Sports

CAF Exco member laments the heavy presence of Nigerian witnesses at botched match hearing

Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, a Libyan member of the CAF Executive Committee has lamented that the Libyans did not present strong evidence at the CAF hearing of the controversy-ridden Libya-Nigeria match.

According to a statement he made in the Libyan publication, Libya Akhbar, Al-Shalmani remarked that the trial scenereflected the great disparity in support provided to the two contesting teams.

He pointed out that more than 20 people represented the Nigerian team in the case, including the Minister of Sports, members of the Nigerian Parliament, and other prominent figures.

On the other hand, Al-Shalmani expressed his dissatisfaction with the absence of any official Libyan support, as he found himself alone in representing Libya in this case, which he described as “national. ” He expressed his disappointment at the Libyan officials’ neglect of this vital file.

Al-Shalmani stressed: “While I was representing Libya alone, this issue was supposed to be an opportunity to unite ranks and support the homeland.

” It is unreasonable for me to address the responsible authorities individually without having an official position that would enable me to do so. This is an issue that affects Libya’s dignity and sporting reputation and requires everyone’s intervention.”(sportsvillagesquare)

Sports

Chelsea crush PSG 3-0 to win Club World Cup

Chelsea won the Club World Cup following a surprise 3-0 demolition of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.

Cole Palmer scored twice and assisted another as the Blues, Conference League winners, delivered a clinical first half performance to silence the attacking juggernauts of PSG, UEFA Champions League holders, who finished the entertaining encounter with ten men.

‎It is a second trophy for Chelsea to cap a successful season, adding to the third-tier European trophy won in May.

Donald Trump, president of the United States of America, was in attendance as sides paraded their best stars, with Ousmane Dembele leading PSG’s charge, while Palmer and Joao Pedro spearheaded Chelsea’s attack

Sports

Tottenham confirm £55m signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham

Tottenham have completed the £55million signing of Ghanaian winger Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.

The Ghana international has penned a long-term contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and becomes the club’s first major signing under new head coach Thomas Frank.

The 24-year-old completed his medical at Spurs ahead of the announcement on Thursday night. He will wear the number 20 next season.

Tottenham confirm �55m signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham
“One of the most important parts of why I came here is the project and how the manager sees it, and to develop under him,” he said. “With the history of where he’s come from, I’ve seen the amount of talent he’s developed to become great players.

“It’s a big sign of why I wanted to work under him as well.

“I’m very team-orientated so my personal goals are around helping the team get as many points as we can, to be as high as we can in the Premier League and perform really well and go as far as we can in the Champions League.”

Kudus, who joined West Ham from Ajax for £38m two years ago, scored five goals in the Premier League last season. In total for the Hammers, he scored 19 goals in 80 appearances.

Sports

Abia, FG Partner on Global and National Sports Development

In a groundbreaking move to position Abia State as a premier destination for sports development in Nigeria and West Africa, Governor Alex Otti has unveiled an ambitious multi-pronged collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE).

The Executive Governor of Abia State played host on July 9, 2025, to Mr. Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of National Sports Commission, for a high-level strategy session in Umuahia. Their discussions centered on harnessing the vast potential of sports as an economic driver and a tool for youth empowerment, aligning closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of integrating sports into Nigeria’s economic growth strategy.

Among the major initiatives discussed are:

Hosting International Tournaments: Abia State will host the 1st Abia International Para Badminton Championship from September 30 to October 5, 2025, followed by the 2025 All African Para Badminton Championship from October 6 to 12, 2025, solidifying its commitment to inclusive sports excellence.

Stadium City Project: Plans are underway for the development of a world-class Stadium City in Abia State, including a FIFA-standard stadium capable of hosting international sporting events.

Abia Games Village: The relocation and upgrade of the Nsulu Games Village to a new World-Class Abia Games Village is proposed, designed to serve as a hub for training elite athletes and developing sports talent from grassroots to international level.

Special Sports Economic Zone in Aba: Governor Otti also proposed the establishment of a Sports Economic Zone in Aba, envisaged as a manufacturing hub for sports goods, apparel, and equipment. The project aims to reduce dependence on imported products, create jobs, and promote local content.

Institutional Restructuring: The existing Ministry of Sports in Abia State will be restructured into the Abia State Sports Commission, a move aimed at ensuring professional management of sports initiatives and closer alignment with national policies.

Governor Otti formally requested institutional support and expert guidance from the NSC and Federal Government to implement these projects. A collaborative framework has now been established, with further technical engagements expected to follow.