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I may be done after AFCON -Osimhen

Victor Osimhen won the Serie A title with Napoli last season and ended 2023 by being named African Footballer of the Year, but the striker reckons lifting the Cup of Nations with Nigeria might just top the lot.

While the Super Eagles are preparing to face hosts Ivory Coast in their second group game at this edition of the AFCON on Thursday in Abidjan, Osimhen said, “It would be one of the best moments of my life.

“I have done that with Napoli, I have made history, but no matter what I do, no matter how many goals I have scored, to be able to win the AFCON, I would go a long way in my life but probably when I do that I am done,” he admitted.

“I am really looking forward to winning something with the Super Eagles.”

Osimhen is, naturally, the focus of most attention around the Nigerian squad after his exploits with Napoli, scoring 26 goals last season to lead them to their first Scudetto since 1990.

The eyes of Africa’s most populous country, home to over 220 million people, are on him, but he insists he can handle the pressure.

“I have aimed high all my life while growing up, and this pressure comes naturally. I am the kind of person who doesn’t fold under pressure,” he said while speaking at the Nigerian team hotel overlooking Abidjan’s Cocody Bay.

“As the pressure comes I take it into my head to try to give my best and do well for myself.

“So far so good, I have been doing well for my club and country, which I feel like is the most important thing,” said Osimhen, who pipped Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah to the African player prize.

“To win the African Player of the Year is just the dream of every young African player. For me to have won it shows the kind of things I have put in, the hard work, the sweat, the tears.

“For me, it is really a dream come true,” he added, appearing relaxed having just finished another interview with Togo’s 2008 African footballer of the year, Emmanuel Adebayor.

The lithe forward spearheads a Super Eagles side packed full of attacking talent and the aim for Osimhen is to lead them to their first AFCON crown since 2013.

Doing that would allow him to take his place alongside Nigerian greats such as Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, the latter part of the team that won the 1994 Cup of Nations.

“I used to speak with Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha. I think I owe a lot of my success to them because they have been sort of an inspiration to me while growing up,” said Osimhen, who announced himself as the top scorer at the Under-17 World Cup in 2015.

“To be up there in the same category as them — not that I am better than them in terms of football, but in terms of what I have achieved — I think is huge for me.”

Osimhen is fresh from signing a new contract at Napoli, where he insists he is happy and has “a good relationship” with President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

His previous AFCON experiences have been frustrating, as he hardly featured when Nigeria –- with Odion Ighalo leading the attack — finished third in 2019 and then missed the 2022 edition altogether.

“In 2019 when I came, Ighalo was there. He is a big brother to me, so it was important for me to go through this learning process from him, to get this experience,” Osimhen said.

“I was supposed to be there in Cameroon, but of course, I had my facial injury.

“Now I am here. It is a dream come true for me. I don’t want to put myself in the centre but of course, a lot of people say this. I think I am more of a team player.

“I think we have the quality to make sure we have a very good tournament that we can be proud of.”

Osimhen scored as Nigeria was held by Equatorial Guinea in their opening Group A game, a result that increased the pressure before facing the hosts.

“The first game was really disappointing,” he said.

“Going forward we need to make sure we get it right in the next game, which is against a tougher opponent.”

AFP

 

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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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SWAN partners Nigeria Customs Ahead of Historic African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship

African Women's Club Volleyball Championship

 

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has pledged full media support for the upcoming African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, set to take place in Abuja from April 1-14, 2025.

In a courtesy visit led by SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, discussions centered on fostering a productive working relationship to amplify the championship’s impact and promote volleyball’s growth in Nigeria.

The NCS volleyball team, Nigeria’s sole representative, is eager to improve on its fourth-place finish in 2021 and aims to leverage home advantage to make history as both hosts and potential champions.

The Nigeria Customs Service, as the sole sponsor of the event, has committed significant resources to ensure a world-class tournament, making it the first-ever African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship hosted in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the SWAN President, Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo praised the Customs Service for taking the bold step to bring Africa’s top club volleyball tournament to Nigeria.

“This is a historic moment for Nigerian sports. Hosting an event of this magnitude is a testament to the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to sports development. As the sporting media, we are proud to partner with Customs to ensure this championship gets the visibility it deserves, both locally and internationally,” Okonkwo stated.

FCT SWAN Chairman, Kelechi Onwudiwe, assured that the sporting press in the capital city would fully mobilise to give the event maximum coverage, working together with the SWAN National leadership.

“We are committed to delivering a viral championship, one that will showcase the passion and dedication of the Nigeria Customs Service and its Comptroller General. This partnership goes beyond the championship; it is a foundation for a stronger relationship between Customs and the sporting media,” Onwudiwe emphasised.

Responding, NCS Comptroller General CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR) welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the vital role of the media in making the championship a success.

“We are not just hosting this championship; we are aiming to make history. With SWAN as a strategic media partner, we are confident that this event will leave a lasting impact. Beyond volleyball, we look forward to a sustained working relationship with the sporting media for the promotion of various sports under Customs,” the CG said.

With this landmark collaboration, SWAN and the Nigeria Customs Service are set to make the 2025 African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship a defining moment for Nigerian sports.

The SWAN delegation also included FCT SWAN Vice Chairman Victor Okoye, FCT SWAN Secretary Samuel Ahmadu, and FCT SWAN Welfare Officer Joan Iwuchukwu.

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