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Ghana fan arrested for attacking coach Chris Hughton after defeat

A Ghana fan has reportedly been ‘arrested for attacking’ the national side’s manager Chris Hughton at the team’s hotel, following the four-time champions suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Cape Verde on Sunday in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.

The Black Stars would suffer heartache in the second minute of injury time after a defensive mix-up would see Cape Verde’s Garry Rodrigues slide the ball past Richard Ofori in goal to seal the victory.

Videos have also emerged online showing fans inside the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidijan venting their frustrations at the result while gesticulating in anger.

And after the game, journalist Saddick Adams claimed that a supporter had attacked Hughton, but was saved by Ghanaian diplomats.

‘One member of the Ghanaian supporters in Abidjan has been arrested for an attack on coach Chris Hughton at the team’s hotel,’ he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

‘It took the intervention of some Ghanaian diplomats who were around to save the coach. The unidentified man has been handed to the Ivorian Police.’

Other reports, however, have claimed that there was no arrest made, with the fan directing foul language towards Hughton. Journalist Muftawu Nabila Abdulai said on X: ‘[I’m] told supporter was angry and used foul words on Chris Hughton and security took him away, but he’s not been arrested. In fact, there was no contact with the coach.’

Hughton took over as Ghana boss back in March 2023 after spending a year working as the side’s technical coach.

The former Tottenham, West Ham and Brentford defender has spent time managing at several clubs around the Premier League, notably leaving his position as Nottingham Forest boss back in 2021.

Following the match, Hughton said: ‘We are incredibly hugely disappointed with the result. We came into the game with a game plan to start on the front foot.

‘We came into the game with a game plan. We changed the system a bit so we can start on the front foot.

‘We thought the team that were put out was certainly a more offensive team. This was our intention.

‘I think it rocked us the goal that we conceded but I thought we got back into the game.

‘At that stage it looked like we could go on and win it. We are hugely, hugely disappointed with our result.

‘And I know and this group of players also know how the Ghanaian people see this game, see this tournament and our expectations going into this one.

 

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Rugby Makes Progress In Enugu As State’s Association Set For Inauguration

Rugby In Enugu
The Enugu State Government is set to make a bold statement in youth sports development with the inauguration of a Rugby Association, marking another step towards empowering young athletes and expanding the footprint of rugby in Nigeria.
In a significant move, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Enugu State, Barr. Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr., a seasoned barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, has accepted the role of Patron of Rugby in Nigeria, underscoring his commitment to youth engagement through sports.
During a strategic meeting with a delegation from the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF)—comprising General Manager Azeez Ladipo, Chief Operating Officer Babatunde Adeluola, and General Secretary Chinedu Osuoha—the Commissioner pledged full support for the growth of rugby in the state.
“I am honored to be chosen as a patron of rugby in Nigeria,” Ekweremadu stated. “I assure you that the Enugu Rugby Association will be inaugurated to drive the game’s development across the state. As for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), we will assess what is required and explore the possibility of hosting it.”
Speaking on behalf of the NRFF, General Manager Azeez Ladipo emphasized the federation’s commitment to providing the necessary support to ensure the smooth establishment and operations of the association.
“We will offer technical assistance, workforce training, and grassroots development programs to introduce rugby in schools, communities, and universities across Enugu State,” Ladipo said.
The delegation proceeded to inspect various facilities across the city, and according to the General Manager of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), “The facilities are simply outstanding. With what we’ve seen on ground, nothing is stopping rugby in Enugu.”
With this initiative, Enugu joins a growing list of states investing in rugby, reflecting a broader movement toward diversifying Nigeria’s sports landscape and creating more opportunities for youth participation. Further deliberations will continue on the state’s potential role in hosting the federation’s next AGM.
This marks a new chapter for rugby in Enugu, and stakeholders are optimistic about its impact on youth empowerment, talent discovery, and the overall growth of the sport in Nigeria.

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How Corruption Stalled My Guinness World Record Fight in the Past 19 Years – Bash Ali

African Boxing Ambassador, Nigerian Bashiru Lawrence Ali, OON, has made a clarion call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in order for the country to see the dream of staging the Guinness World Boxing Championship during his tenure in office.
Ali, who is fondly called Bash Ali by his teeming admirers believes that the situation has gone to the level that a presidential intervention from a good man like Tinubu can make the dream come to reality, especially with the way official corruption has allegedly hindered the organisation of the epic world boxing fight in Nigeria over the years.
“Sir, for almost 19 years the FGN has failed me. The FGN has extorted millions from me. The FGN has blackmailed me. The FGN has scammed me and despite several juicy offers to fight outside of Nigeria I still refused to give up on my country, Nigeria. I want to fight in my country, Nigeria so help me, please,” the World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight champion lamented in a letter he wrote to the president on Wednesday, 2 April 2025.
Bash Ali wrote: “Corruption has killed millions of Nigerians and has left most confused and frustrated. If someone had told me that after almost two years into your administration my Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight would still be stalled, despite my several meetings and discussions with you on the subject matter, I would have punched the person in the mouth.
“For almost 19 years, to make this historic event a reality in Nigeria, the FGN has on three occasions, November 9, 2006, January 7, 2014, and May 21, 2019 inaugurated the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee with the three arms of government, legislative (Senate and House of Representatives committee chairmen on sports), executive (office of the chief of staff to Mr. President) and the judiciary (office of the Attorney General of the Federation) as members. The private sector will provide the funds while the FGN will provide an enabling environment for a successful show, but corruption has stalled it.”
The African Boxing Ambassador went on to inform President Tinubu that “it is imperative to inform you that the FGN is not putting up a KOBO but to provide an enabling environment and in the process earn the glory, honour and money from hosting this historic event.
“My President Sir, after the FGN has collected $12m and extorted millions of Naira from me in the disguise of putting in place the promotional structures, the FGN has stalled the process of hosting this historic fight because I say NO to further extortion,” he said.
Bash Ali told Tinubu that out of frustration and to get justice, “I had to go to court, and the matter is again coming up on April 7, 2025. I did not leave my comfort zone in Oakland, California, United States of America to fight the FGN in a court of law but to fight in a boxing ring to bring honour, glory and financial growth to FGN but I am in court because I have no choice.
“Sir, the people who extorted millions of Naira from me on behalf of the FGN and those who were not successful are still in your cabinet and have sworn that this historic fight will not see the light of the day unless I cooperate with corruption.”
The ageless pugilist pleaded with Tinubu to intervene by “asking that the court case against the FGN be settled out of court. I am respectfully asking for the immediate re-inauguration of the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee and that all the unnecessary obstacles caused by corruption by the FGN should be removed so this historic fight can hold in our great country, Nigeria.”
Bash Ali did not end his letter to the president without revealing the immediate benefits of staging the Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight in Nigeria. He said: “All Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fights have been held in the United States of America so mine would be the first outside and the most lucrative in the history of Pay Per View Television Revenue, sales of souvenirs, sponsorship, advertisement etc. No fewer than 132 countries are coming to Nigeria to be part of the Boxing History and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has written to the World Boxing Body to guarantee in Nigeria the safety of their members and that the Ministry of Youth & Sports, now the National Sports Commission (NSC) will follow up to ensure timely payment of their Approval Fee which is domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria by the private sector.

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Nigeria Set to Host African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship – NVBF President

 

The President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has expressed confidence in the country’s readiness to host the African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, scheduled to take place from April 1 to 14 in Abuja.

Speaking during an inspection of facilities, Nimrod commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the main sponsor of the championship, for their unwavering support.

“With the help of the Nigeria Customs Service, who are the main sponsors, we want to say thank you very much. They are doing a very good job, and we appreciate them,” he said.

The Nigeria Customs Service, as the sole sponsor of the event, is determined to deliver a world-class tournament, with its volleyball team aiming to surpass their fourth-place finish in 2021 and make history by winning on home soil.

Nimrod assured that Nigeria Customs’ women’s volleyball team is in top form ahead of the competition, having embarked on a West African tour in preparation.

“I know they are in full preparation. They are on a West African tour, and I know they would do their best. We are well prepared. It is left for the players now, but I know that everything required for them has been provided by the Nigeria Customs Service,” he stated.

He also called on volleyball enthusiasts across the country to come to Abuja and support the tournament.

“The opening ceremony is taking place on the 3rd, and the closing ceremony on the 13th. I want to request all Nigerians, particularly volleyball enthusiasts and players, to come to Abuja,” he urged.

The African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship will bring together top teams from across the continent, further strengthening Nigeria’s position in international volleyball.

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