Sports
Tragedy Overshadows Madagascar’s Draw With Senegal …2018 AFCON Qualifiers
The death of a fan over shadowed Madagascar’s 2-2 draw with Senegal last Sunday as qualifiers continued for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
At least 40 more people were injured in a stampede before kick-off at the stadium in Antananarivo.
Despite the tragedy, the Group A qualifier went ahead as scheduled.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Ivory Coast, Mali and Tunisia all won away from home in the second round of qualifiers.
The 12 group winners and runners-up will secure places at the 2019 Nations Cup finals, except for Group B, where hosts Cameroon and the highest-placed other team will both qualify.
Gourp A
Senegal were twice pegged back by Madagascar in a match which was marred by the deadly stampede before kick-off.
Moussa Konate had put Senegal 1-0 ahead with Paulin Voavy equalising just before half-time.
Keita Balde made it 2-1 to Senegal in the second half while Carolus Andriamahitsinoro hit the equaliser to make it 2-2.
After two matches, Senegal leads the group on goal-difference ahead of Madagascar.
Equatorial Guinea is third , a further point back , after their 1-0 win over Sudan on Saturday.
In Group H, former champions Ivory Coast got their Nations Cup campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over Rwanda in Kigali.
After their opening loss to Guinea at home in the first round of qualifiers in June 2017, the Elephants were under pressure for a win, and Jonathan Kodjia set them on their way with a goal on the stroke of half-time.
Max Gradel added a second for Ivory Coast just after the break with Rwanda hitting back through Meddie Kagere to make it a nervy finish for the Ivorian team.
Guinea beat Central African Republic 1-0 in the late game in Conakry on Sunday to go top of Group H, above Ivory Coast, with their second victory.
Mali were also winners away from home, beating South Sudan 3-0 in Juba to make it two wins out of two so far in Group C.
Goals from Moussa Marega, Salif Coulibaly and Adama Traore gave Mali the win which puts them top of the group after the 1-1 draw between Gabon and Burundi on Saturday.
Tunisia also maintained their perfect start to qualifying for Cameroon 2019 with a 2-0 win away to eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) in Group J.
First half goals from Taha Yassine Khenissi and Naim Sliti gave Tunisia their second straight victory.
Tunisia is three points above Egypt who beat Niger 6-0 on Saturday.
Sierra Leone missed the chance to take an outright lead in Group F, after falling to a 1-0 defeat away to Ethiopia.
A penalty from Getaneh Kebede after 36 minutes was enough to give Ethiopia the victory, and it means all four teams in Group F are now level on three points each.
In Group G, Zimbabwe collected a point away to Congo Brazzaville to go top of the standings after a 1-1 draw.
Khama Billiat gave the Warriors the lead after 22 minutes with the hosts finding an equaliser through Thievy Bifouma in the second half.
DR Congo is second in the group, behind Zimbabwe on goal-difference, after a late equaliser helped them draw 1-1 away to Liberia.
Cape Verde went down to ten-men late-on in their 1-1 draw away toLesotho in Group L.
Uganda remains top of the group after their 0-0 draw with Tanzania on Saturday.
A goal from Gelson was enough to bring Angola their first points in Group Ias they beat Botswana 1-0 in Luanda.
Botswana is bottom of the group without a point, with Mauritania top of the standings after their 2-0 win over Burkina Faso.
Also on Sunday, Togo and Benin drew 0-0 in Lome which keeps Algeria top of Group D on goal difference above Benin, after their 1-1 draw away to the Gambia on Saturday.
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
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,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
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.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
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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