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Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp ends in Accra

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...Strengthens youth development in Africa By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the El Wak Stadium in Accra    The Ghanaian leg of the Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp concluded successfully in Accra on Sunday after several days of intensive training and mentorship for young basketball talents. About 90 children drawn from different schools participated in the programme, which continues to grow as one of the leading youth basketball development initiatives on the continent. Retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu, who coordinated the camp, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and praised the support received from the Ghana Basketball Association. According to him, the camp has continued to create opportunities for young players both on and off the court, noting that two participants from previous Ghana editions are currently studying scholarships in the United States. The Jordan Nwora Basketball Camp, which has now been staged in more than seven countries a...
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Chidi Okezie eyes podium finish ahead of the men’s 200m final

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By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra           One of the most experienced athletes in Team Nigeria to the Senior Africa Athletics Championship, Chidi Okezie, has assured Nigerians that he is in the men’s 200m for a purpose, insisting that his aim is not just to compete but to put on a performance worth watching. Okezie, whose specialty is the 400m, powered into the final of the event, adding that the 200m demands a very different mindset from the 400m, the distance he described as his “pride and joy.” He explained that while the 400m requires patience, tactics and precision, the 200m is all about raw speed, a sharp start and a strong finish. “200m is half the distance, but 400m is my pride and joy, so I take care because it’s technical,” he said. “In 200m it’s all out, more speed, a strong start and finishing strong. It’s a different type of race.” Okezie stated that his motivation comes from the standard he sets for himself, as ...
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Osaretin shines with six gold as Nigeria finishes third at African Track Championships

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By Maxwell Kumoye    Nigeria’s rising cycling star, Osaretin Godwin delivered a sensational performance at the 2026 African Track Cycling Championships in Abuja, winning two more gold medals on the final day to help Team Nigeria finish third overall behind South Africa and Egypt. The Junior Women champion ended the five-day competition with an outstanding haul of six gold medals, four individual titles and two team golds, cementing her status as one of the brightest talents of the championship. Competing at the velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Team Nigeria wrapped up the championships with two gold, two silver and two bronze medals on the final day. The hosts finished with a total of 29 medals comprising nine gold, nine silver and 11 bronze medals, narrowly edging Egypt in the overall standings despite the North Africans securing one more gold medal.  Egypt ended the championships with 10 gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals. Dominant Sou...
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World Athletics Vice President hails Ghana’s hospitality, Africa’s rising athletic power

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By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra          Vice President of World Athletics, Adille Sumariwalla, has showered praises on Ghana for its warmth and organisation of the 2026 Senior Africa Athletics Championship despite the initial technical hiccups that was resolved after the second day of completion. He described the level of competition during the championship stating that the continent continues to prove its worth as a major force in global athletics. Sumariwalla made this statement in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye. He described his stay in Ghana as being “wonderful,” while describing Africans as kind, hospitable and welcoming people. He noted that his recent visits to Nigeria, Botswana and Ghana had further reinforced his belief in the strength of athletics on the continent, saying the performances he had witnessed were outstanding. “Africa is always welcoming, lovely peopl...
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Drama in Cairo as USM Alger defeats Zamalek on penalties to lift Confederation Cup

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...Likonza the hero in shootout thriller  By Maxwell Kumoye        USM Alger were crowned champions of Africa once again after surviving a dramatic penalty shootout to defeat Zamalek SC 8-7 and lift the Confederation Cup title at the roaring Cairo International Stadium on Saturday night. The Algerian giants arrived in Cairo carrying a slender advantage from the first leg after a controversial stoppage-time penalty had handed them a 1-0 victory at home.  But the atmosphere quickly shifted when Zamalek struck inside five minutes.  The hosts wasted little time in making their intent clear, piling early pressure on USM Alger's defence. Palestinian midfielder Adam Kaied was brought down inside the area by Cameroonian defender Che Malone, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh calmly converted from the spot to level the tie on aggregate and ignite the home crowd. Driven by the deafening support...
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Kenya shifts to invitation-only trials ahead of World U-20 Championships

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By Maxwell Kumoye      Athletics Kenya has announced that it will conduct invitation-only trials from May 21 to 23 to select the national team for the 2026 World Under-20 Championships in Oregon, USA. The trials, scheduled to take place at Nyayo National Stadium, mark a significant shift from the traditional open selection process that has long been associated with Kenya’s athletics culture. According to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya 1st Deputy President and Athletics Kenya Youth Development Department Director Barnaba Korir, the decision follows strict directives from World Athletics amid growing concerns over doping and age manipulation in junior competitions. Korir explained that the federation can no longer afford to hold open trials, as authorities intensify efforts to protect the integrity of youth athletics and ensure that only verified and eligible athletes compete at the global championships. The move is expected to tighten the selection pro...
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Tobi Amusan places third as Masai Russell sets world leading time

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...As South Africa's Leotlela wins thriller at Shanghai Diamond League By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria’s 2026 African champion and world record holder Tobi Amusan produced another strong outing on the international circuit, finishing third in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Shanghai Diamond League on Saturday. American Olympic champion Masai Russell stormed to victory in a world-leading 12.25 seconds, while Bahamian star Devynne Charlton placed second in 12.38 seconds. Amusan crossed the line in 12.41 seconds to secure a podium finish in a highly competitive field. In the men’s 100m, South Africa’s Gift Leotlela edged Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and American Kenny Bednarek in a dramatic photo finish to claim his first Diamond League victory. Leotlela clocked 9.97 seconds after producing a strong late burst to outpace his rivals. “It means a lot... I had a decent start, not great. I just tried to keep my composure, stay in my rhythm and stay strong,” said the Sou...
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Chelsea agrees four-year deal for Xabi Alonso after disappointing season

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By Trust Ittai        Chelsea F.C. has reached an agreement with former Real Madrid CF and Bayer 04 Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso to become the club’s new head coach on a four-year contract. The Premier League side moved swiftly to secure the Spaniard as they continued their search for stability following another disappointing campaign. The development comes just hours after Chelsea suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City F.C. in the FA Cup final, compounding frustrations in a season that has seen the Blues struggle for consistency both domestically and in cup competitions. Chelsea have been without a permanent manager since the dismissal of Liam Rosenior in April after only three months in charge.  The club’s hierarchy is now hoping Alonso can spark a revival at Stamford Bridge and restore the team’s competitiveness at the highest level. Alonso, 44, emerged as one of Europe’s most highly rated young coaches after guiding Leverkusen to a his...
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Egypt edge Tunisia as Cameroon, Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire secure crucial U-17 AFCON victories

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By Mishael Emmanuel      Matchday three of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations delivered drama, narrow victories, and crucial statements from some of the continent’s rising football powers such as Egypt, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Morocco all secured important wins. In one of the day’s biggest encounters, Tunisia fell 2-1 to fierce North African rivals Egypt in a tense and entertaining clash.  The young Pharaohs showed resilience and attacking quality to edge past Tunisia and keep their campaign firmly on track. Cameroon also had plenty to celebrate after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uganda.  The decisive moment came just 15 minutes into the contest when Abdoulrahman Soudeisse calmly found the back of the net to send the Young Lions into the lead.  Cameroon then produced a disciplined defensive display to protect their advantage until the final whistle. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast claimed a valuable 1-0 win against DR Congo in a tightly co...
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Egypt edge Tunisia as Cameroon, Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire secure crucial U-17 AFCON victories

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By Mishael Emmanuel      Matchday three of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations delivered drama, narrow victories, and crucial statements from some of the continent’s rising football powers such as Egypt, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Morocco all secured important wins. In one of the day’s biggest encounters, Tunisia fell 2-1 to fierce North African rivals Egypt in a tense and entertaining clash.  The young Pharaohs showed resilience and attacking quality to edge past Tunisia and keep their campaign firmly on track. Cameroon also had plenty to celebrate after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Uganda.  The decisive moment came just 15 minutes into the contest when Abdoulrahman Soudeisse calmly found the back of the net to send the Young Lions into the lead.  Cameroon then produced a disciplined defensive display to protect their advantage until the final whistle. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast claimed a valuable 1-0 win against DR Congo in a tightly co...
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