Sports Archives | Page 16 of 111

CAF Appoints Namibian Referee for Morocco, Nigeria Final

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago07 mins

Namibian referee Antsino Twanyanyukwa has been appointed by CAF to referee the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2024 Final. Antsino, who has been one of the standout performers among match officials during the tournament, will make history as the first Namibian to officiate a WAFCON final. Her steady leadership, consistency, and calm control of matches have earned her the ultimate honour. “I didn’t expect this at all; I’m still in shock. But with God, all things are possible,” says Antsino. “WAFCON is a major competition, and expectations are high. We have to go in with the mindset that the whole continent is watching and give our absolute best. “Personally, I believe I have the talent and the potential. They’ve seen what I can do, and now it’s my opportunity to prove it; to show it on the pitch.” She will be joined by an elite team of assistants: Alice Umutesi (Rwanda) as Assistant Referee 1, and Tabara Mbodji (Senegal) as Assistant Referee 2, both of whom have been commended for their sharp decision-making and composure throughout the tournament. In the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth, another iconic name leads the charge. Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, a pioneer in global football officiating and one of the most respected figures in the women’s game, will serve as the VAR. Mukansanga made headlines as the first woman to officiate at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2022 and has brought her experience from the Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cups to the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 once again. Supporting her in this final are Letticia Viana (Eswatini) as AVAR 1 and Diana Chikotesha (Zambia) as AVAR 2, both rising stars in Africa’s officiating ranks. Antsino officiated several key matches, impressing CAF’s Technical and Refereeing Committee with her ability to remain poised in high-pressure moments. Her most recent performance showcased her exceptional fitness, and match control, all vital in the modern game. CAF Head of Refereeing, Desire Noumandiez Doue hailed her appointment. “Their appointment was informed by their consistent quality and performance,” said Desire. “It is the result of their hard work, both in training and in the matches they’ve officiated, as well as their overall readiness. “Their performances have shown consistency in key areas: tactical awareness, anticipation, match control, and overall game management. The two assistants, in particular, are among a group of brilliant young referees emerging on the continent, and their improvement has been nothing short of impressive. “This selection also reflects CAF’s commitment to fairness. It’s our way of saying: if you perform well, you deserve the best. And the referees selected for the final are among the best we have. “Antsino for instance, has demonstrated all the qualities we look for. We’ve been monitoring her closely for the past three years, and she has done incredibly well. At the rate she is going, she’s certainly a potential candidate for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.” “We know that a final is never just another match. That’s why we invest in preparing our referees, not just tactically, but mentally as well. We emphasize confidence, focus, and the understanding that they are carrying the hopes of all of us on that pitch. We remind them: go out there and give it your very best.” The all-women officiating team for the final reflects CAF’s continued investment in women’s football and its commitment to creating opportunities for women at every level of the game. Speaking ahead of the final, Antsino reflected not only on her personal journey but on the legacy she hopes to inspire. “I know everyone will be happy for me now, because in Namibia, support comes naturally. I believe this moment will inspire many. To the young ones out there: work hard, stay disciplined, and always pray. Stay focused, and nothing will stop you from achieving your goals.” The CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 Final will be contested between Nigeria and Morocco on Saturday, July 26 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at Age 71

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago06 mins

Professional Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan has died on Thursday at the age of 71, Florida police and the WWE said Thursday. In Clearwater, Florida, authorities responded to a call Thursday morning about a cardiac arrest. Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said in a statement on Facebook. WWE posted a note on X saying it was saddened to learn the WWE Hall of Famer has died. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” it said. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, had been struggling with several health issues in recent years, including a problematic, lingering back injury from his wrestling days. Hogan had not wrestled since 2012 but had been in the news recently as a founder of the new Real American Freestyle wrestling promotion and the owner of an upcoming New York City bar opposite Madison Square Garden, the site of many of his big matches. In 1985, Hogan headlined the first-ever WrestleMania, teaming up with 1980s TV star Mr. T to take on Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. WrestleMania I, at MSG, drew an audience of around 1 million on closed-circuit television and is credited with taking professional wrestling, specifically the then-WWF (now WWE), into the national zeitgeist. Hogan’s grudge match with Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III took the wrestling business — and Hogan’s career — to new heights. Around 80,000 people filled the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan for the match. The rematch, several months later, on free-to-air NBC, drew 33 million viewers. Hogan was in the main event of seven of the first eight WrestleMania cards. He was the face and hero of the wrestling world, crossing over into the mainstream with tons of appearances on television talk shows, as well as starring roles in movies — including the third Rocky film, where he took on the title character played by Sylvester Stallone — and television, including the syndicated “Thunder in Paradise” in the 1990s. Hogan won the WWF World Heavyweight championship six different times, including a reign of 1,474 days. Only Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund had the belt for longer days consecutively. In 1996, with interest in him as a hero waning, Hogan pulled off the biggest heel turn in wrestling history as a second act. Working for WWE competitor World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Hogan became a bad guy, leading a dastardly group of invaders called the New World Order (NWO). The heel turn, 29 years ago this summer, captured the zeitgeist in a way wrestling had not since WrestleMania I. The NWO, with “Hollywood” Hogan as the vicious frontman wearing black and white rather than his trademark red and yellow, breathed new life into the wrestling industry during the counterculture 1990s when the audience demanded a darker, more adult product. Hogan was up to the challenge, helping WCW beat the WWF in television ratings for 83 straight weeks beginning in 1996. Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 to face The Rock at WrestleMania 18 in Toronto. His character was the NWO bad-guy version, but the more than 68,000 in attendance was not interested in booing Hogan. They cheered him over The Rock, then WWE’s biggest good guy, forcing Hogan to return home to Florida that weekend to pick up his old red-and-yellow shirts and wrestling trunks. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

Chelle Lists Nduka, Obaje, Alimi, 20 Others for CHAN 2024

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Head Coach Eric Chelle has selected team captain Junior Harrison Nduka, defender Sikiru Alimi and forward Godwin Obaje among a list of 23 players that make up the final squad of Super Eagles B for the 8th African Nations Championship taking place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, 2nd – 30th August. Also listed are goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani, defenders Sodiq Ismaila and Stephen Mayo, midfielders Hadi Haruna and Alex Oyowah, and forwards Anas Yusuf, Sikiru Alimi and Ijoma Anthony. The contingent is set to travel out of the country to Zanzibar on Thursday evening, aboard an Ethiopian Airline aircraft. The team has been training for several weeks at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has arranged a second-phase training camp for the team in Zanzibar, from 25th – 31st July, before the 2018 silver medallists will move into official accommodation on the island. The NFF has also firmed up arrangements for two friendly matches between the Super Eagles B and the Senior National Team of Zanzibar, first on Monday, 28th July and then on Thursday, 31st July. Nigeria, also bronze medallists in 2014, are housed in group D of the 19-team tournament, alongside Cup holders Senegal, Sudan and Congo. The Super Eagles will play their first two matches of the competition, against Senegal and Sudan, at the Amman Stadium on the island of Zanzibar, before taking on Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. SUPER EAGLES B FOR 8TH AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars) Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Steven Mayo Egbe (Rivers United) Midfielders: Adedayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Hadi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars); Alex Oyowah (Remo Stars) Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International); Jabbar Malik (Remo Stars)

Mission X: Falcons’ captain Ajibade Inches Towards Player of the Tournament Award

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Three years ago, Rasheedat Ajibade was a sombre figure as she left the pitch at the Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca as she was handed a red card for a professional foul against a Moroccan player in the first semi final match of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations. A team-mate, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde also got a red card, forcing Nigeria to prosecute large parts of the second half and the extra-time period with only nine players. As a consequence, both players were rendered ineligible for the third place, which Nigeria lost by the odd goal to Zambia. Images from that encounter are what Ajibade wants banished as the Falcons and the Lionesses clash in the final at Rabat’s Stadium on Saturday. Fast forward to July 2025, and Ajibade, captain of Nigeria, is standing tall and proud, and continues to be the cynosure as the Super Falcons march assuredly to the Championship Match and with iron determination and resoluteness to accomplish Mission X. Team-mate Esther Okoronkwo won the Woman of the Match award when Nigeria trashed Tunisia 3-0 in their opening match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, but the one they call ‘Rash’ took over from there, winning the awards against Botswana, Zambia and South Africa, and looking in command to pluck the Player of the Tournament diadem on Saturday night. Just before the commencement of the championship, Ajibade, who ploughed through the full gamut of the Nigeria women’s teams, said at a webinar organized by the Confederation of African Football: “For us, effort is everything. We’ll demonstrate what we’re capable of and continue to build on our existing strengths. We have an incredible group of talented players. We’re all excited to be here. We know it won’t be easy but we’re committed to showing up as our best selves.” The lithe and self-effacing Nigeria leader is also highly motivated by the fact that the Super Falcons have never lost a final match at the Women AFCON, going back to the first competition that Nigeria hosted in 1998. “We know pedigree and past achievements mean little in a match of this nature, but records also serve to encourage and inspire people and groups to go all out when it matters most,” Ajibade said.

Mission X: We Are Focused on Lifting the Trophy – Madugu

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago06 mins

Coach Justine Madugu has said that Nigeria’s Super Falcons have not come this far at the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations to think of anything but reclaiming the trophy they have won a total of nine times out of the previous 12 championships. The Super Falcons, one of only seven teams to have featured at every single edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals since the competition was launched in 1991, saw off the challenge of gutsy Cup-holders Banyana Banyana of South Africa in Tuesday’s second semi final, thanks to an eye-widening cross-cum-floater goal by defender Michelle Alozie in added time. “We thank God for making it to the final. I want to assure you that we are not going to relent or take our eyes off the ball. Our focus is on lifting the trophy in Rabat on Saturday,” Madugu said as the nine-time champions packed their bags to leave Morocco’s industrial and economic capital, Casablanca, on Wednesday afternoon. “We knew South Africa, as Cup holders, would be difficult but we were ready for them. I am glad that our tactics paid off. As I said before the tournament, we will always assess the opposition first and then determine what tactics would suit us better and serve our purpose. We have done these in our previous five games and we will do the same in the final.” Nigeria go up against hosts Morocco at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat from 9pm on Saturday night, in what has been labelled as the most-anticipated match of the 13th Women AFCON – a clash of the dominant power and one of the emerging powers of women’s football on the continent. It is the second time in 17 months that Nigeria will confront the host nation in a major continental final (the Super Eagles faced hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the men’s AFCON in Abidjan in February 2024), with South Africa as the stepping stone in the previous hurdle. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s on-field elegance, team-carrying role and resoluteness have found ample support from the rapid pace and energy of Folasade Ijamilusi, the attacking potency of Chinwendu Ihezuo, the vibrancy and spiritedness of Esther Okoronkwo and Jennifer Echegini, the attack-minded play of defender Ashleigh Plumptre, and the near-impregnability of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year back-to-back). Nigeria’s tally has been an impressive 11 goals for and one against – a penalty scored by Linda Motlhalo as the Banyana vainly sought a way back into the game in Tuesday’s semi final in Casablanca. It is a long way and many days from 17 October 1998, when the Falcons hammered the Lionesses 8-0 in a group phase match in Kaduna, at the inaugural edition of what was then known as the African Women Championship. Nkiru Okosieme, Patience Avre and Rita Nwadike weighed in with a brace each, while Mercy Akide and Florence Omagbemi scored one each. Two years later, at the second edition hosted by South Africa, the Falcons again whipped the Lionesses, this time 6-0, with a brace each by the fabulous Mercy Akide and Kikelomo Ajayi, and one each Maureen Madu and Nwadike. Yet, three years ago, as hosts, the Lionesses got one up on the Falcons – winning their semi final clash on penalty shootout after a 1-1 drawin regulation and extra time. Morocco’s rise to this fresh height (dining at the table of Empresses) has been nothing if not meteoric. From high-margin maulings in the nineties and noughties, the Lionesses have reached back-to-back Women AFCON final matches with eye-catching performances, spring in their steps, confidence in their gait and esteem in their comportment. Saturday’s final is guaranteed to be played in front of a capacity crowd at the Olympic Stadium – a fitting showcase to the rising profile and steady progress of women’s football on the African continent.

Nwaneri: Arsenal Will Keep Working Hard

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Ethan Nwaneri played his part in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over AC Milan in the Singapore National Stadium on Wednesday, and afterwards said he is excited for what is to come this season. Three of our summer signings all made their first outings for the side, while several academy players were also involved. After the game Ethan said: “I think it’s a good start from the team, we’re ready to keep pushing and training and working hard. “It was hard, it was tough, but you need to do it in pre-season to get fit, so I think it was good and I enjoyed it.” Ethan came close to opening the scoring in the first half, with a crisp drive that was well saved just as it was heading into the bottom corner. Arsenal got the winner in the second half though, by which time Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga had come on for their non-competitive debuts, after Christian Norgaard had impressed in the first-half. Ethan said the squad is are shaping up well ahead of the new campaign. “Yes, I think all the signings we’ve made have been brilliant and sharpening the team and making us even stronger. We’ve got some more back at home coming, so we’re ready for them to all come and build together.”

Nigerian Goalkeeper Bags Two-Month Ban

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who had been accused of match-fixing, has been cleared of all charges but given a two-month ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), the Serie A club said. The FIGC National Federal Court, which met on Tuesday to discuss the charge against Nigerian Okoye, “has excluded any involvement of the player in sports offences, after accepting the arguments of his lawyers”, Udinese said in a statement. “During the trial, all charges of alleged sporting misconduct were dropped, and the decision to impose a two-month ban was based solely on a violation of the general principle of fairness (Article 4 of the Federal Sports Justice Code). “The club has stated that it is satisfied with the court’s conclusion that the player was not involved in the infamous match-fixing theory. The club wishes to reiterate its full support for Okoye, who is awaiting the reasons for the decision. Udinese Calcio reasserts that it is firmly convinced of Maduka’s proper conduct.” The 25-year-old Nigerian international was alleged to have deliberately collected a booking during his team’s Italian league match against Lazio in March 2024. The German-born goalkeeper received a yellow card for time-wasting, after an alleged deal reached with a friend who won 120,000 euros ($140,000) as a result of a bet. The FIGC investigation established that there was no intention to fix the match, which would have been punishable by a four-year fine. However Okoye, who has been with Udinese since 2023, will be suspended from August 18 to October 19. He will therefore miss seven of his team’s matches — six in the league and one in the Coppa Italia.

WTT Contender Lagos: Top Seeds Begin Hunt for Points, Top Prize

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

With the two-day qualifying rounds concluded, the main draw of the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos kicks off on Thursday, July 24, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, where top seeds will begin their quest for world ranking points and the tournament’s top prize. While international stars are eyeing the title, the absence of Nigerian legend Quadri Aruna opens the door for local talents like Olajide Omotayo, Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and Taiwo Mati to make a strong impression. Tunisia’s Wassim Essid and Cameroon’s Ylane Batix are also among the contenders hoping for a breakthrough performance in Lagos—the second WTT Contender event hosted in Africa. In the Women’s Singles, defending champion Sreeja Akula of India faces a tough field, including top seed Hina Hayata and Honoka Hashimoto of Japan, Egypt’s rising star Hana Goda, and France’s Prithika Pavade. “I won the Women’s Singles title last year, and I’m aiming for another this year,” said Akula. “The competition is much stronger, but I just want to give my best and enjoy the tournament.” Also drawing attention is John Oyebode, who represents Italy but has Nigerian roots. The son of former Nigerian international Michael Oyebode, John, is eager to make his mark on home soil. “What makes WTT Contender Lagos unique is the massive support from the fans, regardless of where the players come from. They love the sport, and that’s a big motivation. Nigeria is home to me, and I want to enjoy myself by giving my best against the best,” he said. Meanwhile, 2024 Men’s Doubles runners-up Olajide Omotayo and Azeez Solanke are back with renewed determination to go one step further this year.