Sports Groove

By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ashe has set his sights firmly on gold at the upcoming CAA Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, following an impressive showing at the World Relays Championship. Fresh from helping Team Nigeria secure qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China, Ashe is brimming with confidence ahead of the continental showdown, which kicks off on May 12 and is expected to host over 1,000 athletes from 50 countries. The 100m specialist played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s 4×100m mixed relay success in Gaborone, where the team not only booked a spot at the global championships but also clinched qualification for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this September. Now, the focus shifts to Accra and Ashe is not hiding his ambition. “I’m in good shape, and my goal in Accra is to win gold in the 100m and also help the team secure gold in the relays,” he declared confid...

By Trust Ittai      Fresh off clinching the MTN Super League title in dominant fashion, Power Dynamos have set their sights on completing a memorable domestic double, head coach Osward Mutapa has declared. The Kitwe giants sealed back-to-back league triumphs over the weekend with a 2-1 victory against Konkola Blades, wrapping up the title with four matches still to play.  Sitting comfortably at the summit with 70 points after 31 rounds, Power Dynamos have once again underlined their supremacy in Zambian football. With the league crown already secured, Mutapa says attention has now shifted to the ABSA Cup final, where his side will face a determined Red Arrows outfit. “Winning the league was a big achievement for us, but the job is not done yet,” Mutapa said. “We are now fully focused on the ABSA Cup final. It will not be an easy match because Red Arrows are also pushing for a continental slot.” Mutapa credited his team’s consistency throughout the campaig...

...As Fantami fires Savannah Tigers level with Sporting Lagos in Super Four title race By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye        Doma United claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over Inter Lagos on Monday night, with Yusuf Fantami’s towering header proving decisive in a fiery Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four clash in Ikenne. Played under the floodlights of the Remo Stars Stadium, the encounter lived up to its billing as both sides delivered an intense, end-to-end contest.  But it was the Savannah Tigers who showed greater cutting edge when it mattered most, capitalizing on a well-crafted attacking move that ended with Fantami rising above the defence to nod home the winner. The game was marked by high tempo and physical battles across the pitch, with both teams creating opportunities in a showcase of the quality that earned them promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Tensions, however, flared late in the match as discipline waver...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      Sporting Lagos made a strong opening statement in the 2026 Nigeria National League Super Four, grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ranchers Bees in a tense curtain-raiser at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. From the opening whistle, the Lagos-based side imposed themselves with purpose, pushing forward with intent and controlling early proceedings. Their attacking momentum almost yielded results in the 17th minute when Seun Akanji engineered the first clear chance, only to be denied by a sharp save from the Ranchers Bees goalkeeper. Sporting Lagos maintained their grip on the contest, with Aliyu Baba adding spark in the final third.  However, for all their dominance in possession and territory, they found it difficult to break through a disciplined Ranchers Bees defence that stood firm under sustained pressure. The breakthrough finally came five minutes before halftime. A slick move down the flank saw Shol...

  By Mishael Emmanuel    A new chapter has begun for professional wrestling on the continent following the election of fresh leadership for Pro-Wrestling Africa (PWA), with Cameroon’s Emmanuel Ndo emerging as president. The keenly contested election, held on May 2, 2026, at the National Institute for Sports inside the National Stadium Surulere, came immediately after the association’s Annual General Meeting, where delegates reviewed the body’s progress and future direction. Ndo secured victory ahead of Benin Republic’s Mayor Sourou Germain Wanvoegbe, who was subsequently elected as 1st Vice President.  Morocco’s Mohamed Amadel clinched the 2nd Vice President position, while Nigeria’s Olusesan Olukoya retained his role as Secretary General. The elections marked the end of an era under outgoing president Sharp Moabi, who stepped down after completing his tenure and relocating to the United States, opting not to seek a third term. Other positions saw a diver...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigerian sprinter James Taiwo Emmanuel has described his outing at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone as a defining moment in his young career, highlighting both the challenges and valuable lessons gained on the global stage. Competing against some of the world’s best relay teams, Taiwo Emmanuel admitted the experience pushed him beyond his limits and exposed him to the intensity required at elite international competitions. “Running at that level opened my eyes to what it truly takes to compete with the best,” he said. “The atmosphere, the pressure, and the quality of athletes were on another level, but it has motivated me to work even harder.” The sprinter noted that beyond the races themselves, the championship offered him an opportunity to learn from seasoned athletes and refine his approach to training and competition. “I’ve taken a lot from this experience, discipline, race strategy, and mental strength. It’s not just about speed; it’...

By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye       An influential member of the victorious Team Nigeria to the World Athletics Relays Championship in Botswana, Rosemary Nwankwo, has described her precious ticket to the World Athletics Championships as a major milestone. She stated that competing on such a grand stage and securing the ticket to the World Championship are one of the best things to ever happen to her in athletics. She made this public in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's editor, Maxwell Kumoye in Gaborone, Botswana on Sunday. To achieve this milestone, Rosemary Nwankwo, had to overcome some hurdles within the team, that of not handling the baton properly could have hampered their ability to succeed. “I feel so good because this is my first biggest tournament since I started athletics and I'm so grateful to God. “What happened here yesterday (Saturday) is nobody's fault, but thank God we had another opportunity...

...Zambia's Samukonga confirmed for Accra 2026 as Simbine pulls out    By Maxwell Kumoye        Nigerian superstar and world record holder, Tobi Amusan has confirmed her participation at the African Senior Athletics Championship billed to open in Ghana on May, 12, 2026. The 100mH speedster is expected to lead a star-studded 51 member Nigerian team for the Championship in Accra spanning May 12-17, at the Legon Sports Stadium. Amusan, a specialist in the 100m hurdles is the current world record holder in the 100 metres hurdles with a time of 12.12 seconds, which she set at the 2022 women's 100 metres hurdles semi-final in Eugene. Amusan, who also competes as a sprinter is also the current Commonwealth and African champion in the 100m hurdles. Amusan became the first ever Nigerian world champion and world record holder in an athletics event when she won the 2022 World Championships 100m hurdles gold medal, setting the current world record of 12.12 ...

...As Harrison mines men’s Gold By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria once again underlined its dominance on the continental stage, clinching a record-extending 15th African women’s wrestling title at the African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt. The Nigerian women delivered a commanding performance, securing eight gold and two silver medals from the 10 events to comfortably emerge overall champions.  It was a statement of intent from a team that has consistently set the standard in African wrestling. Building on a strong opening day that yielded four gold medals, the second day began with Mercy Genesis continuing the momentum.  The Commonwealth champion overwhelmed Tunisia’s Chahrazed Ayachi 6-0 to ignite another wave of victories. Adijat Idris followed suit in the 55kg category, dominating Lobna Ichaoui of Tunisia with an 8-0 win.  The gold rush continued as Esther Asaolu brushed aside Egypt’s Mariam Mosbeh 10-0 in the 59kg division. One ...