Sports Groove

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi remains confident that his side will soon find their attacking rhythm and begin turning performances into victories, despite suffering a 3–1 defeat to Liverpool in the League Cup third round on Tuesday. The result extended Tottenham’s winless run to four matches and added further pressure after a difficult start to the Premier League campaign. Spurs have collected only two points from their opening four league games and are yet to record a victory. De Zerbi believes the team’s struggles are temporary and that a breakthrough in their attacking play could lead to a significant improvement in results. The Italian acknowledged the frustration surrounding the club’s current situation, particularly after Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation last season by finishing just two points above the drop zone. “We are suffering because the results are our life. If we lose, we are sorry, we are sad, we are disappointed, we are frustrated,” De Zer...

...We will return stronger and better than this season – Team Manager, Yetunde Abdulkarim By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye        Dolphins Basketball Club of Lagos have already begun preparations for the 2027 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League season, with the Lagos-based side determined to return stronger after a challenging 2026 campaign. Team Manager, Mrs. Yetunde Abdulkarim, described the just-concluded season as an important learning experience for the club, revealing that the management has identified areas that require improvement ahead of their next title challenge. Abdulkarim, who spoke in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, said the club intends to assemble its players much earlier next season to allow adequate time for training, team bonding and tactical development. According to her, Dolphins were disadvantaged by the limited time available to build chemistry among a largely new squa...

By Maxwell Kumoye  Olympic champion Enefiok Udo-Obong has honoured his promise to Nigeria’s emerging athletes by presenting 17-year-old Iyanuoluwa Aderemi with a ₦500,000 cash reward for her outstanding performance in the women’s 400m at the 2026 Dynamic Athletics Meet. Aderemi earned the prize after tearing up the track at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Lagos, to clock a remarkable 50.95 seconds, a new personal best that comfortably surpassed the 51.80-second target set by Udo-Obong. The Akoko, Ondo State-born athlete’s performance was one of the standout moments of the third edition of the Dynamic Athletics Meet and has brought renewed attention to her potential in the women’s 400m. Udo-Obong had promised ₦500,000 each to the male and female 400m winners who achieved the stipulated winning standards of 45.50 seconds and 51.80 seconds respectively. Having met the condition in emphatic fashion, Aderemi received her reward on Wednesday at the National Stadium, Surulere, La...

  By Maxwell Kumoye      Nigeria made a winning start to their campaign at the 2026 CAVB Men’s African Nations Volleyball Championship in Tunis, Tunisia, defeating Chad 3–0 in their Group C encounter. The Nigerian side produced a controlled performance to secure the straight-set victory, winning 25–17, 25–17, 25–16. Nigeria maintained the initiative throughout the contest, taking the opening two sets by identical margins before closing out the match with a nine-point advantage in the third set. The victory gives Nigeria their first win of the championship, while Chad suffered their second consecutive defeat in the competition. Nigeria will, however, face a tougher test on Thursday when they take on Algeria in their second Group C match at the El Menzah Stadium in Tunis. The encounter will provide another opportunity for Nigeria to build momentum as the pool-stage battle intensifies.

By Betty Enoch        Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will secure more than 12 million votes in the 2027 presidential election. Fayose made the prediction on Tuesday while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he also argued that Tinubu would defeat former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, even if the two opposition figures formed an alliance. According to the former governor, a divided opposition would further strengthen Tinubu’s position, while a joint Atiku-Obi ticket would still not be enough to overcome the President. “It’s a three-way horse; maybe I am not putting it right. Atiku is there, and Obi is there. Even if they come together, this man (Tinubu) will still defeat them. But let us say they don’t come together; too bad for them because this election will be balkanised,” Fayose said. Fayose also projected a significant voting advantage for Tinubu in the South-West, c...

By FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG    Nigeria’s film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor Olu Jacobs at the age of 84. The actor, whose career stretched across British television, theatre and Nollywood, died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. His wife, celebrated actress Joke Silva, broke the news in an Instagram post, sharing a photograph of Jacobs and a message on behalf of the family. The family described the late actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and expressed gratitude for his life and legacy. Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and went on to become one of the defining faces of Nigerian screen acting. His career included appearances in British television productions and international films before his emergence as a major force in Nollywood. With a commanding presence and unmistakable voice, Jacobs became a familiar figure to generations of Nigerian film audiences, featuring in a long list of productions that helped shape the country’s...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Team Nigeria begins its quest for honours at the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, today, with both the men’s and women’s teams facing their opening-round opponents. In the men’s competition, Nigeria will take on New Caledonia, with the country’s hopes resting on the experienced Bomo Kigigha, Bartholomew Okhipo, Abdulrahman Abdulraheem and Odion Aikhoje, alongside 15-year-old Ekunke Goodness. The women’s team, meanwhile, will open its campaign against Mali, with Deborah Quickpen, Michelle Nwankwo, Sandra Omoruyi, Bridget Michael and Joy Iyefu representing Nigeria. The prestigious biennial competition officially got underway with its opening ceremony on Tuesday, setting the stage for several days of intense competition involving some of the world’s leading chess nations. For Nigeria, attention will also be on the younger members of the delegation, with 15-year-old Ekunke Goodness featuring in the men’s squad and Mic...

By Maxwell Kumoye      Former Nigeria captain and football administrator, Chief Segun Odegbami, has described FIFA’s intervention in the ongoing efforts to reform football administration in Nigeria as a “blessing”, following a three-hour meeting involving FIFA, CAF, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and other key stakeholders in Abuja. Odegbami, who was among the Nigerian football stakeholders at the meeting, said the discussions were conducted in a cordial atmosphere, with participants addressing the country’s football challenges without rancour. Reflecting on the outcome of the meeting in a piece titled “Meeting with FIFA – foto no dey lie!”, the former Green Eagles captain said the gathering brought members of Nigeria’s football family together “like old friends” and offered fresh hope for resolving longstanding administrative issues. According to Odegbami, the FIFA delegation demonstrated a strong understanding of the problems confronting Nigerian foot...

Inter Miami have officially appointed Argentine coach Cristian “Kily” González as their new head coach, with the 52-year-old signing a contract that will keep him at the MLS club until June 2028. González’s appointment had been delayed as he awaited the necessary U.S. work documentation, but the process has now been completed. The former Argentina international has already taken charge of his first training session with an Inter Miami squad led by global superstar Lionel Messi. He succeeds Guillermo Hoyos, who had been overseeing the team on an interim basis since Javier Mascherano’s departure in April. González, however, has little time to settle into his new surroundings. His first major assignment arrives immediately, with Inter Miami preparing to face Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday. The Argentine brings considerable experience to the role, having previously managed Rosario Central, Unión Santa Fe and Platense. During his distinguished playing career, Gonzál...

Former England winger Raheem Sterling has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after a court heard he was seen inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon while driving his Lamborghini on busy motorways in southern England. The 31-year-old admitted driving dangerously on the M25, M3, A327 and Minley Road on the morning of May 28, before crashing his Lamborghini Urus near the Minley interchange. No other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported. Prosecutor Simon Jones told Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court that motorists had made several emergency calls after witnessing the vehicle being driven erratically during rush hour. One witness described Sterling’s driving as “absolutely horrendous” and said he was swerving between lanes while inhaling from a large white balloon that obstructed much of his view. Sterling also pleaded guilty to possessing six nitrous oxide canisters for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen. The substance is classified as a Class C d...

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has agreed to extend his contract with the national team until 2030 following an extraordinary spell that has seen him deliver consecutive major international titles, according to reports on Tuesday. De la Fuente, who was originally contracted until 2028, has been rewarded with a new long-term agreement after guiding Spain to European Championship glory in 2024 before adding the FIFA World Cup title in July. The 65-year-old has transformed Spain into one of international football's dominant forces since taking charge, suffering just two defeats in 41 competitive matches. The contract extension underlines the Spanish Football Federation's confidence in De la Fuente as he prepares to lead the reigning European and world champions into another World Cup cycle.

By Maxwell Kumoye  President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has praised Team Nigeria for what he described as a spirited and encouraging performance at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary. Despite the challenges that preceded their participation, Nigeria’s youthful contingent produced a series of competitive displays, reaching the final in four of the five events in which the country competed. Two performances stood out in particular, with former world record holder Tobi Amusan claiming silver in the women’s 100m hurdles, while Kanyinsola Ajayi narrowly missed out on a podium place in the men’s 100m. Okowa said the results had reinforced his confidence in the next generation of Nigerian athletes, insisting that the Budapest experience would form part of the country’s preparations for a bigger target, the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China. “I am very proud of the athletes and the way they represente...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye     Team Edo is targeting a historic outing at the National Sports Festival in Enugu, with the Edo State Sports Commission expressing confidence in the team’s preparations ahead of the multi-sport extravaganza. Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations at the Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs. Sabina Chikere, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye on Tuesday. Chikere said preparations are in full swing across the Heartbeat State, with the athletes and officials working towards delivering an impressive performance when competition begins in Enugu. According to her, Team Edo will approach the festival with determination and a strong desire to make the state proud. “We are fully prepared and very optimistic about what Team Edo can achieve in Enugu. Our athletes have been working hard, and we believe they have what it takes to produce performances that ...

...“Nigeria will bring it back home” – Quickpen, Ekunke, Abdulrahman, fire up Olympiad hopes By Maxwell Kumoye and Trust Ittai      Team Nigeria has departed for Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with a blend of experience, youthful ambition and growing confidence ahead of the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad. The Nigerian delegation left on Monday night aboard Turkish Airlines and is scheduled to make a one-hour, 30-minute stopover in Istanbul before continuing the journey to Uzbekistan for the prestigious global chess championship. The Olympiad, which runs from September 15 to 27, will bring together a record 400 national teams competing across the Open and Women's sections at the Silk Road International Tourist Center/EXPO Center in Samarkand. Nigeria will be represented by a 10-player squad comprising five men and five women, with the team hoping to build on previous international performances and challenge for honours in its category. THE MEN'S TEAM: ✓ Bomo Kigigha ✓ ...

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola says he is still assessing which members of his squad can withstand the physical demands of playing matches every three days as his side prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup third round on Tuesday. Liverpool have endured an uneven opening to the Premier League campaign under Iraola, drawing three of their first four league matches despite securing an impressive Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid. With the fixture schedule beginning to intensify, Iraola acknowledged that managing player workloads will be crucial, particularly with Liverpool competing on multiple fronts. The Spaniard believes several experienced members of the squad have already demonstrated their ability to cope with the demanding schedule, with captain Virgil van Dijk among those he can rely on. However, Iraola admitted that he still needs more time to determine whether younger players and recent arrivals are ready to consistently perform at the same...

...Urges stakeholders to unite against ‘entrenched’ leadership By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye     President of Comets Basketball Club and former D’Tigers head coach, Ayodele Bakare, has declared that the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) elections must be concluded by October 15, 2026, insisting that stakeholders should stop entertaining doubts over the polls and begin preparations immediately. Bakare, in a strongly worded intervention on the federation’s leadership crisis, hinged his position on what he described as formal communications from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) regarding the tenure of the current NBBF board and the conduct of the next elections. According to him, FIBA remains the global regulatory authority for basketball and its position on the Nigerian situation should not be dismissed or interpreted loosely. Bakare, however, accused the world governing body of having previously taken positions that, in his...

By Maxwell Kumoye     The battle for control of Nigerian basketball has moved beyond the race for the presidency of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), with stakeholders now alleging that the real contest could be over the composition of the electoral college. As the October deadline for the expiration of the present NBBF board draws closer, accusations of political manoeuvring, alleged interference and attempts to influence State Basketball Associations are threatening to cast a shadow over the federation's forthcoming 2026–2030 elections. The NBBF is yet to announce the date of its Extra-Ordinary General Assembly or unveil the official electoral timetable and guidelines, but stakeholders claim that the groundwork for the election is already being fought at state level. Their concern is that changing the leadership of State Basketball Associations shortly before the national congress could ultimately determine who sits at the table when the votes are cast. A...

...First Bank finished second despite final-day defeat By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye     MFM Basketball Club have stamped their authority on the Atlantic Conference of the 2026 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, finishing the regular season without dropping a single game. The Lagos-based outfit capped an outstanding campaign with a 54-48 triumph over First Bank, taking their tally to 14 victories from 14 matches and 28 points. It was a fitting finale to a campaign in which MFM consistently set the pace, leaving their closest challengers unable to match their unbeaten march to the top of the table. First Bank had to settle for second despite putting together an impressive 11-3 record. The bankers accumulated 25 points from their 14 outings. Victoria Queens and Bayelsa Blue Whales claimed the other two qualifying positions from the Atlantic Conference, setting up a place in the Final 8. The biggest casualty of the conference phase was defending champions D...

By Trust Ittai and Maxwell Kumoye     Liberty Pioneer emerged as the standout side at Nigeria’s landmark Wheelchair American Football Exhibition after recording two victories at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Lagos. The exhibition, organised by American Football Elite Development (AFEDEV) on Thursday, September 10, marked a significant step in the development of Wheelchair American Football in Nigeria, bringing athletes, sports administrators, diplomatic representatives, academics, corporate organisations and members of the public together to showcase the possibilities of the emerging sport. Liberty Pioneer opened their campaign with a commanding 13–0 victory over Iron Invicta before defeating Atlantic Chargers 10–3 in the final game of the exhibition. Atlantic Chargers had earlier booked their place in the decisive encounter after overcoming Lagos Dynamos 7–0. The three-game programme not only provided competitive action for the partici...

Formula One championship leader Kimi Antonelli laid down the fastest lap of Friday’s second free practice session at the new Madrid circuit, edging Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in an intriguing opening day at the Spanish Grand Prix venue. The Mercedes driver, who had finished second to teammate George Russell in the opening practice session, responded strongly in FP2 by setting the benchmark time of 1:33.662. Antonelli’s lap put him 0.113 seconds clear of Leclerc, while seven-time world champion Hamilton was a further 0.036 seconds behind his Ferrari teammate, completing the top three. The session was briefly interrupted when Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad became the first Formula One driver to crash at the newly built Madring circuit. The British youngster lost control and brought out the red flags, bringing his session to an early end with 24 minutes still remaining. Despite the incident, Lindblad retained fourth place on the timing sheets, finishing 0...

By Maxwell Kumoye   Former AIPS Africa President Mitchell Obi has challenged Nigerian sports journalists to end their overdependence on European football and redirect their energy towards building the Nigeria Premier Football League into a commercially powerful domestic sports property. Obi, a veteran journalist and broadcaster who is also Vice Chairman of Mastersports International, made the call while speaking on the media’s role in maximising the opportunities presented by the NPFL’s new partnership with title sponsor Euromatch. He argued that the Nigerian league would struggle to unlock its enormous commercial potential if the media continued to devote disproportionate attention to the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and other European competitions. Obi said Nigerian sports media must move beyond simply reporting the NPFL and become an active participant in building its audience, commercial value and global appeal. “For us, that time has come to stop this flirta...