Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw said his decision to order a walk-off by his players in Sunday’s combustible Africa Cup of Nations final was driven by emotion and a feeling of injustice.
In an Instagram post, Thiaw attempted to explain his actions, which have been widely condemned and for which he faces a possible sanction.
Senegal staged a lengthy protest after a penalty was awarded in the dying stages of Sunday’s game to hosts Morocco after a VAR review, walking off the pitch before returning to continue.
Morocco squandered the penalty, taking the match to extra time where Senegal scored to win 1-0 and claim a second Cup of Nations title in the last three editions.
“We experienced an exceptional tournament with magnificent organisation, which unfortunately ended in tragedy,” wrote the Senegalese coach.
“It was never my intention to go against the principles of the game that I love so much.”
“I simply tried to protect my players from injustice. What some will see as a violation of the rules is nothing more than an emotional reaction to the bias of the situation,” he continued.
“After discussions, we decided to resume the match and go for the trophy for you (Senegalese supporters). I apologise if I offended anyone, but football lovers will understand that emotion is an integral part of this sport.”
Senegal has been celebrating the win since the team arrived back in Dakar on Monday, with the 44-year-old Thiaw, who is a former international, paying tribute to his squad, who were all rewarded with bonuses of more than $130,000 as well as plots of coastal land for their efforts.
“My guys, these 28 warriors who gave sweat, blood, and soul for their nation,” the coach added. “It’s a pleasure to lead you because beyond being legends, you are exceptional people!”
A decision on possible sanctions for Senegal from the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee is expected in the coming days.
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has insisted the national team will continue to move forward with its head held high despite losing the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil.
In the final played at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, the Atlas Lions were kept waiting to lay their hands on the coveted title. It was Senegal, who were crowned champions of Africa for the second time in their history after edging out the Atlas Lions 1-0.
The final of the 35th edition of the AFCON went to the penalties after the two nations drew 0-0 in regular and extra time. The decisive moment arrived just three minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye unleashed a stunning left-footed strike from the edge of the area.
Gueye’s effort was very strong, denying standout goalkeeper Yassine Bounou a chance to make a save. Morocco had come close to settling the contest at the end of regulation time.
Awarded a late penalty following a VAR review, the hosts were denied when Edouard Mendy stopped playmaker Brahim Diaz’s Panenka attempt forcing the final beyond the 90 minutes.
Substitute Pape Cherif Ndiaye almost doubled the Lion of Teranga’s lead in the closing stages but Bounou made a superb save. Ndiaye’s effort to score from a rebound was also stopped by the keeper.
Taking to his social media pages, Hakimi, who captained the side that qualified for the final after defeating Nigeria 4-2 on penalties, insisted by losing in the final, it was not the end of the national team adding the future was looking promising.
“After a very difficult few days, trying to absorb everything that has been going on, I needed to express myself from the heart,” wrote Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s 35 days of living together, constant effort, discipline and unity. A group that has shown the world that Morocco is not content to compete: Morocco inspires.
“Today, this Moroccan team has become a strong, respected and admired team, like a country that moves forward with confidence and shows the world that it is one of the great nations of football.
“Every training session, every game, and every shared moment has embodied values of greatness: respect, self-giving, humility, and immense pride in representing a nation. We have carried Morocco’s name with honour and brought hope to millions of people, at home and across our borders.”
The right-back, who was named the 2025 African Player of the Year, continued: “The road doesn’t stop here. What we have experienced is a solid foundation for the future.
“With this mind-set, union and ambition, there’s no limit to what this selection can achieve. The future is built by what we plant today. The future looks promising. Morocco will continue to move forward with its head held high.”
Hakimi hailed the support the national team had received from the Moroccan Majesty, referred primarily to King Mohammed VI, and his immense work done to make the 2025 AFCON edition a success.
“I would like to first thank His Majesty, for the immense work done to make this Africa Cup of Nations, undoubtedly, the best in history, organized in our country,” added Hakimi.
“Thank you for your vision, support and constant love for football and Morocco. Thanks also to our President Lekjaa Fouzi, for his total commitment to this selection and for believing in us every step of the way.”
In his message to the fans, he said: “And how not to thank the Moroccan people. Thank you for being there for every game, every minute, every emotion. You’ve been our twelfth man, our strength when legs were heavy and hearts were aching.
“We felt your support in Morocco and every corner of the world.”
Hakimi had a message to coach Walid Regragui. He said: “I want to thank Walid (Regragui) and all his staff, but especially my teammates. For the work, commitment and enormous sacrifice we have made together during this AFCON.”
Morocco, who participated in the AFCON much later than other North African states, made their debut in 1972,and became the second North African side to win the AFCON in 1976.
McLaughlin-Levrone, the two-time Olympic 400 metres hurdles champion and the second fastest woman ever in the flat 400m, announced on Thursday that she is expecting a child.
The 26-year-old American broke the news on social media with a series of photos with her husband Andre Levrone and the message: “I made a human with my favourite human.”
The pictures also show the couple admiring scans of the baby.
McLaughlin-Levrone is track and field’s biggest woman star, having shown at the world championships in Tokyo last year that she can transfer her talents from the hurdles to the 400m flat with stunning success.
In winning the title, she became the first woman since 1985 to break the 48-second barrier and nearly eclipsed a 41-year-old world record set by Marita Koch of the former East Germany.
McLaughlin-Levrone won the Olympic 400m hurdles title at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Games.
She will likely miss the biggest event of the 2026 calendar, the new World Athletics Ultimate Championships, being held in Budapest on September 11-13.
Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of the season following the expiry of his contract, according to the Premier League club.
The Brazil international arrived from Real Madrid in 2022 for a fee of £70 million ($94 million) and has so far played 146 games for the club, scoring 21 goals.
“A serial winner, we thank Case for his contributions in red so far and hope to finish his time at the club on a high together,” United said on X.
Casemiro said in a club statement that he would “carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life”.
“From the first day that I walked out at this beautiful stadium, I felt the passion of Old Trafford and the love that I now share with our supporters for this special club,” he said.
“It is not time to say goodbye – there are many more memories to create during the next four months.”
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner barrelled ominously into the Australian Open third round as 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka survived an epic to make Grand Slam history.
An erratic Madison Keys did enough to keep her title defence on track and Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka also triumphed on a sunny but cooler Melbourne Park day five.
The tournament fell briefly silent in the evening to remember the 15 people killed at Bondi Beach last month by gunmen who opened fire on a Jewish festival.
Djokovic sent 141st -ranked qualifier Francesco Maestrelli packing in straight sets at Rod Laver Arena.
The Serbian great is on his latest mission to win a record 25th Grand Slam title and dismissed the Italian 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Djokovic faces 75th -ranked Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands next.
Djokovic is well known for his sometimes unusual preparations, which include hugging a Brazilian fig tree in Melbourne’s botanical gardens.
“That is my oldest friend here in Melbourne,” said the 38-year-old former world number one, who has won 10 Australian Open titles, more than anyone in history.
“He has been there to heal my wounds and give me company. We have a friendship going over 20 years.”
Two-time reigning champion Sinner wasted no time in powering on with a demolition of home player James Duckworth, with the Italian second seed romping to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory in just one hour and 49 minutes.
Sinner plays big-serving Eliot Spizzirri, the 85th -ranked American, next as he pursues a Melbourne Park hat-trick.
Exhausted warhorse Wawrinka battled to a marathon five-set win in his Australian Open farewell.
He was joined in the next round by another experienced campaigner in the 37-year-old Marin Cilic, who defeated Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.
In Melbourne as a wildcard, Wawrinka pulled heroically through in four hours and 33 minutes against French qualifier Arthur Gea.
He won 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10⁄3) to become the first player aged 40 or over to reach the men’s third round at a Slam since Ken Rosewall at the Australian Open in 1978.
The former Australian Open champion is playing his last season before retiring and faces the American ninth seed Taylor Fritz next.
“Exhausted. I am trying to last as long as possible on my last Australian Open,” Wawrinka said.
Asked what his plans were for the rest of the evening, Wawrinka replied: “I might pick up a beer, I deserve one.”
Lorenzo Musetti, the fifth seed, beat fellow Italian and good friend Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
American eighth seed Ben Shelton was a comfortable 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victor over Australia’s Dane Sweeny.
Women’s champion Keys blew hot and cold before getting over the line 6-1, 7-5 against fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.
Keys, who upset Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final, admitted after her laboured first-round win that she was a bundle of nerves and “too timid”.
The 29-year-old threw off the shackles in the first set against the 92nd-ranked Krueger, taking it in just 23 minutes before having to rally from 2-5 in the second.
She meets the experienced Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic next.
In another all-United States clash, sixth seed Jessica Pegula made light work of her doubles partner McCartney Kessler in a rapid 6-0, 6-2 win.
Another ruthless winner was fourth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova – 6-1, 6-4 against the Czech Katerina Siniakova.
Second seed Swiatek, who has won six major titles but never been successful in Melbourne, was in cruise control against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-3.
Fifth seed Elena Rybakina advanced but 10th seed Belinda Benic was stunned by qualifier Nikola Bartunkova in three sets.
Two-time former champion Naomi Osaka, who made a grand entrance in the first round in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, was error-strewn in beating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
The match ended in acrimony with some angry words from Cirstea at the net.
“She’s a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open. So sorry she was mad about it,” said Osaka.
Brittany Ogunmokun’s journey is one of quiet resilience, late-blooming excellence and unwavering national pride — a reminder that greatness is not always rushed but earned through patience and belief. As her records now stand etched in Nigerian and African athletics history, the 35-year-old reflects on the magic behind a career that continues to inspire at a time many would have stepped away from the track, writes TUNDE LIADI…
Brittany Ogunmokun’s name now resonates far beyond the indoor tracks of the United States. It echoes across Nigeria and the African continent as a symbol of resilience, patience and the quiet power of belief.
In an era where sprinting careers are often defined by fleeting peaks, Ogunmokun has rewritten the script — proving that excellence can mature, deepen and even explode later in life. Her historic record-breaking run in 2026 was not merely a moment of speed but the culmination of a journey shaped by endurance, sacrifice and an unshakeable love for the sport.
Ogunmokun’s athletic roots stretch back more than 15 years, forged not in instant stardom but in gradual discovery. She did not follow the conventional path of a prodigy groomed from childhood. Instead, her entry into competitive sport came relatively late, shaped by curiosity and raw athletic instinct rather than early specialization.
“I didn’t start playing sports until middle school, when I began playing basketball,” the 35-year-old NationSport in an exclusive conversation.“ I didn’t start running track until 11th grade, which is relatively later but after just my second year, I earned multiple track scholarships to universities.
“My father was a talented footballer, and we spent a lot of time playing outside, so I definitely get my athletic ability from him.”
That late beginning would become one of the defining elements of her story — proof that elite potential does not always announce itself early.
Naturally gifted with speed and endurance, Ogunmokun gravitated towards the 400 metres, an event that demands both physical strength and tactical intelligence. By 2009, she had already hinted at her promise indoors, running 1:12.62 in the 500m in Boston. Years later, in December 2023, she improved that personal best to 1:12.3 — a time that would soon be obliterated. Yet her journey was far from smooth. Coaching changes, relocations, academic pursuits and professional commitments often pulled her focus away from the track.
Looking back, she admitted: “My previous personal best before this season was set in December 2023, when I ran 1:12.3 in the 500m. Over the years, between changing coaches, moving to different places, earning my master’s degree, and joining the military, my focus shifted heavily toward my career. There were stretches when track wasn’t going well, and I honestly questioned whether I still had something left to give to the sport.”
Those doubts, rather than ending her career, quietly prepared her for its most powerful chapter.
Central to Ogunmokun’s resurgence has been her unwavering commitment to Nigeria. She consistently answered the national call, representing the country with pride and distinction. At the 2023 African Games in Ghana, she got to the semi-finals in the 400m, clocking 53.26 seconds despite competing under physical strain. The experience proved transformative.
She said: “Mentally and physically, the African Games showed me that I could compete with some of the best athletes on the continent. I actually ran that meet with a strained hamstring and dealt with it throughout the season, so being able to still perform at a high level reinforced my belief in myself. That meet showed me I belonged — even when I wasn’t at my best.”
For Ogunmokun, that belief became fuel.
The defining moment arrived last week Friday night at the NYC Gotham Cup 2026 in New York. In her first race of the season, and coming off illness, Ogunmokun lined up for the women’s 500m with modest expectations.
“In the moments before the race, I was focused on putting forth my best effort. I had the flu two weeks prior, so my goal that day was simply to compete well and see what I could do. I was happy to be in a position to lower my personal best and execute a strong race,” Ogunmokun said.
She continued: “I didn’t realise anything historic was happening during the race itself. I actually thought the pace felt controlled and assumed the final time might be slower. I was just happy to have lowered my personal best. It wasn’t until after the race that I learned I had also broken the Nigerian national record and the African indoor record.”
What followed stunned the athletics world. She stormed to a time of 1:10.00, finishing second overall and claiming silver behind her training partner, American Leah Anderson.
The result carried deeper meaning than medals. Ogunmokun shattered the Nigerian national record of 1:11.49 set by Regina George in 2016 and erased the African indoor record of 1:11.48 set in 2018 by Ghana’s Akua Obeng Akrofi. Remarkably, she did not even realize the magnitude of what she had done in the moment.
“I broke the national record from 2016, and I was also very happy to learn that I had also broken the African record. I actually didn’t find that out until the next day, when Victor Okorie, the Performance Director and Liaison Officer for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), called to share the news. During the race, I thought the pace felt slow and assumed the final time would be slower than it actually was.”
The AFN later ratified the performance, confirming its historic status.
Despite narrowly missing gold, Ogunmokun’s response reflected her maturity and perspective.
“I don’t view it as missing gold. The winner was my teammate, Leah Anderson, who holds the Jamaican national record in the 500m. We train together every week, so I’m always happy to race alongside her. We push and challenge each other, and that competitive environment brings out the best in both of us.”
It was a reminder that her success is rooted not in rivalry alone, but in community and shared excellence.
At 35, Ogunmokun continues to defy traditional assumptions about peak age in sprinting. Her strength lies not only in her physiology but in her mind-set and balance beyond the track.
“At this stage of my career, I’m really just having fun and trying to run faster as I get older — which might sound crazy, but I believe you can be as strong as your mind allows. Age doesn’t slow you down — pressure does. Having a career outside of track also helps me put less pressure on my performances. I’m an IT engineer, just like my father was, and that balance has been really grounding for me. I’m running freer now than I ever have.”
That freedom has translated into technical brilliance, particularly in the 500m — a perfect bridge between her primary 400m and her returning 800m.
“My coach selects my races each week, but I also wanted to run the 500m to improve my time. While I’m primarily a 400m specialist, I’m also returning to the 800m, which was my main event in college. The 500m is a great test of both speed and stamina — it’s the perfect in-between event for the 400m and the 800m.”
Beyond records, Ogunmokun’s achievement carries deep emotional weight.
“It’s extremely important to me. This record brings me a great sense of pride, especially as I think about my late father, Adejuyi Ogunmokun, who encouraged me to return to running before he passed away. I know he would be incredibly proud — and probably telling me that I could have run even faster.”
That personal connection elevates her accomplishment from athletic success to legacy.
As she looks ahead, Ogunmokun is driven not just by ambition but by purpose.
“I hope that I can be a role model or trailblazer for younger Nigerian athletes, especially women coming through the system. I love seeing my teammates perform well indoors and break university records. I want younger athletes to see that there’s no expiration date on excellence. Nigerians are some of the best athletes in the world, and I’m proud to represent that.”
Her goals remain firmly set on the future.
“My main focus now is staying healthy and continuing to improve my times in the 400m and 800m this year. I want to surprise myself by exceeding even my own expectations. I still have unfinished business. I don’t think I’ve peaked yet. I’ve always wanted to make an Olympic team, and I truly believe I have the talent and capacity to do that before I decide to hang up my spikes for good.”
With her name now etched permanently into African athletics history, Brittany Ogunmokun stands as more than a record-holder. She is proof that perseverance can outlast doubt, that purpose can reignite passion, and that Nigerian excellence knows no age limit — one stride, one race, and one historic finish at a time.
For decades, many stories about Africa, its people, institutions and ideas were first told by outsiders. In that process, details were lost, timelines distorted and intentions misunderstood. In Nigeria’s fast-growing sports business space, countless start-ups have risen and evolved without proper documentation of their origins. AFA Sports is one of such stories except that its founder, Ugo Udezue, has chosen to tell it himself, exactly as it happened, reports DANIEL OYEKAN…
What began as a stop-gap solution for African basketball has, over time, evolved into a long-term commitment to sports development across the continent.
The seed for AFA Sports was planted in 2016, during Ugo Udezue’s time as an administrator with the Continental Basketball League (CBL). Despite his background as a former NBA agent and his extensive global network, attempts to secure an international apparel sponsor for the league proved futile.
According to him, the rejection was not personal , it was systemic.
“Global sportswear companies had little interest in African basketball without guaranteed television exposure, commercial scale or political certainty,” Udezue explained. “None of those existed at the time.”
Faced with the reality that the game lacked institutional backing, he took a decisive turn.
“If the system would not support the game,” he said, “then the game would have to support itself.”
Thus, AFA Sports was conceived not as a shortcut to commercial success, but as a home-grown solution, designed to grow alongside African basketball.
The name itself took months of thought. In the apparel industry, branding is identity, and Udezue was deliberate about getting it right.
“As an Igbo man, ‘Afa’ means name,” he explained. “One day, the question became obvious, what name should I give this idea? AFA Sports: Africa for Africa.”
That clarity came with an unexpected moment of inspiration.
“Around 2 a.m., I had a vivid dream of the logo. I woke up immediately and sketched it. That was the beginning.”
At the time, Udezue had no formal training in apparel manufacturing or retail. What he had instead was urgency, curiosity and resolve.
He travelled to China without a playbook, learning directly from trade fairs, factories and warehouses. Through observation and trial, he taught himself logistics, inventory management, staffing and the realities of Nigerian business governance.
“Many nights stretched into days without sleep,” he recalled. “It was learning by fire.” But beyond technical challenges, funding remained a major hurdle.
Financial backing came through an unexpected but pivotal relationship with Musa Kida, long before his emergence as President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Udezue recalled how Kida had previously helped stabilize the CBL during a sponsorship crisis that nearly collapsed the league.
“When I later pitched AFA Sports to him, he committed — in one day — to becoming a co-founder and partner,” Udezue said. “He understood sustainability.”
Kida’s investment, however, came with a defining condition: AFA Sports must manufacture in Nigeria, creating jobs and contributing directly to the local economy.
AFA Sports’ defining national breakthrough came in 2017, under urgent circumstances.
With the women’s national team heading to AfroBasket in Mali and unresolved kit issues with previous sponsors, the NBBF needed an immediate solution.
“We were given just five days,” Udezue said. “My team designed, produced and delivered full kits in three days.”
Staffs were sent to Mali to hand-deliver the kits at significant cost to the company.
The then NBBF Vice President, Babs Ogunade, confirmed the urgency of the situation.
“We were in a tight corner,” Ogunade said. “The agreement involved no money. AFA supplied the kits free, and the team played.”
The Super Falcons of African basketball — D’Tigress initially played matches in makeshift attire before the AFA kits arrived in Bamako.
Following the tournament, AFA Sports entered a four-year supply-only arrangement with the NBBF, covering only the women’s national team and involving no financial compensation.
“At that time, AfroBasket games were not televised,” Udezue explained. “There was no broadcast exposure, no merchandise sales, and no digital impressions. This was belief, not profit.”
Despite the limitations, AFA Sports continued to supply kits, supporting the men’s team only when called upon not as a revenue strategy, but as an investment in credibility and national pride.
AFA Sports’ footprint has extended far beyond basketball. Over the years, the company has supported volleyball, Paralympic athletes, and multiple sports federations, often stepping in when funding gaps threatened participation.
The company was also the official apparel partner for Team Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympic Games, supplying athletics gear free of charge. Its support has extended beyond Nigeria, including partnerships with Cameroon and other African teams.
“These were not profitable undertakings,” Udezue admitted. “But evolution was necessary.”
Today, AFA Sports has expanded into a broader lifestyle, fitness and performance brand ,a transition Udezue describes as both inevitable and global best practice.
For him, the story of AFA Sports is not about overnight success, but about documenting intent, sacrifice and purpose.
In an ecosystem where African sports stories are often told after the fact — or not at all ,AFA Sports stands as a rare example of a brand that chose to define itself, tell its story, and grow with the continent it represents.
Adebodunrin Thomas was part of the Nigerian team at the 2025 African Fencing Championships held in Lagos. For the teenager, making the national team was a dream come true.
Just a few years after embracing fencing, Thomas has already reaped remarkable rewards. Through the sport, she secured a scholarship to continue her education at one of the UK’s prestigious institutions—Wellington College.
At just 17, Thomas stands as a shining example of how dedication, passion and the right support can open doors to life-changing opportunities. She admits that fencing has given her not only discipline and confidence but also invaluable exposure that continues to shape her future in powerful ways.
A proud member of the Lagos Fencing Club (LFC), Thomas reflected on her journey: “It was an amazing experience representing Nigeria at the continental tournament last year, being my first time in national colours. I felt a mix of pressure and empowerment. I am really grateful to everyone who has helped me, especially the Lagos Fencing Club. They pushed me and helped me secure this scholarship. I am proud to be working with such experienced coaches and talented students. I hope that my new experience at Wellington will not only make me a better fencer but also push me academically. My goal is to balance both so I can go further.”
Her father, Adebola, expressed immense pride in her achievements, describing her journey as one that has showcased her talent, strengthened her confidence, and positioned her for global opportunities:
“We are very fortunate to secure a significant scholarship, which made funding much easier and allowed us to enrol her at Wellington. She has gained publicity through fencing, and we are proud of her accomplishments. Any opportunity to expose our children to other parts of the world helps them become well-rounded individuals. We have noticed that fencing has instilled more discipline in her and improved her sportsmanship. It’s a technical sport, and it has helped her mature.”
For Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Thomas’ story underscores the broader value of fencing. He emphasized that the sport is more than just competition—it develops focus, resilience, strategic thinking, coordination, and physical fitness. Beyond that, fencing builds self-confidence, teamwork, and opens global opportunities for young talents.
Through strategic partnerships with several top-tier international institutions in the United Kingdom and the United States, the Lagos Fencing Club also offers eligible students scholarship opportunities of up to 50 percent—further demonstrating how the sport can transform lives both on and off the piste.
The much-anticipated Roland Cookey-Gam Memorial match and the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Anniversary and the grand participation of the Special Guest of Honour, Governor Simi Fubara, were some of the major highlights of the 2026 Niger Delta polo festival won by Jos Malcomines team.
The memorial match played in honour of the 20th anniversary of the late President of Port Harcourt Polo Club, attracted the Rivers State Governor, Traditional Rulers, top dignitaries and prominent polo patrons including Prince Albert Esiri and former President of Kaduna Polo Club, Suleiman Abubakar.
Equally memorable was the Fallen Heroes’ game, which was played before a full house at the GRA Polo Ground after a ceremonial laying of wreath by top military officers and the Port Harcourt polo president, Prince Henry Agbodjan as the crowd honoured those who paid the supreme sacrifice for the sake of the country.
Known for its traditional excitement, thrilling atmosphere, skilled displays by players, powerful horses, and seamless organization, the prestigious festival ended on high note for the visiting Jos Malcomines and their Patron Murtala Laushi as they defeated two Port Harcourt-based teams, BobTract/ Trappco and Welton Aviation to retain the tournament’s biggest prize, the King Alfred Diette Spiff Cup
“Port Harcourt polo tournament has always been a home for us and we are happy that in most of the participation over the years, we have always won. This year is particularly special for us as we defeated two top homed teams despite their spirited contests to secure victory,” an elated Laushi who double as the President of Jos Polo Club, declared.
Other top winners at the first polo event of the year include visiting Lagos Ibah that defeated a strong field of oppositions to clinch the highly revered King TJT Princewill Cup—their first major achievement in the glamorous Niger Delta polo festival.
Visiting Gilaso/Ismanaf team from Kano also wrote their names in gold, winning two major titles in a sensational display of skills and horsemanship. The Kano polo warriors defeated outpaced Ibadan Risevest to clinch the OB Lulu Briggs Cup and power passed Port Harcourt FB9 team in the race for the highly revered T.Y Danjuma Cup.
Other winners of the only regional polo tournament in the country, are the Liquid Metal captain by the President of Lagos Polo Club, Adeyemo Alakija that won the Governor’s Cup and the Cassiel Irimacha led team that won the President’s Cup. Individual players who distinguished themselves during the weeklong polo festival in the oil rich region, also smiled home with glittering awards as proud winners
Chief host, Prince Agbodjan commended the Tournament Committee under the leadership of Tella Attoni (Esq.) for their professionalism, dedication and tireless effort that ensured an accident free and execution of the international, saluting all the visiting teams and players for making the event another memorable fiesta.
Governor Fubara, who pledged his administration continued support of the Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament, congratulated all the winners and Runners-up teams for their sportsmanship and discipline throughout the tournament. He led other dignitaries that graced the finals to the podium to present prizes to the champions in the grand finale that drew the curtain on the elegant, and memorable festival.
As the curtain fell on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Goldberg Lager Beer closed its tournament journey not with regret but with pride, gratitude and renewed belief in the future of Nigerian football.
The Super Eagles signed off their campaign with a bronze medal, edging Egypt on penalties in the third-place match. It was Nigeria’s ninth third-place finish at the AFCON finals, a record that further cements the country’s status as the most consistent team in the history of the competition, boasting more podium appearances than any other African nation.
The ultimate prize—a fourth continental title—proved elusive. Yet, for Goldberg, the story of AFCON 2025 was never defined by silverware alone. It was about character, resilience and the enduring bond between the national team and its supporters.
Under its “Our Beat, Our Gold” campaign, Goldberg Lager Beer followed the Super Eagles every step of the way, transforming the tournament into a shared national experience. Across Nigeria, large viewing centres and cultural activations turned match days into communal celebrations. Beyond the borders, in Moroccan host cities where Nigeria played, fan-engagement moments ensured that the green-and-white spirit travelled with the team.
On the pitch, the Super Eagles delivered a bold and expressive brand of football. Nigeria emerged as the tournament’s most prolific attacking side, scoring 14 goals—more than any other team. They created the highest number of clear chances (27), dominated possession with an average of 66 per cent, and produced the longest winning streak of the competition with five consecutive victories.
To Goldberg, the statistics told a deeper story—of belief, progress and intent.
Reflecting on the campaign, Laolu Babalola, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands at Nigerian Breweries Plc, said AFCON 2025 transcended match outcomes.
“We set out believing in gold, and while the final prize did not come, the journey mattered,” Babalola said. “The Super Eagles played with confidence and purpose, and the fans responded with passion and loyalty. That connection is what this campaign was built around.”
Kunle Aroyehun, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg, described the end of the tournament not as a finale, but as a pause for reflection.
“Our Beat, Our Gold was about how Nigerians experience football together,” he said. “From the first match to the last, the fans showed up with energy, belief and pride. The bronze medal adds to Nigeria’s rich AFCON history, but more importantly, it highlighted the strength of our football culture.”
Aroyehun reaffirmed the brand’s long-term commitment to the game. “This campaign may be ending, but the rhythm continues. As long as Nigerians are watching football, debating, celebrating and believing, Goldberg will continue to stand with them.”
