Sports
Napoli Striker Osimhen Wins 2022/2023 Serie A Best Striker Award
Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has won the 2022/23 Serie A season Best Striker award.
The Serie A made the announcement on Friday, saying the striker fended off competition from Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao of AC Milan to scoop the prize.
The Nigerian bagged the award having scored 25 league goals this term, four more than his closest rival Martinez with just one game to go.
The Super Eagles forward emerged as the top striker having led Napoli to its first Serie A crown since the 1989–1990 season. That was the club’s third domestic title after previously winning it in 1987.
The 24-year-old player is on the verge of emerging as the first African to finish as the top scorer in Serie A.
He had earlier broken George Weah’s record for the most goals scored by an African in Serie A when he netted his 47th goal.
But Osimhen was not the only Napoli player to have made the headlines on Friday.
His strike partner Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named the Serie A Player of the Season.
The Georgian scored 12 goals and had 10 assists in the league this season. Overall, he got 14 strikes and 10 assists in 42 games in the current campaign.
Another Napoli star Kim Min-Jae emerged as the best defender while Lazio’s Ivan Provedel claimed the best goalkeeper prize.
Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barrela won the best midfielder crown.
Sports
CAF Suspends Hakimi, Thiaw, & Fines both Morocco and Senegal
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has imposed significant sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), along with several players and officials from both nations.
The penalties stem from incidents that occurred during and after the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final match, which violated the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of fair play, loyalty, integrity, and respect for match officials.
The decisions were announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, following a review of disciplinary reports from the high-profile final held in Rabat, Morocco.Sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF):
– A fine of USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute.
– A fine of USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of its players and technical staff.
– A fine of USD 15,000 for team misconduct, due to five players receiving cautions (yellow cards).
– Total fines on FSF: Approximately USD 615,000.
Individual sanctions for Senegal include:
– Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw suspended for five official CAF matches and fined USD 100,000 for unsporting conduct and bringing the game into disrepute (linked to events such as a brief team protest over a late VAR decision).
– Players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr each suspended for two official CAF matches for unsporting behavior toward the referee.
Sanctions on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF):
– A fine of USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behavior of stadium ball boys during the match.
– A fine of USD 100,000 for the conduct of players and technical staff (including invading restricted areas).
– A fine of USD 15,000 for fans’ use of lasers (as reported in some summaries).
– Total fines on FRMF: Approximately USD 315,000.
Individual sanctions for Morocco include:
– Player Achraf Hakimi suspended for two CAF matches (with one potentially suspended for a year in some reports).
– Other players, such as Ismaël Saibari, facing suspensions of up to three matches and fines.
The CAF Disciplinary Board also reportedly rejected a formal protest from the FRMF alleging violations by Senegal, confirming Senegal’s status as AFCON 2025 champions.
These measures mark one of the stricter disciplinary responses in recent AFCON history, aimed at upholding the integrity of the competition amid the chaotic scenes that overshadowed the final.
Both federations have the option to appeal certain decisions through CAF processes.
Sports
Super Eagles captain Ndidi mourns father’s death
” We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.
• Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi
Sunday Ndidi – the father of Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, died today in a road accident at Umunede, Delta State.
The retired military officer was confirmed dead after being rushed to a hospital at Agbor, also in Delta State.
Ndidi’s club, Besiktas, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said in a statement released via their official X account.
Ndidi recently captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he also scored his first international goal for the country.
While celebrating his headed goal against Tunisia in Nigeria’s second group match, the midfielder referenced his father and his admiration for former Nigeria captain Kanu Nwankwo.
The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi told journalists in Morocco.
“So I just thought about my dad. I had seen the video before, but it came to my head, and I said I was going to do it for my dad.”
Ndidi, who often speaks about growing up with his father in the barracks, was born and raised in Lagos.
Sports
Lagos to host Davis Cup World Group II playoff
Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.
The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club will host Davis Cup World Group II playoff between Nigeria and Uzbekistan from 6–8 February 2026.
The President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochie, who disclosed this, said that hosting the event will significantly contribute to the development of lawn tennis in the country.
Prince Kunle Oyekanmi, publicity secretary of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, expressed confidence in the club’s ability to host a world-class tournament.“We are committed to ensuring a successful championship that will leave a lasting mark on the sport globally,” he said.
Oyekanmi added that the Davis Cup will inspire young and upcoming Nigerian players to pursue lawn tennis more passionately.
Oyekanmi emphasised that with the world’s attention on Lagos in February, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown that promises to elevate Nigerian tennis to new heights.
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