Sport

Tuesday, 24 November 2020 05:41

Suspension of African football boss opens field for new faces

Suspension of Confederation of African Football chief Ahmad Ahmad on Monday has thrown wide open the future leadership of the regional soccer governing body, with his ban from the game coming just months before CAF’s presidential elections. Ahmad had already been endorsed by 46 of the continent’s 54 football associations and looked certain to be re-elected in March 2021 but the five-year ban, announced by FIFA’s Ethics Committee, means there will now be a scramble for power. FIFA said in a statement that Ahmad was found guilty by the independent committee of offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, and…

Wednesday, 18 November 2020 05:46

Nigeria top group, as Mali, Tunisia join list of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Mali and Tunisia added their names to the list of countries qualified for the next Africa Cup of Nations finals on Tuesday, joining holders Algeria and 2019 runners-up Senegal who had booked their berths over the last two days. Mali made sure of a top two finish in Group A after a 2-1 win in Namibia, where Sekou Koita and Moussa Doumbia scored in the first half, while Tunisia’s 1-1 draw in Tanzania was enough to ensure they will finish in the top two in Group J. Tunisia will go to the finals in Cameroon in 2022 for a 15th…

Saturday, 14 November 2020 05:13

Africa Cup of Nations: Nigeria left stunned by Sierra Leone fightback

Sierra Leone fought back from 4-0 down away to Nigeria to draw 4-4 in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after a spectacular comeback in Benin City. It was one of six qualifying group fixtures on Friday for the finals which will now take place in Cameroon in 2022. In other matches, Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech struck twice for Morocco as they secured a home victory along with Tunisia, Mali, Niger, and South Africa. Nigeria 4 Sierra Leone 4 The Super Eagles were coasting towards a third win from three in Group L after racing to a 4-0 lead inside…

Tuesday, 10 November 2020 04:38

Magnate billionaire to run for leadership of CAF

South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has been nominated as a candidate for the leadership of the Confederation of African Football as the race for the top post in African soccer gathers momentum. Motsepe’s candidacy was announced by the South African Football Association at a news conference on Monday with support from Botswana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. “His business acumen makes him a revolutionary choice to change the landscape of African football and make the game on the continent more profitable,” said SAFA president Danny Jordaan. Motsepe was not present at the announcement. The 58-year-old mining magnate is the third candidate,…

Tuesday, 06 October 2020 05:24

NFF appoints new Falcons coach, assistants

Nigeria Football Federation has appointed former Trinidad and Tobago coach, Mr Randy Waldrum as the new head coach of Super Falcons. Waldrum’s appointment was announced in a statement by Communications Department of NFF on Monday. His appointment comes a year after former coach, Mr Thomas Dennerby, resigned from the Falcons job. According to NFF, Phillips Consulting helped in Waldrum’s appointment. The statement quoted NFF President, Mr Amaju Pinnick, as saying the new coach would take Falcons to the next level. “The predominance of Super Falcons on African continent has never been in doubt, with nine titles out of 11 editions…

Saturday, 26 September 2020 05:34

NFF appoints new coaches for men, women national football teams

Nigeria Football Federation has appointed new technical crews for men and women U-17, U-20 national teams. This was contained in a statement by NFF’s spokesperson, Mr Ademola Olajire, on Friday. The statement was titled, ‘NFF appoints Danjuma, Bosso, Olowookere to head coaching crews of National Teams’. The composition saw the return of one-time U-20 Boys’ Head Coach, Mr Isah Bosso, with Mr Christopher Danjuma retaining U-20 Girls’ lead role, and Mr Bankole Olowookere emerging as Head Coach of the U-17 girls, Flamingos. Former international defender, Mr Oladuni Oyekale will serve as the first assistant to Bosso at the U20, with…

Tuesday, 22 September 2020 04:43

FIFA approves $1.2m for mini stadium in Kebbi

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has approved $1.2 million for the construction of a mini stadium of 5,000 sitting capacity in Kebbi State. Secretary General of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Mr Muhammad Sanusi, made this known on Monday at the foundation laying ceremony of the stadium in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state capital. “FIFA has approved $1.19 for the construction of 267 seats mini stadium with the extension capacity of 5000 seats. “The project is expected to be completed in six months.” Sanusi, said the stadium, designed to accommodate a maximum of 5,000 seats, would at initial phase house 267…

Sunday, 13 September 2020 05:29

Naomi Osaka comes back, beats Azarenka for 2nd US Open title

After one errant forehand in the first set of the U.S. Open final, Naomi Osaka looked at her coach in the mostly empty Arthur Ashe Stadium stands with palms up, as if to say, “What the heck is happening?” In response to another wayward forehand against Victoria Azarenka seconds later, Osaka chucked her racket. It spun a bit and rattled against the court. Surprisingly off-kilter in the early going Saturday, Osaka kept missing shots and digging herself a deficit. Until, suddenly, she lifted her game, and Azarenka couldn’t sustain her start. By the end, Osaka pulled away to a 1-6,…

Saturday, 05 September 2020 04:39

Former Super Eagles defender dies at 48

Former Super Eagles defender and one-time player of both Stationery Stores and Shooting Stars, Mr Ajibade Babalade died on Friday. Babalade passed on after suffering cardiac arrest. He was aged 48. His death came as he was reportedly being taken to University College Hospital in Ibadan. He was survived by a wife and three children who are reportedly based in the United States. Late Babalade featured for Super Eagles in their third-placing Senegal ’92 outing. He also propelled the Shooting Stars to the last final edition of African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1996 which the following year changed to…

Tuesday, 01 September 2020 04:58

Former Nigeria goalkeeper dies at 26

A former goalkeeper of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, Mr John Felagha, is dead. He died in Senegal on Sunday, according to the Nigeria Football Federation. He was aged 26. NFF expressed condolence with the family of the late player in a tweet on Monday. The football federation tweeted, “Former National U17 and U20 goalkeeper John Felagha has died. “Felagha died on Sunday in Senegal. He was aged 26. The federation expressed its condolences with the family of the late player. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” Felagha was a member of Golden Eaglets squad who won silver at the…

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Friday, 21 August 2020 05:21

Buhari appoints ex-Super Eagles striker special assistant on sports

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a former Super Eagles striker and Nigerian Football Ambassador, Mr Daniel Amokachi, as his special assistant on sports. A statement from media office of Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, said the letter of appointment was dated August 17th 2020 and signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha. The letter stated in part: “I am pleased to inform you that Mr Buhari, President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved your appointment as Special Assistant on Sports. “The appointment takes effect from the 11th of August, 2020.”…

Saturday, 08 August 2020 03:55

Nigerian basketball player dies at 27

Michael Ojo, a Nigerian basketball player who previously played for Red Star Belgrade, died at the age of 27 during a training session in Serbian capital on Friday, the club said. “We are deeply saddened by the news”, Red Star’s spokesperson, Mr Igor Vujicin told media. The club couldn’t confirm the cause of death, but local media reported that Ojo suffered a heart attack. Born in Lagos, the 2.16 metre (7ft 1in) centre played for Florida State University in the United States before coming to Europe to start his professional career. After a stint with the Belgrade team FMP Zeleznik,…

Friday, 24 July 2020 04:51

Mike Tyson returns to the ring to box again

Boxing legend, Mike Tyson, 54, announced on Thursday that he will be climbing back into the ring for an exhibition bout against another all-time great boxer Roy Jones Jr. The two are set to duke it out in an eight-round exhibition match on September 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The former Heavyweight World Champion is considered one of the most feared boxers of all time, often referred to as "the baddest man on the planet." Tyson finished his first year as a professional boxer with a 15-0 record, with all wins coming by way of knockout.…

Wednesday, 22 July 2020 05:14

Organisers break 64year history, scrap Ballon d'Or 2020

Ballon d’Or will not be awarded this year for the first time in its 64-year history after Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the football calendar, organisers France Football magazine said on Monday. The prestigious award, voted for by journalists, is an annual prize given to the best male footballer in the world since 1956. The women’s Ballon d’Or was first awarded in 2018. The 2019-20 season has been ravaged by the pandemic, with all the major European leagues suspending matches from March to June. International tournaments, such as the European Championship and Copa America, were also pushed back to 2021…

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