Sports Archives | Page 82 of 111

SWAN congratulates Olopade as DG Sports Commission, Super Eagles

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago04 mins

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated Hon. Bukola Olopade on his appointment as the Director-General of National Sports Commission (NSC). In a letter to the new NSC DG dated November 15, 2024, through the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, described the appointment of Olopade as a round peg in a round hole. Benjamin expressed confidence that with the indepth knowledge and experience of Olopade over the years in the Nigeria’s Sports, the sector is about to excel more than ever before. The number sports writer in Nigeria is also optimistic that the combination of the new NSC DG and the Chairman of the Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, will take Nigerian Sports to greater heights. Part of thr letter to Olapade reads, “No doubt your appointment is a testament of your unwavering commitment to sports development in Nigeria. “As sporting media, we are quite optimistic in your ability to make remarkable impact within Nigerian sporting architecture as we assure you of our support as always. Being a friend of the media, we believe our partnership will continue to be strengthened as you creatively evolve a progressive and sustainable grassroots development strategy for Nigeria’s Sports. “Also, we assure of our readiness to support you, just as we always play our watchdog role in highlighting areas the present administration could explore in reviving the huge sporting sector.” Meanwhile, SWAN has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for it’s renewed commitment which ensured that they clinched the ticket to 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. SWAN in a statement on Friday said the team’s early qualification is a testament of a well orchestrated plan and cooperation by relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Technical Crew and Players of Super Eagles. “SWAN welcomes the qualification of Super Eagles to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations without breaking sweat. This goes to show the quality of the current Super Eagles coupled with the level of organisation by the Nigeria Football Federation,” the SWAN President said. President Benjamin then urged NFF hierarchy and all concerned to ensure early and efficient preparation of Super Eagles to the Nations Cup scheduled for Morocco, adding, “having won AFCON three times in history and finishing second best in 2023 edition, it’s time to push harder to win the fourth laurel in Morocco.” The 2025 AFCON is scheduled for December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

Olopade ‘ll revamp Nigeria’s sports sector -OGD

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago03 mins

Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel has expresssed believe in the newly appointed Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr. Bukola Olopade to restore the country’s lost glory in sports. Senator Daniel, who Olopade served as the Commissioner for Sports his eight-year term as Ogun State Governor, took to his official X handle to attest to the capability of later on Friday. “One of the highlights of my administration was our conscious efforts in ensuring that sports and youth development receive the utmost attention. “This was evident in the landmark Gateway Games, Gateway Tertiary Institution Games (GATIG), the hosting of the FIFA Junior World Cup and many more. “All these were possible through concerted efforts and initiatives of which Chief Bukola Olopade as the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development played a great part. “It is therefore with great delight that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided to appoint him as the Director General of the National Sports Commission. “I am confident that he will right all the wrongs in our nation’s sports affairs and provide the needed leadership for Nigerians to compete in all competitions delightedly, bringing pride and victory to us all,” the former Governor now Senator assured. Olopade who is the brain behind the highly successful Access Bank sponsored Lagos City Marathon, becomes the second official of the recently revived NSC. He’s currently the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the next National Sports Festival to be hosted by his home state . Olopade’s appointment is one of those announced on Thursday by the Presidency in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Ademola Lookman bags Globe Soccer Awards nomination

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago03 mins

Nigeria and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 Globe Soccer awards, joining a shortlist of global stars that includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Premier League players like Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. The 27-year-old’s performances for Atalanta have earned him a place in the Best Men’s Player category, where he contends with standout names such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Mohamed Salah. Lookman’s inclusion on the list makes him one of only two African players nominated, with Salah joining him in contrast to the Ballon d’Or, which featured only Lookman as a nominee. The former Everton youngster played a key role in Atalanta’s successful UEFA Europa League campaign, scoring a hat-trick in their 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final. Across Italy’s Serie A in 2024, he contributed 17 goals and 11 assists, making him the player with the highest goal involvement this year. Lookman’s achievements also extend to the international stage, where he scored three goals and made one assist during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, pushing the Super Eagles to the final. In addition to his Globe Soccer nomination, Lookman recently placed 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings and remains a strong contender for African Men’s Footballer of the Year, competing against the likes of compatriot William Troost-Ekong. Lookman, who is currently with the Super Eagles, will see if his efforts are recognized when the Globe Soccer Awards, organized by the Dubai Sports Council, take place on December 27.

Morocco 2025: Galatasaray congratulates Osimhen

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago02 mins

Turkish giants, Galatasaray has congratulated Victor Osimhen for securing Nigeria’s passage to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025. The reigning African Player of the Year, who plies his trade with Galatasaray, ensured Nigeria’s qualification for the Biennial tournament with an header in the 81st minute of the tie. The Turkish side took to social media to congratulate their star player for his impressive display against the Cheetahs of Benin. “Congratulations to Victor Osimhen who scored the only goal for Nigeria in the 1-1 draw with Benin in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, securing their qualification from the group stage,” Galatasaray wrote on X handle. Osimhen’s goal has also put him at par with the legendary Olusegun Odegbami in goals’ tally for Nigeria. Both are now joint second to the top man, Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) who scored 37 goals in 58 matches. Osimhen’s goal, in which he profited from a pinpoint cross from Moses Simon, and restored parity on the night after Mohamed Tijani’s goal for the Cheetahs in the 16th minute, was his 23rd for the senior team. Odegbami, the former captain of the team who took the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations finals by the scruff, scored his 23 goals in 46 matches.

Super Eagles goalkeeper loses father

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago01 mins

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has lost his father. Nwabali took to Instagram story on Friday to share a post announcing the passing of the father with a tearful emoji. The Chippa United of South Africa goalkeeper did not disclose the cause of the father’s death, but wrote “Rest in peace dad.” Nwabali was in goal on Thursday when Benin Republic held Nigeria to a draw in a qualification game for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Eagles had already qualified for the competition heading into Thursday’s match which was played in Ivory Coast, the 1-1 draw means they will finish the group as leaders.

Super Eagles land in AFCON 2025

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago01 mins

Nigeria’s Super Eagles has qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) without kicking a ball on Thursday. Libya’s 1-0 win in Rwanda guarantees Nigeria a top-two finish in Group D, and means Benin will join the Super Eagles at the tournament if they win their all-West African meeting this evening. Nigeria currently tops the Group with 10 points, Benin Republic placed second with 6 points while Rwanda and Libya are at the rock-bottom of the log with five and four points respectively.

Mike Tyson targets victory against Jake Paul

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago03 mins

Mike Tyson wasn’t in the mood for talking in the final news conference before the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Tyson had terse answers for all the questions Wednesday night, two nights before the fight against Paul, who is 31 years younger, at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The issue of Tyson’s health didn’t come up in a small concert venue about 20 miles from AT&T Stadium. A bout originally scheduled for July 20 was postponed to Friday night after Tyson had to be treated for a stomach ulcer when he fell ill on a flight. Tyson said in a documentary promoting the fight that he lost 26 pounds while recovering, but Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder with Paul of Most Valuable Promotions, said Tyson had been cleared medically for weeks. Bidarian also said Tyson was going through the same regular medical checkups of any sanctioned pro fight in Texas. Several states wouldn’t sanction the bout. Texas agreed to a fight that was eight rounds instead of 10 or 12, with two-minute rounds instead of three, and heavier gloves designed to lessen the power of punches. “It’s cute,” Paul said of the terse Tyson. “I fear no man, so I want him to be that old savage Mike.” Paul couldn’t even get Tyson to respond by wearing what the 27-year-old said was a “diamond-spiked ear cover.” It was Paul’s jab at Tyson over the Hall of Famer infamously biting the ear of Evander Holyfield in a 1997 fight. Tyson did get briefly riled up when somebody asked twice what he would do if he lost. His last sanctioned bout was in 2005. Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition four years ago. “I am not going to lose,” Tyson said, his voice rising the second time it was asked. “Did you hear what I said?” Tyson was 50-6 with 44 knockouts before retiring 19 years ago. Paul is 10-1 with seven knockouts in less than five years as a pro, facing mostly mixed martial artists and journeymen boxers.

AFCONQ: Osimhen, Lookman lead Eagles assaults against Benin Rep

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago02 mins

Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman will lead Super Eagles attack in a potentially-explosive Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against neighbours Benin Republic later this evening. Both players are expected to replicate their top form in Europe this season when they file out against the Beninoise at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Cote d’Ivoire. Stanley Nwabali kept his place in goal and will be provided cover by Calvin Bassey, newly invitee Gabriel Osho, William Troost-Ekong and OlaOluwa Aina. Wilfred Ndidi will be joined in the midfield by Bruno Onyemaechi, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho. The substitutes are; Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Fisayo Dele-Bashirun, Raphael Onyedika, Victor Collins, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Umar Sadiq, Samuel Chukwueze, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Frank Onyeka. Nigeria will qualify for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations final tournament if they overcome the Cheetahs of Benin Republic. Victory will render Monday’s concluding qualifier against Rwanda, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, an academic session. The tie is slated to kick off by 8pm Nigeria time.