Sports
AFCON 2025 opens with Morocco 2–0 Comoros
Morocco will face Mali in their next group match on Friday. Mali begin their AFCON campaign against Zambia in Casablanca on Monday.
• RealMadrid midfielder Díaz
Morocco kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a comfortable 2–0 victory over minnows Comoros in the tournament’s opening match on Sunday in Rabat.
Second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi sealed all three points for the Atlas Lions in a rain-soaked encounter at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The host nation dominated the first half but were left frustrated when Soufiane Rahimi saw his penalty saved, as the hosts struggled to convert their superiority into goals before the break.
The deadlock was finally broken 10 minutes into the second half when Real Madrid midfielder Díaz fired home from close range, sending the majority of the 60,180-strong crowd into raptures.
The match then opened up, with Comoros forward Rafiki Saïd denied by the legs of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. At the same time, Noussair Mazraoui forced a fine save from Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor at the other end.
Substitute El Kaabi put the result beyond doubt with a spectacular overhead kick 15 minutes from time, ensuring Walid Regragui’s side lived up to pre-match expectations on a wet and cold night in the Moroccan capital.
Morocco will face Mali in their next group match on Friday. Mali begin their AFCON campaign against Zambia in Casablanca on Monday.
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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