Sports
Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn Confirm Rematch Against Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua, the former heavyweight boxing champion who was dethroned over 12 rounds by Oleksandr Usyk in Saturday night’s fight, wants an immediate rematch.
Joshua, who remained upbeat despite the surprise defeat, was frank about his take on the loss and ready to get his titles back.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn has confirmed the British boxer’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua was outboxed and dethroned by Usyk at the Tottenham Stadium on Saturday night.
AJ could not withstand Usyk’s speed, movement and accuracy and the Ukrainian is now the new heavyweight champion.
Although the Nigerian-born boxer recorded some moments of success throughout the fight, they weren’t enough to give him victory.
The bell saved AJ from being knocked out as Usyk ultimately outclassed Joshua and had him out on his feet in the final round.
The Ukrainian boxer recorded 117-112, 116-112, 115-113 against Joshua to emerge a two-division king of the world.
Hearn told Sky sport that AJ has vowed to win the rematch which will certainly be his next fight: “I spoke to him [Joshua].
“It was a tough fight, gruelling fight, he’s not quite talking the way you’d expect him to talk at the moment.
“Devastated. Already talking about training again. They want to look at the eye socket, he says it’s fine.
“That was always the danger of the fight – you overthink the fight, you try and be too technical, you don’t use your attributes and you don’t make your mark early enough in the fight.
“AJ’s desire is still there.
“The fighter in AJ is already talking about, ‘I’ll win the rematch, I’ll win the rematch.’
“It was a tough defeat. Usyk was the deserved winner and he’s got to make changes in the rematch.
“He will want to go straight back into that rematch, he will be the underdog in the rematch this time after that tonight, but that’s what he does.
“He chose tonight to take on a pound-for-pound great. It didn’t work out, but he should get credit for that.
“He was beaten by the better man and congratulations to Oleksandr Usyk.”
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.
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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