The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Delta adjusts trials for Niger Delta Games

    Delta adjusts trials for Niger Delta Games

    Expectedly, the trials for Delta State contingent to the 2nd  Niger Delta Games drew a huge number of athletes to Asaba, the state capital.

    This year’s edition of the Games, organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited for the nine states that make up the region under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will hold in Benin City, Edo State from February 20 to 27.

    Last year in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Team Delta was beaten to the title by Bayelsa State with the odd gold medal on the last day of competition.

    This time around, Team Delta do not seem prepared to leave anything to chance.

    On Wednesday, due to the large turnout of athletes, Team Delta officials decided to split the scheduled trials into two phases, with the first phase running from Friday, February 6 to February 8.

    The Chairman, Delta Sports Commission, Onoriode Oborievwori, stated yesterday  that the final trials will run from February 9 to 11.

    Read Also: Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

     “After these two phases of the trials, our athletes will begin main camping for the Niger Delta Games on February 12. At the moment, we have 374 athletes and 51 officials set for these trials. Our athletes will be camped in various locations in Asaba, and they will depart for Benin City on February 19,” Oborevwori stated.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Sports, Festus Ohwojero, has praised the leadership of Delta Sports Commission for the various steps taken, particularly on welfare of athletes and officials ahead of the Games.

    Ohwojero, who is the immediate past Director General of Delta Sports Commission, said he is optimistic of Team Delta topping the medals table at the end of the Games in Benin City on February 27.

    Among the sports expected to feature in Team Delta’s trials include athletics, chess, table tennis, tennis, scrabble, handball, wrestling, football, volleyball, swimming, taekwondo, powerlifting, basketball, boxing and weightlifting.

    Over 3000 athletes and 500 officials will participate in this year’s 2nd  Niger Delta Games.

  • National Softball  Team  begins early push for  LA2028 with camp in Badagry

    National Softball  Team  begins early push for  LA2028 with camp in Badagry

    Nigeria has begun early, structured preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games with the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Federation (NBSF) organising a national pitchers and catchers development camp in Badagry, Lagos.

    The camp, now in its second edition, is designed to identify and develop young athletes who can represent the country at the Olympic qualifiers and other international competitions ahead of 2028. Technical Coordinator of the camp, Coach Twaki Sunday, said the federation deliberately started the programme early because “the essence of this camp is to discover and develop pitchers and catchers for preparation for the Olympic coming 2028.”

    According to the federation, 27 athletes drawn from different states across Nigeria are currently in camp, made up of 17 pitchers and 10 catchers. The participants are between the ages of 15 and 17, an age group the federation believes can be fully developed in time for the Olympics. Coach Twaki explained that “between now and 2028, we believe they will be ripe enough to represent Nigeria,” adding that the programme is also aimed at preparing the players for continental and other international competitions.

    The camp, which started on January 24 and is scheduled to close by February 6  is being hosted in Badagry due to the availability of standard facilities and training space. Chief host of the camp and President of Badagry Angels Baseball and Softball Club, Abdulrahmon Rasheedat Bolanle, said the location was chosen because “we have the facilities and equipment, everything that needs to do with softball we have it here.”

    Read Also: EFL Cup: Man City to face Arsenal in final after big win over Newcastle

    She noted that previous national camps held in other locations were limited by space, while the Badagry venue allows for proper preparation ahead of the 2028 Games. She also stressed the importance of expanding opportunities for female athletes, saying the camp is part of efforts to encourage more girls to take up the sport.

    From a technical perspective, the federation is placing strong emphasis on pitching and catching, areas it has identified as critical to Nigeria’s international competitiveness. Lead instructor and pitching coach, Sunday Arie Julius, said:  “The department of pitching has been the major problem” at international tournaments, noting that the current camp is aimed at raising players “to international standard.”

    National catching coach, Jennifer Amaka Ugo-Obodozi, described the catcher as a key position in the sport, saying “a catcher in the game of softball happens to be a life wire.” She added that early signs from the camp show clear progress among participants, with some players improving significantly within a short period of structured training.

    The NBSF said players from the first and second editions of the camp will later be assessed together, with the best performers selected to form the core group that will represent Nigeria in continental competitions and the build-up to the 2028 Olympic Games.

  • Records at stake as Assar, Goda headline 2026 ITTF Africa Cup

    Records at stake as Assar, Goda headline 2026 ITTF Africa Cup

    Egyptian table tennis stars Omar Assar and Hana Goda will be putting their records on the line when the 2026 ITTF Africa Cup serves off in Benghazi, Libya, from February 7 to 9.

    The annual continental championship, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Cup, is organised by the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa) in collaboration with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), and hosted by the Libyan Table Tennis Federation (LTTF) at the iconic Al Nasr Sports Club.

    Assar, who is men’s No. 1 seed, enters the tournament as the most successful player in the men’s singles, with six titles to his name—Yaoundé 2015, Nairobi 2018, Lagos 2019, Lagos 2022, Nairobi 2023, and Tunis 2025. His closest rival, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, has won five editions, including the most recent in Kigali 2024.

    Read Also: Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

    Since his semifinal loss to Aruna at the 2020 Africa Cup in Tunis, Assar has remained unbeaten at the Africa Cup, cementing his dominance with back to back victories in Lagos, Nairobi, and Tunis. In Benghazi, he will once again face the challenge of Aruna, as well as rising compatriot Youssef Abdelaziz, who is steadily establishing himself among Africa’s elite.

    For Hana Goda, the women’s No. 1 seed, the journey began at just 14 when she stunned the continent by winning her first Africa Cup women’s title in Lagos 2022, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament’s history.

    She faltered in Kigali 2024, losing 4–0 in the semifinals to compatriot Mariam Alhodaby, but bounced back in Tunis 2025 to reclaim her crown by defeating Africa’s most decorated player, Dina Meshref, who holds a record nine titles.

    Now 18, Goda is determined to follow in Meshref’s footsteps and add to her growing collection of titles. In Libya, she will face stiff competition from Meshref and Alhodaby, as well as Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello, a finalist in Lagos 2022. Tunisia’s Ela Saidi, who impressed in 2025, is also expected to be a strong contender.

    With Africa’s finest players converging on Benghazi, the 2026 Africa Cup promises high drama and fierce battles. For Assar and Goda, it is not just about defending records—it is about cementing their legacies as the faces of African table tennis.

  • FIFA Museum records 430,000 visitors worldwide in 2025

    FIFA Museum records 430,000 visitors worldwide in 2025

    The FIFA Museum celebrated a landmark year in 2025, welcoming a total of 430,594 visitors around the world with exhibitions in Zurich, Miami, New York, Asunción and Rabat. The cultural institution also reached a record 9,556,588 engagements globally with its digital content.

    Advancing its mission to celebrate and safeguard the rich heritage and culture of international football while engaging diverse audiences, the FIFA Museum marked a major highlight in 2025 with the creation of Unidad – The World’s Game in Miami’s Freedom Tower, the FIFA Museum’s new immersive and interactive exhibition in North America to celebrate the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and to leave a lasting legacy after the tournament.

    In Zurich, alongside a range of pop-up exhibitions, live screenings and events to bring fans and legends of the beautiful game together, the FIFA Museum unveiled “Innovation in Action”, a dynamic special exhibition exploring how technology is supporting football on and off the pitch.

    Following its successful run in Switzerland, the exhibition will travel to Science World in Vancouver in May 2026.

    During the final week of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™, the FIFA Museum curated The Legacy Tunnel in New York, offering fans an evocative journey through the new era of global club football at Michelob Ultra’s Pitchside Club.

    Read Also: EFL Cup: Man City to face Arsenal in final after big win over Newcastle

     Meanwhile, in Rabat, Morocco, the pop-up exhibition Rising Stars: The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Legends celebrated the champions and emerging talents who have helped define the women’s game. As another milestone, the FIFA Museum marked FIFA’s 120th  anniversary with a commemorative exhibition in Asunción, Paraguay, during the 75th  FIFA Congress.

    The FIFA Museum’s new presenter-led video talk format The Away Game was also launched in 2025, connecting football and culture through inspiring panel discussions with legends such as Jürgen Klinsmann and Carli Lloyd, and has already surpassed 1.3 million views on YouTube.

    “2025 was another significant year for the FIFA Museum, as we took a big step forward in our internationalization and global business development,” said Marco Fazzone, Managing Director of the FIFA Museum. “We want to share the magic of football with fans everywhere in the world, and it’s wonderful to see that last year we did so more than ever before. Now, as we approach the FIFA Museum’s 10th anniversary in the year of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in the USA, Mexico and Canada, excitement is building. We look forward to connecting with many more football fans through our various exhibitions and events around the tournament.”

  • League Cup final: Man City to face Arsenal

    League Cup final: Man City to face Arsenal

    Omar Marmoush scored twice as Manchester City set up a League Cup final date with Arsenal after a comprehensive 3-1 second-leg victory over visiting Newcastle United secured a 5-1 aggregate win in their semi-final last night.

    The home side were ruthless in the first half as Tijjani Reijnders also got on the scoresheet and now face Arsenal at Wembley on March 22 in a battle between City manager Pep Guardiola and his protégé Mikel Arteta.

    Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the last thing Newcastle needed was to concede early at the Etihad Stadium, but Marmoush’s shot deflected off defender Dan Burn and into the net inside six minutes.

    Read Also: Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

    The Egypt international added a second on the night with a close-range header from Antoine Semenyo’s cross. Marmoush has now scored 12 goals for City and five have come against Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium.

    A rampant City scored a third before halftime and Semenyo was involved again as he created the chance for Reijnders to finish.

    Newcastle pulled a goal back just past the hour-mark when substitute Anthony Elanga showed quick feet to work a shooting chance and curled his effort past James Trafford in the home goal.

    Elanga missed two superb chances to reduce the deficit further, one scarcely believable from right in front of the goal, while Erling Haaland brushed the post at the other end.

    City won four League Cup titles in a row between 2018 and 2021 and have eight in all.

  • EFL Cup: Man City to face Arsenal in final after big win over Newcastle

    EFL Cup: Man City to face Arsenal in final after big win over Newcastle

    Manchester City booked a tantalising Carabao Cup final against Premier League leaders Arsenal by hammering holders Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in a one-sided semi-final.

    Trailing 2-0 heading into the second leg, Eddie Howe’s side needed something special in Wednesday’s return game at Etihad Stadium but endured the worst possible start as Omar Marmoush’s sixth minute goal set City on their way to a 10th final in the competition.

    Marmoush, starting in place of Erling Haaland, nipped in and saw a deflected strike loop over Aaron Ramsdale and into the back of the net, while the Newcastle goalkeeper denied Tijjani Reijnders with a stunning save shortly after.

    Read Also: Van Dijk quells  ‘disharmony’ in Liverpool dressing room

    The visitors had chances to hit back but James Trafford did brilliantly to smother the ball at the feet of both Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon – and those near misses proved severe as they were punished by City thereafter.

    Marmoush headed in from close range on the half hour mark and Reijnders slotted in a loose ball before half-time to make certain of the tie and allow the home supporters to enjoy a stress-free second period.

    Anthony Elanga pulled a goal back for Newcastle on 62 minutes with a fine curling effort and Harvey Barnes had another disallowed.

    But the damage had long been done as Pep Guardiola’s side confirmed their place in the League Cup final on Sunday, 22 March at Wembley Stadium.

  • Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

    Kante joins Fenerbahce after deal revival

    Fenerbahce have confirmed the signing of France midfielder N’Golo Kante from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

    The Frenchman’s hopes of joining the Turkish club appeared to be over on Tuesday, when Fenerbahce released a statement blaming Al-Ittihad for the collapse of the the move.

    Fenerbahce claimed Al-Ittihad failed to file the necessary paperwork to complete the transfer, which involves Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri moving in the opposite direction.

    However, Fenerbahce confirmed on Wednesday that the issue had been resolved and that former Chelsea player Kante had joined the club after two and a half years in Saudi Arabia.

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    Kante, 34, joined Al-Ittihad from Chelsea in 2023, having won the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup with the London side.

    He joined the Blues from Leicester City in 2016, having guided the Foxes to the Premier League trophy the previous season.

    En-Nesyri, 28, is a replacement for former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who left the club earlier this week to join Saudi Pro rivals Al-Hilal.

    BBC

  • Van Dijk quells  ‘disharmony’ in Liverpool dressing room

    Van Dijk quells  ‘disharmony’ in Liverpool dressing room

    Virgil van Dijk has insisted there is no “disharmony” in the Liverpool dressing room and said that criticism on social media will be a “very big challenge” for the next generation of players.

    It has been a turbulent season so far for Liverpool, who currently sit sixth in the Premier League table. The Reds were winless in five league games before Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle United, with head coach Arne Slot having faced a lot of external scrutiny in recent weeks.

    “It’s like us players as well — if you don’t perform you get criticism and that’s part and parcel of the game,” Van Dijk said. “We have to perform. That’s what we didn’t do on a consistent basis but we speak about that every three or four days unfortunately.

    “On Saturday was a good performance and the same for midweek [against Qarabag]. Now it’s down to us to work this week on Man City and do that again.”

    Asked whether Slot deserves more respect considering he won the title last season, Van Dijk said: “Who gives him the disrespect? That’s the question. Is the disrespect being given by people that we shouldn’t value their disrespect?

    “I can also think about players being disrespected, and who disrespects the players? Is that someone you value, is it a significant show of disrespect or someone you can just let slide and instead just focus on the task ahead to be successful as a Liverpool player? That’s the responsibility we speak about every three or four days.

    “If you’re going to read all that stuff [on social media], one week you could be the hero and the next week the villain. I spoke last week about how [much] worse and difficult it’s getting every year. For the next generation it will be a very big challenge.

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

    “Every era has its own challenges and that part of outside the game will be a big challenge for the next generation, and it’s already a challenge for this generation.”

    Van Dijk added: “The matter of fact is we are Premier League champions and we have not been good enough on a consistent basis. That’s just a fact. The criticism comes and that’s something we just have to accept. We just have to keep going.

    “I don’t think there has been any question about [togetherness] internally. I don’t think there’s any disharmony. There are obviously challenges that happen and everyone is dealing with certain situations in a different way.

    “It’s also about dealing with it together and how we are going to fix it and change things around.

    “That’s something that makes you stronger as a team and if you come out of it like we should do hopefully as we have the quality then I think it can only improve you as a team and as a player as well.”

  • Chelle commends Nnadi ‘s move to Marseille

    Chelle commends Nnadi ‘s move to Marseille

    Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has said he is not surprised that midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has made the big leap to the French Ligue 1 with Olympique Marseille.

    Former Flying Eagles midfielder Nnadi was handed his Super Eagles debut by Eric Chelle last month against Egypt and went on to feature in a 2025 AFCON group game versus Uganda.

    Marseille splashed six million euros, triple his Transfermarkt valuation, to sign him from Belgian club Zulte Waregem.

    Read Also: Ladipo: NFF interference killing Football Supporters Club

     “I thought he should have been playing in a bigger league a long time ago. He’s fast, strong, aggressive in winning the ball back, and can make a lot of interceptions,” Eric Chelle told L’Equipe.

    Nnadi joined the club two years ago for around €1.35 million from Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv.

    He played 58 matches for Zulte Waregem, scoring once and providing two assists.

    At Marseille, he’ll have to compete with Himad Abdelli and other midfielders. His physical presence and stopping ability make him ideal for a defensive midfield role, something Marseille clearly wanted to strengthen this winter.

  • Legends split on Lookman’s Atletico Switch

    Legends split on Lookman’s Atletico Switch

    Ace winger handed jersey No. 22

    Amid the frenzy surrounding Ademola Lookman’s high-profile move from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid, former Nigerian internationals Friday Ekpo and Ifeanyi Udeze have offered differing perspectives on the winger’s transition from Serie A to La Liga.

    Atletico Madrid officially announced the signing on Monday, securing the 28-year-old in a four-year deal worth €40 million. The 2024 African Footballer of the Year has been assigned the number 22 jersey at the Metropolitano.

    Friday Ekpo, a 1992 AFCON bronze medallist, hailed the move as a significant milestone, arguing that Atletico’s stature will elevate Lookman’s global profile.

    “Congratulations to Ademola Lookman on joining such a prestigious club,” Ekpo said. “He has played for good teams before, but moving to a giant like Atletico shows his desire to reach the next level. He now needs to adapt quickly to their system and work hard to make a lasting impact.”

    Addressing concerns over Diego Simeone’s notoriously disciplined tactical setup, Ekpo suggested the Argentine’s rigors would actually refine Lookman’s versatility.

    “Football isn’t just about attacking; defense starts from the front,” Ekpo told Brila FM. “Even as an attacker, you must contribute defensively. I believe Atletico’s approach will make Lookman a more complete player.”

    Read Also: Ladipo: NFF interference killing Football Supporters Club

    However, Ifeanyi Udeze—who represented Nigeria at the 2002 FIFA World Cup—offered a more cautious take. The former West Bromwich Albion defender expressed concern that Simeone’s “ultra-defensive” philosophy might stifle Lookman’s natural flair.

    “The move isn’t bad in itself,” Udeze remarked. “My only fear is that Simeone might change his style so much that his core skills are suppressed. Simeone prioritizes constant marking over individual dribbling. Lookman’s work rate will have to be exceptionally high to thrive in that environment.”

    In a related development,  a La Liga Expert Phil Kitromilides, has shared the excitements of the Atletico’s faithful on Lookman’s move to Spain.

    “People are super excited about this transfer, it’s a little bit of star quality coming through to Atleti,” Kitromilides reportedly  told CBS TV. “It’s a really, really interesting signing.

     “It’s a useful signing. He’s the kind of player they don’t have – who dribbles past players at speed,” he added.