The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Ghana to host 2026 Africa Aquatics Swimming Championships

    Ghana to host 2026 Africa Aquatics Swimming Championships

    Ghana has been confirmed as host of the 2026 Africa Aquatics Swimming Championships, scheduled to hold from May 5–10, 2026, at the Borteyman Sports Complex, Accra.

    The six-day championship will feature a modified format, accommodating Seniors, Juniors, Masters, and Inter-Zonal Championships for the first time.

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    The Bureau of Africa Aquatics praised Ghana for its continued commitment to the development of aquatic sports across the continent.

    Ghana has built a strong reputation as a hub for African swimming, having successfully hosted several major events, including the 2021 AA Junior & Senior Championships, the 2023 Zone II Junior Championships, and the 2025 Zone II Junior and Senior Championships.

  • Rovers FC sacks  coaching staff

    Rovers FC sacks  coaching staff

    Rovers FC have dissolved their entire technical crew with immediate effect following a string of disappointing results which got to his crescendo with the home loss to Akwa United last weekend.

    The decision, announced yesterday, comes as part of efforts to arrest the club’s poor performances and reposition the team for improved outcomes following the team’s 2-0 home defeat to Akwa United in the concluding fixture of the 2025-26 NNL first stanza .

    Read Also: Mikel berates  NFF on Super Eagles’ preps for AFCON 2025

    Further details on interim arrangements and new appointments are expected to be communicated by the club in due course.

    Rovers FC finished the first stanza with 10 points from eight games and will kick off the second stanza on January 31st with a tough away tie in Uyo against Akwa United who will be eyeing a double.

  • Shooting Stars bolster bench with Lebanese tactician

    Shooting Stars bolster bench with Lebanese tactician

    Shooting Stars Sports Club have strengthened their technical bench with the appointment of Ali Kandil ahead of the second half of the season.

    The Lebanese coach joins the Oluyole Warriors, reuniting with former boss Nurudeen Aweroro, as the club pushes for improved performances.

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    Kandil previously served as assistant coach at Ikorodu City FC before being appointed head coach in July 2025, where he led the club through 19 NPFL matches, recording eight wins, eight draws and three losses.

    He holds diplomas in Football Business and Digital Marketing in Sports, and is known for his preference for a 4-3-3 attacking formation.

    His arrival is expected to bring tactical depth and fresh ideas to the Shooting Stars setup.

  • NBF announces open trials ahead of 2026 Commonwealth Games

    NBF announces open trials ahead of 2026 Commonwealth Games

    The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has announced plans to conduct an open trial for boxers ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

    According to a statement from the federation’s Communications Department, the screening exercise will be open to pugilists across all weight categories, with the date and venue to be announced once arrangements are finalized.

    NBF Vice President, Hon. Omonlei Imadu, assured stakeholders that the selection process would be transparent, credible and fair.

    Read Also: Victor Osimhen not leaving AFCON camp — NFF official

     “I make bold to say the days of impunity in boxers’ selection for international events are over,” Imadu declared. “We have put machinery in place to ensure that every athlete gets equal opportunity to make the final shortlist.”

    He noted that the current NBF board is committed to changing the narrative of boxing in Nigeria by upholding integrity and professionalism in athlete selection.

    Imadu further urged boxers and their coaches to intensify preparations, stressing that only athletes with the right skills, mentality and readiness would be selected.

     “Our aim is to pick boxers who can bring glory to the nation. Coaches must ensure their pugilists are in perfect shape ahead of the screening process,” he said.

    The 23rd Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026.

  • Teenage super sub Mbaye could prove decisive for Senegal

    Teenage super sub Mbaye could prove decisive for Senegal

    Senegal’s 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye has emerged as a potential future star for African football, and his role as a super substitute at the Africa Cup of Nations could yet prove decisive for his team.

    One of a number of exciting new players on display over the last three weeks at the tournament in Morocco, Mbaye has made the biggest impact, featuring in each of Senegal’s matches off the bench.

    As they prepare to face Egypt in Wednesday’s semi-final in Tangiers, his impact will be part of the planning as Senegal look to advance to Sunday’s final.

    His powerful and pacy running, dribbling skills, and a sharp nose for goal have given Senegal a serious addition to their already much-vaunted attack.

    “He’s a gem, and we need to nurture him,” said coach Pape Bouna Thiaw. “We know what he can bring to this team, and we will do everything we can to ensure he thrives and is at his best.”

    Mbaye netted in Senegal’s 3-1 win over Sudan in the round of 16, officially becoming, at 17 years, 11 months, and 11 days, the second youngest scorer in tournament history. The youngest is Chiva Nzigou of Gabon, who was allegedly 16 when he scored in the 2000 finals, but has since admitted being an age cheat, although the record is not expunged.

    Mbaye, who turns 18 this month, was close to a goal in Senegal’s second group game against the Democratic Republic of Congo when he was brought on a minute after the Congolese took the lead in Tangiers.

    Eight minutes later, a surging run down the right led to him firing off a shot that the goalkeeper could not hold, allowing Sadio Mane to equalise.

    “He has this spark within him. He’s young, but you don’t notice that on the pitch. Every time he comes on, he brings something extra,” said Senegal teammate Krepin Diatta.

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    Mbaye won his first cap in November, in a friendly against Brazil, having one month previously played for France’s under-19 team, with Thiaw visiting him at Paris St Germain to persuade him to switch allegiance.

    “It was easy to convince the player. Ibrahim wanted to play for Senegal,” said the coach.

    They had been tracking him from last season when PSG used him as a starter for their opening match of the Ligue 1 campaign. He was an unused substitute in the Champions League final against Inter Milan in May and this season has started eight times for the French giants, including October’s Champions League win at Barcelona.

    Thiaw says the experience of rubbing shoulders with Senegal’s top players will be beneficial for Mbaye.

    “He is in a squad where he has the chance to work wi

    ith players like Sadio Mane, who has won everything and can guide him, like Kalidou Koulibaly and Gana Gueye, who are familiar with the highest level. Now, we need to protect him properly,” added the coach.

  • Arbeloa named new Madrid coach after Alonso’s exit

    Arbeloa named new Madrid coach after Alonso’s exit

    Coach Xabi Alonso has left Real Madrid by mutual agreement a day after their 3-2 defeat by bitter rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, according to the LaLiga club.

    “Xabi Alonso will always have the love and admiration of all Real Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has represented the values of our club at all times. Real Madrid will always be his home,” the club said in a statement.

    They added that second-team manager and former defender Alvaro Arbeloa will take over the first team job.

    Real parted ways with Alonso a little more than seven months after appointing him, following a poor run of results in all competitions.

    Former Real midfielder Alonso, who was handed a three-year contract in May after an impressive stint with Bayer Leverkusen, saw his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu quickly unravel.

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    The former Spain international had guided Leverkusen to a historic unbeaten campaign to win the Bundesliga title in the 2023-24 season, along with a German Cup triumph and a Europa League final appearance, prompting Real to bring him back to the club as manager.

    However, Alonso’s return failed to replicate the success of a fellow former Real Madrid midfielder, Zinedine Zidane, who famously led the club to three consecutive Champions League titles.

    His tenure was marred by internal discord, with reports of clashes with senior players, including co-captain Federico Valverde and winger Vinicius Jr.

    Real’s poor performances under Alonso included humbling losses to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup, to Atletico Madrid in LaLiga, and Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League.

    Arbeloa will take over the job immediately and will be on the sidelines tomorrow  as Real visit second-division side Albacete in a Copa del Rey round of 16 tie.

    After leading LaLiga earlier in the season with a comfortable five-point advantage over old rivals Barcelona, Alonso’s Real collapsed and are now second, four points behind last year’s champions Barca.

    Alonso’s appointment was initially seen as a long-term project, but his dismissal signals the club’s impatience with Real falling short of their high standards.

    The 44-year-old, who made 236 appearances for Los Blancos as a player between 2009 and 2014, won a LaLiga title, two Copa del Rey trophies, and the club’s long-awaited 10th European crown during his years in midfield.

    Alonso also began his coaching career at Real’s academy, managing the Under-14 side to league and tournament success in the 2018-19 season, before progressing to Real Sociedad’s reserve team and then Leverkusen.

    His successor, Arbeloa, has been the coach of Real Madrid Castilla since June 2025 and has spent his entire coaching career in the club’s youth academy since 2020.

    Arbeloa played for Real during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, between 2009 and 2016, playing 238 matches and winning eight titles, including two Champions League trophies.

    He was also in the Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships, making 56 international appearances.

  • BREAKING: Real Madrid sack Alonso after El Clásico defeat

    BREAKING: Real Madrid sack Alonso after El Clásico defeat

    Real Madrid have announced the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso following the club’s defeat in El Clásico.

    The Nation reported that Barcelona edged past Real Madrid in a five-goal thriller to win back-to-back Spanish Super Cup finals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday. 

    However, in a statement released on Monday, Real Madrid said the decision was reached by mutual agreement between the club and the former midfielder, bringing an end to his tenure as first-team coach.

    “Real Madrid C. F. communicates that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as coach of the first team,” the club said.

    Real Madrid praised Alonso for his contributions to the club, describing him as a legend who embodies the values of the institution.

    Read Also: Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 with Raphinha’s late strike in Super Cup thriller

    “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Real Madrid because he is a legend of Real Madrid and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home,” the statement added.

    The club also expressed gratitude to Alonso’s technical crew for their commitment and professionalism during their time at the Santiago Bernabéu.

    “Real Madrid thanks Xabi Alonso and all his technical team for their work and dedication throughout this time, and wishes them good luck in this new stage of their lives.”

    Details shortly…

  • CAF opens disciplinary probe over aftermath of Nigeria’s victory over Algeria

    CAF opens disciplinary probe over aftermath of Nigeria’s victory over Algeria

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a disciplinary investigation following violent scenes that erupted after Nigeria’s 2–0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Marrakech.

    Although Nigeria sealed qualification for the semi-finals, the aftermath of the encounter descended into chaos on the pitch and in surrounding areas of the stadium.

    At full-time, several Algerian players confronted referee Issa Sy and his assistants over disputed decisions, surrounding the officiating crew in a heated standoff. 

    Security officials were forced to intervene to prevent the situation from escalating into physical confrontation between the two teams.

    The tension spilled into the stands, where visibly frustrated supporters of Algeria reportedly attempted to breach security barriers and vandalised parts of the stadium before stewards managed to restore order.

    More troubling incidents were reported in the mixed zone reserved for journalists. According to multiple accounts, some Algerian reporters allegedly verbally and physically assaulted Moroccan journalists, raising serious concerns about safety in restricted and controlled media areas.

    CAF, speaking through reports cited by Africa Soccer, confirmed it has begun reviewing official submissions from match officials, security personnel, and media representatives involved in the incident.

    Disciplinary measures are expected in the coming days, with the outcome likely to serve as a major test of CAF’s commitment to maintaining discipline, protecting participants, and preserving the integrity of the continent’s premier football tournament.

  • Brentford sign Nigerian teenager from Club Brugge

    Brentford sign Nigerian teenager from Club Brugge

    Brentford have completed the signing of highly rated teenager Kaye Furo from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge.

    Furo, the son of former Nigeria international, Furo Iyenemi, has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Bees. The transfer remains subject to international clearance and the granting of a work permit.

    The 18-year-old forward featured eight times for Club Brugge this season across the UEFA Champions League, Belgian Pro League and Belgian Cup, registering one goal and one assist.

    Brentford head coach Keith Andrews expressed confidence in the youngster’s potential, describing him as a long-term investment for the club.

    “Kaye is someone we have tracked for a while that we are really excited about bringing to the club,” Andrews told Brentford’s official website.

    “His attributes are ones that I like and feel we can develop within the environment we have created. I have no doubt he will be a big player for us.”

    Eligible to represent Belgium and Nigeria at international level, Furo has already featured for Belgium across multiple youth categories, from under-15 to under-21 level.

    The move underlines Brentford’s continued focus on recruiting and developing young talent with long-term upside.

  • Eagles hungry to make amends for last AFCON – Ajayi

    Eagles hungry to make amends for last AFCON – Ajayi

    Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi has declared Nigeria’s overriding objective is to lift the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy as the team prepares for a crucial semi-final showdown with Morocco.

    Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, will take on hosts Morocco on Wednesday night in Rabat, with a place in the final at stake.

    Speaking with Footy Africa, the Nigeria defender—who plays his club football with Hull City—said the squad is driven by the desire to atone for the disappointment of their last AFCON final defeat to Côte d’Ivoire.

    “The ambition is there, the goal is the same,” Ajayi said. “We know how painful it was to not go all the way the last time, and we’re looking to make amends for that.

    “Like I said, we’ve still got a semi-final to do it, and we’re really hungry, ready, and focused to make sure we fulfil the ambition.”

    Ajayi also stressed that the Super Eagles remain intent on improving as the tournament reaches its decisive stages.

    “We can always improve. No performance is perfect, and whatever we need to fix, we can do that on the training field before the next game,” he added.

    Wednesday’s clash promises to be a high-stakes encounter as Nigeria aim to move one step closer to reclaiming continental glory at the Africa Cup of Nations.