Sports
Sports Icons Pay Tribute To Mandela
Sport’s greatest icons have
paid their own tributes to South Africa’s first black president Nelson Mandela, who has died aged 95.
Muhammad Ali said: “His was a life filled with purpose and hope – hope for himself, his country and the world.
“He made us realise we are our brother’s keeper and that our brothers come in all colours.”
Pele said Mandela was “one of the most influential people in my life. He was my hero, my friend”.
Iconic former boxer Ali added: “What I will remember most about Mr Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge.
“He inspired others to reach for what appeared to be impossible and moved them to break through the barriers that held them hostage mentally, physically, socially and economically.
“He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale. His was a spirit born free, destined to soar above the rainbows. Today his spirit is soaring through the heavens. He is now forever free.”
The world’s number one golfer and a 14-time major winner, Tiger Woods, said: “You will always be in my heart, Mr Mandela. You have done so much for humanity.”
Former England captain David Beckham said: “My heart goes out to the people in South Africa and Mr Mandela’s family. We have lost a true gentleman and a courageous human being.”
Head of world football governing body FIFA, Sepp Blatter, said of Mandela’s impact on football’s 2010 World Cup in South Africa: “When he was honoured and cheered by the crowd at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on 11 July 2010, it was as a man of the people, a man of their hearts.
“It was one of the most moving moments I have ever experienced. For him, the World Cup in South Africa truly was ‘a dream come true’.”
He added that there would be a minute’s silence as a mark of respect ahead of the next round of international matches.
The Premier League confirmed a minute’s applause would be held before all of the top-flight matches taking place this Saturday, Sunday and Monday and the Football Association and Football League have also asked clubs taking part in their respective competitions to have a minute’s applause before their matches this weekend.
Mandela once said “sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people, in a way that little else does,” and his African National Congress saw sport as a way to unite the nation.
Sport had been targeted for sanctions during the country’s apartheid rule, leading to bans from the Olympic Games and various World Cups, and almost complete isolation by the time Mandela was released from his 27-year prison sentence in 1990.
But South Africa was allowed to send a team to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and enter the 1994 football World Cup qualifiers, long before the change in the political system was complete.
“The International Olympic Committee wanted Mandela in their ranks. He was an icon of the world and at the opening of the Barcelona Games they treated him like a head of state,” recalled Sam Ramsamy, former South African Olympic Committee president and now an IOC member.
After he was elected president in 1994, the 1995 Rugby World Cup was the showcase for Mandela’s unifying agenda in South Africa and the tournament’s final created one of the defining sporting images of the century.
In that moment, racially divided South Africa came together in a way which had been unimaginable as Mandela, dressed in a Springbok jersey, presented the World Cup to captain Francois Pienaar after South Africa’s 15-12 extra-time victory over favourites New Zealand,
Pienaar released a statement which read: “Nelson Mandela was the most extraordinary and incredible human being, not only because he united his country when such a task seemed impossible but also because, through his unique humanity, he inspired hundreds of millions of people across the globe.
“I will always be profoundly grateful for the personal role Nelson Mandela has played in my life, as my President and my example.”
South Africa rugby tweeted: “Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. We will never forget the role you played in our country, in our sport, and for that we are eternally grateful.”
Francois Pienaar on receiving World Cup from Nelson Mandela
“What happened was Nelson Mandela said ‘thank you very much for what you’ve done for South Africa’ but I said ‘thank you for what you’ve done’.
“I almost felt like hugging him but it wasn’t appropriate, I guess.
“Then I lifted the trophy which was unbelievable. I can’t describe the feeling as I wouldn’t do it justice.”
South African golfer Ernie Els described Mandela as “the most amazing man I ever met. He was the father of our country and our continent”.
Els’s compatriot and fellow golfer Gary Player recalled the day he shook Mandela’s hand during a charity golf tournament in South Africa.
Player told BBC Radio 5 live: “I opened the door of the helicopter and he said ‘Gary, do you remember me?’ I shook his hand and he said ‘I won’t wash my hand for the next month’.
“He was a man who was humble, a man who was wise, a man who suffered for doing the right thing not the wrong thing.
“I don’t have the vocabulary of a Winston Churchill to describe the man. His body is gone but his spirit will remain in this world forever.”
The world number one ladies tennis player Serena Williams tweeted: “Nelson Mandela led one of the most impactful lives of our time. One life – Nelson Mandela’s life changed many. May his legacy live forever.”
England’s record goalscorer Sir Bobby Charlton said: “Mr Mandela worked tirelessly all of his life for racial equality and his legacy will live on way beyond our lifetime.
“I feel blessed to have lived during his life span and privileged to have met him on a number of occasions.”
South Africa cricketers Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock, former captain of the South Africa football team and Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar, South Africa rugby union players Joost van der Westhuizen and Bryan Habana and British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton were among the many sportsmen to share their appreciation of the former president.
Cricket South Africa used their official Twitter account to say: “RIP Tata Mandela. It is because of you that a represented Proteas team can express their talent across the globe.”
In Adelaide, a couple of hours after the news of Mandela’s death was announced, a minute’s silence was observed before the start of play on day two of the second Ashes Test between Australia and England.
Both sets of players wore black armbands in tribute to Mandela.
Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt also paid his respects, tweeting: “One of the greatest human beings ever. May your soul rest in peace. The world’s greatest fighter.”
City Crime
‘NFF Conducted Federation Cup Draw Fairly’

The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
Sports
Act Sports Signs New Teqball Specialist Contract In Nigeria

A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Sports
Nigeria Name Handball Squads For Zonal Champs
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.
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