Sports Groove

By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    Nigerian athletics stakeholders have showered praises on rising stars Kanyinsola Ajayi, Samuel Ogazi and Israel Okon following their outstanding performances at the ongoing NCAA East and West Regionals in the United States. The trio headlined another memorable outing for Nigerian athletes competing in the American collegiate circuit, with Ajayi stealing the spotlight after smashing the long-standing Nigerian men's 100m record with a blistering 9.84 seconds, eclipsing the previous mark of 9.85 seconds set by Olusoji Fasuba in 2006. Ajayi's historic feat, coupled with impressive performances from Ogazi, Okon and several other Nigerians, sparked celebrations among officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), who described the achievements as further proof that the country remains a force in global athletics. AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, praised the athletes for their remarkable progress and d...

By Maxwell Kumoye      The planned rehabilitation of the iconic Muda Lawal Stadium in Asero, Abeokuta, has received a major endorsement from the Ogun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), which believes the project could herald a new era for sports development in the state. Reacting to the National Sports Commission's decision to revamp the facility, Ogun SWAN Chairman, Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, described the move as a welcome development for athletes, coaches and sports enthusiasts who have long desired the restoration of one of the state's most recognizable sporting landmarks. For decades, the Muda Lawal Stadium has served as a hub for sporting activities in Ogun State, producing talents who have gone on to excel at national and international levels. PHowever, years of wear and limited upgrades have reduced its capacity to host major competitions and adequately serve the growing sporting population. Ogunsiji said the intervention b...

By Maxwell Kumoye    Liverpool have parted ways with manager Arne Slot after a disappointing second season that saw the Reds slip from Premier League champions to a fifth-place finish, ending the Dutchman's two-year spell at Anfield. The decision was announced on Saturday, with the club admitting that "change is necessary" despite Slot's historic achievement of guiding Liverpool to the league title in his debut campaign. Slot arrived at Anfield in 2024 from Dutch side Feyenoord as the successor to the legendary Jurgen Klopp.  Expectations were high, but the Dutchman exceeded them in his first season, steering Liverpool to the Premier League crown behind the brilliance of Mohamed Salah, who contributed 29 goals and 18 assists. However, the title-winning momentum quickly evaporated. Liverpool's attempt to defend their crown turned into a battle to secure Champions League qualification as the Reds endured a turbulent campaign marked by inconsistent perfor...

By Maxwell Kumoye        Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has named Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah in his final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Pharaohs set to begin their campaign in North America next month. As expected, Salah will spearhead Egypt's quest for global glory, while Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush is also expected to play a key role in the team's attacking plans. The squad announcement featured few surprises, although the inclusion of teenage striker Hamza Abdel Karim has generated considerable excitement among Egyptian football followers. The 18-year-old forward, currently on loan from Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly to Barcelona Atletic, the reserve team of Spanish champions Barcelona, earned a place in the final squad after impressing with his development and potential. Hassan's selection reflects a blend of experience and youthful promise as Egypt seeks to make a strong impression at the tournament. The Pharaohs have...

...Smashes Nigerian record with stunning 43.82s By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye    Nigeria’s sprint sensation Samuel Ogazi delivered another statement performance on Friday, storming to a remarkable new Personal Best and World Lead of 43.82 seconds in the men’s 400m at the NCAA East Regionals. The blistering run saw Ogazi reclaim the world-leading mark from Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi, who had clocked 43.92 seconds just last week. In the process, the Nigerian quarter-miler also shattered his own national record yet again, continuing a exceptional season in which he has consistently raised the bar with every outing. Ogazi’s 43.82s now stands as the fastest men’s 400m time in the world this year, further underlining his emergence as one of the most exciting sprint talents on the global stage. The performance adds to what is becoming a historic season for Nigerian athletics.  Earlier, fellow Nigerian sprint star Kanyinsola Ajayi clocked a stunning 9.84 se...

...The man who also gave democracy the mic By Maxwell Kumoye with additional agency report     Three years after his death, Nigerians are still remembering the late High Chief Dr. Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, OFR, as the fearless media pioneer who transformed broadcasting and gave independent voices a powerful platform across the country. Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Raypower FM and Africa Independent Television, died on May 29, 2023, at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped Nigeria’s media and democratic landscape. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s broadcast history, Dokpesi broke barriers when he launched Raypower FM, the country’s first private FM radio station, following the deregulation of the broadcast industry. He later established AIT, creating one of Nigeria’s most influential independent television platforms. At a time when government-owned stations dominated the airwaves, Rayp...

Forty young footballers of Ghanaian descent participated in the Ghana Football Association's inaugural UK Talent Identification Programme as efforts continues to strengthen the country's future national teams. The programme, held in Bromley, brought together players aged between U-15 and U-20 who are currently developing in some of England's top Category One academies. Participants represented leading clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton, giving Ghana's technical team an opportunity to assess some of the most promising dual-national talents available in the United Kingdom. The initiative was organised by the GFA in collaboration with Coach Hene Sporting Club, Ghanaians in the UK and Prince Lamona Consult. The exercise was supervised by GFA Technical Director Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah and FIFA Talent Coach Stuart McLaren, who worked alongside coaches from Coach Hene Sporting Club to evaluate players throughout the programme. The s...

...Ajayi becomes world’s fastest man in 2026 after record run   By Maxwell Kumoye       Nigeria’s sprinting history was rewritten on Friday night as Kanyinsola Ajayi stormed to a sensational 9.84 seconds to win his men’s 100m race at the NCAA East Regionals and book his place at the NCAA Championships. Running with a legal wind reading of 0.4, Ajayi shattered the long-standing Nigerian national record of 9.85 seconds set by Olusoji Fasuba in 2006, ending a 20-year wait for a new national benchmark in the blue-riband event. The remarkable performance also propelled the 21 year old Nigerian star to the top of the global rankings, making him the fastest man in the world so far in 2026 and handing him the world lead. Ajayi’s historic run is now the second-fastest 100m performance in collegiate history, further underlining his growing reputation as one of the brightest sprint talents in world athletics. Behind the Nigerian sensation, Ghana’s Mustapha Bopkin fi...

...As Foster misses penalty ahead of World Cup By Maxwell Kumoye      South Africa’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a setback on Friday after Bafana Bafana were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Nicaragua in an international friendly in Johannesburg. Burnley striker Lyle Foster endured a frustrating evening as he missed a penalty late in the first half, striking the post in what proved South Africa’s best opportunity of the encounter. Coach Hugo Broos opted to rest several key players ahead of the team’s departure to their World Cup training base in Pachuca, Mexico, but his side still dominated possession throughout the contest. Despite controlling the game for long periods, South Africa struggled to break down a resilient Nicaragua defence and created few clear-cut chances.  The visitors spent much of the match pinned inside their own half and offered little threat going forward. The stalemate leaves Broos with work to do as Baf...