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U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Draw Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Nigeria will now have to contend with Morocco, Kenya and Tunisia in the group phase of the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt, 27th April – 18th May this year. At the redraw conducted in the headquarters of the Egypt Football Association in Cairo on Sunday, Egypt and South Africa, who were originally in Nigeria’s pool before Cote d’Ivoire withdrew as tournament hosts, found themselves in Group A. New hosts Egypt head Group A, which has five teams – with Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania as the other teams. However, just like it was originally, the Flying Eagles will confront two North African teams (this time, Tunisia and Morocco), as well as East Africans Kenya, for a place in the quarter-finals. Cup holders Senegal head Group C, with Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana as opponents. Back in Abuja following their three-week training camp in Katsina, the seven-time African champions are expected to fly to Egypt this week for an eight-day final-phase preparation before the competition commences. All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, 27th September – 19th October. GROUP A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco GROUP C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

Sports

CAF Unveils New U-20 AFCON Egypt 2025 Logo, Trophy

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

CAF Unveils New U-20 AFCON Egypt 2025 Logo, Trophy With just hours to go before the Final Draw of the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Egypt 2025, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has unveiled a striking new logo and trophy for the continental youth showpiece. The new visual identity marks a powerful step in celebrating the journey of Africa’s brightest young footballers as they transition from promising talents to future icons of the global game. The trophy, titled “Rising Star”, symbolises growth, aspiration, and the brilliance of emerging African talent. With bold upward-facing star elements and a sleek, modern silhouette, the trophy reflects the energy, determination, and momentum of the continent’s rising stars. At its core, the map of Africa is intricately fused with a football, signifying the deep-rooted connection between the continent and its youth. This newly designed trophy also inspires the competition’s refreshed logo, which mirrors the trophy’s sharp lines and upward thrust. The dynamic emblem encapsulates the strength, unity, and pride of Africa’s young generation—poised to make a mark on the international stage. The unveiling comes as anticipation builds for Sunday’s Final Draw, which took place at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo. The draw was broadcasted live on CAF TV and ON Time Sports, and will determine the group stage path for the 13 participating teams. The tournament will run from 27 April to 18 May 2025, and is set to bring together the best youth teams from across the continent, including defending champions Senegal, hosts Egypt, record champions Nigeria, and debutants Sierra Leone. As the tournament enters a new era, the logo and trophy stand as visual representations of CAF’s commitment to empowering African youth through football and celebrating the spirit of unity, talent, and opportunity that define the Under-20 category.

BAL: Rivers Hoopers Fall to Al Ittihad in Kalahari Conference Clash

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Rivers Hoopers suffered their second loss of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Kalahari Conference, falling 94-77 to Egyptian powerhouse Al-Ittihad Alexandria in a lopsided contest. Hoopers were beaten in crucial areas, especially from beyond the arc, where Al Ittihad’s accurate shooting made the difference, even though they had already guaranteed their spot in the BAL playoffs. TheKingsMen made 21.2% (7 of 33) three-pointers, while the Egyptians made 14 of their 33 shots at a remarkable 42.4% rate. Al Ittihad shot 50% from the field, while the Rivers team was unable to keep up offensively, shooting only 38%. Throughout the game, the Nigerian champions were also beset by turnovers and missed opportunities. Madut Akec led the scoring for Rivers Hoopers with 17 points, while Kelvin Amayo added 11 points and a team-high 7 assists. The top performer on the glass was Peter Olisemeka, who pulled down a game-high 17 rebounds to go with 8 points. Abel Offia also added 8 points and 3 steals in the fourth quarter. Rivers Hoopers will now shift focus to their final group stage match against Stade Malien, as they look to close out their Kalahari Conference campaign on a high note.

NFF Deeply Saddened By Demise of 1980 AFCON Winner, Charles Bassey

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation says it is ‘deeply saddened’ by the death on Saturday of another member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning Green Eagles squad, Charles Bassey. He was 71. Bassey died after protracted illness in his native town of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, hours after it was confirmed that the captain of that team, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, had passed on in Enugu. “This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigeria football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events. We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said. Forward Charles Bassey was in the 22-man squad that became Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations champions, after a 3-0 defeat of Algeria’s Fennecs at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980. Afterwards, he coached various clubs within the country, including Calabar Rovers, home-town club Mobil Pegasus, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi. His death brings to nine the number of persons in that squad that have departed, following the passing on of goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal and forward Martins Eyo.

Green Eagles’ Captain, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, Dies at 74

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

1980 AFCON-winning captain, Christian Chukwu popularly known as ‘Chairman’ has passed away. The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow after it was confirmed that Chukwu, who captained Nigeria to her ever Africa Cup of Nations win and later coached the team, had died in his native city of Enugu on Saturday. Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ because of his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in front of the rearguard at both club (Enugu Rangers) and country, Christian Chukwu was overjoyed as he hoisted above his head the Unity Cup (the first time Nigeria would triumph in the continental championship) after receiving same from President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980. General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision and consistency. “We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and also grant the family and friends he has left behind, and Nigeria football’s fraternity the fortitude to bear this big loss.” Chukwu was in the Nigeria senior team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals in Ethiopia and Ghana respectively, before leading the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament. Born on 4th January 1951, Chukwu coached his darling club, Enugu Rangers (he played for only one club in his career) and then coached the senior national team of Kenya, nicknamed the Harambee Stars. He was named Head Coach of the Super Eagles in 2002, and led the team to finish third at the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia. His death comes exactly 20 days after the 45th anniversary of the 1980 AFCON triumph. Before him, other members of the squad that had passed on, are goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal, and forward Martins Eyo.

Salah Shows Off £725,000 Wristwatch

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Mohamed Salah was seen sporting a £725,000 watch as he signed a new two-year deal with Liverpool on Friday morning. Salah, 32, is one of Liverpool’s all-time greatest players, with the Egyptian having scored a remarkable 243 goals in 394 games for the club since joining from Roma in 2017 for an initial £36.5million fee. The forward, who is the Reds’ third highest goal scorer of all-time, has won eight trophies at Anfield and remains integral to Arne Slot’s side as they close in on the Premier League title. Salah’s previous contract was set to expire in the summer and speculation over his future has been a major talking point throughout the campaign, with the forward regularly providing cryptic answers when questioned over his future. However, on Friday, the club confirmed he had put pen to paper on a new deal until 2027 worth £350,000-per-week, ending the dramatic saga. And, as photos started to circulate of Salah’s contract presentation, eagle-eyed fans noticed what the Egyptian was wearing. Alongside his Liverpool shirt and a beaming smile, on his left wrist Salah was sporting a rather fancy-looking blue watch. The timepiece is from Richard Mille, a luxury Swiss watch company that was founded in 2001. Its full name is the Richard Mille RM 17-02 Tourbillon Titanium and one website had the watch on sale for $949,999 (£725,000). One review of the product described it as: ‘The new RM 17-02 Tourbillon Titanium hearkens back to some of the brand’s earliest models with Mille’s hallmark tonneau-shaped case fashioned from satin-finished grade 5 titanium. ‘A biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant, and remarkably rigid alloy, grade 5 titanium is 90 per cent grade 5 titanium, 6 per cent aluminum, and 4 per cent vanadium. ‘The manual-winding RM 17-02 debuted in 2022 with a lightweight TZP ceramic and satin-finished 18-karat red gold case and came in white and blue versions limited to 30 pieces each. ‘Then, earlier this year, the brand unveiled a version in White Quartz TPT, which was also limited to 30 pieces. ‘Now, this fourth titanium iteration, which is not limited, exhibits a more discreet character, underscoring timeless style with what may be viewed as an almost retro vibe for longtime Mille devotees.’

Nigeria’s U-18, U-20 Women’s Handball Teams Hit Camp For IHF Tourney

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Nigeria’s Under 18 and 20 Women Handball teams have opened training camp in Lagos ahead of the IHF Trophy’s Women Zonal Phase slated between 20th and 24th of April in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The National Under 18 women’s team led by Coach John Uzor and the Under 20 women’s team led by Coach Adewunmi Agbola Shittu are at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos wherein they are undergoing intensive training for the competition which is the first hurdle in the IHF Women’s Trophy calendar for the year. The Under 20 team is made up of the Under 18 team that made Nigeria proud by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time ever in the history of the country. Some of the players are; Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and her twin sister Taiwo Babatunde who plays for Seasider Babes of Lagos, Esther Mathew of ADDIDJA HBC of Benin Republic and Rahima Bello who plays for KIRYATONO HBC of ISRAEL. Others are; the Samuel Sisters (Prudence and Precious), Chidera Ogbusimba, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters all from RIMA Queens of Sokoto as well as Damilola Akinlade of Rivers Queens, Omole Joy of Rivers Queens, Taiwo Islamiat of Seasiders babes and Oluwalade Phoebe of Ekiti. For Coach Shittu, it is not a new experience as his present Under 20 Women’s team were the successful Under 18 team that he led to finish second in the IHF Women’s Trophy Intercontinental Phase in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last year, representing Africa following their success in the zonal and continental phase. Coach Shittu, however believed it is a different situation, saying this is the first Nigeria would be participating in the Junior category (Under 20) of the competition as it will be a new experience for the players. For Coach John Uzor, the Under 18 team wants to surpass the record set by their predessesors, stressing that the country would have the best players to do so. “We are entering into a big shoe worn by our elder sisters who are now in the Under 20 category and we must maintain and even surpass their standards. We have the best crops of players to overcome in Cote’d’Voire,” Coach John assured. The two teams must win the zonal phase in Abidjan to qualify for the continental phase later this year.

Newcastle Eye Top Four as United Visit in Premier League Clash on GOtv

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

The race for Champions League spots continues this weekend in high-stakes games across various venues in the Premier League. All the games will show live on GOtv. The headline fixture sees Newcastle host Manchester United at St James’ Park. The Magpies are flying, with three straight wins, including a 3–0 dismissal of Leicester, and could move one point clear of fourth-placed Chelsea if they win. They have a game in hand. United remain stuck in 13th after a goalless Manchester Derby, but can still influence the European race. The game kicks off at 4:30 PM on Channel 65 (SS EPL). Saturday kicks off with Manchester City at home to Crystal Palace at 12:30 PM. Despite last weekend’s draw, a win could move the champions back into the top four, depending on results elsewhere. Arsenal, held by Everton last time out, will be desperate to close the gap on leaders Liverpool when they host Brentford at 5:30 PM. Both games air on Channel 65 (SS EPL). Liverpool, beaten 3–2 by Fulham last time out, face a struggling West Ham on Sunday. The Reds remain top and will look to extend their lead with a win. Chelsea take on Ipswich, needing maximum points to keep pace in the top-four race. Both games kick off at 2:00 PM Other key fixtures include Brighton vs Leicester, Forest vs Everton, Southampton vs Aston Villa, and Wolves vs Spurs, all potentially impacting European hopes and mid-table standings. The round ends Monday night with Bournemouth hosting Fulham at 8:00 PM, a battle of attacking mid-table sides. Catch all Premier League matches this weekend on Channel 65 (SS EPL) with GOtv.