Sports
FirstBank Sponsors Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Football Championship 2026
The tournament will engage secondary schools from all 36 states and the FCT, in a two-stage competition.
FirstBank, through its First@Sports initiative, is sponsoring the maiden edition of the Samuel Okwaraji Under 16 Football Championship.
The competition is a nationwide youth football tournament organised to honour the late Samuel Okwaraji, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated football legends renowned for his patriotism, discipline, and commitment to national service.
The tournament will engage secondary schools from all 36 states and the FCT, in a two-stage competition.
The first stage will feature zonal eliminations across the six geopolitical zones, followed by a national final in Abuja featuring the top 12 qualifying teams.
In a statement , the Managing Director/ CEO of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, said: “Football is the strongest unifier of Nigerians. It brings communities together, inspires discipline, and nurtures talents across the country.
FirstBank is making a deliberate incursion into grassroots football development with this sponsorship, creating an enabling environment for the next generation of Samuel Okwarajis to discover, refine, and maximise their potential, thereby shaping the future of Nigerian football.”
In his remarks, Senator Osita Izunaso, the Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee commended FirstBank for throwing its weight around the championship.
Sports
Nigeria Thumbs up CAF For Samson’s Appointment As Secretary-General
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, commended Nigeria’s career progression at CAF, where he previously served as Director of Competitions, Director of Tournaments and Events, and Acting General Secretary.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated Samson Adamu following his confirmation as the substantive General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football.
The National Sports Commission, in a statement, described the appointment as recognition of Adamu’s experience and progress within the continental football governing body.
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, commended Nigeria’s career progression at CAF, where he previously served as Director of Competitions, Director of Tournaments and Events, and Acting General Secretary.
“Samson’s confirmation recognises the experience he has built within CAF. We congratulate him and wish him every success,” Dikko said.
Sports
CAF : Nigerian Samson Adamu Becomes General Secretary
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Nigerian football administrator Samson Adamu as its new General Secretary. The appointment was announced on Sunday, November 1, 2026, after a recruitment process to fill the role previously held by Veron Mosengo-Omba.
Adamu has worked with CAF for eight years and had served as acting General Secretary since March 2026. Mosengo-Omba resigned from the position to become president of the football federation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed that Adamu’s appointment followed a comprehensive selection process involving several candidates. Motsepe explained that the position was widely advertised, with shortlisted applicants interviewed before the organisation reached its decision.
The appointment makes Adamu one of the most senior Nigerian administrators in African football. His responsibilities cover implementation of CAF policies, administrative coordination and support for football development across member associations.
Before his appointment, Adamu held several senior positions within CAF, including Director of Competitions and Director of Tournaments and Events. During his eight years with the organisation, he was involved in overseeing continental football competitions and coordinating major tournaments involving national teams and clubs across Africa.
His previous responsibilities placed him at the centre of CAF’s tournament administration, including the planning and execution of competitions under the continental body’s supervision.
As General Secretary, Adamu will now oversee broader administrative functions and work with CAF’s leadership to implement strategic decisions affecting African football.
Sports
CAF reverses four-year plan, restores AFCON two-year cycle
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 tournament, followed by editions in 2028, 2031 and 2033. No tournament is scheduled for 2030 because of the FIFA World Cup.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its plan to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years and restored the competition’s traditional two-year cycle.
The CAF Executive Committee unanimously approved the decision on Thursday, October 29, after reviewing the proposal announced in December 2025.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the proposed Africa Nations League would take several years to generate enough revenue to support African football.
In a statement, Motsepe said, “The decision by the CAF EXCO that the CAF AFCON should take place every Two Years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African Football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations, as well as the interest of African players employed by Football Clubs outside Africa.”
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 tournament, followed by editions in 2028, 2031 and 2033. No tournament is scheduled for 2030 because of the FIFA World Cup.
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