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Kano Declares Monday Public Holiday To Mourn 22 Athletes Killed In Auto Crash

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The Kano State Government has declared Monday, June 2, 2025, as a public holiday to mourn and sympathise with the families of 22 young athletes, coaches, and officials, who died in a ghastly auto crash while returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the media aide to Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano, announced the directive in a statement on Sunday.

On Saturday, 22 athletes who represented Kano at the just-concluded NSF died after their team’s bus was involved in an accident.

The vehicle the victims were in flipped off the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura LGA of the state. Several others were injured in the accident.

Yusuf, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for Hajj, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased athletes.

He assured that all necessary efforts are being made to support the victims and their families.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred to the brave Kano team members on their way back home along the Kano–Zaria expressway,” the governor said.

“It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief.”

The 22nd National Sports Festival was held in Ogun from May 18 to 30. Kano finished 13th on the medals table with 29 medals, including six gold.

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Just In: Nigerian Football Legend Henry Nwosu Passes Away At 62

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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.

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Full List Of Nominees For CAF Awards 2025 Unveiled

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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

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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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