Sports
Aruna’s Early Exit Shocks Spectators
Spectators were left stunned on the opening day of the Liebherr 2016 Men’s World Cup on Saturday as Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna suffered an early elimination from his qualifying group.
Aruna lost out to Gao Ning of Singapore in the seven ends to make it two defeats from two matches for the Nigerian at the table tennis tournament in Saarbrucken, Germany.
Victory was required to keep him in with a chance of making the Round of 16 and he made a positive start to the match by moving 2-0 in front.
Then, game three changed the complexion of the duel as Gao edged to a 16-14 win.
He added another two game wins to his name to turn the match on its head with a 3-2 lead in his favour, for momentum to be firmly in Gao’s court.
Although Aruna did manage to level the scores at three games apiece, it was the Singapore player who stood victorious (5-11, 6-11, 16-14, 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 13-11).
After his exit was confirmed Aruna spoke about how the significant difference in high level competition experience proved to be the determining factor in the match.
“I gave my best, but I made a lot of mistakes during crucial stages. I think he is more experienced and that really worked for him.
“I was also unlucky to have missed many chances.”
Aruna continued to praise Gao’s approach to the tie by saying “I knew that it was going to be 50-50 against him because he is a top player.
“He was also calmer during match and I can conclude that his experience saved him. I hope to do better next time.”
Tidesports reports that the one remaining tie in group 4 saw Gao take on Pär Gerell of Sweden to settle the dispute for top spot.
Gerell appears to be in good form at the World Cup after he backed up his morning win over Aruna with an emphatic triumph against Gao (11-2, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6).
England and Chelsea legend John Terry has expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, admitting that the Super Eagles will be sorely missed as the tournament started yesterday Tidesports source reports.
Eric Chelle’s side finished second in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers behind South Africa, who secured one of the automatic qualification spots for the tournament.
The Super Eagles kept their hopes alive by defeating Gabon in the playoff semi-finals but saw their dreams shattered after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in the decisive playoff final.
The defeat condemned Nigeria to a second successive absence from the World Cup, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The Nigeria Football Federation later challenged DR Congo’s qualification, alleging the use of ineligible players during the campaign. However, the appeal was dismissed, ending any hopes of a late reprieve.
Nigeria will be a big miss. This is a World Cup for participants who haven’t had the opportunity to play in the tournament. I would have loved to see a top team like Nigeria there because they’ve got some great individuals. They’re a great nation. So, yeah, they fall under that category for me.
“I think they are a big miss because Nigeria probably would have gone further in the competition, but unfortunately, one side’s loss is another’s gain.
“I know Mikel Obi is very upset that they’re not there. It means he can’t do more commentating on the World Cup. That’s why he was upset.”
The 2026 World Cup officially begins with co-hosts Mexico.
The historic clash, set to take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca, rekindles memories of the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which ended 1-1. South Africa took the lead through Siphiwe Tshabalala’s stunning strike before Rafael Márquez salvaged a draw for Mexico with a 79th-minute equaliser.
Nigeria’s 2027 African School Games hosting journey entered its next gear yesterday, with a collaborative meeting between the ANOCA African School Games Coordination Commission and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Games, led by its chairman, Lekan Abari.
The session, held at the ANOCA Secretariat in Abuja, marked the first major technical review since Nigeria was awarded the hosting rights in 2025.
Abari delivered a detailed 46-slide hosting overview that covered governance, venues, logistics and legacy plans. He outlined the structure of the LOC and its subcommittees, each tasked with specific aspects of the Games’ delivery.
The presentation mapped out key competition and non-competition venues across Abuja.
In the presentation, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium is designated as the main stadium for ceremonies, athletics and other sports events, while Transcorp Hilton Abuja will be utilised for accommodation of officials and stakeholders.
Abari said that the Jabi Lake is the proposed venue for canoeing events, while the Games Village and University of Abuja will serve as the athletes’ camp and accommodation.
He also announced the proposed dates for the Games as August 22 to September 4, 2027, while explaining that the 14-day window was selected after weighing factors including Nigeria’s political calendar, weather patterns, and the global school calendar to maximise athlete and spectator turnout.
ANOCA African School Games Coordination Commission Chairman, Joao Da Costa Manuel, said after reviewing the presentation: “I am satisfied with the level of preparation, which the Local Organising Committee is putting in place.”
He urged the LOC to maintain close monitoring of all preparations to ensure Abuja delivers successful Games that set the standard for future editions.
The African School Games is ANOCA’s flagship youth event, first held in Algeria in 2025 with over 30 African nations. Abuja 2027 will be the second edition and another chapter in Nigeria’s continuous success stories of hosting continental multi-sport Games.
Over 3,000 student-athletes aged between 14 and 16 are expected to feature across over 20 sports.
The ANOCA Coordination Commission will continue its working visit today with on-site inspections of the proposed venues.
The team will assess the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package A and B, Jabi Lake, accommodation facilities, and the University of Abuja campus.
Nigeria is set to welcome elite beach volleyball athletes from eight West African countries as the nation hosts the 2026 African Nations Cup Beach Volleyball Zone 3 Qualifiers for Men and Women from July 3 to July 7 in Badagry, Lagos State.
The championship, sanctioned by the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), will bring together top beach volleyball players from Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Niger Republic, and Liberia in what promises to be a highly competitive regional tournament.
Chairman of the Media Committee of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Godspower Odedede, disclosed this in Asaba, Delta State, noting that the event underscores Nigeria’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for major volleyball competitions on the continent.
According to Odedede, the championship is expected to showcase the best of West African beach volleyball while promoting sportsmanship, regional integration, and excellence among participating nations.
He said Badagry, renowned for its scenic coastline and rich cultural heritage, offers an ideal setting for the tournament and is expected to provide athletes, officials, and spectators with a memorable sporting and cultural experience.
The championship will serve as a platform for participating nations to display their talents while competing for continental qualification opportunities. It will also contribute significantly to the growth and development of beach volleyball in the Zone 3 region through increased exposure, healthy competition, and collaboration among member countries,” he stated.
Odedede added that Nigeria’s hosting of the event reflects the commitment of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation to the advancement of beach volleyball both within the country and across Africa.
The federation, under the leadership of its President, Musa Nimrod, an engineer, has continued to pursue initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for athletes to excel on the continental and global stage while strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading force in African volleyball.
He said the tournament will not only enhance competitive standards in the region but also boost sports tourism and foster stronger ties among participating countries.
The NVBF assured that further details regarding match schedules, team arrivals, accreditation procedures, and other related activities will be released in the coming weeks.
The federation has also called on volleyball enthusiasts, corporate organizations, sports administrators, media practitioners, and the general public to support the championship as Nigeria prepares to once again host a major continental sporting event.
The 2026 African Nations Cup Beach Volleyball Zone 3 Qualifiers is expected to serve as a significant milestone in the development of beach volleyball in West Africa and further cement Nigeria’s status as a key player in the growth of the sport across the continent.
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