Author: Favour Olatunbosun

Nigeria began their West Africa Trophy campaign on a bright note, defeating Zambia by 19 runs in Abuja. Sent in to bat after losing the toss, Nigeria initially struggled as wickets fell at regular intervals during the powerplay. However, all-rounder Isaac Okpe stabilized the innings, striking an unbeaten 35 off just 19 balls, including three fours and two sixes, to lift Nigeria to a total of 138 for eight in 20 overs. Zambia responded with a steady start, anchored by Zoyeb Chand, who top-scored with 47 from 46 balls. Despite Chand’s effort, Zambia struggled to maintain partnerships, and the required…

British-Nigerian boxers Moses Itauma and Lawrence Okolie have been ordered to face each other in a WBC heavyweight final eliminator. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. The decision by WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán has sparked debate, especially from interim champion Agit Kabayel and the British Boxing Board of Control. Okolie, ranked first, and Itauma, ranked fourth, are both promoted by Queensberry Promotions. Both fighters have upcoming bouts—Okolie in Nigeria on December 19, and Itauma against Jermaine Franklin on January 24. Okolie, a former cruiserweight and bridgerweight champion, recently moved up to heavyweight and is…

Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala continued her fine form on Thursday, scoring her sixth goal of the season to help Al Hilal secure a 2–0 win over Eastern Flames in the Saudi Women’s Premier League. The Nigerian striker opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, reacting quickly to finish off a rebound and give Al Hilal a deserved lead before half-time. Al Hilal doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute through Al Bandari Mobarak, sealing a comfortable victory on the road. With the win, Al Hilal remains second on the league table with 15 points from seven matches, three points…

Dunamis-Icon Limited, the project consultants for the Niger Delta Games, has completed the first phase of facility inspection in Edo State, just 24 hours after the state received hosting rights for the regional sporting event. The inspection team, led by Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, visited major sports venues in Benin City with officials of the Edo State Sports Commission. Among the facilities assessed were the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Wire Road Sports Centre, University of Benin Sports Complex, and Etete Sports Centre. Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the existing infrastructure, describing Edo as a suitable and well-prepared host state. He noted that more…

Olufunke Oshonaike has been appointed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission. She is the first Nigerian to join the Commission. Her appointment was made by IOC President Kirsty Coventry as part of preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Oshonaike is one of Africa’s most successful table tennis players. She represented Nigeria at seven Olympic Games, from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020. She also won several medals at the African Games. Four other athletes were appointed alongside her. They are Soraya Aghaei Haji Agha from Iran (badminton), Husein Alireza from Saudi Arabia (rowing), Cheick Sallah Cissé…

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has announced plans to formally approve Nigeria’s official Flag Football Federation, with elections for new executive members expected immediately after the federation’s inauguration. According to a statement by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the NSC Director General, no association—local or international—has previously been officially recognised to represent Nigeria in any flag football competition. The NSC emphasized that it holds the statutory authority under Nigerian law to recognise, approve, and regulate sports federations, including flag football, and that until now, no group has had the power to act on Nigeria’s behalf in the sport.…

Super Falcons striker Uchenna Kanu has expressed her disappointment at being left out of Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The team, led by coach Justine Madugu, claimed a record-extending 10th continental title, coming from two goals down to defeat the hosts 3–2 in the final. Kanu, 28, who played for Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, missed out on the WAFCON squad while recovering from an injury that kept her sidelined for six months. Despite feeling she had done enough to make the team, Kanu…

GOtv Boxing Night 34 is set to heat up Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on December 26, with a thrilling card that includes two national title bouts, an international fight, and three additional contests. In the super bantamweight title clash, national champion Durotimi “Tiny” Agboola has challenged Sadiq “Happy Boy” Adeleke, dismissing him as a boxer not yet ready for the pressure of national-level competition. Tiny, speaking from Ibadan, insisted that Happy Boy needs to improve his skills, adding that he relishes making opponents “sad in the ring” and expects Adeleke to be his next victim. The national lightweight crown will…

In a powerful display of solidarity, the Chinwe Bode-Akinwande Foundation successfully hosted Walk4Hope 2025, a symbolic five-kilometre awareness walk highlighting the challenges faced by vulnerable widows and their children in Nigeria. The event began at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, attracting a diverse crowd of individuals, business leaders, and organizations committed to social justice and support for underprivileged families. The walk emphasized the foundation’s mission to encourage society to recognize and respond to the struggles of the less privileged. For over 10 years, the foundation has been championing widows and their children, helping them overcome cultural and societal barriers.…

The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) has launched its 2025 Player Awards, introducing a new set of continental honours designed to recognise elite and emerging scrabble players across Africa. The announcement, made through PANASA’s official channels, also unveiled two new badges that redefine the hierarchy of competitive scrabble on the continent. The Elite Veteran Badge is reserved for long-serving players who consistently ranked in the top 10 during the first seven editions of the Africa Scrabble Championships. This honour is intended for those who have shown sustained excellence over time, excluding holders of higher distinctions such as EXP, GM, or…