Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has excused grieving first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from the Super Eagles’ squad to confront the Amavubi of Rwanda in Monday’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo.

“He has been excused from the game.

However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his team mates on,” Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, told thenff.com.

The player announced via his social media handle on Friday that his father, Godspower Onyekam Abali, Chief Onyeogazrim 1 of Okwuzi, had passed on. The former chief surveyor was 67. Nwabali’s absence means the contest for the number one jersey in Monday’s encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium will be a straight one between Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Ethiopia-based Amas Obasogie.

The Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with Super Eagles’ number one goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who lost his father in the morning of Friday, 15th November 2024. The South Africa-based Nwabali announced the sad news on his Instagram page on Friday morning.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the demise of Stanley Nwabali’s father. Coming a day after the player featured in the match that won us the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ticket, it made for a day of low morale as we flew from Abidjan to Uyo.

“The death of a parent is always a thing of deep sorrow and sadness. However, we want Stanley to take heart in the fruitful and fulfilled life that his father lived, and we pray that the Almighty will grant him eternal rest, and also grant Stanley and other members of the family the fortitude to bear the big loss.”

Group winners Nigeria and final-day opponents Rwanda have both landed at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo ahead of Monday’s Matchday 6 clash in the concluding round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Deflated but not altogether supine, the Amavubi still have a mathematical chance of qualifying, though the supposition is not actually in their favour.

They missed a big opportunity to enhance their chances when losing at home to Libya’s Mediterranean Knights on Thursday, and can only make it to Morocco 2025 if they defeat Nigeria in Uyo and Libya are victorious against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in North Africa on Monday.

The Super Eagles, confirmed group winners, have nothing to chase other than national pride, and will play a more relaxed game against the visitors than the turgid contest with the Cheetahs at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday night.

Nigeria’s delegation flew from the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft, arriving at 3.50pm.

Rwanda’s delegation flew from Kigali to Lagos aboard a regular Rwandair flight, arriving at 1pm, before boarding an Ibom Air flight to Uyo. They landed in Uyo just before 5pm.

Uyo’s magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium is the venue, and a carnival atmosphere is expected as the Super Eagles celebrate for 90 minutes and afterwards with the AFCON ticket long in the bag.

Both countries battled to a scoreless draw in their first confrontation in Kigali in September, though the jury is still out on Ademola Lookman’s first-half headed goal that was inexplicably chalked off by the Moroccan referee.

Incidentally, another Moroccan will be in the role of referee on Monday. 44-year-old Samir Guezzaz takes the stage in the centre at the game that kicks off at 5pm.

Guezzaz alongside his compatriots Zakaria Brinsi (assistant 1), Abdessamad Abertoune (assistant 2) and Kech Chaf Mustapha (fourth official) are scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Saturday, same as Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana (commissioner) and Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia (referee assessor).    

.As Organizers urges 17 players to regularize their NSF licensing statu A record number of players have registered for the 5th edition of the Janet Adowei Memorial Scrabble Classics (JAMSC), which begins on Saturday at the Chevron Recreational Club, Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria.We gathered that 117 players drawn from 20 states of the Federation completed their registration online by midnight Wednesday the 13th of November.

A member of the Organizing Committee, Khaleel Adedeji told FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG that this is higher than the 72 participants during the 4th edition won by Ryan Jacob of Team Akwa Ibom.

However, 17 players who have registered are yet to complete their Nigeria Scrabble Federation NSF licensing formalities and regularize their player’s status and failure to do so may prevent them from competing at the Classics.

A good number of established and highly rated players who are yet to be cleared for the Classics and they include Olatunde Adigun, Ogun State strong man Olufemi Gbadebo, 2022 winner of the prestigious Lekki Scrabble Classics, James Ewruje and a player some Gambia dread, Abiola Oyinloye.❌OLATUNDE ADIGUN❌OLUFEMI GBADEBO❌ABIOLA OYINLOYE❌JAMES EWRUJE❌ITUAH IYASELE❌JULIUS ADEYEMI❌OSUNTOPE MICHAEL❌ISIDORE EMOAVWOYAN❌JAMES ETENG❌ABDULSALAM BAYO❌OMIDIRE CHARLES❌JANET IWUAGWU❌OWOLABI SAHEED❌ESANGBEDO AKHERE❌ONYEBUCHI OKECHUKWU❌FRANCIS AWONAYA❌ABDULAZIZ OTHMANWe can authoritative tell you that this edition of Janet Adowei Memorial Scrabble Classics (JAMSC), has a very rich and strong cast of scrabble show boys and girls.

The roaster is led by current African Champion Oluwatimilehin Doko, former African champion Enoch Nwali, the Classics’ defending champion Ryan Jacob and serial winner John Aiyedun.

2023 South West Closed winner Cyril Umebiye, National Sports Festival medallist and a member of Team Nigeria to major outings Emmanuel Umujose is in the mix, alongside African Games gold medallist Adebisi Adekansi and the 2024 All Nigeria Amazons Scrabble Championship Queen Bukunmi Afolayan.

Two members of Team Nigeria to the African Games in Accra, Ghana, Abdulmumin Jimoh and Tega Okiemuta who were also in Kigali, Rwanda with George Ezinore who came second are other heavyweight wordsmith in attendance along with Samuel Adebola, hard man Babatunde Adeagbo as well as Babajide Alagbada the winner of the Intermediate event in Lekki.

It noteworthy to mention that player with the highest number of wins in a single National Open Championship Segun Durojaye is another confirmed actor this weekend with the 2016 NSF Green Jacket winner Dipo Akanbi.

It’s interesting to mention that Segun Durojaye last big win on the board this year came at the Pyramid Scrabble Mega Retreat that has the signature on Dipo Akanbi the captain of Nigeria’s current club champion.

Adeyemi Adeosun, Dokun Esan, Musa Lateef, Kareem Jamiu, Joseph Okere, Hassan Wasiu, Anthony Odok, Segun Adegbenro, Sunday Oshodi and Tunde Sapuru are plotting a coup d’etat for the super heavyweight including the defending champion Ryan Jacob.

The Classics in its 5th year is in three Divisions:✓ Masters✓ Intermediate ✓ OpensThe cut-off rating point is 1,400 and above for Masters, 1,100-1,399 points for Intermediate while it is 0-1,099 rating points for the Opens Division.

It’s an 18 rounds of games competition rated by Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) and will run for two days, games start by 10am daily with the 2021 Collins Scrabble Dictionary as the reference material.750,000 Naira is the top prize money for the Masters category and lots of spot prizes will be up for grab at the Classics that is supported by Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Mind Games Incorporated and Lekki Scrabble Club.Over 3.5 million naira will be shared as prize money.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Thursday presented the proposed 2025 budget of N936 billion to the State House of Assembly for deliberation and approval.

The Governor arrived at the Assembly complex around 10 a.m. to a warm reception from enthusiastic staff who sang and danced to welcome him.

The vibrant atmosphere underscored the significance of the event, which marks a pivotal step in the state’s governance and development planning.

While unveiling the budget, aptly titled the “Budget of Fiscal Consolidation,” Governor Oborevwori highlighted its focus on human capital development and infrastructure expansion.

He emphasized that the proposed budget reflects his administration’s commitment to building a sustainable future for the people of Delta State.

A breakdown of the budget reveals significant allocations to key sectors:Road Infrastructure: N230 billion, the largest allocation, aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic growth.

Education: N67.42 billion to enhance the quality of learning and access to educational facilities.

Health: N30.55 billion to strengthen healthcare delivery and infrastructure.Water Resources: N11.03 billion to ensure access to clean water for communities.

Agriculture: N7 billion to support farmers and boost food production.

Governor Oborevwori urged the Assembly to give the appropriation bill speedy consideration, emphasizing the importance of these investments in driving economic development and improving the quality of life for residents of Delta State.

The budget presentation signals the administration’s focus on fiscal responsibility and prioritizing sectors that directly impact the well-being of the people.

Afrobeat superstar Davido has made headlines once again, this time with a bold move into the sports industry.

The celebrated artist has acquired a new football club, named 30BG FC, which is set to compete in the 2024 Lagos Liga.

This exciting development was announced in a viral post shared by the Lagos Liga X account on Wednesday evening, sparking widespread conversation across social media platforms.

The announcement read: “THE WAIT IS OVER! Introducing 30BG Sports Club to Lagos Liga 2024.

The 001 has landed. Davido, a globally acclaimed singer, transcends music and entertainment, impacting culture, politics, and more.“Opponents, beware! Davido’s arrival makes the competition riskier.

But will 30BG FC emerge victorious?”Known for his chart-topping hits and global influence, Davido’s venture into sports ownership adds another dimension to his multifaceted career.

While he has always been a cultural icon in music, this move demonstrates his commitment to extending his influence into new arenas, including sports and community development.

The 30BG FC project is expected to not only boost the Lagos Liga’s profile but also create opportunities for young talents in the local football scene.

This announcement comes hot on the heels of another celebrity acquisition in Nigerian football.

Just two weeks ago, Tacha, a prominent Big Brother Naija reality star, made a similar splash by purchasing her football club.

The trend of Nigerian celebrities investing in sports is becoming increasingly popular, with music heavyweights Burna Boy and Don Jazzy also owning football clubs.

This wave of investments underscores the growing appeal of football as a business venture and a platform for societal impact.Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how 30BG FC will perform under Davido’s ownership.

His reputation for excellence in the music industry has raised expectations, with many predicting that the club will adopt a competitive and innovative approach in the league.

The Lagos Liga, known for its vibrant matches and passionate fan base, will undoubtedly benefit from the heightened visibility that Davido’s involvement brings.

For Davido, this is more than just a business move; it’s a statement of intent.

The “Omo Baba Olowo” hitmaker has consistently used his platform to champion Nigerian culture and empower the youth.

His foray into football is yet another example of his dedication to inspiring change and fostering growth in various sectors.

As Lagos Liga 2024 approaches, all eyes will be on 30BG FC. Will the club live up to the hype and establish itself as a formidable force? One thing is certain: Davido’s presence will add excitement and intrigue to the league.