Sports

7 Days to AACT 2026: Uloma Ogbuokiri Champions Girls In Golf Legacy

Published

1 day ago

October 26, 2026

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria – With seven days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Coordinator of Girls in Golf, Uloma Mbuko Ogbuokiri, is highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for young girls to discover, learn and excel in the sport as Nigeria prepares to host the continental women’s golf championship.

Through the Girls in Golf Legacy Project, AACT 2026 is seeking to extend the impact of the championship beyond the competition course by encouraging greater participation among young girls and helping to nurture the next generation of female golfers.

The initiative includes a mentoring target of 300 girls, providing an opportunity to introduce more young people to golf while inspiring confidence, discipline, leadership and ambition through sport.

The project reflects the broader objective of strengthening women’s golf in Nigeria and across Africa by building a pathway for young girls to develop their interest and skills, with the hope that more will eventually progress into competitive golf.

As countries prepare to gather in Abuja for AACT 2026, the Girls in Golf initiative also reinforces the importance of using major sporting events to create lasting opportunities for future generations.

Nigeria will host the All Africa Challenge Trophy for the third time, following the 1996 edition at Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos and the 2010 championship at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

The 2026 tournament is scheduled for November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, Abuja, under the slogan “Uniting Africa through the greens.”

With seven days remaining, the focus is not only on the golfers who will compete for continental honours, but also on the young girls who may be inspired to take up the sport and become the champions of tomorrow.

7 DAYS TO GO.

AACT 2026: UNITING AFRICA THROUGH THE GREENS.

AFRICA IS COMING TO ABUJA.

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Sports

Nigerian Goalkeeper James Honoured with Spot in Finland’s Team of the Season

Published

2 hours ago

October 27, 2026

The Gleamer

Ibrahim Lawal

Nigeria’s Super Eagles goalkeeper Samuel Friday James has earned recognition among the best-performing players in Finland following his impressive displays for SJK Akatemia in the 2026 season.

The 20-year-old shot-stopper ranks second among the league’s selected best-performing XI, with an average rating of 7.61, according to statistics published by Totori News.

James’ performances have stood out despite the challenging campaign faced by his club, with his consistency between the posts making him one of the bright spots in the team.

The former Mavlon FC goalkeeper has recorded four clean sheets in Finland’s Ykkösliiga this season, while his shot-stopping ability has further underlined his growing reputation in European football.

According to available season statistics from FootyStats, James has made 20 league appearances, playing 1,800 minutes. He has conceded 32 goals and made 75 saves from 109 shots faced, giving him a save percentage of approximately 68.8 per cent.

His four clean sheets account for 20 per cent of his league appearances, demonstrating his ability to keep opponents at bay despite the defensive challenges confronting his team.

James has also shown composure and resilience in difficult matches, including his recent international outing for Nigeria against Russia, where he made his senior Super Eagles appearance in the 3-3 friendly draw on October 6.

Standing at 1.95 metres, the young goalkeeper possesses the physical attributes required for the modern game, combining his reach with quick reactions and an increasingly valuable experience of European football.

His rise has been particularly encouraging following his move from Lagos-based Mavlon FC to Finland in 2025. Since then, he has continued to develop through regular competitive football and has attracted attention for his performances.

James’ latest statistical recognition of 7.55 rating in the team of the season adds to his growing profile as Nigeria continues to assess goalkeeping options for the future.

At 20, the goalkeeper will be hoping to build on his progress in Finland and establish himself as a regular contender for the Super Eagles, while continuing to improve his performances at club level.

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