The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Bayelsa confirms readiness for 4th  Gov. Douye Diri wrestling tourney

    Bayelsa confirms readiness for 4th  Gov. Douye Diri wrestling tourney

    Bayelsa State’ Commissioner for Sports Development,  Honourable Daniel Igali, has  affirmed the state’s readiness  to host the 4thc Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Championship.

    The Bayelsa State Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, will engage the nation’s brimming wrestlers in Yenagoa,  the Bayelsa State capital in a national battle on the mat between  December 12th  to 20th .

    Speaking in Yenagoa on Tuesday, Igali said  Bayelsa will host one of the most glamorous championships it has ever had, attributing the statement to the passionate and sporting drive of Governor Diri.

    He noted that Governor Diri has consistently sponsored initiatives of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, thus his confidence of a better championship this year.

    “In every year from 2009, the state has hosted this competition and under His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, this happens to be the 4th edition and we are hoping this would be probably one of the better organised competitions we’ve ever had.” Igali said.

    The member of the World Wrestling Governing body (UWW) highlighted new changes and additions to this year’s edition.

    “This year we’ve added three more weight categories to what used to be twelve weight categories in each style, totalling fifteen in women’s wrestling, fifteen in Greco-Roman and fifteen in men’s freestyle while in the u15 there are five new weight categories.

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    “This is because we believe we need to invest a lot more in our younger athletes who are the future of Nigeria wrestling,” he noted.

    Meanwhile,  Igali confirmed that for the first time, the championship will feature traditional wrestling now called beach wrestling, which will see four weight classes in men and women battle for supremacy.

    The Honourable commissioner said the wrestling championship will take place at the Samson Siasia Stadium while Beach Wrestling will be held at Bayelsa Medical University grounds, Imgbi Road, Amarata all located in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital.

    Meanwhile, the 4th  Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Championship will see delegates arrive on 12th  December with hostility beginning 14th  December .

  • Ardova HPL: Niger United stun Correction Boys in Lagos thriller

    Ardova HPL: Niger United stun Correction Boys in Lagos thriller

    Niger United of Minna defeated Correction Boys 28-26 in a thrilling tie played on Tuesday at the s ongoing Ardova Handball Premier League Second Phase tournament in Lagos.

    Both teams came out with intent in the opening moments of the game spreading passes, scoring and defending with gusto.

    However, the Niger United team coached by Adebayo Yekini, who seems to be having a good run, raced into a 16-12 lead at the end of the first half.

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    At the beginning of the second half, the Correction Boys stepped up their game but their forays were curtailed by United  who  won the game 28-26. United had their solid defence to thank in the dying moments of the encounter.

    In the female category, Omo Ogiefo defeated Rivers Queens 38-24 to continue their rise on the table. The Benin-based team were at their best again Queens who looked subdued towards the end of the game.

    Imo Grasshopper, who are third on the table beat Ekiti Queens 40-21 to maintain their spot, while Plateau Peacocks lost Rima Queens 27-23.

    Champions Safety Babes also defeated Defender Babes 32-27 to record their second win after their first loss in three years to Ogeifo last week

  • Nigeria win  volleyball event at inaugural W’ Africa Zone A &B

    Nigeria win  volleyball event at inaugural W’ Africa Zone A &B

    ‎Nigeria emerged champions of the Para Volleyball event at the inaugural  West Africa Zone A &B following a 3-0 defeat of Ghana.

    En route to their success, Nigeria pulled off a 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-22) win in their first game against Niger Republic. Their experience again came to the fore in the final game against Ghana as they claimed their second successive victory to emerge winner.

    In the decisive final against the hosts, Nigeria set the tone,  racing  to a 25-10 points win in the first set. They  won the  second set with a flattery  25-6 points win while they finished off the third set with another 25-16 points win

    Read Also: NFF sets record straight on FIFA,CAF funds

    ‎Speaking after their victory, President of the Paravolley Federation of Nigeria, Kayode Ladele, noted that the win affirmed the board’s dedication to developing the sport in Nigeria.

    ‎”It makes me feel achieved, since we have been putting works into developing Paravolley in Nigeria, people can now see the results in the open. You cannot challenge victory, victory is victory.”

    ‎Technical Director and Head Coach of the team, Priscilla Agara thanked the Paravolley President, Ladele for consistently exposing the team to international competitions such as the 2024 Paralympic Games qualifiers and 2024 Para volleyball Club Championship.

    ‎”The win is a massive one for Nigeria. It confirms our status in the West African sub-region. We are grateful to God for the victory and I want to thank my players for being the gold home.”

  • Ranchers Bees’ coach resigns  amid security, welfare concerns

    Ranchers Bees’ coach resigns  amid security, welfare concerns

    Coach Patrick Bassey has resigned with immediate effect from his role as head coach of Ranchers Bees FC of Kaduna, citing security concerns, poor welfare conditions and interference from club management.

    The resignation letter — dated 2nd  December 2025 — underscored deep frustrations: Bassey complained of repeated instructions for risky night-time travels after away matches, inadequate provision of essentials (boots, proper meals), insufficient support for officials, and unwelcome interference in technical decisions such as substitutions and team talks.

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    Despite the club’s promising start to the season — reportedly second in the league after three matches — Bassey described the environment as “unprofessional and intolerable,” arguing the conditions threatened both his safety and the club’s promotion ambitions.

    Ranchers Bees had only recently unveiled Bassey as their new head coach, under the revived ownership led by Sadiq Umar and politician Bello El-Rufai, who aimed to restore the club to its former glory.

    The resignation throws the club’s promotion plans into uncertainty — and raises broader questions about the welfare and security of football professionals in Nigeria’s lower leagues.

  • Moffi, others may quit Nice over violence incident

    Moffi, others may quit Nice over violence incident

    Super Eagles attacker, Terem Moffi is reportedly desperate to leave French side, Nice, after a terrifying incident at the team’s training ground.

    Late Sunday night, roughly 400 angry supporters — including ultras — waited outside and confronted the squad returning from a 3–1 defeat to FC Lorient.

    Moffi was among the worst-affected according to multiple witnesses as he was reportedly punched, kicked (including to the groin), had his hair pulled — and was spat at.

    He has since been placed on sick leave for a week.  The shock appears to have triggered a desire to move on — reports say Moffi has asked his agent to explore transfer options elsewhere, unwilling to remain in an environment where he no longer feels safe.

    Jérémie Boga, a team-mate and frequent collaborator of Moffi, was also violently targeted: he reportedly suffered punches, kicks, and racist abuse, then was given five days’ medical leave.  He, too, is said to be seeking a way out.

    Read Also: NFF sets record straight on FIFA,CAF funds

    Beyond Moffi and Boga, other members of the squad — traumatised by the security lapse and the scale of the violence — are reportedly weighing their futures at Nice.  Even the club’s sporting director, Florian Maurice, was assaulted, underscoring how deep the breach of safety was.

    Nice swiftly condemned the violence as “unacceptable,” stating the club stands in full support of the affected players.  The governing body, Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), has also pledged to join as a civil party in the complaints filed by Moffi and Boga, promising a formal investigation.

    With the January transfer window approaching, it’s becoming increasingly likely that what began as a violent outburst may trigger a full-blown exodus from Nice. If Moffi and Boga — two of their most influential attackers — leave, the club faces not only a talent drain but a severe blow to morale and cohesion.

  • Okoye targets career leap after rebirth at Udinese

    Okoye targets career leap after rebirth at Udinese

    Nigeria international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye says he is ready to take the next major step in his career following his revival at  in Serie A side, Udinese, admitting that his difficult spell at Watford played a key role in shaping the player he has become.

    In an exclusive chat with Footy-Africa, Okoye reflected on his 2021 move to Watford from Sparta Rotterdam — a €5m transfer that was expected to elevate his career.

    Instead, he found himself stuck as the club’s third-choice goalkeeper, limited to just two cup appearances — a Carabao Cup loss to MK Dons and an FA Cup defeat to Reading — without a single Championship outing.

    The then-22-year-old battled fitness issues and recovered from shoulder surgery during his time at Vicarage Road, a phase he described as mentally and physically draining.

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     “My time at Watford was challenging — there was a lot happening, not only on the pitch but also off it. I was younger and dealing with many things at the same time, including recovering from shoulder surgery. It was a tough period,” Okoye told Footy-Africa.

    He eventually made the switch to Udinese, where after a slow start, he forced his way to the top of the pecking order. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the most improved and reliable goalkeepers in Serie A.

    With his confidence and form fully restored, Okoye believes the experience has prepared him for the next chapter.

     “I want to take the next step in my career,” he said — a hint that the in-form shot-stopper could be open to a big move in the near future.

  • Quarter-finalists  confirmed for HerGame Girls Football Championship 2025

    Quarter-finalists  confirmed for HerGame Girls Football Championship 2025

    Matchday Four of the HerGame Girls Football Championship 2025 delivered a decisive round of fixtures on Tuesday as the group stage came to a close, confirming the eight teams advancing to the knockout phase.

    The day featured three tightly contested draws and a walkover, all of which played a major role in shaping the final standings.

    Nazareth Queens and Pitchwild FA opened the day with a tense 0–0 draw, a result that ensured Nazareth’s progression based on their earlier strong performances. Diamond Queens and M.Square FA followed with another goalless contest, as both sides exited the tournament despite displaying defensive discipline.

    Read Also: Play-Offs:  NFF tips Super Eagles to subdue Panthers  after pay dispute

    EUPA Queens were awarded a 3–0 walkover victory against Ladi Kwali Queens, a result that boosted their standing and contributed to the final knockout placements. The last fixture of the day saw Nasarawa Shooting and Talent Developer play out a balanced 0–0 draw, with Talent Developer progressing due to superior goal difference.

    At the close of the group stage, eight teams officially secured their quarterfinal spots: Generation Next, Jeremiah Angels, SIK Paragon, Talent Developer, Nasarawa Shooting, Horvel Angels, FOSLA Academy, and BIA Angels.

    The quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday with the following fixtures: Generation Next vs. Jeremiah Angels, SIK Paragon vs. Talent Developer, Nasarawa Shooting vs. Horvel Angels, and FOSLA Academy vs. BIA Angels, promising another thrilling knockout stages.

  • 44-year-old Serena gears up  for tennis  return

    44-year-old Serena gears up  for tennis  return

    Former World No. 1 Serena Williams took a major step toward a potential return to professional tennis by recently re-entering the anti-doping testing pool, according to The Athletic.

    The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s name appeared on an Oct. 6 list of players in the International Registered Testing Pool, a requirement for a return to competition.

    “She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool,” Adrian Bassett, a spokesperson for the International Tennis Integrity Agency, confirmed in a text message Tuesday to The Athletic.

    “I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option. All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.”

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    A spokesperson for Williams did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Williams, 44, last played on the WTA Tour at the U.S. Open in 2022. In August of that year, she announced in a Vogue magazine article that she was “evolving away” from tennis.

    “I have never liked the word retirement,” she wrote. “It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people. Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution.”

    Ranked No. 1 for 319 weeks, Williams won 73 singles titles on the WTA Tour and earned nearly $95 million in prize money. She won Wimbledon and the Australian Open seven times each, the U.S. Open six times and the French Open three times.

    Williams also won 14 major doubles titles with her sister, Venus. She is the only player to accomplish a career Golden Slam (all four majors) in both singles and doubles.

    Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, are raising two daughters.

  • Alonso underscores Mbappe’s importance to Real Madrid  

    Alonso underscores Mbappe’s importance to Real Madrid  

    Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said French superstar Kylian Mbappe was vital to the team for more than just his prolific goal scoring.

    The striker slammed home four against Olympiacos in the Champions League last week and has 23 goals in 19 games across all competitions this season.

    Mbappe has called on Madrid to be united in recent weeks as the Spanish giants struggle for consistency under Alonso.

     “He’s been very good individually, helping the team a lot,” Alonso told a news conference ahead of today’s trip to face Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

     “It’s not just about goals for Kylian, which in the end is the most important thing, but he does other hugely fundamental things like leadership, influence, helping his team-mates, and that’s so important day to day.”

    Madrid are a point behind champions Barcelona after a third consecutive top flight draw on Sunday, at Catalan minnows Girona.

    Read Also: Abandoned FIFA Project: Monimichelle faults NFF on funding as equipment  rot away in Ugborodo  

    Spanish media have speculated Alonso’s future as Madrid coach is at stake if the team do not improve.

    The Basque coach admitted he has spoken recently to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez about turning the team’s form around.

     “The conversations are very positive, in a good tone, wanting to improve the results and that’s what we’ve spoken about,” said Alonso, who conceded Madrid have been erratic this season.

     “I think we’ve lacked consistency in our game, and we want to play better in the next one,” continued the coach. “We’ve lost a bit of quality in our play, we’ve lost a little bit of energy.”

    Madrid will be without French left-back Ferland Mendy for the visit to Bilbao.

    Mendy was “diagnosed with a hamstring injury”, said Madrid in a statement, less than a week after returning from a thigh problem against Olympiacos in the Champions League, for his first appearance of the season.

    Spanish media said the new injury would keep Mendy out for around three weeks.

  • Spain overpower Germany to win second women’s Nations League

    Spain overpower Germany to win second women’s Nations League

    Spain defended their women’s Nations League title with a 3-0 second leg win over Germany on Tuesday, following a goalless draw last week.

    Claudia Pina’s second-half brace, either side of a Vicky Lopez strike, secured 2023 World Cup winners Spain a third international trophy.

    A record crowd on home soil for Spain of 55,843 at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium watched Sonia Bermudez’s side claim the first silverware of the new coach’s reign.

    Spain were shorn of three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati after she fractured her leg on Sunday in training, but swept to victory with a convincing display in the capital.

    The Euro 2025 runners-up relied on goalkeeper Cata Coll to keep their hopes alive during the first leg in Kaiserslautern but dominated Christian Wueck’s visitors in the decisive second leg.

     “We had one objective, which was to win, and we did it,” Pina told TVE.

     “It was a great game from the whole team and a new trophy,” she continued.”(The atmosphere was) crazy, the fans, who always support us, came here, without them the victory wouldn’t have been possible.”

    Esther Gonzalez fired narrowly wide early on and Ann-Katrin Berger saved Alexia Putellas’s header.

    Coll fielded two Germany efforts from distance, but Spain were in control.

    Arsenal playmaker Mariona Caldentey could have scored twice in the first half, but volleyed over when well-placed and punted another effort straight at Berger.

    The best chance of the first half fell to Germany’s Nicole Anyomi just before the break, but she dragged her shot narrowly wide.

    The visitors started the second half strongly, too, before Pina fired Spain ahead in the 61st minute.

    The Barcelona forward exchanged passes with Caldentey before drilling home from the edge of the box. Berger got a hand to her shot and could have kept it out.

    Her teenage Barca team-mate Lopez grabbed the second with a delicious curling shot past Berger seven minutes later, having come close with a similar effort in the first half which dipped just over.

    Pina wrapped up Spain’s triumph with a fine solo goal, winning the ball back just inside Germany territory, driving forward and firing spectacularly into the top corner from distance.

    Former Atletico and Barcelona striker Jenni Hermoso played the final 10 minutes as a substitute and was overjoyed to win another trophy with the national team.

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    Hermoso was forcibly kissed on the lips after Spain won the 2023 World Cup by then Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales, creating worldwide outrage.

    Former Spain coach Montse Tome dropped her from the squad but Bermudez recalled Hermoso for the Nations League semis and final after a year in the cold.

     “My happy face says it all, to come back, to win in my city, with my people, with the whole family, that we put on a show, it’s great,” Hermoso told TVE. “Today I am very proud to wear this shirt, to win a title, and still be enjoying football.”

    Players celebrated wildly with coach Bermudez afterwards, reflecting a change from the colder relationship they had with Tome, and worse still, Jorge Vilda, who was sacked after the World Cup win amid a huge player strike and the Rubiales kiss scandal.

     “This is a very beautiful day to enjoy,” said Bermudez. “There (in Germany) we weren’t the Spain we wanted to be, we knew that we had the support of the fans here and they were very important.”

    Germany, who last won major honours at the 2016 Olympics, lost against the same opponents in the semi-finals of the Euros and had hoped to claim revenge, but were unpicked by a Spain team in their golden era.

     “I think you saw over two games that we could play at the same level as Spain for much of it. We can take a lot of positives away from this, especially from the first game,” Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nuesken told ARD. “I think the 1-0 broke us today,” she continued. “The Spanish are incredibly efficient. We simply have to keep working to be more efficient in front of goal.”