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Niger Delta Games ignites new wave of youth sporting talent – Sampson Sotonye

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By Maxwell Kumoye    The curtains have fallen on the Niger Delta Games in Benin City, but the echoes of raw talent and roaring ambition are still ringing across the region. For Alabo Sampson Sotonye, Special Assistant on Youth to Alabo Boma Iyayi, Executive Director of Finance at the Niger Delta Development Commission, the just-concluded Games were more than a sporting spectacle, they were a statement. Sotonye lauded Chief Barrister Boma Iyayi and the Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for backing what he described as a “laudable initiative” designed to unlock the vast sporting potential of Niger Delta youths. “I’m so grateful that Chief Barrister Boma Iyayi shares the same vision with the MD to support this platform for young people to exhibit their talents,” he said, brimming with pride. Across tracks, courts and fields in Benin City, young athletes seized the moment, sprinting into the spotlight, battling for glor...
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Integrity-driven administration and youth-focused reforms made the Niger Delta Games more competitive — Sir Braveman Wodi

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  By Mishael Emmanuel at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, South-South, Nigeria        The Chairman, Screening Committee of the just concluded 2nd edition of the Niger Delta Games, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, South-South, Nigeria, Sir Braveman Wodi, has said that integrity-driven administration and youth-focused reforms were key factors in the success of the event.  Sir Braveman Wodi in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Mishael Emmanuel, emphasized that age cheats as the nemesis of the Nigerian sporting ecosystem and that the Screening Committee took strong actions against recycled senior athletes and rule violations, stating that the lessons learned from the first edition proved invaluable. Sir Wodi also cited the mandatory pre-tournament screening and advocacy visits to the 9 participating states as the other elements for the success of the Games, “After the first edition...
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CAF raises Champions League prize to $6m

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...Confederation Cup to $4m in major financial boost   By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye        African club football has received a significant financial boost after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a major increase in prize money for its flagship competitions, the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. Following approval at the CAF Executive Committee meeting in February, the winner of the Champions League will now pocket $6 million, while the Confederation Cup champion will earn $4 million.  The decision, backed by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, takes immediate effect and applies to the final stages of the ongoing 2025/26 season. CAF confirmed that the total prize fund for the Champions League has risen to $19.6 million, while the Confederation Cup will now distribute $11.9 million in total. In a move designed to support clubs across the continent, teams eliminated in the preliminary rounds will also benef...
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FIFA continues heavy billing for 2026 World Cup, zero relief for supporters

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         World football governing body FIFA, has continued its relentless pursuit of money with the 2026 World Cup and squeezing every last drop out of fans – has upped prices, including for disabled fans, for those who wish to park in the vicinity of World Cup venues. FIFA is charging $175 on average for parking spots in the US during the tournament. FIFA has also increased the inventory and at MetLife Stadium, which will stage the final, parking tickets for the group stages cost $225. England vs Ghana, in Boston can set fans back as much as $600 for a parking pass. At Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, fans at Colombia vs Portugal can expect to pay $250 for the privilege of parking their car. Prices rise during the knockout phase. For the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, parking passes are sold out. FIFA once again pointed to market conditions to justify the sky-high parking prices. The global governing body has also expanded its inventory to include A...
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Blackout drama fails to dim 2025 Ballon d’Or glory in Yaoundé

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By Mishael Emmanuel        The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony glittered with prestige and drama at the Yaoundé Conference Center, as Cameroon celebrated the finest stars of the 2024–2025 football season in a night that blended glamour with an unexpected twist. Set against the scenic backdrop of Mount Nkolnyada, the ceremony drew dignitaries, football stakeholders and fans, with First Lady Chantal Biya adding sparkle to the occasion. With warm applause and visible pride, she congratulated the night’s biggest winners in a hall buzzing with anticipation. The spotlight first shone brightly on Lys Fraiche Tiwa, who claimed the women’s Ballon d’Or in style, capping a remarkable campaign with football’s most coveted individual prize on home soil.  The celebrations rolled on smoothly until the final act. Just as the stage was set for the men’s Ballon d’Or presentation, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.  The lights suddenly went out. Darkness swallowed the...
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Injury-time stunner sinks Zambia as Namibia storm into COSAFA final

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...Namibia now take on South Africa in the championship decider       Zambia’s dream of a fourth straight final appearance came crashing down on Friday as the Zambia women's national football team suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Namibia in the semi-finals of the COSAFA Women's Championship at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium. Heavy favourites heading into the encounter, Zambia were left to rue a series of missed chances as Juliana Blou struck deep into stoppage time to send Namibia into their first final in two decades. The Copper Queens, champions in two of the last three editions and runners-up in 2023, started brightly against a Namibian side they had not lost since 2014. Inside five minutes, Margaret Belemu found Avell Chitundu in space, but the forward lifted her effort onto the roof of the net. Captain Kabange Mupopo also got into a promising position but failed to trouble the goalkeeper. Set-piece specialist Eneless Phiri nearly broke the deadlock with a fre...
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Mahama rallies Black Stars for 2026 glory

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...Warns fans on visa discipline By Maxwell Kumoye        With the world watching and history within reach, John Dramani Mahama has turned Ghana’s 2026 World Cup charge into a national mission, declaring the Ghana national football team campaign at the FIFA World Cup a defining test of pride, discipline and global ambition. Delivering his 2026 State of the Nation Address on February 27, Mahama rallied the nation behind the Ghana national football team, framing their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup as a powerful platform to project the “Ghanaian Spirit” onto the world stage. Set to camp at Bryant University in Rhode Island, the Black Stars will fine-tune their campaign in what the President described as the perfect environment to spark memories of the nation’s iconic 2010 quarter-final run, still Africa’s benchmark of World Cup excellence. But the road ahead is anything but smooth. Drawn into a bruising Group L, Ghana must navigate past England nati...
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Edo's Games triumph, visible proof of our sporting progress – Mrs. Sabina Chikere

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By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at Pearl Hilton Luxury Hotel           From Ring road to Irrua, Okada to Ososo, Auchi to Afuze, the train of sports development and revival is yielding results and the results are there for all to see at the just concluded Niger Delta Games. This is the story behind the story of Team Edo's commanding victory at the second edition of Niger Delta Games concluded at the Art and Cultural city of Benin City. It was a night to remember for the Heartbeat State, a day coloured in gold for the people of Benin, as the new Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC) under the stewardship of Honourable Amadin Enabulele, which is just 14 months in office ended a 24 year wait for Games victory. The Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations, Mrs. Sabina Ekhaisomi Chikere, was overflowing with joy as she described the State's achievement as collective success story of every member of the ESSC. “We are happy, it sho...
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Anglophone football influencers, stakeholders slam FECAFOOT over snub at Cameroon Ballon d’Or

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  By Maxwell Kumoye    Cameroon’s top English-speaking football influencers are calling out the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) for what they describe as a glaring oversight.  Clement Toh, speaking on behalf of the Anglophone football community, criticized the federation for consistently leaving out deserving figures from English-speaking regions in major events. Ade Divine and Kosi_Foottalk, widely regarded as two of Cameroon’s top football analysts from the Anglophone regions, were notably absent from the recent Cameroon Ballon d’Or awards.  Both have been active in promoting local football, covering matches, and even traveling to support Cameroonian teams. “To omit those who are genuinely contributing to the growth of football, while inviting personalities not involved in the sport, is unfair,” Toh said in a statement addressed to FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto'o Fils. The snub has sparked conversations across Cameroon’s football communi...
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Ghana allocates $13.8M to fuel Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup push

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  By Maxwell Kumoye    Ghana is putting its money where its World Cup ambitions lie.  The government has earmarked 146.27 million Cedis (around $13.8 million) to back the Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, Minister for Sports Kofi Adams announced. The budget will cover everything from training camps, travel, and logistics to player bonuses and technical staff pay, ensuring the squad is battle-ready for the global stage.  Officials note the funding assumes Ghana advances through all tournament stages, with a full expenditure breakdown expected closer to the competition. Ahead of the June kickoff, the Black Stars will test their mettle in friendlies against Germany and Austria in March, and Mexico in May.  Drawn in Group L, Ghana opens against Panama on June 17, then faces England on June 23, before wrapping up group play against Croatia on June 27. After consecutive early exits in past tournaments, the Black Stars are determined to shine ...
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