past, showcasing the four major houses. The Red House delivered a special presentation, clinching an impressive gold medal, while the Yellow House secured second place. The competition underscored the significant role children and youths play in society. This is why it’s crucial to engage them in various sporting activities alongside their academics as they grow. As the special guest of honor, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, represented by her SA on Legislative Matters and Administration, commended the performances of all the sports houses. She highlighted that school sports is a key element of youth development and character building, which ultimately enhances the credibility of any progressive society. “To grow, it is crucial that we embrace, support, and develop school sports. Only then can we have renewed hope for sustainability in socio-economic development,” she said. On the day of the event, Red House (Grace Adegboyega House) emerged victorious, lifting the Golden Trophy. Yellow House (Dcns Stella Olowo House) took second place, Green House (School House) secured third, and Blue House (Dr. Gbenga Olowo House) finished fourth. Dr. Olowo urged the government to encourage sports development through school inter-house sports and inter-company games. Vice Chairman of InterGuide Group, Dcns Stella Olowo, reflecting on her school days when she was active in sprints and jumps, urged participants to embrace fair competition and good conduct. “Good values and discipline are key elements of success. They determine the level of greatness one can achieve in the future,” she noted. Royal guest of the day, the Queen of Yaba-Iwaya-Kingdom, Lagos, Olori Rebecca Temitope Oloko, a Paris-based women’s advocate, expressed that her passion for children’s welfare motivated her to attend the event. “As a lover of children, today’s event means a lot to me. I’m already thinking about schools I will engage with to replicate such initiatives, as they will help children explore different sports and find where they excel.” Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos Chapter, and UN Peace Ambassador of Nigeria, Olatutu Oladunni, commended InterGuide Academy for the initiative, stressing that it serves as a way to identify and groom talent, which in turn strengthens social development, tourism, and cultural values. “Sports is one of the key factors that boost economic growth and bilateral cooperation. It also contributes to effective foreign relations that influence economic policies across nations. The power of sports can never be underestimated,” she said. She also thanked corporate sponsors like Promasidor (TWISCO chocolate drink) for their significant contributions to the event and urged corporate institutions to engage in more productive collaborations with schools and youth organizations to support developmental growth. Air Vice Marshal Segun Philip (Rtd) emphasized the importance of adopting sports in all schools, stating, “Sports teach discipline, perseverance, and commitment. These values help children develop the right mindset.” Similarly, Vice President of Sabre, Engr. Allen Awosikunde, remarked that sports is the only activity that teaches teamwork. “In the classroom, teamwork may be seen as cheating, but in sports and business, it’s key. Teamwork is the future of any successful business. So, we should encourage more sports, as it teaches teamwork,” he said. The Principal of the Elementary School, Mrs. Blessing Kukoyi, expressed her gratitude to the parents, pupils, and teachers for their impressive cooperation and contributions toward the success of the event. She was particularly amazed by the students’ performance and the strong turnout of parents supporting their children. She also commended the corporate sponsors, including Promasidor (TWISCO chocolate drink), Golfview Hotel and Suites, and Sabre, for their support. “School sports is one of the major areas to invest in, as children are the leaders of tomorrow,” she added.

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TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON, Morocco 2025 Media Match Day Pack is now available for download

TotalEnergies CAF U17 AFCON, Morocco 2025 Media Match Day Pack is now available for download

Fola Badmus02 mins

The TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 has entered the pivotal third round of matches in the group stage, with four thrilling fixtures scheduled for Sunday, as Groups A and B resume action. To support media coverage of the tournament, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) is offering daily statistics packs. These detailed packs delve into the history of the competing teams and provide fascinating insights and facts surrounding their participation in the event. You can download the Media Match-Day Pack for 6th April 2025 HERE. Sunday’s Fixtures: GROUP A GROUP B For more details on the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, visit www.cafonline.com. Further Inquiries:communications@cafonline.comCAF | Communication Department

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SWAN Congratulates Kida On Appointment As NNPCL Board Chairman

Fola Badmus03 mins

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida on his recent appointment as the Board Chairman of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). President of SWAN, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, in a letter to Engr. Kida, dated April 3, 2025 and signed by the Association’s Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, described his appointment as well deserved. Kida, an oil and gas mogul is the incumbent President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF). The SWAN President said Engr. Kida’s track record in the Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has been prominent in the past and recent times. “Before becoming the new NNPCL board chairman, you have made notable achievements in the industry, while occupying various positions as his career gradually blossomed. “One thing that stands you out is your passion for development and your commitment in making great impacts at all times. You deserves all the accolades. More importantly, we believe you will use your new position to touch more lives especially in sports. “Yes, your appointment is about the oil and gas sector, but that can attract a lot for Nigerian sports. Recently, not much has been heard about NNPCL channeling it’s Corporate Social Responsibility programmes to the sporting industry which has the capacity and direct effect on numerous young people that constitute greater part of the country’s population. “So we believe your presence as a known figure within the sporting fraternity will turn things around,” part of the letter said. Meanwhile, SWAN has commiserated with the Board of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) over the loss its President, Alhaji Abdullahi Saidu. In a letter of condolence to NTF, SWAN President Mr. Benjamin through the Association’s Secretary-General Amb. Okonkwo expressed sadness for the demise of Alhaji Saidu. He then prayed Allah to give his family, Taekwondo community and the entire sporting arena the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

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