The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Boxer Solomon  shines  at Rivers’  trials for Niger Delta Games

    Boxer Solomon  shines  at Rivers’  trials for Niger Delta Games

    Teenage boxing sensation, Joshua Solomon, was the star attraction during Thursday’s trials of Team Rivers as final preparations continue for the 2026 Niger Delta Games (Edo State 2026).

    Joshua defeated all comers in the 70kg class to pick up one of the tickets to represent the State in the Boxing event at the upcoming games in Benin.

    “I’m going to win Gold in Edo State, I say this from my heart and I know I can achieve this,” Joshua stated.

    In the women’s Boxing trials, Naomi Henshaw impressed as she got the nod in the 54kg weight class.

    She was understandably delighted with the body of work she put in and vowed not to rest on her laurels as she made it clear that Gold in Edo State would represent success for her.

    “I started out in Athletics and made the switch to Boxing later,” she said. “My message to all who wish me well is that they should always pray for me.

    “I will not forget them when I win Gold in Edo State and hopefully when that happens, I’ll dedicate it to my grandmother who was always there to support me always,” she added.

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    Boxing coach of Team Rivers, Gift Otuonye revealed that eight Boxers (four males, and four females) were selected after Wednesday’s trials to represent Rivers State at the upcoming games.

    She added that she was confident in the chances of the Boxers covering themselves in glory at the games.

    “I am not travelling to Edo State for a jamboree. I’m going there to win Gold and I know these selected Boxers will do just that,” she stated.

    In the Para powerlifting trial, head coach Igbikiowibo Bibi and his team selected six lifters who will be gunning for medals in Edo State.

    Bibi who is popularly known as coach Igbiks expressed optimism in the chances of his wards ahead of the upcoming games.

    “These lifters were scouted from the rural areas as we toured different Local Government Areas in Rivers State in our bid to get only the best to represent Rivers State at the games,” he said.

    “The trials have been very successful. We trust the lifters too. One of them has taken part in a previous edition of the Games and the others who will be participating for the first time will be looking to make a name for themselves,” he said.

    SELECTED ATHLETES  FOR BOXING AND PARA POWERLIFTING

    Boxing: Male

    Joshua Solomon 70kg

    Benedict Benibo 75kg

    Etiene Obona 60kg

    Ebike Okpoknou 65kg

    Boxing: Female

    Silver Adokiye 65kg

    Favour Ibe 60kg

    Naomi Henshaw 54kg

    Favour Peter Sokari 51kg

    Para powerlifting: Male

    Emmanuel Izim

    Lucky Zechariah

    Miebaka Albert

    Para powerlifting: Female

    Tamuno-Okwein Sampson

    Chiamaka Anum

    Chidinma Emmanuel

  • Imo warns against hijacking  of  state’s basketball apparatus

    Imo warns against hijacking  of  state’s basketball apparatus

    The Imo State government said it frowned at  any attempt by any unauthorized persons to hijack the state’s basketball  apparatus.

    The state government  in a statement  yesterday  disowned a notice allegedly circulated by Mr. Kelechi Anosike under the name of the Imo State Basketball Association, declaring it illegal, misleading and completely worthless.

    According to the official clarification signed by Honourable Kingsley Ogwudire, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs and Sports Development, the former Imo State Basketball Association board has been dissolved.

    By extension, Mr. Anosike’s era and influence is over. Any document issued in that name, the government warned, should be treated as null, void, and deliberately deceptive.

    Read Also: 16th Round: NFF agree to pay Super Eagles $30,000 each

    The statement lands like a hammer blow amid the deepening crisis rocking the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), where internal battles, factional interests  and reform resistance have plunged the sport into turmoil.

    Imo State did not hedge its words, it openly backs fresh, transparent, and credible NBBF elections, a position that directly challenges entrenched interests desperate to cling to power.

    Even more damning was the government’s rejection of smear tactics allegedly aimed at silencing coaches, professionals  and stakeholders who have dared to support reform.

    Imo State made it clear it will not be party to intimidation, character assassination, or the weaponization of state associations to fight personal battles.

  • Black Queens storm UAE  ahead of  WAFU B, WAFCON  tourneys

    Black Queens storm UAE  ahead of  WAFU B, WAFCON  tourneys

    Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, will travel to the United Arab Emirates later this month to compete in the 2026 Pink Ladies Cup as part of preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026.

    The invitational tournament, scheduled for February 28 to March 6, 2026, will see Ghana face Hong Kong, Russia and Tanzania, offering the team a valuable opportunity to sharpen tactics, test player combinations and build match fitness.

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    The UAE tour forms a key component of Ghana’s broader preparation programme for both the WAFU B Women’s Championship and WAFCON 2026, as the technical crew steps up efforts to assemble a competitive squad.

    Ahead of WAFCON, the Black Queens will also participate in the WAFU B tournament, where they are expected to face strong regional opposition, including a potential high-profile clash against Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

  • AFN cautions athletes on age cheating, doping

    AFN cautions athletes on age cheating, doping

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has warned  athletes and coaches against age falsification and doping as it intensifies efforts to restore integrity in Nigerian athletics.

    The warning comes amid Team Nigeria’s build-up for major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the World Athletics Championships.

    AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, gave the warning during a visit to the Delta State Sports Commission in Asaba, where the federation sought approval to camp national athletes at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium.

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    Okowa made it clear that the federation would no longer tolerate sharp practices, stressing that offenders would face stiff sanctions in line with World Athletics regulations.

    He noted that the AFN is determined to align Nigeria’s athletics programme with global best practices, with discipline, transparency and fair play at the heart of its development strategy.

    The proposed Asaba camp, according to Okowa, is part of a broader plan to create a structured, high-performance environment for elite athletes ahead of upcoming global championships.

  • Leicester docked six points for breaching spending rules

    Leicester docked six points for breaching spending rules

    Leicester City have been docked six points in the current Championship campaign after an independent regulatory commission found they had breached the English Football League’s spending rules, the Premier League said on Thursday.

    The deduction leaves Leicester 20th in the second-tier table, above the relegation zone on goal difference.

    The Premier League referred Leicester to an independent commission in May over the alleged breach of EFL profitability and sustainability rules in the three years up to 2023-24. A week-long hearing took place in November.

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    “The commission … determined that the club had breached the relevant (profitability and sustainability) threshold by 20.8 million pounds ($28.19 million) over the three-year assessment period (2022-2024),” the Premier League said in a statement.

    “The commission found that the club’s refusal to provide its annual accounts to the Premier League by the relevant deadline was a breach of Premier League rules.”

    Leicester were in 2023-24 playing in the Championship, which they won to earn a promotion to the Premier League. They were relegated back to the second-tier the next season.

    The EFL said its board decided to apply the sanction to the Championship points table with immediate effect.

    Leicester, without a win in their last four league matches, visit 13th -placed Birmingham City tomorrow.

  • Ten reasons snakes may find their way into homes

    Ten reasons snakes may find their way into homes

    The death of singer Ifunanya Nwagene has triggered widespread reactions from Nigerians, particularly on social media, amid reports that she died after being bitten by a snake in her Abuja residence.

    The circumstances surrounding the incident have fuelled public debate, with many users expressing shock, grief and concern over household safety, especially in urban areas.

    In the wake of the incident, attention has turned to factors that can attract snakes into residential spaces. Below are ten reasons snakes may enter homes:

    1. They’re trying to escape the heat

    Nigeria’s hot weather forces snakes to look for cooler spots. Shady rooms, bathrooms and tiled floors inside houses can feel like a safe retreat from the sun.

    2. They’re looking for water

    When rivers, puddles and gutters dry up, snakes follow moisture. Leaking taps, toilets, bathrooms, and even water stored around the house can attract them.

    3. Flooding pushes them out

    Early rains and sudden flooding can wash out snakes from their burrows. With nowhere else to go, they may end up in nearby homes.

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    4. Overgrown surroundings make it easy. Tall grass, untrimmed bushes and abandoned plots around houses give snakes the cover they need to move around unnoticed — and eventually slip indoors.

    5. Rats and lizards invite them

    Snakes go where food is. If your house has rats, mice, frogs or lizards, snakes may follow.

    6. Small openings are enough

    Snakes don’t need big doors. Gaps under doors, cracked walls, broken windows or open drains are more than enough for them to get inside.

    7. Clutter gives them hiding places

    Stacks of firewood, cartons, old furniture or building materials create quiet, dark spots that snakes love to hide in.

    8. Living close to farms or bush areas

    Homes near farmlands, bush paths or undeveloped land are more exposed, especially when land is cleared or bushes are burned.

    9. Animals around the house

    Keeping poultry, goats or animal feed in residential compounds can attract rodents, and snakes usually follow.

    10. It’s just the season

    Certain times of the year make snakes more active, whether for breeding or movement, increasing the chances of encounters with people.

  • African Winter Warriors: Ikpefan leads charge at Milano-Cortina 2026

    African Winter Warriors: Ikpefan leads charge at Milano-Cortina 2026

    Nigeria’s Samuel Ikpefan will once again carry the nation’s colours onto the Olympic stage when he competes at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games AS one of just 15 athletes representing Africa at the global showpiece, writes DAVID OYEKAN…

    For 33-year-old cross-country skier, Samuel Ikpefan, the 2026 Winter Games offer both redemption and responsibility  a chance to improve on a disrupted Beijing 2022 outing and to inspire a new generation from non-traditional winter sports nations.

    Ikpefan will be Nigeria’s sole representative in Milano-Cortina, competing in the men’s 10km freestyle and sprint classic events. He becomes part of a modest but growing African presence at the Winter Olympics, with athletes drawn from eight countries across the continent. Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Eritrea will each be represented by one athlete, while Madagascar, Morocco and Kenya will field two apiece. South Africa leads Africa’s delegation with five athletes.

    For Ikpefan, being among the few Africans on winter sport’s biggest stage carries weight but also optimism. “I do feel a certain responsibility representing Africa, but I see it as something positive,” he told Flashscore. “Representation matters. If my journey can inspire young athletes of African heritage to believe that winter sports are accessible to them, then it’s already a success.”

    Born and raised in the French Alps to a French mother and a Nigerian father from Edo State, Ikpefan’s path into cross-country skiing was shaped by his environment. Winter sports were a natural part of his upbringing, but what began as an outdoor pastime gradually evolved into a competitive career that took him through regional, national and international levels.

     “Skiing has played a major role in shaping who I am,” he said. “It taught me discipline, resilience and consistency.”

    Despite being raised in Europe, Ikpefan made a deliberate decision to represent Nigeria on the international stage. He says the choice was driven by both identity and purpose. “Given my Nigerian heritage through my father, representing Nigeria felt meaningful and authentic. I wanted to compete at the highest level while also representing a country that is still developing in winter sports,” he explained. Following discussions with the Nigerian federation and the completion of administrative requirements, the switch became official.

    Milano-Cortina will be Ikpefan’s second Olympic appearance. He made history at Beijing 2022 as Nigeria’s first-ever Winter Olympian and sole flag bearer, but his Games were compromised after he contracted COVID-19 in the build-up. He opted out of the 15km classic event and finished 73rd overall in the men’s sprint free results that fell short of his expectations.

     “Beijing 2022 was a very difficult experience,” Ikpefan admitted. “Preparation, logistics and even the Olympic experience itself were heavily impacted. But that experience has become a strong source of motivation for Milano-Cortina. I want to experience the Games in a more complete normal context and perform closer to my true level.”

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    His schedule in Italy reflects that renewed ambition, with the men’s sprint classic set for 8 February and the 10km interval start freestyle on 13 February. While podium ambitions may be unrealistic, Ikpefan is clear about what success looks like for him.

     “My goal is to deliver strong and consistent performances and achieve the best results possible for me on the Olympic stage,” he said. “Beyond rankings, I want to feel that I raced at my true level and represented Nigeria with pride and professionalism.”

    Whether Milano-Cortina marks the final chapter of his Olympic career remains an open question. Ikpefan says he will assess his physical condition and motivation after the Games before deciding his next steps. Should retirement beckon, he already has one eye on life beyond competition, with a strong interest in coaching and athlete development.

     “I enjoy sharing my experience and helping younger athletes grow, both technically and mentally,” he said. “In the long term, I would like to stay involved in sport and contribute to the growth of cross-country skiing in emerging nations.”

    Africa’s presence at Milano-Cortina 2026, though small, represents a notable increase from Beijing 2022, where just six athletes from five African countries competed. This time, 15 athletes will take part, with 10 competing in alpine skiing, three in cross-country skiing, and one each in skeleton and freestyle skiing.

    As the Winter Games open on 6 February, Ikpefan and his fellow African athletes will once again challenge assumptions about who belongs on snow and ice. For Nigeria’s lone representative, the mission is clear: compete with pride, inspire belief and show that winter sport has room for African stories too.

  • From striker to security guard: Bashir journeys back to football  with ABS

    From striker to security guard: Bashir journeys back to football  with ABS

    Football glory is often loud, glamorous and unforgivingly brief. For every packed stadium and celebrated goal, there is a quieter reality many players face when the cheers fade. The story of Abdulrahman Bolakale Bashir, a former star in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL),   is a powerful reminder that talent alone is not enough and that life after football can be as demanding as the game itself,  writes, TUNDE LIADI..

    Abdulrahman Bolakale Bashir once lived for the roar of the crowd. On his good days, defenders trembled, goalkeepers panicked and goals flowed. From Ilorin to Aba, Lafia to Jos among other Nigerian cities, Bashir’s boots told stories of hunger, ambition and raw talent.

    But football, as he now knows too well, does not always love you back.

    “I was a striker defenders feared,” Bashir recalled quietly in a an interview with NationSports. “In those days, football was everything to me. I believed it would take care of my future.”

    Bashir  began his career at ABS FC when the club was still known as Bukola Babes before earning a big move to Enyimba in the 2014/15 season. His impact was immediate. Bashir famously announced himself with a hat-trick against Bayelsa United in a pre-season Super Four tournament. He also scored the all-important goal that guaranteed Enyimba a next round ticket in that same season’s CAF Champions League against Anges of Togo in Lome.

    Spells at Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United, Plateau United, Wikki Tourists and Sunshine Stars followed, with a return to Enyimba between 2018 and 2020 that culminated in an NPFL title.

    “I scored goals everywhere I went,” he says. “I even played in an NPFL All-Stars game against a Spanish team (Atletico Madrid) and scored when the home based players went on tour of Spain. At a point, Al Ahly of Egypt was close. Very close.”

    But injuries crept in. Form dipped. Contracts shortened. By 2023, after an unproductive five-month spell with Sunshine Stars of Akure, Bashir quietly hung up his boots.

    “I didn’t plan for life after football,” he admits. “That is my biggest regret.”

    Without coaching certificates or higher education qualifications, doors remained shut. Bashir, a former NPFL star, became a gateman at an agro-allied company in Ilorin, earning ₦70,000 monthly.

    “I had no choice,” he says. “I have a family. I must eat and feed them. Football glory does not buy food.”

    Living hand to mouth, Bashir says his failure to combine education with football haunts him daily.

    “It’s a pity I did not go to school properly. I only have SSCE. I wanted to go to NIS, but there was no money,” he explains. “If I had certificates, things would have been different.”

    Now 35, Bashir is determined that his children will not repeat his mistakes.

    “My children must go to school. I will suffer, but they will not. I don’t want them to beg life like this.”

    Football has a cruel way of discarding its heroes, but sometimes, it offers a second whistle.

     For Bashir, that moment came unexpectedly in Ilorin.

     “I never imagined I would return to football this way,” Bashir  said with an emotion-laden voice. “But I thank God.”

    While working as a gateman, Bashir was spotted by officials of his former club, ABS FC—the same club where it all began. The sight of a former captain standing at a gate shocked many within the football community.

    “That was my lowest point,” he admitted. “But even then, football was still in my heart.”

    ABS FC acted swiftly, appointing Bashir as the club’s Team Trainer. The pay is modest, only slightly better than what he earned as a security man but for Bashir, it represents dignity and hope.

    “This gesture has brought me back to my first love,” he said. “I feel human again.”

    The club has also pledged to sponsor him for a coaching course at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Lagos—a lifeline Bashir once dreamed of but could not afford.

    “If this opportunity had come earlier, my life would have changed,” he stated. “But I am grateful. Very grateful.”

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    He also singled out former Plateau United General Manager, Pius Henwan, for reaching out during his darkest period.

    “I thank him from my heart. When people forget you, that one call can save you.”

    Despite the new role, Bashir says survival remains a struggle. He openly appeals to his former clubs—Enyimba, Lobi Stars, Nasarawa United, Plateau United, Wikki Tourists and Sunshine Stars—to remember him.

    “I gave everything when I played,” he  recalled. “I am not asking for charity. I just want support to regain my identity and take care of my family.”

    His story has sparked conversations across Nigerian football about life after retirement, welfare structures and the need for education alongside sport.

    “I made mistakes,” Bashir admitted. “But I am still willing to learn. Football gave me a name; now I want it to give me purpose again.”

    In ABS FC’s training ground, Bashir now shouts instructions instead of celebrating goals. It is not the ending he imagined—but perhaps, finally, a beginning he deserves.

  • Akiolu hails Lagos Polo Club’s  festival landmarks

    Akiolu hails Lagos Polo Club’s  festival landmarks

    His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I, the Oba of Laos,  has described  the  Lagos International Polo Tournament as one of the most prestigious polo events in the world going by the record number of entries, quality of play and participation by world’s high ranking professionals.

    The royal father who was the Special Guest of Honour  for the finals of the Oba of Lagos Cup, praised  the organizers and  tournament’s host, the Lagos Polo Club,  for its unalloyed commitment to the noble game of polo that has positively impacted the promotion of the game around the country.

    Oba represented by Opeluwa Onido of Lagos, High Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ojose, maintained that the unmatched involvement of Lagos Polo Club in the promotion of the King of Games and the promotion of tourism for over a century now has helped in redirecting the energies of the youth and engaging them positively.

    High Chief Ajose who led the entire Traditional Rulers Council of the Oba in Lagos, was  part of the discerning crowd that cheered on as Lagos Shoreline/A1 team defeated visiting Wiltten Aviation team from Port Harcourt to clinch the highly revered Oba’s Cup, pointed out that the Palace will continue to identify with the noble game of polo.

    The Monarch maintained that the involvement of Lagos Polo Club in the promotion of the King of Games and the promotion of tourism for over a century now has helped in redirecting the energies of the youth towards positive causes.

    He noted that the club’s commitment with the noble game of polo has positively impacted the promotion of tourism around the country, Africa and indeed the world.

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    Lagos STL, Lagos Art Hotel and Lagos Shoreline/ A1 teams were the proud champions of the opening week of the prestigious event after sweeping through the crowded opening week to earn the highly revered Oba of Lagos Cup, Adedapo Ojora Cup and the Chapel Hill Denham Cup, respectively.

    The Seyi Tinubu-powered STL opened the flood gate of victories for the homers, turning back arch rival, Lagos Shoreline/A1 in hotly contested final game, to clinch the Adedapo Ojora, easing passed with their opponents 10- 5 in a five chukkas encounter.

    Lagos Polo Club president, Adeyemo Alakija who thanked the Lagos Oba and his entourage for honouring the invitation to be part of one of the biggest and the oldest polo tournaments in the continent, stated that the club would continue to with the Palace in the promotion of the highly revered Lagos Heritage tradition.

    An impressive 27 teams from all the major polo centers in the country parading skillful Nigerian players and professional foreigners from Europe, South Africa and Argentina are on ground to rumble for laurels in the oldest and the most glamorous polo festival in Nigeria dating back over a century and counting.

    The on-going international tournament that has over the years been refining social gatherings and significantly contributing to the Lagos hospitality, tourism and cultural exchange.

  • Goalkeeper Nwabali departs  Chippa United

    Goalkeeper Nwabali departs  Chippa United

    South African side, Chippa United, have parted ways with Nigeria international goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali by mutual consent, the club confirmed .

    The move was not an unexpected one with the 29-year-old having made clear his intentions to leave in the past, but the timing outside the transfer window means he is not a free agent.

    That is unless the deal was struck inside the January window and has only been communicated now, something that Chippa did not make clear in their statement.

     “Chippa United FC confirms that Stanley Nwabali has formally submitted a request to depart the club,” the Betway Premiership club said. “After careful consideration, the club has agreed to grant his release. We would like to thank Stanley for the years of service, commitment and professionalism he has shown during his time at Chippa United.

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    “His contribution to the club will always be appreciated. The club wishes Stanley every success in the next chapter of his career and all future endeavours.”

    Nwabali joined Chippa in 2022 and his exploits with the club led to a call-up to the Super Eagles side, where he entrenched himself as the number one at successive Africa Cup of Nations finals.

    Chippa caused some controversy back home when they made it clear they were supporting Nwabali, and Nigeria, in the semi-final against South Africa in the 2023 edition of the continental finals, something that did not go down well with all fans. 

    Nwabali made 12 appearances this season and 76 in all for the club.