The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Reality star Adekunle blasts referee, says Nigeria was robbed

    Reality star Adekunle blasts referee, says Nigeria was robbed

    Reality TV star Adekunle Olopade has spoken out about the Super Eagles’ semi-final loss to Morocco, shifting the blame from the players to the match officials.

    In a tweet on X, Adekunle claimed Nigeria was robbed of a win due to poor officiating by Ghana’s Daniel Laryea, citing several questionable decisions, including a yellow card to Calvin Bassey and ignored fouls on Nigerian players.

    Olopade defended the Super Eagles’ performance, stating they had the upper hand and created many scoring opportunities.

    He urged fans to consider the entire match, not just the penalty shootout, and called out CAF for not addressing the officiating issues.

    He wrote: “While Chukwueze’s performance was absolutely terrible, we simply cannot reduce the entire match to just a penalty shoot out.

    “First of all, the game WASN’T EVEN SUPPOSED TO GET TO PENALTIES. If you didn’t watch the match from start to finish, please don’t involve yourself in this. Nigeria had so many chances, yes it was a tough game but we had the upper hand. The Super Eagles player were ready. Probably even the best form they’ve all been in a while and we were ready. The country was ready.

    “But Daniel Laryea with his intentional and terrible officiating robbed us of that match. The ref was whistle-happy, Calvin Bassey did not deserve the yellow card, he stopped a lot of our plays that killed the momentum, ignored Morocco’s one too many fouls on the Nigerian players, and it was clear to see that they played favoritism to the host country.

    “This isn’t about country or banter, maybe it influenced his decisions but THERE WERE TOO MANY WRONG CALLS ON THE SUPER EAGLES PART AND CAF SHOUDLN’T BE QUIET ABOUT IT.

    “Yesterday’s match felt like it was Nigeria against the whole of Africa and sentiments aside, Nigeria was robbed off the win”.

  • Despite AFCON loss, BUA chairman to fulfill $500,000 pledge to Super Eagles

    Despite AFCON loss, BUA chairman to fulfill $500,000 pledge to Super Eagles

    Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, on Thursday announced that he will fulfill his $500,000 pledge to the Super Eagles despite the team’s failure to clinch the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

    Recall Rabiu had pledged the cash reward to the Super Eagles ahead of the tournament as part of efforts to motivate the team in their quest for continental glory.

    The Super Eagles on Wednesday lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout to host nation Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense 0–0 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

    Rabiu in a message on his official Instagram page on Thursday, applauded the Nigerian team for their resilience, courage and fighting spirit throughout the tournament.

    Read Also: Morocco vs. Nigeria: NFF quashes fears of manipulative officiating  

    He praised the players for giving their all on the pitch, noting that although the desired outcome was not achieved, they had made Nigerians proud with their performance.

    “You fought with your hearts, gave your all, and showed true courage and determination on the pitch. Though it wasn’t meant to be this time, you have made every Nigerian proud.

    “Sometimes, even our best efforts don’t bring the outcome we hope for, but the spirit, passion and unity you displayed are what truly matter. You left everything on the field, and that is worthy of celebration,” he added.

    As a token of appreciation, Rabiu confirmed that he would still honour the $500,000 reward earlier promised to the team, describing it as recognition of their hard work, dedication and the joy they brought to Nigerians during the tournament.

  • Morocco to face Senegal in AFCON Final

    Morocco to face Senegal in AFCON Final

    Hosts Morocco  last  night booked their place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic penalty victory over Nigeria in Rabat.

    In a dour goalless draw that never looked like finding a winner, it was the hosts who won the battle of nerves from 12 yards at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

    The match itself was a dour affair, with both sides unwilling to open themselves up for fear of being countered on the biggest stage in African football.

    Despite both managers’ star-studded squads, both Eric Chelle and Walid Regragui were both more concerned with not losing than taking the game to their opponents.

    Brahim Diaz and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli were the danger men for Morocco out wide, with the latter skinning Nigeria right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel for fun down the left flank.

    Both men had chances, stinging the palms of Stanley Nwabali, but neither side could find that elusive winning goal.

    Read Also: NFF  suspends many referees to protect game integrity

    In the penalties, Morocco scored four of their five shots, whereas Nigeria scored two.

    The victory brings Morocco closer to its second title, which they have been seeking since its last AFCON victory in 1976.

    Earlier, Senegal faced Egypt in the first semi-final match, where they beat the Pharaohs 1-0.

    The Lions of Teranga took full control of the match, with 65 percent ball possession and 11 shots.

    The Pharaohs kept their sheet clean with solid defending until Sadio Mane finally took the lead for Senegal in the 78th minute.

    The final match will determine which of Senegal and Morocco will secure their second AFCON title, while Egypt with seven titles will face Nigeria, which holds three titles for the third place.

  • Only Joshua can decide boxing future, says promoter

    Only Joshua can decide boxing future, says promoter

    Anthony Joshua is the ‘only voice’ who can make a decision about his future in the sport, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

    Joshua’s close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, died after a fatal car crash in Nigeria last month. Joshua was also in the car and required hospital treatment for minor injuries before returning to the UK.

    When asked whether he expects Joshua to take some considerable time off boxing, Hearn told Sky Sports News: “Yeah, I do.”

    “That’s not a conversation that I think anyone’s comfortable in having in terms of asking what could be next or what he’s thinking.

    “That’s something that has to come next. You need someone to have their time and to just be left alone, really, to get over, like I said, not just a terrible incident, but just one that you can never prepare for in life. You never, ever want to see anybody you know in any kind of this situation.

    “It’s heart-breaking. And when the time is right, I believe he will make his decision. You’ll hear it from him.

    “The future of Anthony Joshua will be told by Anthony Joshua. And that’s the only voice you should listen to in that respect.

    Read Also: Morocco vs. Nigeria: NFF quashes fears of manipulative officiating  

    “And we’ll give him his time to make that decision and to heal specifically in many different ways.

    “What happened to him is not normal and it’s heart-breaking for everybody involved, particularly the families of Sina and Latz, who were so incredibly loved.”

    The 2012 Olympic gold medallist took to social media to post a tribute to Ayodele and Ghami earlier this month.

    “I think AJ, as we’ve seen in the past on boxing-related stuff, he’s always a kind of brave-faced guy,” Hearn told Sky Sports News. “This, of course, is very different to that. But I know that he’ll take his time and he’ll need his time physically and mentally, emotionally, spiritually before he makes a decision on his future.

    “The only conversation now is [asking], are you okay?

    “Our thoughts are, of course, not just with the families of Sina and Latz, but with AJ as well. We pray for him every day.”

  • Skybound excited over renewed sponsorship deals for NNL

    Skybound excited over renewed sponsorship deals for NNL

    Marketing Consultants to Nigeria National League (NNL), Skybound J & B Connect  Ltd, has expressed joy over the corporate support coming the way of the nation’s second tier league.

    CEO of Skybound J & B Connect Ltd, John Joshua Akanji,  said in a statement that the corporate support is a direct fallout of the excellent job being done by the George Aluo-led board of NNL.

    “The ground- breaking  mega partnership deals secured by the Nigerian National League Board  is an indication of the confidence, trust and new direction  provided  by the  George Aluo led Board,” Akanji stated.

    Akanji asserted that the NNL  has undergone transformation with improved  standard of play, better officiating and less violence which is attracting  corporate attention.

    The statement read: “Every  discerning  person can see the impact of the transformative  leadership at the NNL under the able leadership of Mr George Aluo. This is the reason why corporate bodies are investing  in the Nigerian National League.

    Read Also: NFF Management, Staff stage walk against corruption

    “In the past, no sponsor wanted to put its money in the league due to poor officiating, crowd  violence and win at home syndrome. Happily, today the story is changing as teams win on the road without  fear of being  attacked or molested by the fans of the losing teams.

    “This is a new dawn for Nigerian  football  as BetPawa, Toptier Sports Management (TSM) have signed up  to be part of NNL. Talks have also been  held with BlockChain Sports Arena with a deal almost secured.

    “Other companies, individuals and organizations should take a cue from these companies to support  the Most Important League. And for us at Skybound J and B Connect Ltd, we are proud to be part of the new dawn in NNL. Things can only get better.”

    Recall  that the NNL   secured a major new sponsorship deal with gaming  company BetPawa totalling over ₦494 million.

    The deal comes with a unique “Locker Room Bonus” for players and coaches just as Toptier Sports Management (TSM) is poised to inject billions into the league over a 10-year period.

  • Delta  vows to dominate 2nd  Niger Delta Games  in Benin

    Delta  vows to dominate 2nd  Niger Delta Games  in Benin

    As the build up to the 2nd  Niger Delta Games, Edo 2026 continues across the region, Team Delta has vowed to avoid the mistakes which cost them the title on last day of competition at the maiden edition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last year.

    At the end of the contests in Uyo, last April, Bayelsa came from behind to snatch the title, winning 42 gold against Team Delta’s 41 gold medals.

    Delta athletes and officials were already looking forward to be crowned champions in Uyo after leading the table with most total medals of 99 medals (41 gold, 26 silver, 32 bronze) before Bayelsa struck, topping the table with 42 gold, 29 silver, 15 bronze. Team Edo finished third with 23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze.

    With focus now on Benin City, Edo State, for the second edition, between February 20 and 27, Team Delta is optimistic of winning the crown.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Egypt friendly in doubt as NFF shift camp to Morocco

    This year’s edition is featuring over 3,000 U-20 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states. They will compete in 17 sports to discover and develop regional talent, promising an even grander event, which according to the organisers, will surpass the success recorded at Uyo 2025 Games.

    An official of Team Delta, Festus Ohwojero, who is the Executive Assistant on Sports to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, said that the state is doing everything to correct the mistakes noticed at Uyo 2025.

    “We lost the title last year in Uyo by one gold medal, and our athletes and coaches are working hard to ensure such does not happen again as we prepare for Benin City 2026,” he stated.

    Ohwojero, who is the immediate past Director General of Delta Sports Commission, further stated that Team Delta athletes and officials are not under any form of pressure ahead the Games, adding: “I am sure they will get it right this time.”

    The Niger Delta Games is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission while Dunamis-Icon Limited owns the franchise.

  •  Adesanya  gets March 28 UFC return date

     Adesanya  gets March 28 UFC return date

    Israel Adesanya will return to the cage at the end of March as the former two-time UFC middleweight champion bids to get back in the win column against Joe Pyfer after a three-fight slip.

    Adesanya (24-5, 16 KOs) is one of the UFC’s most recognisable fighters but has slipped down the 185lb rankings after a run of just one win in five bouts since late 2022.

     “The Last Stylebender” suffered a damning second-round knockout to French contender Nassourdine Imavov last February and has not fought since.

    The 36-year-old will now get the chance to spark a late-career renaissance when he takes on hard-hitting American Pyfer (13-5, 9 KOs), who has been steadily making his name and now stares down the barrel of his biggest opportunity in the UFC yet.

    Pyfer, 29, is vying for his fourth consecutive win in the UFC and comes into the bout off the back of a submission victory over Abus Magomedov on the undercard of UFC 320 in October.

    He will face Adesanya in the main event of UFC Seattle on 28 March in what could prove a pivotal bout in deciding the Australian’s fighting future, with murmurs of retirement lingering around Adesanya’s name for the past year.

    It will be just the second time Adesanya has fought without gold being on the line since February 2019 after competing in 12 consecutive title matches, successfully defending his middleweight strap six times before being dethroned by Alex Pereira in November 2022.

    He won the title back from current light heavyweight champion “Poatan” in the rematch but subsequently lost his next outing to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, before failing in his challenge to Dricus Du Plessis in August 2024.

    Read Also: 16th Round: NFF agree to pay Super Eagles $30,000 each

    Elsewhere on the card for Seattle, former women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (16-5-1) will renew hostilities with Maycee Barber (15-2).

    Grasso is one of only two people to have beaten Barber in her professional career, picking up the unanimous decision win when the pair first clashed in 2021.

    The Mexican 32-year-old enjoyed an 18-month long reign at the top of the women’s flyweight division after putting a rare blotch on Valentina Shevchenko’s legacy by dethroning “Bullet”, before clinging onto her title when their first rematch was ruled a draw.

    Shevchenko reclaimed the gold in their trilogy outing in September 2024 and Grasso has failed to get back into the win column since, losing her next fight to Natalia Silva.

  • Mane takes dominant Senegal past Egypt into AFCON final

    Mane takes dominant Senegal past Egypt into AFCON final

    Sadio Mane thrashed home a dramatic winner 12 minutes from fulltime to send Senegal into the Africa Cup of Nations final after they edged Egypt 1-0 in a tense last-four encounter.

    It was as much as Senegal deserved after they dominated the match, with Egypt not having any shots at goal or even forcing a corner before they conceded.

    Senegal found it tough, however, to break down a resolute Egypt defence and it was only a fortuitous deflection that set up Mane’s chance.

    Yet his shot from the edge of the area was worthy of winning any match and sent Senegal through to take on either hosts Morocco or Nigeria in Sunday’s final.

    Lamine Camara’s effort from the edge of the area was blocked but it fell to Mane nearby and he wasted no time bulleting the ball along the ground with a grass-cutting shot that gave Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy no chance.

    Senegal probed throughout the game as they tried to force an opening, but opportunities were rare.

    Nicolas Jackson, restored to the team, fired a powerful effort over the top in the 19th minute, followed by shots from Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye that provided El Shenawy with routine saves.

    In the second half, Senegal continued to dominate possession but were again restricted to speculative efforts from range before Mane’s goal.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Egypt friendly in doubt as NFF shift camp to Morocco

    But after they scored, it finally prompted Egypt to push forward with three strikers brought on in a late, and desperate, bid to get back into the game.

    Substitute Ahmed Zizo’s shot in stoppage time, which Edouard Mendy saved, was their only effort of substance.

    Defeat ended Mohamed Salah’s hopes of securing a first title with his national team with the Liverpool star having little impact on the game. He had twice been a losing finalist at the Cup of Nations.

    Senegal lost captain Kalidou Koulibaly to a groin injury midway through the first half but not before he had been booked for a foul on Omar Marmoush, which ruled him out of the final.

    Diarra, who plays for Sunderland in the Premier League, was also booked for a second successive game and is suspended for Sunday’s decider.

  • Burkina Faso sack coach as Mali’s officials resign en mass

    Burkina Faso sack coach as Mali’s officials resign en mass

    Burkina Faso have sacked coach Brama Traore and his coaching staff after their last-16 exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The country’s football federation (FBF) said the decision was taken following results “deemed to fall far short of the objectives set for the national team” before the finals in Morocco.

    The Stallions had been targeting a place in the semi-finals but lost 3-0 to defending champions Ivory Coast in the first knockout round.

    “This poor performance has caused deep disappointment among supporters, stakeholders in national football, and governing bodies,” said FBF chairman Oumarou Sawadogo.

    Traore, 63, had been appointed in March 2024, replacing Frenchman Hubert Velud after the Burkinabe exited the 2023 edition of AFCON in the last 16.

    Meanwhile, 10 members of the 19-strong executive committee of Mali’s football federation (FEMAFOOT) have resigned, plunging the administration of the game in the West African country into a leadership crisis.

    The resignations came after the Eagles reached the quarter-finals in North Africa, matching their performance in Cote d’Ivoire two years ago.

    However, FEMAFOOT has moved to deny rumours that coach Tom Saintfiet’s job is also at risk.

    “[He] has not been dismissed, and no decision has been taken in that regard,” FEMAFOOT communications officer Ladji Kone told BBC Sport Africa.

    Read Also: Morocco 2025:  NFF launches NAIJA 4 THE WIN campaign for Super Eagles

    While the shake-up is significant, FEMAFOOT president Mamatou Toure, known as Bavieux, was not among those who quit their roles at the organisation.

    Bavieux was elected to a second term in April 2023 while in detention for alleged corruption, and was released in April last year after 622 days in prison.

    According to a source familiar with the situation, the crisis has been driven by repeated dysfunction in administrative management and internal tensions.

    Belgian Saintfiet, who took charge in September 2024, distanced himself from the politics swirling online.

    “I am in Belgium, I am not following what is happening on the internet,” the 52-year-old told BBC Sport Africa. “I coached Mali to the quarter-final for the second time (in a row), that is the only thing I can say.

    “What kind of politics is going on, I don’t know.”

  • Tunisia appoint Lamouchi as new coach

    Tunisia appoint Lamouchi as new coach

    Former Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi has been appointed as Tunisia’s new coach, according to  the country’s football association.

    The 54-year-old French coach, who has also managed Cardiff City and Ivory Coast, will replace Sami Trabelsi, who left his role following Tunisia’s last-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

    Read Also: 16th Round: NFF agree to pay Super Eagles $30,000 each

    “The Tunisian football federation has announced that it has signed coach Sabri Lamouchi to take charge of the national team until July 31, 2028,” the Tunisian FA said in a statement.

    Lamouchi, who was born in Lyon and has Tunisian roots, led Forest and Cardiff in England’s second tier, and also had a stint with Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.

    Tunisia have qualified for this year’s World Cup and have been drawn in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and a European playoff winner.