Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria – Team Ekiti has clinched the gold medal in basketball at the ongoing 9th National Youth Games, strengthening the state’s medal haul in the multi-sport event.   The victory came after Ekiti’s boys’ team outclassed their opponents in the final match played on Friday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. The win adds to the state’s growing list of achievements at this year’s Games.   Officials described the triumph as a testament to the talent and determination of Ekiti’s young athletes, while calling for greater investment in grassroots sports development.   The National Youth Games, hosted in Delta State, has featured over 6,000 athletes from across the country competing in various sporting disciplines.

Accra, Ghana — Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has made bold selection choices ahead of Ghana’s international clash against Chad, leaving Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey on the bench while handing starting spots to Mohammed Kudus and André Ayew.   The decision surprised many football fans, as Partey is one of Ghana’s most experienced midfielders. However, Addo explained that the selection was based on tactical flexibility and the need to test different combinations in preparation for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.   Kudus, currently in fine form at West Ham United, and veteran forward Ayew were tasked with leading Ghana’s attacking play, while other young players were also given opportunities to impress.   Analysts suggest the move highlights Addo’s strategy of blending experience with emerging talent as Ghana looks to strengthen its squad depth.

Accra, Ghana — Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has expressed satisfaction with the strong performances of Ghanaian players across Europe and other leagues, noting that their form is a positive sign ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.   Addo highlighted that several players, including those in the English Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1, are in peak condition, which could strengthen the national team’s chances in both World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations preparations.   The coach stressed the importance of consistency, urging the players to maintain their competitive edge at club level as it directly translates to national team success.   Football analysts believe that Ghana’s improved player performance abroad could provide Addo with more tactical options and squad depth.

Free State Province, South Africa — The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has officially approved the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein as the venue for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.   The decision comes after a joint inspection by FIFA and the South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed that the facility meets international standards for hosting high-profile matches.   The Free State Stadium, which has a capacity of over 40,000, previously hosted matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is regarded as one of South Africa’s most historic football grounds.   Both nations are currently preparing their squads for what promises to be a decisive clash in the race to secure a spot at the global tournament.

Libreville, Gabon — Gabon’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup received a major boost after star forward Denis Bouanga scored a sensational hat-trick to seal victory for the national team.   Bouanga’s standout performance lifted the Panthers to a crucial win in the qualifiers, keeping their campaign alive and igniting fresh optimism among fans and football analysts.   The Gabonese striker, who plays for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, has been in impressive form, and his contributions are seen as vital to the team’s ambition of reaching the global stage.   Football pundits believe Gabon’s resilience and Bouanga’s scoring prowess could make them one of Africa’s surprise contenders in the qualification race.

Accra, Ghana — A growing number of former Black Stars players are making their mark in the dugout, transitioning from the pitch to the technical area as coaches. Among the most notable are Michael Essien, Otto Addo, and Kwasi Appiah, whose careers continue to inspire the next generation of Ghanaian footballers.   While some have taken charge of clubs across Europe, others are developing grassroots football in Ghana and other African nations. Their journeys reflect a broader trend of African players leveraging their international experience to build careers in coaching.   Analysts note that this development not only strengthens Ghana’s football culture but also positions former stars as role models, shaping the future of the national team and African football at large.

Egypt and Morocco could book tickets to the 2026 Fifa World Cup during this month's international window (3-9 September) as African qualifying intensifies.   Following an extended campaign which began in November 2023 and ends in October, four rounds of preliminaries are left to play.   Only the nine group winners are guaranteed a spot at the finals next year, with the four best-placed runners-up entering play-offs in November for a second chance to qualify via an intercontinental route.   Several other nations could join the Pharaohs and Atlas Lions in reaching the United States, Mexico and Canada with two games to spare, depending on results.   Cape Verde, Comoros and civil war-torn Sudan are still in the hunt for historic qualifications, while Nigeria are in danger of an early elimination.

The recently concluded international football transfer window once again underscored the growing influence of Nigerian talent across global leagues. From high-profile contract extensions to strategic overseas moves, both Super Eagles and Super Falcons players made headlines.   Victor Osimhen (Napoli): Despite widespread speculation linking him with Premier League and Saudi Pro League clubs, Osimhen remained at Napoli. The Serie A side retained the African Footballer of the Year as a central figure in their rebuilding project.   Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC): The Super Falcons captain completed a landmark move to Bay FC in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after a trophy-laden spell with Barcelona Femeni. Her transfer is widely viewed as a boost to the visibility of women’s football in Nigeria and beyond.   Kelechi Iheanacho (Trabzonspor): In pursuit of more consistent playing time ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers, Iheanacho secured a switch from Leicester City to Turkish side Trabzonspor.   Gift Orban (Olympique Lyonnais): The young striker finalized a €15 million transfer to Lyon, strengthening his reputation as one of Ligue 1’s most promising forwards.   Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City): Ndidi extended his contract with Leicester, committing to their bid for a swift return to the Premier League.   Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan): Linked with potential La Liga interest, Chukwueze ultimately stayed at AC Milan, where he remains a key option in their attacking setup.   Francis Uzoho (Al-Fayha): Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper completed a move from Omonia Nicosia to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Fayha, a transfer expected to provide greater international exposure.     Overall, the 2025 window reinforced Nigeria’s status as a key exporter of football talent, with moves shaped not only by financial incentives but also by career development and international competitiveness ahead of AFCON 2025 and the next Women’s World Cup cycle.

The South African Women’s Rugby Team has etched its name in history after achieving a landmark performance at the ongoing Women’s Rugby World Cup.   For the first time, the Springbok Women advanced past the group stages, showcasing resilience, skill, and determination against some of the world’s toughest opponents. The milestone marks a major breakthrough for women’s rugby in South Africa, where the sport has long fought for recognition and investment.   Rugby South Africa officials hailed the achievement as a turning point for women in the sport, emphasizing that the team’s progress would inspire a new generation of players. Fans across the country celebrated the win, describing it as a proud moment for national unity and sporting excellence.   The team now faces an even tougher test as they prepare for the knockout stages, but their historic run has already positioned them as trailblazers in African rugby history.

In a thrilling conclusion to the tournament, Morocco has made history by becoming the first team to win the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for a remarkable third time. The Atlas Lions triumphed over Madagascar with a score of 3-2 in an exciting final held at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday evening. Oussama Lamlioui delivered an outstanding performance, scoring two goals, including a stunning late winner that sealed Morocco's victory. Madagascar, however, put up a strong fight, initially taking the lead with a spectacular long-range volley from Felicite Manohantsoa in the ninth minute. They later equalized with a goal from Toky Rakotondraibe midway through the second half. Morocco had a chance to score early, with Lamlioui breaking through the defense within the first two minutes, but he missed the opportunity, dragging his shot wide. Despite the early miss, Morocco rallied back to secure their historic win.

Ghana _British athlete Eugene Amo-Dadzie has etched his name into the history books by becoming the second fastest British sprinter of all time.   The 32-year-old sprinter, often dubbed the "world’s fastest accountant," clocked an impressive time that now places him behind only Zharnel Hughes on the UK’s all-time list.   Amo-Dadzie’s remarkable performance has further cemented his reputation as a late-blooming talent, balancing a professional career in accountancy alongside athletics.   Sports analysts have hailed his achievement as a major boost for Team GB’s sprinting prospects, especially ahead of future international competitions.

The French national team has left out Hugo Ekitike from its squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, opting instead to call up Maghnes Akliouche.   Ekitike, who recently made a move to Eintracht Frankfurt, was tipped for a possible debut with Les Bleus, but head coach Didier Deschamps has chosen to hand a chance to Monaco’s in-form midfielder Akliouche.   The decision has sparked debates among fans, with many believing Ekitike’s versatility in attack could have been valuable for the qualifiers. However, Deschamps insists squad selection was based on current form and tactical needs.   France will be looking to maintain their dominance in Group B as they continue their push for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.