Sports
Christian Chukwu’s Green Eagles teammate Charles Bassey dies at 71
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the passing of Charles Bassey, a member of the historic Green Eagles squad that clinched Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980.
According to reports, Bassey died on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the age of 71, following a prolonged illness.
The former forward, who hailed from Eket in Akwa Ibom State, died in his hometown just hours after the death of the team’s iconic captain, Christian Chukwu, was confirmed in Enugu—marking a double tragedy for Nigerian football.
Expressing its grief, the NFF said it was “deeply saddened” by the news of Bassey’s passing, paying tribute to his contributions to Nigerian football both as a player and a coach.
“This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigeria football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events.
We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said.
Charles Bassey was part of the 22-man Green Eagles squad that famously defeated Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, on March 22, 1980, securing Nigeria’s first AFCON title.
After his playing career, Bassey ventured into coaching, handling various clubs across the country.
His coaching journey included stints with Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, Calabar Rovers, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, and his local team, Mobil Pegasus.
With Bassey’s passing, the number of deceased members from the 1980 AFCON-winning squad has now risen to nine.
Others who have passed on include goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong; defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, and Tunde Bamidele; midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal; and striker Martins Eyo.
Sports
Remo Stars win Nigerian champions for the first time
The club will now represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League along with this season’s eventual runners-up, while the third-placed team will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup
Remo Stars made history on Sunday having won the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title for the first time in their history.
The Sky Blue Stars defeated Niger Tornadoes courtesy of a late goal by Adebayo Olamilekan, becoming the first privately-owned club since Udoji United in 1996 to be crowned champions.
They achieved the feat on the 59th birthday of their owner, Kunle Soname, a businessman with interests ranging from aviation to the gaming industry.
They have now amassed an unassailable 68 points from 35 matches, 10 points clear of their closest rivals Rivers United, with three rounds of matches remaining this season.
They had finished as runners-up in the league in the past two seasons.Founded 15 years ago as FC Dender in Nigeria’s commercial hub of Lagos, the club moved to neighbouring Ogun State and rebranded as Remo Stars in 2011.
The club will now represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League along with this season’s eventual runners-up, while the third-placed team will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Sports
Man City sink Forest to reach third successive FA Cup final
City can look forward to a showdown with Palace at Wembley on May 17 after the Eagles won 3-0 against
Manchester City will face Crystal Palace in their third successive FA Cup final after cruising to a 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest at Wembley on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side took an early lead through Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol’s second-half goal sealed a comfortable semi-final success.
City can look forward to a showdown with Palace at Wembley on May 17 after the Eagles won 3-0 against
Aston Villa in the other semi-final on Saturday.Their 14th FA Cup final appearance gives City a chance to win the competition for the eighth time and the third since Guardiola arrived in 2016.
City lost to Manchester United in last season’s FA Cup final after beating their cross-town rivals in the 2023 showpiece.
Guardiola is hoping to salvage a turbulent season by lifting the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League via a top-five finish in the Premier League. City, who sit fourth in the league with four games left, will go into the final as favorites after thrashing Palace 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium earlier in April.
Liverpool have been crowned Premier League champions with their 5-1 win against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side needed a minimum of one point to secure the title and match Manchester United’s record of 20 league crowns, and strikes from Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, as well as a Destiny Udogie own goal, sealed the deal.
“This is the most beautiful club in the world. We deserve this. We are going to enjoy the next couple of weeks and take it in,” captain Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports after the game.“I was desperate to win it for (the fans) and all the fans around the world, and for us as well.”
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