Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named Lyle Foster in his final 23-man squad for June’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria away and Zimbabwe at home.
Broos continued to overlook in-form Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, the Belgian deciding to stick to the strikers he has worked with.
Bafana face Nigeria in Uyo on June 7 and Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein on June 11.
Mabasa was top scorer in the Premiership with 16 goals, one ahead of Stellenbosch FC’s Iqraam Rayners, who got the nod alongside Burnley’s Foster, Percy Tau, Themba Zwane, Oswin Appollis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Elias Mokwana and Relebogile Mofokeng in the forwards.
Foster was left out of the Bafana squad that won bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast( Cote d’Ivoire) in January and February after asking to be omitted due to health problems that kept him out for seven weeks at Burnley while he sought treatment.
Burnley were relegated from the Premier League a couple of weeks ago.
Asked about the uncertainty over Foster’s future with the national team seemingly being a thing of the past now, Broos said he had discussions with Burnley before including the striker.
“His health problems are over,” the coach said. “And I know I was at one stage very unhappy because we got the news Lyle was not ready and had a mental problem and suddenly he started playing with Burnley [ahead of AFCON].
“So we had contact with [the club in] England again and they said, ‘yeah, but he’s not ready’. And also Lyle wrote a letter to us that he did not want to go to AFCON. That’s why he was not with us in Ivory Coast.
“After that, for [the friendlies against Andorra and Algeria] in March I made contact again and again they said, ‘no — it’s better you don’t call him because he’s still not 100%’.
“But he still played every game for Burnley, so it was not easy to accept that. But OK, I followed the medical reasons for why I couldn’t take him?”
“But now, everything was OK. I phoned him [Foster] and we had a good chat. I called [then still Burnley manager Vincent] Kompany and we had a good chat. So there are no problems anymore and that’s the reason Lyle is with us again.”
SA are in second place in group C on three points behind Rwanda on four. Nigeria, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have two points and Benin one.
The top teams from the nine African groups qualify for the first 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US. The four best runners-up go into a playoff to decide one side that will contest a six-team intercontinental tournament.
Bafana started with a 2-1 win against Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, then lost 2-0 away to Rwanda, both in November 2023.
Nigeria’s poor start, drawing matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, has left the group wide open and SA could put themselves in the driving seat with positive results in next month’s matches.
Former Cameroonian star forward and now football federation president Samuel Eto’o has apologised to national team coach Marc Brys, with whom he had been involved in a heated exchange this week.
The ex-Barcelona striker also confirmed Brys would remain in his position after it was announced the Belgian was to be replaced as head coach of Cameroon on Wednesday.
“I apologise because during our first unfortunate meeting, there was a lot of emotion… but the Cameroonian people are more important than us, and it is for them that we must work,” said Eto’o at a press conference.
Eto’o was referring to an incident captured on video during his first meeting with Brys, which was widely shared on social media Tuesday.
The pair were seen to engage in a heated argument, before Brys left abruptly.
“Your mission is not an easy one, despite your qualities and experience, but you should know that you will have our support,” added the two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner.
Brys was appointed to the role in April by Cameroon’s sport ministry, much to the astonishment of the country’s football federation (FECAFOOT) and its president Eto’o wrote to the ministry to denounce its “illegal” appointment of the 62-year-old.
FECAFOOT said it regretted not being involved “closely, nor remotely” in the selection process for the new coach and his staff.
Belgian Brys will now oversee Cameroon’s next two crucial matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, against Cape Verde on June 8 and Angola three days later.
Manu Garba, former Nigeria international midfielder, is undoubtedly the most decorated coach with strings of medallion on his neck that include two FIFA U-17 World Cup gold, added to being the ‘Special One’ with a never-ending affinity with the Golden Eaglets for almost two decades.
The former El-Kanemi of Maiduguri star first made the headlines as an assistant coach to the then-sick and now late coach Yemi Tella as he almost singlehandedly blooded the team that won Nigeria’s third FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2007. He would then lead the Golden Eaglets yet to another title at the 2013 edition held in the UAE where the Nigerian team was regarded as probably the best ever FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team. Between then and now, coach Garba has tinkered with the national U-17 albeit without little success with the latest being a bronze medal finish at the WAFU B U-17 Championships held in Accra.
With a section of the public saying the U-17 coaching train has left Garba, the 59-year-old has admitted that nothing gives him much pleasure than tending to players at their formative years, adding that his attachment with the Golden Eaglets is not for anything but service to his beloved country.
“Of course, I’m a father to the players; a manager who loves to instil knowledge, discipline and it takes a lot for a young kid to develop to stardom,” Garba, two-time winning captain with El-Kanemi of the glamorous Nigeria’s National Cup now known as President’s Federation Cup, told NationSport. “But then it’s destiny that brought me close to the young generation and God Almighty has also blessed me with the ability to scout for good players.
“What makes me happy as a coach is to see players pass through me and rise to stardom to become useful to the society, their family and themselves and, importantly, I always feel great when my team finishes on the podium.”
Indeed, Garba can be proud of producing generations of players for the senior national team with the likes of Sunday Mba, the 2013 AFCON hero, as well as a whole collection of players still rooming with the Super Eagles; such as Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, amongst former Eaglets that shone with pride in 2013.
His team of 2013 is arguably the best in the history of the global cadet competition after his wards cleared almost all the individual prizes on offer as well as scoring the highest number of goals ever by any winning team in almost four-decade history of the competition.
“The greatest memories of winning Nigeria’s fourth FIFA U17 World Cup in 2013 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was breaking the goal scoring record in the history of the FIFA U17 World Cup, scoring 25 goals in seven matches and conceding only six goals,” Garba, who has been twice awarded Nigeria national honours as Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his remarkable successes with the Golden Eaglets, told NationSport in a file interview. “The team also won FIFA Fair Play Trophy while Kelechi Iheanacho got the Adidas Golden Ball as the most Valuable Player of the Tournament, apart from also winning the Silver Boot Award as the second best striker; and we also had Dele Alampasu who was awarded the Golden Gloves Award as the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
“Apart from all the feats, the team played total football giving room for movement with or without the ball and goals were being scored from all angles, that was a great time,” he affirmed.
Back to the present and specifically the recently concluded WAFU B U-17 Championship held in Accra, Ghana, where his team failed to win the precious gold medal apart from missing the cut to next year’s CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“One of the major challenges we faced (going to the WAFU B Championships in Accra) was lack of international exposure for some of the players,” a crest-fallen Garba told NationSports after the team braved the odds by beating hosts Ghana in the bronze medal-match on Tuesday.
“We had short period to teach some of the basics of general tactics, bonding the team together since they came from different academies and schools and we came into the tournament with my first choice goalkeeper keeping his first match for us in an international tournament.”
Incidentally, Garba, while celebrating the 10th anniversary of winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2013 last year, had alluded to near collapse of long period of camping for age grade teams, saying it has stunted the discovery of good talents for other levels of the national team, including the Super Eagles.
Nigeria has since failed to qualify for the past editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup between 2017 and 2023 bar the 2019 edition in Brazil where the Golden Eaglets faltered to deceive and crashed out by Netherlands in the Round of 16 following a 3-1 loss to The Netherlands.
“It is true that Since 2015, Nigeria is yet to win the FIFA U17 World Cup, but I believe with early and adequate preparation as well as good motivation with a sound and experienced technical crew, the country has the potential to win again,” Garba told NationSports last year. “The next U17 World Cup (2023 edition) is around the corner and Nigeria won’t be a part, we have to go back to the drawing board and look at the factors that hindered us from qualifying and most importantly the next U17 team must have to be assembled as soon as this year’s World Cup is being played so that the team can have ample time to play cohesively and dominate any opposition,” he added.
Yet, despite the country’s failure at the WAFU B U-17 Championships in Accra, Garba has applauded the leadership of the NFF for ensuring due diligence on the vexed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) issue which had hitherto brought shame to the Golden Eaglets in the past.
“The NFF did extremely well because about 14 of our players were on Grade Level 1 from the MRI test and we had others in Grade Levels 2, 3 and only two players were on Grade Level 4 and we had the youngest team at the tournament in Ghana,” he said with assured smiles.
“Of course, the standard of the tournament was very high and competitive and all the countries presented good teams. The method of qualification is good for the tournament and good for the development of the game,” he noted even as he called on authorities to look at better incentives for age grade teams as it used to be in the past.
He stated emphatically: “Match bonuses are a sort of motivation for players and the young ones deserve it more than the senior players.
“If you look at most footballers, they all come from poor family background and their parents depend on them to solve their domestic issues and most importantly some of them need it to pay school fees and take care of basic needs.
“Apart from the fact that wearing the national colours and representing one’s country and getting the opportunity is part of motivation, the bonus is extra motivation for the U17 and U20.”
Since cadet competitions such as the U-17 are regarded as a step to international breakthrough, Garba said his wards to Accra would certainly come through at higher levels if they keep their heads and focus.
“Despite the short period to prepare for a major tournament such as the WAFU B U-17 Championships, the team did well and gave its best on and off the pitch; they are worthy ambassadors of Nigeria,” Garba continued. “Almost half of the team are likely going to make it to the next level should they work hard and be disciplined.”
So what next for Garba after his wards’ failed the proverbial Acid Test at the WAFU B U-17 Championships which had in the past consumed other coaches?
“No one born of a woman is sure of the next moment, not to talk of the future,” Garba, a devoted Muslim, told NationSports in his usual philosophical hue. “It’s Allah who determines everything and I pray he guides me to succeed in all my endeavours in life.”
The President, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Rafiu Ladipo has applauded the decision by the International Boxing Association(IBA) to financially reward boxers that won medals at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Ladipo said that the boxers will sweat and prepare very hard as possible if they qualify for the Olympic Games and that they deserve all financial rewards that come their ways should finish on the podium at the Games.
Ladipo disclosed that IBA deserve all the praises for coming up with such initiatives to reward the boxers who have been working hard to ensure they win medals for their nations at the Olympic Games.
“I will say boxers will give everything including their blood to be at the Olympic Games and if they win medals and are recognised for that effort, so be it. I see it as a welcome development,” Ladipo told NationSport.
“Olympic Games boxing event is meant for amateur boxers who do not get as much as the professionals who are paid much to fight. They need money to support themselves and I appreciate the gesture from the IBA. It will go a long way to ginger the boxers to go out of their ways.”
Ladipo nonetheless appeal to amateur boxers to turn professionals when the time is right so that they can start fighting for the money and more recognition.
“I will advise amateur boxers to turn professionals to make more money. Amateur boxers cannot fight for more than three minutes of three rounds while a professional can go for 10 or 11 rounds of three minutes each.”
NationSport recalls that the International Boxing Association recently made the announcement to reward boxers who excel Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The organisation became the second sporting body after World Athletics to offer cash rewards for Olympic medallists.
IBA president Umar Kremlev is the former chief of the Russian Boxing Federation and announced ‘the unprecedented move in the history of the sport’ in a statement, claiming they will distribute more than $3.1m (£2.4m) to over 100 athletes.
He said IBA will award $100,000 (£78,500) to gold medallists, $50,000 (£39,000) for silver medals and $25,000 (£19,500) for bronze.
Of those amounts, half will go the athlete, with the other 50 per cent shared between their coach and national federation. Boxers who lose in the quarter-finals and finish fifth will also each receive $10,000 (£7,850).
“Our athletes and their efforts must be appreciated,” said Kremlev. ‘IBA offers opportunities and invests considerably in our boxers, they remain as the focal point, and we will continue to support them at all levels.’
“We pride ourselves on being among the pioneers in rewarding the athletes for their Olympic successes. As IBA president, I will always fight for our athletes’ wellbeing, and this step is consistent in terms of the existing commitments we have already taken.
“I am looking forward to this opportunity to honour the new champions, medallists, and quarter-finalists from Paris 2024.”
There was genuine competition laced with drama and excitement in equal measures at the 2024 Ibadan polo tournament powered by Shoreline with visiting Lagos teams and their counterparts from Ibadan hosts dominating the weeklong fiesta.
Rita Alakija skipped Ibadan Durante team made good their pre-tournament rating, clinching one of the three biggest prizes on offer, while Lagos flag bearers Lagos A1/A-plus and Caverton/ Saopolo swept through tough oppositions to earn their first ever Ibadan Cup and Gen. Rotimi Cup respectively.
Olumide Agboola powered Lagos A1/ A-plus team fortified with Ibrahim Dantala, Abdulrahaman Mohammed and the mercurial Isa Kwame edged former champions and home favourites, Ibadan Lead City Big Boys parading team Patron and President Ibadan Polo Club, Koyinsola Owoeye, Ashraf Yahaya, Ahmadu Umar and their Argentina import, Diego White, too the Ibadan Cup.
With a win each, the race for the event major prize went down to the wire and the fiercely fought final game was a big confrontation until the chief host and Ibadan polo boss, called off the encounter due to poor visibility, giving Lagos A1 their first ever Ibadan major win.
Agboola, whose best victory in Ibadan before now was three runners-up prizes, hailed his players for their commitment, fighting spirit. He salutes the challenge of their Lead City opponents, and Owoeye for his sportsmanship during the final.
“It wasn’t easy they (Lead City) went all out after their second game victory, but we wanted it more and we pushed it to the last second winning 61/2—5 to the glory of the Almighty God that made all things happen,” Agboola declared, hailing Ibadan polo enthusiasts for making the event one of the most memorable in years.
The final of the event’s second biggest prize, the Rotimi Cup was full of excitement and drama as two local rivals, Lagos GDF Global took on their Lagos Caverton/Saopolo rivals in a make or mar clash that kept the crowd on its feet from start to finish.
At the end of the four fiercely fought four chukkas final, it was the Caverton/Saopolo side that emerged the winners, while GDF team earned the Rotimi Cup runners-up prize.
The week-long annual polo fiesta that attracted top government officials, traditional rulers from across the South West, diplomats and business tycoons threw up an unforgettable highlight as Rita Alakija led her Ibadan Durante Farm team to win the Ade Alakija Cup, played in perpetual memory her late father.
Other major laurels carted home by the winners include, the Professor Owoeye Cup, the Governor’s Cup and Shoreline Cup, among a handful of individual prizes and awards.
Ibadan polo President, Koyin Owoeye who described the event as one of the most exciting Ibadan tournaments in years, hailed Shoreline Group, all the corporate and individual sponsors, visiting players and the teeming polo enthusiasts for making the glamorous fiesta such a huge success.
Ibadan Polo Vice President/Tournament Manager, Bola Adeyemi, congratulated all the winners and runners-up for their sportsmanship and high level of discipline throughout the fiesta.
“We promise to do better on all fronts next year,” Adeyemi added.
With the game at its core, Ibadan polo tournament over the decades has become not only a time of action and exhilaration on the field, but also of celebration and reconnections with friends and family off the field.
Meanwhile, the second phase of the national polo tour that will take centre stages across the northern part of the country, is already spreading excitement with the ongoing UNICEF Charity Shield international polo tournament in Kaduna.
Polo Pix Caption:
Proud champions…. Lagos A1/A-plus players celebrating their Ibadan Cup victory at the just concluded Ibadan Polo Festival .
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has reiterated that the broadcast rights deal signed with StarTimes was not just the only offer it received at the time but the best negotiated partnership that came after over six years of the league not shown on television.
NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, made this submission in response to a publication that suggested that the NPFL snubbed an offer of $11million proposed by a shadowy character.
“When the Interim Management Committee (IMC) which I headed came on board, there was not a single sponsorship for the league but we later got an investment partner in GTI that guaranteed N1billion for the season,” Elegbeleye stated.
He recalled that amongst several other terms of reference, the IMC was mandated to secure television broadcast for the league.
“It is on record that the last effective broadcast partnership the NPFL had been with Supersport and it was terminated in 2016. Thereafter the league went on without proper broadcast partner until we signed Propel Sports Africa for streaming and shortly after, StarTimes for Direct to Home Satellite broadcast.
“These deals were not signed overnight but took painstaking negotiations that lasted for months because we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do,” explained Elegbeleye.
He said that the NPFL had at the outset insisted that it was open to offers and actually knocked on the doors of several corporate organisations pitching sponsorship of the league.
“We spent time and personal resources travelling to court Corporate Nigeria to sponsor the league with our investment partners, GTI and we invested in efforts to rebrand the league. A consultant was hired for venue branding which offers in-stadium exposure to our potential sponsors and a website was also built for viral exposure. So, where was this phantom $11m dollar briefcase offer all the time”, queried the NPFL Chairman.
He added that the IMC wooed Supersport with a view to bringing the South African broadcast outfit back to the NPFL.
“We couldn’t have rejected any offer when we were practically seeking to entice Supersport back to the extent that we succeeded in bringing them to broadcast the 2022/23 Super 6 Playoff,” continued Elegbeleye.
He urged the public to be wary of parasitic characters that thrive on controversy to stay relevant.
“The NPFL is still very much open to listen to offers of partnership in other areas from well-meaning and credible Sports Marketing companies,” Elegbeleye said.
GTI, as the League Investment Partner guarantees to provide funding of N10billion over ten years which ensures fund for the cost of organising the league including match officials payment and winning prize money.
Novak Djokovic reached the French Open last 32 for the 19th successive year on Thursday as Roland Garros organisers banned alcohol from the stands in an effort to counter growing complaints from players over disrespectful, rowdy fans.
Defending champion Djokovic cracked 43 winners past Spain’s 63rd-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena to canter to a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win.
The three-time champion, seeking a record 25th Grand Slam title, goes on to face either Gael Monfils of France or Italian 30th seed Lorenzo Musetti.
Djokovic holds a 19-0 winning record against Monfils and has defeated Musetti four times in five meetings.
However, the Italian gave the Serb a major scare at the French Open in 2021 when he won the first two sets before having to retire injured in the decider.
“It was a difficult match against Roberto. He hit a lot of very good and precise shots,” said Djokovic. “The last game of the first set I played really well and started to play at a higher level. At the end of the match I was then playing very well.”
Also easing through to the third round on another rain-hit day in the French capital were women’s title contenders Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
However, the behaviour of fans at the tournament, which was brought into focus by Belgium’s David Goffin’s claim that he had chewing gum spat at him, prompted a series of measures to clampdown on loutish behaviour.
“Alcohol has been allowed in the stadiums until now but that’s over,” tournament director Amelie Mauresmo told reporters.
However, alcohol including beer from mobile vendors, will still be sold around the grounds.
Mauresmo said fans will be ejected if they throw something at a player and that “umpires have tighter, even more precise instructions on keeping the crowd under control”.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who effectively ended Rafael Nadal’s French Open career in the first round, defeated Goffin 7-6 (7⁄4), 6-2, 6-2.
Zverev arrived in Paris on the back of winning the Rome Open title and is the only player to reach the semi-finals at the last three French Open tournaments.
Today, a Berlin court will hear an appeal by Zverev against a fine for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
He received a 450,000-euro ($487,000) fine in October but appealed the ruling earlier this year, leading to a full trial.
The 27-year-old is not required to attend the proceedings and insisted on the eve of the tournament that he “believes in the German system”.
On Thursday, he refused to further discuss the case.
Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) is poised to boost power supply to industrial clusters with the launch of its Light Up Agbara Initiative at Agbara, Ogun State, today.
The project is part of Presidential Power Initiative, spearheaded by EKEDC with key stakeholders in power, including FGN Power Company, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Millwater Limited, and Transmission Company of Nigeria.
This partnership underscores public and private sectors’ commitment to drive economic growth and industrial development through reliable electricity supply.
EKEDC chair, Dere Otubu, noted the project would address the energy needs of Agbara Industrial Hub.
“Light Up Agbara represents a step forward in our efforts to provide stable and reliable power to industries and communities in our franchise area. This initiative aligns with our vision to leverage innovative solutions to enhance service and customer satisfaction.”
Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, acting chief executive director, reiterated the company’s dedication to the project. She underscored its significance in driving development and improving quality of life for stakeholders.
She said: “As we embark on Light Up Agbara Project, our focus is on delivering benefits to residents and businesses in Agbara. EKEDC is committed to providing reliable and efficient power, and we are confident this initiative will transform lives, businesses, and drive economic growth.”
Kenny Anuwe, managing director of FGN Power Company, noted: “We are proud to partner EKEDC and others. This underscores our commitment to sustainable development and ensuring reliable power to industrial clusters.”
The collaboration unlocks opportunities for economic growth and industrialisation in Agbara and environs. By ensuring uninterrupted power supply, the project boosts productivity, create jobs, and drive economic development.
Imo State has shown it is prepared to partner private sector to advance healthcare services.
This followed opening of Emenike Hospital, a 40-bed hospital by Emmanuel Emenike and AGCare in Owerri, Imo. At the opening were dignitaries and government officials, including Eze Ogbonnaya Ugoorji, his prime minister and former Super Eagles strike, Kanu Nwankwo.
Operated by AGCare, a healthcare operations management company, the hospital is committed to delivering specialised care across multiple demographics.
AGCare brings its expertise and experience with efficiently managing healthcare services for optimal patient well-being.
With a commitment to provide access to healthcare for 10 million people in 10 years, AGCare is expanding its network to ensure a balanced reach.
Nnamdi Onyia, head of Government Solutions and Business Fulfilment at Sterling Bank, said Sterling Bank supported AGCare. Our partnership is rooted in a shared vision of making quality healthcare accessible to all”
AGCare’s Founder, Dr. Chukwuka Monye, said “our commitment is driven by our passion for improving healthcare standard…”
Commissioner for Health representing the governor, reiterated the government’s commitment to health and well-being of citizens.
by creating an environment where healthcare thrives
Mrs. Iheoma Emenike, co-founder of the hospital, said it is built on compassion, excellence, and a commitment to quality healthcare, ensuring everyone has access to the best possible care.”
Lagos State and Caverton Marine have inaugurated 15 local OMIBUS FRP 40-passenger ferries to revolutionise and enhance waterways transportation and address traffic congestion.
The project is a public private partnership to advance transport infrastructure, provide reliable, safe, and efficient transportation in conformity with global sustainable development goals (SDG).
Speaking at the ceremony yesterday at Caverton Marine Ship yard at Badore-Ajah, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said with 22 per cent of the landmass covered by water and waterways surrounding 42 of its 57 local governments and LCDAs, there is potential for marine transport.
Sanwo-Olu said the investment is designed to facilitate safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and services, contributing to growth.
The governor said the 15 locally-built 40-seater ferries marks the first phase of a plan to enhance marine transportation in Lagos, with 25 ferries.
Chief Executive Officer of Caverton Group, Olabode Makanjuola, emphasised importance of the project in enhancing mobility and reducing traffic congestion as well as to improve quality of life for residents through strategic infrastructure development.
He said the project aligns with the transportation vision of the administration, which aims to create an integrated transportation infrastructure to enhance connectivity and mobility with improved water transport system.
Makanjuola noted that the ferries, built in Lagos, are certified by Bureau Veritas and Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and are equipped with safety features, ensuring a secure and comfortable journey for passengers.
He said the project symbolises Caverton’s commitment to local development, innovation, quality and safety, while noting the support of the state in integrating water transportation into its intermodal system, rather than merely a corporate social responsibility for coastal communities.
