Sports

Stop Confusing Sports Loving Nigerians – FNS advises Segun Odegbami

Published

5 years ago

February 8, 2022

..Says there are no factions in NBBF

By Lateef Adekola

Former Nigeria international footballer, Segun Odegbami, has been advised to desist from further fanning the ambers of discord and disunity in Nigerian sports, particularly, in basketball.

This warning was contained in a statement released by Friends of Nigeria Sports (FNS), a group of sport journalists, stakeholders and enthusiasts. The statement was a swift reaction to Odegbami’s opinion, albeit an indictment of the basketball world governing body FIBA as a bias body. And also disregarding the NBBF election in Benin.

” Let’s take Odegbami’s opinion carefully. He intentionally mentioned that basketball was practically dead in Nigeria, as the national team does not have a single player from the domestic league going to the Olympic. He didn’t not explain reasons behind the inability of Kida’s led NBBF to organise the domestic league for over 3 years.

“It was a fact the NBBF was stopped by a court injunction from organising the domestic league. It is sad also that Odegbami, did not tell Nigerians the unsavoury roles he played in crisis, including withdrawing players of First Bank female basketball team from the national team.

” He should stop deceiving Nigerians and misusing his media clout to push the destructive agendas of a few selfish and self-aggrandising individuals who are bent of killing the game in Nigeria. Every genuine sports lover and particularly, followers of basketball knew there was only one constitutionally organised NBBF and that it was held in Benin, Edo State.

” It is also wrong and misleading from him to continue to state that there are two factional presidents, even when it was widely reported in the media that FIBA was represented at the Benin election. The game cannot be in a quandary for the next 4 years because Engr. Musa Kida is the duly elected president of NBBF.”

The statement signed by FNS’ spokesperson, Asiwaju Akeem Busari, further stated that the basketball community are aware of Odegbami’s biased position and contributions in the induced crisis that have rocked the NBBF since 2017.

” Yes, we agree that Odegbami is entitled to his opinions, but he shouldn’t use his vantage position, especially on the government media to play the devil’s advocate. It is uncharitable and truly inimical to the development of sports in Nigeria.”

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Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

13 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

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