The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • AFN opens  Commonwealth Games’ camping in Asaba with 32 athletes

    AFN opens  Commonwealth Games’ camping in Asaba with 32 athletes

    A total of 32 Nigerian athletes, 16 females and 16 males will commence a six-week camping exercise in Asaba, Delta State, as preparations intensify for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

    The athletes, drawn from track and field events including sprints, relays, jumps and throws, arrived at the camp on Saturday for the first phase of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) build-up programme.

    The Asaba camp is designed to fine-tune fitness levels, improve technical execution and foster team cohesion ahead of international competition.

    The camping exercise is being handled by a six-man technical crew led by AFN Head Coach, Solomon Aliyu, who will oversee training sessions and performance evaluations throughout the period.

    Supporting him are specialist coaches responsible for sprints, relays, hurdles and jumps

    AFN Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, is leading the delegation and will coordinate the technical framework, athlete monitoring and compliance with federation standards during the camp.

    The President of AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa say the six-week programme will help identify athletes in peak condition while laying a solid foundation for subsequent phases of preparation as Nigeria targets a strong showing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

    Okowa stated that AFN remains optimistic that the Asaba camp will sharpen the athletes’ competitive edge and position Team Nigeria for podium success on the global stage.

    ATHLETES  IN ASABA  CAMP:

    100/200M

    1. Chidera Ezeakor

    2. Miracle Ezechukwu

    3. Chioma Nweke

    4. Tejiri Praise Ugoh

    5. Maria Thompson

    6. Gafaru Audu

    7. Enoch Adegoke

    8. Iyanuoluwa Bada

    9. Jenifer Obichukwuka (100/200)

    Read Also: EFL Cup: Man City to face Arsenal in final after big win over Newcastle

    100MH – WOMEN

    1. Janet Sunday

    2. Precious Uduvweghre

    110MH – MEN

    1. Musa Wisdom Great

    2. Abdulaziz Abdullahi

    400M

    1. Patient Okon George

    2. Anita Eenaruna

    3. Toyiba Jimoh

    4. Ezekiel Asuquo

    5. Emmanuel Ojeli

    6. Samson Nathaniel

    7. Gafari Badmus

    8. Victor Ime

    9. Esther Okon Peter

    10. Emmanuel Salubi (h)

    JAVELIN

    1. Victoria Kparika

    2. Samuel Kure

    HIGH JUMP

    1. Treasure Omosinoe

    2. Edet Clergy

    LONG JUMP

    1. Rukewe Nwagbogwu

    2. Glory Jarriet

    3. Tobe Chukwu Nwokocha

    SHOT PUT

    1. Dickson Ugochukwu

    TRIPLE JUMP

    1. Blessing Olorunyomi

    THE COACHES

    1. Gabriel Okon — Long Sprint and relay

    2. Solomon Aliyu — Hurdles

    3. Ken Onuaguluchi — Throws

    4. Kola Adebayo — Vertical Jumps

    5. George Obiano — Horizontal Jumps

    6. Endurance Ojokolo Teye — Sprints

  • Remo Stadium gets nod  for African Schools Football Championship

    Remo Stadium gets nod  for African Schools Football Championship

    A seven-person team of inspectors from the Confederation of African Football on Wednesday concluded the assessment of facilities that Nigeria is putting up to host the Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship.

    The delegation, led by Omar Amr (Safeguarding), evaluated available facilities and equipment at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, the FC Ebedei Stadium and facilities and equipment within, the Babcock University Teaching Hospital and the Babcock University Guest House.

    The CAF African Schools Football Championship, launched four years ago, is an annual U15 tournament with the objective of developing youth football and promoting education across the African continent. It is supported by a $10 million investment from the Foundation owned by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and features zonal qualifiers leading to the continental final tournament.

    Amr told NFF officials and the management of Remo Stars Sports Institute that a total of 24 teams are expected at what will be the biggest CAF African Football Championship Final Phase since the competition started in 2022. There will be eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from across the continent, with eight other teams to be invited from another confederation of FIFA.

    CAF officials Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing & Branding), Mahmoud Amer ((Travel/Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety & Security), Hend Thabet (Travel & Accommodation), and the Executive Director of WAFU B, Philippe Tchere conducted the inspection that took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. NFF officials led by Dr Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf were joined by Mrs Oyinkansola Ajibola (GM, Beyond Limits Football Academy) and Mr. Michael Onikute to conduct the inspectors round the facilities.

    Read Also: Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

    The 2024 finals were held in Accra, Ghana where Tanzania’s boys and Ghana’s girls emerged victorious. Winners receive up to $300,000 in infrastructural development, and the tournament involves partnerships with organizations like United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO), for health education.

    The Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Football Championship is slated for the month of April.

    At the end of their assessment, the inspectors minced no words in stating how impressed they were with the facilities, with a member telling the President of Remo Stars FC and proprietor of the Institute, Hon. Kunle Soname that the facility remains the best he has ever seen in the whole of West Africa.

  • Rivers targets handball gold at Niger Delta Games

    Rivers targets handball gold at Niger Delta Games

    Players of the Rivers state handball team have sent strong messages of warning to their opponents at the forthcoming Niger Delta Games that they will be in Benin City for the Gold medal this time.

    Speaking after the conclusion of the Handball trials for Edo 2026 at the Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the players that spoke were unanimous in their resolve to hit gold later this month.

    It could sound unrealistic, given that their performances at the inaugural edition in Uyo last year were not up to scratch, but the players remain adamant that the experience combined with their preparations for this edition will bring them good returns.

    Goalkeeper Richard Harrison led his male teammates in declaring their readiness to take Benin by storm, hinging his belief on his team’s good preparation.

     “We are very  prepared. For me, I will say it’s a 100% for us. We have been training basically, morning and evening, so the preparation is there, just to put in the team work and I think we can go for Gold,” said Harrison.

    His teammate ThankGod David also echoed Harrison’s thoughts, adding that they have put in enough work in preparations that should see them come out tops when they face their regional opponents as from February 20.

     “We are very confident in our abilities as we have put in enough efforts in our trainings. So we believe that as we are heading for the competition, we, as a team are emerging victorious,” said David.

    Read Also: EFL Cup: Man City to face Arsenal in final after big win over Newcastle

    The Rivers Handball team are aware of their poor past and ready to create a new experience.

    For Godspower Idango, he said that their lacklustre performance last year has brought a renewed hunger in them ahead of this year’s competition and assures of a great outing this year.

     “We are looking forward to this year’s Games. We didn’t do well last year so my teammates and I are hungry and angry so much that we are putting in much work both in the morning and evening.

     “So, I want to assure you that we will come out victorious in Edo state.”

    Lily Emmanuel is a young lady who spoke on behalf of the women’s team and she believes the team is ready and equipped to make the state proud this year.

     “I wasn’t actually proud of the experience last year but this year, we are going prepared. We are going to win, we are not coming to dull or fail. We are Team Rivers and we are going to make Rivers state proud.

     “We’ve been training from like the beginning of January intensively with consistency. We’ve been able to do endurance trainings that has given us greater strength so, the result will be different this time,” said Lily.

    The Rivers state trials for Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games continued on Wednesday with Volleyball and Taekwondo taking centre stage.

  • Poland 2026: Senegal’s Lionesses de Téranga  train in Abeokuta for Falconets

    Poland 2026: Senegal’s Lionesses de Téranga  train in Abeokuta for Falconets

    The opponents of Nigeria’s U20 Women National Team, Falconets, in Saturday’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third round, first leg qualifying match, Senegal’s U20 girls, have arrived in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    A delegation of the Lionesses de Téranga flew into Lagos on Tuesday night and were immediately driven by bus to the Ogun State capital, where  the team expectedly  held  their first training session yesterday.

    Read Also: Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

    The Confederation of African Football has appointed officials from Uganda and Burundi to take charge of Saturday’s encounter, which is the first leg of the penultimate round of the qualifiers, with the winner on aggregate to confront the winner of the Guinea Bissau/Malawi fixture for a place at the final tournament in Poland later this year.

    Ugandan Diana Murungi will be the referee, with her compatriots Immaculate Ongiera and Elizabeth Nassolo as assistant referees 1 and 2. Suavis Iratunga from Burundi will be the fourth official.

    In the role of commissioner is Ghanaian Christine Ziga, while Berthe Minka from Gabon will be the referee assessor.

  • Team Rivers athletes in fine form as State trials gather momentum

    Team Rivers athletes in fine form as State trials gather momentum

    Athletes from Rivers State are displaying impressive form as the flag off date of the 2026 National Youth Games (Edo 2026) draws closer.

    The trials in two sports, Wrestling and Taekwondo took centre stage on Wednesday as the athletes thrilled spectators at the iconic Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex (Civic Centre), underlying their readiness for the Games.

    In the morning session, Cynthia Phillip, a female wrestler in the 58kg weight class, expressed confidence and optimism in her drive to clinch Gold in Benin, later this month after punching her ticket to Benin,

    The charismatic youngster will be debuting at the big stage at Edo 2026 but she’s not allowing that fact to dampen her morale as she looks to make a big impression by becoming regional champion.

    “Expect nothing but Gold from me [in Benin],” Cynthia stated in a bullish fashion. “I believe [I can do it] because of my determination. It won’t be easy but I know I can do it. I am going for the Gold, she concluded.

    Meanwhile, a Male wrestler of the State, Precious Edwin, who will be competing in the 63kg weight class also has little doubts that he will emerge Nulli Secundus in Benin.

    Read Also: EFL Cup: Man City to face Arsenal in final after big win over Newcastle

    Affectionately referred to as ‘Small Pepper’, the hugely talented and equally charismatic wrestler who competed at the previous edition of the Games in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State said his failure last time out will provide the fuel and motivation required for him to attain excellence in the land of the Oba at the 2026 Games.

    “I think I’ve put in the hard work and I’m totally locked in on this,” he said. “I’ve trained a lot for this and I know I’ll win a Gold medal there.

    “The trials have been positive for me as I defeated my two opponents today.

    “The coaches have also been working hard with us to see that we arrive in Benin in optimum conditions.

    “It will not be easy to go to Benin to win the Gold but the idea is to go there and make Rivers State proud,” he noted.

    The head coach of the Rivers State wrestling team, Iyowuna Levi, who has been following the exploits of his charges with almost Eagle-eyed precision, explained the rationale behind the selection process of the athletes.

    “We have scoured all 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers State to try to get the best wrestlers to represent us in Benin,” Levi explained.

    “A total of 12 wrestlers were picked after this painstakingly detailed process. “I am excited and full of hope. Our wrestlers will make a bold statement in Benin,” he said.

    In the evening session, Taekwondo trials took place with seven youngsters getting the nod after a thrilling evening that will live long in the memory.

    Three females and four males made the cut with assistant coach of the team, Robert George, quick to lift the lid on the selection process.

    “First, the ages of the martial artists are considered,” he explained.

    “We also respect the current Olympic weight classes. These include four different weight classes for both male and female Taekwondoists, respectively.

    “Of course, the trials (which took place on Wednesday), is also a very important prerequisite as we pair the athletes and select the best after direct competition,” he said.

    Team Rivers’ head of coaching, Michael Okereke was an extremely busy Man on Wednesday as he painstakingly followed every activity in the morning and evening sessions of the Wrestling and Taekwondo events.

    He gave a seal of approval to the processes employed in selecting athletes that will represent Rivers State at the National Youth Games in Benin.

    “We have high hopes of going to Edo State and making Rivers State proud,” began Okereke. “From all I’ve seen, athletes and coaches are putting in their best in different sports.

    “It is my belief that their best will be good enough for Rivers State,” he concluded.

    The 2026 Niger Delta Games (Edo 2026), sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will take place in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20th to 27th, 2026.  

    The games will feature 17 different sports held at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City and other locations

    ATHLETES SELECTED  FOR WRESTLING

    Female Kokowa

    Cyhthia Phillip 58kg

    Uranta Godgift 68kg

    Beauty Joshua 42kg

    Imomotimi Tariela 40kg

    Male Kokowa

    Precious Edwin 70kg

    Heginson Emmanuel 62kg

    Kingsley Godspower 54kg

    Perelayei James 42kg

    Male freestyle

    Kelvin Wilson

    Godspower Kingsley

    Iyowuna Sunny

    Wisdom Amoro

    Godstime Emmanuel

    Emmanuel Wosu

    Female freestyle

    Mary Israel Caminus

    Uchenna Stephen

    Onun Peculiar

    Chinonso Peter

    Agnes Friday

    Ilode Faith

    ATHLETES SELECTED  FOR TAEKWONDO:

    Male category

    Ifiemi Emmanuel -58k

    Tomi Emmanuel -68kg.

    Gift Justice. -74kg.

    Goodluck Godspower

    Ayiba kuro +75kg.

    Female category

    Sophia West Opugberenea.-49kg.

    West Gravel Opugberenea.-57kg

    Obinye Victory +67kg.

  • Delta adjusts trials for Niger Delta Games

    Delta adjusts trials for Niger Delta Games

    Expectedly, the trials for Delta State contingent to the 2nd  Niger Delta Games drew a huge number of athletes to Asaba, the state capital.

    This year’s edition of the Games, organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited for the nine states that make up the region under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will hold in Benin City, Edo State from February 20 to 27.

    Last year in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Team Delta was beaten to the title by Bayelsa State with the odd gold medal on the last day of competition.

    This time around, Team Delta do not seem prepared to leave anything to chance.

    On Wednesday, due to the large turnout of athletes, Team Delta officials decided to split the scheduled trials into two phases, with the first phase running from Friday, February 6 to February 8.

    The Chairman, Delta Sports Commission, Onoriode Oborievwori, stated yesterday  that the final trials will run from February 9 to 11.

    Read Also: Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

     “After these two phases of the trials, our athletes will begin main camping for the Niger Delta Games on February 12. At the moment, we have 374 athletes and 51 officials set for these trials. Our athletes will be camped in various locations in Asaba, and they will depart for Benin City on February 19,” Oborevwori stated.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Sports, Festus Ohwojero, has praised the leadership of Delta Sports Commission for the various steps taken, particularly on welfare of athletes and officials ahead of the Games.

    Ohwojero, who is the immediate past Director General of Delta Sports Commission, said he is optimistic of Team Delta topping the medals table at the end of the Games in Benin City on February 27.

    Among the sports expected to feature in Team Delta’s trials include athletics, chess, table tennis, tennis, scrabble, handball, wrestling, football, volleyball, swimming, taekwondo, powerlifting, basketball, boxing and weightlifting.

    Over 3000 athletes and 500 officials will participate in this year’s 2nd  Niger Delta Games.

  • National Softball  Team  begins early push for  LA2028 with camp in Badagry

    National Softball  Team  begins early push for  LA2028 with camp in Badagry

    Nigeria has begun early, structured preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games with the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Federation (NBSF) organising a national pitchers and catchers development camp in Badagry, Lagos.

    The camp, now in its second edition, is designed to identify and develop young athletes who can represent the country at the Olympic qualifiers and other international competitions ahead of 2028. Technical Coordinator of the camp, Coach Twaki Sunday, said the federation deliberately started the programme early because “the essence of this camp is to discover and develop pitchers and catchers for preparation for the Olympic coming 2028.”

    According to the federation, 27 athletes drawn from different states across Nigeria are currently in camp, made up of 17 pitchers and 10 catchers. The participants are between the ages of 15 and 17, an age group the federation believes can be fully developed in time for the Olympics. Coach Twaki explained that “between now and 2028, we believe they will be ripe enough to represent Nigeria,” adding that the programme is also aimed at preparing the players for continental and other international competitions.

    The camp, which started on January 24 and is scheduled to close by February 6  is being hosted in Badagry due to the availability of standard facilities and training space. Chief host of the camp and President of Badagry Angels Baseball and Softball Club, Abdulrahmon Rasheedat Bolanle, said the location was chosen because “we have the facilities and equipment, everything that needs to do with softball we have it here.”

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    She noted that previous national camps held in other locations were limited by space, while the Badagry venue allows for proper preparation ahead of the 2028 Games. She also stressed the importance of expanding opportunities for female athletes, saying the camp is part of efforts to encourage more girls to take up the sport.

    From a technical perspective, the federation is placing strong emphasis on pitching and catching, areas it has identified as critical to Nigeria’s international competitiveness. Lead instructor and pitching coach, Sunday Arie Julius, said:  “The department of pitching has been the major problem” at international tournaments, noting that the current camp is aimed at raising players “to international standard.”

    National catching coach, Jennifer Amaka Ugo-Obodozi, described the catcher as a key position in the sport, saying “a catcher in the game of softball happens to be a life wire.” She added that early signs from the camp show clear progress among participants, with some players improving significantly within a short period of structured training.

    The NBSF said players from the first and second editions of the camp will later be assessed together, with the best performers selected to form the core group that will represent Nigeria in continental competitions and the build-up to the 2028 Olympic Games.

  • Records at stake as Assar, Goda headline 2026 ITTF Africa Cup

    Records at stake as Assar, Goda headline 2026 ITTF Africa Cup

    Egyptian table tennis stars Omar Assar and Hana Goda will be putting their records on the line when the 2026 ITTF Africa Cup serves off in Benghazi, Libya, from February 7 to 9.

    The annual continental championship, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Cup, is organised by the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa) in collaboration with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), and hosted by the Libyan Table Tennis Federation (LTTF) at the iconic Al Nasr Sports Club.

    Assar, who is men’s No. 1 seed, enters the tournament as the most successful player in the men’s singles, with six titles to his name—Yaoundé 2015, Nairobi 2018, Lagos 2019, Lagos 2022, Nairobi 2023, and Tunis 2025. His closest rival, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, has won five editions, including the most recent in Kigali 2024.

    Read Also: Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

    Since his semifinal loss to Aruna at the 2020 Africa Cup in Tunis, Assar has remained unbeaten at the Africa Cup, cementing his dominance with back to back victories in Lagos, Nairobi, and Tunis. In Benghazi, he will once again face the challenge of Aruna, as well as rising compatriot Youssef Abdelaziz, who is steadily establishing himself among Africa’s elite.

    For Hana Goda, the women’s No. 1 seed, the journey began at just 14 when she stunned the continent by winning her first Africa Cup women’s title in Lagos 2022, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament’s history.

    She faltered in Kigali 2024, losing 4–0 in the semifinals to compatriot Mariam Alhodaby, but bounced back in Tunis 2025 to reclaim her crown by defeating Africa’s most decorated player, Dina Meshref, who holds a record nine titles.

    Now 18, Goda is determined to follow in Meshref’s footsteps and add to her growing collection of titles. In Libya, she will face stiff competition from Meshref and Alhodaby, as well as Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello, a finalist in Lagos 2022. Tunisia’s Ela Saidi, who impressed in 2025, is also expected to be a strong contender.

    With Africa’s finest players converging on Benghazi, the 2026 Africa Cup promises high drama and fierce battles. For Assar and Goda, it is not just about defending records—it is about cementing their legacies as the faces of African table tennis.

  • FIFA Museum records 430,000 visitors worldwide in 2025

    FIFA Museum records 430,000 visitors worldwide in 2025

    The FIFA Museum celebrated a landmark year in 2025, welcoming a total of 430,594 visitors around the world with exhibitions in Zurich, Miami, New York, Asunción and Rabat. The cultural institution also reached a record 9,556,588 engagements globally with its digital content.

    Advancing its mission to celebrate and safeguard the rich heritage and culture of international football while engaging diverse audiences, the FIFA Museum marked a major highlight in 2025 with the creation of Unidad – The World’s Game in Miami’s Freedom Tower, the FIFA Museum’s new immersive and interactive exhibition in North America to celebrate the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and to leave a lasting legacy after the tournament.

    In Zurich, alongside a range of pop-up exhibitions, live screenings and events to bring fans and legends of the beautiful game together, the FIFA Museum unveiled “Innovation in Action”, a dynamic special exhibition exploring how technology is supporting football on and off the pitch.

    Following its successful run in Switzerland, the exhibition will travel to Science World in Vancouver in May 2026.

    During the final week of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™, the FIFA Museum curated The Legacy Tunnel in New York, offering fans an evocative journey through the new era of global club football at Michelob Ultra’s Pitchside Club.

    Read Also: EFL Cup: Man City to face Arsenal in final after big win over Newcastle

     Meanwhile, in Rabat, Morocco, the pop-up exhibition Rising Stars: The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Legends celebrated the champions and emerging talents who have helped define the women’s game. As another milestone, the FIFA Museum marked FIFA’s 120th  anniversary with a commemorative exhibition in Asunción, Paraguay, during the 75th  FIFA Congress.

    The FIFA Museum’s new presenter-led video talk format The Away Game was also launched in 2025, connecting football and culture through inspiring panel discussions with legends such as Jürgen Klinsmann and Carli Lloyd, and has already surpassed 1.3 million views on YouTube.

    “2025 was another significant year for the FIFA Museum, as we took a big step forward in our internationalization and global business development,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We want to share the magic of football with fans everywhere in the world, and it’s wonderful to see that last year we did so more than ever before. Now, as we approach the FIFA Museum’s 10th anniversary in the year of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the USA, Mexico and Canada, excitement is building. We look forward to connecting with many more football fans through our various exhibitions and events around the tournament.”

  • League Cup final: Man City to face Arsenal

    League Cup final: Man City to face Arsenal

    Omar Marmoush scored twice as Manchester City set up a League Cup final date with Arsenal after a comprehensive 3-1 second-leg victory over visiting Newcastle United secured a 5-1 aggregate win in their semi-final last night.

    The home side were ruthless in the first half as Tijjani Reijnders also got on the scoresheet and now face Arsenal at Wembley on March 22 in a battle between City manager Pep Guardiola and his protégé Mikel Arteta.

    Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the last thing Newcastle needed was to concede early at the Etihad Stadium, but Marmoush’s shot deflected off defender Dan Burn and into the net inside six minutes.

    Read Also: Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

    The Egypt international added a second on the night with a close-range header from Antoine Semenyo’s cross. Marmoush has now scored 12 goals for City and five have come against Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium.

    A rampant City scored a third before halftime and Semenyo was involved again as he created the chance for Reijnders to finish.

    Newcastle pulled a goal back just past the hour-mark when substitute Anthony Elanga showed quick feet to work a shooting chance and curled his effort past James Trafford in the home goal.

    Elanga missed two superb chances to reduce the deficit further, one scarcely believable from right in front of the goal, while Erling Haaland brushed the post at the other end.

    City won four League Cup titles in a row between 2018 and 2021 and have eight in all.