Sports
Zambia Can Pull Surprises AT AFCON – Coach
French coach Herve Renard has said that Zambia could spring a surprise at the 2012 CAF African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Renard took Chipolopolo to the last eight of the competition in Angola two years ago, but they eventually bowed out to Nigeria after failing to go through in a penalty shoot-out. Renard then left to coach Angola and Algerian club USMA before returning to the Zambia national side last October when Italian Dario Bonetti was dismissed two days after securing qualification for the Cup of Nations.
“We can compete against anybody, we are now getting to a state where we are better than we were in Angola two years ago,” said Renard after naming his 23-man squad. “When you watch the players in action, you can see the commitment, hard work and determination. We are focussed, disciplined and ready.”
“Everything is possible in football and although Zambia are are not among the favourites, we can pull a surprise and win the Cup. All we need is hard work and commitment.”
Zambia will also have to raise their game to a level rarely attained in the past two years with only one point of a possible six taken off Libya. Reaching the semi-finals will almost certainly mean having to defeat Senegal, who along with Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are widely considered to be the strongest teams coming to the three-week tournament.
Chipolopolo and Senegal have an intense African Cup of Nations rivalry dating back to the 1990 tournament in Algeria with each country having triumphed once and drawn twice. Renard rates Senegal as a very strong team and the enormity of the task facing the Zambia squad is illustrated by the 16-year gap since they last reached the semi-finals, and were hammered by unfancied Tunisia in South Africa port city Durban.
Netherlands-based striker Jacob Mulenga will be sorely missed and injuries have also ruled out midfielders William Njobvu and Thomas Nyirenda, while James Chamanga passed a late fitness test and was included at the expense of Given Singuluma.
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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