Sports Archives | Page 28 of 111

Gusau to Grace NNL Monthly Awards Ceremony

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau will be special guest at the Nigeria National League Monthly Awards ceremony taking place in Abuja on Wednesday, June 18. The Awards ceremony is set to be a prestigious event that highlights the commitment and professionalism of players, coaches, management, and fans alike. This initiative seeks to recognize exceptional performances and contributions, while also promoting excellence, encouraging grassroots development, and enhancing the relationships between government entities and football stakeholders. Award Winners for April 2025: Award Winners for May 2025:

13th Women AFCON: NFF Launches Mission X Campaign for Super Falcons

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has set in motion a media campaign, nicknamed Mission X, to mobilize and galvanize Nigerian ball fans at home and in the diaspora to support the Super Falcons’ quest for a 10th Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco next month. With nine titles to their name, from 12 championships that have been contested since the Confederation of African Football launched the event as a tournament in 1998, Africa’s most-decorated women National Team heads to Morocco with one mission: to clinch an epic 10th title. “We are committed to fully supporting the Super Falcons’ campaign for a 10th continental title, and that is why we are launching the Mission X campaign to sensitize football-loving Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, young and old, in high and low places, and male and female, to also come out and support the team. “The Super Falcons remain the most decorated National Team in African football. We are proud of what they have achieved and what they intend to achieve in Morocco,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said from the United States of America on Tuesday. Sanusi added: “We want the Super Falcons to feel the energy of our football-passionate fans everywhere they go, from Abuja to Casablanca, where they will play their group stage matches, and at any other venue they have to play their knockout games in Morocco.” The Super Falcons also won the lone ticket granted Africa for the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in 1991 (China) and 1995 (Sweden), but there was no tournament-format Africa Cup of Nations competition in those years. This is Mission X. One Team. One Goal. One More Star. Kindly follow the link: https://youtu.be/shN97wVofDQ

Usman Dominates Buckley to End Losing Streak, Declares UFC Return at Full Strength

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Nigerian-American UFC fighter Kamaru Usman returned to winning form on Sunday morning, defeating Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision in the main event at State Farm Arena, Atlanta. The 38-year-old former welterweight champion snapped a three-fight losing streak with a tactical and dominant performance, earning judges’ scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. The victory marked Usman’s first in nearly four years and his return to the octagon after a 20-month layoff. Usman showcased vintage form, controlling the bout with wrestling and ground control. He scored takedowns in each of the first four rounds, maintained 13 minutes of control time, and landed 137 total strikes to Buckley’s 51. “Sometimes when you’re going up against a young, hungry guy like that… you’ve got to pull out the skills and use your experience,” Usman said post-fight. “And that’s what I did tonight.” Buckley entered the fight on a five-match win streak but was outclassed by Usman’s experience and cage control. Addressing concerns about his health and longevity, Usman dismissed criticism over his fitness: “It’s a running joke, ‘Oh, his knees, his knees.’ Well, I can still do what I do—and I could do that to anybody in the welterweight division.” Usman’s professional UFC record now stands at 16 wins and 3 losses, reinforcing his position as a top-tier contender in the division. 🔗 Read Full Details Here

Nigeria Poised to End Medal Drought at African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

As Nigeria prepares to host the 23rd African Fencing Championships from June 25 to 29 at Charterhouse Lagos, the Nigeria Fencing Federation is confident that the nation is ready to end its long-standing medal drought at the continental event. With a promising lineup of athletes, the Federation believes this year’s tournament could mark a turning point for Nigerian fencing. According to Federation President Adeyinka Samuel, the sport is experiencing a resurgence, driven by a new generation of talented fencers who have gained valuable experience at international competitions. “On a personal note, as a former athlete, I vividly remember competing at the Senior African Championships in Morocco in 2008, where I narrowly missed a medal,” Samuel said. “To now host this very event as President is the culmination of years of sacrifice, dedication, and a shared vision for Nigerian fencing. This is a gift to our entire fencing community and a legacy moment for our young, aspiring athletes.” While Nigeria has yet to secure a medal at the African Fencing Championships, Samuel expressed strong optimism about the team’s prospects this year. “Our athletes are more prepared than ever before. We’ve invested heavily in coach development, international exposure, and high-performance training camps. With the support of the home crowd, our fencers are mentally and physically ready to make history,” he added. Team Nigeria has brought in an international coach from Italy, held joint training camps with other African nations, and provided targeted support in areas such as nutrition, conditioning, and mental preparation. Samuel emphasized that the goal extends beyond winning medals—it’s about inspiring the next generation of Nigerian fencers. He specifically predicted that Nigeria is on track to win at least two medals, despite the strong competition expected from across the continent. Among the athletes to watch is U.S.-based Peluola Akinbamiro, who will be competing in her first tournament on home soil. The 13-year-old, who participated in the 2025 African and World Junior Championships in Angola and China, expressed confidence in the team’s preparation under the guidance of the Italian coach. “I’m excited to finally compete in Nigeria. We’ve trained hard, and I believe we’re ready to break the medal drought,” Akinbamiro said. Homegrown talent Wisdom Okanlawon also shared his enthusiasm: “It won’t be easy facing some of the best fencers in Africa and the world, but I’m hopeful. This is my first senior tournament, and I believe we can make our presence felt.” Over 200 fencers from more than 26 African countries are expected to compete in 12 events during the five-day tournament. This marks the third time the African Fencing Championships will be hosted in a Sub-Saharan country, following previous editions in Mali (2019) and Senegal (2003 and 2009).

NPFL Sets August 22 Kickoff for 2025/26 Season, Vows Calendar Stability

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago12 mins

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced that the 2025/26 season will begin on August 22, 2025, and conclude on May 24, 2026. This move marks a significant step toward establishing a consistent football calendar, according to NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye. Speaking at a press briefing, Elegbeleye emphasized the league’s commitment to schedule integrity: “This is the first time in many years—perhaps since the start of the new-era NPFL in 2005—that a kickoff and ending date will be faithfully implemented. That is a commitment we made and a promise delivered.” Elegbeleye also praised the standard of officiating in the just-concluded season, which saw Remo Stars claim their first-ever NPFL title. He lauded Nigerian referees as among the best in the world, noting their growing international presence. “I’ve travelled around the world and witnessed some shocking officiating decisions—something you hardly see in the NPFL.” Referees awarded 76 penalties, issued 1,380 yellow cards, and handed out 56 red cards across 380 games last season. He highlighted the participation of Nigerian referees in international tournaments such as the U-20 Championship in Egypt and the upcoming WAFCON. While acknowledging there is still work to be done, Elegbeleye called on media and stakeholders to continue holding the league accountable, citing visible progress in Nigerian football.

FIFA MA Course: Young Talents Course Begins as Instructors Programme Ends

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has successfully organized this year’s FIFA Member Associations’ Technical and Physical Instructors Course at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja with the President of Nigeria Referees Association, Hon. Sani Zubairu expressing gratitude to the NFF leadership for the robust support offered to ensure the success of the programme. “We thank God for the success of this first segment of the FIFA MA Course, and we also thank the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation for always having our backs. Without their support, we would not be able to achieve our objectives. I hereby charge all participants to leverage on what they have learnt here and let us see the impact in their zones, in both technical and physical aspects,” Zubairu said. In a similar vein, Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Madam Faith Irabor commended the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) for the support and encouragement that the Committee and the NFF Refereeing Unit continue to receive from the Federation. “The NFF President has been gracious to us. This programme is an integral part of his pledge to change the face of refereeing in Nigeria, and you will all agree with me that he has lived up to his words as our referees performed creditably in the just-concluded NPFL season.” She also charged participants to go back to their zones and disseminate the knowledge acquired from the programme. A total of 40 elite technical and physical instructors were involved in the week-long course, which included theoretical and practical sessions, and was superintended by FIFA Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi from Tunisia and FIFA Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia. Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Cecilia Ogwuche, Emmanuel Imiere and Stella Emoji, and IT/Video Instructor Promise Uwaeme, supported the FIFA delegates. The double-salvo programme aimed at improving the capacity of technical and physical instructors in Nigeria and also recruiting referees from an early age, continues on Sunday with the second segment that is for the Young Talents Programme. Just like the technical and physical instructors’ course, the Young Talents Programme will involve 40 participants. Participants for Young Talents Programme: Mansur Mahmud Ngaski, Gbemisola Solihat Yusuf, Bashir Moukhtar, Dominion Chisom Kalu, Ibrahim Adams Boyi, Emmanuel Ajewole, Kwanga Eric Terhile, Asakpi Oritsetsolayemi, Esther Joseph, Patience Abi Azi, Ehinola Aanu Paulina, Omowunmi Adeola Oluwole, Adepoju Michael Oluwajuwonlo, Suleyman Sani, Semiat Opeyemi Mustapha, Stephanie Tse Henbafan, Alohan Uzoma Osakpamwan, Isah Nagogo, Ruth Ogunrombi, Andrew Iorkon, Jamilu Hamisu, Rachael Onyekwere, Adie Emmanuel Unimike, Umar Musa Anukpo, Yakubu Aliyu, Ismail Ishaq, Idowu Stephen Omolade, Al-Ameen Kabiru Yusuf, Scholastica Amalachukwu Ikeobi, Dahiru Mustapha, Baffa Usman Usman, Uzaifa Abubakar Ilela, Ebenezer Folaesho, Muhammad Bin Lawal, Aminu Kabiru, Habibu Salihu, Idris Ibrahim Buba, Aminu Muhammed Yakubu, Aziz Ahmed, Capehas Hamen

Super Falcons Move 36th Spot on FIFA Ranking

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have moved to 36h position in the latest World football governing council (FIFA) monthly ranking. The African champions also retained her first place on the continent with a total 1623.29 points against previous 1622.49 points ahead of South Africa, Morocco, Cameroon and Zambia. At the submit, USA continue to lead the way three months on, there has been plenty of movement further down the standings. Indeed, the gap at the top has narrowed, with Spain (2nd) and Germany (3rd) heaping the pressure on the Americans. Both have won all of their games since the last update, while a 2-1 loss at home to Brazil (4th, up 4) in April means that the star-studded squad coached by Emma Hayes can see the European pair looming ever larger in their rear-view mirror. In part on the strength of having upset the four-time world champions, the on-song Seleção have put themselves on the brink of the podium for the first time since December 2013. England (5th, down 1) complete the top 5, just ahead of Sweden (6th). Below them, Japan and Canada have also felt the after-effects of defeats by South American opposition. The Nadeshiko, who have been bested by the burgeoning Brazilians twice in the last couple of weeks, have slipped two spots to seventh, while the Canucks have fallen one place to eighth on account of a loss to Argentina in April. Next up, Korea DPR (9th) are unmoved, while France (10th, up 1) have leapfrogged the Netherlands (11th, down 1) to round off the top 10. The next edition of the FIFA Women’s World Ranking will be published on 7 August 2025.

Everton Manager David Moyes Honoured with OBE

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Everton manager David Moyes has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Prince of Wales. Moyes, 62, managed West Ham from 2017 to 2024, and under his tenure the team secured its first major trophy in 43 years in the 2023 Europa Conference League. He managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 and returned to the Merseyside team in January. Moyes said Prince William had congratulated him on the way things had turned around in the second half of the season. He said the Prince told him about going to Aston Villa games with his sons. Moyes said: “I think in many ways it shows that the royal family are very much part of the people as well and want to do normal things in life”. Prince William pins a medal onto the jacket of David Moyes. They are standing inside Windsor Castle. Other men in royal dress stand in the room. Aston Villa finished sixth in the Premier League, with Everton in 13th place. They were just one point above the relegation zone when Moyes returned to Goodison in January. The former Celtic and Preston player, who also managed Manchester United, said he learned about the honour in December. Moyes told PA he had not believed it when he was contacted by the Home Office, having previously missed messages about it. “I went back, we checked, and I’ve got to say it was a big moment for both me and my wife. It was emotional,” Moyes said. He added he believed his success at West Ham was a key part of him making the New Year Honours list. “Bringing a trophy to West Ham, I think was huge, and I’ve been really fortunate that I’ve been able to manage and stay in the game for a long time,” he added. Moyes has the third-most Premier Leagues matches as a manager, behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger at Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.