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Team Nigeria Athletics Intensify Preparations In Asaba As Commonwealth Games Camp Enters Week Two

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...Coach Solomon Aliyu, expresses satisfaction with progress made in the first phase of preparations By Maxwell Kumoye   Team Nigeria Athletics have stepped up preparations for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games as their six-week first phase camping programme entered its second week in Asaba. The camp, which brings together a blend of seasoned campaigners and promising young talents, has already begun to take shape with rigorous training sessions at the Stephen Keshi Stadium. Coaches and technical officials have expressed satisfaction with the athletes’ commitment, noting that the early signs point to a productive build-up. The head coach of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Aliyu, has expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far in the first phase of preparations for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games camp in Asaba. Aliyu revealed that the federation is deliberately maintaining focus as athletes begin their build-up in earnest. “We don’t want t...
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Talent first, medals later – Braveman Wodi

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By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Mishael Emmanuel         At the iconic Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital, the message was loud and clear, forget the medal rush, find the next champions. This is the submission of a passionate sports administrator Braveman Wodi As over 250 young athletes from Akwa Ibom lined up for screening ahead of the 2nd Niger Delta Games, Braveman Wodi and his four-man panel delivered a timely reminder, this competition is about building the future, not chasing quick glory. “Our coaches must prioritise long-term athlete development over immediate medal ambitions,” Wodi declared, setting the tone for what the Games truly represent, a talent factory for tomorrow’s national stars. The screening exercise wasn’t just a formality. It was a statement of intent.  Athletes were vetted for eligibility to ensure fairness and a level playing field.  Only registered competitors under the age of 20, ...
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Ceramica Cleopatra dump holders Zamalek out of Egypt Cup

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By Maxwell Kumoye      Zamalek SC crashed out of the Egypt Cup on Tuesday night after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ceramica Cleopatra FC in their round of 16 clash at the Suez Authority Stadium in Ismailia. The defending champions were stunned early in the contest when defender Hossam Abdel-Maguid inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 18th minute, handing Ceramica Cleopatra a crucial breakthrough.  The early setback rattled Zamalek, who struggled to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges as their opponents pressed with confidence and discipline. However, the White Knights clawed their way back into the tie just before halftime.  A costly error from Ceramica goalkeeper Mohamed Bassam gifted Zamalek a lifeline, allowing Mohamed Ismail to slot home into an empty net and restore parity heading into the break. With the contest finely poised in the second half, Ceramica Cleopatra showed greater cutting edge.  Moroccan midfielder Ahmed...
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Black Stars set for crucial World Cup warm-up against Mexico

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By Trust Ittai and Enoch Fiifi Forson          The Ghana Football Association has confirmed that the Ghana national football team the Black Stars will face Mexico national football team in a high-profile international friendly as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2026, at a yet-to-be-announced venue in Mexico, becomes the third confirmed warm-up fixture for coach Otto Addo and his squad ahead of the global showpiece in June. Ghana had already lined up friendly encounters against Austria national football team and Germany national football team in March, but the addition of Mexico provides another stern test as the Black Stars fine-tune tactics and solidify combinations. For Mexico, one of the tournament’s three co-hosts, the fixture offers valuable preparation before their World Cup opener against South Africa national football team on June 11.  Facing African opposition is expected t...
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NSF hails Olopade as ‘double honours’ man after Sports Administrator of the Year Award

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By Mishael Emmanuel and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye       The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has showered glowing praise on the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, describing him as a sports administrator who deserves “double honours” for his transformative leadership. The commendation came on the heels of Olopade’s latest recognition as Sports Administrator of the Year, conferred by The Nigeria Telegraph Newspapers in Lagos, an award that further cements his growing reputation as one of the driving forces behind Nigeria’s sporting resurgence. President of the NSF, Engineer Bright Idahosa, did not mince words in his admiration for the NSC boss, stating that Olopade’s impact has been both visible and deeply felt across the sporting ecosystem. According to Idahosa, the appointment of Olopade alongside Mallam Shehu Dikko marked a turning point for Nigerian sports. “Since Honourable Bukola Olopade and Malla...
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Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku targets AFCON glory

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By Lawrence Degraft Baidoo        President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku, has set his sights firmly on delivering Africa’s biggest football prize to Ghana, declaring his ambition to see the Ghana national football team lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy again. Okraku made his intentions clear in an interview with Asaase Radio, stressing that winning AFCON remains his ultimate goal despite recent disappointments. “I want to win the Africa Cup of Nations, and that is the fact,” Okraku said. “Only God knows the number of times we have tried and have not been able to win the AFCON title.” The Black Stars’ recent record in the continental showpiece has fallen short of expectations. Ghana exited at the group stage in both the 2021 and 2023 editions and failed to qualify for the 2025 tournament staged in Morocco after a difficult qualifying campaign. However, the GFA boss remains optimistic, pointing to positive strides made by other na...
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Sports supervisors hail Governor Umo Eno’s sports revolution

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...Seek deeper and sustainable synergy By Maxwell Kumoye       Sports supervisors from the 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State have applauded Governor Umo Eno for what they described as bold and transformative strides in repositioning sports across the state. The commendation came on Tuesday when the College of Supervisors for Sports paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Sports, Paul Bassey, at his office, praising the administration’s inclusive approach and renewed drive in grassroots development. Speaking on behalf of the College, Dean Honourable Michael Ukpong said the supervisors’ active participation in the recently concluded Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival marked a major shift in collaboration between the Ministry and local councils. “We recorded a successful outing at the Sports Festival, with all 31 supervisors fully involved, courtesy of the support and inclusiveness of the Honourable Commissioner. We are here to appreciate him a...
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Passion, policy and power propel U-17 teams to national spotlight

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...As Dr. Osetoba, pays glowing tribute to the bedrock of cricket in the State, Honourable Oyebode By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye and Mishael Emmanuel      The gentleman's game of cricket is no longer whispering in Ekiti State, it is roaring and the sound echoes beyond the State. In a state where dreams are steadily being rebuilt through sport, the Technical Adviser on Sports Development to Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, Dr. Olusola Osetoba, has paid glowing tribute to the man she calls the bedrock of cricket in the state, Honourable Akin Oyebode, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development. Her words were not casual compliments. They were the kind reserved for builders of legacy. Describing Oyebode as selfless, dedicated, and a true son of the soil, Dr. Osetoba pointed to a simple truth, passion backed by action changes everything.  And in Ekiti, that passion has found expression in willow and leather. From dusty practice pitches to national rele...
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Moroccan derby ignites CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals

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...As road to 2025/26 final is unveiled By Trust Ittai       A fierce North African rivalry will take centre stage in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup after the draw conducted in Cairo on Tuesday set up a mouthwatering Moroccan derby. Morocco’s Olympique de Safi will host compatriots Wydad Casablanca in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on 15 March.  The clash guarantees Morocco a representative in the semi-finals and promises high drama between two sides well-versed in each other’s strengths and weaknesses. With pride and continental progression at stake, the derby is expected to be one of the most intense fixtures of the round. Egyptian giants Zamalek SC will begin their campaign on the road against Congolese side AS Otoho. Zamalek, one of Africa’s most decorated clubs, will be aiming to secure a favourable result away before hosting the decisive second leg on 22 March. Meanwhile, fellow Egyptian side Al Masry wi...
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Falcons, Lionesses set for Yaoundé showdown as WAFCON 2026 countdown begins

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...As Cameroon names 25 players for the double header By Maxwell Kumoye           The road to WAFCON 2026 runs through Yaoundé and it could not have scripted a fiercer dress rehearsal. As the countdown begins to the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco between March 17 and April 3, reigning champions Nigeria will test their title credentials against long-time rivals Cameroon in two high-stakes friendlies on February 28 and March 3 inside the FIFA Women’s International Window. For the Super Falcons, it is about fine-tuning a dynasty. For the Indomitable Lionesses, it is about rewriting a comeback story. The 10-time African champions are leaving nothing to chance. The Nigeria Football Federation has finalized arrangements with FECAFOOT to ensure the back-to-back clashes in Yaoundé mirror the intensity expected in Morocco. Nigeria arrives as the team everyone wants to dethrone. Last summer, they stormed through Tunisia, Botswana, Zamb...
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