Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo played for 82 minutes in Saturday’s FIFA Club World Cup match in which he featured for Saudi Arabia side, Al Hilal against hosts, Wydad Casablanca.

His Al Hilal side won via penalty shootout as Ighalo becomes the fourth Nigerian player to feature in the competition.

Before him had been the duo of Mikel Obi and Victor Moses for Chelsea in 2012.

There had also been former Flying Eagles’ defensive midfielder, Obiora Nwankwo, wearing shirt number 40 was an unused substitute in the Inter Milan side  that won the 2010 edition after beating TP Mazembe of DR Congo

African Nations Championship (CHAN) hosts, Algeria may have set a new tournament record by not conceding in six games at the tournament in regular time,  their hopes of winning for the first time, especially on home soil was dashed by Senegal in a final that got into the extra time for the first time since 2009.

Great Senegal! They become the first West African team to win the tournament after earlier final failures by Ghana in 2009 and 2014, Nigeria in 2018 and Mali in 2016 and 2020.

In essence, Senegal are current Africa Cup of Nations and CHAN holders, a first time that is happening. 

The Local Teranga Lions edged hosts in a very tense final at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers in front of 39,120 spectators on a cold winter night.

Pape Thiaw’s outfit will look back and be proud of their performance on the night that saw them complete the treble for the West African nation in a year that has seen them lift the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as well as the Beach Soccer AFCON.

Both sides seemed tense in the opening minutes of the final that would see a new champion for the continental tournament that is organised for players that feature in their domestic leagues.

The tension escalated as Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho dished out four yellow cards in the opening half hour but they both settled in well thereafter and sought to have an edge over their opponents.

Goalless at the half-time mark, both coaches Madjid Bougherra and Pape Thiaw sought to make some changes in the second half and increase their intensity while maintaining a balanced outlook on the night.

Four minutes into the second half, Senegal defender Cheikh Sidibe tried to clear the ball away from Mokhtar Belkhither, but it bounced off him before he commenced a spirited run into the box but despite his timely pass to Aimen Mahious, the forward’s effort was off target as well as his resulting attempt from a corner kick.

Senegal came close to an opener in the 56th minute but Diallo’s long-range strike from outside the box went over the bar much to the frustration of the Senegal bench who were on the edge of their seats.

Mahious made a good run into the box from the middle to pass to Zakaria Draoui and then Belkhither in the box whose shot was blocked by Ousmane Diouf as the Senegalese maintained their shape.

With the game ending goalless after regular time, extratime called for extra focus as both sides continued pressing up front but neither was successful.

In the 99th minute, Mahious played a clean through ball for Abderrahmane Ben Tahar on the left wing with the latter sending a timely high ball for Zinnedine Belaid in the box but his header after rising above the Senegalese defence was picked up easily by Pape Mamadou Sy who was well-positioned.

In the 105th minute, Mrezigue had his shot on target saved by the alert Sy who denied him from finding the back of the net. The game eventually went into penalties after both sides failed to score.

Elhadji Mooutarou Balde of Teungueth stepped up first for Senegal and sent his attempt into the lower corner past Alexis Guendouz who guessed right but the power on the ball was too much for him.

Akram Djahnit hesitated before making his attempt and Sy was quick to save it through the middle to find the back of the net, but Sy was off his line. Djahnit made no mistake with his second attempt, sending it into the left corner to make it 1-1 for the hosts.

Senegal’s Moussa Ndiaye was on point through the middle past Guendouz to give the Teranga Lions a 2-1 lead before Draoui equalized with a nicely taken low shot into the right corner sending Sy the wrong way.

Moussa Kante made way to the penalty spot and as he prepared his attempt, Guendouz psyched himself up in the box but despite going the right way, Kante’s powerful shot was too high for him to save. Senegal took a 3-2 lead.

Soufiane Bayazid equalized for Algeria 3-3 with a powerful shot and his animated celebration was enough to show what this meant for him and his tense teammates in the center of the field.

Cheikhou Omar Ndiaye hit the crossbar to send Guendouz into celebration as he made way for Sy who went the wrong way as Youcef Laouafi sent his shot into the right corner to give Algeria a 4-3 lead.

Senegal’s poster boy Lamine Camara was calm on the assignment as his shot in the left corner sent Guendouz the wrong way to make it 4-4.

Mahious, who had scored five of Algeria’s nine goals at the tournament, stepped up with confidence and tried the Panenka but his attempt through the middle was picked up easily by Sy.

The Teranga Lions held their breaths as Ousmane Diouf found the back of the net via a sneaky shot past Guendouz who had dived into the right direction to make it 5-4 for Senegal. The pressure was now on Algeria.

Ahmed Kendouci visibly felt it and when he missed his chance to equalize, it was tears for the home side while Senegal ran onto the pitch in animated celebrations to celebrate the country’s first ever CHAN title.

Victor Osimhen fired a brace as Napoli continued their push for the Scudetto courtesy of a 3-0 win against Spezia on Sunday.

Spezia missed nine of their regular players but made life difficult for the visitors in the first half.

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for Napoli from the spot two minutes after the break.

The Georgia international then set up Osimhen for two quickfire goals.

Osimhen nodded home on 68th minute after Spezia goalkeeper, Bartlomiej Drągowski spilled

Kvaratskhelia’s cross into his path.

The Nigeria international then tapped home from close range five minutes later to make it 3-0 for Napoli.

The 24-year-old has now scored 16 goals in 17 league appearances for Luciano Spalletti’s side this season.

As part of his long term plans to develop long distance running in Nigeria to world class standard, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare says the first National Cross Country championship to be organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will hold on February 18 in Jos, the capital of Plateau state.

The championship, according to the Sports Minister becomes necessary to enable the athletes to develop their strength and make them better runners.

‘Cross country running, experts tell us is excellent for developing strength,’ says Dare who began the move to develop distance running in Nigeria last year.

‘We have enormous potentials to rival the east Africans and win laurels for the country at continental and international championships and games.

‘More importantly, we want to positively engage the mass of distance runners in this country and make them earn good living from running around the world like their east and north African counterparts,’ said the Minister.

Project coordinator, chief Tony Osheku says Dare will be remembered as the first Sports Minister in over four decades who has taken positive and proactive interest in long distance running and runners.

He also explains why cross country is a necessary start for distance runners who want to succeed on the road or the track.

‘I was a strong part of the team the Sports Minister assembled last year to map out plans on how to develop long distance running in Nigeria and I remember we had a camp for a few weeks in Jos for some of our elite distance runners,’ said Osheku, a former Nigeria 1500m champion.

‘ I cannot remember any Sports Minister who has shown the kind of interest and enthusiasm chief Dare has shown and his knowledge of the sport. It is amazing.’

Like the Sports Minister, Osheku says training like a cross country runner or running in a cross country event will make an athlete faster, stronger and more in tune with his body and become mentally stronger.

‘In cross country you sometimes do a jump or run up a hill, and you’re not sure if you’re going to stumble. Or maybe you’ve picked up a lot of mud on your shoes and they feel as heavy as rocks.

‘Either way, you’re building enormous strength: The hills and mud develop power and resilience in your calves, hamstrings, and quads. The uneven ground strengthens your feet and ankles,’ said Osheku.

The National Cross Country championship is a 10km event and will be held at the Rhino Golf course in the beautiful city of Jos.

Kelechi Iheanacho has said Leicester City must “give more” after their thrilling win against Aston Villa on Saturday. 

The Foxes won the contest at the Villa Park 4-2 with Iheanacho scoring once and registering two assists.

It was Brendan Rodgers’ side first win in the Premier League since November. 

“It’s been a little while,” Iheanacho told LCFC TV of Leicester’s first league win since November. 

“But getting this win now, we’re happy, and we can build into the next games. Hopefully we can continue in those games. We had a good feeling coming into this game. 

“We need to do a bit more. It was a good performance, but we need to give more, running forward and back, challenging for first balls and second balls, winning battles. 

“There’s a lot of things to work on, but hopefully it’s good momentum for the next games. 

“With the new guys as well coming into the game, they did really well today as well. We know what we have to do now.”

Head coach of Nigeria’s U20 team Ladan Bosso has revealed how his team defeated their counterpart from Zambia on Friday.

In a warm-up game played at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defeated the Chipolopolo of Zambia 4-2.

While speaking on the game, Bosso said his boys were fitter and stronger while he also admitted the technical abilities of the Zambians.

” If you are talking of tactics and technics, the Zambians are very good and organised but they can not withstand the pace of the players in the Nigeria team.

We kept some key players on the bench to observe the first half and towards the end of the game, we explored Zambia’s defence and we got 2 goals later in the game.

Our boys are fitter and that was what gave us an edge over them,” he said.

Dozy Mmobuosi, pictured with boxer Anthony Joshua, could be about to buy Sheffield United 

The UK media have reported that a Nigerian billionaire, Dozy Mmobuosi is about to buy Sheffield United in a deal worth £90million.

This will be the second a prominent Nigerian would be linked to takeover of a football club in England after a botched bid of Arsenal by richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote, some years back.

Shefield United are pushing for promotion back to the Premier League  this season but were hit by a transfer embargo last month amid financial difficulties.

However, their problems are reportedly about to be eased by the takeover by Mmobuosi, a Nigerian tech entrepreneur whose company Tingo has been valued at around £7billion.

They say that the embargo, which prevents them buying a player for the next 18 months unless they win promotion, was imposed because the Blades failed to keep up payment instalments on signings.

This included payments to Liverpool for forward Rhian Brewster, who was signed in October 2020 for £23.5m but has failed to live up to expectations or his price tag.

The 22-year-old, part of the England team to win the Under-17 World Cup back in 2017, failed to break into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans and left for Bramall Lane in search of regular first-team football.

But he’s only managed 63 appearances for the Blades due to various hamstring problems and has registered a meagre five goals and one assist. 

United are also reportedly trying to renegotiate the structure of payments to Swedish club Malmo for the Bosnian defender Anel Ahmedhodzic, who moved last summer.

The embargo was imposed as Prince Abdullah, the club’s present Saudi owner, was close to selling the South Yorkshire club.

The uncertainty over finances led to reports the Blades would be forced to sell star midfielder Sander Berge during the January transfer window to raise funds.

The Norwegian was linked with a £20m move to either Newcastle or Fulham but the fact United held on to him is regarded as a sign their financial issues will be resolved imminently.

Sheffield United are also in the possibly perilous position of losing 15 players for nothing this summer when their contracts expire. 

Oliver Norwood, Wes Foderingham, Oli McBurnie and Billy Sharp are among the big names set to leave the club for nothing this summer.

The American Henry Mauriss was close to buying the club last year only for the takeover to collapse after he failed the EFL’s test.

However, reports say the latest bid for the club is much more viable.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side are on course to win promotion back to the Premier League automatically after they were beaten by Nottingham Forest in last season’s play-off semi-finals.

Currently second in the Championship table, they trail leaders Burnley by five points but have a 12-point cushion to Middlesbrough in third with a game in hand.

The club last played in the top-flight in 2020-21 and there would need to be squad investment in order to stay in the Premier League should they win promotion.

Hayla Worku

Ethiopia’s Hayla Bazu Worku, will be leading the team of foreign world class runners that will compete at the Gold-Label 8th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday,  February 4th.

Worku, is one of the fastest full marathon runners in the world,  having ran six World class marathons in less than 2hours 9 minutes.

The 2014 Houston Marathon winner, ran his fastest time of 2:05:25 when he finished third place at the Berlin Marathon in 2010. 

He ran a time of 2:06:16 when he finished second place at the Paris Marathon in 2009, ran 2:06:47 when he placed 6th at the Zurich Marathon in 2020.

He also ran 2:07:09 at the Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon in 2015 where he placed 6th. In 2014 ran 2:07:32 at the Houston Marathon where he was champion in 2014. And 2:08:48 at the Praha Marathon in 2017 where he finished second place.

Another worldclass foreign runner ready to burn the route at the February 4 Gold-Label Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is Kenya’s John Komen, a 2019 Athens Marathon winner  at a time of 2:16:34.

The 42 years old Komen had recorded better time in past races; 2:07:13 in 2011 when he won the La Rochelle Marathon, 2:08:06 in 2008 at Reims Marathon, 2:08:12 at Paris Marathon and 2:08:13 when he won the Vanezia Marathon in 2009.

Kenya’s Barmasai David is another worldclass foreign runner with the biggest chances to prove a point at the Gold-Label 8th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

David, has a personal best of 2:07:18 when he won the 2011 Dubai Marathon, the same year he placed fifth at the World Marathon Championships.

The 2020 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon winner has a very rich resume and the brightest opportunity to stay tops following his familiarity with the Lagos City Marathon route, having won the 2020 race at 2:10:23 and placed second in 2022, at the 7th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon at 2:13:37. Its the same route and same weather.

David is also a winner of the 2010 Kenyan Standard Chartered Marathon where he ran 2:10:31.

In the women class, the top leading worldclass foreign runners include; Tinbit Didey, former champion of the Marrakesh Marathon, Esther Macharia, a former winner of Graz Marathon and winner of Bregenz Marathon. She has a personal best of 2:27:15 recorded in 2022 at the Grandma’s Marathon in USA.

Kenya’s Mercy Jerop Kwambai, is yet another worldclass runner, with the most recent performances that may change some expectations at the Gold-Label 8th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Mercy Jerop in the last two years has been hot in her races across the world; at the Asics Firenze Marathon in 2021 she ran 2:27:32 and placed 3rd. In 2022, at the Sparkasse 3-Lander Marathon, she finished second place at   2:30:15 and 3rd place also at the 2022 Adidas Stockholm Marathon at 2:33:43.

A total of 76 foreign runners were invited by the organisers, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, for the Gold-Label 8th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, made up of 47 men and 29 women worldclass runners.

In the men’s class include; Julius Tuwei, Japhet Kosgei, Edwin Kibet Koech, Kiprotich Justus Kipkoech, Ezekiel Koech and Cosmas Kiplimo. Others include Francis Cheruiyot, Bernard Sang and Kibiwot Stephen Kipkoech among others.

For the women’s class, we have Jackline Chelai, Naomi Maiyo, Kebene Chala and Catherine Jerotich.

The foreign Elite athletes are from 22 countries from across the world and a total 50,000 runners in all will be running in the Gold-Label 8th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on Saturday, February 4