Sports
AFCON 2025 Group D squads
The qualified teams in the group D are : Benin, Botswana, Senegal, and the DR Congo.
The qualified teams in the group D are : Benin, Botswana, Senegal, and the DR Congo.
Benin
Goalkeepers:
Saturnin Allagbe (Chauray/FRA), Marcel Dandjinou (Kruger Utd/RSA), Serge Obassa (Remo Stars/NGR)
Defenders:
Charlemagne Azongnitode (Oulo/FIN), Rodrigue Fassinou (Coton Sport), David Kiki (FCSB/ROM), Abdoul Rachid Moumini (Sumgayit/AZE), Tamimou Ouorou (Sobemap), Yohan Roche (Petrolul Ploiesti/ROM), Attidjikou Samadou (Smouha/EGY), Mohamed Tijani (Yverson/SUI), Olivier Verdon (Ludogorets Razgrad/BUL)
Midfielders:
Matteo Ahlinvi (Arsenal Tula/RUS), Mariano Ahouangbo (Olimpija/SLO), Gislain Ahoudo (Gabes/TUN), Sessi D’Almeida (Neftchi/AZE), Dodo Dokou (Leixoes/POR), Hassane Imourane (Grasshoppers/SUI), Rodrigue Kossi (Hassania Agadir/MAR)
Forwards:
Rodolfo Aloko, Razack Rachidou (both Kustosija/CRO), Adam Akimey (Helsingborgs/SWE), Romaric Amoussou (ASEC Mimosas/CIV), Jodel Dossou (Pays du Valois/FRA), Steve Mounie (Alanyaspor/TUR), Junior Olaitan (Goztepe/TUR), Olatoundji Tessilimi (SJK Seinajoki/FIN), Aiyegun Tosin (Lorient/FRA).
Botswana
Goalkeepers:
Kabelo Dambe (Township Rollers), Keeagile Kgosipula (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Goitseone Phoko (Jwaneng Galaxy)
Defenders:
Tebogo Kopelang, Thabo Leinanyane, Chicco Molefe (all Jwaneng), Mothusi Johnson, Alford Velaphi (both Gaborone Utd), Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (Al Ittihad/LBA), Mosha Gaolaolwe (Rollers), Shanganani Ngada (Mochudi)
Midfielders:Gilbert Baruti, Monty Enosa (both Mochudi), Lebogang Ditsele, Thabo Maponda (both Gaborone), Mothusi Cooper (Rollers), Godiraone Modingwane (BDF), Gape Mohutsiwa (Mouloudia Oran/ALG), Olebogeng Ramotse (Jwaneng).
Forwards:
Omaatla Kebatho, Thabang Sesinyi (both Jwaneng), Segolame Boy (Sua Flamingoes), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Gaborone Utd), Tumisang Orebonye (Wydad Casablanca/MAR), Losika Ratshukudu (Ubuntu/RSA), Kabelo Seakanyeng (MAS Fes/MAR).
DR Congo
Goalkeepers:
Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege/BEL), Timothy Fayulu (Noah/ARM), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre/FRA)
Defenders:Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham Utd/ENG), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian/SCO), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol/CYP), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw/POL), Joris Kayembe (Genk/BEL), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland/ENG), Chancel Mbemba (Lille/FRA), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley/ENG)
Midfielders:
Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic/SCO), Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow/RUS), Brian Cipenga (Castellon/ESP), Edo Kayembe (Watford/ENG), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier/FRA),Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos/GRE), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille/FRA), Charles Pickel (Espanyol/ESP), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland/ENG), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht/BEL)
Forwards:
Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis/ESP), Simon Banza (Al Jazira/UAE), Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor/TUR), Samuel Essende (Augsburg/GER), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids/EGY).
Senegal
Goalkeepers:
Mory Diaw (Le Havre/FRA), Yehvann Diouf (Nice/FRA), Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli/KSA).
Defenders:
Ilay Camara (Anderlecht/BEL), Krepin Diatta (Monaco/FRA), El Hadji Diouf (West Ham/ENG), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray/TUR), Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal/KSA), Antoine Mendy (Nice/FRA), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon/FRA), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg/FRA), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa/ISR)
Midfielders:Lamine Camara (Monaco/FRA), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano/ESP), Habib Diarra (Sunderland/ENG), Idrissa Gueye (Everton/ENG), Pape Gueye (Villarreal/ESP), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham/ENG)
Forwards:
Boulaye Dia (Lazio/ITA), Habib Diallo (Metz/FRA), Assane Diao (Como/ITA), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich/GER on loan from Chelsea/ENG), Sadio Mane (Al Nassr/RSA), Ibrahim Mbaye (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor/TUR), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton/ENG), Cheikh Sabaly (Metz/FRA), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace/ENG).
(AFP)
Sports
Governor Adeleke Remodelling Osogbo Stadium to 15,000 Sitting Capacity
Adeleke expressed happiness at the involvement of several foreign technical partners working with the contractors to ensure that the new stadium meets FIFA standards and eventually secures FIFA certification.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has commenced work on remodelling Osogbo Township Stadium from 4,000 to 15,000 sitting capacity.
In a statement , Governor Adeleke emphasised that the increased capacity will attract major sporting events to boost the development of all games in the state.
Adeleke expressed happiness at the involvement of several foreign technical partners working with the contractors to ensure that the new stadium meets FIFA standards and eventually secures FIFA certification.
He commended the speedy and qualitative ongoing remodelling of the stadium.
“This is the way to finally integrate Osun into the mainstream of sports development in the country.
“As a sports-loving governor, I am eager to ensure that the Osun Sports Trust Fund becomes operational,” he said.
Sports
Former NFF chairman Ibrahim Galadima dies at 78
His funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque in Kano.
A former chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Galadima, is dead at the age of 78.
His funeral prayers are scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Fagge Juma’at Mosque in Kano.
Galadima, who also held the traditional title of Galadiman Fagge, died on Saturday evening at a hospital in Kano, according to his younger brother, Abba Galadima.
The late administrator was widely regarded as a key figure in Nigerian football, having played a major role in shaping the sport during his tenure.
He served as chairman of the football federation between 2002 and 2006, a period marked by efforts to strengthen the organisation and enhance Nigeria’s presence on the international stage.
Sports
FIFA to introduce halftime show at 2026 World Cup final
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the development, revealing that the show will feature multiple performers.
FIFA will introduce a halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final for the first time in the tournament’s history, with Nigerian artists potentially taking centre stage amid the global rise of Afrobeats.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the development, revealing that the show will feature multiple performers.
The lineup is being curated by Chris Martin and the band’s manager, Phil Harvey.
The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
Organised in partnership with Global Citizen, the halftime show is expected to be a landmark moment.
Infantino described it as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”
In addition to the halftime performance, FIFA is planning a major “takeover” of Times Square during the final weekend of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
(The Nation)
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