*Promises Victory For Team Lagos At 2025 NSF Zonal Elimination 

The newly redeployed Secretary of the Lagos State Football Association (FA), Mr. Yusuf Akolade Lawal, has vowed to lead Team Lagos to victory in the 2025 National Sports Festival Zonal Elimination, building on his past successes in boxing. His new designation is part of the strategic redeployment exercise initiated by the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) aimed at strengthening leadership and expertise across different sporting disciplines in the state.

Yusuf brings a proven track record of success to his new role. His redeployment comes after a successful tenure as the Secretary of the Lagos State Boxing Association, where he played a pivotal role in Team Lagos’ historic four-gold-medal haul at the 2024 National Youth Games. His leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in nurturing and developing young boxing talents, culminating in the donation of a multimillion-naira boxing gym by Yucateco Boxing Promotions to the Lagos State Sports Commission. This facility will serve as a hub for training and developing future boxing champions.

Speaking on his new role, Yusuf expressed confidence in Team Lagos’ ability to excel at the Zonal Eliminations, particularly in football, where the team aims to secure qualification for the 22nd National Sports Festival, scheduled for May 16–30, 2025.

“I am honoured to serve as the Secretary of the Lagos State Football Association and will bring the same winning approach that delivered an unprecedented four gold medals for Team Lagos in boxing at the National Youth Games 2024 to football. Team Lagos is not just going there to participate; we are competing to win at the National Sports Festival. Our athletes are well-prepared, and with the support we are getting from the Lagos State Sports Commission and other sports stakeholders, we will make Lagos proud and ensure the state remains a dominant force in Nigerian sports,” Yusuf stated.

Yusuf’s emergence as the new Lagos FA Secretary came on the back of the recent internal redeployment exercise at the Lagos State Sports Commission, which took place on February 10, 2025, and saw 55 Sports Officers reassigned across various sporting disciplines, many of whom had served as secretaries for 5 to 10 years in a single sport. This initiative, backed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aligns with the Lagos. State Government THEMES+ development framework and LSSC’s broader vision of expanding knowledge, promoting adaptability, and developing multi-disciplinary expertise among its workforce.

The Lagos State Sports Commission, under the leadership of Director General Mr. Lekan Fatodu, has put comprehensive measures in place to ensure Team Lagos dominates at the Zonal Eliminations. From intensive training camps to top-notch welfare and strategic logistical support, the Commission is committed to providing everything needed for success.

Speaking on Yusuf’s reassignment and Team Lagos’ preparations, Mr. Fatodu reaffirmed his confidence in Yusuf’s capabilities and the team’s readiness:

“Yusuf Lawal has proven himself as a dedicated and results-driven sports officer. His transition to football is part of the Commission’s development-oriented effort to replicate success across multiple disciplines. We have left no stone unturned in preparing Team Lagos for the 2025 National Sports Festival, from top-tier training camps to technical support, premium welfare, and the full backing of the sports-loving Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, our athletes are primed for success.”

The 2025 National Sports Festival Zonal Eliminations will take place simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones from February 23 to 28, 2025. In the South-West zone, Lagos will compete against Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti across eight team sports, including football, basketball, hockey, cricket, handball, volleyball, abula, and beach volleyball.

Aston Villa held Liverpool to an entertaining 2-2 draw as the Reds stretched their lead to eight points clear at the top, but missed the chance to go 10 clear of Arsenal.

The visitors took the lead when a dreadful error from Andres Garcia, on his first Villa start, allowed Diogo Jota to square for Mohamed Salah to fire home, before Villa dragged themselves level when Youri Tielemans fired in after Liverpool failed to clear.

Ollie Watkins then put Villa ahead as he headed home Lucas Digne’s cross before the break, after which Jota struck the crossbar from range.

Trent Alexander-Arnold then fired Liverpool level with a deflected effort, before Reds substitute Darwin Nunez missed a glorious chance after being found by Dominik Szoboszlai. Villa sub Donyell Malen then almost won it with the final kick. Here are the game’s main talking points.

According to reports, former footballer Quaham Babatunde was fatally stabbed in Dublin, Ireland, sometime in the early hours of Saturday morning (February 15).

The 34-year-old was caught up in an altercation in South Anne Street, with a row at a music event spilling out into the streets. The former footballer had previously been arrested in 2018 in Italy, on suspicion of raping a 22-year-old woman.

The charge resulted in his remand in custody, ending what had been a promising football career, which had included stints at Monselice and Reggiana Primavera.

Then a subsequent arrest in 2019 for brawling – and being found to be an illegal immigrant – meant Babatunde was deported.

To date, three people have been arrested in connection with his death, with two already appearing in court. Rory Carr, of Ard na Greine in Seapoint Lane, Balbriggan, has been charged with assault causing harm and engaging in violent disorder.

Jeffrey Bangu, 21 of Cardy Rock Crescent, Balbriggan, was charged with assault causing harm, violent disorder and a further charge of brandishing a knife during the altercation. They have both been remanded in custody ahead of court dates on February 26 and February 25 respectively.

According to the Police Service for Northern Ireland, a third man was arrested in Belfast and is currently being held in custody.