Connect with us

Sports

Senegalese FIFA official, Fatma Samoura to step down end of year

Published

on

Senegal-born Secretary General of world football governing body, FIFA, Fatma Samoura, has announced that she would be stepping down from her position after seven years.

Samoura, who made history when she became the first woman to attain the highest profile in world soccer, said on Wednesday that she would remain in the saddle for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which kicks off from July 20 to August 20, adding that she wanted to devote “more time to her family.”

In 2016, Samoura became the first woman and first non-European to become the world football body’s number two, and the second most powerful force in world football.

The 60-year-old soccer administrator was appointed FIFA Secretary General after a sterling career at the United Nations with the election of Italian-Swiss Gianni Infantino as President of the organization.

She brought her wealth of experience to bear in restoring the body’s credibility after a deluge of scandals that involved former President Sepp Blatter

In her days with the UN, Samoura had worked in several African countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Djibouti, Chad, Guinea and Madagascar.

Sports

Super Falcons star Nnadozie wins best goalkeeper in France

Published

on

Super Falcons of Nigeria goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has entered the history books as she became the first female African player to win best goalkeeper award in France.

Nnadozie was on Tuesday, named the best goalkeeper in France by the National Union of Professional Footballers.

Nnadozie received recognition for her 2023–24 season-long brilliant performances for Paris FC where she posted regular woman of the match performances.

The Nigerian international won the individual title by defeating a formidable competition that includes Christiane Endler of Olympic Lyon, Katarzyna Kiedrzynek of PSG, Chloe N’Gazi of FC Fleury, and Kinga Szemik of Stade de Reims.

Last month, the 23-year-old also won the title of top goalie in the French D1 Arkema women’s league.

Nnadozie’s exploits in saving penalties have also solidified her place among the world’s top goalkeepers, saving seven penalties, the most by any goalie in Europe.

The Super Falcons keeper has made a name for herself as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers after relocating to France in 2020 and the award is reward for her sterling performances.

Nnadozie took to social media to celebrate the award with a message that said:

“I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by this award. Thanks to the organisers @tropheesunfp for recognizing my efforts and presenting this prestigious award to me.

“A big thanks to @parisfc_feminines , the club president, the entire team staff , the fans and my wonderful teammates.

“Your belief in me and my work is a tremendous source of motivation.

“Receiving this award is truly humbling, and I am immensely thankful for the recognition. Your support means the world to me.

“Can’t thank my family enough for their prayers and support. My naija Giants, Una pikin Dey loyal , big love ❤️🇳🇬.”

Since the beginning of the 2023–24 season, Nnadozie has been the top penalty specialist and has made the most saves from her position among elite goalkeepers in the men’s and women’s top European leagues.

She has made five saves during her team’s run in the Women’s Champions League, and she has two in the league.

Continue Reading

Sports

Tobi Amusan sets world-leading time at Jamaica Athletics Invitational

Published

on

World 100m hurdle record-holder, Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, was the cynosure of all eyes as she stole the show at the maiden Jamaica Athletics Invitational held in Kingston, where she ran a world-leading time of 12.40 seconds to defeat home favorite and reigning world champion, Danielle Williams, who came in second with 12.46, and USA’s Christina Clemens, who finished third in 12.54 seconds.

The 27-year-old Amusan’s impressive display in the Jamaica Invitational marked a significant and brilliant comeback following her recent setback at the Suzhou Diamond League late last month where she was disqualified due to a false start.

With the victory, the Nigerian athlete fondly “Tobi Express” by her fans, has once again claimed the top spot in the world rankings, surpassing American Tonea Marshall, who previously held the world lead with a time of 12.42 seconds in late April.

While reacting to the feat, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, took to his official X handle to congratulate Amusan whom he called a pace-setter, while wishing she repeats the feat at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

“Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you,” the Minister wrote.

In another tweet, he said:

“Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time!

“You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons was 3rd.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

VenturesNow16 mins ago

Uganda considers nuclear energy to meet increased electricity demand

Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development announced on Tuesday that it was collaborating with the International Atomic Energy Agency...

Politics1 hour ago

South Africa: President Ramaphosa insists pause in power cuts not linked to election

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, denied on Monday that a recent halt in the country’s long-running energy disruptions was due...

VenturesNow1 hour ago

Shell investigates smoke at Gbaran oil plant in Nigeria

Shell is investigating allegations of smoke near its Gbaran Ubie oil and gas complex in Nigeria’s coastal Bayelsa state. Residents...

Sports13 hours ago

Super Falcons star Nnadozie wins best goalkeeper in France

Super Falcons of Nigeria goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has entered the history books as she became the first female African player...

Metro18 hours ago

Chipata youth calls for stronger media protections amid concerns over media independence

Alepha Banda, a programmes officer at the Youth Development Foundation (YDF), says Zambia’s existing laws do not adequately safeguard journalists,...

VenturesNow1 day ago

Nigeria’s Petroleum Regulator begins bidding round for 12 oil blocks

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has announced the start of the bidding process for 12 oil blocks recently put...

VenturesNow1 day ago

Ecobank’s $183 million impairment losses highlight hazards in sovereign bonds

Ecobank, a pan-African banking group, has more than doubled its impairment losses on Ghana’s problematic Eurobonds to $183 million, highlighting...

Metro1 day ago

Nigeria may need to raise supplementary budget to be able pay minimum wage— IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the Nigerian government may need to raise a supplementary budget to be able to...

Politics1 day ago

Niger’s Prime Minister claims Benin’s oil export blockage breaches accords

Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, has claimed that Benin’s suspension of Niger’s oil shipments, imposed in reaction to...

Tech2 days ago

Cut to undersea cable causes internet disruptions across East, Southern Africa

Internet services across East and Southern Africa have suffered outages following undersea submarine cable cuts on Sunday. According to the...

Trending