The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • FC Ebedei facility get royal praise as Akarigbo of Remo Land visits

    FC Ebedei facility get royal praise as Akarigbo of Remo Land visits

    FC Ebedei received high praise after a facility tour by the Akarigbo of Remo Land, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Torungbuwa II, on Friday.

    The 19th traditional paramount ruler of the Remo Kingdom in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, visited the FC Ebedei Stadium and Ebedei Sports College campus in Apele-Sagamu, alongside His Royal Highness, Alayeluwa Oba Taiwo Taiwo (Amororo II), Onipara of Ipara Remo, and a few top personalities, firmly recognising the significance of the football institution.

    Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi graced the year-end party of FC Ebedei and the reunion of the 1991 Law Class set from Obafemi Awolowo University ile ife.

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    “I am amazed by what I have seen at the FC Ebedei Stadium and Ebedei Sports College.

    “After the tour, there’s no emerging talent that comes here that won’t strive to be the next Sunday Oliseh, Obafemi Martins and the many others that have become world football stars.

    “ I want to also thank the President of FC Ebedei, Barrister Churchill Oliseh for investing in Remo land.

    “I want my good friend, Oliseh, to support me. If you want anything from Remoland and the government, let me know and I will be there to give you all the support you need to excel.”

    His Royal Highness became the first  high-profile traditional ruler to visit the facility, a few months after the Danish Ambassador to Nigeria visited.

  • Disu to grace Ikate Youth Oba’s Cup Final Sunday

    Disu to grace Ikate Youth Oba’s Cup Final Sunday

    Former Lagos State Football Association Technical Director and ex-international player, Taju Disu, will be gracing the Ikate Youth Oba’s Cup final on Sunday.

    The highly anticipated final, organized by the Ikate Youth Association, features talented young players competing for a prize pool of N500,000.

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    Taju Disu’s presence is expected to add star power to the event, inspiring the young athletes to showcase their skills. The Ikate Youth Oba’s Cup is a significant platform for youth football development in Nigeria, providing opportunities for young players to gain exposure and recognition. ¹

    The final match promises to be an exciting encounter, with top teams battling it out for the coveted trophy. Fans are eagerly looking forward to witnessing the action-packed finale.

  • Supercomputer predicts 2025 AFCON Winner

    Supercomputer predicts 2025 AFCON Winner

    AFCON 2025 hosts Morocco are among the favorites, while defending champions Ivory Coast will be hopeful of becoming the first back-to-back AFCON winners since Egypt went three for three in the late 2000s.

    The trusty Opta supercomputer has made its predictions for the tournament winner, and here are its thoughts.

    While the supercomputer believes there are a number of candidates for the crown, Morocco are the clear favorites. As well as home advantage, they are currently FIFA’s highest-ranked African nation at 11th in the standings, and their fourth-placed finish at the 2022 World Cup lives in recent memory.

    With Achraf Hakimi as their talisman and the likes of Brahim Díaz, Noussair Mazraoui and Yassine Bounou as key members of the supporting cast, it’s easy to see why they’re given a 19.1% chance of winning the title.

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    Three of the supercomputer’s four favorites are from North Africa, with record seven-time champions Egypt also handed a strong chance of lifting the trophy. Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Co. have been given a 12.4% chance of glory, although they haven’t claimed the prize since 2010. The runners-up in 2021 are hopeful that their star players rise to the occasion.

    Morocco’s fierce rivals Algeria have been given a 12.0% chance of only a third title.

    Sandwiched just in between Egypt and Algeria are third favorites Senegal, the 2021 champions who have featured in two of the last three finals.

    There is a steep drop down to fifth favorites Nigeria, who are given just a 7.3% chance of glory. Despite boasting the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the 2023 runners-up fall short of the four leading candidates as they seek a first title since 2013.

  • AFCON to hold every four years from 2028

    AFCON to hold every four years from 2028

    The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years from 2028, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has announced.

    The tournament has taken place every two years since 1968, with a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.

    But it will switch to a four-year cycle after the 2027 Afcon in East Africa and a 2028 edition.

    Motsepe has instead announced the creation of an African Nations League which will take place annually from 2029.

    “We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said.

    “I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”

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    Meanwhile, Caf has increased the prize money for the winners of Afcon from $7m (£5.2m) to $10m (£7.5m).

    The surprise announcement about the future of Afcon was made by Motsepe after a meeting of Caf’s executive committee in Morocco before the start of the 2025 finals in Rabat on Sunday.

    The biennial hosting of Afcon has long caused issues with the football calendar, with the vast majority of recent tournaments held midway through the European club season.

    However, Caf remained committed to scheduling the tournament every two years – not least as it needs the revenue raised from the finals to reinvest in the game on the continent.

  • EPL: Alexander Isak got injured as he opened the scoring for Liverpool

    EPL: Alexander Isak got injured as he opened the scoring for Liverpool

    Alexander Isak came off the bench to score for Liverpool but then went off injured as Arne Slot’s side beat nine-man Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

    Isak broke the deadlock in the 56th minute but was injured in the act of scoring, before Hugo Ekitike doubled Liverpool’s lead 10 minutes later.

    Richarlison came off the bench to pull a goal back for Spurs but the visitors held on to inflict further pain on Thomas Frank, whose side had Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero sent off and have now won just one of their past eight league games.

    After a cagey start, Simons was sent off for a foul on Virgil van Dijk in the 33rd minute following a VAR review.

    Referee John Brooks was sent to the pitchside monitor and ruled it was “serious foul play” after Simons raked his studs down the calf of Van Dijk – his captain for the Netherlands.

    With the game there for the taking, Slot sent Isak on at half-time after Conor Bradley suffered a knock – and the £125m British record signing finished coolly past Guglielmo Vicario after being fed by Florian Wirtz for his first Premier League assist.

    However, as Isak got his shot away he was floored by Micky van de Ven and was unable to celebrate his goal.

    The Sweden forward looked in serious pain and he was replaced by Jeremie Frimpong just 15 minutes after coming on.

    Spurs came close to equalising when Randal Kolo Muani’s deflected effort hit the bar, but Liverpool doubled their advantage in the 66th minute.

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    Frimpong’s deflected cross was met by France forward Ekitike, who headed in his fifth goal in his past three league games.

    Spurs were furious that the goal was allowed to stand, claiming Ekitike had fouled Romero – with the Tottenham captain subsequently booked for his protests.

    Frank introduced Richarlison for Kolo Muani in the 80th minute and three minutes later, the Brazil attacker was on hand to finish past Alisson in a crowded penalty box after Liverpool failed to clear their lines.

    The visitors looked nervy as 10-man Tottenham hunted for an equaliser late on, but the hosts had another player sent off when Romero was given a second yellow card in injury time for lashing out at Ibrahima Konate after Spurs won a free-kick.

    Liverpool managed to hold on for a victory which moves them up to fifth in the league – and they are now unbeaten in their past six after a run of nine defeats in 12.

    BBC SPORTS

  • Afcon to be held every four years from 2028

    Afcon to be held every four years from 2028

    The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will be held every four years from 2028, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has announced.

    The tournament has taken place every two years since 1968, with a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.

    But it will switch to a four-year cycle after the 2027 Afcon in East Africa and a 2028 edition.

    Motsepe has instead announced the creation of an African Nations League which will take place annually from 2029.

    “We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said.

    “I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”

  • New Eagles captain Ndidi vows to uphold unity

    New Eagles captain Ndidi vows to uphold unity

    Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been confirmed as the new captain of the Super Eagles.  Speaking on his new role the Besiktas player said it is a major responsibility that he is ready to shoulder with the full support of his teammates and officials.

    Ndidi emphasised that leadership in the national team must be collective, built on a shared understanding and unity of purpose, rather than individual authority.

    “It’s a huge responsibility, and with the help of the players, I think everything will go smoothly,” Ndidi said in an interview with the Super Eagles media department.

    The 29-year-old revealed that he has already begun consultations within the squad, particularly with senior players, to ensure everyone is aligned with the team’s objectives as Nigeria target a fourth AFCON title in Morocco.

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    “I’ve had a conversation with a couple of players, just some of the older players. You know, just try to make them understand the reason why we’re here, you know. Also need the support also from the staff. We’re all in this together,” he said.

    Ndidi emphasised the importance of clarity and unity within the group, noting that leadership conversations have focused on keeping the squad focused and committed.

    “The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the last World Cup remains a painful memory for players and fans alike, and Ndidi acknowledged the disappointment while looking ahead.

    “Yeah, it was a sad one. Missing out on the World Cup. And this is another opportunity, you know, they say another day, another opportunity,” he said.

    The new captain believes the team has a chance to restore pride and reconnect with Nigerians through renewed commitment and collective effort.

  • Supporters Club won’t be in Morocco to cheer Eagles

    Supporters Club won’t be in Morocco to cheer Eagles

    Rising from an emergency meeting held Friday by the Unified Nigeria Supporters Club, the group has announced that the Super Eagles will miss their support, as the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

    The development, according to the secretary of IMC, Hon. Sunny Gullong, arose from the inability of the National Sports Commission to support the trip of the IMC to the 2025 AFCON at the last minute.

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    He explained that NSC, who had harmonized the six major supporter groups together, always wants them to wear the same uniform anytime they are out to support the national team, with the belief that they will be supporting IMC, especially in airlifting some important members such as the instrumentalists that will play drums and trumpets.

    “The unification has made most of us drop our individual sponsors because we are using one uniform in all of our outings, and we have dropped our uniforms that carry the logo of our sponsors.

    Now that the NSC has come out to inform us that they cannot support our trip to the AFCON at the last minute, that means Eagles will miss our services during their matches,” said Hon. Gullong.

  • Osimhen will scare defenders at AFCON, says Onyeka

    Osimhen will scare defenders at AFCON, says Onyeka

    Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen will again be the nightmare of opposing defenders at the 2025 AFCON, according to fellow Super Eagles star Frank Onyeka.

    This will be Osimhen’s second AFCON after his tournament debut a year ago in Cote d’Ivoire, where he scored a goal.

    “He’s such an amazing player,” Onyeka told BBC.

    “He’s a guy that wants to fight for every single ball. For me, T think the defenders are scared of him.

    “Victor is on another level.”

    Osimhen scored six goals in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and added two more in the Playoffs in Morocco.

    Ilenikhena wanted in Germany

    AS Monaco youngster George Ilenikhena, who has been watched by Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, could soon be on way of the French Ligue 1 after he was linked with Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga.

    The 19-year-old centre-forward, who is valued at around 18 million euros, has not enjoyed regular game time since his arrival last summer from Belgian club Antwerp.

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    This partly due to an injury layoff and return to action of more experienced players like Folarin Balogun.

    L’Equipe has reported that Ilenikhena is likely to move to Germany with Frankfurt his destination.

    Palace boss hails Chrisantus Uche fantastic goal

    Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has saluted Chrisantus Uche after he fired an opening goal against KuPS in a UEFA Conference League clash.

    The Super Eagles forward put the home team in front as early as the fifth minute with a stunning goal with the outside of the foot from the edge of the box.

    The Palace boss said Uche scored “a fantastic goal” and he was pleased with the performance of the team.

    It was Uche’s first goal at Selhurst Park and he has now scored in back-to-back Conference League games.

    The 2-2 draw with Finnish club KuPS has qualified the Premier League for the Conference League Playoffs in February.

  • Fifa owes fans thousands for resold World Cup tickets

    Fifa owes fans thousands for resold World Cup tickets

    World Cup 2026 ticket holders are owed thousands of pounds by Fifa for tickets they resold on the tournament’s official marketplace, BBC Sport has found.

    Fifa’s terms indicate payment should be made within 60 calendar days of a transaction,, external but some people who sold tickets on the website in early October have still not received their money.

    Fifa, which has come under criticism for its World Cup ticket pricing, declined to provide a statement explaining the delays.

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    BBC Sport understands the issues stem from Fifa needing to obtain additional bank details from those affected before payments can be processed.

    The tickets in question were part of the pre-sale draw which ran for 10 days in September, when one million tickets were made available.

    Only Visa cardholders were eligible to apply. It is not known how many fans in total have been affected by the issue.

    England supporter Iain is owed nearly £650 for a ticket he sold 65 days ago for Canada’s opening game in Toronto, money he had hoped to put towards England seats now the fixtures have been confirmed.

    “Fifa are generating billions from this World Cup but can’t seem to do basic payment processing on time,” he said.