The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Unbeaten Ikorodu City Academy win 2025 1XCup Tourney

    Unbeaten Ikorodu City Academy win 2025 1XCup Tourney

    Ikorodu City Football Academy has emerged winners of the 2025 1XCup Grassroots Football tournament defeating ISAGT FC 1-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Lagos Island.

    The Ikorodu Oga Boys went all the way to the title unbeaten in the tournament and deservedly got rewarded with the N10 million winners’ prize money.

    Emmanuel Okeh scored the solitary winner deep into the second half after several missed opportunities in the first half. ISAGT were rewarded with N5million as runners up of the 2025 edition of the biggest grassroots football tournament in the country.

    Earlier in the third placed match, Dosu Joseph FC defeated Nath Boys FC 2-1 to pick the consolation bronze and N3million prize.

    In the individual prize awards, Uche Emeribe emerged the Highest Goals Scorer with five goals and got N300,000 for his effort.

    Abdullahi Suleiman emerged the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament while Adewale Quadri was the MVP. Ikorodu City FA’s Wellington Egor was the Tournament’s Best Coach. They all received N300,000 each .

    Expectedly, Ikorodu City FA also emerged Team of the Tournament while Highlight of the 2025 edition was Dosu Joseph FC.

    Read Also: Ballon d’Or: NFF congratulates Nnadozie, Madugu

    Speaking shortly after the prize presentation ceremony, Tournament’s Organiser, Waidi Akanni expressed his happiness with the impact the competition has made in the life of young talented footballers

    “I want to say this 1XCup tournament sponsored by 1XBet has really lived up to the aims and objectives of initiating the competition,” the former Super Eagles star said. “As you can see, we have couple of players that have played here that have moved on to bigger leagues here at home and abroad.

     “ Every year, we keep have new, fresh team coming up to reach the podium and win millions of Naira. This year for instance, al, the teams that played from the last 8 Stage didn’t play from the semifinal last year. This is a welcome development. It shows that more and more talents are emerging from the grassroots,” he added.

  • Finalists  emerge for 2025 Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup

    Finalists  emerge for 2025 Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup

    Organisers axe Otokutu GS

    Urhobo College, Uvwie, who lost out in one of the semifinals of the 2025 Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup, has now been upgraded to the final instead of the third-place match after their opponent, Otokutu Grammar School, Ughelli South, was sanctioned by the organisers for fielding an ineligible player in the semifinal game.

    Otokutu Grammar School, had won the semifinal game 3-0 and was poised to face off against Ogbe-ijoh Grammar School Warri South West in the final, but everything changed after there was a protest against them and after investigation, the result was reversed as they will now be playing the third place game against Justice Peace & Success Academy, Aniocha South.

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    The final was earlier scheduled for October 16 but had to be changed due to the investigation into the protest and according to the organisers, the protest was genuine, hence the decision to reverse the result of the semifinal.

    With the protest and investigations now behind them, the organisers already promised to announce a new date for the third place and the final game of the competition.

    The final will take place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, on a yet to be announce date, with the day starting with the third place game between Justice Peace & Success Academy and Otokutu Grammar School while the final will now be between Urhobo College, Uvwie and Ogbe-ijoh Grammar School Warri South West.

  • 2025 Gold Cup: FC Ebedei pips 10-man Sunshine Stars

    2025 Gold Cup: FC Ebedei pips 10-man Sunshine Stars

    Stormers, Ekiti United share spoils

    Former champions Sunshine Stars faced a reality check with a surprising 0-2 defeat to FC Ebedei in the final MatchDay 1 fixture of the 2025 Gold Cup pre-season tournament.

    Two first-half goals secured the victory for the Oliseh Boys, with Joseph Okuaghaare scoring from open play and Kennedy John converting a penalty. This marked a significant achievement for FC Ebedei, as it was the first time they had earned three points from their opening fixture in the last 12 editions of the tournament.

    The match began with an early strike from Okuaghaare in the 5th  minute, which rattled the Sunshine Stars squad. It was sublime from the lad.

    Things took a turn for the worse for Sunshine Stars when Chinoso Okonkwo received a straight red card 12 minutes later due to a reckless tackle inside his own box.

    Read Also: NFF D-License coaching course takes off in Abuja

    This marked the first red card of the 13th edition of the tournament.

    Kennedy John capitalized on the opportunity, confidently dispatching the penalty into the bottom corner of the goal.

    Despite being reduced to 10 players, Sunshine Stars fought hard but were unable to break through the resilient defence of the Oliseh Boys, who sit atop the group and have leapfrogged Sporting Lagos into second place based on goal difference.

    In another match featuring NNL teams, Stormers SC did their best to overcome Ekiti United, but the two teams ended up sharing the spoils in a tense fixture.

    Crown FC comfortably secured the top position in Group B after a solid 2-0 victory over Seamoriowo FC of Lagos.

  • NPFL: Kwara United sweat over  injured players ahead of Katsina United tie

    NPFL: Kwara United sweat over  injured players ahead of Katsina United tie

    Kwara United have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 9 fixture against Katsina United, with five key players ruled out through illness and injury.

    The affected players include Aliu Saulaudeen, Muhammad Alao, Mubarak Saed, Obiora Kingsley, and Mises Nyebe. According to the club’s medical department, Alao and Saed are battling malaria, while Saulaudeen is nursing an injury. Kingsley and Nyebe are also sidelined as they recover from minor knocks.

    Read Also: NFF D-License coaching course takes off in Abuja

    The Harmony Boys will hope their depleted squad can still deliver when they host Katsina United this weekend at the Rashidi Yekini Stadium, Ilorin.

    Kwara United will be aiming to build on their spirited 1–1 away draw against Wikki Tourists last Sunday — a result that lifted them to 14th on the NPFL table with nine points after eight matches.

  • CAF Champions League:  Nigeria’s Envoy in Maputo urges Rivers United to make Nigeria proud

    CAF Champions League:  Nigeria’s Envoy in Maputo urges Rivers United to make Nigeria proud

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Mr. Aminu Abdulhamid, has challenged  the Rivers United FC to give their all and make the country proud as they prepare to face Black Bulls in the CAF TotalEnergies Champions League second preliminary round in Maputo.

    Welcoming the team at the Nigerian Embassy shortly after their arrival yesterday, Ambassador Abdulhamid assured the players and officials of the embassy’s full support throughout their stay.

    “I want to welcome you to Mozambique and assure you that our doors are open 24 hours for you,” the envoy declared. “We will also mobilize the Nigerian community to be fully present at the stadium to cheer you to victory.”

    The Rivers United contingent, led by General Manager, Okey Kpalukwu, was warmly received at the Maputo International Airport by officials of the Nigerian Embassy and members of the Nigerian community before being hosted to a brief reception at the chancery.

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    Kpalukwu, who also serves as a board member of the NPFL and Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners Association, expressed gratitude to the Ambassador and the Nigerian community for the warm reception. He urged continued support as the team aims to advance to the next round of the competition.

    Similarly, Dr. Ayo Abdulrahaman, representing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), appreciated the envoy’s hospitality and pledged that Rivers United would justify the confidence reposed in them.

    Head Coach Finidi George assured that the players are motivated and determined to secure a positive result ahead of the return leg in Nigeria.

    The match is scheduled for tomorrow  at the Estádio do Zimpeto in Maputo. As a gesture of appreciation, Chief Kpalukwu presented Rivers United replica jerseys to the Ambassador and embassy officials.

  • ITTF Africa Championships: Teams battle for spots to  London 2026

    ITTF Africa Championships: Teams battle for spots to  London 2026

    The race for the eight available African team slots at the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships intensifies today, October 17, at the ongoing 2025 ITTF Africa Championships at the Rades Multidisciplinary Complex in the coastal city of Tunis, Tunisia.

    A total of 16 men’s and 14 women’s teams began their campaigns from the group stage, with Egypt and Nigeria seeded as the top contenders. All eyes are on qualification for the prestigious global tournament, set to take place in London—the birthplace of table tennis.

    The 2026 edition of the World Team Championships also marks the centenary celebration of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), adding extra significance to the battle for qualification in Tunis.

    Egypt, the defending champions in both the men’s and women’s events, is fielding a formidable squad led by newly crowned singles champions Omar Assar and Hana Goda.

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    Nigeria, however, is competing without Africa’s top-ranked male player, Quadri Aruna, a notable absence that has impacted their singles campaign, with no Nigerian reaching the quarterfinals. The team managed a bronze medal in the Men’s Doubles event.

    Despite the setback, returning team member Taiwo Mati remains optimistic. “We really missed our captain, but that notwithstanding, we’re ready to face any team in the competition. We all want to go to London in 2026, and we’re hopeful of clinching one of the tickets,” Mati said.

    Host nation Tunisia is banking on star player Wassim Essid, while rising talents like Youssef Aidli are expected to step up when it matters most.

    Algeria, led by Mehdi Bouloussa and veteran Sami Kherouf, is brimming with confidence and determined to challenge Egypt’s dominance in the team events.

  • ANOCA Zone III Games: Team Nigeria sweeps 12 gold medals in weightlifting , badminton

    ANOCA Zone III Games: Team Nigeria sweeps 12 gold medals in weightlifting , badminton

    Team Nigeria put up a dominant performance in both the  weightlifting and badminton at the  ANOCA ZONE III Games in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, yesterday by grabbing  a total of 12 Gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal to round off its campaign at the regional competition.

    In Weightlifting, it was a case of Gold medal spree for the three Nigerian athletes that represented the country. It all began with Emmanuel Inakedor who is the current African Champion in the 71kg, as he wasted no time sweeping aside his opponents in the snatch event, clean and jack event and the total event.

    In the 79kg category, Ibrahim Rabiu who also doubles as the team’s coach, also won the entire 3 Gold medals available in both the Snatch, Jark and Total events.

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    In the 110kg, Adeyemi Vincent who is also an African Champion completed the hat trick Gold medal performance for Team Nigeria with his own 3 Gold medals in the three categories of Snatch, Clean and Jerk and Total events.

    In Badminton, Team Nigeria continued from where it left off, by adding 3 more Gold medals, 1 silver and 1 bronze to the 2 Gold medals it won on Tuesday in the men’s and women’s double events.

    Shehu Aliyu defeated Fano Dosh from Benin Republic to win the men’s single 2-0 while Joseph Abel claimed the bronze medal. In the Women’s singles event, It was an all Nigeria final when  Dorcas Adedokan defeated Deborah Ukeh to the Gold medal.

    In the mixed doubles, Shehu Aliyu and Deborah Ukeh defeated host Burkina Faso in the semi-final before beating fellow country duo of Joseph Abel and Dorcas Adesokan to the Gold in the final.

    Team Nigeria however finished  yesday’s event with a total of 12 Gold medals,1 silver and 1 bronze medal as a clear sign of its regional dominance.

  • Indonesia path ways  with Kluivert  after World Cup miss

    Indonesia path ways  with Kluivert  after World Cup miss

    Patrick Kluivert’s stint as Indonesia coach is over after they “mutually” agreed to part ways following a failed bid to reach the World Cup.

    Indonesia’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament in North America next year ended with defeats to Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the past week.

    The 49-year-old Netherlands and Barcelona great, who was only appointed in January, was in charge for just eight matches.

    He won three of his games in charge, losing four and drawing one.

    Writing on Instagram, Kluivert called it “an unforgettable journey”.

    He added: “Even though I’m deeply disappointed and sorry for the fact that we didn’t make it to the World Cup, I’ll always be proud of what we built together.”

    The Dutchman took over following the controversial sacking of South Korean Shin Tae-yong.

    The former striker signed a two-year contract at the start of the year, tasked with taking Indonesia to their first World Cup since gaining independence in 1945.

    The Football Association of Indonesia, PSSI, said Kluivert’s departure was “through mutual termination”.

     “This step was taken as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the national football coaching and development programme,” it added.

    Read Also: W’Cup 2026: Toro hails NFF, stakeholders for Super Eagles’   playoff spot

    The statement did not name Kluivert’s successor.

    Amsterdam-born Kluivert retired as a player in 2008 after a stellar career that started at Ajax, where he won the Champions League, before moves to AC Milan and Barcelona.

    Kluivert’s managerial career has not been nearly as spectacular.

    His previous coaching role was in charge of Adana Demirspor in Turkey for five months in 2023.

    Before that he was caretaker manager of Curacao in 2021.

    He was also number two to Louis van Gaal with the Dutch national side in 2012-2014.

  • Two killed as police in Kenya fire shots to disperse Odinga mourners

    Two killed as police in Kenya fire shots to disperse Odinga mourners

    No fewer than two people have been killed after police in Kenya fired shots to disperse crowds of mourners gathered to view the body of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who died earlier this week in India.

    The country’s head of police operations, Adamson Bungei, confirmed the shooting at the 60,000-capacity football stadium in the capital, Nairobi, where the viewing was to take place  yesterday ahead of the funeral over the weekend.

     “We have at least two deaths,” Bungei told The Associated Press news agency, describing the incident as a “confrontation.”

    Local media outlets KTN News and Citizen TV later said the death toll had increased to four, with dozens of people injured. After security forces fired shots, police lobbed tear gas to disperse thousands of mourners, the two broadcasters showed, leaving the stadium deserted.

    Thousands of Odinga’s supporters began gathering on Nairobi’s streets from early morning  yesterday, with crowds congregating at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre for the viewing.

    Tensions increased when some people breached a gate in the arena, with security forces firing shots and tear gas in response. As mourners fled, a stampede erupted near the stadium gates.

    After the incident, President William Ruto arrived at the stadium with members of Odinga’s family to view the coffin. Ruto and Odinga’s family paid their respects in a side room of the stadium.

    The public viewing took place hours later outside the stadium gates.

    Tensions had began earlier in the day when thousands of mourners briefly stormed Nairobi’s international airport, interrupting a ceremony for Ruto and other officials to receive Odinga’s body with military honours.

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    The incident prompted a two-hour suspension of airport operations.

    Crowds also gathered in Bondo, the family’s ancestral seat in western Kenya, where Odinga is due to be buried on Sunday.

    Odinga, ​​a key figure in African politics, died at the age of 80 on Wednesday during a trip to India for medical treatment, according to local police and hospital officials.

    The former prime minister, who was affectionately known as “Baba” (father), ran five unsuccessful presidential campaigns between 1997 and 2022, but was seen as a major force for democratic reform.

    “He fought tirelessly for multi-party democracy, and we are enjoying those freedoms today because of his struggle,” university student Felix Ambani Uneck told Reuters at the stadium.

    Today has been declared a public holiday and Kenyans are expected to gather at a different football stadium in Nairobi for a state funeral service.

    Another public viewing will be held on Saturday in the western county of Kisumu, close to Odinga’s rural home.

  • France, Britain refine plans at UN for Gaza force resolution

    France, Britain refine plans at UN for Gaza force resolution

    France and Britain, in coordination with the United States, are working to finalise a United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution in the coming days that would lay the foundation for a future international force in Gaza, France said yesterday.

    With a shaky U.S.-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holding, planning has begun for an international force to stabilize security in the Palestinian enclave, two senior U.S. advisers said on Wednesday.

    Speaking to reporters in Paris, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux said such a force needed a UN mandate to provide a strong foundation in international law and ease the process of getting potential contributions from countries.

    “France is working closely with its partners on the establishment of such an international mission, which must be formalised through the adoption of a U.N. Security Council resolution,” he said.

    “Discussions, notably with the Americans and British, are ongoing to propose this resolution in the coming days.”

    Paris hosted talks with other European and Arab powers on October 10 to flesh out ideas for Gaza’s post-war transition, including how an international force could take shape.

    Diplomats said the stabilisation force would not be a formal United Nations peacekeeping force paid for by the world body.

    Instead, a Security Council resolution could mirror action taken by the 15-member body to back the deployment of an international force to combat armed gangs in Haiti.

    That resolution spells out and authorizes the mission and states contributing to the force to “take all necessary measures” – code for the use of force – to carry out the mandate.

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    “The stabilisation force will take some time,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told parliament on Tuesday. “The terms of reference are still being drawn up. There is a United Nations Security Council resolution on the establishment of the force, or I hope there will be, but the wider terms of reference are not yet agreed.”

    Among the countries the U.S. is speaking to about contributing to the force are Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, and Azerbaijan, the advisers said on condition of anonymity. There are also currently up to two dozen U.S. troops in the region to help set up the operation, serving in a “coordination, oversight” role, they said.

    Italy has publicly said it was willing to take part.

    Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto told the United Nations General Assembly on September 23 that if there was a U.N. resolution, Indonesia was prepared to deploy 20,000 or more troops in Gaza to help secure peace.

    The 193-member U.N. General Assembly last month overwhelmingly voted to endorse a declaration that aimed to advance a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, which supports the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission mandated by the U.N. Security Council.