Sports
DHQ Clarifies Facts About Canada Visas Denials to Invictus Games
Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier -General Tukur Gusau, Defence Headquarters, this morning, presented the fact regarding Nigeria Military’s request for visas to attend Invictus Games in Canada.
In a statement, Brig. Gen Gusau, said that the need for accurate information at this time can not be overemphasized.
He explained: “Recently, the Nigerian Military received an invitation to participate in the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
Our team, comprising 3 officers and 21 players, including a team physiotherapist, eagerly looked forward to this opportunity, as the only African nation participating in the Games.
The Invictus Games Foundation catered for our team’s accommodation and feeding needs, along with those of other participating nations.
However, despite our best efforts, only 14 members of the team, excluding the team leader, captain, and physiotherapist, were granted visas.
Regrettably, seven of our athletes who had the potential to excel were denied visas, preventing them from participating in the Games.
Notwithstanding this setback, our team’s outstanding performance earned Nigeria gold, silver and bronze medals, proudly placing our nation and Africa on the global map of Invictus Games.
Furthermore, the participation of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, would have added mental strength to our troops.
It is on record that the Chief of Defence Staff has initiated laudable efforts to boost the morale of our service personnel who risk their lives to protect our nation and its people.
The Invictus Foundation Centre,(first in Africa) currently under construction, is part of this initiative to provide care and mental healing for our wounded personnel.”
Sports
CAF Awards: Super Falcons win 2025 women’s team of the year
This marks the team’s seventh CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and consecutively in 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have been named the Women’s National Team of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held on Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team, claimed the honour after a remarkable year in which they secured a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
Nigeria defeated hosts Morocco 3–2 in a dramatic final, showcasing their pedigree, depth, and resilience.
This marks the team’s seventh CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award, having previously won in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and consecutively in 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
The Super Falcons beat strong contenders, Ghana’s Black Queens and Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, to clinch the award.The award further reaffirms the Super Falcons’ dominance on the continent.
Sports
Breaking: Achraf Hakimi crowned CAF Men’s Player of the Year 2025
The 27-year-old beat Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to the prestigious honour, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top football talents.
Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi has been named the 2025 African Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), capping an exceptional season for both club and country.
The 27-year-old beat Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to the prestigious honour, cementing his status as one of Africa’s top football talents.
The Paris Saint-Germain right-back claimed the award for the first time, selected by a panel of experts and leading African football journalists.
Hakimi entered the ceremony as the overwhelming favourite following a historic campaign with PSG, helping the club secure four major titles: Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. He also placed sixth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings.
A key figure throughout the season, Hakimi played over 3,400 minutes across all competitions, contributing 6 goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1 and 5 goals with 4 assists in the Champions League, while helping PSG keep 10 clean sheets.
His performances earned him spots in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, Ligue 1 Team of the Season, and the CAF Team of the Year.
.
Sports
Tinubu commends Super Eagles despite World Cup miss
The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday commended the Super Eagles for “their efforts” after missing out on ticket for the 2026 World Cup.
On Sunday, the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties in the final match of the African playoffs for the World Cup. The game had ended 1-1 after extra time.
“Notwithstanding the unfortunate loss, we must commend the players for their efforts and continue to support them,” Tinubu said in a statement.
The president then called on “football administrators, players, and indeed all stakeholders” to return to the “drawing board” and “plug all the loopholes”.
“Now is the time to focus all efforts on the Cup of Nations. Our Super Eagles must recover the lost glory.”
The Super Eagles also missed out on the 2022 World Cup. It is the first time Nigeria have failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups since the country’s debut in 1994.
The 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles are drawn in Group C against Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda.
BREAKING: (UPDATED ) Court Sends Nnamdi Kanu Back to Jail for Life
Judge Expels Kanu from courtroom
BREAKING: Early Morning Accident Causes Major Traffic on Otedola Bridge
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News1 day agoCourt Shifts Trial of Ansaru Terrorist Suspects to January 2026
-
News1 day agoPresident Tinubu Postpones Trip to G20 Summit Because of Country’s Insecurity
-
Entertainment1 day agoA Day I Will Never Forget : How bandits attacked our school – Student
-
News2 days agoSGF Akume’s Tributes to Dan Agbese
-
News1 day agoLP’s Senator Okey Ezea is Dead
-
Business3 days agoPump Price Cuts Driven by Pricing, Not Tariff — Dangote
-
Business2 days agoLagos N200b bond oversubscribed by 55% at N310Billion
-
Politics1 day agoPolice Seals PDP WADATA House with Barbwires