Sport Archives - Page 14 of 15

Breaking: CAF Awards Nigeria Victory Over Libya, Imposes $50,000 Fine

October 26, 2024 by admin

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has made a ruling regarding the Libya Football Federation. The Libya Football Federation was found guilty of violating Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code. As a result of this ruling, the match between Libya and Nigeria (Match No. 87) in the CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025, originally scheduled for October 15, 2024, in Benghazi, has been declared a forfeit loss for Libya. The forfeit loss will be recorded as a 3-0 victory for Nigeria. In addition to the forfeit loss, the Libya Football Federation has been ordered to pay a fine of $50,000. This fine must be paid within 60 days from the notification of the decision. All other motions or requests for relief have been dismissed. The CAF Disciplinary Board’s decision is final, concluding this matter.

Libyan Airport: A Young Man Come to Give Us WiFi and He Was Arrested – Super Eagles Media Officer

October 17, 2024 by admin

The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team, recently faced a challenging and uncomfortable experience at a Libyan airport while en route to an important match. In an interview with TVC News on Tuesday, the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, detailed their distressing ordeal with Libyan authorities, which left the players stranded for over 13 hours without proper treatment. Upon their arrival, the team found their bags left unattended, adding to their frustrations. Efoghe reported that the airport environment was far from accommodating, with individuals smoking indoors despite it being designated as a no-smoking area. In an effort to lift spirits, Kelechi, one of the players, took it upon himself to act as a DJ, playing music to help pass the time. Initially, the team engaged in dancing and camaraderie, but as the hours dragged on, the atmosphere shifted from one of enjoyment to frustration and fatigue. The situation worsened when the team discovered there was no available WiFi, leaving them cut off from communication. A glimmer of hope arose when a young local man offered them WiFi access, but his good deed was abruptly interrupted when authorities arrested him. The treatment of the Super Eagles drew criticism even from some local Libyans, with one expressing shame over the incident and labeling it “very bad.” In an attempt to cope with their predicament, the team resorted to playing games and finding distractions while they awaited the resolution of their situation. However, the prolonged wait left a significant impact on the players, many of whom felt traumatized by the experience. Despite the challenges faced at the airport, the Super Eagles remain focused on their upcoming match, hoping that the difficulties encountered will not hinder their performance on the field. The incident has sparked discussions about the treatment of visiting teams and the need for improved hospitality in international sporting events.

N1m Up For Grabs As Oyo Govt Supports Inaugural Pool Champions League

October 16, 2024 by admin

Oyo State Government has thrown its weight behind the maiden edition of Pool Champions League, just as the winner of the tournament will be going home with a one million naira cash prize. While speaking as special guest at a press conference held at the Ibadan Recreation Club, Sabo Area, Ibadan on Tuesday, The Chairman, Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Prince Adebowale Falana declared the state government’s support for the inaugural Pool Champions League scheduled to commence on October 30. Prince Adebowale said, “There is need to engage our youths in sports, especially in other sports aside football. “The focus should not only based on football, as the agency we are doing a lot in helping out youths to discover their talents, we’ve been supporting them with skills acquisition programmes, digital technology innovations, in entertainment and creative industry and we are still ready to do more. “Our doors are open to various stakeholders for partnership on programs that will open our youths to new ideas and an ideal ways of earning money.” Falana said. He urged the youths in the country to come out in great numbers to showcase their talents at the Pool Champions League tournament. Falana therefore pledged the agency’s moral and financial support to make the league a memorable one. The Convener of the maiden Oyo State Pool Champions League, Mr Oluwatosin Odita in his remarks, said the grand prize of one million Naira will be at stake for competitors. Noting that the five-day tournament would feature players from many parts of the country jostling for the grand prize, stressing that the tournament will hold from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 and feature 32 players. Oluwatosin promised that the five day sporting activities will be an hitch-free tournament. He said “The best 16 players would move from the opening round to the quarter-finals, before advancing to the semi-finals and final. “There are games each day of the week, from the preliminaries, quarter-finals and semi-finals, while all matches of the tournament will hold at the Black Nile Lounge in Bodija every day. “Then, the final will be at the Billionaires Section of Ibadan Recreation club,” he said. Odita said the real essence of the tournament was to have a community of players first and also identify them as pool players. He said the new talents would be merged with players from Lagos and then the sport’s umbrella body would partner with international bodies to export the players. “The tournament will create an academy for the younger ones and catch them young to master the technicality of the game. “Plans are ongoing to enroll the players on a coaching course in the UK governing body for pool annually. “The certificate can enable the players become coaches anywhere in the world in the future, thereby giving back to the people by training them,” Odita said. “The tournament’s overall winner will get N1 million and a trophy while the first runners-up will receive N500,000 and the second runners-up N300,000. This will go with the presentation of certificates and consolation prizes to all the participants of the tournament” Oluwatosin said. Chairman of Ibadan Recreation Club’s Billiards and Snooker Section, Mr Mbim Okutiyang, said the section was giving Nigerians the opportunity to play with standard tables recognised globally in snooker and pool. Mbim noted that the tournament would serve as an opportunity for people to know what IRC is all about and what it offers.

CAF Pulls Out Nigeria, Libya AFCON Qualifier Amidst Controversy

October 15, 2024 by admin

The Confederation of African Football has delisted the Group D second-leg fixture of the ongoing 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. The game was earlier scheduled to take place in Libya by 8 pm after the first leg took place in Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday. The Super Eagles beat the Mediterranean Knights by a lone goal in the dying minute of the game. However, the return leg has been greeted with controversy after the Super Eagles players and officials narrated their over 14 hours ordeal at the Libya airport leading them to return home. Meanwhile, CAF said it had launched an investigation into the incident after the Libya Football Federation alleged sabotage and threatened legal action against Nigeria. The African football body further updated games that would be played on Tuesday without including the Libya versus Nigeria game on its X handle.

NIGERIA vs LIBYA: Libyan Football Federation President Resigns Amid Super Eagles Row

October 14, 2024 by admin

Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, President of the Libyan Football Federation, has tendered his resignation. According to The Libya Observer, Al-Shalmani’s resignation was announced during a regular meeting of the Federation’s General Assembly on Sunday. “I do not want to be part of the failure in Libyan sports,” Al-Shalmani stated. While expressing gratitude to his colleagues, he forgave those in the sports sector. “I thank all members of the General Assembly, and I forgive everyone from all segments of the sports sector,” he added. The resignation comes at a time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria are accusing the Libyan football authority of “inhumane treatment” upon arrival in the country ahead of the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The team which was stranded at Al Abraq International Airport for over 16 hours without assistance from the Libyan Football Federation, is currently heading back to the West African country. Meanwhile, the Confederation OF African Football (CAF) has vowed to investigate the incident and take appropriate action. In a statement, it said, “CAF has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities. “The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”

JUST IN: NFF Withdraws Super Eagles From AFCON Qualifier After Libya Airport Nightmare

October 14, 2024 by admin

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya. The decision follows a 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya, where the team was stranded since arrival on Sunday afternoon. The chartered aircraft was diverted mid-flight to Al Abraq, a small airport typically reserved for hajj operations, leaving players and officials without assistance from the Libyan Football Federation. The NFF stated that the team remained at the airport for over 12 hours, unable to reach their hotel in Benghazi, three hours away. Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong condemned the treatment by Libyan authorities, describing the situation as “disgraceful” and accusing the hosts of playing “mind games.” The team is being flown back to Nigeria, effectively pulling them out of the fixture. Details later…

Ogun Begins Repairs Of Major Sporting Complexes, Prepares For NSF

October 9, 2024 by admin

The Ogun State Government has commenced reconstruction and renovation works on the MKO Abiola International Stadium and the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, ahead of the National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged “2024 Gateway Games.” Speaking after inspecting the two facilities, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, assured that the renovation works would be completed within the stipulated time and would be tested before the games. The scraping of the pitch at the main bowl of the stadium, the removal of the tartan tracks, as well as the roofs at the indoor hall of the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, are ongoing simultaneously as the commissioner led journalists to the sites. He revealed that the VIP section of the stadium would be expanded, while an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and handball courts would also be constructed within the stadium. The commissioner noted that the current administration is intensifying its efforts to develop sports and youth development programs in the state, as well as to discover and nurture young athletes. He highlighted the importance of harnessing the potential of the youth and channeling their energy into productive ventures for their personal success and the socio-economic gains of the state, reiterating the government’s commitment to organizing a world-class National Sports Festival. Hon. Isiaka submitted that the festival will bring together the best athletes from the state, inspiring the next generation of athletes, promoting the rich cultural heritage, and promising to reward outstanding performances. He stated that the massive renovation will not only help develop the skills and dedication of local athletes before, during, and after the games but will also underscore the commitment and readiness of the state government to host the National Sports Festival, calling on corporate organizations and other well-meaning individuals to join hands with the government to make the NSF a huge success. The Commissioner addeded that the Sports Festival is a moment for the state to shine and show the world the abundance of talents, potentials and inherent hospitality in the state. He, therefore, reaffirmed the readiness of the state government to host a befitting festival, adding that the facilities would be top-notch and would attract national and international events. The National Sports Festival has been slated to hold between January 12 and January 26, 2025.

Morocco 2025: Eguavoen Picks Ekong, Lookman, Simon, 20 Others To Duel With Libya

October 7, 2024 by admin

Super Eagles Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen has called Captain William Ekong, rave-of-the-moment Ademola Lookman, in-form winger Moses Simon, and 20 other players for this month’s home-and-away 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battle with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. Wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are included, as well as goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoya, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze. Reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is excluded on grounds of injury, just as South Africa-based center-back Olisa Ndah, but defender Bright Osayi-Samuel makes his way back after missing the duels with Benin Republic and Rwanda last month, and in-form playmaker Chidera Ejuke returns to the fold after many moons. Veteran forward Kelechi Iheanacho is also listed, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Frank Onyeka. The Super Eagles will host the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before flying to Benghazi to take on the Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometers away from Benghazi on Tuesday, 15th October. All the players are expected to report to Uyo on Monday, 7th October. See full list below; Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England) Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England) Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)

Anthony Joshua Suspended From Boxing

September 30, 2024 by admin

Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has been handed a 28-day suspension from boxing by the British Boxing Board of Control following his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Joshua was floored four times and ultimately knocked out in the fifth round by Dubois’ devastating right hand. The suspension, a standard medical precaution after a KO or TKO loss, prevents Joshua from entering the boxing ring during this period. However, with no confirmed upcoming fights, this enforced break is unlikely to affect the former two-time heavyweight world champion’s immediate plans. Joshua’s loss to Dubois marks his fourth professional career loss, following setbacks against Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk. Despite speculation about his future, Joshua has dismissed retirement talks, expressing his determination to come back stronger. He has hinted at possibly invoking a rematch clause to face Dubois again. In a social media message, Joshua reflected on his career, saying, “We’ve got to look at the positives… It’s far from over yet,” while vowing to make the right steps forward to return to the top. Promoter Eddie Hearn has also suggested potential future bouts, including a long-awaited clash with Tyson Fury. Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, mentioned that Dubois could fight again in February, leaving the door open for a rematch if Joshua chooses to pursue it. Meanwhile, Joshua could also wait for the outcome of the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk bout scheduled for December. Business Day

NFF Confirms Augustine Eguavoen As Super Eagles Head Coach

September 27, 2024 by admin

The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the Federation’s Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen to continue in his role as Head Coach of the Super Eagles, and lead the team in its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya next month. The 58-year-old, in temporary charge of the squad he had led three times previously, steered the three-time African champions to a 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic and a scoreless draw with Rwanda in Match days 1 and 2 earlier this month. Eguavoen and the current technical crew also includes Fidelis Ilechukwu, Daniel Ogunmodede, Olatunji Baruwa, and Tomaz Zorec will also take charge of the Super Eagles B team for the qualifying campaign for next year’s African Nations Championship, otherwise known as CHAN. With the departure of Mr. Randy Waldrum, the Executive Committee also approved the recommendation of the Technical and Development Sub-Committee for Coach Justin Madugu to lead the remaining technical crew and take charge of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, pending the appointment of a substantive Head Coach. The Super Falcons’ next big engagement is the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, taking place in Morocco in the summer of next yea