The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Ijomoni, Adeleke, Oladipupo rule GOtv Boxing Night 34

    Ijomoni, Adeleke, Oladipupo rule GOtv Boxing Night 34

    The trio of Tobiloba “Smiling Assassin” Ijomoni, Sadiq “Happy Boy” Adeleke and Saddam “Baby Boxer” Oladipupo dominated fan conversations at GOtv Boxing Night 34Jams Festival, delivering stellar performances.

    The event, held on Friday at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, saw Adeleke and Oladipupo emerge as the national champions, while Ijomoni walked away with the biggest individual honour of the night.

    In the headline bout, Adeleke dethroned defending champion, Durotimi “Tiny” Agboola, to claim the national super bantamweight title after a gruelling 10-round duel. The judges returned a majority decision in his favour, rewarding a performance built on steady pressure. The victory marked Adeleke’s first national title and capped a measured, mature showing on the biggest stage.

    Earlier, Oladipupo announced himself as the new national lightweight champion, outclassing Imole “System” Oloyede by unanimous decision over 10 rounds. “Baby Boxer” dictated the pace of the bout and dominated exchanges to earn the points.

    Read Also: NFF issues AFCON 2025 final ultimatum to Chelle

    While the titles went to Adeleke and Oladipupo, the “Smiling Assassin” was named Best Boxer of the Night, receiving the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and a ₦1 million cash prize after a commanding unanimous decision victory over Segun “Odi” Gbobaniyi in their eight-round national lightweight challenge contest.

    The undercard delivered a run of emphatic finishes. Emmanuel “Ability” Abimbola halted the previously unbeaten Sodiq “Smart Lion” Suleiman in the fourth round of their light welterweight bout, while Toheeb “Full Tank” Hassan recorded a fifth-round technical knockout against Ezekiel “Touch” Seun in the super bantamweight division.

    International spice came courtesy of Rasheed “ID Buster” Idowu, who stopped Ghana’s Nii Offei Dodoo in the fourth round of their eight-round catchweight clash.

    Outside the ring, fans were treated to live music by Shoday and a comedy performance by Triclowns. The event was sponsored by GOtv, with support from MultiChoice, Renmoney, ZetaWeb, TheCable and the Lagos State Sports Commission.

    Oke-Odo LCDA, Hon. Abiodun Ejigbadero, and Ibile Microfinance Bank for supporting this year’s edition,” he said.

  • AFCON: Nigeria survive dramatic late rush from Tunisia, qualify for knock out stage

    AFCON: Nigeria survive dramatic late rush from Tunisia, qualify for knock out stage

    Nigeria Saturday defeated Tunisia 3-2 in a dramatic Group C clash that saw Super Eagles survived a late push from Cathage Eagles at AFCON 2025.

    Victor Osimhen had a string of early chances in Fes before having a 17th-minute goal immediately disallowed for offside. But he finally got his first goal of the tournament at the end of the first half, heading in from Ademola Lookman’s deep cross.

    The Atalanta winger got his second assist within five minutes of the restart as his inswinging corner was headed in by captain Wilfred Ndidi. And Lookman added the third goal, finishing off the post.

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

    Nigeria were brilliant for more than 70 minutes in that match and showed exactly why they should be considered genuine contenders for the AFCON title. But then showed in the final 20 minutes the exact weakness that cost them the chance of a place at next summer’s World Cup.

    Montassar Talbi pulled a goal back for Tunisia before Ali Abdi’s penalty set up a nervy finish for the Nigerians, but they were able to hang on for all three points.

    Substitute Emmanuel Ejuke was released into space on the right-hand side and burst into the penalty area. With Osimhen alongside him in support, he went for goal but watched Dahmen beat his effort away — it was far too central and lacked any real power.

    They should be commended for ultimately holding off the late Tunisian charge — particularly given the strong north African support in the stands — but that game should have never been so close given the 3-0 lead.

  • Benin secure first points with win over Botswana

    Benin secure first points with win over Botswana

    Benin breathed new life into their AFCON 2025 campaign after edging Botswana 1-0 in a tightly contested Group D encounter at the Stade Olympique de Rabat on Saturday.

    The victory delivers Benin’s first points of tournament and reopens the qualification battle in group that remains finely balanced.

    Read Also: NFF, Osimhen, Iwobi paid emotional tributes to Troost-Ekong

    Benin appeared to strike gold almost immediately when Aiyegun Tosin found the net inside the opening minutes but celebrations were cut short as the goal was ruled out for offside in the buildup.

    Undeterred the Cheetahs maintained their intensity and were rewarded around the half hour mark. Defender Yohan Roche broke the deadlock in the 28 minute finishing from close range after captain Steve Mounié created space with intelligent movement inside the box.

    The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Benin’s favour.

  • Council boss commits to sports as Karomishaus Boxing Competition holds

    Council boss commits to sports as Karomishaus Boxing Competition holds

    The Chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, Hon. Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero, has pledged to promote sporting activities in the area as a means of engaging youths productively and making them more useful to society.

    Hon. Ejigbadero made this commitment during the finals of the 4th Agbado Oke-Odo Eji Boxing Championship 2025, organised by KAROMISHAUS under the leadership of the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) of the LCDA, Comrade Ernest Olabowale Babatunde Kasunmu.

    Read Also: NFF, Osimhen, Iwobi paid emotional tributes to Troost-Ekong

    The boxing competition was held at Temidire Primary School, Oke-Odo, Lagos, between December 20 and 23, 2025.

    The Chairman noted that the competition had started before he assumed office, stressing that local councils should prioritise sports development at the grassroots level.

  • AFCON 25: Sadio Mane earns Senegal share of the spoils

    AFCON 25: Sadio Mane earns Senegal share of the spoils

    Sadio Mane scored for Senegal as they came from ⁠behind to draw 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday and keep top place in Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

    Cedric Bakambu put the Congolese into the lead in the 61st minute but Mane equalised eight minutes later with his 51st goal for his country, one of the favourites ⁠to win the tournament.

    The two countries both have four ⁠points from their opening two games and look set to progress ⁠comfortably into ⁠the last 16 with a final group game to come for each on Tuesday.

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

    Senegal ⁠are ahead of DR Congo on goal difference in the standings after they beat Botswana 3-0 in their opening fixture on Monday while DR Congo edged past Benin 1-0 the same day.

    In the group’s other game, Yohan Roche scored a deflected winner as Benin claimed a first ⁠ever victory at the tournament with a 1-0 success against Botswana in Rabat.

    Benin took the lead ⁠in the 28th minute when Roche played a one-two ⁠in the box with captain Steve Mounie and his shot from 10 ⁠yards took ⁠a wicked deflection off a defender and into the net.

    Benin finally celebrated a victory at ⁠the continental finals at the 16th attempt following their debut in 2004, and despite the fact they were quarter-finalists in 2019. They also have five draws to go with 10 defeats.

  • EPL: Wirtz gets his first goal as Liverpool beat Wolves

    EPL: Wirtz gets his first goal as Liverpool beat Wolves

    Florian Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal as they held out to beat Wolves on an emotional afternoon at Anfield as Diogo Jota was remembered by both sets of fans.

    Arne Slot’s side scored twice in two minutes through Ryan Gravenberch and Wirtz in the first half and though Wolves pulled one back through Santiago Bueno, Liverpool made it three Premier League wins in a row. Wolves remain winless in the top flight this season.

    Dinis and Duarte, Jota’s sons, were mascots for the game and came out on to the pitch alongside Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

    Jota, who played for Liverpool and Wolves, during his time in England, was remembered again when both sets of fans sang his song in the 20th minute. Liverpool retired his shirt number ’20’ following his death in a car crash in July.

    Rob Edwards’ Wolves held firm for most of the first half until Gravenberch broke the deadlock in the 41st minute as he finished from Jeremie Frimpong’s ball.

    A minute later, Wirtz got on the end of Hugo Ektike’s delivery and slotted past Jose Sa to double Liverpool’s lead.

    The visitors had a glimmer of hope six minutes into the second half, as Bueno scored the rebound after Alisson saved Tolu Arokodare’s header from a Wolves corner.

    Edwards made three changes just after the hour mark as his side hunted for an equaliser and they came close when Arokodare headed over but Liverpool held firm to make it seven games unbeaten in all competitions.

  • EPL: Arsenal regain top spot with win over Brighton

    EPL: Arsenal regain top spot with win over Brighton

    Martin Odegaard scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Arsenal survived a nervy finale to beat Brighton and return to the top of the table.

    The Gunners, who had dropped to second place after Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early match, took the lead when Bart Verbruggen’s goal-kick was intercepted and Bukayo Saka teed up captain Odegaard to score from the edge of the area.

    Arsenal’s one-goal half-time lead did not match their first-half dominance as they produced 15 shots, five on target, and restricted Brighton to none.

    But they doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half when makeshift right-back Declan Rice’s corner was flicked into his own net by Georginio Rutter, the fourth own goal that has gone Arsenal’s way in their past four games.

    Arsenal seemed set for a comfortable victory but Brighton pulled one back with their first shot on target when Yasin Ayari’s effort bounced off the post and Diego Gomez hammered in the rebound. 

    Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler had introduced winger Yankuba Minteh at half-time and his pace caused problems.

    Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had to produce a magnificent save to ensure his side took all three points when he kept out Minteh’s curled effort that was heading towards the top corner.

  • Chelle to ring changes in Nigeria starting Xl  against Tunisia

    Chelle to ring changes in Nigeria starting Xl  against Tunisia

    Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has hinted at potential tactical changes ahead of Nigeria’s clash with Tunisia on Saturday night at the ongoing AFCON tournament in Fez, Morocco.

    The Malian coach revealed that he is weighing two approaches for the crucial encounter at the Fez Stadium.

    Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Chelle explained that he is considering shifting from his usual possession-based style to a more direct approach, given the quality of the Tunisian side.

    Read Also: Nigeria vs. Tunisia:  Double Eagles battle in Fez for Group C leadership

    “I cannot talk about my starting eleven, you will see at the beginning of the game, I can tell you something, now in my mind,” he said.

    “I have two options, the first is to maybe let the ball go to Tunisia and when we get the ball go directly to  score a goal or to continue with our philosophy because Tunisia is a great game maybe we will change something.”

    Nigeria currently sits second in Group C with three points after opening their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday evening.

    Meanwhile, Tunisia leads the group on goal difference, holding the same number of points after their 3-1 win against Uganda.

    A win for the Super Eagles in their upcoming clash would boost their chances of topping the group and potentially avoiding a stronger opponent in the knockout stages.

  • Winners emerged as Rise Superball Youth League comes to thrilling end

    Winners emerged as Rise Superball Youth League comes to thrilling end

    The maiden edition of the Rise Superball Youth League sponsored by Nigeria’s leading investment platform, RiseVest, came to a thrilling conclusion as winners emerged across multiple sports.

    The volleyball final pitted Abesan Junior Academy and Ikorodu Volleyball Academy in an entertaining clash of talents. After two keenly contested sets, Ikorodu Volleyball Academy emerged champions.

    The Basketball event of the championship witnessed Anjorin basketball club overturn an early deficit against Warlords basketball club to emerge champions.

    Read Also: Fenerbache may beat  Galatasaray to sign Lookman

    The highly anticipated  fustal championship had semifinalists, Beyond Limit and Dannaz Young Cedars Football Academy compete for the third place match, with Beyond Limit clinching the bronze medal.

    The final between 36 Lions and Ikorodu City Football Academy was a one-sided affair as 36 Lions thrashed their opponents 3-0 to emerge champions.

    Sponsors of the tournament, RiseVest praised participating teams and match officials for their competitiveness and competence while reaffirming their commitment to grassroots sports development and youth engagement in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

  • Tunisia plan to cage Osimhen, Lookman, Simon

    Tunisia plan to cage Osimhen, Lookman, Simon

    Ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations clash against Nigeria, Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi admitted that he has laid out a strategy to contain the Super Eagles’ attacking threats, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.

    Heading into Saturday’s clash at the Fez Stadium, the  Eagles of Carthage lead Group C, thanks to a superior goal difference over Nigeria, who defeated Tanzania 2-1 in their tournament opener.

    When asked whether he had prepared a plan or strategy to deal with  Osimhen, Lookman, Moses and other Nigerian forwards, Trabelsi stressed that Tunisia would focus on collective discipline and organisation rather than targeting individual players.

    Read Also: Nigeria vs. Tunisia:  Double Eagles battle in Fez for Group C leadership

    Speaking at Friday’s press conference, he explained: “We must be focused. We need to maintain a high level of concentration against any opponent and any type of player in any team.

    “We are a team known for a collective approach at all levels, both defensively and offensively. We will deal with all the players, and all the stars present in the Africa Cup of Nations with the same discipline.

    “Nothing will be exceptional for any player but there will be collective defensive and offensive organisation. The national team’s performance means some important players will be less effective.”

    Nigeria and Tunisia have faced each other six times at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, with the Super Eagles winning three, Tunisia one and two matches ending in draws.