Sports

Nigeria unleashes 40-man contingent for African Athletics Championships in Cameroon

Published

5 months ago

June 20, 2024

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has released a 40-man contingent for the 23rd African Championships in Cameroon starting from June 21, with world 100m hurdles record holder, Tobi Amusan, headlining the team.

Amusan who just made history at the Nigeria Olympic trials by becoming the first female hurdler to win four consecutive national titles, will be heading to Cameroon aiming for a hat-trick of 100mH titles after winning in 2018 and 2022.

If she succeeds in her quest, the world record holder will become only the third Nigerian hurdler to win the event consecutively after Maria Usifo and Glory Alozie.

Also included in the team for the sprint events are newly crowned fastest man and woman in Nigeria, Kanyinsola Ajayi and Favour Ofili, who will be gunning to continue with their fine form this season by winning their first African titles in the event.

In the men sprint list, Usheoritse Itsekiri and Godson Brume are the standout athletes while the women’s category has Tima Godbless, Rosemary Chukwuma, Justina Eyakpobeyan, and Olayinka Olajide.

African Games champion Chidi Okezie and veteran Patience Okon lead in the 400m, while others on the list are national champions Dubem Amene and Esther Elo Joseph, NCAA standouts Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuvwevwo, as well as Ifeanyi Ojeli.

Ese Brume tops the list in the field events, and will be seeking to reclaim her long jump title while new kid on the block, Prestinal Ochonogor who won the national title in a massive personal nest of 6.72m will hope to cause an upset and perhaps hit the Paris Olympic qualifying standard.

The men’s field category has Charles Godfred, Goodness Iredia, and Emmanuel Njoku, and following their historic performances at the Nigeria Olympic trials, where they swept above the 8m mark, they will be hoping for the same omen or perhaps better their PBs in their quest to return Nigeria back to the podium for the first time in 21 years.

Temitope Adeshina has a chance at making Nigerian history by becoming the first African champion in the women’s high jump event but will have stiff competition in Ghana’s Rose Yeboah, the best in the event in the continent and the NCAA.

Related Topics:Athletics. Tobi Amusan Featured Nigeria

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

3 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”