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Bwalya Pays Tribute To Keshi

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African football legend
Kalusha Bwalya has paid homage to the late Stephen Keshi who suddenly passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The former Nigeria captain and coach passed away after suffering reported cardiac arrest in Benin City, he was 54-years-old at the time of his untimely death.
‘Big Boss’ as he was affectionately known, was a much-loved figure not only in Nigeria, but across the African continent.
Speaking in an  interview with  our South African source, Bwalya revealed that he was shocked by the sudden passing of his ‘good brother’.
“I’m very saddened and shocked at my good brother Stephen Keshi’s passing,” Bwalya told PowerSport on Wednesday morning.
“When the news came out this [Wednesday] morning, I couldn’t believe it and I had to confirm to make sure. It was something sudden and just a few days ago I was talking about Stephen Keshi. What a true gentleman he was for what he achieved as player and coach.
“He was a funny guy and a leader but didn’t impose himself on people but people who spoke to him walked away thinking ‘I have spoken to a real man’. Stephen was a big man of Africa and the world so my sincere condolences to his family.
“He was a family man and they moved to San Francisco I think in 1994 and in my time when I went to play in Mexico for Club America, often we would go play in the United States and Keshi would come to LA and visit me. He was a family man who was very proud of his [late] wife and kids,” Bwalya continued.
Both Bwalya and Keshi played their club football in Belgium in the mid to late 1980’s with the former Chipolopolo captain plying his trade at Cercle Brugge. Keshi played for Lokeren and Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League. The duo played a major part in paving the way for future generations to follow in their footsteps from Africa to Europe.
“Stephen and I come from the same generation and we were pioneers of African players going to Belgium. When Keshi started in Lokeren I was at Brugge and that was in 1986 and there weren’t too many African players there,” Bwalya added.
“A lot of people know him as the coach of the Super Eagles and what he achieved in 1994 when Nigeria beat Zambia in Tunisia because he was the captain.
“He came back again to win the AFCON as a coach with the Super Eagles but Stephen Keshi was a great player and he played for their national team when he was young and went to Europe.”
‘King Kalu’ fondly recalled clashes between the two African greats on foreign soil.
“It was the clash of the titans, but he was an astute football player, solid as a rock and was an imposing figure on the pitch but very soft off it,” Bwalya added.
“On the pitch, he was something else and he didn’t make too many fouls, he was very clean. He used his strength well and was good in the air, he was quick, he could move the ball in what you call a build-up from the back and this is important to remember.”
Keshi is one of only two people to have won the African up of Nations as a player and as a coach. Having captained the Super Eagles to Afcon glory in 1994, Keshi led the country  to the 2013 Afcon title in South Africa.

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Amusan places third in Diamond League opener

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World record holder Tobi Amusan finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles as the 2026 Diamond League season opened in Shanghai on Saturday, Tidesports source reports.

The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.

Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.

Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.

Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.

The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.

Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.

Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.

Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.

“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”

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Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face Senegal in a double-header international friendly during the June FIFA women’s international window as the African champions step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Tidesports source reports. 

The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.

The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.

“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.

“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”

The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.

With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.

The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.

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Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye

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The organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have announced the appointment of Dr Adebukola Bojuwoye as the head of the medical unit for the 11th edition of the prestigious event, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.

As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.

His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.

In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.

It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.

Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.

Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.

We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.

Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.

It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.

The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.

The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.

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