Sports Groove

...Ghana to Send 40 Athletes to the Games  By Maxwell Kumoye        With just over two months to the Commonwealth Games, the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Richard Akpokavie, has made a passionate appeal to the government to release approved funds needed for Ghana’s preparations ahead of the multi-sport event. Speaking during the GOC’s Annual General Meeting over the weekend, Akpokavie revealed that despite Parliament approving a budget of GH₵12 million last year for the country’s Commonwealth Games campaign, the committee is yet to receive any portion of the funds. According to him, the delay is already affecting the nation’s preparations for two major international competitions — the Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics. “This year, we are expected to prepare athletes for both the Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics, yet we are still awaiting funding,” Akpokavie said. While acknowledging the economic difficulties confronting t...

...Black Stars dare Côte d'Ivoire as Chipolopolo faces Algeria, Togo, Burundi By Maxwell Kumoye    Three-time African champions, the Super Eagles, have been drawn against co-hosts Tanzania national football team, Guinea-Bissau national football team and Madagascar national football team in Group L of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The draw ceremony for the qualification series was held on Tuesday, with 48 countries placed into 12 groups of four teams each as nations battle for places at the continental showpiece to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in June 2027. The top two teams from each group are expected to qualify for the tournament. However, because Tanzania are one of the co-hosts, only one other team may progress should the East Africans finish among the top two in Group L. The draw is widely seen as favourable for Nigeria, who are expected to secure qualification to the 24-team competition they have won three times...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The final batch of Team Kenya athletes returned home on Tuesday morning to a warm reception from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) First Vice Chairman, Barnaba Korir, following the team’s impressive outing at the championships in Ghana. Korir praised the athletes for their fighting spirit and determination, revealing that he closely monitored every event throughout the competition. “We are very proud of your performance in Ghana. I personally followed each and every event, and at one point I was concerned when the team was ranked eighth. However, your resilience was remarkable, and you fought back strongly to make the entire country proud,” he said. Team Kenya wrapped up the championships with an outstanding haul of five gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals, a performance that underlined the country’s growing strength across multiple athletics disciplines. Korir also stressed the need for improved preparation and suppo...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra        The leader of Team Algeria to the Senior Africa Athletics Championship, Dr. Hafed Mohamed Amine, has described the championship as an important platform for the development of his athletes. He stated that the competition offers the kind of exposure needed ahead of the Junior World Championships. Dr. Amine further stated that the event has given his athletes a strong opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition and raise the standard of their performances. He made this statement in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye. He expressed that the experience gained from the Championship would play a key role in sharpening the team’s competitive edge as they continue their preparation for future international assignments. He explained that for him and the Algerian Athletics Federation were elated by the performance of higher jumper Younes Ayachi wh...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Three big-name sides, Katsina United, Niger Tornadoes and Lobi Stars, suffered stunning exits on Wednesday as the 2026 President Federation Cup Round of 64 produced a wave of drama, penalty shootouts and giant-killing performances across the country. The biggest upset of the day came in Kaduna where underdogs Sapele Lions shocked Katsina United after a pulsating 2-2 draw, before holding their nerves to win 3-1 on penalties. Former champions Lobi Stars also endured heartbreak, falling 8-7 in a marathon penalty shootout to Kogi United after both sides battled to a goalless draw in regulation time. Another major casualty was Niger Tornadoes, who were stunned 2-1 by Sunshine Stars U19 in one of the competition’s most eye-catching results. Elsewhere, Enyimba FC underlined their title ambitions with a commanding 4-0 demolition of El-Sharma FC, while Rivers United secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over G12 FC. Enugu Rangers edged past Godswill Akpabio...

By Maxwell Kumoye who was in Accra, Ghana for the 24th edition of the CAA Senior Athletics Championships      The countdown to the 25th African Senior Athletics Championships has officially begun, with Botswana set to welcome the continent’s finest athletes in 2028 after securing hosting rights for Africa’s premier athletics event. The announcement was confirmed by the Confederation of African Athletics following the conclusion of the 24th edition of the championships in Accra, where the continent’s athletics leaders endorsed Botswana’s readiness to stage the showpiece. Although Botswana was awarded the hosting rights in 2024, the Botswana Athletics Association was required to present a detailed readiness report before the CAA Council during meetings in Ghana. BAA Acting President Oabona Theetso said the association delivered a strong presentation that convinced the council the southern African nation was fully prepared to host the championships for the very f...

By Maxwell Kumoye        The race to become the next head coach of the Mali national football team has intensified after the Malian Football Federation unveiled a five-man shortlist for the vacant role. The federation, fondly known as Femafoot, confirmed that experienced African football tacticians and emerging European coaches are among the candidates being considered to lead the Eagles into a new era. Heading the shortlist is Congolese coach Jean-Florent Ibenge, whose impressive résumé on the continent includes successful spells with clubs and national teams in African competitions. Former Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba also made the final five, raising the possibility of a return to familiar territory after previously handling the Eagles. Moroccan legend Badou Zaki is another strong contender. Known for his tactical discipline and vast international experience, Zaki remains one of the most respected coaching figures in North African football. Portuguese...

By Maxwell Kumoye        Seven years after the passing of respected Nigerian football coach Solomon Ogbeide, his family has continued to celebrate the legacy of a man they describe as loving, God-fearing and deeply influential both on and off the pitch. Speaking in remembrance of the former coach of Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars, his wife, Mrs. Ndidi Ogbeide, expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the family through the difficult years since his death. According to her, the family still feels the absence of the late tactician, but has found strength through faith and the values he left behind. “Today is seven years after my husband and lovely father died and we glorify God for standing by us,” she said. “With His grace and mercy, we've been strong. The children are doing great though they continue to miss their father.” Mrs. Ogbeide described her late husband as a man whose impact continues to open doors for the family even years after his passing. “Bu...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra, Ghana        Celebrations have swept across Cairo as one of the youngest members of Team Egypt to the just concluded 2026 Senior African Athletics Championships, Aseel Osama Abdel Hamid, delivered the finest performance of her young career in Accra, Ghana. The teenage sensation clinched gold in the women’s javelin event with a remarkable personal best throw of 60.97m at the African Championships. Her outstanding display immediately caught the attention of the President of the Egyptian Athletics Federation (EAF), His Excellency Gen. Hatem Fouda, who described the achievement as a glimpse into the bright future of Egyptian athletics. “As president of the Federation, these are the kind of positive results Egypt will continue to witness,” Fouda stated, expressing confidence that Abdel Hamid’s rise signals the emergence of a new generation of elite Egyptian athletes. The 18-year-old not only secured the gold medal...