Sports
Super Eagles N3bn richer
Super Eagles N3bn richer
Indeed, its a joyous news for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as their progression to the semi-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast has earned a prize money of $2.5m (N3bn).
Nigeria reached the semi-finals of the 34th edition of the AFCON after defeating Angola 1-0 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Friday.
As one of the remaining four teams in the competition, the Eagles, alongside South Africa, their semi-final opponents; DR Congo and hosts Ivory Coast, have already secured $2.5m.
Before the start of the tournament, Confederation of Africa Football president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, announced a 40 per cent increase in prize monies.
According to the statement published on the website of the football governing body January 4, the winners of the tournament will receive $7m, $2m more than the reward doled out at the last edition in Cameroon.
The runners-up of the African showpiece event will now get $4m, while each of the two semi-finalists will receive $2.5m, with each of the four quarter-finalists taking home $1.3m.
“CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions,” he said.
“We have increased the prize money of the AFCON winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON prize money.
“I am confident that a portion of the prize money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations,” he added.
If Nigeria advanced to the final, they would have secured a minimum of $4m (N5bn) in prize money.
Additionally, if they win the tournament, they will receive $7m (N8.8bn).
Meanwhile, the Eagles arrived in Ivory Coast’s second-largest city, Bouake, on Tuesday (today) ahead of their semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday.
Jose Peseiro’s men have played all their matches in the tournament in Abidjan. Their first two games were at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, where they drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea before pipping hosts Ivory Coast 1-0 in their second game.
Their last group game against Guinea Bissau which they also won 1-0 was at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium while they also slay the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 as well as the Antelopes of Angola 1-0 at the same venue.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the team will have one training session in Bouake on Tuesday afternoon, having had two sessions in Abidjan on Sunday and Monday.
Historically, when Ivory Coast hosted the AFCON in 1984, Nigeria also played their semi-final match in the city of Bouake against Egypt – which they won 8-7 on penalties after regulation and extra time ended 2-2. Nigeria, however, lost the final 3-1 against Cameroon.
The winners of the Nigeria vs South Africa game face the winners between hosts Ivory Coast and DR Congo, who also faceoff in Yamoussoukro same
day.
Ogun Set to Host Most Ambitious National Sports Festival Yet – NSC Chairman*
_as NSC Affirms State’s Readiness Ahead of Gateway Games 2024_
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially confirmed that Ogun State is fully prepared to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, following a comprehensive inspection tour of competition venues, logistics hubs, and athlete accommodations across the state.
Led by NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission’s delegation visited key facilities including the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Alake Sports Centre, Remo Stars Sports Complex, and Babcock University, which will serve as the athletes’ village for the Festival.
The Gateway Games 2024, scheduled to run from May 16 to 30, will bring together thousands of athletes and officials from across Nigeria, competing in more than 32 disciplines, making it one of the largest and most inclusive editions in the Festival’s history.
Speaking after the tour, NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko expressed deep confidence in Ogun’s capacity to deliver a landmark event. According to him, “What I have seen here in Ogun is more than infrastructure. It is intent readiness, and ambition. Ogun is set to deliver a brilliant National Sports Festival that will raise the bar and define the standard for future games across Nigeria.”
Reaffirming the state’s commitment, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured the Commission and the Nigerian people of Ogun’s readiness to deliver a historic Games. “We consider it an honour and a responsibility to host this historic Festival. Every facility, every logistic, every detail has been prepared to showcase the best of Ogun and the promise of Nigeria. The Gateway Games will be a model of what’s possible when states align with national vision,” the Governor said.
As the lead agency for sports governance in Nigeria, the National Sports Commission continues to play a central role in coordinating nationwide sports development delivery, enforcing standards, and deepening synergy across all tiers of government. The success of the Gateway Games will serve as a blueprint for future sports development initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90
Media guru and highly respected on air personality, Jọlaoluwa Afọlabi famously known as J.J Jabulani is holding an elaborate 90th years birthday bash for his mummy, Mama Maria Ibipeju Afọlabi.
The birthday bash is holding on Friday, 25th April, 2025 at No 1 Ebute Road, Unity hall, opposite Indomie house, Lau junction, Ibafo, Ogun state. Many eminent personalities and media guys are expected to grace the epoch-making event.
Mama Ibipeju is a big business woman that trades on kolanut and gold in the 80s, she’s married to the popular pastor of the C&S church world wide Most Senior Apostle Samson Ọlayiwola Afọlabi of the revered Odofin compound in IREE town,Boripe local government of Osun state .
Mama is blessed with so many children among them is the ace broadcaster and media owner , Afolabi Jolaoluwa jabulani who is the last born of the nonagenarian.
Mama has great love and passion for gospel music spurred her interest in the usage of ‘SHEKERE’ in praising God till this moment and this singular act earned her the nick name (Iya Sekere)
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