The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Chelle recalls Okoye, Ejuke, for World Cup playoffs

    Chelle recalls Okoye, Ejuke, for World Cup playoffs

    Coach Eric Chelle has recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke, and Chidozie Awaziem, while suspended Semi Ajayi is also listed for next week’s CAF 2026 World Cup Playoffs in Morocco.

    Ajayi will miss the Gabon clash after he picked up his second booking in the qualifiers against Benin, but he will be eligible for the next stage of the Playoffs should Nigeria advance.

    Otherwise, this is about the same squad that beat both Lesotho and Benin last month to advance to the Playoffs.

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    The list includes team captain William Troost-Ekong, star striker Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey.

    Veteran midfielder Alex Iwobi, alongside Benjamin Fredericks, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ademola Lookman, were also named in the squad. Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams, and Olakunle Olusegun also made the cut.

    The players are expected to arrive in Morocco from their various clubs in Europe and beyond, converging in Rabat on Monday, November 10.

    Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat next on Thursday.

  • Gabon can upset Super Eagles, Mouyouma warns

    Gabon can upset Super Eagles, Mouyouma warns

    Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma has issued a stern warning to Nigeria ahead of their upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying playoff, insisting that the notion of ‘the strongest always win’ no longer holds true in modern football.

    Mouyouma emphasised the psychological and tactical preparation his team would undertake, noting that matches at this level are no longer decided by individual brilliance but by collective discipline and strategy.

    The Gabon boss drew comparisons with other top African sides the Panthers have faced recently, such as Senegal, Morocco, and Ivory Coast, asserting that his side would approach the fixture with a similar mindset.

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    “It won’t be a case of solving the problems on an individual level. It’s going to be on a tactical level. The challenge today is to keep up with the top-ranked teams,” Mouyouma said at a press conference monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.

    “The Nigeria we are facing was a top team in the group, and in the end, they did not qualify because they were not first in the group.

    “So what used to be said that the strongest always win does not exist today.”

    He went on to underline the competitive balance within African football, pointing out that Gabon, despite being lower in the Fifa rankings, possesses players capable of matching the continent’s elite.

  • Ademola, Juric resolve rift ahead of Atalanta v Sassuolo

    Ademola, Juric resolve rift ahead of Atalanta v Sassuolo

    Atalanta coach Ivan Juric has confirmed that his issue with Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has been resolved ahead of their Serie A clash against Sassuolo.

    Speaking during his pre-match press conference in Zingonia on Saturday, Juric said Lookman had trained regularly with the team following their UEFA Champions League victory over Marseille.

    “He always works well; that reaction is something that can happen now and then, “Juric said, as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

    Juric drew parallels to a previous situation involving goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi earlier in the season.

    “Ademola is unusual; you get over it. And sometimes these incidents help improve relationships: with Carnesecchi, we’ve opened up, and I feel much closer to him now.”

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    Juric commended Lookman for his display against Marseille, where the Nigerian forward saw his goal ruled out before his substitution.

    “He suffered, but in Marseille he played an excellent game, and I hope he continues to rise.”

    The 2024 African Footballer of the Year is expected to join the Super Eagles training camp after the Serie A game against Sassuolo on Sunday, having been included in the 24-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs against Gabon in Morocco next week.

  • Sunderland dramatically end Arsenal’s winning run

    Sunderland dramatically end Arsenal’s winning run

    Brian Brobbey scored a dramatic late equaliser as Arsenal conceded their first goals since September and had to settle for a point against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

    The Black Cats have been a breath of fresh air on their return to the top flight and rose to the challenge of facing a side who had won their past 10 games across all competitions.

    Sunderland were rewarded for an impressive first-half display when Daniel Ballard – who came through the Arsenal academy – drove in the opener as the visitors let in a goal for the first time in 812 minutes.

    Arsenal came out stronger in the second half and equalised when Declan Rice won the ball in midfield and it was worked to Bukayo Saka, who squeezed in a right-foot shot at the near post.

    Read Also: EPL: Brobbey’s late strike denies Arsenal victory at Sunderland

    Martin Zubimendi struck the woodwork with a fierce effort as Arsenal pushed for a winner, which they thought they had got when Leandro Trossard sent a superb 20-yard finish into the top left corner.

    But the hosts did not give up and, after David Raya denied Brobbey, the substitute was not to be denied when another chance came his way to be the Sunderland hero.

    He hooked a shot into the back of the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time to spark delighted celebrations on Wearside.

  • De Ligt scores late equaliser as Man Utd hold Spurs in thriller

    De Ligt scores late equaliser as Man Utd hold Spurs in thriller

    Matthijs de Ligt scored an equaliser deep into stoppage time to earn Manchester United a point in a Premier League thriller at Tottenham.

    In an astonishing climax to a game the visitors seemed to have control of, Brazilian striker Richarlison appeared to have won the game for Tottenham when he flicked Wilson Odobert’s long-range shot past Senne Lammens.

    But in the last six minutes of injury time, with keeper Lammens up for a Manchester United corner, De Ligt found the net from an acute angle to give his side a point.

    There were disbelieving looks from both sides at the end.

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    Richarlison was almost in tears, having jubilantly celebrated his goal, only to realise it had not proved to be the winner.

    Meanwhile, United head coach Ruben Amorim was equally stunned, having watched his side almost toss away a game they appeared to have control of.

    When Lammens made excellent saves to deny Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after the break, Tottenham looked to be heading for their third successive home Premier League defeat.

    However, the boos that accompanied Mathys Tel’s introduction for Xavi Simons midway through the second half turned to cheers when he swivelled on to a left wing-cross six minutes from time, evaded the attentions of De Ligt six and crashed a shot past Lammens.

    Richarlison, the subject of so much criticism recently, thought he had won it. De Ligt had other ideas.

  • 2nd Capital City race holds Nov 22

    2nd Capital City race holds Nov 22

    The second edition of the Capital City Race Ikeja will hold on Saturday, November 22, 2025, with organisers expecting another impressive turnout following last year’s successful maiden event.

    The 10km race, which is free but requires compulsory registration via www.capitalcityrace.com/register, will start from Ikeja City Mall and conclude at the AVMCC Field, GRA, Ikeja.

    The event has received endorsement from the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission, underlining the government’s commitment to promoting fitness and healthy living amongst residents.

    Read Also: EPL: Brobbey’s late strike denies Arsenal victory at Sunderland

    Last year’s inaugural edition attracted over 1,000 runners who participated in the race that commenced from City Mall Alausa and concluded at the AVMCC Field, Ikeja GRA.

    The maiden event, held on November 23, 2024, offered substantial cash prizes with winners in both male and female categories receiving N500,000, whilst the first runners-up got N300,000 and the second runners-up N200,000.

    Lagos State Sports Commission Director-General, Lekan Fatodu, had described the initiative as brilliant, aimed at promoting a healthy and active lifestyle amongst residents.

  • Ningi to open Senate President’s U-18 Unity Football Tourney

    Ningi to open Senate President’s U-18 Unity Football Tourney

    Abuja, November 9, 2025 – The 2nd edition of the 10th Senate President’s U-18 Unity Football Tournament kicks off tomorrow, November 10, 2025, at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, with Senator Abdul Ningi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports Development, representing the Senate President, His Excellency Godswill Akpabio, GCON, as the Guest of Honor.

    The tournament will feature an exciting match between Elegant Angels FA, Akwa Ibom State, and Horvel Football Academy, Plateau State, at 1pm, setting the tone for the main event, which will kick off at 3pm.

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    The competition will run until November 16, 2025, when it will be declared closed by the Senate President, His Excellency Distinguish Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, at 3pm.

    In a statement, Hon. John Ekpenyong, Tournament Coordinator, emphasized the significance of the tournament in promoting youth development through sports, saying, “This tournament is a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents, develop their skills, and promote national unity. We believe that sports has the power to transform lives and communities, and we are committed to supporting the development of young athletes in Nigeria.

  •  Tinubu sports festival unveiled in Ondo

     Tinubu sports festival unveiled in Ondo

    As part of efforts to strengthen grassroots sporting development, the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) in Ondo State has unveiled the Tinubu Sports Festival 2025.

     The Director General of GMT in the state, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, unveiled the tournament at the Adeyemi College of Education Sports Arena in Ondo West Local Government Area.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye said the initiative was designed to showcase the giant strides of President Bola Tinubu, noting that Nigerian sportsmen and women were now being recognized with national honours and other benefits, rather than “mere handshakes.”

    He explained that the sports festival, which will hold across five zones of the state, would also serve as a platform to sensitize residents on the ongoing reforms and achievements of President Tinubu.

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    According to him, the initiative is humanitarian in nature, urging the government at all levels, individuals, and corporate organizations to collaborate in building a better society.

    He commended the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for sponsoring the initiative and for his commitment to nurturing young talents through sports.

    “Sports has gone beyond entertainment. It is now a global business where talent can be discovered and where people can be gainfully engaged.

    “Apart from mobilizing support for Asiwaju, this festival will engage our youths, take them off the streets, and help them build meaningful careers in sports,” Yusuf-Ogunleye said.

    He revealed that the month-long festival would feature various sporting events, including football, basketball, handball, volleyball, lawn tennis, wrestling, athletics, boxing, table tennis, and traditional games such as Ayo Olopon.

    According to him, the grand finale of the festival, he added, is scheduled to hold in Akure on December 6 to further showcase President Tinubu’s passion for sports and youth development.

    Earlier, the Director General of GMT in Ogun State, Mr. Tola Banjo described the festival as historic, praising Dr. Tunji-Ojo as “a pride to the nation” for his transformational leadership and humanitarian contributions.

  • Chelsea cruise past Wolves with commanding 3–0 win

    Chelsea cruise past Wolves with commanding 3–0 win

    Chelsea produced a dominant performance to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with all three goals coming in the second half.

    Malo Gusto opened the scoring for the Blues, before Joao Pedro doubled the lead with a composed finish. Pedro Neto added a third, securing a commanding win for Chelsea.

    Read Also: EPL: Brobbey’s late strike denies Arsenal victory at Sunderland

    The victory lifts Chelsea to second place in the Premier League, keeping them in contention for the top spot, while Wolves remain entrenched in a relegation battle.

    Chelsea controlled possession throughout the game, boosting confidence in manager Enzo Maresca’s squad as they aim to maintain momentum in the title race.

    Wolverhampton, meanwhile, must quickly regroup after another setback in their fight to escape the relegation zone.

  • Late Lloris equaliser denies Awaziem Nantes victory

    Late Lloris equaliser denies Awaziem Nantes victory

    A stoppage-time goal from Le Havre’s Gautier Lloris denied Chidozie Awaziem and his Nantes teammates all three points, as their Ligue 1 clash ended 1-1 on Saturday.

    Nantes, who came into the match on a two-game losing streak and winless in their last three, made a bright start when Matthis Abline opened the scoring just four minutes into the encounter.

    Read Also: Awaziem undergoes  medical ahead of Nantes’ return

    Awaziem featured for the entire 90 minutes as Nantes held on for most of the match, only to be undone deep into stoppage time when Lloris struck in the 95th minute to earn Le Havre a share of the spoils.

    The draw leaves Nantes in 14th place on 10 points in the 18-team Ligue 1 table.

    Awaziem is now expected to join the Nigerian squad in Morocco ahead of next Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon.