Sports Archives | Page 14 of 62

President Federation Cup: NFF insists on this weekend for finals in all States and the FCT

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has again declared that all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory must stage the final matches of their 2025 President Federation Cup competition on Saturday, 22nd February or Sunday, 23rd February 2025. In a statement to secretaries of Football Associations in all the 36 States and the FCT, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, reiterated: “Final matches are to be played ONLY ON 22nd/23rd, except in special cases and as approved by the NFF “Failure to adhere to the above attracts a fine of N1,000,000 (One million naira only).” The National Play-Off of this year’s competition has been scheduled for 5th March, with the National Draw one week later, while the Rounds of 64, 32 and 16 are scheduled for 19th March, 2nd April and 16th April 2025 respectively. The quarter-finals have been slated for 3rd and 4th May, with the semi-finals fixed for 17th and 18th May.

NFF sets Tuesday deadline for CAF B-License Coaching Course registration

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that midnight on Tuesday, 25th February 2025 will be the deadline for registration, for those who desire to participate in the four-month CAF B-License Coaching Course that will run between April and August this year. The course, according to the NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges, and is for both men and women coaches. “As I stated some weeks ago, the CAF B-License course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, and will be done in modules. It will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025, and to be eligible, a candidate must be an active coach, possess a CAF C-License certificate that has been put to use in the past two years, must be able to read and write in the English language, have basic computer skills and a laptop, have a valid G-mail account, and must submit a medical certificate that proves he/she is physically and mentally fit to undertake the course. “The response has been pretty awesome, and that is why we now have to bring the deadline forward. The new deadline is midnight of Tuesday, 25th February 2025 for intending participants.” Last year, the NFF organised a CAF C-License programme exclusively for women – the first-ever – which drew 30 women coaches from across the country, including a good number of former Nigeria international players. The three-module course took place between July and September 2024.

Blockbuster Man City-Liverpool clash live on Showmax

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Manchester City hosts Liverpool on Sunday, in a highly anticipated clash, which kicks off at 5:30 PM, and will be available to stream live on Showmax Premier League mobile. City and Liverpool have been the standard setters in the Premier League for much of the last eight years. While City are ahead in the trophy count, Liverpool have pushed them to the limit in title races, including their 97-point campaign in 2019. The landscape has shifted this season, with Liverpool sitting comfortably at the top of the table. On the other hand, City have already suffered seven league defeats and sit in an unfamiliar fourth place, 17 points adrift. A win for City would disrupt the title race, giving Arsenal and other contenders hope, while a Liverpool victory would reinforce their grip at the summit. City go into this fixture buoyed by a 4-0 win over Newcastle, but reeling from a Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s side has lacked their usual dominance this season, struggling with injuries and defensive lapses. Liverpool, meanwhile, was held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa during the week. Despite their strong league form, inconsistency in key moments has left them vulnerable. A positive result at the Etihad would strengthen their title charge, while a slip-up could open the door for Arsenal, who have quietly built momentum in recent weeks. Beyond the title race, the weekend offers plenty of intrigue across the league. Arsenal host West Ham, as they look to keep the pressure on Liverpool. The Hammers, who have lost their last two games, face a difficult task against an in-form Gunners side. Chelsea, still struggling for consistency, travel to Aston Villa after a humbling 3-0 defeat to Brighton. Meanwhile, Manchester United face Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off, with both teams looking to climb out of mid-table mediocrity. With the season entering a decisive phase, every point matters. Fans can catch all the weekend’s action, including Sunday’s high-stakes clash between City and Liverpool, live on Showmax Premier League mobile. Sign up at www.showmax.com

Man Utd scouts Osimhen

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Manchester United have reportedly sent scouts to monitor Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, according to talkSPORT. Osimhen, 26, recently scored twice in Galatasaray’s 2-1 victory over Rizespor, further solidifying their lead at the top of the table. This performance has reportedly intensified United’s interest as they seek to bolster their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window. However, securing Osimhen’s signature may prove challenging. The Nigerian international commands a significant wage, reportedly around £200,000 per week, and is keen to play in the Champions League. While United are interested, they face competition from other clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly preparing for the departure of Randal Kolo Muani. Osimhen has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, stating last year, “Future in the Premier League? Of course, I would like to play it one day, for now I have other plans for my career. When the time comes you will know everything.” Since acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United nearly a year ago, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has implemented a cautious approach to spending, including workforce reductions to free up funds for player acquisitions. The club’s ability to make a substantial offer for Osimhen will likely depend on their financial position concerning Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). While sending scouts suggests United are exploring the possibility of a deal with both Napoli and the player, it remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe will mandate squad trimming before any major purchases. Osimhen’s prolific 2022/23 season, where he scored 26 goals in 32 games and led Napoli to the Serie A title, earned him the African Player of the Year award for 2023. Napoli subsequently extended his contract, including a £113 million release clause, to protect their asset. Despite this, his goal-scoring form dipped slightly the following season, making European giants hesitant to trigger the release clause. The arrival of Antonio Conte at Napoli further complicated Osimhen’s situation, leading to his season-long loan to Galatasaray. There, he has rediscovered his scoring touch, leading the club to the top of the Turkish league.

Napoli, Owner dragged to Court over Osimhen deal

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

Italian prosecutors on Wednesday called for Napoli and the club’s owner Aurelio De Laurentiis to stand trial for false accounting related to transfers, including that of Serie A title hero Victor Osimhen. Napoli, De Laurentiis and one of his key advisors Andrea Chiavelli are suspected by prosecutors in Rome of filing falsified accounts between 2019 and 2021, with their investigation focused on the signings of Kostas Manolas from Roma and Osimhen from Lille. The 70 million-euro deal for Nigeria striker Osimhen — now on loan at Galatasaray — in 2020 raised eyebrows due to four players valued at around 20 million euros moving to Lille, three of whom never played for the French club. Napoli and De Laurentiis’ lawyers said that the decision to ask for a trial was “incomprehensible”. “In the documents there are opinions from consultants and independent bodies which demonstrate incontrovertibly that Napoli acted legitimately and in compliance with Italian accounting principles,” said Fabio Fulgeri and Lorenzo Contrada. “We are convinced that the proceedings will conclude positively (for Napoli and De Laurentiis).” A preliminary hearing judge will decide within six months whether the alleged offences are worthy of a criminal trial which would likely take years to complete. However, a source at Napoli told AFP that the documents in the prosecutors’ trial request have already been ruled as containing nothing incriminating by disciplinary authorities at Italy’s football federation (FIGC). The source said that there is “no chance” of Napoli being penalised by the FIGC even if the club were eventually found guilty in criminal courts, and added that they were confident a trial wouldn’t even take place. Osimhen was a huge star at Napoli and one of the keys to the club winning a third Serie A title — the first since the days of Diego Maradona — as they romped to the Scudetto with five matches remaining in 2023. Teaming up with breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen scored 26 times in Serie A that season and confirmed his status as one of the world’s best strikers. But he soon began angling for a move away — saying publicly that he wanted to play in England’s Premier League — and after failing to agree a deal to leave last summer he was frozen out before being ignominiously loaned to Galatasaray in September. Osimhen’s move to Italy was one of a series of transfers from the same period which were investigated by the FIGC but which ended with all defendants, including Napoli and De Laurentiis, acquitted in April 2022. However the probe opened a can of worms and just over a year later Juventus were deducted 10 points after being found guilty of managing capital gains from transfers to artificially benefit their balance sheet. Juve were punished thanks to new evidence from a separate criminal investigation — named “Operation Prism” — carried out by prosecutors into the club’s accounting practices. A raft of Juve figures including ex-chairman Andrea Agnelli were handed long bans from football and also await a decision next month over whether they will face criminal trial.

ECOWAS Marathon: Runners to collect kits from Thursday as Expo begins at Eagles Square

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Registered runners for the 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will start collecting their running kits on Thursday, when the Marathon Expo begins at the Federal Secretariat Car Park, Eagles Square, Abuja. The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025. There will be two races: the half-marathon and the 5-kilometer fun race. The half marathon will start and finish at the ECOWAS Commission, while the 5 km will start at the Independence Bridge near Sahad Stores and also finish at the ECOWAS Commission. According to Race Director Gabriel Okon, running bibs and vests must be collected at the VIO Container Booth, Federal Secretariat Car Park, Eagle’s Square, Abuja, from February 20 to 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Okon also revealed that participants may only collect their running bibs upon presentation of valid proof of identification. However, participants wishing to have their running numbers collected on their behalf must provide the collector with an authority note, a copy of the completed entry form bearing their photograph, and a copy of their valid proof of identification. Okon said collectors must show proof of their identity to collect the running kits. He revealed that registration is still open to all runners worldwide till February 28. Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can pick up physical forms at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package A, Abuja, the FCT Sports Council and the Area Councils. Speaking on the ECOWAS race, Okon said, “As we are all aware, sport is a powerful tool for bringing people together, and this is no less the case in West Africa. Apart from integrating West Africans, the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon also encourages us—especially residents of FCT, which hosts the ECOWAS Commission—to embrace the culture of walking, jogging, and running, which has immense health benefits. “The ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon, from its inaugural edition, has also been a powerful tool of youth empowerment and engagement; and it has had positive impacts on the FCT economy, especially the hospitality and allied industries and acts as a catalyst to boost tourism”.

Ademola Lookman slams ‘disrespectful’ Atalanta coach

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Ademola Lookman has hit back at his own manager after being slammed as “one of the worst penalty-takers I’ve ever seen” following a crushing Champions League defeat. Gian Piero Gasperini made the damning comments after the former Everton winger’s spot kick was saved by ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in Champions League playoff defeat to Club Brugge. The Nigerian had netted the only goal for La Dea off the bench but they were eliminated 5-2 on aggregate, losing 3-1 on the night. Despite his mixed evening, Gasperini stuck the knife in on the negatives and singled out the 27 year old, who played under Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City, to the media at full time. The Atalanta star missed the spot kick and it was claimed he is not the designated penalty-taker. The Italian coach said: “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen. He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them. Retegui and De Ketelaere were there, but Lookman in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring decided to take the ball and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.” Lookman took to X in response, claiming he has been ‘singled out’ and disrespected. He posted: “It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city. Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo. “In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. This makes what happened last night even more hurtful. “Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result. During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took responsibility in the moment to do so. Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which I’ll continue to do.”

60th Founders’ Day Anniversary: Ogun Commissioner harps on Youths Devt ahead of Sports Festival

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

As Ogun State prepares to host the 22nd National Sports Festival, the State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, has reiterated the importance of sports in youth development and nation-building. The National Sports Festival, which is expected to bring together athletes from across the country, will be a showcase of Nigeria’s sporting talents and a celebration of unity, friendship, and healthy competition. The festival will feature various sports, including track and field, swimming, and basketball. Speaking at the 60th Founders’ Day Anniversary celebration of Remo Divisional School Sagamu, Commissioner Isiaka emphasised the significance of hosting the festival, stating, “This festival represents much more than just track and field competitions: it signifies our determination to create a robust sports ecosystem throughout Ogun State.” He noted that the state government’s commitment to youth and sports development is evident in various initiatives aimed at engaging young people. “We recognise that sports play a critical role in building character, fostering teamwork, and nurturing future leaders,” he explained. Commissioner Isiaka also commended the alumni of Remo Divisional School for their contributions to the institution and the community, saying, “Your commitment to giving back to your roots not only enriches our community but also positively impacts society and our government. Your contributions are invaluable and serve as a testament to the strong foundation that this institution has established over the years.” The commissioner urged the current students of Remo Divisional School to take advantage of the resources available to them, including sports, to become well-rounded individuals and responsible citizens. He advised, “Learn not just from your textbooks, but from your involvement in activities like sports, the arts, and community service. These experiences will help shape you into well-rounded individuals and responsible citizens.”