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AFCON 2023: Super Eagles clear favourites to condemn South Africa ‘Boys’ to third place match

With their defence having been breached only once after five matches in this tournament, and considering their vast superiority in the record of previous encounters, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have the favourite tag going into Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against South Africa in Bouake.

Wednesday’s game will be the 15th clash between both countries at full international level. Nigeria have won seven of the previous 14 matches, with five of those matches drawn and two won by South Africa.

Apart from having to deal with the incredible energy, effervescence and pace of Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, another major problem that the Bafana Bafana will be up against early, in-game and at the latter stages is the intractability of wing-terrors Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.

Lookman, with three goals in the tournament so far (all coming in the knockout rounds), plus assisting Osimhen to score the equalizer against Equatorial Guinea, and Simon (with two assists) can be fleeting and entirely unpredictable for any defence, with both switching wings at will.

A stingy rearguard, marshalled by on-field captain William Ekong, has been able to provide all the answers to a number of tricky questions by the opposition in their last four matches, and looks as solid as the Berlin Wall at the height of its glory.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who plays his club football in South Africa, and who was thrown into the forefront as number one at this competition despite only one previous cap, said he would have a sweet day stopping all efforts by the Bafana Bafana and then seeing them shunted to the third-place match.

“I know them and they know me. It will be an interesting evening in Bouake.”

Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi and Olaoluwa Aina are the other pegs in that rearguard, and the attack-minded Aina offers even more problems for the 1996 champions.

Ranked 42nd in the world and 12th in Africa (as against South Africa’s global ranking of 66th and 12th in the world), the Super Eagles are unbeaten in 10 competitive matches over the past 10 months, and even achieved a rare win in a friendly game when they edged Mozambique in Portugal in October 2023.

As far as the Africa Cup of Nations go, Nigeria is aiming for a fourth star on its crest, while the Bafana (Boys) are only aiming for a second triumph, following their win on home soil 28 years ago. Even that win has always been downplayed by Nigerians as it happened in the absence of Cup holders Nigeria, who were stopped from travelling to the Rainbow Nation by military strongman Sani Abacha following a spat with President Nelson Mandela over the execution of environmental rights activist Ken Saro Wiwa and some others in November 1995.

The first meeting between both countries was on 10th October 1992, when Richard Owubokiri opened the floodgates of goals in a 4-0 win for Nigeria at the National Stadium, Lagos. Rashidi Yekini scored a brace. It was a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. The return leg at the FBN Stadium in Johannesburg ended scoreless.

Nigeria spanked South Africa 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 2000 AFCON they co-hosted with Ghana, with Tijani Babangida scoring both goals, and four years later, an Eagles’ team wounded by Morocco in its first match descended heavily on the Bafana, beating the latter 4-0 in a group phase match in Monastir, Tunisia.

Four years ago, in the AFCON quarter-finals, the Eagles edged the Bafana 2-1 in Cairo, with the goals scored by Samuel Chukwueze and William Ekong. Both players will be in Bouake with Ekong to lead the squad on the field and Chukwueze likely to play some part in the proceedings.

NIGERIA, SOUTH AFRICA IN HISTORY

10 Oct 1992: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0 (1994 WCq, Lagos)

16 Jan 1993: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 (1994 WCq, Johannesburg)

10 Feb 2000: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 (AFCON semi-final, Lagos)

31 Jan 2004: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0 (AFCON finals, Monastir, Tunisia)

17 Nov 2004: South Africa 2 Nigeria 1 (International Friendly, Durban)

1 June 2008: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 (2010 FIFA WCq, Abuja)

6 Sept 2008: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1 (2010 FIFA WCq, Port Elizabeth)

14 Aug 2013: South Africa 0 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly, Johannesburg)

10 Sept 2014: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 (2015 AFCON qualifier, Johannesburg)

19 Nov 2014: Nigeria 2 South Africa 2 (2015 AFCON qualifier, Uyo)

29 Mar 2015: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 (International Friendly, Durban)

10 June 2017: Nigeria 0 South Africa 2 (2019 AFCON qualifier, Uyo)

17 Nov 2018: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 (2019 AFCON qualifier, Johannesburg)

10 July 2019: Nigeria 2 South Africa 1 (2019 AFCON q-final, Cairo)

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IOC Urges Global Leaders To Prioritise Sport

On the occasion of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), the global governing body of Olympism delivered a strong call to action from the United Nations headquarters in New York, “We need sport more than ever”.

On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) convened in New York City for a high-level event held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, encouraging governments, policymakers and global leaders to formally integrate physical activity as a vital element in public policies geared towards sustainable development. With eyes fixed on the upcoming World Summit for Social Development, scheduled for November 2025 in Doha, Qatar, the IOC used the platform to position sport as a powerful, yet often overlooked, driver of progress.

The gathering, titled ‘Advancing Social Inclusion Through Sport: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development,’ was co-organised by the Permanent Missions of Qatar and Monaco to the UN, in partnership with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). It brought together diplomats, athletes and institutional representatives to explore the role of sport in tackling systemic inequalities and furthering the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Delivering the keynote speech was Colombian journalist and diplomat Luis Alberto Moreno, IOC Member and Permanent Observer to the UN, who made a compelling case for sport as a tool for advancing social cohesion. “Sport alone cannot create development or peace. That is our shared responsibility,” he said. “However, sport can catalyse and support social development and inspire peace.”

Moreno put forward a firm appeal, asking decision-makers to ensure that sport has “a rightful place in the debates of the World Summit for Social Development,” particularly now, when, as he emphasised, it is needed “more than ever.” His message was direct and urgent: sport must not remain a peripheral concern in the architecture of development policy. “We cannot afford to overlook the role of sport in shaping the future of social progress,” he stressed. “If we truly want to build inclusive societies, sport must be a central pillar of our strategies, not an afterthought.”

The day-long reception highlighted a shift in policy thinking across multiple countries, where governments have begun to hierarchise sport-based projects as instruments of social cohesion. At the Sport for Sustainable Development Summit held ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, world leaders and sport sector stakeholders signed pledges to increase investment in sport as a vehicle for sustainable development. Later, at the Finance in Common Summit (FiCS) in Cape Town in February, leading development finance institutions committed to helping governments leverage sport for national progress.

Still, as the South American IOC member pointed out, sport’s full potential in the social sphere remains underused, according to the IOC’s statement. Nevertheless, change is within reach. “There are more opportunities than ever for governments to embrace sport as a low-cost, high-impact tool that can benefit everyone,” Moreno explained.

One of the most resonant parts of Moreno’s address was his reflection on sport’s ability to unify—particularly relevant in a world facing rising tensions and polarisation, from geopolitical unrest to economic protectionism, including the current tariff paradigm initiated by US President Donald Trump. Against this backdrop, the 71-year-old businessman held up the Olympic Games as a living example of peaceful coexistence. “Athletes from the 206 National Olympic Committees, and from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, competed fiercely against one another, yet lived peacefully together in the Olympic Village. That is not only an inspiring story, it is a lesson for all of us,” he added.

The Paris 2024 Games, he noted, were also a landmark for equality and sustainability. “It was the first Games with full gender parity on the field of play, demonstrating that equality in sport is not just an aspiration, but an achievable reality. Moreover, the event set “new standards for future global competitions and their legacies” through its sustainable and socially responsible practices.

In his remarks, Moreno, also a former Colombian Minister of Economic Development, invoked the UN’s historical embrace of sport as a tool for transformation. He recalled the Political Declaration adopted at the first World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995, which already recognised sport as a key facilitator for inclusion and growth.

That same vision now drives the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy, launched under the Olympic Agenda 2020+5 reform framework. The initiative aims to embed Olympic values into everyday life, far beyond the Games, by promoting access to sport, advancing health and wellbeing, and reinforcing the social fabric within communities worldwide. Currently, Olympism365 reaches tens of millions of people through 550 programmes and socially impactful initiatives across 176 countries. Through close collaboration with institutional and community partners, the IOC is working to ensure that sport contributes meaningfully to the building of more inclusive, healthier, and more resilient societies

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

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.