Sports Archives | Page 15 of 111

Youngsters Ignite Lagos for 2025 ITTF African Youth Championships

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

As the Festival of Table Tennis continues, Lagos is set to host over 150 young talents from across the continent at the 2025 ITTF African Youth Championships. The event kicks off on Sunday, July 27, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium. Speaking at the press briefing held on Sunday, July 27, ITTF Africa President Wahid Oshodi described the tournament as a showcase of the continent’s finest young table tennis talents. He noted that many of the participants possess skills that rival those of Africa’s current senior players. “I’m thrilled that we’ll witness such high-level play from the best young talents across Africa. This generation is arguably the most gifted we’ve seen, and they represent the future of African table tennis. Players like Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar have made us proud globally, and now we get to see their potential successors. Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh, now coaching the national team, is here in Lagos, and I believe we’re in for an unforgettable tournament. Talents like Wassim Essid, who has competed at the highest levels, are just the beginning,” Oshodi said. ITTF Africa Deputy President Alfred Bagueka praised Nigeria for hosting the event, highlighting the country’s growing reputation as a top-tier organiser of international table tennis competitions. “Nigeria has proven to be a capable and passionate host, having successfully organised the West Regional tournament and the WTT Contender Lagos. The support from Lagos fans and the high standard of organisation will undoubtedly make this a memorable event. We also commend President Oshodi for his leadership in bringing major international events to Africa. Other nations should take inspiration from this,” Bagueka stated. Competition Manager Menna Elzaabalawy confirmed that over 17 countries will be represented, with more than 150 players competing in 16 events across singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team categories. “Nigeria’s experience in hosting international tournaments gives us confidence in a smooth and exciting championship. Players will compete in U-15 and U-19 categories, with team event winners qualifying for the World Youth Championships (WYC) in Romania later this year. Finalists in the singles events will also earn automatic WYC spots. This is the largest gathering of youth teams in Africa, and we anticipate thrilling matches over the next seven days,” she said. ITTF Africa COO Kweku Tandoh emphasized the significance of Lagos hosting the event for the first time. “This cements Lagos as the hub of table tennis in Africa. Following the AYC, we’ll also host the inaugural ITTF Africa Youth Cup—an initiative that could soon be adopted by ITTF globally,” he said. Africa’s top-ranked U-19 player, Tunisia’s Wassim Essid, expressed his excitement about defending his title. “I’m thrilled to be in Nigeria for the first time and eager to compete against Africa’s best. The energy and passion of Lagos fans make this a fantastic place to play,” he said. Nigeria’s Tobi Adebakin and Favour Ojo also shared their enthusiasm, acknowledging the stiff competition expected from North African countries like Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, as well as Uganda.

Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle: 15-Year-Old Max Dowman Shines as Gunners Claim Thrilling Friendly Win in Singapore

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Arsenal edged Newcastle United 3-2 in a lively pre-season friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore, with teenage sensation Max Dowman stealing the spotlight. The 15-year-old midfielder, promoted from Arsenal’s academy, delivered a composed and fearless performance and played a decisive role in the match-winning moment, earning a penalty that captain Martin Ødegaard converted. Newcastle took an early lead through Anthony Elanga, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home coolly. However, Arsenal responded quickly. First, Mikel Merino equalised with a well-placed strike before a deflected cross led to an Alex Murphy own goal, giving the Gunners a 2-1 advantage. Jacob Murphy brought the Magpies level again with a powerful finish midway through the second half, setting the stage for a dramatic finale. Enter Max Dowman: the teenager, making his unofficial debut, surged into the box with confidence and was brought down, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Ødegaard stepped up and calmly dispatched the penalty to seal the win. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised Dowman’s maturity and impact after the match. “For someone his age to show that level of composure and decision-making is incredible,” Arteta said. “He has a very bright future ahead of him.” The win continues Arsenal’s strong pre-season form, while Newcastle will take positives from a competitive outing in humid conditions. Goals:

NPFL: Shooting Stars Appoint New Head Coach

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Nigerian Premier Football League side, Shooting Stars Sport Club of Ibadan also known as 3SC has appointed Nurudeen Aweroro as the new Head Coach of the Oluyole Warriors. The club announced the appointment via her official Twitter now X on Friday. The club wrote; “Nurudeen Aweroro is the new Head Coach of Shooting Stars SC “A CAF Licensed tactician with experience from Remo Stars, MFM FC & Ikorodu City, Coach Aweroro is set to lead the Oluyole Warriors to glory. “Welcome to Ibadan, Coach! “Let’s all rally behind him.” The young tactician left his role at Ikorodu City to take charge of the Oluyole Warriors. The tactician guided Ikorodu City to fourth position in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season. Aweroro took charge of the Oga Boys midway through the season following the sacking of Mike Ozegbage.

Mission X: Super Falcons Set to Lift 10th African title in Rabat

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Nigeria will take the battle to Morocco from the blast of the whistle as they intend to give no inches or allow room for error in Saturday’s 13th Women AFCON Championship Match inside the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. The presence of hosts Morocco guarantees a full house at the magnificent facility in Morocco’s administrative capital, but the Super Falcons will be in no mood to be brow-beat or shouted out of sync as they fight to notch up their superlative numbers, including picking up a record-extending 10th continental title. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade is firmly on track for the Player of the Tournament award, and forward Chinwendu Ihezuo is also in contention for the Top Scorer’s award with her three goals, one behind Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak. Both teams boast title-loving veterans and ambitious young blood, and there is no dearth of motivation or encouragement from both Governments and the football fraternity. Like most championship games of this nature, the match may be decided from the dugout. Morocco’s Spanish coach Jorge Vidal led his country to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Down Under two years ago, and there is hardly a bigger line that can be included in a coach’s resume than a World Cup triumph. He has led the Atlas Lionesses with a firm hand and injected pace and purpose into their game, and they appear even stronger than the team that defeated nine-woman Super Falcons after a penalty shootout in a semi final match in Casablanca three years ago. Yet, the attention of pundits across the globe has been drawn to the person of Coach Justine Madugu, previously seen only as assistant at major competitions, who is now dictating the pace of things at Africa’s flagship women competition. Madugu has brought to enduring reality the tactical philosophy of ‘take it one game at a time’, playing to his team’s strength in each game, and despite loads of cynicism about his capabilities before the commencement of the tournament, four of his five opponents (bar the Lady Fennecs of Algeria who played the Super Falcons when the nine-time champions had already secured passage to the knockout stages) have left for the dressing room with bleary eyes. Surely, he will play to his strength in this final match as well, meaning that all calculations, expectations and projections of the opposition will be blown to smithereens. The Confederation of African Football, on Thursday, appointed Namibian official Antsino Twanyanyukwa as referee for Saturday night’s potentially-explosive encounter.

Upsets, Thrills as Top Seed Crashes Out at WTT Contender Lagos

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

The main draw of the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos burst into life on Thursday, July 24, with fireworks and a major upset that sent shockwaves through the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall at Teslim Balogun Stadium. Japan’s Hina Hayata, the women’s top seed, bowed out of the $100,000 prize money championship in a stunning opening-day defeat. The day was packed with excitement and powerful rallies as top seeds launched their campaigns. India’s Sreeja Akula, the defending women’s singles champion, made her intentions clear with a commanding performance, while Egypt’s former African champion Dina Meshref also advanced to the second round after a solid first-round win. Akula, who claimed her first WTT Contender title in Lagos in 2024, approached her match with caution and tactical discipline. Her strategy paid off as she delivered the tournament’s first major upset, defeating Hayata in straight sets, 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3), to move into the second round. “I was well-prepared for the match, even though it was my first time playing against her,” Akula said. “She’s the top-ranked player, but I didn’t focus on rankings. I just concentrated on my game, and I’m happy with how I played.” Seeded ninth, Akula described Lagos as a lucky venue, having made history as the first Indian to win a WTT title. “Being the defending champion gives me a lot of confidence. I won both the women’s singles and doubles titles last year. Lagos has been a good hunting ground for me, and I’m really happy to be back. I just want to play my best and enjoy the tournament,” she added. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Hana Goda also made a strong start to her campaign. The 17-year-old, who won her first continental title in Lagos in 2022, came from behind to defeat India’s Roy Krittwika 3-1 (8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7), securing a spot in the round of 16 where she will face Chinese Taipei’s Yi-Tian Yeh. Reflecting on her comeback, Goda said: “My opponent played better than I expected, and I was a bit shocked at the beginning. She took the lead and gained momentum. I’m glad I managed to turn things around, although I’m not satisfied with my performance. I hope to play better in the next round. It’ll be interesting facing Yi-Tian again — we played each other as kids, and maybe this is my chance to get some revenge from those early days.” As the tournament’s third seed, Goda expressed her joy at returning to Lagos: “I love being in Lagos. I have many friends here, and I always feel supported. I was sad I couldn’t come last year, and my 2023 performance wasn’t my best. But Lagos is special to me — it’s where I won my first African title. I hope to put on a better show for the fans this time.”

NFF Appoints Manu Garba, Moses Aduku for Golden Eaglets, Falconets

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has approved the recommendation of the Federation’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of experienced strategist, Manu Garba, as Head Coach of the U17 Boys National Team, Golden Eaglets. Garba was Head Coach of the U17 Boys that won the FIFA U17 World Cup trophy for Nigeria – for the fourth time – in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, and has also led the team on two occasions since then, including qualifying the team to the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup finals in Brazil. The Executive Committee also endorsed the proposal by the Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of experienced women’s football tactician, Moses Aduku, as Head Coach of the U20 Girls National Team, Falconets. Aduku takes over from Coach Chris Danjuma. Aduku is highly respected in women football coaching circles, having led Bayelsa Queens and Edo Queens football clubs with distinction in recent years. He was also assistant coach of the Nigeria U20 girls, Falconets, as they reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Costa Rica in 2022. Both Garba and Aduku will officially resume on Sunday, as their different teams have important upcoming engagements. The U20 girls have a 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Rwanda in September, while the Golden Eaglets will take part in the WAFU B U17 Boys Tournament that Nigeria is set to host the same month.

Sanusi Charges Nigerian Coaches to Keep Advancing their Knowledge

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (MON) has called on coaches who have successfully completed their Coaching Educators’ Course to continuously enhance their knowledge, given that the laws of the game frequently evolve. The closing ceremony was held at the NFF/FIFA Technical Centre auditorium inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, with the presence of all fifteen participating coaches, their instructors, and a CAF expert, Mr. Michael Amenga. Sanusi emphasised the importance of mastery in specific subject areas related to coaching. “In coaching education, acquiring knowledge, understanding the methods of imparting that knowledge, and effectively communicating it, are vital. To achieve this, one must have a thorough understanding of the subject matter,” he stated. He also noted that feedback received from the technical officer indicated areas that require serious improvement. “I have received plenary reports and engaged in discussions with the CAF expert, who has recognised that while considerable progress has been made, certain challenges still need to be addressed.” In conclusion, Dr. Sanusi advised the coaches to remain committed to keeping themselves updated with the latest innovation, emphasising that continuous learning is essential in their profession. “This type of programme necessitates ongoing engagement. Improvement must be a constant goal. We, as educators, are dedicated to enhancing our knowledge in line with the dynamic nature of football and sports. “There are continual advancements in our field, and without staying abreast of global trends, one risks falling behind. Therefore, I encourage you to internalise, comprehend, and apply what you have learnt. If you have any doubts, always feel free to consult your peers, and when necessary, reach out to the educators for guidance,” he concluded. Also present were NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; CAF expert Michael Amenga; NFF Director of Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire; Head of Education, Dr. Terry Eguaoje; Consultant on Finance and Administration, Mr. Charity Kadiri and; Deputy Director, Women’s Technical Programme, Mrs Faith Omon Ben-Anuge.

WBO Orders Usyk to Face Mandatory Challenger Parker

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered by the WBO to begin negotiations with mandatory challenger Joseph Parker. The Ukrainian, 38, unified the division for a second time on 19 July with a fifth-round stoppage of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. New Zealand’s Parker beat Zhilei Zhang to win the WBO interim belt in March 2024. Both parties have 30 days to find an agreement or the WBO will order purse bid proceedings. Parker held the WBO title between 2016 and 2018, beating Andy Ruiz Jr to claim the vacant belt, but lost it to Anthony Joshua after two defences. Following defeat by Briton Joe Joyce in 2022, the 33-year-old has won six fights in a row to re-emerge among the title contenders. Parker was set to face Dubois for the IBF strap in February, but the Briton withdrew on two days’ notice due to illness. The New Zealander remained on the card in Riyadh and defended his interim title status with a stoppage victory against Martin Bakole instead. Parker was an ever-present and vocal figure during the build-up to Usyk’s latest success and he watched from ringside as the two-weight undisputed champion put on another masterclass in London. Usyk said he wanted to rest for “two or three months” after earning his second win against Dubois, but named Parker, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora as potential opponents. He has yet to lose in 24 contests as a professional, with 15 victories by knockout.