By Silvernews

The Imo State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated two of its revered veterans, Elder Tasie Theodore and Chris Abiaziem, who are set to be honoured at the national level during the forthcoming SWAN @ 60 Awards later this month.

The association described the recognition as a fitting tribute to the duo’s decades-long dedication, professionalism, and exemplary service to sports journalism in Nigeria.

In a message to her members, Imo SWAN said the honour underscores the lasting impact of Theodore and Abiaziem in shaping sports reportage and inspiring younger journalists across the country.

The group noted that both men have, over the years, embodied the core values of the association through integrity, consistency, and passion for the development of sports and sports writing.

Imo SWAN expressed pride in their achievements, describing the national recognition as not only a personal milestone for the honourees but also a moment of collective celebration for the entire Imo sports journalism family.

By Silvernews

The partnership between the Imo State Ministry of Sports, led by Commissioner Obinna Onyeocha, and Sunzeal Football Club of Abuja has begun to yield positive results with the arrival of European football scouts and Polish coaches in Owerri on Tuesday.
The foreign agents, who first touched down in Abuja, later flew into the Imo State capital, where they were received by Commissioner Onyeocha at the Ministry of Sports. They proceeded to hold strategic talks aimed at uncovering fresh football talents across the state.

During the visit, the delegation also met with over 24 football coaches and local club owners from Imo State to finalize modalities for a five-day open trial. The team subsequently visited Egbu to inspect the pitch and other facilities designated for the exercise, which is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday morning.
Speaking after the meeting, Commissioner Onyeocha reaffirmed Governor Hope Uzodimma’s commitment to developing homegrown football stars capable of representing Nigeria on the international stage. He also revealed that the Heartland FC Feeder Team, managed directly by his office, will participate in the trials.
According to him, the initiative aligns with the state’s broader vision to revive grassroots sports and build a strong pipeline of talented athletes for both national and international football.

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has rescheduled the second leg encounter in the 2025/26 CAF second round preliminary encounter between Rivers United and Black Bulls.

This was contained in a statement by Charles Mayuku, Media Officer, Rivers United FC.

He said: “We have received official confirmation from the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) that our Champions League Second Preliminary Round Second Leg tie against Black Bulls of Mozambique will now hold on Saturday, 25th October 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The kickoff is scheduled for 4 pm.

“This is a change in date from the initial schedule of Sunday October 26, and we urge all fans, stakeholders, and the media to take note of this update. We are looking forward to a thrilling encounter and counting on the support of our passionate fans to push us through to the next stage of the competition.”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the nominees in the Men’s Categories for the CAF Awards 2025, celebrating the continent’s top performers among players, coaches, clubs and national teams.

A panel of experts made up of CAF Technical & Development Committee members, experienced coaches, CAF Legends and selected media representatives decided on 10 nominees for each category considering the performance in all competitions.

MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Cameroon’s Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah headline the nominees following commanding seasons with Napoli and Liverpool respectively, as well as their national teams.
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids), whose prolific scoring powered his club to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title, is also in the mix, along with the likes of Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray) and Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton).

Nominees:

Andre Frank Zambo-Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Denis Bouanga (Gabon/Los Angeles FC)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain)
Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton)
Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal/Tottenham Hotspur)

MEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

A blend of international experience and emerging stars defines the goalkeeper category. Yassine Bonou (Morocco/Al Hilal) headlines a star-studded list having been a consistent performer for club and country, while Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria/Chippa United) and title holder Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) are other nominees.

Nominees:

Andre Onana (Cameroon/Trabzonspor)
Vozinha (Cape Verde/Chaves)
Ahmed El Shenawy (Egypt/Pyramids)
Munir Mohamedi (Morocco/RS Berkane)
Yassine Bonou (Morocco/Al Hilal)
Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria/Chippa United)
Edouard Mendy (Senegal/Al Ahli)
Marc Diouf (Senegal/Tengueth)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns)
Aymen Dahmen (Tunisia/CS Sfaxien)

MEN’S YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

CAF’s future stars are showcased through a promising lineup of emerging talents. Burkina Faso’s Asharaf Tapsoba (Real du Faso) and Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane (Ajax) headline the category. Rising South African prospects Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates) and Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers) also feature among the top 10.

Nominees:

Asharaf Tapsoba (Burkina Faso/Real du Faso)
Alynho Haidara (Cote d’Ivoire/ Mainz 05 Jacqueville)
Noah Sadiki (DR Congo/Sunderland)
Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco/Ajax)
Houssam Essadak (Morocco/US Touarga)
Othmane Maamma (Morocco/Watford)
Daniel Bameyi (Nigeria/Primorje)
Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone/Minnesota United)
Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa/Orlando Pirates)
Tylon Smith (South Africa/Queens Park Rangers)

A day after receiving the hosting rights for the 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Playoffs and Final Four, Rivers Hoopers Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu has warned that his charges must be prepared to work hard to retain their title despite playing on home court.

In a circular released on Monday, 20th October, 2025, the League Management Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) announced Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as host for the third (playoffs) and final phases (final four) of the 2025 NBPL season.

This means the Garden City will serve as host for the final phase of the league for the third year running, having also hosted the 2023 and 2024 finals, much to the delight of the award-winning gaffer who said, “Everybody wants to play in front of their home crowd. You can see the atmosphere in the gym anytime we play here; it’s electric. Even though we wanted to go out to have a taste of what it is outside, there was no other bid from elsewhere. Well, [we’ll do] anything to bring basketball to the doorstep of our fans right here. So we went for it and were granted [the hosting right], and we are happy about that.”

With the latest development, expectations remain high among basketball enthusiasts for the defending champions to clinch the NBPL title at the end of the 2025 season, just as they did in 2023 and 2024 on home soil.

But the seasoned tactician, Odaudu, has warned that with the increased level of competition within the league, only hard work will deliver a third straight crown to the KingsMen.

“Like I’ve said earlier, teams are not smiling; they are recruiting massively. So it’s not going to be a walk in the park for us [despite playing at home]. It [retaining the title] is something that we have to actually work for in order to win, and that’s what we’re planning to do,” he stated.

The Playoffs (Final Eight) is scheduled for 26th October, 2025, to 3rd November, 2025, during which period all eight teams will play once against the other seven teams in a round robin format, with the top four teams qualifying for the Final Four, which will run from 20th to 24th November.

All matches will be played at the Indoor Basketball Stadium, #59 Niger Street, Port Harcourt Township.

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‎The management of Bayelsa United has issued a two game ultimatum to players and coaches of the Prosperity Boys after the team’s series of unimpressive results in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.
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‎Chairman of Bayelsa United, Dr. Tarilaye Nwankwe announced the ultimatum at an emergency meeting with players and coaches of the club in the camp in Yenagoa.
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‎According to him, the ultimatum will start from this weekend’s encounter against Warri Wolves at Ozoro and Plateau United at home on October 31, 2025, pointing out that the management would no longer entertain such performance going forward.
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‎He noted that the ultimatum became imperative due to the team’s poor performances in recent times particularly last Sunday’s display against newly-promoted Kun Khalifat.
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‎”The Bayelsa State Government has invested heavily on the club and so far, the results have been far from impressive. We cannot continue with such performance, the investment must reflect on the pitch starting this weekend,” he stated.
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‎”This is not a witch-hunt but an honest and concerted effort in ensuring that all involved in this club key into our philosophy of making Bayelsa United one of the foremost clubs in the country.”

Kano Pillars FC have announced the appointment of Muhammad Babaganaru as their Acting Technical Adviser.

Babaganaru returns to Kano for his third stint in charge of the Sai Masu Gida following the suspension of Evans Ogenyi after a poor start to the ongoing 2025/26 NPFL season.

This was contained in a statement by the Media and Communications Directorate of Kano Pillars.

“The management of Kano Pillars FC wishes to announce the appointment of Muhammad Babaganaru as the Acting Technical Adviser of the club and will resume with immediate effect.

“We wish Coach Babaganaru success in his new role as he leads the Sai Masu Gida in upcoming fixtures.”

After a painful 4–1 defeat to Canada in their opening Group D fixture, Nigeria’s U17 girls find themselves fighting for survival against a confident French side that kicked off their campaign with a strong 4–2 win over Samoa.

This fixture is more than just a group match, as there is history and something at stake for the Flamingos. The last time Nigeria met France at this tournament was 13 years ago, in Azerbaijan, where both sides played out a tense 0–0 draw in regulation time before France edged Nigeria 5–3 on penalties to advance from the quarter-finals.

That memory lingers, and for many, this feels like unfinished business. Nigeria enter tomorrow’s match bottom of the table with zero points and a minus three goal difference, meaning defeat could mathematically end their World Cup journey. At minimum, a draw is essential, but a win would flip the entire narrative heading into the final group match against Samoa.

France play with speed, fluidity and dominant structure. Their 4–2 win over Samoa was ruthless. Nigeria showed flashes of brilliance against Canada, scoring once, but defensive lapses haunted them badly.

Coach Bankole Olowookere’s team must correct their transitions, stay compact, and rediscover their mental steel, as this is no longer about tactics alone, but also about character.

At the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 1), 8pm in Rabat, the Flamingos won’t just be playing France, they’ll be playing for belief, redemption, and survival.