President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours of Officer of Order of Niger (OON) on Super Falcons following their historic victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The President while receiving the players and the technical team at the Villa on Monday commended them for their “indomitable spirit of resilience, determination and courage”, saying the victory couldn’t have been more historic.

To reward the players, the President, who earlier received the trophy from Rasheedat Ajibade, gave each players $100k.

In addition, President Tinubu gave the players three-bedroom flat.

Tinubu said: “On behalf of the grateful nation, I hereby confer on the players and the 11-man technical team national honour of OON.

“I hereby allocate a three-bedroom apartment to each of the players and technical crew. In addition, there’s a cash award of the naira equivalence $100,000 to the 24 players and equivalence of $50,000 to the technical team. Once again, I congratulate you, and I will continue to pray for you.”

Tinubu’s promises excited the players and the technical team as some of them jump around the Villa, singing “Na our papa be this o.”

While addressing the players, the President he didn’t want to watch the final match between Nigeria and Morroco, saying he didn’t want to have high-blood pressure.

Super Falcons won the WAFCON trophy for the tenth time after their 3-2 comeback over the Atlas Lionesses Morocco on Saturday.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2025-07-28

Ogun State has gotten a clean bill of health to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival in January.

This is sequel to the inspection of facilities for the games by the Main Organising Committee, (MOC).

The committee led by its Chairman, Mrs Tinuke Watti expressed satisfaction after making an on-the-spot inspection that took the members to Babcock University, the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, the NYSC Orientation Camp in Sagamu and the Abeokuta Sports Club in Abeokuta.  

Mrs Watti, speaking on behalf of the MOC, expressed satisfaction on the facilities and commended the Ogun State Government for the efforts so far.

Most mind-blowing was the accommodation facilities offered by Babcock University where 23 halls of residence will be made available to accommodate all the athletes in one place.

That singular gesture has drastically reduced logistical problems. The university campus will also host some of the sports events.

Its proximity to Ikenne, where the Remo Stars Stadium is located becomes another added advantage.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-07-15

Nigerian-British boxerAnthony Joshua was well rewarded for his second-round knockout win over Cameroonian boxer Francis Ngannou in the main event of the “Knockout Chaos” card in Saudi Arabia in the early hours of Saturday morning (Nigerian time).

Joshua won his fourth straight fight with the knock out victory over Ngannou in Riyadh.

After securing consecutive victories in 2023 with wins over Jermaine Franklin in April and Robert Helenius with a seventh-round knockout in August, Joshua cruised to a fifth-round technical knockout win over Otto Wallin in December, who had been expected to be a formidable opponent, especially with his southpaw stance.

Joshua has now secured knockout wins over two fighters who took Tyson Fury the distance in Wallin and Ngannou.

Joshua,was already on hand to get $40m (N63.7bn) for the fight but due to his win by a KO, Joshua received an extra $10m (N15.9bn) making a total of $50m (N79bn) while Ngannou pocketed $20m (N31.8bn).

Popular musician, Drake who is accustomed to placing large wagers on high-profile sports games and losing most of those bets was on the losing side again after Joshua defeated former UFC champion Ngannou as the Grammy winner lost a $615,000 (N950m).

If the wager had been successful, the Canadian-born rapper would have won just less than $2m (N3.1bn).

Drake has been known as a curse to athletes as whenever he bets on them, most end up on the losing side. Therefore, athletes prefer he doesn’t bet on them and celebrate loudly when they are able to win despite him betting on them like Israel Adesanya did when he beat Pereira in 2023.

WBC heavyweight champion Fury has hailed Joshua following his victory over Ngannou with Joshua also expressing readiness to face the Brit after the undisputed fight against Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury, who watched the game, said he has a ‘bigger fish to fry’ against Usky and stated that he is available to face Joshua after his rematch in October.

“Me and Usyk have got an undisputed world heavyweight championship coming up. He (Joshua) just had a show fight in Saudi Arabia, which is fantastic for the show, but for the actual real boxing, it is me and Usyk who fight for the number one and number two positions for the undisputed championship of the world,” Fury said.

“So that (the fight with AJ) is on the back burner for now. Great performance from AJ, fantastic, but unfortunately I have got bigger fish to fry in Usyk on May 18, and then we have a rematch in October. So, after that, if he is still available and I’m still available, let’s get it on.”

Fury is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 in a historic, undisputed showdown, with the winner potentially facing Joshua in the future.

In the post-match conference, Joshua expressed readiness to face the winner of Fury vs Usyk for a chance back at the world heavyweight titles.

“I just want to fight… and that next fight I want is the winner of Fury vs Usyk,” he said.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-03-10

Nigeria secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda in their CAF World Cup qualification Group C clash on Friday, thanks to a brace from Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute, giving the Super Eagles an early lead following a deadly cross from Ademola Lookman.

The striker doubled Nigeria’s advantage in first-half stoppage time (45+3’), sealing an important win for his side.

The match saw a physical battle, with Rwanda’s D. Bizimana receiving a yellow card in the 46th minute, followed by Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi picking up a booking in the 49th minute.

Despite Rwanda enjoying 45% possession, they struggled to break through Nigeria’s defence, managing only two shots on target.

Nigeria, on the other hand, registered three shots on target and eight corner kicks, dominating offensive play.

The victory lifts Nigeria to fourth place in Group C with six points from five matches, keeping their qualification hopes alive.

South Africa currently tops the group with 10 points, followed by Benin (8 points) and Rwanda (7 points).

Nigeria will now look ahead to their next fixtures as they aim to climb further up the standings and secure a spot in the next stage of the qualification campaign.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2025-03-21

Super Eagles striker Kayode Olarenwaju has initiated a divorce against his estranged wife, Ezinne Dora.

Olarenwaju, in March 2024, accused her of stealing, kidnapping and having an affair with the famous UK-based Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, among other men, since they got married.

Olanrewaju also filed a lawsuit against the controversial pastor, accusing him of causing emotional trauma, financial loss, and loss of goodwill occasioned by the adulterous relationship with his estranged wife. He demanded N1 billion from the pastor.

At press time, Pastor Adegboyega of SPAC Nation,London,has not reacted to this lawsuit dated 1 July.

The couple married on 18 July 2013 and have three children together: Jason (2014), Jayden (2015), and Jasmin (2017).

In May 2024, the ex-Manchester United player claimed to have conducted a DNA test on his three children, which showed that he was not the biological father to any of them.

Ms Dora, through her legal team, accused the footballer of making groundless allegations of infidelity and witchcraft. She also denied paternity and financial fraud allegations levelled against her.

The mother of three demanded he issue a disclaimer within 24 hours to prove his non-involvement in the DNA saga. She also claimed that his accusations caused her and the children much embarrassment.

Accusations

In his cross-petition obtained from PM News, filed on 1 July at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, Olarenwaju accused his estranged wife of adultery, misconduct, unreasonable behaviour, kidnap, lies and falsification of documents.

The cross-petition also addressed a series of financial manipulations allegedly orchestrated by Ms Dora, redirecting substantial funds and rental income from properties he had acquired, claiming she used them to support her lavish lifestyle, such as partying.

The Turkish club Gençlerbirliği forward also accused his estranged wife of sabotaging their joint business, DE-J-S Concept Ltd, which he founded in 2019 as a form of future investment. He alleged that she conspired with her ex-lover, Ugochukwu Igboanugo, to divert funds and profit from the company’s assets.

The lawsuit partly reads: “ The Respondent has been spending lavishly to foster the romantic relationship between her and the Co-respondent to Cross Petition and indeed was in a bid to start selling off the Cross choice properties to spend the proceeds of same on her adulterous lifestyle.

“The adulterous relationship between the Respondent and Co-Respondent to Cross Petition was not even hidden from the children of the marriage as the Respondent often has her amorous phone conversations in the presence of the children of the marriage. The Cross Petitioner shall, at the trial of this suit, rely on evidence of the adulterous relationship between the Respondent and Respondent to Cross Petition.

“Indeed, the Respondent and the Co-Respondent to Cross Petition are not discreet about their illicit affairs, as they even attended a party together and danced together while spraying money on the musician.

“To keep the Cross petitioner in the dark regarding the amorous affairs between the Respondent and Co-Respondent to Cross Petition, the Respondent intentionally cut off the CCTV camera in the marital home.

“Upon becoming aware of the adulterous conduct of the Respondent, the Cross Petition was addended, and the Respondent decided to reach out to the Respondent, but the Respondent willfully refused to have the matter discussed and resolved between them.”

Divorce

He demanded the court resolve his marriage because the marriage had broken down irretrievably. He claimed that her behaviour was intolerable and burdensome for him to live with.

The lawsuit partly reads, “Since the marriage, the respondent/ practitioner (Dora) has committed adultery with the co-respondent (Pastor Adegboyega) and other men and the cross-petitioner finds it intolerable to live with the respondent.

“The respondent has behaved in such a way the cross-petitioner can not reasonably be expected to live with the respondent.”

It stated in the lawsuit that Ms Dora’s father refunded the bride price paid, and to confirm this, Olarenwaju claimed that Ms Dora posted on her social media that she is no longer traditionally married.

Custody

In his cross-petition, he again accused her of abducting their children and fleeing to Abuja on 24 March after he confronted her about her adulterous relationship with Pastor Adegboyega, which resulted in assault and bullying. He then received a petition for dissolution of marriage the same week Dora absconded with the children.

He also said the State Security Service (SSS) assisted in locating her and apprehended her at a hideout in Abuja. He mentioned that she fled while on bail and then filed a Fundamental Right Action to avoid further investigation. He also tried to obtain new passports for their children in an attempt to relocate overseas.

He, however, filed for custody of his children and offered to still take responsibility for them in terms of their education, health and financial needs.

“The Cross-Petitioner has been responsible for the financial well-being of the children of the marriage, both educationally and otherwise. The Cross Petitioner therefore proposed to have custody of the children of the marriage and is willing to continue to be responsible for the education, health and financial needs of the children of the marriage,’’ the suit read.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-07-11

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, rewarded the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a national award (Member of the Order of the Niger, MON) flats in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and piece of land.

President Tinubu made the pronouncement when he received the players and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The delegation is led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.

The Super Eagles finished as runners-up in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Côte d’Ivoire. 

All the team members, clad in green attire, and officials were in attendance, including Alex Iwobi, who had faced cyber attacks following Nigeria’s loss to Cote d’Ivoire at the final of the just concluded African Cup of Nations.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu commended the team, the coach, the crew, and the entire management team for their hard work, assiduity, and sacrifice to come this far in the tournament, acknowledging the hurdles they consistently surpassed with steadily improving performance as they pulled through to the finals.

The President had urged Nigerians to be of good cheer, emphasising that we won a great victory in the hearts of Africa and the world with our grit, rigour, and determination in the field of play.
 
“Let this passing event not dispirit us but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love.

“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the president said.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-02-13

Anthony Joshua says his target for 2025 is finally facing Tyson Fury in the ring for their all-British heavyweight boxing fight. 

Joshua spoke with journalists,days back, after meeting President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

The 35-year-old Nigerian-British and Fury have been perennial rivals. A fight between them has been scheduled twice, but the plan fell through on both occasions.

“2024, when I look back, I believe I could have done more. 2025, I want to do more and will ensure I use every opportunity,” he said.

“I should have won [against Dubois] but did not. Ups and downs do happen. My life is up and down. So, I get used to the turbulent times and keep riding the wave. I cannot stop there.

“My target for 2025 is Tyson Fury.”

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2025-01-07

In a rather surprising move,several weeks after his appointment, and apparently, due to his abysmal performance,in his two engagements, Super Eagles’ handler, Finidi George, has resigned his position from the Nigerian senior national team.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-06-15

The Super Eagles have progressed to the next round of 16,in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defeating Guinea-Bissau 1-0 on Monday.

The Eagles took the lead on the 36th minute after Guinea-Bissau’s Sangante kicked the ball into the net.

Both sides had goals ruled out in the second half for offside, while Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen also had an effort disallowed for handball.

Jose Peseiro's side finished second in Group A behind Equatorial Guinea, who beat hosts Ivory Coast 4-0.

The Super Eagles will face the second-placed side from Group C, which will be Senegal, Guinea or Cameroon, in the last 16 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Bouchra Karboubi became the second woman to referee an Afcon finals game, following in the footsteps of Salima Mukansanga in Cameroon two years ago, with the Moroccan also making history by heading the first all-female officiating team at the finals.

Osimhen misfires but Nigeria ease through

Guinea-Bissau had no chance of progressing to the knockout stages, but played their part in an entertaining match at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.

In some respects it was a game to forgot for African footballer of the year Osimhen, who failed to bury any of the opportunities he had to score.

However, the Napoli striker played his part in the only goal after Simon launched a darting run down the left.

The winger drilled a low ball into the path of Osimhen which Sangante had to deal with some seven yards out, but the centre-back ended up smashing the ball into his own net.

Osimhen closed the first half by missing a good chance as he headed wide after meeting a cross from the left wing, and the story of the second half was once again one of Nigeria pushing forward while Guinea-Bissau sat back and lacked spark in attack.

Minutes after Osimhen headed a cross from Ola Aina wide, Baciro Cande's side counter-attacked and Dalcio forced Stanley Nwabali into a low save.

Osimhen thought he had finally scored to double Nigeria's lead in the 59th minute when he turned Bright Osayi-Samuel's cross into the net from close range, but the officials spotted he had clearly handled the ball prior to putting it into the net.

Alex Iwobi side-footed wide for the Super Eagles before Nwabali had to claw away Fali Cande's dipping free-kick and Nito Gomes diverted wide from the resulting corner.

Guinea-Bissau forward Franculino rifled in a rising shot in the 83rd minute after a run through the middle, but that goal was ruled out for offside and a minute later Nigeria saw another effort chalked off.

Osimhen's low shot across goal was saved by Jonas Mendes before substitute Zaidu Sanusi converted the rebound, but the flag went up for an offside earlier in the move.

Ivory Coast's surprising collapse in the other Group A game meant a point would have been enough for Nigeria to progress, but Jose Peseiro will be aware that his side will need to be more clinical in attack if the West Africans are to go deep at the finals.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-01-22

Nojim Maiyegun, a former Nigerian boxer, has died at 83. 

The death of the legendary boxer was confirmed in a Facebook post by Rudolfine F Soultan, a confidante, on Monday.

“My Jimmy died. I can’t say more about this right now because it’s just horrible. The day after tomorrow, we would have been together for 17 years,” the post reads.

A source close to the family of the deceased also told TheCable that Maiyegun breathed his last on Monday morning at his base in Vienna, Austria.

Maiyegun, who became visually impaired a few years ago, was reportedly battling an unnamed illness for a couple of months.

He was the first Nigerian to win an Olympic medal.

Maiyegun was 23 when he won a bronze medal in the light-heavyweight boxing category at Tokyo 1964.

In the second round of the competition, he defeated Great Britain’s William Robinson in just one minute and 59 seconds — a remarkable feat in amateur boxing.

Maiyegun and Poland’s Józef Grzesiak settled for the bronze.

Two years later, in 1966, he won another bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

Maiyegun left Nigeria in 1971 to begin a professional boxing career.

He fought 16 times and won 12 — 10 of them by knockouts.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-08-27

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced former Super Eagles winger Finidi George as the substantive head coach of the senior national football team, Super Eagles. He will assume the position left vacant after Jose Peseiro’s contract expired in March.

The NFF made this known via a letter sent out by the communications officer Ademola Olajire who confirmed that Finidi will be in charge of the Super Eagles as they restart World Cup qualifiers in June.

If you recall,Finidi George assisted former coach Peseiro for 20 months during which the Eagles reached the final of the recently concluded 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

Finidi was also in charge of two friendly matches in the March FIFA window,where the Eagles recorded a win and defeat to Ghana and Mali, respectively.

Finidi,who is one of Nigeria's greatest winger,was a member of the ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and emerged as the second most entertaining team at the FIFA World Cup finals in the USA the same year. That was Nigeria’s first participation at the World Cup.

He won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. He also won gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.

The 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Real Betis (Spain) forward, made a scoring debut for his fatherland in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Lagos on 27th July 1991. He featured for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the domestic scene before heading to Europe.

He assisted the late Rashidi Yekini to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-04-30

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Thursday evening defeated host nation Ivory Coast at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The match was played at the Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé.

Both Nigeria and Ivory Coast failed to score in the first half.

Victor Osimhen missed a good chance to give Jose Peseiro’s side the lead in the first half as he kicked the ball over the bar following a fine through pass from Samuel Chukwueze.

However, in the second half, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead via a powerful penalty.

The match eventually ended 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles.

The result moved Peseiro’s side to second position in Group A with four points from two games.

Ivory Coast are in third position with 3 points from the same number of games.

Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea are on top of the group with goals difference ahead of Nigeria, while Guinea-Bissau are in fourth position with no point.

Nigeria will now face Guinea-Bissau in their last group game in the coming days.

By

Ayobami Adedeji Sports 2024-01-19