The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC), and other stakeholders to give long-overdue recognition, support, and reward to Nigerian sports journalists who have, for decades, contributed significantly to the growth and development of sports in the country, often at great personal cost. In a statement released on Tuesday by SWAN Secretary-General, Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo, on behalf of President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, the association decried the neglect of sports journalists by key actors in the Nigerian sports industry, despite their vital and visible roles. The SWAN President noted that unlike what obtains in…
Author: Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
Unarguably the biggest attacking signing Arsenal has made under Mikel Arteta, yet Viktor Gyokeres was not widely accepted by the fans and pundits, only for him to win them over, even before the deal was sealed. In the end, the atmosphere created within the fanbase upon his arrival was worth all he had to go through before completing this move, because he had everyone, including new teammates, saying he is the kind of character they want at their club. It was a long saga, ohh, before that, a long summer. Arsenal appeared to have their own priority signing for the…
Super Falcons do not just carry the tag as best in Africa, they do because they earned it, and their success in Morocco 2024 is a reminder that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping down. They had a poor run in the CAF Women’s African Cup of Nations three years ago in 2022, and after their failure to even finish in podium places, they embarked on their longest drought without touching the silverware they’ve won several times. This made them being tagged underdogs by some analysts, even though they made it clear that they wanted their tenth continental title. The canceled…
Marcus Rashford is here, welcomed by Barcelona fans as though a marquee player he is, maybe just in name but formerly in abilities , and Joan Laporta has successfully gaslit fans into falling for his compensation in a messy situation. The club had a considerably long list of options and alternatives, but after everything failed, Marcus Rashford, who had been extending a come-and-get-me plea for a while now, became their saving grace. Things Fell Apart With Priorities Barcelona had made Nico Williams their priority left-wing signing all summer. The 22-year-old Spaniard had even sent his agent to meet with sporting…
For the third time in only five games so far in the ongoing Women’s European Championship, England have been behind heading into the crucial stages, but they’ve so far been able to do the required, and now secured their place in the final. The Lionesses have become the first defending champions of the tournament to go all the way into the final since Germany in 2013, and if history is to repeat itself on Sunday, they will be crowned champions for the second time in their history. In the five previous instances where the defending champions have reached the Women’s…
Newcastle United’s project appears to be heading south despite their headstart. They’ve gotten almost everything under their control, except one they couldn’t afford, pull. Champions League football gives you pedigree. Prestige. Power. It opens doors to a level of player otherwise unreachable, and often unattainable without it. Add money into the mix, and most clubs swim in options, surrounded by superstars who view the project as desirable. But at Newcastle United, the formula isn’t quite computing as expected. Despite finishing in the Premier League top five, earning themselves a spot in Europe’s premier club competition, and flaunting state-backed financial muscle,…
Asisat Oshoala was a target of critics during Nigeria’s win over Zambia in the ongoing WAFCON tournament. Despicable behavior from some so-called fans of the Nigeria Super Falcons marred what should’ve been a night of undiluted celebration, as the team demolished Zambia 5-0 in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Women’s AFCON in Morocco. While the Super Falcons put on a vintage display, some fans shamefully turned to social media, not to praise the win, but to taunt Asisat Oshoala, unarguably the greatest player in the history of African women’s football. The final whistle hadn’t even gone off before the phrase…
Super Falcons secured easy passage into the semi-finals of the Women’s AFCON, where they await the winner of the clash between South Africa and Senegal after dismantling Zambia 5-0 in the first quarter-final match of the tournament. The result is the biggest win in a knockout match in the Women’s AFCON since Nigeria’s 6-0 win over Zimbabwe in the semi-finals almost 25 years ago November 2000. Even by their standards, not many saw this coming. But perhaps, the masterminds knew all along. In a pre-match interview with Biola Solace-Chukwu, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie declared: “We are promising you guys (Nigerians) nothing…
Chloe Kelly was rotting on the Manchester City bench before the turn of the year, who could have thought that the following seven months or thereabouts would bring her closer to the limelight, for all the right reasons? And how did it happen? Not content with a bench role at a club where she was once the star, she made the decision to join Arsenal, where many would have thought she was in for even fiercer competition for a place. But she is tough, made so by what she has passed through. One could guess how she has come to…
Super Falcons are not having it easy in Morocco. Three games in, and they have gone from good to fair, and then not good enough — but Justin Magudu must find a way to get his minions inspired again ahead of a decisive quarter-final against what will be their toughest opponent so far. The Nigerian contingents, on a mission to reach double digits of crowns in the CAF premier women’s competition, sealed progression from Group C relatively unscathed, following wins over Tunisia and Botswana, before a stalemate in their final group clash with Algeria. Their performances, however, have left a…