Sports
U-20 AFCON: South Africa defeat Flying Eagles 1-0 to reach final
The second half brought a major setback for Nigeria when 15-year-old goalkeeper Ebenezer Ifeanyi-Harcourt was forced off due to injury.
Nigeria’s hopes of winning the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations have come to an end following a narrow 1-0 defeat to South Africa’s Amajita in Thursday’s semifinal clash, held on May 15, 2025.
Led by coach Aliyu Zubairu, the Flying Eagles entered the contest on the back of a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Senegal in the quarterfinals—a win that also secured their qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. However, their AFCON journey fell short of the final hurdle.
The semifinal was a tense, tactical encounter, with both sides relying heavily on counter-attacking football. Despite dominating possession, the Flying Eagles struggled to convert their control into clear-cut chances, and the first half ended goalless.
The second half brought a major setback for Nigeria when 15-year-old goalkeeper Ebenezer Ifeanyi-Harcourt was forced off due to injury.
He was replaced in the 51st minute by Ajia Soliu Yakub.Yakub, however, was unable to prevent South Africa from breaking the deadlock.
In the 66th minute, Tylon Christopher Smith rose to meet a cross and headed home what would prove to be the match-winner.
The Nation
Sports
Okoroma win Bayelsa Gov’s Cup, pocket N30m cash prize
In the women’s final, Active Ladies of Agudama defeated the defending champions, Afini Ladies of Amarata by a lone goal to clinch the prize money of N10 million while the runners up got N7 million.
- Image: Victor Osimhen (R) tussles with Besiktas’ Emirhan Topçu during their match in the Turkish topflight.
Okoroma United football club of Nembe Local Government Area edged out Akinima Biogbo of Ogboloma in Yenagoa Local Government Area 1-0 to win the 2026 Bayelsa State Governor’s Cup.
The finals in both male and female categories were played at Sampson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The new champions went home with the star prize of N30 million while Akinima Biogbo received N13 million cash prize.
In the women’s final, Active Ladies of Agudama defeated the defending champions, Afini Ladies of Amarata by a lone goal to clinch the prize money of N10 million while the runners up got N7 million.
Sports
Barcelona crowned La Liga champions
Barca coach Flick received bad news before the game, with his father passing away, but took his place on the touchline regardless, to oversee his side’s comfortable triumph..
Barcelona secured their 29th Spanish league title after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in the Clasico on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres struck in the first half to help Hansi Flick’s side clinch La Liga in consecutive years, while consigning Madrid to a trophy less season.
Barca moved an unassailable 14 points clear of second-place Los Blancos with three matches remaining.
This was only the second time the outcome of La Liga has been decided directly by the result of a Clasico, with record 36-time champions Real Madrid winning their first title in 1932 after a draw with Barca.

Barcelona’s players celebrate winning the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on May 10, 2026. Barcelona won 2-0. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Madrid arrived at the match embroiled in chaos, after midfielder Fede Valverde was ruled out with a head injury following a training ground scuffle with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni, who started.
Barca coach Flick received bad news before the game, with his father passing away, but took his place on the touchline regardless, to oversee his side’s comfortable triumph.
Sports
FC Barcelona to establish football academy in Bayelsa
The Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali, signed on behalf of the state government, while Mr Bernat Villa Garris signed on behalf of Barcelona during the grand finale of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged Prosperity Cup 2026 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa on Friday.
Bayelsa State and Spainish football giant, Barcelona, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a football academy in the state.
The Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali, signed on behalf of the state government, while Mr Bernat Villa Garris signed on behalf of Barcelona during the grand finale of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged Prosperity Cup 2026 at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa on Friday.
Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick, and the federation’s Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, witnessed the ceremony.
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