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I’ll Bring Energy, Physicality To Eagles’ Defence – Bassey

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Glasgow Rangers defender, Calvin Bassey, has revealed what he hopes to bring to the Super Eagles team ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.
Despite being eligible to play for both Italy and England, Bassey committed his international future to Nigeria and was called up for the country’s World Cup qualifiers earlier against Central African Republic where he was an unused substitute.
The 21-year-old is now desperate to be a part of the Nigeria squad for the AFCON.
The Eagle’s hopeful is currently flourishing under new Ibrox manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who took over the helm following the exit of Steven Gerrard to Premier League side, Aston Villa.
Bassey has managed five straight matches for Rangers under van Bronckhorst and now has aspirations of receiving a call up to Nigeria’s AFCON squad.
Tidesports source reports that, Bassey hoped to bring his qualities into play for Nigeria, adding that Nigeria legend Austin Okocha was his role model.
“There is no doubt we have plenty of quality in the national team. Joe Aribo plays with me and he knows what I can do,” Bassey said.
“I will bring energy and physicality to the Eagles’ defence and will also bring a bit of doggedness to African football.
“I know it will be physical, but I think that will play to my strengths. Growing up and watching the Super Eagles, Jay-Jay Okocha was my role model.
“He was so confident in the ball and that’s something I love to emulate. He was not scared to take on players and express himself and he was a joy to watch.”
The three-time African champions have been drawn in Group D of the competition alongside Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, and Sudan and will kick off their campaign with a game against the Pharaohs at Roumde Adjia Stadium on January 11; before taking on Sudan in their second fixture on January 15 with the final group game against Guinea-Bissau on January 19.

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NBF eyes Commonwealth Games redemption

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The Nigeria Boxing Federation has set its sights on six gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the body looks to recover from the administrative turmoil that undermined its preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu told our correspondent, “Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colours. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.

“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping.”

Diaspora boxer Patricia Mbata, the African Games gold medallist based in the United Kingdom, was among the women’s finalists, while Kenneth Anigboro topped the men’s 90kg class. Other female finalists are Udoette Happiness and Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajishola Kadijat and Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola and Ismail Abibat (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), and James Queen and Odoka Celestina (above 70kg). The male finalists are Ogunremi Michael and Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulwahab Abdulrahmon and Saliu Ridwan (65kg), Folly Hassan and Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua and Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Anigboro Kenneth and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).

National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade, who attended Nigeria’s Commonwealth trials, also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me,” he said.

Nigeria’s push for improvement comes after the backdrop of a difficult period for the sport at the last Olympics.

Boxers who competed at Paris 2024 also raised concerns about poor preparation, with Zainab Adeshina stating there was no adequate equipment for training and Ifeanyi Onyekwere describing the build-up as a one-week camp filled with stress.

Nigeria also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ghana in a Commonwealth Games warm-up friendly in Accra recently, a result Imadu acknowledged as a reminder of the work still required, while noting that the federation was in advanced talks with two other nations over additional preparatory fixtures before the Games.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, where boxing will feature across 14 events — seven men’s and seven women’s categories.

The NBF vice president also commended the board members for their commitment and altruism towards the welfare of the athletes.

“As a federation, we would like to appreciate these board members for their patriotism. This is an attestation of their dedication to the advancement of boxing in the country. As a body, we would continue to encourage the selflessness of our colleagues so we can collectively deliver on our mandate to revamp the squared ropes sports across the board,” he said.

The Yucateco boss further states the NBF’s readiness to deliver medals at the Games in Glasgow.

“Like I said previously, our focus has not shifted. We strongly believe that every boxer on the plane to Scotland must return with a medal for Nigeria, hence we took the lead as the only federation to call its athletes to camp ahead of time. 30 of our boxers have been in camp since April, and the federation has been solely responsible for their welfare since they commenced training,” Imadu added.

10 boxers, which consist of male and female, will fly Nigeria’s flag at the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games from July 23rd to August 2nd in Glasgow, Scotland.

At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, nine Nigerian fighters returned with four medals — one silver through Elizabeth Oshoba and bronzes for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.

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PH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday

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Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will, on Saturday, the 30th of May, 2026, do a street procession to celebrate as
Arsenal Football Club of England emerged  champions of the English Premier League (EPL).
The street parade will take off from the GRA junction by 11am,  through Aba Road to the UTC bus stop and back to GRA; thereafter, watch the Champions League final at Ediz Wine Bar, GRA.
This was disclosed by the coordinator of the community, Ugochukwu Oputa, while fielding questions from sports journalists on Monday in Port Harcourt.
Port Harcourt Arsenal Community is a fan base for Arsenal Football Club, in London, with the view to achieve unity, peace, and love among all football fans in Rivers State. This is what the fan base has been achieving since its inception.
According to him, arrangements are in top gear, as security and other logistics are set, waiting for the day to come.
“The celebration is necessary because it is not easy to win the EPL trophy after 22 years against all odds. As I speak, all Arsenal fans in the world are very happy and excited with this feat.
“I must tell you what is about to happen in Port Harcourt on Saturday has been happening in other countries.
The most interesting part is that other football club fans are joining in the celebrations.
“By His grace we hoping to win UEFA champions League and that will be another round of celebration because if we win that trophy it will be the first time ever, so that celebration will be huge” Oputa said.
He advised the forum to advise fans that will come out for the streets’ procession to be civil and orderly; hence, it is a celebration.
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Remo To rebuild After NPFL Relegation

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Former Nigeria Premier Football League champions Remo Stars F.C. have expressed regret over their fortunes in the Nigerian top flight this season following their relegation to the second division, Tidesports source reports.

Remo Stars were relegated on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance F.C. in Benin City.

The Sky Blue Stars initially looked on course for survival when experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the situation changed dramatically deep into stoppage time when Chijioke Akuneto equalised for Bendel Insurance to secure a 1-1 draw.

The delayed fixture between Kun Khalifat F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. later confirmed Remo’s fate, with the newcomers winning 3-1 to preserve their top-flight status and condemn Remo Stars to life in the second division.

In the wake of a season that saw them garner just 47 points from 38 games, only one year after winning the league title, the Sky Blue Stars described the outcome as heartbreaking.

“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought. We did not deliver the performances or consistency required to maintain our place in the division. We take full responsibility for that failure.’’

“To our fans who filled the stands, supported the team online and stood by us even during our darkest moments, thank you. Your loyalty means everything, and we recognise that we owe you much more than what this season produced.

“Our focus now turns towards rebuilding with purpose and determination. Important decisions will be made, and every effort will be directed towards returning this club to where it belongs.”

They became the first defending NPFL champions to suffer relegation since Bayelsa United in the 2009/10 season.

They also became only the fourth reigning league champions to drop into the second tier during a title defence campaign after Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.

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