Author: Opalim Lifted

Members of the Nigeria Super Eagles were beaming with smiles as the federal government finally fulfilled its housing and land pledge for their silver-winning feat at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the players received certificates for the promised land and houses and were handed the documents at the camp in Fez, Morocco, on Monday. The Super Eagles finished second at the 2023 AFCON, which was held in 2024, losing 2-1 to the hosts in the final. It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu, while receiving the players at…

Mohamed Salah showed his killer instinct to score a stoppage-time winner as Egypt came from behind to beat Zimbabwe in their opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Liverpool forward’s trophy cabinet is stuffed with silverware from his time at Anfield but he is yet to lift the AFCON trophy with the Pharaohs, and for large parts of the game in Morocco it looked as if this campaign was likely to get off to an inauspicious start. While Salah is nicknamed the Egyptian King, it was Prince Dube’s first-half strike which handed the Warriors the lead…

An Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday dismissed an application filed by the Fuji Musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, seeking to stop the selection process of the next Awujale. Recalled that Ayinde, who is from Fidipote rulling house had approached the court to challenge the committee in charge of the installation process of the new Awujale on why only Fusengbuwa rulling house should produce the next Awujale. The Fuji musician had filed a suit against Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the Chairman the Fusengbuwa rulling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi, at the State High…

Nigeria has been jolted by disturbing claims that key provisions of the Tax Administration Act were altered after being passed by the National Assembly and signed by the President, before the law was officially gazetted. According to reports attributed to the National Assembly, unknown individuals allegedly inserted, deleted or modified substantive sections of the Act without legislative or presidential approval. If true, it would mean the version gazetted into law differs materially from what lawmakers debated and approved an unprecedented breach in Nigeria’s legislative history. The development has triggered serious constitutional concerns. Sections 4 and 58 of the 1999 Constitution…

David Umahi, minister of works, has announced the restoration of normal traffic on the Abuja-Lokoja highway after a weekend blockade triggered by a clash between truck drivers and military personnel. Motorists plying the Lokoja-Abuja highway have been left stranded due to gridlock, barely days before Christmas. Drivers said the snarling traffic on the route has persisted for three days. In a swift response, Umahi has directed the immediate opening of completed portions of the ongoing expressway and authorised full deployment of security and road management teams to clear the bottleneck. In a statement, Mohammed Ahmed, director of press and public…

Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 hosts Morocco began their campaign to win a second continental title with a somewhat nervy win over Comoros in the tournament opener in rainy Rabat. The Atlas Lions spurned a glorious chance to take an 11th-minute lead after Iyad Mohamed brought down Brahim Diaz in the box but Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor got his left knee to Soufiane Rahimi’s penalty. The Indian Ocean islanders sat back and frustrated their opponents until 10 minutes into the second half when Diaz was left unmarked near the penalty spot to sweep home Noussair Mazraoui’s low ball across…

Morgan Rogers struck twice as Aston Villa extended their winning run to 10 matches in all competitions, their best run as a top-flight club since 1914, by beating Manchester United at Villa Park. On a day when Aston Villa were not at their best, in-form Rogers put them ahead with a curling shot into the corner a minute before the break. After Matheus Cunha had capitalised on a Matty Cash error to level, Rogers stepped inside United defender Leny Yoro a second time before curling a replica effort over Senne Lammens for his sixth goal in as many league games.…

Even as millions of football-loving Nigerians have loss faith in the Super Eagles, former Chelsea forward and Africa Cup of Nations winner, Salomon Kalou, has backed Nigeria and his native Cote d’Ivoire as the leading contenders for the AFCON 2025, which begins on Sunday in Morocco. Kalou, who lifted the AFCON trophy with Cote d’Ivoire in 2015, put Nigeria and his country ahead of host nation Morocco, defending champions Senegal, and Mohamed Salah’s Egypt. Speaking in an interview with Tribuna.com, Kalou revealed the reason behind his choice. “Nigeria have an incredible pool of attacking talent, while Cote d’Ivoire are building…

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) begins in Morocco on Sunday with heightened attention on the expanded prize money on offer and a competition history that continues to defy form and reputation. With $7 million earmarked for the eventual champions, the tournament is set against the backdrop of past shocks that have reshaped expectations at Africa’s premier football event. Under the revised prize structure announced ahead of the competition, the winners will earn $7 million, while the runners-up will receive $4 million. Losing semi-finalists are guaranteed $2.5 million each, quarter-final exits $1.3 million, and teams eliminated in the round…

Award-winning singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has placed a $25,000 bet on goals ahead of the Super Eagles’ opening match against Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The singer shared a screenshot of the bet slip on Sunday via his X page, showing a wager on both teams to score in Nigeria’s Group C clash. He accompanied the post with the caption, “Let’s get this W Nigeria,” while tagging betting platform. The bet, which carries potential winnings of over $96,000, quickly sparked reactions online, with fans praising the singer’s confidence. Nigeria will face Tanzania on…