Sports
Anthony Joshua Releases Statement Ahead Of Title Fight With Oleksandr Usyk Tomorrow
Anthony Joshua has weighed in 19lbs heavier than Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their heavyweight bout tomorrow night, September 25.
The British-Nigerian boxer came in at 240lbs for the defence of his WBO, IBF and WBO straps, the same weight he carried for his fight against Kubrat Pulev in December.
Usyk, the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion, weighed in at a career high 221.25lbs.
That is an increase on the 199.5lbs from his debut at heavyweight and the 217lbs for his triumph over Derek Chisora.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Watford-born titan hinted at what his game-plan may entail, and plans to outmuscle Usyk.
‘I can out-box him, of course I can,’ Joshua said. ‘And I can out-strength him.
‘You have to have a bit of aggression, boxing skill, head movement. There is not just one factor that determines a fight.
‘Obviously we have our go-to, our strength. I will use my strengths.
‘But it’s called a boxing match for a reason. I love the sweet science. I will display my boxing skills, but I won’t make it too complicated in there.’
He also insisted that he will attempt to knockout the Ukrainian in the fight.
‘You always aim to prepare for a 12-round fight but hope to cut it short – you aim to knock people out,’ Joshua added.
‘You learn where their strengths are, where their weaknesses are. He has good stamina. So we work around, not just losing weight, but rounds of sparring and rounds on the heavy bag to generate good stamina.
‘We build boxing memory in our muscles so they don’t get fatigued when they are exploding on the opponent’s body and face.’
The fight will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 25 September.
Nigerian football legend and former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu (MON) has died at the age of 62.
Nwosu’s former teammate, Segun Odegbami, announced this on his social media page on Saturday.
Nwosu was part of the team that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Nigeria in Lagos.
“Henry Nwosu passes on!
“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 am this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu, MON. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven,” Odegbami wrote.
Nwosu, who was the youngest member of the 1980 AFCON squad, was widely celebrated for his role in Nigeria’s triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations, where the national team, then known as ‘Green Eagles’, secured the first continental title on home soil.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the complete list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards, set to take place later this year.
The CAF aawards celebrates outstanding performances and achievements across African football, recognising excellence among players, coaches, clubs, and national teams in both the men’s and women’s categories.
This year’s shortlist features a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents who have made remarkable contributions to African football over the past season.
Nigerian players such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Esther Okoronkwo headline the women’s nominations, while Nigerian clubs and coaches also appear in various categories — reflecting the country’s continued influence in African football.
Below is the full list of nominees in the women’s categories for the CAF Awards 2025:
CAF Awards: Women’s Player of the Year
- Portia Boakye
- Tabitha Chawinga
- Temwa Chawinga
- Ghizlane Chebbak
- Mama Diop
- Rasheedat Ajibade
- Esther Okoronkwo
- Sanaa Mssoudy
- Barba Banda
- Racheal Kundananji
Women’s Club of the Year
- Gaborone United
- ASEC Mimosas
- TP Mazembe
- USFAS Bamako
- ASFAR
- DE Agosto
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- Bayelsa Queens FC
- Aigles De La Medina
- JKT Queens
Women’s National Team of the Year
- Cameroon U17
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast U17
- Mali
- Morocco
- Nigeria U17
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Zambia U17
Women’s Young Player of the Year
- Habiba Essam
- Habiba Sabry
- Stella Nyamekye
- Doha El Madani
- Winfrida Gerald
- Ester Maseke Marwa
- Adji Ndiaye
- Shakirat Moshood
- Mercy Chipasula
- Ruth Mukoma
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Chloe N’Gazi
- Sedilame Boseja
- Fideline Ngoy
- Habiba Emad
- Chiamaka Nnadozie
- Khadija Er-Rmichi
- Fatoumata Karentao
- Cynthia Konlan
- Adji Ndiaye
- Andile Dlamini
Coach of the Year (Women)
- Adelaide Koudougnon
- Siaka Gigi Traore
- Lamia Boumehdi
- Genoveva Anonman
- Justine Madugu
- Bankole Olowookere
- Jorge Vilda
- Kim Bjorkegren
- Desiree Ellis
- Carol Kanyemba
Nigerian-born Beninese international Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39, though the cause of death has not yet been revealed.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday, August 19, by his former Swedish club, Helsingborgs IF.
In a post on X (Formerly Twitter), the club wrote: “Helsingborgs IF is in mourning.
“We have been informed that our former player Razak Omotoyossi has passed away at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Omotoyossi, who switched nationality to represent Benin after starting his career in the Nigerian league, became one of the country’s most celebrated footballers.
He scored 21 goals in 55 international appearances, placing him among Benin’s all-time top scorers.
He is fondly remembered for his performance during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where he netted all four goals in Benin’s 4-1 victory over Togo and finished as joint top scorer of the campaign alongside Samuel Eto’o.
He also made history as the first player to score for Benin at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
At club level, Omotoyossi had a career spanning Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with stints in South Africa, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Moldova, Sweden, and France.
He particularly excelled at Helsingborgs IF in Sweden, where he featured in the UEFA Champions League before moving to French side FC Metz.
Gumi Defends Dialogue As Sole Solution To Nigeria’s Insecurity
Court Clears Senator Ireti Kingibe To Remain Active In ADC
COAS Shaibu Hits Jos To Restore Peace, Public Confidence
President Tinubu Appoints New PTDF Executive, Reappoints TCN Head
Simi Welcomes Second Child With Adekunle Gold
United Nigeria Airlines Staff Suspended After Viral Amputee Abuse Video
Pay Your Fare: AIG Cracks Down On Officers Boarding For Free
INEC Removes David Mark, Aregbesola From ADC Leadership Portal
JUST IN: FG Approves Friday 3, Monday 6, as Easter Public Holidays
When 8 million Customers Trust You, Safety Cannot Be an Afterthought
-
News2 days agoWhen 8 million Customers Trust You, Safety Cannot Be an Afterthought
-
News1 day agoUnited Nigeria Airlines Staff Suspended After Viral Amputee Abuse Video
-
News2 days agoJUST IN: FG Approves Friday 3, Monday 6, as Easter Public Holidays
-
News2 days agoPay Your Fare: AIG Cracks Down On Officers Boarding For Free
-
News2 days agoINEC Removes David Mark, Aregbesola From ADC Leadership Portal
-
News22 hours agoCOAS Shaibu Hits Jos To Restore Peace, Public Confidence
-
News23 hours agoPresident Tinubu Appoints New PTDF Executive, Reappoints TCN Head
-
Entertainment1 day agoSimi Welcomes Second Child With Adekunle Gold