Sports
S’Africa Puts Confidence On Chiefs’ Defence
South Africa coach Gordon Igesund has included the entire defence of new league champions Kaizer Chiefs in his squad for two key World Cup qualifiers.
Chiefs back four of full-backs Siboniso Gaxa and Tshepo Masilela and centre-backs Eric Mathoho and Tefo Mashamaite are all in the 25-man group.
Bafana Bafana face Central African Republic in Yaounde on 8 June and and Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on 16 June.
Igesund’s side trails Group A leaders Ethiopia by two points.
Ethiopia has seven points, South Africa five, Central African Republic three and Botswana one and only the group winners advance to the final elimination stage.
As well as the Chiefs backline, Igesund has picked the club’s goalkeeper and captain Itumeleng Khune, midfielders Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Siphiwe Tshabalala and striker Bernard Parker.
Chiefs clinched a first Premiership title in eight seasons this week after a 1-1 home draw against SuperSport United.
Orlando Pirates, winners of the previous two titles and potential runners-up this season, are the second biggest contributors to the squad with five players selected.
Goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa and midfielders Daine Klate, Oupa Manyisa, Thandani Ntshumayelo and Tlou Segolela are the Buccaneers to get the nod.
There are 20 home-based footballers in the squad plus two each from England and Sweden and one from Belgium.
Injuries ruled out several stars, including Chiefs centre-back Morgan Gould and Pirates full-back Thabo Matlaba, whose wonder goal set up a 2-0 home win over Central African Republic.
“The players selected are highly technical and ready for the challenge – they know what is at stake and I am confident we will pull through,” Igesund told reporters in Soweto.
“Having beaten the Central African Republic convincingly in Cape Town, we want to continue with our attacking style.
“We need at least a draw to stay in the race before meeting and, hopefully, beating Ethiopia the following weekend.”
Violence in Central African Republic capital Bangui after President Francois Bozize was toppled last March led world football’s governing body Fifa to move the fixture to Cameroon.
“Reports I got say the pitch in Yaounde is excellent,” Igesund said of the artificial surface at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo.
“However, we understand the national stadium pitch in Addis Ababa may be very bumpy.”
South Africa will play a friendly against neighbours Lesotho in Maseru on 1 June before flying to Yaounde.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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