The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Lasisi assures South-West States after donating equipment to Lagos

    Lasisi assures South-West States after donating equipment to Lagos

    A Board Member of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) and South-West Zonal Representative, Aderemi Lasisi, has assured that the donation of modern weightlifting equipment will not be limited to Lagos State, pledging to extend the initiative to other states across the South-West zone.

    Speaking after the presentation of a complete set of standard barbells to the Lagos State Weightlifting Association (LSWA) in the presence of officials of Lagos State Sports Commission, Lasisi emphasized that the gesture marks the beginning of a broader developmental drive aimed at reviving and strengthening weightlifting across the region. He confirmed that states such as Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun would be next in line, with plans already mapped out to reach all six South-West states.

    According to Lasisi, his resolve followed an assessment tour of the zone, which revealed glaring shortages of basic training equipment in most states for the sport. He noted that without standard tools, athletes and coaches are constrained in their quest for excellence, stressing that providing equipment remains a critical foundation for building champions.

    The NWF board member spoke with visible enthusiasm, describing weightlifting as a sport close to his heart and expressing his personal desire to see it flourish not only in the South-West but across Nigeria as a whole. He said his motivation is driven by a passion to create opportunities for young athletes and to reposition weightlifting as a consistent medal-winning sport for the country.

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     “Charity begins at home, which is why we started with Lagos,” Lasisi said, adding that the intervention is meant to complement government efforts and inspire other stakeholders, corporate bodies, and well-meaning individuals to invest in the sport’s growth.

    He maintained that weightlifting development should not be left solely in the hands of government.

    Lasisi further assured that beyond equipment provision, attention would also be paid to athlete and coach welfare, noting that a motivated and well-supported workforce is essential for sustainable progress.

    He highlighted that quality equipment reduces injury risks while enhancing strength, balance, technique, and overall performance.

    Officials of the Lagos State Weightlifting Association welcomed the assurance, describing the donation as timely and symbolic of purposeful leadership. They expressed optimism that the expanded intervention across the South-West would raise competitive standards and deepen grassroots participation.

  • Ogunmokun sets New African Indoor 500m Record

    Ogunmokun sets New African Indoor 500m Record

    Nigeria has recorded another historic milestone in athletics following Brittany Ogunmokun’s record-breaking performance in the women’s 500 metres indoor, where she became the fastest African ever over the distance.

    Competing at the NYC Gotham Cup 2026 in New York, Ogunmokun clocked an outstanding 1:10.00, a time that has been officially ratified as both a Nigerian national record and a new African indoor record. The performance underlines Nigeria’s rising profile on the global indoor athletics scene.

    Running in her first race of the 2026 season, the Nigerian athlete produced a composed and powerful outing in the technically demanding event. Ogunmokun finished second overall, claiming the silver medal behind American Leah Anderson, who won the race in 1:09.58. Despite placing second, Ogunmokun’s time was enough to rewrite the record books for Nigeria and the continent.

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), through its Performance Director and Liaison, Victor Okorie, confirmed that all technical requirements for record recognition — including track specifications and fully automatic timing — were met. The AFN subsequently verified the run as a legitimate continental and national record.

    Ogunmokun’s 1:10.00 eclipses the previous African indoor record of 1:11.48, set by Ghana’s Akua Obeng-Akrofi on February 2, 2018, shaving more than a second off the long-standing mark. Nationally, the time surpasses the former Nigerian record of 1:11.49, set by Regina George in Bloomington in 2016.

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    The new record also represents a significant personal milestone for Ogunmokun, improving on her previous personal best of 1:12.62, recorded in Boston in 2009, and placing her at the top of Nigeria’s all-time indoor 500m rankings, ahead of Jennifer Adaeze Edobi’s 1:13.66 set in 2016.

    Often used as a development race for 400m specialists, the indoor 500m demands a rare blend of speed, endurance and tactical awareness — qualities Ogunmokun displayed in abundance against a strong international field.

    The achievement further adds to Ogunmokun’s decorated career, which includes representing Nigeria with distinction at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, and signals a promising start to her 2026 campaign as she targets more international competitions.

    Elsewhere, Nigeria also celebrated success on the indoor circuit through Joshua Caleb, who thrilled home supporters at the LSU Purple Tiger Invitational. Caleb powered to victory in the men’s 60m final, clocking 6.67 seconds to finish ahead of Jaiden Reid (6.74s), with Camren Hardy placing third.

    Together, these performances underline Nigeria’s growing influence in indoor athletics and reinforce optimism about the country’s prospects on the global stage.

  • Scrabble  Federation targets bigger growth, global dominance

    Scrabble  Federation targets bigger growth, global dominance

    The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has praised the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its leadership and sustained support, describing it as a major catalyst in accelerating the growth and global success of scrabble in the country.

    NSF President, Engineer Bright Idahosa, spoke in Abuja after a technical and strategic meeting with the leadership of the NSC, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General, Honourable Bukola Olopade.

    According to Idahosa, the meeting produced a comprehensive blueprint that will guide scrabble development over the next 12 months and shape the sport’s long-term future in Nigeria.

    He described the engagement as timely and strategic, noting that it has positioned the federation to align fully with the Renewed Hope Initiatives for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “This meeting is not just timely, it opens a platform for us as a federation to key into the Renewed Hope Initiatives for Nigeria Sports Economy and make scrabble more economically rewarding,” Idahosa said.

    The NSF president also acknowledged that the NSC’s support predates his administration, citing international competitions where Nigeria’s participation was backed by the commission.

    “Even before I came in as President of NSF, the National Sports Commission has been supporting us — from our trips to Kenya for the African Youth Scrabble Championship, to Malaysia for the World Youth Championship, and the World Championship in Ghana,” he added.

    Key areas highlighted during the meeting included the expansion of domestic competitions, wider grassroots engagement, and aggressive marketing and sponsorship drives aimed at strengthening the sport’s economic value.

    Idahosa emphasized that working with sports administrators who understand the sector makes execution easier.

     “When you work with leaders like Mallam Shehu Dikko and Honourable Bukola Olopade, who understand sports very deeply, it becomes easier to translate plans into reality,” he said.

    Nigeria’s confidence going into the new phase is buoyed by outstanding performances on the international stage. Team Nigeria ended the 2025 season on a high note in Accra, winning the World English Scrabble Players Association Championship (WESPAC) Best Country award, finishing ahead of host Ghana and Kenya, and reclaiming the title from the United States.

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    The country’s youth players also shone brightly. At the African Youth Scrabble Championships in Kenya, Prestige Archibong won the U-19 title, while Sophia Ekeruche dominated the U-15 category without losing a single game.

    Ekeruche later crowned her season by winning the Best Female Youth title at the World Youth Championship in Malaysia, where Abdulqudos Olawale Aliu finished second in the male category.

    NSC leadership has expressed a strong desire to build on these successes heading into 2026 and beyond.

    Looking ahead, Idahosa confirmed that the federation will give top priority to two major events this year: the World Youth Scrabble Championship in Kenya and the African Scrabble Championship in Monrovia, Liberia.

    He concluded with a call for unity across the board, stressing that collective effort remains key to sustained dominance.

    “All stakeholders must sing from the same songbook for Nigeria to stay as Africa and the world’s number one in the mind sport,” Idahosa added.

  • Brave Senegal stun hosts Morocco to claim second AFCON title

    Brave Senegal stun hosts Morocco to claim second AFCON title

    Senegal are the champions of Africa once again after winning a chaotic and bizarre final against host nation Morocco.

    Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye’s stunning strike in extra time secured a second ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown for Senegal after a hugely controversial end to regular time.

    After the referee had awarded Morocco a penalty for Malick Diouf’s foul on Brahim Diaz in stoppage time, following a long VAR check, Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest under the instruction of their manager Pape Thiaw.

    Moments earlier, Senegal had been controversially denied a winning goal when Ismaila Sarr found the back of the net, which was chalked off for a questionable foul on Achraf Hakimi by Abdoulaye Seck.

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    Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the spot-kick when the Senegal players eventually re-emerged from the dressing room after a delay of around 15 minutes, but saw his dinked effort down the middle of the goal easily saved by Edouard Mendy, before Gueye won the game in extra time.

    In front of a passionate home crowd, the Lions of Teranga showed composure, resilience and champion mentality, withstanding relentless Moroccan pressure before delivering the decisive moment that settled a final worthy of African football’s biggest stage.

    For Senegal, this triumph confirms a golden era— at the summit of African football and another chapter of history written with discipline, belief and collective strength.

    Morocco pushed until the very end, but Senegal’s defensive resolve and big-game experience proved decisive as the trophy heads to Dakar once more.

    Africa has a champion again—and Senegal stand tall at the summit of the continent.

  • Venus exits as Alcaraz, Sabalenka win Melbourne openers

    Venus exits as Alcaraz, Sabalenka win Melbourne openers

    Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka launched their Australian Open title bids with straight-sets wins but there was no fairytale for 45-year-old Venus Williams.

    On a hot Melbourne day in which a ball girl fainted, last year’s men’s beaten finalist Alexander Zverev dropped a set before easing into the second round.

    World number one Alcaraz joined him, the Spaniard beating 81st-ranked home player Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6 (7⁄2), 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

    Alcaraz, who is desperate to win the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam of all four majors, plays Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann next.

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     “I think this kind of level and the difficulties in the first round is pretty good for me,” said Alcaraz, who was pushed all the way in the second set.

     “But overall just happy. I’m pleased about the level that I played today,” added Alcaraz, who was playing his first competitive match for nine weeks.

    Alcaraz has won the US Open, Wimbledon and French Open, but Melbourne is the one Grand Slam missing from his impressive resume.

    The furthest he has gone at the opening major of the year is the quarter-finals and he has made it clear that dethroning rival Jannik Sinner as champion is his main aim for 2026.

    If he does so, the 22-year-old would surpass compatriot Rafael Nadal to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

    Earlier, in steamy conditions approaching highs of 30C, Zverev threatened to implode in losing the first set to Canada’s Gabriel Diallo.

    But the 28-year-old German recovered to win 6-7 (1⁄7), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 and next meets Australian Alexei Popyrin or Alexandre Muller of France.

    Asked how he reset from his first-set wobble, the third seed said: “I was thinking it can’t get worse than that.”

    British qualifier Arthur Fery scored the first big upset by taking down 20th seed Flavio Cobolli of Italy, 7-6 (7⁄1), 6-4, 6-1.

    Novak Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th  major title, begins his title assault on Monday, as does three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev.

    Organisers said that a record 100,000 people came through the gates, although there were complaints about long queues in the heat.

    Underlining how fierce it was on court, a ball girl collapsed during the match between Zeynep Sonmez and Ekaterina Alexandrova, with both players rushing to help her.

    Sabalenka began her bid for a third Australian Open title in four years with a patchy start before coming good in the second set.

    The world number one, stunned by Madison Keys in the 2025 final, ultimately had too much power, guile and quality for French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.

    But the Belarusian took time to find her touch, making a series of unforced errors before taming the spirited 20-year-old 6-4, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.

     “It is always tricky playing someone young, someone you don’t know, and a lefty (left-hander),” said the top seed and title favourite.

    Sabalenka said she had felt added pressure with tennis legends Roger Federer and Rod Laver court-side.

     “I hope you guys enjoyed watching me play, I hope you enjoyed it even a little bit,” she said in her on-court interview, addressing the duo.

    Sabalenka faces Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan next.

    Title rivals Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff play today.

    Also safely through was seventh-seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini as she outclassed Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-2.

    Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian 12th seed, eased past Cristina Bucsa of Spain 6-4, 6-1.

    But seeded fellow Ukrainians Dayana Yastremska and Marta Kostyuk were dumped out early, as was the American great Williams.

    The seven-time major champion was the oldest woman to play in the history of the Australian Open.

    She showed glimpses of what once made her world number one, but ultimately fell after an epic battle with an opponent more than 20 years her junior.

    Olga Danilovic of Serbia outlasted the veteran 6-7 (5⁄7), 6-3, 6-4 over a gruelling 2hrs 17mins.

    “It was such a great game, such a great moment. The energy from the crowd was amazing. That lifted me up so much,” Williams said.

  • ‘Proud’ Venus Williams  exits Aussies  after epic battle

    ‘Proud’ Venus Williams  exits Aussies  after epic battle

    Venus Williams fell at the first hurdle but said she was proud of herself after making history as the oldest woman to ever play at the Australian Open on Sunday.

    The American seven-time Grand Slam champion, 45, was handed a wildcard for Melbourne, five years after she last appeared at the major.

    It attracted some flak amid concerns that it deprived a younger player of the opportunity, compounded by Williams losing first-round matches at both her warm-up tournaments.

    The ageless veteran showed she still has what it takes in patches, pushing 24-year-old Serbian Olga Danilovic all the way before losing the last six games to crash out 6-7 (5⁄7), 6-3, 6-4 in a gruelling 2hrs 17mins.

     “It was such a great game, such a great moment. The energy from the crowd was amazing. That lifted me up so much,” Williams said. “She played a great game. Also some luck there, as well. That’s just the sport. That’s how it works sometimes.

     “I’m really proud of my effort today because I’m playing better with each match, getting to the places that I want to get to,” she added.

     “Right now I’m just going to have to keep going forward and working on myself and working to control my errors.”

    After getting a standing ovation, the former world number one, now ranked 578, made a promising start, breaking the 69th-ranked Danilovic’s first service game.

    But the Serb quickly struck back with a lucky net cord helping her level the set.

    Williams sent down powerful serves and showed no issues moving around the court as the set moved to a tiebreak, where she fell 2-0 behind but rallied to clinch it with a clinical forehand winner.

    Danilovic managed to get an early break in the second set and Williams had no answers, sending it to a decider, where the American raced 4-0 clear.

    But she lost focus, allowing Danilovic to battle back to 4-4 before a huge 14-and-a-half-minute ninth game that proved pivotal.

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    Williams had six game points, but failed to convert, and the Serb took the game on her second break point before serving out for the win.

     “Not easy,” said Danilovic. “There was a lot of nerves. I just said to myself, ‘Okay, just play, just take everything out and just play point by point’.

     “I’m very happy I managed to get this one, but it was such a pleasure playing such a legend.”

    Williams, who first graced Melbourne Park in 1998, has played only sporadically in recent years.

    A five-time Wimbledon champion, she was an Australian Open singles finalist in 2003 and 2017 and won the doubles title four times alongside sister Serena.

    Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she lost in the first round in 2015, previously held the record as the oldest woman to play singles at the Australian Open.

  • FULL LIST: Top six most successful countries in AFCON history 

    FULL LIST: Top six most successful countries in AFCON history 

    Senegal’s dramatic victory over host nation Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has further reshaped the historical landscape of African football, as the Teranga Lions secured their second AFCON title and strengthened their place among the continent’s elite.

    The hard-fought triumph in Rabat, decided in extra time, not only ended Morocco’s hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil but also confirmed Senegal’s growing pedigree as a modern African powerhouse. With that success, attention has once again turned to the all-time AFCON winners list, highlighting the nations that have consistently dominated Africa’s biggest football stage.

    Below is a breakdown of the countries with the most AFCON titles, their history, and how they achieved their success.

    1. Egypt – 7 titles

    Egypt remain the most successful nation in AFCON history, a record built on decades of dominance. The Pharaohs lifted their first title in 1957 and went on to establish an era of supremacy, particularly between 2006 and 2010, when they won three consecutive tournaments. Renowned for their tactical discipline, strong domestic league, and ability to perform under pressure, Egypt’s seven titles set the benchmark for excellence in African football.

    2. Cameroon – 5 titles

    Cameroon sit second on the all-time list with five AFCON crowns. The Indomitable Lions enjoyed golden eras in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, producing iconic players such as Roger Milla and Samuel Eto’o. Their success has often been built on physical strength, attacking flair, and a strong mentality in knockout matches, making them one of Africa’s most feared tournament teams.

    3. Ghana – 4 titles

    Ghana’s four AFCON titles underline their long-standing reputation as one of Africa’s traditional football giants. The Black Stars dominated the competition during the 1960s and early 1980s, with a style of play rooted in technical quality and tactical awareness. Although they have not won the tournament in recent decades, Ghana remain a regular contender and a respected force across the continent.

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    4. Nigeria – 3 titles

    Nigeria have lifted the AFCON trophy three times, reflecting their consistency and depth of talent over the years. The Super Eagles claimed their titles in 1980, 1994, and 2013, each victory marking a different generation of stars. Known for their athleticism, attacking football, and ability to rise to big occasions, Nigeria continue to be a major presence in African football.

    5. Ivory Coast – 2 titles

    Ivory Coast have won the AFCON twice, with triumphs in 1992 and 2015. The Elephants’ success has often been driven by a golden generation of players, including Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré. Despite several near-misses and final defeats, Ivory Coast’s two titles underline their resilience and capacity to compete at the highest level.

    6. Senegal – 2 titles

    Senegal’s latest success against Morocco has elevated them into the group of two-time AFCON champions. After winning their maiden title in 2021, the Teranga Lions have now confirmed that triumph was no fluke. Built on defensive solidity, tactical discipline, and world-class talent, Senegal’s second crown signals the rise of a new dominant force in African football, capable of challenging the historical giants in the years ahead.

    With Senegal’s victory adding fresh momentum to their footballing journey, the AFCON honours list continues to evolve, blending historic dominance with emerging powerhouses and reinforcing the tournament’s status as one of the most competitive continental championships in world football.

  • Brave Senegal stun hosts Morocco to claim second AFCON title

    Brave Senegal stun hosts Morocco to claim second AFCON title

    Senegal are the champions of Africa once again after winning a chaotic and bizarre final against host nation Morocco.

    Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye’s stunning strike in extra time secured a second ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown for Senegal after a hugely controversial end to regular time.

    After the referee had awarded Morocco a penalty for Malick Diouf’s foul on Brahim Diaz in stoppage time, following a long VAR check, Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest under the instruction of their manager Pape Thiaw.

    Moments earlier, Senegal had been controversially denied a winning goal when Ismaila Sarr found the back of the net, which was chalked off for a questionable foul on Achraf Hakimi by Abdoulaye Seck.

    Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the spot-kick when the Senegal players eventually re-emerged from the dressing room after a delay of around 15 minutes, but saw his dinked effort down the middle of the goal easily saved by Edouard Mendy, before Gueye won the game in extra time.

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    In front of a passionate home crowd, the Lions of Teranga showed composure, resilience and champion mentality, withstanding relentless Moroccan pressure before delivering the decisive moment that settled a final worthy of African football’s biggest stage.

    For Senegal, this triumph confirms a golden era— at the summit of African football and another chapter of history written with discipline, belief and collective strength.

    Morocco pushed until the very end, but Senegal’s defensive resolve and big-game experience proved decisive as the trophy heads to Dakar once more.

    Africa has a champion again—and Senegal stand tall at the summit of the continent.

  • Morocco, Senegal and five others dominate Africa in latest FIFA rankings

    Morocco, Senegal and five others dominate Africa in latest FIFA rankings

    Africa’s football hierarchy continues to be dominated by a familiar group of heavyweights, with North and West African nations maintaining their strong presence at the top of the FIFA Men’s World Rankings.

     While positions may shift slightly with each new FIFA update, the continent’s elite remains largely unchanged heading into late 2025 and early 2026.

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    Based on the most recent available rankings, the top seven African national teams are:

    1.      Morocco

    2.      Senegal

    3.      Egypt

    4.      Algeria

    5.      Nigeria

    6.      Ivory Coast

    7.      Tunisia

  • BREAKING: Senegal clinch AFCON 2025 title after extra-time win over Morocco

    BREAKING: Senegal clinch AFCON 2025 title after extra-time win over Morocco

    Senegal were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a tense and volatile final in Rabat, where they edged hosts Morocco in extra time.

    The fiercely contested match, charged by rivalry and mounting pressure, produced no goals in regulation time despite several promising moments from both sides.

     Morocco had the clearest chance to take control when Brahim Díaz stepped forward for a pivotal penalty, but he failed to convert, leaving the game wide open.

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    With tempers rising and the stakes intensifying, Senegal eventually found the breakthrough in extra time. 

    Pape Gueye delivered the decisive moment, finishing calmly to silence the home crowd and place his side firmly in command.

    Gueye’s strike settled the contest, securing Senegal’s victory and confirming their status as AFCON 2025 champions.

    The victory crowns an impressive tournament run for the Teranga Lions, who overcame hosts Morocco on their own soil to claim continental glory.

    Morocco, despite a spirited campaign and home advantage, were left to rue missed chances in a final that slipped away, while Senegal celebrated another historic chapter in their AFCON journey.