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Ocheme’s Flying Knee Win Headlines PFL Africa Showpiece in Lagos
Nigeria’s Patrick “Star Boi” Ocheme produced one of the standout moments as Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa debuted in West Africa yesterday.
The Mixed Martial Arts showpiece delivered a night of finishes, submissions and tournament action in front of an energetic home crowd at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
Fight fans went ecstatic as Ocheme stopped Cameroon’s Octave Ayinda with a spectacular first-round flying knee knockout in their lightweight co-main event clash.
Speaking post fight, Ocheme stated that he needed a statement comeback after some challenging times he experienced last year.
“One thing I’ve always wanted was to get a flying knee knockout. And when I missed weight last year, what people didn’t know was that I’m a big guy. I’m a 90kg guy. And I had to cut 24kg and still didn’t make weight. So I knew my comeback needs to be loud, like very, very loud,” the South Africa based fighter stated.
In the main event of the evening, Spanish grappler Nacho Campos made a statement on the African soil after silencing the home crowd with a submission win via Rear Naked Choke over Nigeria’s Wasi Adeshinain in round 1.
The main event disappointment came after some key performances.for the host nation earlier on the card.
Raphael Uchegbu, first time in Nigeria, secured a disciplined unanimous decision victory over Mozambique’s Edson Machavane.
Elsewhere, Algeria’s Karim Henniene impressed with a quick submission win over South Africa’s Thimna Mhlauli, while Nigeria’s Cornel Thompson also progressed after a decision victory over Aureo Cruz of Angola.
One of the night’s most talked-about moments came when Brazil’s Elisandra Ferreira submitted Nigeria’s Juliet Ukah via armbar in a bout that sparked brief controversy after the Nigerian Policewoman disputed the tap, though the result was later upheld on review.
Cameroon’s Jordan Fongno also made headlines after ending Nigeria middleweight star Yahaya Yahuza’s winning streak with a second-round TKO, while Senegal’s Demba Seck and Jordan’s Hussain Al Kurdi both advanced in their respective tournament brackets.
The Lagos event marked a successful start to PFL Africa’s 2026 campaign, with the league set to continue in October this year in Casablanca, Morocco. -
Nigeria Champions Rangers Extend Coach Ilechukwu Contract
Fidelis Ilechukwu will continue as head coach of reigning Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL champions Rangers International.
The Super Eagles’ assistant coach signed a one year extension to his contract at Rangers until June 2027.
The announcement puts to rest all speculations about the coach’s future on the domestic scene.
Ilechukwu has won two league titles with Rangers Int’l in three years as head coach. -
Nigeria Women Football League Title Race Goes Down to Final Day
Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six reaches its climax tomorrow 14 June 2026 with season-defining Matchday 5 action in Portharcourt Rivers State.
After four rounds of captivating football, the race for the league title remains wide open.
Defending champions Edo Queens, Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons all still in contention for the 2025/26 season’s title heading into the final day action.
Edo Queens sit atop the standings with nine points, while Bayelsa Queens and Nasarawa Amazons are close behind on seven points each, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.
The headline fixture tomorrow at 2pm will see table toppers Edo Queens take on 2nd placed Bayelsa Queens in a high-stakes encounter at the Main Bowl of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
Also kicking off at 2pm, Nasarawa Amazons will face Rivers Angels at the Stadium’s Mini Pitch, hoping to secure maximum points while keeping a close eye on developments in the title-deciding showdown.
Earlier in the day, Abia Angels and Robo Queens will square off as both sides seek to conclude their Super Six campaigns on a positive note with improvement in their final standings.
Beyond the battle for the title, fans can also look forward to the crowning of the 2025/26 NWFL Premiership champions, and the presentation of medals.
Individual honours to be presented include the Player of the Season, Goalkeeper of the Season, Top Scorer Award and the Fair Play Award, adding further significance to what promises to be a memorable closing day.
With continental qualification spots, prestigious individual accolades and league glory all at stake, Matchday 5 promises to deliver a fitting finale to another remarkable season of elite women’s football.
*MATCHDAY 5 FIXTURES*
Abia Angels vs FC Robo Queens
🕚 11:00am
🏟️ Main Bowl, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium
Bayelsa Queens vs Edo Queens
🕑 2:00pm
🏟️ Main Bowl, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium
Nasarawa Amazons vs Rivers Angels
🕑 2:00pm
🏟️ Mini Pitch, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium -
Team Camaraderie Drives Nigerian Athletes at American Collegiate Circuit
Red-hot Nigerian quarter miler Samuel Ogazi has credited healthy relationship with his compatriot Kanyisola Ajayi for both athletes’ impressive performances yesterday in America.
The Alabama University star Ogazi clocked a world-leading 43.38 seconds to.wim the men’s 400M event of the National Collegiate Athletics Association NCAA Championship finals in Eugene Oregon USA.
Ajayi produced a breathtaking display to win the men’s 100m in a wind-assisted time of 9.72 seconds after earlier lowering the Nigerian record to 9.84 seconds.
The Nigerian sprint king whose race took place much earlier was there to celebrate with Ogazi after the 20 year old crossed the 400m finish line.
Speaking post race, Ogazi feels the camaraderie between him and Ajayi motivates both Nigerian athletes to perform at premium.
“Ajayi is like a brother to me. I always respect him. He’s like our motivator, me and Israel Okon. Whenever we do . something bad, he always calls us, talk to us, ‘Sammy be do this do that, be a good child, be a good boy, be a good child,” he’s just like a big bro to me.Whenever he does something good, I know am doing something good,” the fourth fastest 400m runner in history told Making Of Champions.
Having broken the longstanding national record held by Innocent Egbunike, last month, the Karuna born athlele admitted to drawing inspiration from the legendary ex athlete before stepping into the tracks in Oregon.
“I spoke to Innocent yesterday. He prayed for me. He’s a cool guy. He told me, “Sammy go do your thing’ and that’s what I did today. I know he would be proud where ever he is.”
The gold medal rush for Nigerian athletes at the NCAA finals started with rising star Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi whose throw of 82.26m earned him men’s Javelin’s title – the first Nigerian to do so.
Meanwhile the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has hailed the exceptional performances of Nigerian athletes at the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The Federation described their achievements as further evidence of the country’s growing strength in global athletics.
AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, said the performances were a source of pride for the country and a clear indication that the next generation of Nigerian athletes is ready to compete with the very best in the world.
“The results from Eugene are extremely encouraging for Nigerian athletics. Our athletes have demonstrated courage, discipline, consistency and world-class ability throughout the championships,” Okowa said.
“To see young Nigerians excelling at such a prestigious competition is gratifying. Their performances are proof that the future of our sport is in very capable hands.”
Okowa reserved special praise for Ajayi’s remarkable sprint victory, noting that the athlete came agonisingly close to rewriting African athletics history.
“A time of 9.72 seconds is extraordinary under any circumstance. Although the wind reading prevents it from being recognised as an official African record, it clearly shows the level Kanyinsola has attained. We believe it is only a matter of time before he achieves even greater milestones.”
The AFN President also commended Ogazi’s record-breaking run and applauded all Nigerian athletes who represented their schools with distinction during the championships.
“Samuel’s NCAA record and Israel’s podium finish are further proof of the quality of Nigerian talent currently emerging. These athletes are flying the Nigerian flag high and inspiring the next generation back home.
“As a federation, we remain committed to supporting and creating opportunities for our athletes to reach their full potential. What we are witnessing today is the reward for years of hard work, and we are confident that even greater achievements lie ahead.” -
Newly Promoted NPFL Clubs Heads for Orientation Workshop
The four newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, clubs will undertake a one-day orientation workshop ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The sides Sporting Lagos, Doma United, Ranchers Bees and Inter Lagos are expected to converge on Abuja on Friday 26 June 2026 for the workshop.
NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi said the session was designed to acquaint the teams with operations of the top-tier league.
“Management of the NPFL wishes to invite you to an interactive orientation and induction seminar, to enable us educate and enlighten you on the demands and operational requirements of the NPFL,” Owumi wrote in the letter to the clubs.
Each team is expected to send two officials not below the rank of Chairman and General Manager.
The NPFL said it will provide copies of the league’s frameworks and rules and take clubs through Club Licensing Regulations implementation.
Some of the topics to be treated during the workshop include financial health to meet contractual terms with personnel, infrastructure and administration.
The new NPFL season is expected to start later in the year after the FIFA World Cup 2026. -
Federal Character Commission Boss Highlights Democracy Day Values
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the 2026 Democracy Day.
She described June 12 as a defining moment in the nation’s democratic history and a reminder of the sacrifices made by patriots in the pursuit of democratic governance, justice and national development.
In her 2026 Democracy Day address, Hon. Omidiran said Democracy Day provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s democratic journey and recommit themselves to the values of unity, equity, fairness and inclusive governance, which remain essential pillars for building a stable and prosperous nation.
“Democracy can only flourish when citizens from every part of the country are given equal opportunities to participate in governance and contribute meaningfully to national development, regardless of ethnic, religious, gender or social backgrounds. Every Nigerian must have a sense of belonging and confidence that the nation’s institutions work for all,” she said.
“She Federal Character Principle remains a vital constitutional instrument for promoting national integration, social cohesion and a sense of belonging among all Nigerians, while ensuring that no section of the country is marginalized in the distribution of opportunities and representation in public institutions.”
The FCC Chairman further assured that the Commission remains committed to strengthening transparency, accountability and fairness in the implementation of its constitutional mandate, stressing that inclusive governance is critical to sustaining public confidence in democratic institutions and the Nigerian project.
Omidiran also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that its focus on economic reforms, institutional strengthening, social inclusion and national development aligns with the Commission’s vision of building a more equitable society where every Nigerian has a fair chance to succeed and contribute to national progress.
She called on public institutions, private organizations and citizens to support policies and programmes that advance national unity, equal opportunity and sustainable development, adding that the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda depends largely on collective commitment to fairness, justice and shared prosperity.
“As we celebrate Democracy Day, let us renew our faith in democracy and work together to build a nation where merit, equity and inclusiveness remain the foundation of governance. By embracing unity in diversity and supporting initiatives that promote national cohesion, we can achieve the aspirations of a stronger, more prosperous and globally competitive Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she stated. -
Rugby Africa Sevens Draw Pits Nigeria Against Favourites
Nigeria is expected to face a daunting task after drawing heavyweights in the 2026 Rugby Africa Sevens Championship in Cascavelle, Mauritius.
The country’s senior men’s national rugby squad will face African and world giants, South Africa, Zambia, hosts Mauritius and Senegal in the tournament that gets underway on 20 and 21 June 2026.
While diplomatic tensions between both countries continue to make headlines over xenophobic concerns, the focus in Mauritius will be firmly on rugby as the Stallions and the famed Blitzboks of South Africa settle matters on the pitch in a highly anticipated Pool A showdown.
The Stallions will be eager to prove their growing credentials against one of the most decorated and arguably the best sevens rugby nations in the world.
Elsewhere, Pool B features Ghana’s Eagles, Tunisia, Madagascar and Senegal who stepped in as replacements for Uganda.
This was following the East African nation’s withdrawal amid concerns over an Ebola outbreak.
Some members of the Ugandan delegation reportedly tested positive for the virus, although no players were infected.
Pool C promises its own fireworks, with Zimbabwe, Kenya, Morocco and Madagascar set to battle for supremacy in a group packed with quality and experience.
Nigeria arrive in Mauritius determined to improve on their seventh-place finish at the last edition.
The Stallions reached the quarter-finals before falling to Kenya and ended their campaign with two wins and four defeats, signing off on a positive note.
With a fresh challenge ahead and a heavyweight opener against South Africa looming, the Stallions have another chance to show that Nigerian rugby is steadily galloping toward the continent’s top table. -
Mixed Results Fail to Upgrade Eagles’ FIFA Ranking Position
Nigeria’s Super Eagles retained their 26th position in the latest men’s rankings released today by the Federation of International Football Associations, FIFA.
In the period under review, the three-time African champions defeated the Warriors of Zimbabwe 2-0 and recorded a 3-0 victory over the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica to defend their Unity Cup title in England.
Nigeria started the month 9of June with a 2-2 friendly draw away to Poland in Warsaw, before losing 1-2 to Portugal in another international tuneup in Lisbon yesterday.
The mixed results were not enough to lift Nigeria in the rankings, instead they maintained third position in Africa behind Atlas Lions of Morocco and Teranga Lions of Senegal.
Desert Foxes of Algeria and Pharaohs of Egypt complete the top five teams on the continent.
Globally, the top five remain unchanged, with world champions Argentina maintaining number one spot ahead of Spain, France, England, and Portugal.
The next FIFA World rankings will be released on Monday 20 July 2026. -
Nigeria Olympic Committee Takes Female Sports Medicine Seminar Down South
Nigerian female medics will converge on Benin City, Edo State for a sports medicine seminar holding from 21 to 24 June 2026.
The seminar organised by Nigeria Olympic Committee NOC with the support of Olympic Solidarity, brings together medical professionals from the South-South and Southeast regions of Nigeria to strengthen their capacity in female athlete health and sports medicine.
According to the President of the NOC Engr Habu Gumel, the seminar is aimed at improving knowledge and understanding of critical health issues affecting female athletes, particularly adolescent ones.
He explained that South-South and Southeast regions were deliberately targeted to ensure a wider geographical spread of the programme, with plans to extend similar initiatives to other regions of the country in the future.
The seminar would focus on enhancing participants’ understanding of the Female Athlete Triad and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), key conditions that affect the health, nutrition, growth, and performance of adolescent female athletes.
The Nigerian Olympic Committee reaffirmed its commitment to promoting athlete health and well-being through strategic education, capacity development, and collaborative programmes aimed at advancing sports medicine in Nigeria. -
Nigeria Assure on African Schools Games Hosting Capability
Facility inspection of Nigeria’s readiness to host Africa Schools Games 2027 rounds off today in Abuja.
The inspection is part of a three day working visit of ANOCA Africa Schools Games Coordination Commission to Nigeria from 9 to 11 June 2026.
The Commission members are expected to hold strategic meetings with the Local Organizing Committee and relevant stakeholders, as well as conduct inspections of the proposed competition and non-competition venues earmarked for the Abuja 2027 Africa Schools Games.
Speaking about the Games, the chairman National Sports Commission Mallam Shehu Dikko assured on Nigeria’s readiness to stage a memorable competition.
He gave the assurance yesterday when a delegation of the Africa Schools Games Coordination Commission interfaced with leadership of the NSC.
Mallam Dikko pointed out that hosting the Games aligned with the mandate handed to the NSC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
His words, “We are committed to hosting the best Games ever because it clearly aligns with the mandate by our dear President who has not hidden his desire to ensure the development of sports from the grassroots. This is the foundation of sports not just in Nigeria but in Africa, so we must get it right. Here in Nigeria, we are working hard to revive our school sports. I and the Minister of Education are working jointly in these regards as mandated by the President. So hosting this Games will boost that vision.”
He continued, “We are embarking on a massive infrastructure reset and such events will help us to showcase what we are putting in place. The President has mandated us to harness the potentials of the sports economy. Hosting these international events will help that cause.”
The NSC Chairman assured of the President’s personal backing for the Games.
“The headquarters of ANOCA is here in Abuja, so you are part and parcel of this country. It must also be noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is a patron of ANOCA. By the grace of God, he will be available to declare the Games open”, he concluded.
Earlier, Director-General of the NSC Hon. Bukola Olopade reiterated the Commission’s commitment to hosting an event that will never be forgotten on the continent.
He said, “We had never failed to host well in the past. Whether it is the FIFA U17, U20 or the 2003 All Africa Games, this country has always been a wonderful host. And this particular event will not be different. I was in Algiers when we approached ANOCA to host this Schools Games and the NSC Chairman gave the orders that we must bring the hosting right home. We are glad ANOCA obliged us.
“We are proud to partner with ANOCA and be rest assured that we will not fail. We have the expertise and infrastructure to deliver a landmark Games and once again we will put together something classy.”
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the ANOCA Coordination Commission João Da Costa Manuel thanked Nigeria for accepting to host the Games.
“Thank you for accepting to host this Games. We have not come to give orders because we know you have capable hands to deliver this project. It is only customary that the ANOCA Commission interfaces with the Local Organising Committee and offer our support,” he said.
He added, “The athletes are the core of the Olympic Movement because without them there will be no competition. That’s why we are happy that Nigeria has accepted to host this Games. The success of the Schools Games is important to us because it will help us to discover the future greats of Africa.”
The ANOCA Commission was led by its chairman João Da Costa Manuel from Sao Tome. Other members on the entourage are Gaby Ahrens Diana (Namibia), Ben Mensah Nunoo (Ghana), Jappie Mhango (Malawian Minister of Transportation), Pedro Celestino Godinho (Angola), Olajide Adebola (Nigeria) and Wedu Motswetla (ANOCA). Meanwhile three members Fardouza Moussa Egueh (Djibouti), Habu Ahmed Gumel (Nigeria), and Nah Boudina (Tunisia) sent their apologies for absence.
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