The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Arsenal 2-3 Man United: Fans erupt at EPL Watch Party as Red Devils down Gunners

    Arsenal 2-3 Man United: Fans erupt at EPL Watch Party as Red Devils down Gunners

    The highly anticipated showdown between Manchester United and Arsenal ended in a captivating 2-3 win this evening, leaving both sets of fans breathless in a match defined by tactical nuance and individual brilliance.

     While the maximum points was given to the visitors, Manchester United, the real victory belonged to football fans across Nigeria, as MTN hosted a series of high-octane watch parties in major cities across the federation.

    The match began with Arsenal dominating possession, utilising their signature fluid movement to pin United back. The Gunners took an early lead through a clinical strike from their captain, but United showed immense resilience.

    Michael Carrick’s men exploited transitions with devastating pace, equalising just before the interval. The second half saw a more balanced affair; United took the lead via a thunderous long-range effort, only for Arsenal to claw back a late equaliser after which  Brazilian Matheus Cunha netted the winner for the Red Devils.

    Tactically, Arsenal’s inverted full-backs caused problems early on, but United’s midfield grit—anchored by a standout performance in the pivot eventually neutralised the threat. It was a classic “Super Sunday” encounter that lived up to the billing, showcasing why this remains one of the Premier League’s most storied rivalries.

    Read Also: EPL: Chelsea defeat Palace 3-1 to maintain top-four charge

    While the action unfolded on the pitch, MTN Nigeria ensured that the distance between West Africa and England felt non-existent. The telecommunications giant hosted vibrant football watch parties in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Abuja, and Ogun State, among others.

    At the flagship Lagos event, the atmosphere was electric. Giant LED screens, stadium-grade surround sound, and interactive fan zones transformed the venue into a mini-theatre of dreams.

    The passion was palpable as supporters donned their club colours to cheer on their respective teams.

    “The energy here in Abuja is incredible,” said Tunde Afolabi, a lifelong Manchester United supporter.

    “MTN has really outdone itself. I’m glad we grabbed the three points. Watching the game with fellow fans like this makes the win a memorable one and I can say the hospitality is top-notch.”

    In Port Harcourt, Chiamaka Okechukwu, an Arsenal fan, shared similar sentiments: “I’ve been to many screenings, but this MTN watch party is different. The clarity of the broadcast and the prizes we won during halftime made it a complete experience. Arsenal showed heart today, and being here in Owerri with my friends to see it was special.’’

    The nationwide activations are part of MTN’s ongoing commitment to football development and fan engagement in Nigeria. By decentralising these watch parties to states like Ogun, Owerri, Abuja, and other states.

    As the title race heats up, the synergy between top-flight football and local fan culture has never been stronger, thanks to immersive experiences that celebrate the beautiful game.

  • Golf: Epe picks Kenya Open ticket with CIO Championship win

    Golf: Epe picks Kenya Open ticket with CIO Championship win

    Nigeria’s professional golf prodigy, Francis Epe, has secured a spot in the 2026 Magical Kenya Open, a flagship event on the DP World Tour, scheduled for February 19–22 at Karen Country Club in Nairobi, Kenya.

    Epe earned his qualification by emerging as the champion of the 6th  CIO Golf Classic, held in November 2025 at the Python Golf Club in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The tournament featured a competitive field of over 100 players and offered a $50, 000 prize purse.

    The CIO Championship holds special significance as the only event of its kind in West Africa integrated into the Safari Tour mini-league qualification system.

    Through this pathway, top performers across select Safari Tour-affiliated events accumulate points, with top finishers securing one of two exemption tickets to the $2.7 million Magical Kenya Open—one of the few DP World Tour events hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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    The Magical Kenya Open represents a major platform for African talent to compete on the global stage. The second ticket was claimed by Rwandan professional Celestin Nsanzuwera.

    Chief Ikenna Okafor, a passionate golfer and the CEO of Keeves Global Leasing—who has sponsored and funded the CIO Championship since its inception—hailed Epe’s achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian professional golf.

     “This success marks a major milestone for Nigeria’s professional golf scene,” Okafor said.

     “It demonstrates that it is both more accessible and more progressive for our players to earn tickets to international events through strong local tournaments. By building these pathways at home, we are nurturing talent, raising standards, and positioning Nigeria as a growing force in African and global golf.”

    He further said that the CIO Championship will further elevate the event, including intentions to increase the prize purse in future editions to create even more opportunities for local and regional professional golfers.

    The Magical Kenya Open, with its $2.7 million total prize fund, continues to showcase the best of African and international golf, drawing competitors from across the continent and beyond.

    Keeves Global Leasing is a leading financial services provider committed to supporting sports development and youth empowerment in Nigeria, with a special focus on golf through the CIO Championship.

  • NVBF unveils teams  to vie for 2025 Super Cup

    NVBF unveils teams  to vie for 2025 Super Cup

    The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) has officially unveiled the list of clubs invited to compete in the 2025 NVBF Super Cup (Men & Women), one of its flagship competitions aimed at showcasing the very best of volleyball talent in the country.

    The tournament is scheduled to take place between  January 30 and February 8 at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja. It is expected to bring together elite teams across divisions in a celebration of excellence, competitiveness, and the continued development of volleyball in Nigeria.

    In the Premier Division (Men), the invited teams are Chief of Naval Staff Volleyball Club (CNS), Nigeria Customs Service Volleyball Club (NCS), and Nigeria Correctional Service Volleyball Club (NCoS). The women’s Premier Division will feature Nigeria Customs Service Volleyball Club (NCS), Chief of Naval Staff Volleyball Club (CNS), and Chief of Army Staff Volleyball Club (COAS).

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    The Division I line-up for the men includes Defence Spikers Volleyball Club, Ajase Ipo Volleyball Club, and Life Camp Volleyball Club. On the women’s side, Vipers Volleyball Club of Abuja, Federal Fire Service Volleyball Club, and Excelsior Volleyball Club of Abia State complete the list of invited teams.

    According to the Federation, the selected clubs earned their invitations based on their performances and standing within their respective divisions. This selection process, the NVBF noted, is intended to guarantee a highly competitive tournament that reflects the highest standards of Nigerian volleyball.

    The Nigeria Volleyball Federation has assured all stakeholders—participating clubs, athletes, officials, and fans—of a well-organised competition that aligns with international best practices and contributes meaningfully to the growth of the sport nationwide.

  • Idongesist’s  siblings begin 2026 with Fencing Junior World Cup in Egypt

    Idongesist’s  siblings begin 2026 with Fencing Junior World Cup in Egypt

    As two of Africa’s most active fencers in 2025, the Idongesit siblings, Sara and Mahathir, will open their 2026 season at the FIE Junior World Cup taking place in Cairo, Egypt, between January 30  and 31.

    Their participation highlights the progress of youth fencing in Nigeria and underscores the continued efforts of the Nigeria Fencing Federation to identify, nurture, and promote young talent internationally.

    Sara and Mahathir have demonstrated remarkable commitment, discipline, and growth in their fencing journey, earning the opportunity to compete at this prestigious event against some of the world’s best, including World No. 1 junior men’s fencer Schembri Kruz of the Virgin Islands.

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    The Nigerian two-athlete contingent will depart on Sunday, January 25, and are expected to join the FIE-organised training camp under the supervision of top coaches at the Indoor Hall of Cairo Stadium.

    Sara will compete in the women’s junior category, while Mahathir faces stiff competition in the men’s event against elite opponents such as Kruz, World No. 5 Chen Bing-Jyun of Chinese Taipei, World No. 3 Pelle Domonkos of Hungary, and Africa’s No. 1 Shamel Youssef of Egypt, who is also ranked World No. 6.

    Based in Malaysia, the Idongesit siblings made their international debut for Nigeria at the 2025 African Championships in Lagos.

    Since then, they have featured in several international tournaments, gaining valuable experience ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Championships, scheduled to take place in Lagos this August.

    Over 30 countries will participate in the two-day FIE-sanctioned tournament, including Egypt (host), Algeria, Russia, Angola, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Spain, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Mexico, Mauritius, Nigeria, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Switzerland, Slovakia, Chinese Taipei, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States.

  • Oyedeji extends solidarity to flood victims in Mozambique

    Oyedeji extends solidarity to flood victims in Mozambique

    Deeply moved by the devastating floods that struck Mozambique a few days ago, Olumide Oyedeji, a front runner to the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has sent  a heartfelt message to the government and people of the southern African nation, mourning those who lost their lives and standing with families displaced by the disaster.

    Over 700,000 people were affected by the severe flooding in the Southern African nation.

    Mozambique occupies pride of place  in Oyedeji’s heart. He notes with nostalgia that he captained the D’Tigers to win the Gold Medal at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2011.

    Mozambique still remains one of the top countries in African Basketball. Its National Teams remain in the top echelon of basketball on the continent while its top Clubs like Maxaquene and Fereviero de Maputo and Beirra continue to shine in the Women Basketball League Africa.

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    The country which has hosted numerous African Championships and events has also produced great players like former WNBA Star Clarissa Machanguana.

    Oyedeji, recently elected Secretary General of the World Olympians Association (WOA), personally reached out to FIBA President Aníbal Aurélio Manave to convey his message of solidarity.

    Manave assured that the gesture would be formally communicated to the nation, describing Oyedeji’s outreach as humane, timely and deeply touching.

    The compassionate move resonated strongly with Manave, a respected basketball administrator who has devoted more than three decades to the sport as a player, champion, administrator and now President of FIBA Africa and member of the Basketball Africa League Board.

    Oyedeji’s gesture reflects the values many believe he would bring to Nigerian basketball, empathy, global respect, and people-first leadership.

    Reports suggest that the death toll has now exceeded 100, it is estimated over half of the 700,000 people affected by the floods are children.

    Local and international authorities report that the floods have caused major damage to health facilities and roads, with nearly 5,000km (3,000 miles) of roads damaged across nine provinces.

    In moments like this, he continues to prove that true sports leadership is not only about winning games, but also about standing with humanity when it is needed most.

  • Kano Pillars boost squad with two mid-season additions

    Kano Pillars boost squad with two mid-season additions

    Kano Pillars have strengthened their squad ahead of the second half of the NPFL season with the signing of attacking midfielder Williams Ayuba Yikat and striker Luis Dadong.

    Yikat joins from Czech club MFK Karviná, while Dadong arrives from Wikki Tourists, with both players signing deals until the end of the season.

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    The additions come as Pillars look to improve their attacking output, having scored just 15 goals in 21 league matches.

    The Sai Masu Gida were beaten 2-0 in Bauchi in their Matchday 22 clash with Wikki Tourists Bauchi yesterday.

  • Ilechukwu goes to school as Ekeh takes charge of Rangers

    Ilechukwu goes to school as Ekeh takes charge of Rangers

    Super Eagles assistant coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has disclosed plans to take a temporary break from club football at the end of the season to pursue further education.

    Speaking at a press conference in Enugu—his first since returning from AFCON duty—Ilechukwu stressed the importance of long-term development over short-term success.

    The Rangers International technical adviser outlined a vision focused on youth development, revealing plans for the club to rely heavily on feeder teams in the coming years.

    Read Also: EPL: Chelsea defeat Palace 3-1 to maintain top-four charge

    “Football is not only about winning trophies,” he said. “It’s about changing lives and producing players who can succeed in Europe.”

    Ilechukwu will take a short break before returning in the second week of February. In his absence, assistant coach Ekenedilichukwu Ekeh led Rangers to a 4-2 win over Warri Wolves in NPFL Matchday 22 played in Enugu yesterday.

  • Team Nigeria to camp in Aberdeen ahead of  Commonwealth Games

    Team Nigeria to camp in Aberdeen ahead of  Commonwealth Games

    The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that Nigerian athletes preparing for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, will undergo an intensive four-week residential training camp as part of efforts to ensure optimal performance at the Games.

    Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, disclosed that the Commission has secured a training base in Aberdeen, Scotland, a move designed to enhance coordination, reduce travel fatigue, and eliminate last-minute logistical challenges.

    According to Olopade, situating the camp within the host country well ahead of the Games reflects lessons learned from previous international competitions.

     “We have deliberately positioned our preparation camp close to the competition environment to allow athletes settle early and train under similar conditions. Experience has shown us that last-minute movements across countries can be disruptive. This time, we are prioritizing stability, structure, and proper coordination,” he explained.

    He added that Team Nigeria will arrive at the Aberdeen camp four weeks before the opening ceremony, allowing sufficient time for acclimatisation, technical refinement and team bonding.

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    The DG noted that his visit to Scotland was part of the Commission’s broader early-stage planning, focused on securing athlete-friendly accommodation and ensuring a seamless transition into competition mode.

     “Our goal is to remove avoidable stress from the athletes and technical crew. By planning early and working within established performance frameworks, we are putting measures in place to support peak performance when it matters most,” he said.

    The NSC also confirmed that preparations are being guided by Elite Podium Board recommendations, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to professionalism, evidence-based planning, and international best practices.

    The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, and will feature 10 sports.

  • Djokovic, Alcaraz  storm into Melbourne last eight

    Djokovic, Alcaraz  storm into Melbourne last eight

    Carlos Alcaraz powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals and Novak Djokovic joined him without hitting a ball, as the next generation roared.

    Aryna Sabalenka surged through but Coco Gauff was forced to fight at Melbourne Park, where temperatures eased to 22C after the brutal heat of a day earlier.

    Top seed Alcaraz was in ominous touch at Rod Laver Arena, dismissing the American Tommy Paul 7-6 (8⁄6), 6-4, 7-5 in a masterclass.

    The 22-year-old plays home hope and sixth seed Alex de Minaur, who defeated 10th  seed Alexander Bublik in straight sets.

    Djokovic, chasing a record 25th  Grand Slam crown, was scheduled to face Jakub Mensik in the last 16 on Monday but the Czech player pulled out injured.

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    Djokovic will face American ninth seed Taylor Fritz or fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy for a place in the semi-finals.

    Alcaraz, who like Djokovic is yet to drop a set at this year’s tournament, has never gone beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne.

    If he can finally break his Australian duck he will become the youngest man in history to win a career Grand Slam of all four majors.

    The Spaniard has in the past struggled with precision and a lack of consistency in his serving technique.

    He is now sporting a new-look serve that has become a handy weapon – and been compared to Djokovic’s serve.

     “I had a Djokovic message saying, ‘you have to pay me’,” he said in his on-court interview after making light work of 19th  seed Paul, to laughter from an adoring crowd.

    Alexander Zverev, well beaten by Jannik Sinner in last year’s final, plays Learner Tien of the United States next.

    Germany’s third seed demolished Argentina’s 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets.

    The 25th  seed Tien ran out a surprisingly easy three-set winner over three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev.

    Tien, 20, eased into his first Grand Slam quarter-final despite a nosebleed in the first set that required lengthy treatment.

    He later said his nose was just dry.

    “Every year since I’ve been coming here, the crowd support has been amazing,” said Tien, the youngest men’s quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park since Nick Kyrgios in 2015.

    “A crowd like this with this much energy and support, it means the world to me to do it here.”

    World number one Sabalenka will face impressive 18-year-old American Iva Jovic in a tasty last-eight encounter.

    Belarusian top seed Sabalenka, a two-time Melbourne champion, opened the day on Rod Laver Arena and saw off the brave challenge of 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko.

    Sabalenka won 6-1, 7-6 (7⁄1) while Jovic destroyed unseeded Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 dominant minutes.

     “What an incredible player for such a young age,” said Sabalenka of the 17th-seeded Canadian Mboko, who has emerged as a serious threat in the past year.

     “She pushed me really hard today and played incredible tennis.”

    Sabalenka raced through the second-set tiebreak – the 20th Grand Slam tiebreak in a row she has won – to seal victory.

    She has yet to drop a set as her title charge gathers pace.

    But in Jovic, who only turned 18 last month, she clashes with a player in red-hot form and rising fast, now ranked 27 having been 191 this time last year.

    Jovic, who stunned two-time Grand Slam finalist and seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in the third round, said she did not consider herself an underdog.

     “It’s just another week that I’m winning more matches,” she added.

    Jovic is the youngest player to reach the women’s quarter-finals at the Australian Open without dropping a set since Venus Williams in 1998.

    Third-seeded American Gauff faces Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.

    The 12th -seeded Svitolina saw off another 18-year-old, Russian Mirra Andreeva, 6-2, 6-4.

    Gauff dropped a set for the second match in a row before clawing her way past Karolina Muchova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

    The 21-year-old Gauff, a two-time major champion, has never gone beyond the last four at Melbourne Park.

  • AFCON hero Gueye faults Senegal’s walk-off against Morocco

    AFCON hero Gueye faults Senegal’s walk-off against Morocco

    Senegal’s Pape Gueye opened up about his team’s walk off at the Africa Cup of Nations final and Morocco’s subsequent missed penalty in an interview on French television.

    Gueye scored the winning goal as Senegal edged Morocco 1-0 in extra time in a controversial game in Rabat last week.

    Morocco were awarded a late penalty sparking a walk-off from the eventual winners, leading to a 20-minute delay.

    When Senegal came back Brahim Diaz fluffed his penalty, while Gueye scored the winner in extra-time.

     “We are only human, we realised our mistake and came back out,” said the 26-year-old midfielder Gueye.

     “Anyone can make a mistake,” he added.

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    Gueye praised former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, who remained on the pitch and urged his team-mates to return to the game for the penalty.

    Senegal were already furious at having a goal disallowed for a soft-looking foul minutes earlier

     “He found the right thing to say at the right moment and it shows just how important he is to us,” he said. “We owe him a big thank you.”

    Gueye also expressed surprise that Diaz dared attempt a Panenka penalty that went badly wrong.

     “It was daring and I would not have risked that myself,” he said.

    The Moroccan Football Federation has formally referred the walkout and supporters’ behaviour to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which organises AFCON, and FIFA.