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COVID-19: Contact Sports ‘ll Resume Soon, Minister Assures

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By Jude Opara, Abuja

The Minister  of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has said he was hopeful contact sporting activities   including football would resume soon in full compliance with all COVID -19  protocols. 

Recall that the Federal Government  had suspended  all sporting activities  in March following  the out  break of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

  


A statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Joshua Akanji, warned that the expected resumption must be in strict  adherence to all COVID-19 protocols as approved by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID -19.

The  statement  further said that already the Ministry has started engaging the PTF, and that plans have been  concluded for the return of  all sporting events including football subject to the approval of the Presidential Task Force  on COVID -19.

“We are hopeful that the re-opening of all sports will be shortly upon us. The Ministry has done all that’s necessary and required especially with regard to the COVID-19 protocols. The PTF, Health Ministry and the Nigerian Center for Decease Control (NCDC) have guided appropriately. 
“Therefore, sports lovers are advised to be a little more patient and everything will return to normalcy” the statement concluded.

SPORTS

I Want to Play in EPL, Super Eagles’ forward says

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 Super Eagles and Genk of Belgium striker, Tolu Arokodare, says it has always been his dream to play in the English Premier League (EPL).

Arokodare who spoke on Friday in London, said that he was exploring other options which included playing for other bigger clubs especially in the EPL.

He said that his desire to play for other bigger leagues does not mean that the Belgian league was not good enough.

“I am trying to go higher and I think that it is what the club and the coaches will want for me.

“In life, you just want to take that step forward and it is my time to take that step.

“I will go to any club I think is best for me but it is always a dream to play in the English Premier League,” Arokodare said.

The 24-year-old striker, who scored 21 times and assisted five times in 40 appearances in the just concluded 2024/2025 season, said it was a dream come through to have been invited to the Super Eagles.

“There are lots of football players in Nigeria now that would love to have this opportunity that I have.

“I feel very honoured to put on this jersey and represent the country in doing what I love to do.

“Every time I get out there, whether I am playing or not, I will always support the team,” Arokodare said.

The gangling striker might be favored ahead of Cyril Dessers who opted out from Thursday’s training in the final of the 2025 Unity Cup against Jamaica on Saturday. (NAN)

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NEWS

S/Africa Crowned U-20 AFCON Champions After Historic Win Over Morocco

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 South Africa won their maiden CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in Sunday night’s final at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo.

Gomolemo Kekana’s stunning second-half strike proved decisive, as the, Southern Africans claimed the trophy and rewrote history by overcoming a North African opponent in the tournament for the first time.

The only goal of the final came in the 70th minute when Kekana unleashed a powerful right-footed effort from outside the box, bending the ball into the top corner.

The goal, awarded after a VAR review, broke the deadlock in a tense contest dominated by tactical discipline and defensive organisation.

Kekana’s goal capped a superb tournament for South Africa, who had never reached a U-20 AFCON final since 1997, when they lost to Morocco.

This time, they flipped the script, avenging that defeat to lift the trophy and become the 12th different nation to win the title.

Both sides entered the final unbeaten, boasting some of the tournament’s best defensive records.

Morocco, the more fluid side in the first half, created better chances through Jones El Abdellaoui and Ilias Boumassaoudi, but South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe was once again in inspired form.

South Africa, who had grown into the competition after losing their opener to Egypt, showed resilience and patience.

Shakeel April and Mfundo Vilakazi had half chances, but neither side managed to find the net before the break.

The second half opened up with Morocco pushing forward, with Othmane Maamma and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal coming close.

However, the North Africans were wasteful in front of goal, and South Africa’s high pressing eventually paid dividends.

After Kekana’s wonder goal, South Africa soaked up pressure with commendable discipline.

Morocco threw men forward in search of an equaliser, but South Africa’s backline — led by Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba — held firm.

South Africa’s victory marks their first-ever youth continental triumph and adds them to a growing list of recent debut winners, following Senegal’s 2023 success.

It also broke their jinx against North African opposition, ending a run of five previous defeats — all by a single goal margin.

Fletcher Lowe ended the tournament with the most saves (24), underlining South Africa’s defensive resolve.

Kekana’s goal was only their ninth of the campaign, but every strike proved crucial as they edged past DR Congo, Nigeria and now Morocco in the knockout rounds.

For Morocco, the defeat marks a missed opportunity to win a second title. They came into the final unbeaten in 14 U-20 AFCON matches in open play.

But Sunday’s loss — their first defeat of the tournament — was a bitter blow.

Despite impressive performances throughout the tournament, their wait for a second crown continues.(NAN)

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NEWS

12th CNS Swimming Championship kicks off July in Asaba

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The Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), says preparations are in top gear for the 12th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Swimming Championship slated for the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, from July 15 to July 19.

Chinoye Aliyu, president of the federation, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja adding that the tournament will discover talents to represent the country.

“This championship is a cornerstone of our strategic plan to identify, nurture and prepare elite athletes who will represent Nigeria at international events.

“Recently, Nigeria made history by breaking two African records in the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle events at the Africa Junior Swimming Championships earlier this month (May).

“It is on the backdrop of these that we encourage swimmers below 18 years of age to register as the CNS tournament has both junior and senior or elite categories.

“We are also expecting a wide range of swimmers; from tertiary institutions, the para-military, states and clubs to register and participate in the tournament.

“The federation’s technical committee and national scouts will be on ground to evaluate performances and select exceptional swimmers for advanced training,’’ Aliyu said.

The President also lauded efforts of the Nigerian Navy and the CNS Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla for his continued support and collaboration towards discovering young talents in the sport.

“I want to particularly thank the Nigerian Navy for restoring the lost glory of swimming in Nigeria.

“Like I said earlier, we broke two records in Egypt, eventually clinching three golds and one bronze medal—an unprecedented feat in the nation’s swimming history.

“This was also due to the support from the CNS who released to us Lt.-Cdr. Labake Oriretan, a former champion and seasoned coach to guide the national team during the competition,” she said.

On his part, Rear Adm. Patrick Nwatu, the chairman, Nigerian Navy Swimming Association, said the partnership has been worthwhile, stressing their continued support for the sport.

“We see supporting NAqF as one of our corporate social responsibility to the nation.

“For almost 14 years now, the Nigerian Navy has been part of this endeavour and we are constantly looking for ways to see how we can improve and contribute our quota.

“We will see how we can identify athletes to be able to participate in international events and also encourage open water swimming.

“Over the years, the collaboration has been worthwhile and we look forward to other areas we can support and partner in the future.

“The last edition was well attended and we look forward to a greater participation this year where we can have our youths express themselves,” Nwatu added.

Also in attendance at the event are Rear Adm. Yusuf Idris, the director of sports Nigerian Navy, Taiwo Oriss, the secretary general of NAqF, Dauda Usman, the vice president of NAqF, amongst others. (NAN)

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