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LAFA Elections: I Was Ready to Wait for Next 4 Years – Gafar
…Says ’23 on the Radar
By Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
The owner of 36 Lions FC of Lagos state and former member of the Lagos State Football Association (LAFA) Board, Liameed Gafar has disclosed that there was no reason for the re-elected Chairman o the Association Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi to have allowed a contest between them if he had taken into considerations the support he (Akinwunmi) received from him while on the board.
He told DAILY ASSETSports in an exclusive chat at the glasshouse headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday that he was ready to wait for the next four years till the incumbent serves out the four years tenure by 2023.
“I was ready to wait for the next four years till barrister serves out this tenure. There was no reason for him to have allowed me to purchase form in the first place. He did not want to reach a compromise with me because he is already planning to hand over to somebody in 2023 but we are watching.
“Sincerely speaking, I supported his programmes effectively and was loyal to him but unfortunately when I met him to discuss my ambition for 2023 he was not ready to make a promise because he wants Alhaji Tade Azeez to take over from him but we are watching keenly.”
The second tier league football club owner disclosed to DAILY ASSETSports that he has what it takes to take football administration in the state to the next level and maintained that he has contributed immensely to football in the country and still contributing because football is part of his life.
He noted that the contest in the last election was a pointer to what would happen in the next election insisting that he will not joke with the desire to prove to the football loving people of Lagos state who believe in him that he is capable of piloting the affairs of the state’s football and even take it to a greater height.
He maintained that though he was very loyal member on the board he was not running to the Chairman assistance but when he felt it was right for him to discuss with the Chairman on the next election, the chairman disappointed him which was the reason he contested against him in the last election.
“We are not perturbed about the next election and who would be the next chairman. It is not and will not be based on their plan. We are keenly watching and we will not succumb to their antics because we know it all and will certainly resist them.”
Gafar stretched out the election where he almost defeated the incumbent and he is yet to believe that the result of the election was the true reflection of people’s mind.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Neymar is fully fit and ready to play a full 90 minutes against Norway in their FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 clash.
The Brazil boss has revealed that the Santos ace will appear alongside the Real Madrid star as the South Americans continue their World Cup campaign.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Ancelotti said: “Neymar can play 90 minutes… and he can play with Vinicius Jr.
“I think they WILL play together.”
The South American side have never beaten Norway in four meetings and will be seeking their first win on Sunday night as Ancelotti plans his side to face the likes of Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland.
The country’s all-time top scorer, Neymar, made his long-awaited World Cup debut in Brazil’s third group-stage match against Scotland in Miami, coming on in the 76th minute.
Neymar made a total of 15 appearances with his Brazilian club across all competitions in the 2025/26 season.
Since 2017, the star has suffered over 45 injuries and missed more than 270 matches, significantly interrupting his career.
In 2018, he played every 90 minutes of all five Brazil matches despite recently recovering from an ankle injury.
But, in Qatar, Neymar missed much of the group stage after receiving a tackle in the opening game against Serbia.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has unveiled a 12-man D’Tigers squad for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 African Qualifiers in Luanda, Angola.
The qualifiers, tagged Window Three, will hold from July 2 to July 5, marking the beginning of a new era under Head Coach David Fizdale.
A statement from the NBBF on Monday said Fizdale will make his competitive debut as D’ Tigers coach, bringing decades of NBA coaching experience and expertise in developing elite basketball talent.
“The coach will lead a blend of experienced internationals and emerging players as Nigeria pursues qualification for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“The squad comprises Uchenna Ireogbu, Ikenna Ireogbu, Caleb Agada, Martins Igbanu, Paul Dibal and Stanley Okoye.
“Others are Daniel Utomi, Chimezie Metu, Wesley Iwundu, Christian Mekowulu, Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu and Michael Eric,” the statement said.
Nigeria will compete in Group C alongside Guinea, Rwanda and Tunisia in the decisive phase of the qualification campaign.
It stated that NBBF President, Ahmadu Musa Kida, expressed confidence in the team and welcomed Fizdale to his first official assignment with Nigeria.
“Kida described Fizdale as an experienced coach with the leadership qualities required to guide D’Tigers to greater success in Africa and globally.
“He congratulated the selected players and urged them to represent Nigeria with passion, pride and professionalism throughout the qualifiers,” it said
It quoted Kida as saying, “the federation remains committed to attracting world-class coaches and sustaining a high-performance environment for the national teams.
“Fizdale’s appointment followed the successful tenure of former coach Mike Brown, who elevated Nigeria’s profile in international basketball,” he said.
Kida expressed confidence that experienced players, emerging talents and quality coaching would strengthen Nigeria’s qualification campaign.
He urged Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to support D’ Tigers as they represent the country in Angola.
Nigeria will face Guinea on July 3 before taking on Rwanda on July 5 in Luanda
The top teams from the African qualifiers will advance towards qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027.
United States president Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final and help present the trophy, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Trump, 80, is yet to attend a game at the World Cup, but may still make an appearance before the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The World Cup started on 11 June and took place in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course,” Infantino, now a close friend of Trump, told Fox.
Asked if they would make the presentation together, Infantino added: “Of course, we are together all the time.”
The United States is hosting 78 of the 104 matches at the tournament, which is also being held in Mexico and Canada.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House’s World Cup task force, told the Telegraph, external that Trump likes to “leave people watching” and is yet to attend a game because of his busy schedule.
Trump was at the UFC White House event last week, and was recently booed in New York as he became the first US president to attend the NBA Finals, watching game three which the eventual champions the New York Knicks lost 111-115 to the San Antonio Spurs.
Last summer, Trump remained on the winners’ podium at MetLife Stadium after handing the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea’s Reece James, which caused apparent confusion to some of the players involved.
“They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay,” said James.
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