Saturday, October 18

Tag: Nigeria

South Africa’s 2026 World Cup hopes hit by forfeit
Sports

South Africa’s 2026 World Cup hopes hit by forfeit

South Africa's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup have suffered a major blow after they were sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player. Teboho Mokoena played in the 2-0 win over Lesotho in March despite the 28-year-old midfielder being due to serve a suspension after accumulating two yellow cards. A Fifa disciplinary committee has ruled that South Africa breached competition rules, and has imposed a 3-0 forfeit. The country's football association (Safa) has been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs ($12,500, £9,340), while Mokoena has been issued with a warning. The decision has blown Group C of African World Cup qualifying wide open, with South Africa dropping from top of the table to second place, behind Benin on goal difference. Only the group winners are a...
Asante Kotoko Set to Face Kwara United in CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Clash
Sports

Asante Kotoko Set to Face Kwara United in CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Clash

Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko are gearing up for an exciting showdown against Nigerian side Kwara United in the CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round 1. The much-anticipated first-leg encounter is scheduled for Sunday, 21st September, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off at 3:00pm. The Porcupine Warriors, buoyed by their loyal supporters, are calling on fans to throng the stadium in their numbers to create an electrifying atmosphere. Ticket prices have been made affordable across all stands to encourage maximum attendance. Rates are as follows: Popular Stand – GHS 50 Centre Line – GHS 70 Lower VIP – GHS 100 Upper VIP – GHS 150 VIP – GHS 200 Officials of the club have launched the rallying cry, “Let’s fill the stadium”, urging fans to come out in red to back t...
India and Nigeria submit formal proposals to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games
Sports

India and Nigeria submit formal proposals to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games

India and Nigeria have submitted formal proposals to host the 2030 centenary Commonwealth Games by the deadline of 31 August 2025. This follows unprecedented, diverse and wide-ranging Expressions of Interest in hosting the Games in 2030 and beyond.  Commonwealth Sport (CS) President Dr Donald Rukare said: “We are delighted to confirm that India and Nigeria have submitted exciting formal proposals to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030. This positive response from two sporting powerhouse nations of the Commonwealth demonstrates the continued significance and legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games and the strength and appeal of our reimagined, sustainable Games model. “I would like to thank the Commonwealth Games Associations (CGA) of India and Nigeria...
Rapper Lil Kesh Hospitalised After Violent Robbery in Lagos
Entertainment

Rapper Lil Kesh Hospitalised After Violent Robbery in Lagos

Lagos was left in shock on Wednesday night after popular Nigerian rapper Keshinro Ololade, widely known as Lil Kesh, was violently attacked by unidentified robbers. According to eyewitness accounts, the award-winning Afrobeat star was ambushed by assailants who inflicted a stab wound to his neck and left him with a serious injury to his ear. The attackers reportedly made away with his expensive jewellery worth millions of naira. Although Lil Kesh’s management is yet to issue an official statement, close associates have confirmed that the incident did occur. News of the attack spread rapidly across social media, where fans of the “Shoki” hitmaker have been sending prayers and messages of support. One user, identified as Designs, wrote: “WTF! I think someone close to him had a ha...
Beninese Football Legend Razak Omotoyossi Dies at 38
Sports

Beninese Football Legend Razak Omotoyossi Dies at 38

Nigerian-born Beninese international striker Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 38. The cause of death has not yet been made public. His passing was confirmed on Tuesday morning, sending shockwaves through the African football community. Omotoyossi, who began his professional career in Nigeria before switching allegiance to Benin, rose to become one of the country’s most iconic players. He scored 21 goals in 55 appearances for the Squirrels, cementing his place among Benin’s all-time top scorers. He is fondly remembered for his heroics in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where he netted all four goals in Benin’s 4-1 triumph over Togo. His outstanding form saw him finish as joint top scorer of the campaign alongside Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o. Omotoyossi als...
BREAKING NEWS: Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Passes Away at 82
World

BREAKING NEWS: Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Passes Away at 82

Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has died at the age of 82. The news of his passing was confirmed early Monday morning by a family spokesperson at his residence in Daura, Katsina State. Buhari, a retired Major General and one of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures, served as the country’s president from 2015 to 2023, following his historic election win that ended the 16-year rule of the People’s Democratic Party. He had earlier led the nation as military head of state from 1983 to 1985 after a successful coup. According to close sources, Buhari had been battling age-related health complications in recent months but remained private about his condition. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by close family members and aides. ...
Dozens of Ghanaians trafficked in football job scam rescued in Nigeria
World

Dozens of Ghanaians trafficked in football job scam rescued in Nigeria

Many of the victims were promised places in football academies abroad Some 76 Ghanaians who were trafficked to Nigeria under a fraudulent recruitment scheme have been rescued, Ghanaian police say.  The victims, mostly young men, were lured with promises of football contracts with top foreign teams, job placements abroad or assistance with visa processing. Upon arrival, their travel documents and mobile phones were seized, and they were housed in overcrowded rooms under poor conditions, police say. The victims were forced to contact their families to solicit about $1,000 (£727) in the guise of paying training or facilitation fees. The fraud masterminds also allegedly used the victims' phone contact lists to scam their friends and relatives. Seven Ghanaian suspects ha...
Ghana, Nigeria renew old age rivalry in Unity Cup semi final game
Sports

Ghana, Nigeria renew old age rivalry in Unity Cup semi final game

The Black Stars of Ghana will lock horns with Nigeria's Super Eagles in the semifinal of the 2025 Unity Cup at the GTech Community Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. This highly anticipated matchup is a rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs, where Ghana emerged victorious with a 1-1 score after a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. Coach Otto Addo will lead a youthful squad, missing key players like Mohammed Kudus, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Thomas Teye Partey, and Inaki Williams. The Black Stars aim to avenge their 2-1 loss to Nigeria in March last year and progress to the final, building on their recent wins in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar. The rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, famously known as the "Jollof derby," has a rich...
Unity Cup: Addo eyes victory against Nigeria
Sports

Unity Cup: Addo eyes victory against Nigeria

Head Coach Otto Addo met the press on Monday ahead of our game against Nigeria at the GTech Community Stadium in Brentford on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The former Borussia Dortmund winger is heading into his fourth clash against the Super Eagles, following his success in the FIFA World Cup playoff in March 2022. Otto lost 2-1 to Nigeria in March last year, and this presents an opportunity for him to record his first win against Nigeria. Speaking to the media, Otto Addo touched on the return of Felix Afena Gyan, the rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, the absence of some of our key players, and the possibility of seeing players from the Ghana Premier League in the Unity Cup. On Unity Cup So, first of all, we'd like to thank the organizers for the invitation. We're very, very happy to...
Black Stars begin preparation for Unity Cup game against Nigeria
Sports

Black Stars begin preparation for Unity Cup game against Nigeria

Sixteen players reported for training in West London on Monday as the Black Stars kicked off their preparations for the 2025 Unity Cup semifinal against Nigeria. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the GTech Community Stadium in Brentford. The players who trained on Monday included Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Tetteh Anang, Gideon Mensah, Razak Simpson, Mamudu Kamaradini, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Salis Samed, Abu Francis, Majeed Ashimeru, Lawrence Agyekum, Christopher Baah Bonsu, Jordan Ayew, Stephan Ambrosius, Brandon-Thomas Asante, and Kwame Opoku. Abdul Aziz Issah joined the squad on Monday night. Six more players - Ebenezer Annan, Mohammed Salisu, Aaron Essel, Ibrahim Sulemana, Felix Afena Gyan, and Mohammed Gad...
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