The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Match officials undergo  course for Morocco 2025

    Match officials undergo  course for Morocco 2025

    Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco,  the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said  it has organised a preparatory course for the referees as countdown to the 35th edition of the  continent’s prestigious tournament begin in earnest.

    According to the continental soccer ruling body,  the session which is been  held in Cairo, Egypt, brought together referees, assistant referees, video assistant referees (VAR) and technical and physical instructors under the supervision of the CAF Referees Committee.

    CAF noted:“The objective of this course was to ensure the best possible preparation of officials before the kick-off of the CAF TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025, which will take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

    Read Also: Rejuvenated Lookman  scores again  for  Atalanta

    “The program included physical testing, video match analysis sessions, as well as simulation workshops aimed at strengthening consistency of decisions, communication on the field and the consistent application of the Laws of the Game.

    “Participants also benefited from training on the use of VAR technologies, in accordance with the latest CAF and FIFA guidelines.”

    CAF  added that the preparatory  session illustrated the body’s  continued commitment to promoting excellence, transparency and credibility in African refereeing, which are essential to the success of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025.

    Recall that CAF  last week, named a  total of 73 highly experienced officials comprising 28 referees, 31 assistant referees, and 14 VAR officials have been appointed for this edition of Africa’s biggest football competition.

    No Nigerian   match official is pencilled for the tournament  holding in the North African country.

  • Bafana Bafana Squad for AFCON 2025:

    Bafana Bafana Squad for AFCON 2025:

    Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Defenders: Samukele Kabini (Molde), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers)

    Read Also: Cristian Ebere seals historic title for Nacional with last-minute goal

    Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela)

    Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Evidence Makgopa, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq).

  • South Africa name  two uncapped  players for AFCON 2025

    South Africa name  two uncapped  players for AFCON 2025

    South Africa named two uncapped players in a 25-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, with coach Hugo Broos seeking to give 20-year-olds Shandre Campbell and Tylon Smith added international exposure.

    The pair were surprise inclusions when Broos named his selection – the first of the 24 squads competing at the finals in Morocco later this month to be named.

    Campbell plays at Club Brugge in Belgium and Smith for Queens Park Rangers in the Championship and they have both had only a single senior start in domestic cup competition this season.

     “I’m also looking a little to the future with this selection,” Broos explained as he announced his squad. South Africa are competing at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. next year.

    Read Also: Rejuvenated Lookman  scores again  for  Atalanta

    There are nine players who survive from the squad that finished third at the last Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire.

    “We have to do at least the same thing we did at the last Cup of Nations finals, and that is reaching the semi-finals,” said the veteran Belgian coach.

    “We are going with a lot more experience, and that’s the big change that has happened to this team over the last two years. We’ve become a lot more mature.”

    South Africa open their tournament in Marrakech on December 22 against Angola and also meet Egypt and Zimbabwe in Group B.

  • Ancelotti confirms Estêvão  in Brazil’s  World Cup squad

    Ancelotti confirms Estêvão  in Brazil’s  World Cup squad

    Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has said Chelsea starlet Estêvão has earned himself a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

    Estêvão, 18, has stolen the limelight at Stamford Bridge since arriving at the club from Palmeiras for £29 million ($38m) in the summer.

    Asked if the Chelsea winger, who has scored three goals in five Champions League appearances, including a brilliant individual effort in the win against FC Barcelona last week, will feature for Brazil in next year’s big event, Ancelotti told Esporte Record: “I think so. “Based on how Estêvão has played in the last six months, I think so. Estêvão will be at the World Cup.”

    Read Also: Cristian Ebere seals historic title for Nacional with last-minute goal

    Estêvão, who made his Brazil debut on Sept. 2024, has broken into Ancelotti’s starting XI and has scored four goals in his last three appearances for the national team. He has five goals in 11 caps for Brazil.

    “He is a very, very special player,” Ancelotti said. “He is very different because he has a big natural talent. It doesn’t mean that he is 100 percent developed because of his age. In terms of his talent, he can’t improve it but what he can do is to give continuity.”

    Estêvão has made 11 Premier League appearances for Enzo Maresca’s side, starting in five of those games.

    Ancelotti is encouraged by how Chelsea are helping Estêvão develop.

    “What can help is the physical aspect, the tactical learning and the mental approach because he is very young,” he said. “He is progressing very, very well at Chelsea. I haven’t spoken to Chelsea but I’m certain that they are doing a specific program with him in this sense.

    “So I think the national team has to take advantage of this talent because it’s a very big one.”

  • Cristian Ebere seals historic title for Nacional with last-minute goal

    Cristian Ebere seals historic title for Nacional with last-minute goal

    Uruguayan football has found a new hero in Nigerian striker Cristian Ebere, whose dramatic goal secured Club Nacional de Football the 2025 Tournament crown.

    The title was confirmed on Sunday night as Nacional edged traditional rivals Club Atlético Peñarol 1-0 in a thrilling final at the Gran Parque Central stadium, with more than 40,000 fans witnessing Ebere’s match-winning strike in the 114th minute of extra time.

    Ebere, 27, who had battled a serious injury last year and saw limited action in the tournament, emerged as the defining figure in the finals. His performance in the first leg on Sunday had already marked him as a standout player, but his decisive goal yesterday immortalised him in Uruguayan football history.

    Read Also: Rejuvenated Lookman  scores again  for  Atalanta

    Born in Imo State, Ebere began his football journey in school competitions before joining Nigeria’s U-17 national team under Emmanuel Amunike.

    He was part of the squad that won the 2015 U-17 World Cup in Chile alongside Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze.

    His club career has since taken him across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, where he has steadily risen to prominence.

    With this victory, Cristian Ebere has not only won the hearts of Nacional supporters but also cemented his legacy as a Nigerian making a mark on South American football.

  • Rejuvenated Lookman  scores again  for  Atalanta

    Rejuvenated Lookman  scores again  for  Atalanta

    Super Eagles striker Ademola Lookman  is gradually  returning to his scoring best  after  securing his  second Serie A goal as Atalanta  comfortably eased past  Fiorentina in a 2-0 home win at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

    It was the first home game for new coach Raffaele Palladino  after a defeat at Napoli and 3-0 Champions League win away to Eintracht Frankfurt  and he did it against his old club as Atalanta ended  their eight-round Serie A winless streak.

    Read Also: Super Eagles: NFF  Scrap U.S. friendlies to prioritize World Cup Play-Offs

    Atalanta broke the deadlock with a spectacular strike, as Odilon Kossounou swept it first-time into the far top corner from the edge of the area on a De Ketelaere lay-off, but it was probably intended as a cross from the defender. It still counts as the first Serie A goal of his career.

    Lookman failed to make the most of a poor De Gea ball out from the back, drilling wide, while after the restart Kean’s header was too weak to trouble Carnesecchi on a Luca Ranieri cross.

    The hosts doubled their lead when De Gea made a big reaction save from De Ketelaere’s header on a corner, but could do nothing on Lookman’s follow-up into the roof of the net.

    Yesterday’s  made it two goals  in nine Serie A matches in the on-going  campaign , marking a positive turn after a turbulent summer in which a proposed move to Inter Milan fell through.

    The former African Footballer of the Year made another goal in a UEFA Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt  last week  as the countdown to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  is underway.

    Atalanta have now risen to 11th  position in the standings with 16 points from 13 matches.

  • Osimhen cleared for‘ Intercontinental Derby’  against Fenerbahce

    Osimhen cleared for‘ Intercontinental Derby’  against Fenerbahce

    Galatasaray President Dursun Ozbek has confirmed the availability of Victor Osimhen for tonight’s

     ‘Intercontinental Derby’ against bitter city rivals Fenerbache.

    Club’s  insiders initially feared Osimhen might not be ready after he suffered a hamstring injury on national-team duty but in a boost for the Yellow & Red — and their supporters — Osimhen has returned to training and is now reportedly back in contention for selection.

    But  Ozbek has now delivered the good news for Galatasaray faithful saying  in crisp post that  the Nigeria International is in the squad for the eagerly awaited  derby.

    “Osimhen will be in the squad,” Ozbek said. “He was the target.”

    Read Also: Nigeria v. Gabon: NFF Protests FIFA official appointments for W’ Cup Play-off

    Incidentally, Osimhen had enthused  that he was ready to risk  everything  in order  to feature in the high profile  Turkish Lig 1 encounter.

    “I know the importance of the Fenerbache Derby and what it means to the fans. I experienced this excitement last season,” he told Sabah newspaper. “Galatasaray signed me for such big matches.

     “If necessary, I will take risks and go out on the field and give my all.”

    Gala have struggled recently in Osimhen’s absence, evidently in last week’s humiliating UEFA Champions League defeat to Union Saint Gilloise of Belgium.

    It was in that context that former Watford FC captain Troy Deeney insisted Galatasaray urgently needed their marquee striker back, calling Osimhen one of the world’s top five strikers.

    “Once you lose that kind of player … you don’t have somebody large like him you can pull up from the bench or the youth team,” Deeney said.

  • LBHF mulls IBILE format as plans get underway for  Governor’s  Belt finale

    LBHF mulls IBILE format as plans get underway for  Governor’s  Belt finale

    The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) is gearing up for an elaborate end‑of‑year Governor’s Belt showdown scheduled for December 26 at the Molade Okoya‑Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, following the conclusion of its final monthly tournament over the weekend.

    The November edition drew notable attendance, including the Minister of Finance and President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Wale Edun, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of performances displayed by the young boxers.

    LBHF Director, David Mohamed, praised the athletes for their consistency, describing the monthly series, Nigeria’s longest‑running amateur boxing tournament, as a vital platform for grooming future champions.

     “LBHF has been huge. It is arguably the major platform that has helped amateur boxing in Nigeria. The number of fighters who have graduated from LBHF to become champions and Olympic medallists is remarkable. We are proud of what we’ve done, and we will keep going,” Mohamed said.

    He added that the 2025 Governor’s Belt would deliver the thrills and excitement fans have come to expect over the past 15 years, but on a grander scale.

     “We are going to get the cream of the crop and put up a great show. Everyone should be ready for us in December,” he said.

    Read Also: NSBMB :NFF welcomes scientific body to boost national  teams

    Mohamed also emphasized the importance of sustained investment in talent, coaching, and facilities, noting that the sport is in safe hands with the current leadership of the Nigeria Boxing Federation.

    Looking ahead, Mohamed announced that LBHF will introduce a new IBILE‑based format in January 2026, covering all administrative divisions of Lagos State.

     “We will go division by division to identify the best champions across Lagos. This series of competitions will breathe new life into the boxing scene. After 15 years, we are still here, and we are here to stay,” he said.

    Highlights from the November bouts saw Habeeb Bakare deliver the only knockout of the day, flooring Daniel Nkem in the men’s 69kg.The men’s 90kg contest between Daniel Nwose and Victor Okagbue was stopped by the referee, with Nwose declared the winner.

    In a tightly contested women’s 48kg bout, Aina Adekinwonsa edged Mistura Otenaike 3–2.

    Christian Obi dominated Paul Melvin with a 4–1 victory in the men’s 85kg. Seun Habu outclassed Fasosi Paisol 5–0 in the 70kg category.

    In the women’s 45kg division, Oyindamola Agboola overpowered Eniola Idowu with a commanding 5–0 win.

  • Tangerine APT Pension conquers PFA Games 2025

    Tangerine APT Pension conquers PFA Games 2025


    Tangerine APT Pension stormed the 2025 Pension Fund Administrators Games and snatched the crown with a commanding 66 points—ending FCMB’s reign and announcing themselves as the new champions of corporate sporting excellence.

    From the blast of the whistle to the final scoreboard, Tangerine APT played like an organisation possessed. They dominated volleyball and snooker, showcased brilliant tactical depth to finish second in chess behind Norrenberger, secured second place in team bonding behind Premium Pension, and held their own across the board—fourth in football, sixth in table tennis, fifth in scrabble, and eighth in e-sports, press conference, discipline and grooming. Every point mattered, and Tangerine APT grabbed them with fire.

    Defending champions FCMB, despite flashes of brilliance, simply could not summon last year’s magic. They finished second overall with 63 points—just three points behind the new champions. FCMB were first in scrabble, second in football, third in table tennis and e-sports, fourth in snooker and team bonding, and fifth in volleyball, chess, and press conference/discipline/grooming. A brave defence, but not enough to stop the Tangerine wave.

    Read Also: Nigeria v. Gabon: NFF Protests FIFA official appointments for W’ Cup Play-off

    Rounding off the podium is NPF Pension, finishing third with 57 points after a spirited campaign. They claimed gold in football, second in table tennis and e-sports, third in volleyball, fourth in scrabble, sixth in press conference/discipline/fanfare/most coordinated, seventh in chess, and eighth in snooker and team bonding.

    With the dust settled and the cheers still echoing, one truth stands tall: Tangerine APT Pension has ushered in a new era—bold, dominant, and unforgettable.

    PFA Games 2025: Final Standings

    1st – Tangerine APT Pension:66 points

    2nd– FCMB Pensions:63 points

    3rd – NPF Pension-:57 points

    4th -Norrenberger Pension: 52 points

    5th – Premium Pension: 47 points

    6th – NNPC Pension: 45 points

    7th -Access Arm: 41 points

    8th– Trustfund Pension: 29 points

    9th -PENCOM: 28 points

    10th -NUPEMCO: 25 points

  • NPFL : Enyimba  bounce back with  Oriental Derby’s  win  as Ikorodu City go top

    NPFL : Enyimba  bounce back with  Oriental Derby’s  win  as Ikorodu City go top

    Enyimba marked the beginning of the impending takeover of new head coach, Ayodeji Ayeni with a spirited 2-1 victory over Rangers International in the Oriental Derby, headlining a dramatic Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 15 round of fixtures.

    The People’s Elephant, winless since early November, finally ended their four-game drought at the Enyimba Stadium. Chidera Michael broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute before substitute Stanley Dimgba—continuing his super-sub form after scoring last weekend—doubled the advantage. Rangers’ Kenechukwu Agu curled in a brilliant stoppage-time free-kick, but Enyimba held on.

    The victory, their first under interim boss Lawrence Ukaegbu, lifts Enyimba to ninth on 20 points, while Rangers drop to seventh, but with two more points better than the People’s Elephant.

    In Lagos, Ikorodu City climbed to the summit of the NPFL with 27 points after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Abia Warriors at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Chidera Oparaocha punished goalkeeper Okiemute Odah’s error in the 69th minute to seal the points for the Oga Boys.

    Kun Khalifat also grabbed the spotlight with a crucial 2-0 win over Plateau United in Owerri. Goals from Lekan Gabriel and Henry Ezeonye secured their first victory in five games—an important result that lifted them out of the relegation zone with 17 points from 15 matches.

    Read Also: Reps to probe alleged misuse of FIFA grants by NFF

    Elsewhere, Shooting Stars edged Elkanemi Warriors 1-0 in Ibadan courtesy of Ayodele Ismail’s strike, while Warri Wolves also claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Nasarawa United in Ozoro through Othuke Egho.

    Kano hosted the most dramatic fixture of the weekend as Barau FC defeated Kwara United 3-2 in a five-goal thriller. Usman Maidubuji and Mohammed Umar scored for Barau, while Chibuzor Ezeh and Johnmark Aule replied for Kwara United. Despite goalkeeper Nurudeen Badmus saving a penalty, Kwara succumbed to a late winner from Stanley Oganbor in stoppage time.

    In Yenagoa, Bayelsa United and Katsina United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Ifeanyi Ogba converted an early penalty for Bayelsa before Azeez Falolu equalised for Katsina United.

    Saturday’s fixtures saw Remo Stars fall 1-0 to Niger Tornadoes, while Bendel Insurance continued their resurgence under Kennedy Boboye with a commanding 3-0 victory over Wikki Tourists, moving the Edo Arsenal to 17th place on 16 points.

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