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El-Kanemi, Wikki, Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City march into Federation Cup semi-finals

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By Mishael Emmanuel    The race for this year's President Federation Cup title intensified on Wednesday as El-Kanemi Warriors, Wikki Tourists, Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City secured places in the semi-finals following thrilling quarter-final encounters across the country. Former champions El-Kanemi Warriors booked the first semi-final ticket after edging Sokoto United 1-0 in a tightly contested match. The Maiduguri-based side showed resilience and composure to secure the narrow victory and keep their hopes of lifting the prestigious trophy alive. Wikki Tourists were made to work hard for their place in the last four after being held to a 1-1 draw by spirited underdogs Flight FC in regulation time. The Nigeria National League side eventually held their nerve in the penalty shootout, triumphing 4-3 to advance. In another exciting quarter-final clash, Nasarawa United overcame fellow Nigeria Premier Football League side Plateau United 2-1 to continue their impressive...
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Former D'Tigers coach laments neglect of grassroots basketball as Jordan Nwora Camp ends in Lagos

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The curtains may have fallen on the sixth edition of the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp in Ilupeju, Lagos, but the event once again highlighted a troubling reality, Nigeria continues to underutilise its vast basketball talent and potential. That was the verdict of former D'Tigers head coach, Alex Nwora, one of the driving forces behind the prestigious camp, during an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye. The camp, which concluded on Sunday at the Warriors Basketball Court in Ilupeju, attracted more than 200 young basketball players from different parts of the country, providing them with an opportunity to learn, develop and showcase their skills. However, despite the impressive turnout and abundance of talent on display, Nwora believes the event exposed the failure of Nigeria's basketball authorities to properly develop the game at the grassroots level. "For these kids, it should never be about politics. It...
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NCAA heroics confirm bright future for Nigerian athletics – AFN

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The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has hailed the exceptional performances of Nigerian athletes at the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, describing their achievements as further evidence of the country's growing strength in global athletics. Leading the Nigerian charge were Kanyinsola Ajayi and Samuel Ogazi, who captured the men's 100m and 400m titles respectively in commanding fashion. Ajayi produced a breathtaking display to win the men's 100m in a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds after earlier lowering the Nigerian record to 9.84 seconds. The Auburn University sprinter became only the third Nigerian to claim the NCAA 100m crown, joining the elite company of Olapade Adenekan and Divine Oduduru. Ogazi was equally impressive, delivering one of the standout performances of the championships by storming to victory in the men's 400m in a world-leading 43.38 seconds. The Alabama star's performance erased the longs...
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Nnamdi makes history as first Nigerian man to win NCAA javelin title

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  By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria's rising athletics star, Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi, etched his name into the record books on Thursday after becoming the first Nigerian male athlete to win the NCAA men's javelin title at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The talented thrower delivered a stunning performance, securing the prestigious collegiate crown with a massive opening throw of 82.26 metres that proved untouchable throughout the competition. Nnamdi stamped his authority on the event from the outset, launching the winning mark in the first round and maintaining his dominance against a strong field.  Impressively, both of his throws beyond the 80-metre mark were enough to secure victory, underlining the quality of his performance on one of college athletics' biggest stages. The Nigerian finished ahead of Bahamas' Keyshawn Strachan, who settled for second place with a best effort of 80.65m, while Jack Larriviere claimed third position after recordi...
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Volleyball Fever Hits Abuja as National Premier League Serves Off June 13

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By Maxwell Kumoye    The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in Nigerian volleyball as the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) prepares to serve off the first phase of the 2026 National Premier Volleyball League in Abuja. The country's elite volleyball clubs will converge on the Indoor Sports Hall of Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, from June 13 to 28, battling for supremacy in Nigeria's top-flight volleyball competition. The championship, sponsored by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, will feature both men's and women's teams in what promises to be a highly competitive and entertaining tournament. As the flagship domestic volleyball competition in the country, the National Premier Volleyball League has continued to play a crucial role in talent discovery, athlete development and the promotion of volleyball excellence across Nigeria.  The competition is expected to attract some of t...
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Canada earn historic first World Cup point after Larin rescues draw against Bosnia

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By Maxwell Kumoye      Substitute Cyle Larin came off the bench to earn Canada a historic 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina as the co-hosts opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought point in Toronto. Larin, who had been on the pitch for just over two minutes, made an immediate impact when he brilliantly spun away from defender Tarik Muharemovic before firing past goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.  A slight deflection helped the effort find the back of the net in the 78th minute, sparking celebrations among the home supporters. The equaliser ensured Canada avoided defeat and secured their first-ever draw at a FIFA World Cup.  The North Americans had previously lost all three matches during their debut appearance in 1986 and suffered three more defeats in Qatar 2022. Bosnia-Herzegovina, who booked their place at the tournament through dramatic penalty shootout victories over Wales and Italy in the qualifying play-offs, had taken the lead m...
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Partey ruled out of Ghana's World Cup opener after Canada denies entry

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By Maxwell Kumoye      Ghana has been dealt a major setback ahead of their opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto after midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada following the refusal of his visa application. The 32-year-old, who currently plays for Villarreal CF, will be unavailable for Ghana's first group-stage fixture after Canadian authorities declined to grant him entry from the team's training base in Boston, United States. World football governing body FIFA confirmed the development in a statement, stressing that it has no role in immigration decisions made by host nations. "FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas," the organisation said. "The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country." Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations made by f...
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Dembele rallies behind Mbappe, condemns ‘Unfair’ criticism ahead of World Cup

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...Mbappe faces scrutiny over leadership and Real Madrid's trophyless season ...Dembele praises coach Deschamps, welcomes possible Zidane succession   By Maxwell Kumoye    France forward Ousmane Dembele has leapt to the defence of captain Kylian Mbappe, insisting that criticism of the star striker has become excessive as Les Bleus prepare to begin their World Cup campaign. Dembele, who played a pivotal role in France's qualification and is among the leading contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or after helping Paris Saint-Germain win the UEFA Champions League, said many observers have gone too far in their assessment of his long-time teammate. Mbappe has remained under intense scrutiny since his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid in 2024.  While the striker continued to deliver goals, Real Madrid endured a disappointing campaign by their lofty standards, failing to secure either the La Liga title or Champions League crown. Questions ...
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Balogun brace fires USA past Paraguay as Pochettino praises collective spirit

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By Maxwell Kumoye       Mauricio Pochettino hailed the United States' collective spirit after the Americans opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, insisting the triumph was built on teamwork rather than individual brilliance. The U.S. produced a scintillating attacking display to secure their biggest-ever win in a World Cup match, scoring four goals for the first time on football's grandest stage. Forward Folarin Balogun led the charge with a brace, becoming the first American player since the 1930 World Cup to score twice in a single tournament match. Despite standout performances from Balogun, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, head coach Mauricio Pochettino was quick to credit the entire squad and backroom staff for the impressive result. "It was the collective approach," Pochettino told reporters after the match, emphasizing that the team's success stemmed from unity and a shared commitme...
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Ajayi blasts to NCAA gold with electric 9.72 sprint, joins Nigerian Greats

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By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigerian sprint star Kanyinsola Ajayi produced one of the standout performances of the NCAA Championships, powering to victory in the men's 100 metres with a sensational wind-assisted 9.72 seconds at Hayward Field. Representing Auburn University, the 21-year-old dominated the race from start to finish to become only the second Nigerian, after Divine Oduduru in 2018, to claim the NCAA men's 100m crown. Ajayi crossed the line in a remarkable 9.72 seconds, a time faster than the African record of 9.77 seconds held by Ferdinand Omanyala. However, the race was aided by a tailwind of +2.2 metres per second, just above the legal limit of +2.0m/s, meaning the performance cannot be recognized as an official record. Even so, the Nigerian's run ranks among the fastest ever recorded under all conditions and further underlines his emergence as one of the world's most exciting sprint talents. Ajayi left the rest of the field trailing in his wake, op...
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