Nigeria Archives | Page 16 of 51

Nigeria Secures Top Italian Coach for 2025 African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago54 mins

As part of the strategic four-year partnership between the Nigerian Fencing Federation (NFF) and the Italian Fencing Federation (Federazione Italiana Scherma, FIS), a top-tier Italian coach will arrive in Lagos this June to work with the Nigerian team ahead of the 2025 African Senior Fencing Championships, which will take place from June 25 to 29 in Lagos. The partnership, signed in December 2024, aims to accelerate the development of fencing in Nigeria through technical support and knowledge exchange. The deployment of an elite Italian coach is one ofthe key deliverables of this collaboration. Riccardo Bardine, a highly respected figure in the international fencing community, will lead a two-week intensive training program for Nigerian coaches and athletes. Bardine is a certified fencing coach, strength and conditioning expert, and Paralympic sports specialist. He studied Sport Science and completed his fencing education at the prestigious Club Scherma Pisa Antonio Di Ciolo—one of the world’s most renowned fencing institutions. Bardine brings a wealth of experience, having coached at elite clubs such as Circolo Scherma La Spezia and Club Scherma Rapallo. He has also served on the coaching staff of Italy’s U17 National Épée Team and has trained top-level athletes in both foil and épée disciplines. As a former athlete, Bardine boasts an impressive résumé: a bronze medal at the Italian U23 Foil Championships, a silver at the National Team Championships (B Series, promoted to A Series), and two selections for the Junior National Épée Team at World Cups. He is also a certified Olympic weightlifting coach and specializes in physical preparation for both able-bodied and Paralympic athletes. Beyond the training camp, Bardine will lead the technical crew of TeamNigeria during the African Championships in Lagos. President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, expressed his excitement about the development, emphasizing the federation’s commitment to growing the sport and enhancing the capacity of both athletes and coaches. “This is one of the many benefits of our international partnership with a top fencing nation. Bringing a coach of Bardine’s caliber to Nigeria is not only cost-effective but also impactful, as it allows our coaches and athletes, both local and foreign-based, to learn directly from a world-class expert,” Samuel said. “We remain committed to seeking more support from both the private and public sectors as we work toward our ultimate goal: qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles,” Samuel said.

Super Eagles Lift Unity Cup in London

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago63 mins

Christantus Uche converted the winning penalty as Nigeria beat Jamaica 5-4 in a shootout to win the Unity Cup, defending the title they won 19 years ago. The friendly tournament was hosted at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium and staged for the first time since 2004, when the Super Eagles first got their hands on the trophy. They did so again here, as after a 2-2 draw in normal time the shootout began with six perfect penalties. Jamaica’s Dwayne Atkinson then stepped up and smashed his effort off the top of the bar and over. Amari’i Bell made no mistake with his spot-kick to keep Jamaica in it, but Uche had the decisive moment as he calmly slotted home to start the Nigerian celebrations. It had been an entertaining 90 minutes in west London, with the six yellow cards and several flashpoints suggesting both teams were viewing this as much more than just a post-season friendly. Moses Simon put Nigeria in front inside ten minutes, finishing from close range after Cyriel Dessers had put a dangerous ball into the middle, but Jamaica were level almost immediately. Renaldo Cephas was a constant threat throughout the match and he created the equaliser, charging down the left wing and producing a superb cross for Kaheim Dixon to provide the finishing touch. It remained level heading into the break, before Nigeria again made a quick start to a half. Samuel Chukwueze initially appeared to be crowded out when the ball came to him on the edge of the box, but the AC Milan star worked it onto his left foot and drilled a finish into the bottom corner. Jamaica equalised for a second time just after the hour mark and in familiar fashion. Cephas broke free out wide and his delivery was once again perfect, with Jonathan Russell the man to this time fire beyond Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria looked the more likely to find a later winner as they won a succession of late corners, before Wilfred Ndidi then sent an effort whistling past the post in stoppage-time.

Super Eagles’ Goalie Nwabali Announces Parents Burial Date

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago31 mins

Super Eagles and Chippas United of South Africa goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has announced burial arrangements for his parents. The shot stopper lost parents, Late Chief Godpower Onyekamu, aged 72 and Late Mrs Grace Nnyebuchibeya Nwabali aged 63 passed away early this year. According to the burial arrangements as posted by the Goalkeeper, funeral rites is slated between 6th and 7th of June in Okwuzi Egbema, Rivers State. “About time to put my dad and mum to rest. “Something I never imagined doing so soon at this point of my life. Difficult to believe I will never see you again. “Different kind of pain I never wish for my enemy,” Nwabali wrote on his official twitter handle now X.

Unity Cup Tournament: Super Eagles, Reggae Boyz Light Up London

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago35 mins

Nigeria, winner of the only previous edition in the year 2004, will seek to retain their title against the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica in a potentially-explosive Unity Cup Invitational Tournament final match at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in west London on Saturday evening. This year’s tournament has delivered handsomely on the sporting, cultural and friendship platforms, fulfilling most of the objectives of the organizers for different races in the United Kingdom to bond better and experience cutting-edge entertainment in an atmosphere of sheer euphoria and no-strings-attached camaraderie. Neither the Reggae Boyz nor the Super Eagles had it easy making it into the final, as they were stretched to the limit by the Soca Warriors and the Black Stars respectively. The Boyz led 2-0 against the Warriors, only to see their opponents draw level, and had to wait for a fortuitous added-time penalty to emerge victorious. The Eagles also led 2-0, after only 19 minutes, and looked to be coasting to a resounding win, only to take their feet off the pedal. Ghana’s youthful ensemble, led by the veteran Jordan Ayew, had the momentum for much of the second half, and after a well-taken goal by Brandon Thomas Asante, came very close to netting the equalizer in added time, only for goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to rise to the occasion. The stands at Gtech on Saturday evening will be a sea of green-and-white and yellow-and-black, but more than that, a festival of dancing, drumming, high decibel-singing and competitive spirit in an exhilarating atmosphere are guaranteed. Off the pitch, a lot of wrist-pumping and chest-bumping will be in motion. Nigeria’s victory over bitter regional rivals Ghana on Wednesday was identical to their win over the same opponents in a friendly match in the Moroccan city of Marrakech in March last year, and even saw Cyriel Dessers, who scored the first against the Stars 10 months ago, doing the same on Wednesday with greater poise. On Saturday, Coach Eric Chelle will not only be looking for a third win in four matches for three-time African champions Nigeria. The prospect of holding a trophy after only four matches in charge makes it more appealing. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Waliu Ojetoye and Junior Nduka, midfielder Saviour Isaac and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Nathan Tella and Adamu Abubakar who sat out the win over Ghana will be hopeful of getting minutes, alongside Germany-based wing-back Felix Agu, now cleared to represent Nigeria. Former junior international Benjamin Frederick, called up in place of the absent Christantus Uche, will also be hopeful of seeing action at some point. Nigeria and Jamaica enlivened the city of Kingston in a memorable 2-2 draw in a friendly match prior to the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals in France.

CAF Announces Venues for 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago31 mins

The venues that will host the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for the Kingdom of Morocco, 5th – 26th July, have been unveiled. They are: . Olympic Stadium, Rabat . Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca . Père Jégo Stadium, Casablanca . El Bachir Stadium, Mohammédia . Honor Stadium, Oujda . Berkane Stadium, Berkane Nigeria’s Super Falcons, nine-time champions, will play in group B of the tournament alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana. GROUP A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana GROUP C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania

Super Eagles, Super Falcons Camps Bubble!

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago53 mins

Ahead of different international friendly games, the camps of Nigeria’s senior teams (Super Eagles and Super Falcons) have come alive with most invited players already in. As at 18: 55hrs on Monday, 18 of the 23 Super Falcons invited for the friendly matches against Cameroon (31st May at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo and 3rd June at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta) had arrived at the team’s Am2pm Hotel in Ijebu-Ode. At about the same time, on the same day, 22 of the 26 Super Eagles invited for the Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in London had arrived at the team’s Doubletree Hilton Ealing. The Eagles take on the Black Stars of Ghana at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford on Wednesday, 28th May and then play a second match at the same venue on Saturday 31st May. The opponent will be determined by their result against the Black Stars, and the result of the 27th May clash between Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. SUPER FALCONS IN IJEBU-ODE Rasheedat Ajibade, Michelle Alozie, Toni Payne, Francisca Ordega, Omorinsola Babajide, Rofiat Imuran, Oluwatosin Demehin, Olamide Bolaji, Josephine Mathias, Sikiratu Isah, Jennifer Echegini, Osinachi Ohale, Amarachi Odoma, Morufa Ademola, Miracle Usani, Emem Essien, Blessing Ilivieda, Linda Jiwuaku SUPER EAGLES IN LONDON Ahmed Musa, Simon Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Felix Agu, Igoh Ogbu, Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Junior Harrison Nduka, Sodiq Ismaila, Waliu Ojetoye, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Saviour Isaac, Collins Ogwueze, Sikiru Alimi, Adamu Abubakar, Stanley Nwabali, Samuel Chukwueze

Tinubu Departs for Lagos to Mark 50th ECOWAS Anniversary

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will leave Abuja on Tuesday for Lagos to celebrate, along with other leaders, the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The ECOWAS golden jubilee was flagged off in Accra last month. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Information & Strategy to the President, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Monday the Lagos events will include reenacting the 1975 declaration at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Victoria Island. At the Eko Hotels and Suites event, President Tinubu, the Chairman of ECOWAS, will highlight the economic bloc’s milestones. The Chairman of the NIIA and former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, will review the bloc’s 50-year journey, which panellists at the NIIA will later analyse. The only surviving Head of State who signed the ECOWAS declaration, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), will participate in all the ceremonies and deliver a speech at the Eko Hotels. Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, will deliver the welcome address. While in Lagos, President Tinubu will, on Saturday, May 31, commission some projects of the administration. Among them are Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Lekki Deep Sea Port Tax Credit Concrete Road, the flag-off of Section II of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, and the 7th Axial Road. The President will virtually commission Kano-Kanwar-Danja-Hadejiya Section II Road and Yakasai-Zalli Road and flag off the Kano Northern By-pass, Zaria-Hunkuyi-Dabai Section I, Dabai-Kafur Malumfashi, and Malumfashi-Dayi-Yashe-Gidan Mutum Daya Section III. President Tinubu will observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks, before returning to Abuja.

Oshodi Seeks Re-Election as ITTF Executive Vice President

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago14 mins

Nigeria’s Wahid Enitan Oshodi will be among 17 global candidates vying for eight available positions as Executive Vice Presidents of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on Tuesday, May 27, in Doha, Qatar. The election will take place during the ITTF Annual General Meeting. All candidates have been vetted and approved by the Nominations Committee following the ITTF Electoral and Appointment Regulations, following their meeting on March 6, 2025. Oshodi, one of four incumbents seeking re-election, is widely regarded as a strong contender due to his significant contributions during his first term on the Executive Board. His leadership and diplomacy have earned him respect within the global table tennis community. In 2024, Oshodi was elected President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa), further cementing his influence in the sport. He played a pivotal role in resolving tensions between World Table Tennis (WTT) and the athletes’ community, enhancing his reputation as a unifying figure. Other candidates for the Executive Vice President positions include: Hajera Hajee (South Africa), Robert Jjagwe (Uganda), Ayman Ali (Sudan), Beatrice Romanescu (Romania), Paul Calle (Ecuador), Ichiro Hoshino (Japan), Imre Kovacsics (Hungary), Veli Ozan Cakir (Turkey), Alaor Azevedo (Brazil), Alaa Meshref (Egypt), Anthony Moore (Australia), Liu Guoliang (China), Stefano Bosi (Italy), Princess Zeina Rashid (Jordan), Virginia Sung (USA) and Ryu Seungmin (South Korea). Meanwhile, Andrew Mudibo (Kenya), Elhajji Monqid (Morocco), and Lotfi Guerfel (Tunisia) have withdrawn their candidacies. In addition to the Vice Presidential race, the ITTF Presidential election will also take place, featuring three candidates: incumbent Petra Sörling (Sweden), Khalil Al-Mohannadi (Qatar), and newcomer Mohamed El Hacen Ahmed Salem (Mauritania). Sörling, the first female ITTF President, was elected in 2021 during a turbulent period marked by the global pandemic and geopolitical tensions. Her tenure has been credited with stabilising the federation’s finances and promoting unity through sport. She also became the first ITTF President to earn a seat on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a milestone that has elevated the sport’s global profile. Backed by major sporting nations, Sörling is seeking a second term to build on the momentum of the past four years and continue advancing the sport worldwide. The ITTF, with 227 member associations, remains the largest sports federation globally, and the upcoming elections are expected to shape the future of table tennis for years to come.