It is already given and merely awaiting to be stamped. Nigeria will win the two top positions of the men’s singles event of the 13^th African Games’ badminton.

Thanks to the great efforts of Anuoluwapo Opeyori who defied the stiff opposition by Egypt’s Ahdam Abdelhalim to win a tough semi-final match by 2-1.

It is not the first time that Opeyori will overcome the Egyptian in the same fashion of coming from a game behind.

He did it in 2020 at the third place match of the African Championship at the Cairo Stadium Hall 2.

By his current performance, Opeyori has set up a final match with his compatriot and usual doubles partner, Godwin Olofua in the final match later in the day.

What a dramatic event! The match-up is a repeat of the All African championship held in Port Harcourt in 2019 when the duo played the final match.

For Olofua who is Qatar based, this is an opportunity for him to revenge his loss to Opeyori.  Both players are well known to one another.

No matter the result, Nigeria will be the winner.

Olofua is in the title match after overcoming compatriot, Victor Ikechukwu in an all-Nigeria semi-final contest.

African vice champions Nigeria will take on Ghana’s Black Stars and Les Aigles of Mali in two top-grade friendly matches in the Moroccan city of Marrakech later this month.

Both matches have been put together by NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport.

The clash with Ghana’s Black Stars, which comes up on Friday, 22^nd March, is bound to resurrect vintage memories of a 73-year rivalry involving the West African giants, dating back to October 1951 when Nigeria bounced then Gold Coast 5-0 in a Jalco Cup encounter in Lagos. 

Most recently, the two teams clashed in March 2022 in a two-legged play-off for a place at that year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar, with the Black Stars edging the fixture on the away-goal rule after a 1-1 aggregate.

Nigeria and Mali, both teams incidentally nicknamed ‘Eagles’, last clashed in a friendly match in Rouen, France in the summer of 2016. The encounter ended scoreless. The Malian Eagles had, three years earlier, lost 1-4 to eventual winners Super Eagles in Durban in the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. 

While Nigeria and Ghana will resume their rivalry at the Grand Stade de Marrakech as from 4pm Morocco time on 22^nd March, the encounter between Nigeria and Mali will commence at the same venue as from 9pm on Tuesday, 26^th March.

Nigeria have retained the bulk of the squad that finished as runners-up at the 34^th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, but have recalled England-based defender Jamilu Collins, as well as Empoli FC of Italy’s Tyronne Ebuehi and Glasgow Rangers’ forward Cyriel Dessers.

Midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the continental houseparty in Cote d’Ivoire returns from injury, while Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella and Turkey-based Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have fresh opportunities to stake claims to permanent shirts.

England-based defender Gabriel Osho and Tanzania-based Benjamin Tianimu are teaming up with the group for the first time.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales); Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)  

The Ugandan U20 side showcased remarkable resilience and skill, securing their victory with Kiza Usama opening the scoring in the 33rd minute.
Despite a valiant effort from Nigeria’s Sadiq Muhammad, who scored in the 37th minute, Uganda’s determined performance sealed the unexpected result.

Ivan Irinibabazi struck in the 81st minute to send in the Ugandans into ecstasy as they held on in the remaining minutes to seal the famous win.

Meanwhile, in the first Group B encounter, former champions Senegal clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win over South Sudan.
The decisive goal came from Mamadou Lamine Sadio in the first half, highlighting Senegal’s prowess and experience in continental competitions.

This marked South Sudan’s inaugural appearance in the football competition of the African Games, while Senegal, boasting a rich history in the tournament, proved their mettle as former champions.

Senegal’s lineup featured several players promoted from their U17 World Cup-winning squad under the guidance of coach Serigne Saliou Dia, who also leads the team in the ongoing competition in Accra.

The victory sets Senegal on course for further success in the tournament as they aim to add another title to their illustrious record.

With these thrilling encounters setting the stage alight, anticipation mounts for the next fixtures. Nigeria is set to face South Sudan in their upcoming group game on Monday, while Uganda prepares to take on Senegal in what promises to be another electrifying matchup.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is not head-hunting for a successor to Jose Peseiro as head coach of the Super Eagles.

Rather the Nigerian football governing body has thrown open the position of the Nigeria’s national team coach.

The position of the Super Eagles coach became vacant following the expiration of the extended contract of Jose Peseiro who has also opted not to continue with the job.

He led the Super Eagles to the final match of the last Africa Cup of Nations, surpassing the semi-finals target set for him.

Initially, there were speculations, even in the media, that the NFF technical director, Austin Eguavoen has assumed the position of caretaker manager, the NFF did not issue any official public communication regarding this.

However, the NFF has now advertise the position on its official website, thenff.com.

The advert reads: “Are you a passionate football coach ready to take on the challenge of leading the national team? 

“The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)is pleased to announce openings for the position of Head Coach for Senior men’s National Football Team Super Eagles.”

The NFF asked the applicants to submit ‘relevant coaching  qualifications‘ which the NFF did not elaborate  on.

The applicants are also supposed to show proven experience at the elite level of football management. Additionally, the applicant has to show a  successful track record in leading teams and also a knowledge of African football. They are to submit their applications to jobs@thenff.com

In a captivating start to the women’s football event at the 13th African Games, Nigeria’s women national U-20 football team, the Falconets on Friday, March 8, 2024, demonstrated their dominance by securing a 2-0 victory over Morocco in their opening match .

As the defending champions following their gold medal triumph in Rabat in 2019, the Falconets entered the game with confidence and determination. Led by coach Christopher Danjuma, the Nigerian side showcased their prowess on the field, controlling the game from the outset.

Chioma Olise provided an early breakthrough for Nigeria, opening the scoring after just 19 minutes of play. The Falconets maintained their relentless pressure, and their persistence paid off when Addo Yina doubled the lead in the 40th minute, further solidifying their advantage.

Despite their commanding first-half performance, the Nigerian ladies were unable to extend their lead in the second period, ultimately settling for a 2-0 victory against Morocco at the 13th African Games in Ghana.

Meanwhile, in the men’s football event on Friday, March 8, hosts Ghana faced a formidable challenge as they were held to a goalless draw by Congo. Despite the home advantage, Ghana struggled to break down the resilient Congolese defense, resulting in a stalemate.

Gambia and Benin Republic aslo played a 0-0 draw in the late-kickoff on Friday.

Recall that on Thursday, Nigeria’s male representatives, the Flying Eagles suffered a 1-2 loss to Uganda.

With these initial results setting the stage for an exciting football event at the 13th African games, teams from across the continent are poised to compete fiercely for the prestigious title at the African Games.

In a breathtaking display of power and precision, Anthony Joshua has left the heavyweight division reeling with a stunning second-round knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.

The 34-year-old Joshua wasted no time asserting his dominance, flooring the UFC champion with a ferocious assault early in the first round.

Despite a brief resurgence from Ngannou, Joshua’s relentless onslaught proved too much for the 37-year-old, culminating in a decisive knockout blow in the second round that left Ngannou sprawled on the canvas.

Cameroonian fighter Ngannou toppled to the canvas after the destructive final punch from 34-year-old Joshua, as the crowd in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena erupted.

Dazed and hurt, Ngannou managed to recover and exchanged words with Joshua, as the victor urged him “not to leave” boxing despite his crushing defeat.

The victory marks Joshua’s fourth consecutive win in 11 months, propelling him ever closer to his ambition of reclaiming a world title. With speculation mounting over a potential showdown with the winner of Fury’s upcoming bout against Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua remains firmly focused on his quest for heavyweight supremacy.

In a career-defining moment, Joshua’s knockout victory over Ngannou underscores his status as one of boxing’s most formidable competitors. With his sights set on future challenges, Joshua’s legacy as a true heavyweight champion continues to grow.

For Ngannou, the crushing loss to Joshua comes after a very-impressive boxing debut vs Tyson Fury.

Unlike the ‘controversial’ loss to Fury in 2023, Ngannou was overwhelmed by another African blood and will make his MMA return later in the year with less spotlight on his boxing adventure.

As the dust settles on this historic showdown, boxing fans around the world eagerly await Joshua’s next move in what promises to be an electrifying chapter in the sport’s illustrious history.