Paradise News

Tag: General Sports

  • Bruno Onyemaechi’s girlfriend delivers transfer verdict amidst Boavista exit rumours

    Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi looks set to continue his career in Portugal this summer, following an impressive season with Boavista. The Nigerian international has solidified his reputation as a reliable defender, making 24 appearances and helping Boavista secure a 15th place finish in the Liga Portugal.

    Bruno Onyemaechi’s partner, Ines Fontes, has dispelled any rumors of a potential transfer. During a Q&A session on her Instagram stories, she responded to a fan’s query about Onyemaechi’s future at Boavista. Fontes assured fans that the defender is happy at Boavista and has no intentions of leaving, stating, “With me by his side, that question doesn’t even arise, he’s very happy.”

    Onyemaechi and Fontes have been together for over a year and frequently share glimpses of their relationship on social media. Recently, they posted photos from their summer break, including snaps of them together in a swimming pool, highlighting their strong bond.

    READ MORE: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Lookman, Osimhen, Nwabali, Ndidi, 19 others for Invited Bafana, Cheetahs

    Onyemaechi initially joined Boavista on a season-long loan after a trial at Lillestrøm. In June 2023, Boavista activated their option to buy, securing Onyemaechi on a permanent deal. His consistent performances have been crucial for the team, and he has quickly become a key player.

    In September 2023, Onyemaechi made his international debut for Nigeria, playing the full 90 minutes as a left-back in a 6–0 victory over São Tomé and Príncipe during the final group match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. He was also part of the Super Eagles squad that reached the finals of the 2023 AFCON, where Nigeria narrowly lost 1-2 to hosts Ivory Coast.

    He has not been invited for the June International window, with Nigeria up against South Africa and Benin Republic.

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  • Finidi George quashes rumours of captaincy change in Super Eagles

    Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach, Finidi George has dismissed rumours of a change in captaincy within the team. This comes in the wake of speculation that William Troost-Ekong might be stripped of his captaincy role.

    During the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast, former head coach José Peseiro appointed Ahmed Musa as Nigeria’s captain, despite Musa not playing a single minute of football. Alongside Musa, the other team captains were William Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo. Ekong was a pivotal figure, playing six games, while Omeruo made a single start and later came off the bench to help Nigeria hold onto their slender leads.

    Reports had emerged suggesting that Finidi, who allegedly wasn’t a fan of Ekong before the tournament, might move on from the defender and assign the captain’s armband to someone else now that he is in charge.

    However, Finidi has strongly debunked these claims and emphasised his respect for the current leadership structure.

    READ MORE: U17 WAFU championship: Nigeria cruises to semi-finals

    “Looking at the present squad, we have to see those that are older and capable. We’re not stripping Ekong of captaincy according to some reports. I cannot do that. Ekong is our captain, Omeruo also is our captain, as well as Musa,” Finidi stated.

    Finidi went further to explain his stance on the captaincy matter, highlighting that the decision ultimately lies with the players. “If they’re not around, we’ll look at those that are available and the players will agree on their captain, not me as a coach. They have to be comfortable with that person. My duty is to make sure the team has a good frame of mind and good tactics,” the former Super Eagles captain added, quelling the rumours.

    The clarification from Finidi George aims to instill stability and confidence within the team as they prepare for upcoming challenges. By affirming his support for the current captains and respecting the players’ choice, Finidi underscores the importance of unity and leadership continuity within the Super Eagles.

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  • 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Lookman, Osimhen, Nwabali, Ndidi, 19 others for Invited Bafana, Cheetahs

    Super Eagles of Nigeria Head Coach, Finidi George, has picked rave-of-the-moment Ademola Lookman, African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and safe hands Stanley Nwabali among a crop of 23 players who will do battle with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

    According to the Nigeria Football Federation communication department, Finidi George also selected goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, England-based defenders Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.

    Remo Stars’ hard-as-nails defender Sadiq Ismael is called for the first time, with Turkey-based midfielder Fisayo Bashiru, Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella and lanky forward Paul Onuachu also called.

    READ MORE: Finidi George quashes rumours of captaincy change 

    Nigeria confront South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 7th June starting from 8pm, and then fly to Abidjan to tackle Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Monday, 10th June starting from 4pm CIV time (5pm Nigeria time).

    SUPER EAGLES FOR BAFANA, CHEETAHS BATTLES

    Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

    Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

    Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

    Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)

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  • 2024 Federation Cup round of 16 fixtures released

    The fixtures for the Round of 16 in the Nigeria President Federation Cup have been released, promising a series of exciting matches as clubs vie for the prestigious national title.

    The competition, renowned for its thrilling encounters and dramatic upsets, will see a blend of top-tier teams and determined underdogs battling it out for a place in the quarter-finals.

    FULL Fixtures

    Wikki Tourists vs EFCC

    The high-flying Wikki Tourists will face EFCC in what promises to be a tightly contested match. Wikki Tourists, known for their solid performances in the NNL League, will need to be at their best to overcome the determined EFCC squad.

    Kebbi United vs Akwa United

    Kebbi United will host Akwa United in a fixture that pits the northern team against one of the powerhouses of Nigerian football. Akwa United, with their rich history and recent successes, will look to assert their dominance but will be wary of a potential upset.

    Elkanemi Warriors vs Shooting Stars

    Elkanemi Warriors are set to clash with Shooting Stars, a team with a storied legacy in Nigerian football. This match is expected to be a battle of tactics and resilience as both sides aim to advance further in the tournament.

    Ikorodu City vs Inter Lagos

    An all-Lagos affair sees Ikorodu City take on Inter Lagos. Local pride and bragging rights will be at stake, adding extra spice to this already intriguing matchup.

    Kwara United vs Abia Warriors

    Kwara United will face Abia Warriors in what is expected to be a fiercely competitive encounter. Both NPFL teams will be looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals with a strong performance.

    Sokoto United vs Enyimba

    Sokoto United have the daunting task of taking on Enyimba, one of Nigeria’s most successful clubs. Enyimba’s experience and pedigree in knockout competitions will make them the favorites, but Sokoto United will be hopeful of causing a major upset.

    READ MORE: Finidi George quashes rumours of captaincy change in Super Eagles

    Sunshine Stars vs Rivers United

    Sunshine Stars will play host to Rivers United in a match that promises to be an entertaining contest. Both teams are known for their attacking flair, and this fixture is expected to produce plenty of excitement and goals.

    Katsina United vs Kano Pillars

    The Round of 16 will also feature a northern derby as Katsina United take on Kano Pillars. This matchup is set to be a fiery encounter with both teams eager to progress and claim regional supremacy.

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  • “Big fish, chop o! Adekunle Gold pumps up Rivers Hoopers for BAL playoffs [VIDEO]

    Nigerian music superstar, Adekunle Gold (Adekunle Kosoko), took a dose of star power and excitement to the Rivers Hoopers camp on Thursday ahead of their crucial Basketball Africa League playoff run.

    The award-winning artist visited the team during practice, lifting spirits and generating a joyful atmosphere among the Nigerian champions. In a video posted on the Rivers Hoopers official Twitter handle, the Rodo crooner was seen chanting “Big Fish” to which the basketballers responded “chop 0!

    Adekunle Gold equally took his shot at some free throws, much to the delight of players and officials.

    This morale boost follows a visit from actress Temi Otedola, daughter of billionaire Femi Otedola, who cheered on Rivers Hoopers in Dakar, Senegal, as they clinched the Savannah Conference crown and secured their playoff spot.

    With momentum on their side, Coach Ogoh Odaudu’s squad is primed for action. Their playoff journey begins on Saturday at 4:30 PM at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, where they face AS Douanes of Senegal in a seeding game.



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  • Tickets sold out as BAL playoffs tip-off

    Organisers of the Basketball Africa League have confirmed that all tickets for the opening fixtures of the playoffs have been sold out.

    Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya will battle Cape Town Tigers of South Africa in the first seeding game before Al Ahly of Egypt take on FUS Rabat of Morocco in the second fixture on Friday night. The BK Arena in Kigali is expected to be at full capacity with all tickets sold out.

    Action will continue on Saturday when Rivers Hoopers of Nigeria engage AS Douanes of Senegal in another seeding game while Petro de Luanda of Angola will face off against US Monastir of Tunisia to bring an end to the seeding series.

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    Al Ahly of Egypt, FUS Rabat of Morocco and Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya sealed qualification for the playoffs from the Nile Conference while Petro de Luanda of Angola and Cape Town Tigers of South Africa picked their tickets from the Kalahari Conference.

    Rivers Hoopers won the Savannah Conference and have been joined in the playoffs by AS Douanes and US Monastir of Tunisia who followed in second and third respectively.

    Following the seeding games on Saturday, the playoff picture will be set with quarter-final pairings determined.

    The Basketball Africa League playoffs will run until June 1, 2024 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.



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  • U17 WAFU championship: Nigeria cruises to semi-finals

    Nigeria U17 boys have finished top of Group B with seven points after thrashing Togo 3-0 to book a place in the semifinals of the ongoing U17 WAFU B Cup Championship in Ghana.

    Nigeria recorded seven points from three matches to climb ahead of Burkina Faso, who also got seven points but scored fewer goals after they scraped a 1-0 win over Niger in a final group game.

    A brace from Abdulmuiz Adeleke and Rapha Adams’s goal were enough to give the Golden Eaglets the semifinal ticket.

    The Golden Eaglets will now battle it out on Saturday when they take on Cote d’Ivoire in the semifinal of the WAFU B U17 AFCON qualifiers in Ghana.

    The record five-time world champions made a stuttering start to their campaign with a barren draw against Burkina Faso at the University of Ghana on Thursday but boosted their title defense with a 1-0 win over Niger Republic on Sunday at the same venue, with Raphael Adams’ 31st-minute strike separating both sides.

    The Golden Eaglets final Group B game against Togo was postponed to Thursday due to a heavy downpour which left the university stadium in Accra, Ghana, in an unplayable state for the match.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the match was originally fixed for Wednesday (today) at 5 pm.

    In the same vein, the other Group B game between Burkina Faso and Niger has also been postponed for the same reason. The matches were later played on Thursday morning which saw both Nigeria and Burkina Faso edging out their respective opponents to reach the semifinals.

    Burkina Faso defeated Niger Republic 1-0 and they will take on host country Ghana in the semifinal.

    Source

  • Kenneth Omeruo backs Ademola Lookman for African Player of the Year after Europa League heroics

    By Our Reporter

    Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has publicly endorsed Ademola Lookman for the African Player of the Year award following Lookman’s sensational performance in the Europa League final.

    Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick helped Atalanta to a historic 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, ending the German champions’ unbeaten run this season.

    Lookman’s Historic Night

    In a stunning display in Dublin, Lookman emerged as the hero for Atalanta, scoring all three goals in the final. His performance not only secured the trophy for the Italian side but also marked a significant personal achievement in his first season in Italy, where he scored 15 goals across all competitions.

    Omeruo’s Praise

    Omeruo was quick to praise his Super Eagles teammate on social media. He tagged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and lauded Lookman as the continent’s top player. “@CAF_Online your African Player of the year… @Alookman_ top player,” Omeruo tweeted, highlighting Lookman’s exceptional talent and pivotal role in Atalanta’s success.

    READ ALSO: Manchester City staff applying to work at Manchester United

    Impact on Nigerian Football

    Lookman’s performance has not only earned him accolades in Europe but also solidified his place in Nigerian football history. His hat-trick in the Europa League final is a significant achievement, adding him to the list of Nigerian players who have excelled on the European stage. This feat has also garnered attention from fellow Nigerian internationals, with Omeruo leading the call for Lookman to be recognized with the prestigious African Player of the Year award.

    Lookman’s Remarkable Season

    The 26-year-old’s first season with Atalanta has been nothing short of remarkable. His consistent performances and crucial goals have been instrumental in Atalanta’s unexpected Europa League triumph. Lookman’s hat-trick against Leverkusen, a team led by fellow Nigerians Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella, who had an outstanding season themselves, further emphasizes his exceptional form.

    Future Honors

    With Omeruo’s endorsement and Lookman’s impressive track record, there is growing anticipation that the former Everton and RB Leipzig player will soon be in contention for more prestigious individual honors. His Europa League success could be a stepping stone to winning the African Player of the Year award, adding another accolade to his burgeoning career.

    Conclusion

    Ademola Lookman’s stellar performance in the Europa League final has earned him widespread recognition and praise, particularly from his Super Eagles teammate Kenneth Omeruo. As Lookman continues to shine on the international stage, there is a strong case for him to be named African Player of the Year, celebrating his significant contributions to both club and country.

    Source

  • ‘ He does not know anything about Sports’ – House of Reps’ Committee Chairman blasts Sports Minister

    Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Honourable Ekene Adams has voiced strong criticism towards Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, accusing him of insincerity regarding the country’s sports development goals.

    The lawmaker, who represents the Chikun Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, expressed his concerns about the Minister’s transparency and cooperation since his appointment.

    Honourable Adams noted that despite the House Committee’s efforts to cooperate with the Minister, there have been significant issues regarding transparency. He pointed out that their respect and cooperation, extended partly because of the Minister’s background as a former lawmaker, have not been reciprocated adequately.

    Adams stated that the Committee has been patient and respectful towards Minister Enoh, yet they feel taken for granted. He pointed out that the Minister’s newness to the sports sector should have prompted him to seek guidance from experienced professionals in the field.

    A specific point of contention highlighted by Adams is the allocation of the budget for the renovation and maintenance of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in the 2024 budget. He questioned the rationale behind this decision, given that the stadium had already been handed over to the Kaduna State Government.

    READ MORE: Kenneth Omeruo backs Ademola Lookman for African Player of the Year after Europa League heroics

    Adams stressed that the Committee has made considerable efforts to foster a good working relationship with the Minister. However, he maintained that the lack of sincerity and transparency from the Minister’s side is unacceptable. He called for a more honest and cooperative approach to effectively achieve the country’s sports development goals.

    His Words: “The House Committee on Sports and my personal self have been very co-operative with the Minister of Sports all these while but we have discovered it seems he is taking us for granted with some of the things we are seeing so far.

    “We decided to accord him the ultimate regard and respect because he is a former legislator but we discovered he is taking us for granted which we find totally unacceptable.

    “As he is new in the Sports sector and appointed as a Sports Minister he should ask questions because he came into the sector as a farmer and he should know that some of us are sports technocrats who have been in football for all our life, as former footballer and then administrator.

    “For example, why should the Minister still allocate budget for the renovation and maintenance of the Ahmadu Bello stadium in the 2024 budget after the stadium had been handed over to the Kaduna State Government.

    “I think as the Chairman House Committee on Sports, we have tried enough to have a smooth and good understanding with the Minister but he is not being sincere with us,” Adams said.

    Source

  • Enyimba FC announce Finidi George replacement

    Reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enyimba FC have officially announced its replacement for Finidi George who was recently appointed head coach of Nigeria Super Eagles.

    In an announcement made public on Thursday, May 23, 2024, Enyimba Football Club announced with mixed emotions the departure of Coach Finidi George, who has officially accepted a prestigious position with the Nigerian Super Eagles. Coach George has been an invaluable asset to the club during his tenure, and his contributions have been deeply appreciated.

    Having joined Enyimba FC in 2021, Coach Finidi George swiftly made an indelible mark, leading the team to remarkable achievements. In just his second season in charge, he guided Enyimba FC to clinch the league title, showcasing his exceptional coaching prowess and strategic acumen.

    Coach George’s departure marks the end of an era for Enyimba FC, but also signifies a new chapter in his illustrious career. His leadership, dedication, and passion for the game have left an enduring legacy at the club, inspiring players and fans alike.

    READ MORE: NFF President sheds light on the contract Finidi George signed to become Super Eagles coach

    In light of Coach George’s departure, Enyimba FC is pleased to announce the promotion of Assistant Coach Olanrewaju Yemi Daniel to the position of Head Coach until the end of the season. Coach Daniel has been an integral part of the coaching staff, demonstrating his commitment, expertise, and leadership qualities throughout his tenure.

    Currently pursuing his UEFA B license, Coach Daniel is dedicated to furthering his coaching education and bringing the latest techniques and strategies to Enyimba FC. His passion for the game and his continuous pursuit of excellence make him the ideal candidate to lead the team forward during this transition period.

    Coach Yemi Daniel will see out the remainder of the season, ensuring stability and continuity for Enyimba FC as they continue to compete. The club is confident in Coach Daniel’s abilities to lead the team to further success and achieve their goals.

    Enyimba FC expresses its sincere gratitude to Coach Finidi George for his invaluable contributions and wishes him the very best in his new role with the Nigerian Super Eagles. The club also extends its congratulations to Coach Olanrewaju Yemi Daniel on his well-deserved promotion and looks forward to a promising future under his leadership.

    Meanwhile, Coach Yemi was absent as Enyimba FC booked a President FA Cup Last 16 spot with a 1-0 win over FC ONE Rocket on Wednesday, May 22.

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