Sports Archives | Page 48 of 62

Aisha Falode, others to grace Nigeria-France Sports Awards in Paris

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

Dignitaries, including Aisha Falode, president of the Nigeria Women Football League, and humanitarian services icon Noah Dallaji, will attend the 2nd edition of the Nigeria-France Sports Awards and Gala in Paris. The prestigious event will bring together key figures from the world of sports to celebrate outstanding achievements and strengthen sports relations between Nigeria and France. Senegalese legend Khalilou Fadiga, who played at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, has also confirmed that he will attend the ceremony on October 21, 2024. It is a star-studded event, as Abu Barde, the special assistant to NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, will be live at the event. Babatunde Ojora, the convener of the Nigeria-France Sports Awards and Gala, says this year’s event will further solidify the sporting relationship between the two countries. Ojora, who is also the founder of OJB Sport, said: “Nigeria and France have witnessed significant sporting achievements in the past year, respectively, and these feats must be celebrated. “I am excited to announce that we will have Aisha Falode, who has been of immense support, in attendance. “Humanitarian icon and president of the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation Noah Dallaji will also be present. “Senegalese legend Khalilou Fadiga will also grace this prestigious occasion as well as NBA sensation Tarekeyi Edogi. “We want to continue to celebrate those who have excelled in our world of sports and encourage others to strive to reach the top, as there is always a reward for excellence. “I want to thank the Nigerian High Commission in France, as well as the Nigerian permanent delegate to UNESCO. The 2024 Nigeria-France Sports Awards and Gala will be held inside the Louisiana Belle Boat on the Seine River, same venue for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony parade.

Confed Cup: Enyimba draw defending champions Zamalek, 2 others

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

The 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup group stage promises thrilling action after title holders Zamalek were drawn to face Nigerian giants Enyimba following the Group Stage draw on Monday. Several former champions, including USM Alger, Zamalek SC, and RS Berkane are involved in the group stage this year as they gear up for fierce competition. The Egyptian side Zamalek were also placed in the same group as their compatriot Al Masry and Black Bulls in what promises to be an exciting Group D. Zamalek SC are seeking to add another CAF Confederation Cup to their illustrious history, but face a tricky group. Group B features former champions RS Berkane of Morocco, who will look to excel against Mali’s Stade Malien, CD Lundal Sul, and South African debutants Stellenbosch. Berkane are tipped by some as favourites to advance, but their challengers are determined to disrupt the status quo. Group C includes former champions USM Alger from Algeria, who will battle ASEC Mimosas, ASC Jaraaf and Orapa United. With USM Alger’s pedigree and ASEC’s ambition, this group is expected to deliver high-quality football with ASC Jaraaf and Orapa United proving to be no pushovers. Group A is arguably the “Group of Death,” featuring Simba SC of Tanzania, CS Sfaxien from Tunisia, and Algerian powerhouses CS Constantine. Angola’s Bravos do Maquis complete the group, but the focus will be on the heavyweight clashes among Simba, Sfaxien, and CS Constantine, all of whom have serious continental credentials. The group stage kicks off in November, setting the stage for some of Africa’s biggest clubs to chase TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup glory. Below are the groups 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 A: Simba SC, CS Sfaxien, CS Constantine, FC Bravos do Maquis 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 B: RS Berkane, Stade Malien, Stellenbosch, CD Lundal Sul 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 C: USM Alger, ASEC Mimosas, ASC Jaraaf, Orapa United 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 D: Zamalek SC, Al Masry, Enyimba, Black Bulls.

Lobi Stars appoint Amokachi new head coach

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

Former Super Eagles striker Daniel Amokachi has been appointed as new head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League side, Lobi Stars. The Makurdi based team announced the appointment via its social media handle on Monday. “Former @NGSuperEagles striker, Daniel Amokachi, now takes charge of the club following the exit of Eugene Agagbe,” Lobi Stars stated on its official X handle. It can be recalled that The Bull as Amokachi is fondly referred to has spent time as manager of Nasarawa United, Enyimba, Ifeanyi Ubah and JS Hercules. He has also spent two spells as assistant coach of Nigeria, as well as managing the national team in an interim capacity from 2014 to 2015.

WAFU B U20 Tourney: Flying Eagles to relocate to Ikenne

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, will move to Ikenne, Ogun State for a final camping programme ahead of their participation at this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo. The 2023 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists will camp at the high-grade Remo Sports Institute for a week before departing for Lome, where they tackle Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire in a three-team Group B, in their quest to defend the title they won in Niger Republic two years ago. Hosts Togo will battle Ghana, Benin Republic and Niger Republic in Group A of the competition that is scheduled for 17th – 31st October. The championship in Togo serves as the qualifying tournament for next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations, from where the top-placed four teams will qualify to fly Africa’s flag at next year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile.

Morocco 2025: CAF names Malawian referee for Nigeria, Libya clash

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

Referee Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga, of Malawian nationality, will be at the centre during Friday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. The Confederation of African Football has also appointed Nkhakananga’s compatriots, Clemence Kanduku and Joseph Nyauti as assistant referees 1 ad 2 respectively, while Botswanan Keabetswe Dintwa will serve as fourth official for the Matchday 3 clash starting at 5pm. Munkaila Nassam Adam from Ghana will be the commissioner, while Issaka Boubacar from Niger and Mayowa Akingbemisilu will be in the roles of referee assessor and broadcast venue manager respectively.

Morocco 2025: Eguavoen drops Osimhen, picks 23 Eagles for Libya clash

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has called Captain William Ekong, rave-of-the-moment Ademola Lookman, in-form winger Moses Simon and 20 other players for this month’s home-and-away 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battle with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. Wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are included, as well as goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoya, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze. Reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is excluded on grounds of injury, just as South Africa-based centre-back Olisa Ndah, but defender Bright Osayi-Samuel makes his way back after missing the duels with Benin Republic and Rwanda last month, and in-form playmaker Chidera Ejuke returns to the fold after many moons. Veteran forward Kelechi Iheanacho is also listed, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and Frank Onyeka. The Super Eagles will host the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before flying to Benghazi to take on the Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometres away from Benghazi on Tuesday, 15th October. All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, 7th October. Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England) Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)

Pogba’s drug ban cut to 18 months from 4 years

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

French international footballer Paul Pogba’s four-year ban for doping has been reduced to 18 months, a spokesperson from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Friday. “I can confirm the decision: an 18-month suspension with effect from 11 September 2023. The reasons for the decision will follow later,” the CAS spokesperson said. Pogba, who is under contract with Juventus until 2026, will be able to return to competitive football from March 11 next year, four days before his 32nd birthday. Pogba tested positive for testosterone in August 2023 after a match between Juventus and Udinese. He was provisionally suspended in September of the same year, and then banned for four years by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal the following February. Pogba’s representatives said the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States. After the ban was announced, Pogba posted on his Instagram account that he had “never knowingly or deliberately” taken doping products. “I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me,” he wrote. On Friday evening, after the CAS ruling, his post was wordless, showing only a close-up of two feet wearing Pogba football boots with socks bearing his initials and decorated with the French flag and the two World Cup stars. A key figure when France won the 2018 world title in Russia, Pogba collected four Serie A titles in his first stint at Juventus but had a string of problems, on and off the pitch, after his 2022 return from Manchester United. During the 2022-23 season, Pogba made just 10 appearances for the club, mainly due to a knee injury that also ruled him out of the World Cup in Qatar, where France lost out to Argentina in the final in December 2022. He was also the victim of a case of organised extortion, for which six men, including his brother Mathias, were last month ordered to stand trial.

Basketball: Rivers Hoopers defeat Kano Pillars, advance to semis

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

Reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL), Rivers Hoopers defeated Kano Pillars 59-42 in the quarterfinals of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Basketball Championship in Abuja on Saturday. It was a game that renewed old rivalry between the two teams and the two coaches (Ogoh Odaudu and Scott Nnaji). Although 99% of Kano Pillars’ players who last played against Hoopers in the league had left the team, leaving just Azuoma Dike as the only veteran on the team. The KingsMen, whose last meeting with Pillars was the group stage of the 2022 NPBL Final Eight in Lagos, started the game with a 6-0 run in the first quarter. Hoopers led in all four quarters of the game, and had a slim 31-22 lead at the break. Despite efforts from Pillars to close the gap in the third, the KingsMen outscored Pillars 12-10 to take an 11-point lead into the last quarter.Pillars, who played with a six-man rotation, wore out in the fourth and could barely keep up with the momentum in the last 5 minutes of the game. Rivers Hoopers will play Suleja Hornets in the semis on Saturday evening at 4pm.