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NBA play-offs: Golden State Warriors beat Dallas Mavericks to reach Finals for sixth time in eight years

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4 years ago

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The Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-110 on Thursday to seal their return to the NBA Finals.

After missing out the past two years, the Warriors clinched a 4-1 win in the Western Conference finals as Klay Thompson scored a game-high 32 points.

They are the first team to reach the Finals six times in eight years since the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.

“This one is special because no-one thought this group would be back here,” said the Warriors’ Draymond Green.

“After being counted out, [people saying] ‘dynasty is over’, to get back is fantastic.”

Golden State will face either the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat from 2 June, with Boston having the chance to clinch the Eastern Conference finals at home on Friday.

The Warriors won the NBA title in 2015, 2017 and 2018, beating the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers each time, but lost the 2016 and 2019 finals and missed out on the play-offs while rebuilding their roster in the past two seasons.

The Michael Jordan-led Bulls won six NBA titles from 1991-1998, and Golden State coach Steve Kerr played in the last three of those wins.

“To be in the finals six times in eight years, it just takes an enormous amount of skill and determination and work,” he said.

“To get back again is special for all of us. It’s so difficult to get to the finals. It’s exhausting, stressful, emotional.”

‘It’ll be much sweeter if we complete the mission’

The Warriors have not lost a home play-off game this season, their first post-season run at San Francisco’s Chase Centre, which opened in 2019.

Luka Doncic scored 28 points for Dallas, who used a 15-0 run late in the third quarter to give themselves a chance after falling 25 points down.

But Golden State closed the third period with a 94-84 lead before starting the last with consecutive scores from Andrew Wiggins and Green.

Wiggins finished with 18 points and Green 17 while Stephen Curry, named the most valuable player for the Western Conference play-offs, added 15 and nine assists.

“This is a blessing for us to get back here, to get back where we belong,” said 34-year-old Curry, who is a two-time NBA MVP.

“It’s special to do it in our new building. This isn’t the ultimate goal but we’ve got to celebrate this for all we went through the past three years.”

Three-time winner Thompson, who missed 2019-20 after knee surgery and 2020-21 with a torn Achilles tendon, said: “I dreamt about this every day. I’m elated, but I’m still hungry. It’ll be much sweeter if we complete the mission next round.”

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Full List Of Nominees For CAF Awards 2025 Unveiled

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3 months ago

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October 17, 2025

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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
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Nigerian-Born Benin Republic Footballer, Razak Omotoyossi Dies At 39

Published

5 months ago

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August 19, 2025

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Super Falcons Arrive Abuja After WAFCON Victory, Set For Trophy Parade

Published

6 months ago

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July 28, 2025

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The Super Falcons of Nigeria have arrived Abuja following their successful outing at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, JomogNews reports.

Players and officials of the team arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday afternoon.

They will hold a trophy parade along popular districts in the Federal Capital Territory.

The contingent is expected to move through Airport Road, Berger Junction, Maitama and Wuse Market.

The Super Falcons will be hosted by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa later in the day.

Nigeria won a record-extending 10th WAFCON title on Saturday night following a dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco.

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