Sports

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu State chapter, has expressed deep shock over the loss of 22 athletes and officials of Kano State contingent to the just concluded 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State. In a statement issued on Sunday, SWAN Enugu Chairman, Comrade Gideon Iwueke, described the untimely death of the sports men and women as tragic, saddening and a big setback to the growth of sports in Kano State and Nigeria at large. Comrade Iwueke, while consoling the Government and people of Kano State on the huge loss, also consoled with the…

By Sani Bala Karo, Kano Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed deep sorrow and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in a tragic auto accident that claimed 22 lives and left several others seriously injured. The victims, who were mostly in their youthful age, were returning home as Kano’s contingent from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the state declared tomorrow, Monday, June 2, as a public holiday to symphathize with the victims’ families.…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has commiserated with the governor of Kano State, Mallam Abba Kabiru Yusuf, and families of 22 members of the state's contingent to the just-concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State. A bus conveying the athletes was said to have been involved in a crash which occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State. About 30 athletes were said to have been the vehicle. The vehicle reportedly plunged off the bridge, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries. Akpabio, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the closing ceremony…

*A post-game analysis By Jonathan Liew (who was at the Allianz Arena) After losing two finals in three seasons to state-owned investment funds, this ageing team reduced their fans to tears at end of proceedings on May 31, 2025. They stay just long enough to see the trophy lifted. Most have discarded their losing medals by the time the pyrotechnics go off and Marquinhos raises the European Cup into the muggy Munich night. There is a watery smattering of applause. Then, with a turn of pace so sadly lacking during the game itself, they turn and head for the tunnel,…

Time: 8pm Nigeria time. Champions League trophy has been out of reach for PSG. That could change in Saturday’s final against Inter Milan. Billions of dollars have been spent. Some of the world’s greatest players have come and gone. Yet the Champions League trophy has remained agonisingly out of reach for Paris Saint-Germain. That could be about to change. The Qatari-owned team is one game away from European club football’s most prestigious prize, with Inter Milan standing in the way in Saturday’s final in Munich. “The motivation for me is to win the Champions League title for the first time…

Former Tottenham Hotspur attacker, Ahmed ‘Mido’ Hossam, has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo’s major problem is that the Portugal forward cancels out the personality of any coach he works with. Mido claimed that no senior coach wants to work alongside the 40-year-old even as he compared him to former France international Karim Benzema, who, he said, is more submissive and obedient. Ronaldo is known for being vocal both on and off the pitch as he never shied away from publicly expressing his views. The former Juventus star had issues with former Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag during their time at…

It has been a year of the underdog - and also, in a couple of cases, the underachiever. Of the four English men's teams to win major trophies this season - with Chelsea yet to play in the Uefa Conference League final - three of them ended long waits for silverware. In the Women's Champions League, Arsenal shocked Barcelona to lift the trophy while in Scotland Aberdeen stunned Celtic in the Scottish Cup final. And there have been surprising winners elsewhere in Europe too. Arsenal (Women's Champions League) Stina Blackstenius scored the winner as Arsenal stunned European giants Barcelona to…

*'Age Doesn't Inhibit His Goalscoring, Team Creating Many Chances All He Needs' Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested he is set to leave Al-Nassr with a cryptic post on social media. The 40-year-old, who joined the Saudi Arabian club in January 2023, is out of contract next month. Ronaldo scored the opener - the 800th club goal of his career - as Al Nassr finished their season with a 3-2 defeat by Al-Fateh to finish third in the Saudi Pro League. Following the defeat, Ronaldo posted on his X account: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all."…

By Alex Brotherton and Guilleme Balague The Xabi Alonso era has effectively kicked off in Real Madrid. Alonso, 43, was appointed manager of his former club on a three-year deal on Sunday, replacing Carlo Ancelotti - who will take charge of the Brazil men's national team. Madrid endured a disappointing campaign - surrendering their La Liga title to Barcelona, losing to their arch-rivals in the finals of the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa, and crashing out of the Champions League to Arsenal in the quarter-finals. But during a speech at Madrid's Valdebebas training ground today, May 26, Alonso said:…

Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy on Sunday, May 25, while Chelsea, Manchester City, and Newcastle United have qualified for next season’s Champions League. The European spots were decided on a dramatic last day of the 2024-25 campaign. Goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland did the business for Pep Guardiola’s City, while Levi Colwill scored the only goal between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. Newcastle were beaten 1-0 by Everton but, thanks to Manchester United’s home win against 10-man Aston Villa, will return to the Champions League for the second time in three years. Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah capped…