SPORTS
Spain-Argentina Finalissima in Qatar Cancelled
The Finalissima between Argentina and Spain has been cancelled because of the war in the Middle East.
European champions Spain were set to play Copa America champions Argentina in Qatar on 26 March.
Uefa said proposals to hold the match at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu, or play a two-legged game in Madrid and Buenos Aires, were rejected by Argentina.
Uefa said: “Due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar.
“Uefa explored other feasible alternatives but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.”
Uefa said: “Argentina made a counter suggestion to play the game after the World Cup but, as Spain has no available dates, that option had to be ruled out.
”The Spanish FA said it had “worked intensively” to get the game on in any format possible, whether in Spain or at a neutral venue.
It said: “Spain was prepared to play as it has always been stated. They set no conditions.
“Spain, together with Uefa, has offered all possibilities.”
On Saturday the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grands Prix due to be held in April were cancelled.
Formula 1 said it is not safe to stage the races because of the conflict across the region.
The Finalissima, which is staged every four years and is organised by Uefa and the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), was last won by Argentina at Wembley in 2022.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.
English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced yesterday.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently arm-wrestling Arsenal for the Premier League title, will take on Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1, spearheaded by their Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off the “Hong Kong Football Festival” at the city’s futuristic 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium.
The gleaming arena opened a year ago, featuring a roof that can be closed and air-conditioning to combat the fierce summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong.
Chelsea will play Juventus on Wednesday August 5 to round off the mini-tournament.
Plateau PDP Cautions Members Against Obtaining Nomination Forms From Pro-Wike Faction
ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja As Nigerians await the verdict of the Supreme Court on the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples...
Soludo’s 16.4km Road Project Ends Years of Suffering, Opens Up Anambra Communities
ShareBy Laide Akinboade Abuja Vice President of Boardwalk Group and Abuja-based real estate developer Chief Obiageli Okwubanego, on Wednesday, commended...
Ekiti Church Attack: CAN Demands Action Over Killing, Abduction of Worshippers
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, condemnedthe attack on a church gathering in Eda...
Journalist Petitions DSS Over Alleged Criminal Activities Of Company, River-Bend Agent
ShareBy Julius Tambaya, Abuja Following alleged criminal conducts of River-Bend Nigerian Limited and one Mr. Thomas Terzulum Nongo, a renowned...
Stakeholders Urge FG, Benue Govt to Partner NGOs to End Violence, Discrimination Against Girls
ShareBy Julius, Tambaya Abuja Stakeholders have called on the Federal and the Benue State Governments to strengthen collaboration with non-governmental...
Bago Orders Immediate Repairs of Wind-Damaged Buildings at NYSC Camp
Share From Dan Amasingha, Minna Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has directed the immediate rehabilitation of buildings damaged by a windstorm at the National Youth Service Corps...
2028 Olympic Games Qualifier: Super Falcons to Discover Opponents Today
ShareNigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying...
Ghana Military Convoy Attack Kills Three Civilians, Seven Assailants
ShareFor Somalia’s malnourished children, already suffering the twin catastrophes of looming famine and radical cuts in foreign aid, the U.S.-Israeli...
Imo Deputy Governor Resigns
ShareFrom Marcel Duru Owerri The Commissioner for Information and Strategy Chief Declan Emelumba has said that Imo State Deputy Governor, Ekemaru has resigned. Speaking...
NAF Airstrikes Destroy Terrorists’ Structures in Mandara Mountains
ShareThe Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has sustained its counter-terrorism offensive with precision airstrikes that destroyed terrorists’ structures and logistic hubs in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno....