Sports

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

Published

7 months ago

June 2, 2025

Editor

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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Sports

Full List Of Nominees For CAF Awards 2025 Unveiled

Published

3 months ago

October 17, 2025

Editor

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

Sports

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

Published

5 months ago

August 19, 2025

Editor

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.