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What happened to the soul of Alabama football?

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What happened to the soul of Alabama football?

What happened to the soul of Alabama football?

 

 

 

An argument could have been made before its 17-3 loss to Alabama  Football on Saturday that South Florida was the worst team in the country.

That’s not a low blow or anything. There was compelling evidence.

What happened to the soul of Alabama football?

A review of the sacrificial Bulls:

The last time South Florida defeated an FBS opponent was two seasons ago.

 

 

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n 2022, the Bulls’ only victory of the season was against Howard. In 2021, South Florida went 2-11 with victories against Florida A&M and Temple. In 2020, South Florida was 1-8 with a win against The Citadel.

South Florida opened this season with a 41-24 loss to Western Kentucky and then struggled last week in a victory against Florida A&M.

That’s five total victories since the pandemic and three of them were against teams in a lower division. In ancient days, when the Greeks sacrificed oxen to the gods, South Florida’s football program might have been described as a hecatomb of the horrendous.

 

 

Alabama was tied with that team 3-3 at halftime.

If you came here looking for answers to explain exactly what’s wrong with Alabama football these days, then I got nothing for you. There is no way to explain this mess in rational words. Someone please find the thief who stole Alabama’s soul this offseason. Alabama is supposed to have more blue chip NFL prospects than any team in the country. This team’s offense looks helpless and confused like someone who took the bus to work and then forgot where they parked at the end of the day.

I’ll just go ahead and say the thing out loud that everyone is thinking. It’s starting to look like the beginning of the end for Nick Saban’s time at Alabama. He’ll go out on his own terms, surely, but for the first time since he’s been back in college Saban’s team resembles one of the joyless groups of pros he coached in Miami.

It’s like the players in college are finally being paid like professionals and suddenly Saban is the clumsy magician unable to fool the children. In the end, Saban’s retirement will be the price college football pays for finally allowing the players to make money.

Saban noted after that game that he was proud of the way his players competed. In an odd way, that notion seems somehow discouraging after the game I just watched.

Maybe I’m being too cynical. Hopefully that’s the case. Certainly, though, something needs to change before next week’s home game against Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss. We all know that Kiffin has been dreaming of knocking Saban off his throne ever since Saban fired Kiffin before the 2017 national championship game.

 

 

Coincidentally, the 2017 title game was at the same venue where Alabama struggled against South Florida. Here’s a suggestion to Alabama’s schedule makers. Make every attempt to avoid that place in the future. For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s a fun stadium with a pirate ship. For the Crimson Tide, Raymond James Stadium feels like cursed pirate treasure.

There will be questions about Alabama’s quarterback position going into the game against Ole Miss. From what we’ve seen, Jalen Milroe is clearly the best option going into conference play. At least Milroe moved the ball in the loss to Texas. Alabama’s offense against South Florida was nonexistent and quarterbacks Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson felt like they were one hit away from a serious injury. Why is Alabama’s offensive line performing so badly? It’s inexplicable.

 

 

How bad was Alabama’s offense against South Florida? Buchner and Simpson combined to throw for 107 yards. Keep in mind that South Florida’s defense allowed Florida A&M quarterback Jeremy Moussa to throw for 374 yards last week.

Saban’s decision to bench Milroe for Buchner made a lot of sense. Now was the time to see the other quarterbacks in action. Either Buchner was the answer, or he wasn’t. Saban pulled the cord on the parachute pretty quick.

 

 

Next up was former third-string quarterback Simpson. Why was Simpson the second choice this week? Saban said at halftime that “Ty was the guy who practiced the best as a backup quarterback.”

That comment suggests that Milroe was dogging it in practice after his uneven performance against Texas. If so, add that concerning problem to the growing pile of all the rest.

This is no national champion contender. At least that much is clear three weeks into the season. Alabama was supposed to be angry about what happened in 2022, but I don’t even know if this team is good enough to make a bowl game. Saban’s team started the season ranked No.4 in the AP Poll. It was all based on reputation. The Tide then dropped to No.10 after the loss to Texas. It should drop out of the Top 25 after the game against South Florida.

It was a win in name only. It was showing up to sacrifice a bull and instead catching a horn to the heart.

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

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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)

Media Personality, J J Jabulani and siblings to celebrate mummy at 90

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Nanakeme Precious Poweidou Begins European Journey with Bosnia’s Zvijezda Gradacac

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Nanakeme Precious Poweidou Begins European Journey with Bosnia’s Zvijezda Gradacac

Nanakeme Precious Poweidou Begins European Journey with Bosnia’s Zvijezda Gradacac

 

Rising Nigerian football talent Nanakeme Precious Poweidou has officially signed with Zvijezda Gradacac, a professional football club in Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking a significant step in what he calls “a journey, not a hundred-meter race.”

 

The promising player expressed his excitement and gratitude following the signing, saying, “It is not a hundred-meter race, but a journey… I’m looking forward to a great career by God’s grace.”

 

The move to Zvijezda Gradacac marks Poweidou’s first professional contract in Europe, a milestone that signals both the beginning of his international career and the realization of years of dedication, discipline, and hard work on the pitch.

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From Dumbbells to DMs: Nigerian Gyms Evolve into Social Hotspots

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The Gym Love Triangle: Fitness, Fashion, and Flirtation in Lagos

 

In the age of fitness influencers, athleisure fashion, and Instagram-worthy workouts, Nigeria’s gym culture is booming. But beneath the sculpted abs and protein shakes lies a more complicated narrative: the gym as a new social playground—and sometimes, a romantic battleground.

From Ikeja to Festac and down to the bustling gyms in Ajah, what was once a space solely for sweat and stamina has evolved into something of a social experiment.

“People are using gyms to hook up,” says Folarin Adekoya, a regular gym-goer in Ikeja. “Some women come in wearing provocative outfits, and it’s not just distracting—it raises questions about their intentions.”

While the body goals are still a priority for many, others are raising eyebrows—and smartphones—as selfies, flirtation, and full-blown relationships begin to rival reps and routines.

“I Came to Lift, Not to Love”

Jason Onwuka, who trains regularly in Festac, says he’s seen it all.

“You have people who are here more for the vibe than the workouts. They spend more time talking and laughing than lifting weights,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He admits, however, that as society grows more individualistic, gyms have emerged as safe, neutral grounds for forming new connections.

“People are lonely. The gym is now a space to find friends, romance, and a sense of belonging,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s on you to stay focused.”

“Indecent Dressing Could Get Girls Banned” – Teddy A Warns

The debate recently went viral when Teddy A, a former Big Brother Naija star, posted a video lamenting what he called “indecent dressing at the gym.”

“We don’t want them to start banning girls from gyms because of indecent dressing,” he said in a video that triggered a flurry of reactions online.

While some praised his candour, others blasted his remarks as misogynistic and controlling, igniting fresh debates over dress codes, freedom of expression, and the sexual politics of the gym floor.

Fitness Centre Managers Respond

A gym manager in Ajah, who requested anonymity, told NAN that they’ve had to lay down the law to maintain order and respect.

“We’ve introduced dress guidelines and behaviour protocols. Still, people come to mingle, and as long as no one’s workout is disrupted, we don’t interfere,” he said.

He admitted that while some gym-goers blur the lines, many—especially professional women—come solely for fitness.

“They wear functional gear. Not everyone’s here for attention,” he added.

A Culture in Transition

As Nigeria’s middle class expands and wellness trends grow, gyms are no longer just places to burn calories—they’re becoming microcosms of urban life, where health, identity, and social dynamics all intersect.

But the question remains: Are gyms still sacred spaces for self-improvement—or just another scene for subtle seduction?

For now, the battle between body goals and “boo goals” continues to play out between the dumbbells and the dance bikes, one rep—and one DM—at a time.

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