The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Art Hotel unveils ‘killer’ squad ahead of   Lagos Polo season

    Art Hotel unveils ‘killer’ squad ahead of   Lagos Polo season

    The Art Hotel Polo Team has officially unveiled its squad for the 2026 Lagos Polo Season, setting the tone for a competitive campaign at the Lagos Polo International Tournament (LIPT) and the MP Lagos International Polo Tournament.

    The unveiling ceremony was held on Monday, January 26, in the presence of players, sponsors, patrons and members of the polo community at the at The Art Hotel, Lagos.

    Introducing members of  the team, captain Mohammed Sani Dangote, a two-goal player and Group Chief Executive Officer of DANSA Holdings, expressed optimism about the quality and balance of the squad selected for the Open Cup.

     “We’re excited to have a strong lineup for the Open Cup this year,” Dangote said. “I’m a two-goal player, we have Segundo Llorente, a five-goal player who has won with us before, Baba Dantata who is a two-goal player and Bautista Panelo, a four-goal player from Argentina who is playing in Nigeria for the first time.”

    Dangote added that the team is targeting silverware in the 2026 season.

     “It’s going to be an exciting tournament. We believe this year is ours for the taking, and this will be the beginning of many trophies to come,” he said.

    Speaking on expectations for the Art Hotel Polo Team and the tournament at large, Dangote, who also captains Lagos Polo Club, highlighted the pedigree and winning mentality within the squad.

     “You can expect us to fight to the finish. We have serial winners on this team,” he said. “Segundo has won titles at club level and with Argentina across the world. Baba Dantata has more trophies and MVP awards than many people his age, and Bautista Panelo is also a serial winner.”

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    He further explained the structure of the Lagos Polo International Tournament, noting that the team will compete in the Open Cup, a 10-goal  to 12-goal category designed to blend local and international talent.

     “The Open Cup encourages quality and balance. If you don’t have foreign professionals in that category, you have little chance of winning,” Dangote said. “We believe we have the right combination of experience, talent and attitude.”

    Returning Argentine international Segundo Fernandez Llorente, a five-goal handicap player, expressed his excitement about playing again in Nigeria and stressed the importance of respect for all opponents.

     “It’s great to be back in Lagos,” Llorente said. “Every team in the Open Cup is strong, so we have to respect them all. Our focus is to play each game seriously and perform as a unit.”

    First-time Nigeria visitor Bautista Panelo, a four-goal Argentine player, shared his impressions of Nigerian polo and what fans should expect from him.

     “Nigerian polo is very physical and competitive,” Panelo said. “I’m a committed player, very competitive, and I like to play attacking polo from midfield while helping my teammates perform better.”

    Panelo also praised the hospitality and playing conditions in Lagos.

     “This is my first time in Africa, and I’m enjoying Nigeria so far. The people are kind, the training sessions have been enjoyable, and the horses feel comfortable on the field,” he added.

    Two-goal player Ahmad Baba Dantata described the experience of playing alongside seasoned international professionals as invaluable.

     “The experience and knowledge they bring to the team is massive,” Dantata said. “Even outside training and matches, the conversations alone are a big takeaway. We’ll give everything to make sure we win this year.”

    Chairman of The Art Hotel, Habib Oniru, reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to polo, describing the partnership as a strong synergy between sport and lifestyle.

     “Polo represents teamwork, strong mind-set and entertainment, which aligns with our brand,” Oniru said. “This is our fifth year supporting polo, and we believe in building long-term relationships with the club.”

    Oniru added that the partnership has helped strengthen brand visibility and engagement.

     “Polo is a prestigious sport and fits perfectly with our hospitality offering. We’re looking forward to a fascinating and electrifying 2026 season,” he said.

    With a blend of international stars and experienced local players, the Art Hotel Polo Team will be aiming to make a strong impact in the Open Cup category as the 2026 Lagos Polo Season gets underway.

  • SuperSport to broadcast UCL Final Matchday dramas

    SuperSport to broadcast UCL Final Matchday dramas

    The final matchday of the Champions League group phase takes place tonight  with qualification and seeding still undecided. Some of Europe’s leading clubs face must-win fixtures to secure direct passage or play-off places to the Round of 16. All matches kick off at 9:00 p.m. live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv.

    PSG host Newcastle United in one of the night’s most decisive fixtures, with both sides level on 13 points inside the top eight. Newcastle arrive in strong form after a convincing win over PSV, while PSG will look to recover from defeat in Lisbon. A loss could see either side fall into the play-off places. The match will air on SS Football (DStv Ch. 205, GOtv Ch. 61).

    Chelsea travel to Napoli knowing victory guarantees their place in the Round of 16. Chelsea currently sit eighth and have shown renewed confidence under Liam Rosenior, while Napoli, positioned outside the qualification places, must win to keep their campaign alive. Coverage is live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202).

    Man City return to the Etihad under pressure after slipping out of the top eight following defeat in Norway. Pep Guardiola’s side need a strong response against Galatasaray to revive their automatic qualification hopes, while the visitors remain difficult to break down. The match will be shown on SS Variety (DStv Ch. 210).

    Read Also: Super Falcons to grace WAFU B  tourney ahead of WAFCON

    Barcelona face Copenhagen needing three points and favourable results elsewhere to climb into the top eight. After an impressive away win in Prague, Hansi Flick’s side will expect to deliver at home against a Copenhagen team fighting to stay alive in the competition. Live coverage is on SS Action (DStv Ch. 206, GOtv Ch. 66).

    Real Madrid travel to Benfica in a clash with contrasting objectives. Madrid are chasing top seeding after a dominant win over Monaco, while Benfica must win to avoid elimination. The fixture airs on SS La Liga (DStv Ch. 204, GOtv Ch. 62).

    Tottenham visit Eintracht Frankfurt aiming to finish high in the league standings. Frankfurt are already eliminated, while Spurs could climb as high as third with a win. Coverage is live on SS Africa 1 (DStv Ch. 207, GOtv Ch. 63).

    Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan meet in Germany with play-off seeding at stake. The match will air on SS GrandStand (DStv Ch. 201). Both sides are positioned to advance but will be keen to finish between ninth and 16th  to secure a home second leg in February.

  • Atalanta drop asking price as Fenerbahçe renew interest for Lookman

    Atalanta drop asking price as Fenerbahçe renew interest for Lookman

    Fenerbahçe have reignited their pursuit of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, shifting focus toward a potential loan deal as negotiations with Atalanta resume.

    Atalanta had initially valued the Nigerian attacker at €45 million but have reportedly reduced their asking price to €35 million due to limited competitive bids. In response, Fenerbahçe’s hierarchy is preparing a strategic visit to Italy to reopen discussions with both the player and the club.

    Read Also: Man City vs. Galatasaray: Osimhen’s Turkish giants chase historic 250th  UCL goal

    According to reports, the Turkish side intends to propose a loan move that includes an option to make the transfer permanent for the revised fee.

    Lookman has featured in 18 matches for Atalanta this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists, and remains a highly regarded attacking asset whose pace, creativity, and goal threat could significantly strengthen Fenerbahçe’s squad.

  • Birmingham City join race for Frank Onyeka

    Birmingham City join race for Frank Onyeka

    Birmingham City have intensified their transfer plans by joining the chase for Brentford and Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka, as interest in the Nigerian international continues to rise with the winter transfer window about to end.

    The Blues have now joined Coventry City and Sheffield United in monitoring the situation of the 28-year-old, with Brentford reportedly open to a sale and placing an £8 million valuation on the energetic midfielder. The Bees are believed to be assessing their options as part of a broader squad restructuring strategy.

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    Onyeka has built a reputation as a tireless, high-intensity midfielder, admired for his ball-winning ability, tactical intelligence, and relentless pressing. Since arriving from FC Midtjylland, he has played a key role in Brentford’s Premier League journey, earning praise for his professionalism and impact despite stiff competition for places.

    Championship clubs view Onyeka as a proven top-flight performer capable of adding leadership, physicality, and stability in a demanding promotion race.

    On the international stage, he remains an important figure for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, further boosting his appeal as his next career move approaches.

  • Ogbonda seals switch to Zambia’s  Power Dynamos

    Ogbonda seals switch to Zambia’s  Power Dynamos

    Left-back Evans Ogbonda has officially completed a transfer from Rangers International to Zambian powerhouse Power Dynamos, marking a significant step in his growing career.

    Rangers International confirmed the move yesterday, revealing that the club has secured a 40% sell-on clause in any future transfer involving the versatile defender. In a statement, the Flying Antelopes praised Ogbonda’s progress and expressed pride in his advancement to one of Southern Africa’s most respected clubs.

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    Ogbonda, who is also comfortable operating as an attacking winger on the left flank, made 14 appearances this season for Rangers, registering four assists. He now joins Power Dynamos, who are competing in the CAF Champions League, where they currently sit bottom of Group A.

    The left back previously played for defunct FC IfeanyiUba, Akwa United and Bendel Insurance.

  • Rivers athletes gear up for  2nd  Niger Delta Games

    Rivers athletes gear up for  2nd  Niger Delta Games

    Athletes from Rivers State have spoken excitedly about opportunities and potentials for a brighter future inherent in the Niger Delta Games (NDG)

    Some of these athletes who will participate in athletics, basketball, table tennis and others have taken to their social media accounts promoting the games and speaking of their expectations.

    The Rivers State basketball players, seen training for the second edition of the NDG coming up in Benin, Edo State, said they are excited at the prospect of defending the gold medal won in the event at the last edition of the NDG in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    Read Also: Super Falcons to grace WAFU B  tourney ahead of WAFCON

    At the Basketball Court on Niger/ Bende Streets in Port Harcourt township, the players said they have been training hard to ensure that they defend their title.

    Dalhati Wealth expressed confidence that his team will emerge victorious as they are learning new techniques and tactics to ensure victory.

     “As you can see every player is putting in good effort to be mentally and physically fit, including learning new tactics to be ready and maintain the level that saw us go all the way at the last Games.

    ” We started our preparation early because we want to achieve success at the end of the day. You know that if you don’t train and do not prepare early, you can’t perform when the chips are down,” Wealth said.

    He used the opportunity to commend the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) for initiating the sports programme with the vision to develop, empower and provide and enduring platform for youths in the region.

    ”This competition will no doubt discover talents in the region, and it will equally expose us to both local and foreign scouts because you can never tell.

     “You know we only have one Youth Games every year but this has added to the calendar towards sports development and the engagement of young people, especially, at the grassroots level” he stated.

    A very young looking Kelvin Harrison was seen in a promotional social media post boasting that his team would win gold for Rivers State.

    “Hello Rivers people, my name is Kelvin Harrison, a handballer for Rivers State. I’ll be joining over 3000 other athletes participating in the 2nd Niger Delta Games in Benin, Edo State from February 20-27. I am so excited and can’t wait to be there. See you there as I go for gold”, Harrison said in the viral video.

    Ebenezer Obas, added drama and fun when he rallied other basketball players on their training ground to add a psychological war dimension in a video. After introducing himself and speaking of their determination to retain the gold medal from the last edition, he invited others who stood behind him as they chorused “let’s go Rivers” as they broke into an opponent daring chant.

    Also speaking, another athlete, Hector Tobogu also commended NDDC for the initiative, saying that the tournament has discovered hidden talents in the area.

     “This competition has helped many youths develop interest in different sporting activities and is another way to showcase talents. As an athlete if you don’t compete in tournaments or competitions, you will not know your strength and improvement would be very difficult,” Tobogu said.

  • Organisers solicit  NSC’s support for  2026 Niger Delta Games

    Organisers solicit  NSC’s support for  2026 Niger Delta Games

    Organisers of the Niger Delta Games say the competition will continue to be an integral part of the sporting calendar of the National Sports Commission for the overall objective to change the trajectory of  the grassroots sports development in Nigeria.

    Malik Ikpokpo (KSM), Chairman of Dunamis Icon , organisers of the Niger Delta Games, said as much  during a courtesy visit to the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Hon. Bukola Olopade.

    Ikpokpo said his visit to the NSC  was to formally brief the Director General on the preparations towards the successful staging of the games this year in Edo state.

    He stated that the successful organisation of the first edition of the games last year in Akwa Ibom state was largely due to the strategic support of the NSC under the leadership of Mallam Shehu  and Hon Bukola Olopade.

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    ” We are very excited at the Niger Delta games that we have a very cordial relationship with the NSC and they have been very supportive in providing us with every form of technical and logistic assistance.

    ” This is why I am here to let the DG know our level of preparation as regards what our sponsor, NDDC are doing and how far we have gone with our host, Edo state, in their readiness to welcome the entire nine Niger Delta states.”

    He added that the Niger Delta Games is not just another competition but a sustainable breeding ground to discover and nurture Nigeria’s future talents.

    ” The Niger Delta games align perfectly with the new vision of the NSC to have a vibrant and sustainable sports economy that works through organisation of regular domestic competitions of international standard”, he concluded.

    The 2026 Niger Delta games is scheduled to hold  between  February 20th  and  26th  in Edo state.

  • Super Falcons’ Ayinde begins new chapter in Sweden

    Super Falcons’ Ayinde begins new chapter in Sweden

    Super Falcons midfielder Halimatu Ayinde has completed a move to Swedish champions BK Häcken, marking a new phase in her European club career.

    The 30-year-old defensive midfielder joined the Damallsvenskan title holders on a free transfer following her departure from FC Rosengård, where she spent three productive seasons. Ayinde brings a wealth of experience, having previously played for FC Minsk in Belarus and Swedish sides Asarums IF FK and Eskilstuna United.

    Read Also: Super Falcons to grace WAFU B  tourney ahead of WAFCON

    Known for her composure, defensive discipline, and leadership, Ayinde is expected to play a pivotal role as BK Häcken aim to defend their league crown and compete for major honours in Europe.

    The move also offers her a strong platform to further cement her status among Africa’s most respected midfielders.

  • Omewa joins Forest after successful  spell in Denmark

    Omewa joins Forest after successful  spell in Denmark

    Nottingham Forest Women have completed the signing of Super Falcons forward Joy Omewa from Danish side Fortuna Hjørring on a permanent deal running until the end of the 2025/26 season.

    The 23-year-old arrives with an impressive goal-scoring pedigree, having netted over 50 goals during a highly successful five-year spell with Fortuna Hjørring. Her time in Denmark saw her win two Danish Women’s Cups and the Kvindeligaen title in the 2024/25 season, where she was also crowned Player of the Season.

    Read Also: Man City vs. Galatasaray: Osimhen’s Turkish giants chase historic 250th  UCL goal

    Omewa began her career in Nigeria with Osun Babes and Confluence Queens before moving to Europe in 2021.

    Internationally, she has represented Nigeria at youth levels and earned her senior debut last year, playing a role in the Super Falcons’ qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

    Nottingham Forest head coach Carly Davies praised Omewa’s goal-scoring instinct and described her as a key addition to the club’s ambitions.

    Speaking after signing, Omewa expressed excitement about joining the ambitious club and pledged to contribute to the team’s success.

  • AFN President grieves with Kumoye over loss of wife

    AFN President grieves with Kumoye over loss of wife

    The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Chief Tonobok Okowa and the entire athletics family have condoled with Mr. Maxwell Kumoye, Chairman of the AFN Media Committee, over the sudden demise of his beloved wife, Mrs. Funmilayo Kumoye.

    In a personally signed statement,  Okowa expressed that everyone at the federation shares in the pain of the Kumoye family during this difficult time and prayed for God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

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    He stated: “I was incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of your dear wife. She was always so thoughtful and kind. She will truly be missed. I know there are no words that can ease your pain at this time, but please be comforted that God will continue to protect the children and the entire family. Just know that we at the AFN will always be here for you, no matter what.

    “I am aware that you and your late wife shared great times together. You were virtually inseparable. May all your wonderful memories comfort you during this heartbreaking time.”

    Meanwhile, the wider athletics family—including athletes, coaches, administrators, and professional colleagues (journalists)—has joined the AFN president in condoling Mr. Kumoye on his irreparable loss. They have expressed deep grief and prayed for God to console the bereaved family.