Sports
U-20 AFCON: Nigeria beat Mozambique, advance to quarterfinals

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria beat Mozambique 2-0 on Saturday to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigerian under-20 male side scored two sumptuous goals in the first-half through Samson Lawal and Ibrahim Muhammad to secure second place in Group A.
The seven-time champions of the competition thus moved to six points while Senegal topped the group with nine points following their 4-0 thumping of hosts Egypt in Cairo.
The Nigerians dominated possession at Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia and it came as no surprise when they sealed the comfortable victory at full-time.
Muhammad tested the Mozambican goalkeeper with a speculative shot from distance after five minutes to demonstrate the intentions of the Flying Eagles.
Kimiss Zavala was well positioned to gather the effort as the Young Os Mambas weathered the early Flying Eagles’ pressure.
READ ALSO:
- 2023 Presidency: Tinubu ahead in Southwest, Northwest, North-Central, Obi Southeast
- 2023 presidential poll: Tinubu sweeps nine LGAs in Ekiti
- JUST IN: Obi defeats Atiku with over 2,500 votes in Adamawa ward
They continued to pile pressure on Mozambique with Haliru Sarki and Muhammad providing width to the Nigerian attack.
The Nigerians created half-chances through Sarki whose half-volley came off a Mozambican defender after 20 minutes.
Zavala also pulled a smart one-handed save to deny Ayuba Abubakarr from giving the Flying Eagles the lead.
Also, the lively Muhammad played in Abubakarr who controlled the ball with his back to goal before firing straight at Zavala who made himself big.
Nigeria broke the deadlock through Lawal after 32 minutes with a stupendous strike from distance to beat the helpless Zavala.
The forward latched on to a quick interchange of passes between full-back Augustine Njoku and Sarki before beating Zavala with a powerful strike.
The Flying Eagles doubled their lead four minutes before half-time through Muhammad’s sumptuous strike from outside the area.
Muhammad Aminu cut in from the left to release the Cartagena FC striker who had a touch to set himself up before beating Zavala to make it 2-0.
The second half was an even contest with Mozambique playing on the break while Nigeria rang changes to give playing time to other members of the squad.
Substitute Jude Sunday saw his ferocious effort turned over by the busy Zavala 10 minutes into the second half.
Another Nigerian substitute, Olamilekan Adams, forced a save from Zavala as Ladan Bosso’s charges pushed more men forward.
The Young Os Mambas’ only real opportunity came late on through substitute Jose Rabelina Zavala close range effort.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Flying Eagles join Senegal in the quarter-finals of the competition, while Egypt and Mozambique crash out.
Sports
Juventus to sign Osimhen with player-plus-cash offer

Juventus to sign Osimhen with player-plus-cash offer
Juventus are preparing to offer a player-plus-cash deal to sign Nigerian international sensation Victor Osimhen from Napoli in the summer.
The Bianconeri have identified Osimhen as a key target for their offensive overhaul, and they are willing to include defender Federico Gatti in the deal to entice their Serie A rivals to negotiate.
According to Tuttosport, Juventus is aware of the complexities of the transaction, given Napoli’s reluctance to sell such a prominent player to a direct competitor.
Osimhen was instrumental in Napoli’s Scudetto-winning campaign in 2023, scoring 26 goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award as the club broke a 33-year jinx.
The Old Lady’s strategy includes capitalising on Napoli coach Antonio Conte’s fondness for Federico Gatti, hoping the centre-back will satisfy the Partenopei’s defensive issues while also enabling their pursuit of the Nigerian striker.
This move comes as Juventus prepares to unload Dusan Vlahovic and renegotiate Randal Kolo Muani’s loan with Paris Saint-Germain in order to extend his time at the Allianz Stadium beyond the summer.
READ ALSO:
- Police inspector kills one, injures two, holds colleagues hostage in Calabar
- Fresh explosion rocks gas facility in Rivers
- Presidency blasts Jonathan, Soyinka over comments on emergency rule in Rivers
Osimhen, who is presently on loan at Galatasaray, has been in top form this season, netting 20 goals in 22 league games for the Turkish giants.
Osimhen, a 26-year-old striker, broke Segun Odegbami’s 44-year-old Nigerian goalscoring record during a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Kigali.
Odegbami, Nigeria’s second-highest goal scorer since 1981, expressed delight at seeing his record broken.
“Osimhen has finally overtaken me, and I think that is good because the record has been hanging on for a very long time. I am very happy for him, and I want to say good luck to him,” Odegbami stated.
“He is still young, and he has a long way to go.”
The striker is currently second only to the late Rashidi Yekini on Nigeria’s all-time scoring list, with 37 goals.
Since making his Super Eagles debut in June 2017, Osimhen has established himself as the team’s talisman, with significant performances in AFCON qualifiers, where he scored two hat tricks in 2023.
Juventus to sign Osimhen with player-plus-cash offer
Sports
Boxing heavyweight champion, George Foreman, dies at 76

Boxing heavyweight champion, George Foreman, dies at 76
Two-time world heavyweight boxing champion and successful entrepreneur George Foreman has passed away at the age of 76.
His family announced that he died peacefully on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
“With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr, who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones,” his family said in a statement posted on the boxer’s official Instagram page.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers and kindly ask for privacy as we honour the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own.”
Born in 1949 in Houston, Texas, Foreman overcame a challenging upbringing, finding direction through the Job Corps programme, where he discovered boxing.
“At 13 years old, George was about 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and the terrorist in the neighbourhood,” his younger brother Roy told the BBC in 2024.
READ ALSO:
- Tinubu as yesterday’s rebel and today’s tyrant, By Farooq Kperogi
- Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities
- BREAKING: IGP redeploys 38 police commissioners
“And when you’re bigger and stronger and think you’re better than everyone else, you take things.”
Foreman’s athletic ability was shown when he won a gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
At 19, he crushed his way to the super-heavyweight title, brandishing an American flag in the ring just days after Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ historic Black Power salute.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and known as ‘Big George’, he was a formidable presence in the heavyweight division.
His destructive power and quickness propelled him fast up the professional ranks. In 1973, he won the heavyweight belt by destroying Joe Frazier in two rounds.
By October 1974, when Foreman defended his title against Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), he had a perfect 40-0 record.
Ali’s ‘rope-a-dope’ tactic wore him down, and tired, Foreman gave up in the eighth round.
Foreman’s impact on boxing and beyond is permanent.
A two-time heavyweight champion, an Olympic gold medallist, a preacher, an entrepreneur, and a devoted family man, his life was one of success, atonement, and reinvention.
Boxing heavyweight champion, George Foreman, dies at 76
Sports
Odegbami speaks on Osimhen breaking his 44-year goals record

Odegbami speaks on Osimhen breaking his 44-year goals record
Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami has expressed delight after Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen surpassed his long-standing goal record for the national team.
Osimhen scored his 24th and 25th goals for Nigeria during Friday’s 2-0 victory over Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Kigali, moving him to second place on Nigeria’s all-time scorers list behind only the late Rashidi Yekini, who holds the record with 37 goals.
“Osimhen has finally overtaken me and I think that is good because the record has been hanging on for a very long time. I am very happy for him and I want to say good luck to him,” Odegbami said .
“He is still young and he has a long way to go.”
Odegbami, who retired from international football in 1981, had held the position of Nigeria’s second-highest goal scorer for 44 years before Osimhen’s breakthrough.
READ ALSO:
- Akpabio denies giving $15,000 bribe to senators to support Rivers emergency rule
- PDP crisis over secretary lingers despite Supreme Court ruling
- 12 suspects arrested over Kaduna mosque attack
The legendary winger, nicknamed ‘Mathematical’ for his precision crosses and intelligent play, scored 23 goals in 47 appearances for Nigeria between 1976 and 1981.
The Galatasaray striker, who is enjoying remarkable form this season with 20 goals and four assists in 20 Super Lig games, connected with Ademola Lookman’s free kick at the far post to score the opener against Rwanda on Friday.
Prior to this match, Osimhen had equalled Odegbami’s record last November during Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in a 2025 AFCON qualifying game in Abidjan, heading home in the 81st minute for his 23rd goal in 38 appearances.
The 26-year-old forward now needs 12 more goals to equal Yekini’s record of 37 goals, which has stood since the striker’s last game for Nigeria in 1998.
Odegbami, who was a key member of Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad, scoring in the final against Algeria, also praised the team’s overall performance against Rwanda.
“I am really impressed with the Eagles performance in Kigali and that is their most convincing win in 10 years,” he added.
Osimhen, who made his Super Eagles debut in June 2017 in a 2-0 defeat against South Africa, has become the team’s talisman, including notable performances in AFCON qualifiers where he scored two hat-tricks in 2023.
Odegbami speaks on Osimhen breaking his 44-year goals record
-
metro2 days ago
‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts
-
metro1 day ago
Natasha: Court blocks recall attempt, stops INEC
-
Sports2 days ago
Odegbami speaks on Osimhen breaking his 44-year goals record
-
metro3 days ago
More trouble brews in Rivers as Ijaw congress considers self-determination option
-
Entertainment1 day ago
I didn’t snatch Asake’s mother from her husband -Musibau Alani
-
Sports2 days ago
2026 WCQ: Super Eagles move up to third place with 2-0 win in Rwanda
-
metro1 day ago
Boko Haram attacks military base in Adamawa
-
metro1 day ago
Oluwo accuses Ooni of plotting to dethrone him