Sports

Mane, Mahrez and Salah nominated for African Footballer of the Year

Published

6 years ago

December 23, 2019

Bona Naija

Liverpool pair Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, plus Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City, were named as the three candidates for this year’s African Footballer of the Year award, to be decided next month.

Senegal talisman Mane will be the favourite for the award ahead of his Egyptian club mate after Liverpool won the Champions League. However, he faces stiff opposition from Mahrez, who won the Premier League with City and also captained Algeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title in mid-year.

The nominees were named on Sunday after being selected by a panel of technical experts from the Confederation of African Football plus former players and media.

The coaches and captains of the 54 African national teams will now vote for the winner, to be announced on Jan. 7 at a ceremony at Hurgada in Egypt.

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Arsenal Hijack Eberechi Eze Transfer in £67.5m Premier League Coup

Published

13 hours ago

August 21, 2025

Bona Naija

Eberechi Eze

Arsenal have secured a dramatic £67.5m transfer for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, outbidding rivals Tottenham in a late twist that bolsters their Premier League title aspirations.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder, once released by Arsenal as a teenager, will undergo a medical on Friday after a farewell appearance for Palace, potentially debuting against Leeds United.

This deal, driven by manager Mikel Arteta’s vision for Eze as a versatile playmaker, pushes Arsenal’s summer spending over €300m, amid fan excitement and rival frustration.

This is a developing story. More updates on Eberechi Eze wis as they evolve.

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Mohamed Salah voted 2024-25 Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year

Published

2 days ago

August 20, 2025

BONA NAIJA

Mohamed Salah voted 2024-25 Men's PFA Players' Player of the Year

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been voted the 2024-25 Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

Announced during a ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday evening, the Egyptian is now the first person to receive the prize for a third time, following his successes in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Salah topped the polling of his fellow professionals from this year’s six-man shortlist – which included clubmate Alexis Mac Allister – to make it the 10th occasion a Red has claimed the prestigious honour.

The recipient of the 2024-25 Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season awards, the 33-year-old has been recognised again for his incredible output in the previous campaign.

On the way to collecting a second Premier League winner’s medal, Salah produced 34 goals and 23 assists from his 52 appearances in all competitions.

Forty-seven of those goal involvements came in the league as the ever-present forward equalled the competition’s all-time record for that statistic, adding another Golden Boot and Playmaker prize to his individual honours list.

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Terry McDermott (1979-80), Sir Kenny Dalglish (1982-83), Ian Rush (1983-84), John Barnes (1987-88), Steven Gerrard (2005-06), Luis Suarez (2013-14) and Virgil van Dijk (2018-19) are the others to have been named Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year while at Liverpool.

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Sports

CHAN 2024: Nigeria Bow Out with 2–0 Win Over Congo

Published

2 days ago

August 19, 2025

BONA NAIJA

Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles restored some pride on Monday night with a 2–0 victory over Congo in their final Group D clash at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Dar es Salaam.

The win, however, was not enough to secure qualification as the Eagles finished third with three points, behind Sudan and Senegal, who both advanced with five apiece after their goalless draw in Kampala. Congo ended bottom on two points.

Alimi the Difference Maker

Remo Stars striker Sikiru Alimi played a starring role, providing the assist for the opener before sealing the win himself deep into stoppage time.

Former NPFL top scorer Anas Yusuf, handed his first start of the tournament, broke the deadlock in the 56th minute after reacting quickest to Alimi’s towering header.

Congo’s hopes of a comeback were dashed late on when Charles Atipo was shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Alimi. From the resulting free-kick, substitute Sodiq Ismail delivered a pinpoint cross that Alimi powered home with a diving header to make it 2–0.

Harcourt’s Debut

Teenage goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt enjoyed a dream senior debut, rarely troubled throughout the contest as Nigeria dominated proceedings and finally found their cutting edge after two blunt outings.

While the victory offered some relief after a disappointing campaign, Nigeria’s early elimination highlights shortcomings in preparation and execution.

Final Group D Standings

Sudan – 5 pts (+4 GD)
Senegal – 5 pts (+1 GD)
Nigeria – 3 pts (–3 GD)
Congo – 2 pts (–2 GD)

Nigeria XI: Harcourt – Sodiq, Taiwo, Manyo, Nduka (c) – Tochukwu, Adedayo, Akanni (Haruna Hadi 90), Oyowah – Yusuf, Alimi (Obaje 90)

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AfroBasket 2025: Stan Okoye Names One Key Area D’Tigers Must Improve as Quarterfinals Begin After Beating Cameroon

Published

4 days ago

August 18, 2025

BONA NAIJA

As D’Tigers outclass Cameroon to book quarter-final ticket

Nigeria’s D’Tigers wrapped up their Group D campaign at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket in Luanda with a commanding 99-90 victory over Cameroon on Sunday, finishing with a perfect 3-0 record and securing direct qualification to the quarterfinals.

While the win highlighted Nigeria’s attacking depth, veteran forward Stan Okoye pointed out that improvements are needed if the team is to go all the way.

“We were a little disappointed because we were a little flat in the end. We have to learn to close out games and not let teams come back like that. It was really great to knock down shots, but we could have done better on defense and taken better care with the turnovers,” Okoye admitted.

Six D’Tigers scored in double digits, underlining the team’s depth. Josh Okogie led with 16 points, followed by Caleb Agada (15), Okoye (14), Christian Mekowulu and Ike Nwamu (12 each), and Martins Igbannu (10).

For Cameroon, Fabien Ateba (19 points) and Yves Missi (18) stood out, while Jeremiah Hill scored 16 before exiting with a knee injury.

After edging the first quarter 28-25, Nigeria pulled away in the second, outscoring Cameroon 30-16. Agada’s 10 points and Mekowulu’s hot shooting from deep gave the D’Tigers a comfortable lead that ballooned to 34 points before Cameroon mounted a late fightback.

Okogie and Okoye combined for 30 points in the must-win clash. Okoye, coming off the bench, was clinical from long range, making all four of his three-point attempts and adding seven rebounds.

Nigeria’s 15 made three-pointers were the highest by any team in the tournament so far. That shooting power, coupled with a strong defensive effort, proved decisive against Cameroon.

Nigeria’s win not only extended their dominance over Cameroon at AfroBasket but also set them up strongly for the knockout rounds. With Okoye’s call for sharper defense and game management, the D’Tigers will now aim to carry their momentum into the quarterfinals as title contenders.

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Sports

CHAN 2024: Morocco beat DR Congo, book quarter-final spot

Published

4 days ago

August 17, 2025

BONA NAIJA

Two-time champions Morocco sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship, CHAN 2024, with a 3-1 victory over DR Congo at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, in their final Group A match.

The result confirmed the Atlas Lions’ progress alongside hosts Kenya, who defeated Zambia 1-0 in the other Group A fixture thanks to a 75th-minute strike from Ryan Ogam, to finish top of the standings.

The Atlas Lions secured the win through a brace from Oussama Lamlaoui in the 8th and 80th minutes, and a penalty converted by Mohamed Hrimat in the 70th. Jephte Kitambala Bola pulled one back for DR Congo in the 43rd minute.

With this result, Morocco finished second in Group A with nine points, behind hosts Kenya (10 points).

In the quarterfinals, Morocco will face Tanzania on Friday august 22 in Dar es Salaam, with a spot in the semifinals at stake.