Sports Archives | Page 54 of 111

Rivers Hoopers Through to Basketball Africa League Playoffs

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Rivers Hoopers have secured their place in the Basketball Africa League Playoffs by defeating FUS Rabat, and will next face Al-Ittihad of Egypt in a crucial match on Saturday. For a second consecutive season, Nigeria’s representatives at season five of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) have qualified for the Playoffs holding in Pretoria, South Africa from 6-14 June. Rivers Hoopers defeated FUS Rabat 79-71 on Thursday night to move to a 3-1 mark on the Kalahari Conference table. With two games left to play, the KingsMen are second on the table behind Al-Ittihad of Egypt (4-0). While FUS Rabat sit third with a 1-3 record and Stade Malien on 0-4 mark. The KingsMen will battle the Egyptian champions for the first place while FUS and Stade Malien will slug it out for the third spot. Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu is excited to have qualified for the 2025 BAL Playoffs with two more games to go. ”It feels really good to qualify for the finals again. It is the highest basketball stage in Africa, and everybody in Africa wants to be there. I am really, really happy that we are there now. We hope to take some time off to celebrate. ”Right from the get-go our target was to make the playoffs. Now that we have made the playoffs, we are going to get greedy,” he stated. Odaudu said the current target of the team is to go past their previous record of a third-place finish. ”We came in third last year. We are hoping that we are going to go a step further. Everybody wants that for us; they have pushed us, and we want to go a step further than what we did last year. ”Right now we are enjoying the victory of last night and will get back to work this evening.” Rivers Hoopers will next play Egyptian champions Al-Ittihad on Saturday at 4pm WAT.

Lekki Volleyball Club Hosts Thunder Games 2025, 28 Teams to Battle

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

The Lekki Volleyball Club (LVC) is proud to announce the hosting of the 3rd edition of the Thunder Games, a premier volleyball tournament that promises to bring together the best teams from across Nigeria. The highly anticipated event, scheduled to take place from April 15 to 19, 2025, will feature 28 teams, comprising 18 male and 10 female teams, all vying for the top spot at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. Volleyball, the fifth most popular sport in the world, has gained immense popularity in Nigeria, with a thriving community of enthusiasts and talented players. The Thunder Games, now in its third edition, has become a highlight of the Nigerian volleyball calendar, showcasing the country’s rich talent and passion for the sport. In the 2023 edition, Lekki Cruisers emerged as the overall champions, winning both the male and female tournaments. This year’s event promises to be even more exciting, with new teams and players expected to make their mark. Some of the top teams expected to participate in the tournament include Legacy Volleyball Club (Lagos), Phoenix (Ogun), Hitters Spikers (Asaba), Harmony Spikers (Kwara), and a host of other top teams from across the country, including the host, Lekki Cruisers. “We are thrilled to host the 3rd edition of the Thunder Games, which has become a flagship event for the Lekki Volleyball Club,” said Odafe Gbagbaje, President of the Lekki Volleyball Club. “We are confident that this year’s tournament will be an exciting and closely contested competition that will showcase the best of Nigerian volleyball. “The Thunder Games is a celebration of the passion and talent that exists in Nigerian volleyball,” added Olusola Aluko, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). “We have put in place all the necessary arrangements to ensure a successful tournament, and we look forward to welcoming teams and spectators from all over the country.” The Thunder Games 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience for volleyball enthusiasts, with thrilling matches, exciting performances, and a celebration of the sport’s growth and popularity in Nigeria. Stay tuned for more updates and information on the tournament.

Salah Signs New £350,000-Per-Week Liverpool

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Mohamed Salah has finally signed a new deal with Liverpool. The Egyptian has put pen to paper on a two-year contract worth £350,000 per week, ending one of the club’s biggest contract sagas of the century. Liverpool have broken club policy in offering him a new deal, as Fenway Sports Group are typically reluctant to hand out new contracts to players over 30. Mail Sport reported on Wednesday that Salah was close to agreeing a new deal. It is a major success for Liverpool to get this over the line, with Salah having given worrying updates throughout the season, and with the threat of Saudi Arabian clubs looming. In November he said he was ‘more out than in’. ‘Of course I’m very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football,’ he told the club website. ‘It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career. ‘I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies.’ In their announcement, Liverpool played on the ‘more out than in’ comment, writing he is now ‘more in than out’. The 32-year-old was pictured sat on a throne in the middle of the Anfield turf. A contract offer had been on the table for some time but Salah and his representative, Ramy Abbas, wanted a better deal. It is understood that Salah initially wanted a three-year extension, and while FSG have not given him that, they have broken their traditional policy by offering him a new deal at his age. Salah had attracted mass interest from Saudi Arabia in the last two years. That saw Al-Ittihad make a £150million bid in August 2023, which was swiftly rejected by Liverpool. The Saudis have retained an interest in Salah and explored whether they could convince him to join them this summer, when his Liverpool contract was set to expire. The 32-year-old has long been the ‘dream target’ of the Saudi Pro League. Salah has already cemented his legendary status at the club in another record-breaking season, which is on course to end with a second Premier League title. He is now the third top scorer in the club’s history with 243 goals in 394 appearances, having overtaken Billy Liddell and Gordon Hodgson this campaign.

Rivers Hoopers Move One Step Closer to BAL Playoffs

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Rivers Hoopers look set to seal their spot in the playoffs of the Basketball Africa League season five after a dramatic 79-71 victory over Morocco’s FUS Rabat on Thursday. Despite trailing for the better part of three quarters, the Hoopers staged one of the most impressive comebacks of the conference, dominating the fourth quarter. Madut Akec led the way with a standout performance of 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Raphiel Putney contributed 14 crucial points, including key baskets in the final quarter. Peter Olisemeka was rock solid in the paint, posting a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Maxi Munanga Shamba added 11 points. Kelvin Amayo was instrumental all-around with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. “We had scouted them, so we knew what they could do and what they couldn’t do. All in all, it was down to determination and who wanted it most because it put us in a great position to qualify for South Africa for the playoffs,” said Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu. The Kingsmen will next face Al-Ittihad Alexandria in their fifth game of the Kalahari Conference on Saturday before playing against Stade Malien on Sunday. The Rivers Hoopers are now set to join the continent’s elite in South Africa for the main phase of the Basketball Africa League, marking a major achievement for Nigerian basketball.

Unity Cup 2025: Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium to host Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana & Trinidad battles

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

The final signatures, seals and indentures were achieved on Wednesday, for this year’s Unity Cup Invitational Tournament involving Nigeria, Jamaica, Ghana and Trinidad & Tobago to go ahead at the 17,250-capacity Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, West London in the last days of May 2025. Rotimi Pedro, of AfroSport, said: “We are proud to bring back The Unity Cup. It’s been a long journey to revive this important community event, and we’re delighted that fans of African and Caribbean football will once again enjoy top-tier international football at Unity Cup 2025. We are grateful to Brentford FC for providing a home at the Gtech Community Stadium and look forward to what, even after 20 years, remains a cultural moment for many who attended previous Unity Cup tournaments. Unity Cup 2025 is a week-long celebration of our interconnected culture in food, music and comedy anchored around elite footballing talents from our home nations.” The tournament will kick off with the first semi-final on Tuesday, 27th May as Trinidad & Tobago tackle Jamaica in the first-ever ‘Trini-Jam’ on UK soil. The following day, three-time African champions Nigeria will take on four-time African champions Ghana in the second semi-final, which will come with all the intrigues and elements of a 74-year rivalry between the two continental giants. All four teams will return on Saturday, 31st May for the grand finale, with the losers of the semi-final fixtures featuring in the third-place game, before the Final to determine The Unity Cup 2025 champions. President of NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “We signed on to the tournament as it offers a vital opportunity for our team to bond ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. The Unity Cup has a special history, and the Super Eagles have always been part of that journey.” While Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Eric Chelle, noted that “we’re looking forward to taking part in the Unity Cup as it will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad before the matches in September and October,” team captain William Troost-Ekong said: “This is a great tournament for us to reunite and continue strategizing for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games.” Marcus Gayle, Brentford FC ambassador and former Jamaican international, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Unity Cup back and to host it here at the Gtech Community Stadium. This tournament will not only showcase elite football talent from Africa and the Caribbean, but also celebrate the deep cultural and sporting ties between these regions. It’s a brilliant platform for players to shine, and we’re excited about the entertainment and community spirit the tournament brings.”

16 Women Teams to Star at Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

FIFA is pleased with the decision taken by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to approve a proposal for 16 women’s and 12 men’s teams to participate in the Olympic Football Tournaments at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28) – a major milestone for the women’s game and a powerful endorsement of women’s sport. The expansion of the women’s tournament reflects the shared commitment of FIFA, the IOC and LA28 to elevate women’s sport, celebrate the strength of the women’s game in the United States and continue to open doors for more players and more nations on the world stage. “FIFA has always believed in the power of women’s football and today’s decision by the IOC Executive Board is a positive step,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Our vision is clear: we are investing in and expanding opportunities for women’s football at every level. More teams on the Olympic stage means more role models, more inspiration and more impact. “This development reflects our shared understanding that women’s football deserves greater representation and visibility at the Olympic Games. We thank the IOC for the fruitful discussions that will make LA28 a groundbreaking event, and we will continue to work with our partners to incorporate futsal and beach soccer into the Olympic programme.” FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafström, said: “FIFA has been working on the increase in women’s teams at the Olympics for some time. On behalf of FIFA, I would like to thank the IOC administration for their collaboration with us over the past months to prepare this groundbreaking decision. We are very pleased with the outcome but, of course, we will continue with fully commitment our daily and sustained work across all relevant areas of the women’s game including competitions, technical and the regulatory landscape to unlock the undeniable potential it has everywhere in the world.” FIFA has consistently advocated the expansion of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, including by having made a formal request to increase the number of women’s teams from 12 to 16 ahead of Paris 2024. This request was in line with Goal 7 of FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027 , which calls for more opportunities for women and girls in football and at all levels of the game. It also builds on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which was expanded from 24 to 32 teams, resulting in record-breaking engagement and showcasing the emerging talent from around the world. This move only increased the interest in the tournament, as eight debutant nations and an additional 184 players had the chance to perform on the global stage.

Victor Moses, Luton Town Part Ways

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Luton Town’s Victor Moses has less than three months left on his contract and his future is set to be away from the Championship club. That’s according to Africa Foot, who state the 34-year-old is aiming for new opportunities in the summer window. At the end of last season, Moses was released by Spartak Moscow and was without a club until Luton Town signed him on a free transfer in September 2024. He’s played 18 games so far this season. Luton Town appointed Matt Bloomfield as their new manager in January. Moses has played only once under his orders, against Preston North End in January. The manager has left the former Chelsea man out of the squad since then. Therefore, Moses has decided not to sign a new contract at Luton Town and leave them as a free agent. The player is managed by Roof and a source close to the agency has told Africa Foot that they can’t ignore his current situation at the English club. “He hasn’t played much since the beginning of the year, which is a fact we cannot ignore,” a source said. “But internally, the decision has been made: he’ll leave the club at the end of the season. He wants to end his time here on a high note, so he remains focused and professional until the end. His future will be determined very soon, but one thing is certain: he won’t retire.”

Referees to Wear Body Cams at FIFA Club World Cup

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

Referees will wear body cams during the Club World Cup. The video technology can be used to monitor the officials, players and also offer the chance to be shown as part of TV coverage. It is part of a major trial which could then see the technology introduced across all levels of the game, including the Premier League in the future. Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has already championed the use of body cam technology to protect referees from abuse from fans and players from grassroots up. It would have big support across the English game and has been given the green light for a trial in this summer’s tournament in the United States by law makers IFAB. Pierluigi Collina, chair of the FIFA Referees’ Committee, said: “We think that it is a good chance to offer the viewers a new experience, in terms of images taken from a perspective, from an angle of vision which was never offered before. “It also has a purpose in terms of referee coaching. Because, of course, having the possibility to see what the referee sees is important in the debriefing, to evaluate how the call was made by the referee, which was his view, and so on. So it’s a combination of new experience for broadcasters and also for coaching purposes.” IFAB has also approved new rules on time-wasting which means a corner kick will be given if a keeper holds the ball for eight seconds or longer. The Club World Cup will pioneer that change by using a video count down on big screens during the tournament, similar to what is used in rugby on conversions. Collina added: “It will be a very, very interesting competition. [It’s the] first time ever to have the best clubs around the world, from each corner of the world competing. “So it’s, I would say, an extra responsibility for us, for refereeing, because we want to have our referees ready in the best conditions when the competition starts. And we are aware that a high standard of refereeing is key to having a successful competition.” Manchester City and Chelsea are England’s sole representatives in the revamped Club World Cup, which now has a vastly different format to previous editions. In a move heavily criticised by players, coaches, and executives alike, the competition has undergone a significant restructure for 2025 and will now feature an expanded field, with 32 teams participating in a summer tournament that closely resembles the World Cup. It begins on June 15 and runs until July 13. Miami hosts the opening fixture, with the final being held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Philadelphia and Nashville are a few of the other host cities.