Sports Archives | Page 21 of 63

Nigeria’s Dessers fires Rangers past Dundee United

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Red-hot Nigerian striker Cyril Dessers grabbed the match winner as Rangers came from behind to win for the first time in the Premiership this season with an eventful 3-1 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice. The home side took the lead through loan striker Sam Dalby in the 19th minute but Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande levelled after 37 minutes and defender Robin Propper put his side ahead shortly after half-time with a deflected drive. Dessers, who had scored a stunning equaliser in the 2-1 Europa League defeat by Manchester United on Thursday night, added a wonderful third goal. Philippe Clement’s side are now 10 points behind leaders Celtic, who have played a game less after their match on Saturday against Dundee was called off due to weather damage to their stadium. As expected Clement rang the changes with Clinton Nsiala, Diomande, Ianis Hagi and Dessers returning, with Leon Balogun, Connor Barron and Vaclav Cerny, all injured at Old Trafford, missing, as was Ridvan Yilmaz. However, Dalby, whose loan from Wrexham will go onto the end of the season, pounced after the Rangers defence failed miserably to deal with a long throw from Will Ferry, forcing the ball high past Butland from 10 yards to take his tally to 11 for the season. Rangers equalised when Diomande took a pass from Tavernier and drilled a shot from the edge of the box through a clutch of tangerine jerseys and in at the far post past keeper Jack Walton. United remained dangerous and Butland made a point-blank save from Dalby following a cross from Strain, while Walton made saves from Dessers and Nedim Bajrami to finish the first half. Dessers had the ball in the United net from a Bajrami pass but the offside flag was correctly raised. However, the Nigeria striker flashed a shot from a pass from substitute Zak Lovelace high past Walton in the 86th minute to seal the win.

Serie A: Chukwueze seals AC Milan win in thriller

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze netted the winning goal as AC Milan staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Parma at San Siro. The Rossoneri, who had been trailing 2-1 until the 91st minute, managed to turn the game on its head in the dying moments, with defender Strahinja Pavlovic playing a crucial role as an improvised striker. The match began with Parma taking an early lead through Matteo Cancellieri, who capitalized on a slip by Theo Hernandez to curl a beautiful shot into the far corner. Milan equalized before halftime when Christian Pulisic converted a penalty after Parma’s goalkeeper Zion Suzuki fouled Pavlovic in the box. Parma regained the lead in the second half through Enrico Delprato, following a swift counter-attack. As the clock ticked down, Milan’s hopes seemed to be fading, especially after VAR ruled out what appeared to be an equalizer from Pavlovic for offside in the 88th minute. However, the Rossoneri refused to give up. Tijjani Reijnders leveled the score at 2-2 in the dying minutes, latching onto a through ball and calmly slotting past Suzuki. With Parma reeling, Milan pushed for the winner, and it was the unlikely figure of Pavlovic who made the difference. In a bold tactical move, manager Sergio Conceicao had pushed the Serbian defender forward as an extra attacker. The gamble paid off in spectacular fashion when Pavlovic nodded down a cross from Bartesaghi, allowing Chukwueze to bundle the ball over the line for a dramatic 3-2 victory. The win comes as a relief for Milan, who had been struggling in Serie A recently despite good performances in other competitions. It also sets up an intriguing Derby della Madonnina against Inter next week, although they will be without the suspended Youssouf Fofana for that crucial encounter.

35th AFCON: Super Eagles may draw Cameroon, Tunisia, South Africa

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

The Draw Ceremony for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals will take place at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, Casablanca on Monday evening. Three-time African champions Nigeria have been placed in Pot 1, alongside seven-time winners Egypt, three-time champions and Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire, two-time winners Algeria, hosts and 1976 champions Morocco and 2021 winners Senegal. The Nigerian side may however be drawn in same group with other top African football countries which include; Cameroon, Tunisia, South Africa and Mali. Super Eagles’ Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle and Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, alongside the Chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa will attend the colourful ceremony in the heart of Morocco’s administrative capital. The final tournament that begins on 21st December and ends on 18th January is unique in some ways, including being the first ever to start in a particular year and run into another year. Morocco will play host to Africa again since hosting the 1988 tournament that was won by Cameroon. The North African country was handed the hosting right for the 2015 finals, but ducked at the eleventh hour in the midst of the ebola scare across some nations in the continent. Since then, the country has hosted a plethora of football championships, including the African Nations Championship in 2018 (which she won), the Women Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 (in which she finished as runner-up) and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023. Morocco will also co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup finals alongside neighbours Spain and Portugal. Nigeria’s Super Eagles hold the record for the most medals from the 68-year-old championship: 16 in 20 previous participations. They are three-time winners (1980, 1994, 2013), finished as runners-up on five occasions (1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023), and took the bronze eight times (1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019). The Eagles lost out in the quarter-finals in 2008 and were eliminated in the second round in 2021. Only in their debut in 1963, and as Cup holders in 1982, have the Eagles failed to proceed beyond the tournament group phase. While Nigeria will be taking part in her 21st tournament (same as DR Congo and Algeria), Botswana and Comoros will be taking part in only their second respective championships. Egypt will be appearing in their 27th tournament; Cote d’Ivoire 26th and; Cameroon and Tunisia 22nd. Hosts Morocco are appearing in their 20th finals and 2012 champions Zambia in their 19th. 2021 winners Senegal are appearing in their 18th final tournament. Nigeria have also played a total of 104 matches at the final tournament, 4th overall behind Egypt (111), Cote d’Ivoire (106) and Ghana (105). While Cameroonian Rigobert Song (who coached the Indomitable Lions at the last finals in Cote d’Ivoire), Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan, Ghanaian Andrew Ayew and Tunisian Youssef Msakni have played in eight tournaments each, Ayew and Song have played the most matches – 36 each. Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o (currently President of FECAFOOT) has scored the most goals in the final tournament – 18 in the 29 matches he played across eight tournaments. Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) scored 13 goals across four final tournaments between 1988 and 1994. Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana

Over 90 countries to watch Morocco 2025 AFCON final draw

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

More than 90 countries, including in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America will watch the the Final Draw of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations A(FCON), Morocco 2025 on Monday night, 27 January 2025. The draw will be conducted at Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT/ 20h00 Cairo time). It will be streamed live on CAF official website, CAFONLINE.COM and CAFTV (YouTube). Leading the global broadcasters are CAF’s traditional partners, beIN Sport (MENA, Europe, America, South Pacific), Canal+, SABC, Azam Media, AfroSport, Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, SNRT, DAZN and many others. The Draw will be live on the Free to Air Platforms of 46 African countries, including all the 24 participating nations, thus ensuring access for fans. The CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 will takes place from 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026.

Sports

CAF unveils Morocco AFCON 2025 new logo

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The countdown to Africa’s biggest event; the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, celebrated a milestone on Sunday with the unveiling of the official Logo for the competition in Rabat, Morocco. The new logo, a modern and iconic symbol for African football, celebrates the heritage and unity of the African continent. The CAF AFCON finals, between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026 in Morocco, will be the latest chapter in the rich history of Africa’s greatest show and the logo for the tournament bridges the world of sport and art, and tells a story of pride, resilience and hope. Inspired by Moroccan ‘’zellij’’, a timeless mosaic art form, the tournament logo redefines football as a canvas where creativity, precision and passion collide. The CAF AFCON 2025 logo reflects the synergy between tradition and modernity. Each pattern and shape symbolizes the unity of nations, players and fans, echoing how football and art come together to create something extraordinary. Just as zellij pieces are meticulously crafted and assembled to form breathtaking designs, every moment in football builds toward a masterpiece of skill, teamwork and triumph. The vibrant colors; gold for achievement, green for unity, red for resilience and blue for boundless potential, go beyond mere aesthetics. They embody the spirit of African football, representing the energy of the game, the strength of the players and the passion of the fans. Merging the geometry of football with the intricate artistry of zellij, it captures the precision and movement of the game while honouring Africa’s cultural legacy. It is a celebration of African craftsmanship and the beauty of football’s dynamism. CAF AFCON 2025 will be a living gallery of African football, where every pass, goal and cheer from the fans contributes to the art of the game. It is more than a tournament, it is a stage where creativity, culture and sport come together to showcase Africa’s soul to the world.

NFF concretize plans for CAF B-License Coaching Course

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has set in motion concrete plans to organize a four-month CAF B-License Coaching Course that is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges. The programme is for both men and women coaches. NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com that the course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, and will be done in modules. To be eligible to participate in the course that will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025, 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. “We are targeting a maximum number of 25 participants. Applicants will be provided with a CAF CMS registration link upon successful completion of the pre-course assessment, and will pay the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) on or before 31st March 2025,” Eguavoen added. It can be recalled that last year, the NFF organized 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.

NSC, Plateau State partner to advance mutual interests in sports

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko on Friday received Plateau State Governor Bar. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang in the NSC Secretariat in Abuja. The visit enabled both parties to discuss strategic roadmap to advance issues of mutual interest in sports. Rising from the meeting, they resolved to set up a joint-working committee to implement the objectives set in the areas identified. Among wide-ranging issues, discussions included the state collaborating with the Commission in the state’s intention to complete the New Jos Township Stadium, a project the present administration is committed to executing. Similarly, the NSC will activate the Commission’s Training Center in Plateau including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approval for the NSC to align with the state government regarding the asset. Governor Mutfwang applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for restoring the National Sports Commission and appointing Dikko as Chairman. He expressed his confidence in Dikko’s capacity to take Nigerian Sports forward. “I have been following closely everything said about this appointment. This is about the first time in sports that everyone is saying that the right person was picked. We must thank Mr. President for getting this spot-on. Monitoring developments in sports since then, there is no doubt that the sector is heading upwards. I am so sure that this collaboration will yield desired results because of the man in charge of sports in the country”, he said. Mallam Dikko is similarly optimistic about the collaboration. His words, “It is interesting to note the vast knowledge His Excellency has about sports and his commitment to drive its growth in Plateau state. Where there is a will there will surely be a way. Plateau is a place of interest to us. There is a lot that both parties can do together and when the joint-working committee is set up, we will pick it up from there.”

Amiesimaka Stadium, Gowon Stadium, others to receive facelift

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Plans are underway to give several Stadia and Sports facilities in Rivers State a facelift in line with the latest plans of the Rivers State Ministry of Sports to develop Sports in the State. Revealing this, Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barr. Christopher Green identified the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex (Civic Centre), amongst others as some of the edifices earmarked for the exercise. “The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium will undergo massive renovation,” Barr. Green said as he added that the facility will soon host football games sanctioned by Africa’s and the world football governing bodies, CAF and FIFA. “The Yakubu Gowon Stadium will also undergo massive renovation. The Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre will also undergo massive renovation. “The Basketball Stadium we have and other such facilities we have (in Rivers State) will also undergo massive renovation,” he said. The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was built in 2015 by the Rivers State Government in 2015 and will be undergoing a facelift of this magnitude for the first time. Distinctively different from many Stadiums across the country, it houses a hockey pitch, a shooting range and 25 emergency exits, among other features that backs its boast as the most equipped stadium in Nigeria. The Stadium was officially opened on 19 July 2015 with a 2016 Olympics men’s football qualifier between Nigeria and Congo. Nigeria’s men’s U23 team won the Rio Olympics qualifier 2-1. Virtually all necessary sports in the world could be done in the stadium as it has an aquatic centre that includes two Olympic-sized swimming and diving pools. Also integrated in the stadium are two basketball courts, two tennis courts, two badminton courts, two handball courts, two indoor sports halls as well as hostels and administrative buildings. This stadium is named after one of Rivers State’s former national footballer, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka. It has a seating capacity of 38,000 with all stands covered. Two training pitches flank the main bowl and all pitches are adorned with natural grass.