Author: Tumininu Yussuf
Two days ago, Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel made history as the first Nigerian man since Henry Amike in 1987 to qualify for a 400m hurdles World Championship final. In Friday’s final at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, 22-year-old Nathaniel produced the race of his life, but missed a medal by just 0.05 seconds, finishing 4th in men’s 400m hurdles final. The Race of His Life The final was set up as one of the fastest in history, with the world’s top hurdlers bursting out of the blocks. Nathaniel positioned himself brilliantly on the back straight, building momentum and staying within…
Nigeria’s record-holding shot putter, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, came agonisingly close to his first global medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, finishing 5th overall with a sixth-round throw of 21.52m. The 31-year-old, Africa’s only man to surpass the 22m mark in the event, admitted he had arrived late in Tokyo and struggled with fatigue and time zone adjustments, but still delivered a strong performance in the final. A Battle in Tokyo for Chukwuebuka Enekwechi Enekwechi’s opening round saw him record 20.83m, followed by 20.71m, before matching his opener with another 20.83m to qualify from Group A in 7th place…
Super Falcons legend, Onome Ebi has announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 42, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 24-year career that spanned continents, records, and generations. Ebi, who has been a cornerstone of Nigerian women’s football for over two decades, made the announcement on her social media account, confirming that while she is hanging up her boots, her purpose in the game will continue beyond the pitch. “Today, I officially retire from professional football” – Onome Ebi In her emotional farewell statement, Ebi wrote: “Today, I officially retire from professional football. The journey has…
Jose Mourinho has agreed a two-year deal to return as head coach of Benfica, 25 years after his first spell at the Portuguese giants. The 62-year-old, sacked by Fenerbahce just three weeks ago, will take charge of his first training session on Thursday. Mourinho replaces Bruno Lage, who was dismissed following Benfica’s shock 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Qarabag of Azerbaijan. It is a poetic homecoming for Mourinho. His very first managerial job came at Benfica in 2000, though he lasted just 10 games before leaving due to presidential changes at the club. Now, a quarter of a…
The second day of Matchday 1 in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League delivered drama, goals, and storylines that will echo long beyond the opening round. From Harry Kane punishing his former London rivals to Virgil van Dijk sealing another last-gasp Liverpool win, fans were treated to another night of thrilling football across Europe. Liverpool 3–2 Atlético Madrid: Van Dijk the Last-Minute Hero Liverpool extended their astonishing streak of late winners, scoring for the fifth straight match after the 83rd minute or later, as captain Virgil van Dijk powered home a stoppage-time header to sink Atlético Madrid 3-2 at Anfield.…
Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel has etched his name into the history books, storming into the men’s 400m hurdles final at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships. His blistering run of 47.47s in the semifinals makes him the first Nigerian man to reach the event’s final in 38 years, since Henry Amike in 1987. Ezekiel Nathaniel Delivers in Hurdles Semifinals Drawn in the second semifinal heat, Nathaniel knew the stakes were high. The Nigerian record holder rose to the challenge, powering home in 47.47s, the fastest time across all three semifinals. He crossed the line ahead of Qatar’s Ismail Abakar, who clocked a…
Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) board member and coach, Olalekan Soetan, has reacted to the ongoing kit scandal involving world record holder Tobi Amusan and Team Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships in Japan. Soetan admitted he was not pleased with the situation but explained that officials responsible for choosing the kits may have had their reasons, even if those reasons now need to be clarified. “If I say I am happy, I am lying” – Soetan Speaks Reacting to the backlash sparked by Amusan’s public criticism of the “substandard kits” given to Nigerian athletes in Tokyo, Soetan made it…
Former Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to multiple rape and sexual assault charges during a court appearance at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Ghana international, who now plays for Villarreal, is accused of five counts of rape against two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman. The alleged offences took place between 2021 and 2022, while Partey was still playing in the Premier League for Arsenal. Thomas Partey Court Proceedings Partey spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth before entering not guilty pleas to all charges during the…
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League returned with fireworks on Tuesday, September 16, as fans across Europe witnessed a night filled with goals, red cards, penalties, and historic drama. From Turin to Madrid to Arsenal’s perfect start, Mbappé’s penalties, and Tottenham’s narrow win. The opening round of fixtures lived up to the billing, defining the season ahead. Athletic Club 0–2 Arsenal: Super Subs Shine in Bilbao Arsenal overcame a spirited Athletic Club in Bilbao thanks to substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who combined to devastating effect. Martinelli scored just 36 seconds after coming on in the 71st minute,…
It is a huge cash out for Tobi Amusan as her silver medal not only delivered pride for Nigeria but also came with a combined prize money haul of $55,000 (₦82.5m). Nigeria’s sprint queen, Tobi Amusan, proved once again why she remains one of the world’s best hurdlers after storming to silver in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 28-year-old clocked 12.29s to finish second behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stunned the field with a national record of 12.24s to claim gold. America’s Grace Stark settled for bronze in 12.34s, while compatriot…
