Sports Groove

...As Sanwo-Olu promises world class Games By Maxwell Kumoye   Lagos State has received a major vote of confidence ahead of the maiden National Intermediate Games after the Main Organising Committee (MOC) concluded a comprehensive three-day inspection of facilities and infrastructure earmarked for the championship. The high-powered delegation, led by the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness displayed by the host state, reinforcing expectations that the inaugural event will set new standards for grassroots sports development in Nigeria. The inspection team toured several key venues scheduled to host competitions, including: • The Teslim Balogun Stadium • National Stadium Complex • National Institute for Sports • Rowe Park Sports Centre • Yaba College of Technology • University of Lagos sports facilities and hostels • Elegbata Sports Centre • The Cricket Oval at Tafawa Ba...

  By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria maintained their unbeaten record against Poland at senior international level after goals from Terem Moffi and Paul Onuachu earned the Super Eagles a hard-fought 2-2 draw against the White-Reds in Warsaw on Wednesday night. Determined to bounce back from their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Ukraine on Sunday, Poland started brightly and almost took the lead in the fourth minute when Jakub Kaminski's close-range header narrowly missed the target, with Maduka Okoye beaten. Backed by more than 54,000 passionate supporters inside the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy, the hosts pressed aggressively through experienced striker Robert Lewandowski, Kaminski, Karol Swiderski, Piotr Zielinski and Kacper Potulski as they searched for an early breakthrough. However, it was Nigeria who struck first. The Super Eagles displayed composure and precision in attack, and in the 23rd minute, captain Wilfred Ndidi threaded a superb pass to Mos...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    Renowned athletics coach Mutiu Oluwa has called on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to strictly adhere to its selection guidelines ahead of the Commonwealth Games trials scheduled for June 19-23 at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos. Speaking on Tuesday during discussions on the Athletics Station WhatsApp platform, Oluwa stressed that the federation must ensure that all athletes seeking a place in Nigeria's track and field contingent to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games participate fully in the trials, including the finals of their respective events. The experienced coach noted that the AFN had already made participation in the trials mandatory for all athletes aspiring to represent the country and urged the federation not to make exceptions for any athlete, irrespective of status or location. Oluwa expressed concern over what he described as a recurring trend among some foreign-based athletes who so...

By Mishael Emmanuel    Nigeria has suffered another major setback in its quest to host a flagship international sporting event after losing the bid to stage the 2031 African Games to Uganda. The decision was confirmed during the Extraordinary Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS5), held virtually on June 2, 2026. Sources familiar with the bidding process revealed that Nigeria's proposal was rejected due to numerous technical and administrative shortcomings. The bid document was reportedly riddled with errors and lacked the level of professionalism expected for a project of such magnitude. Observers noted that sections of the submission appeared to have been lifted from Nigeria's unsuccessful bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with some reference numbers and details left unchanged. The apparent oversight raised serious concerns about the country's preparedness and credibility to host Africa's big...

By Trust Ittai      The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that it has formally requested FIFA's Ethics Committee to investigate the decision to award its inaugural Peace Prize to United States President Donald Trump. FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the award to Trump during the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on December 6. The move has continued to generate controversy. Later that month, human rights organization FairSquare lodged a complaint with FIFA's Ethics Committee, alleging that Infantino breached the principle of political neutrality by publicly endorsing Trump through the award. FIFA has yet to disclose the criteria or process used in selecting the recipient of the Peace Prize.  The award was presented at a time when Trump and members of his administration were actively promoting his candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking on the matter, NFF President Lise Klaveness revealed that the Norwegian federation...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye       Senegal underlined their growing dominance in African youth football by defeating Tanzania 4-2 on penalties to win the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title on Tuesday night at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan. The final ended 1-1 after regulation time, forcing the championship to be decided from the spot, where the Young Teranga Lions held their nerve to secure a second continental crown. Tanzania made a dream start to the encounter, taking the lead in the seventh minute through forward Mihambo, who finished off a well-worked move after being set up by Mbalasalu. Buoyed by the early breakthrough, the East Africans adopted a disciplined defensive approach, frustrating Senegal's attacking efforts and protecting their advantage until halftime. Senegal emerged from the break with renewed purpose and gradually took control of the contest. Dominating possession with 52 percent of the ball and registering 17 shots ...

...Ghana winless run stretches to six matches By Maxwell Kumoye    World Cup-bound Ghana were denied a morale-boosting victory on Tuesday after conceding a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw against hosts Wales in an international friendly. The result extended the Black Stars' winless run to six matches and raised fresh concerns ahead of their departure for the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States later this month. Ghana appeared on course for victory after substitute Caleb Yirenkyi put the visitors ahead in the 66th minute.  The midfielder reacted quickest to a rebound after the ball struck the upright following a powerful solo run from Ernest Nuamah that split open the Welsh defence. It was one of Ghana's few attacking moments in a match largely controlled by Wales, who dominated possession and created the better scoring opportunities but struggled to convert their chances. The hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock in the ...

By Maxwell Kumoye   Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has showered rewards on players and officials of Rangers International FC following the club's successful 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title-winning campaign. In a grand reception held in honour of the Flying Antelopes, Governor Mbah announced a cash reward of N150 million for the club, with N100 million earmarked for the players and N50 million set aside for the management team. The governor also approved the allocation of plots of land in Enugu to every player and member of the club's management, with each beneficiary to receive a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), further underlining the state's appreciation of the team's achievement. The rewards come in recognition of Rangers' outstanding season, which saw the Enugu-based side emerge champions of the NPFL and reclaim their status among Nigeria's elite clubs. Beyond the financial incentives, Governor Mbah reaffirmed h...

Norway off to World Cup finals