Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured that the state is ready to host this year’s CAF Awards after a five-man team from the Confederation of African Football inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, popularly known as the National Theatre, the designated venue for the ceremony, The PUNCH reports.
The CAF team arrived in Nigeria last Thursday for an inspection of facilities being put forward by the country to host the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly and annual CAF Awards ceremony.
The team is led by former NFF presidential aspirant and CAF’s Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa. The delegation also includes Mohammed Bakeer (Technology), Inas Ahmed (Travel and Accommodation), Salah Mostafa (Transport) and Hervé Dassoundo (Branding).
They were received by officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission, led by Director-General Lekan Fatodu, as they inspected the National Theatre on Monday.
Sanwo-Olu said the state was committed to ensuring that Lagos delivers a successful event.
“We guided them through the venue and gathered their feedback. Hosting an event of this scale means every single detail counts and our team is working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get it right,” the governor said in an X post on Monday.
“Lagos is ready and we look forward to putting on a brilliant show for African football.”
Nigeria has previously hosted the CAF Awards on four occasions, with Lagos staging the most recent edition in January 2015.
While Abuja will host the CAF General Assembly on November 21, 2026, Lagos will take centre stage for the ceremony honouring the best players and other outstanding performers in African football.
The CAF delegation had earlier inspected facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday before visiting the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the designated venue for the Congress, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Saturday.
The CAF team is being accompanied on the inspection tour by a five-man NFF delegation comprising Dr Ademola Olajire, Director of Media and Communications; Alizor Chuks, Director of Marketing; Barnabas Joro, Head of Security; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, Chief Protocol Officer; and Tasiu Riskuwa Shehu, Head of ICT.
Two months ago, at the Africa Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, President Bola Tinubu approved Nigeria’s hosting of the two major CAF events following a request by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe.
About 10,000 runners from Nigeria, other West African countries and East Africa are expected to converge on Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, for an international half-marathon covering a distance of 21 kilometres.
The organisers said the event, scheduled for November 14, 2026, marks a new phase for the marathon after a decade of hosting participants mainly from within Nigeria.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday to officially announce the date, the Convener of the Port Harcourt International Marathon, Goodluck Azunwena, said the 2026 edition is more than a race, showcasing culture, tourism and healthy living through sports under the theme, “Green Race.”
Azunwena said, “As we celebrate a decade of purpose, we are proud to officially reopen this chapter of our journey, driven by renewed energy and an even bigger vision, beginning with the Port Harcourt International Marathon taking place on November 14.
“A world-class event that represents far more than a race. It is a platform for unity, tourism, economic growth, healthy living, youth empowerment and global visibility. Through it, we invite the world to experience the true spirit of Port Harcourt.”
He said the organisers had already secured the support of the Rivers State Government and some private partners while remaining open to additional sponsorship.
On the expected number of participants, Azunwena said previous editions attracted about 5,000 registered runners, but participation had now been expanded following increased interest from within and outside Nigeria.
“For this edition, our projection is to have at least 10,000 runners register for the race. Everything in terms of security has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free event,” he said.
In her remarks, an official of the marathon, Diri Dikibujuri, said the 10th edition had been tagged “Port Harcourt to the World.”
She said, “As we celebrate the decade of the ‘Green Race’, we are transitioning from what we used to know as the Port Harcourt City Marathon to the Port Harcourt International Marathon. We are proud to announce this year that we are welcoming runners from across Nigeria and other West African countries and East Africa.”
She explained that the theme, “Green Race,” was chosen to reflect the marathon’s renewed vision. “We all know green means life, renewal and growth. In this case, green signifies Port Harcourt as the Garden City. The word ‘race’ goes beyond athletics or sports. It signifies humanity running towards a better life, impact and sustainability,” Dikibujuri said.
She continued, “Together, Green Race is about taking Port Harcourt to the world by building an initiative that delivers multidimensional impact.
“We are bringing together sports, culture, sustainability, education, empowerment, environmental advocacy and youth development under one umbrella. We have activities before the race, on race day and after the race, all aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11 and 13 because it is an international race.
“We are engaging the entire Port Harcourt community in moving towards a greener city. In the end, we are not just taking Port Harcourt to the world; we are bringing the garden back to the city.”
Thirty years after guiding Nigeria to its first and only Olympic football gold medal, former Dream Team coach Johannes “Bonfrère” Jo has expressed disappointment that the Nigerian government is yet to recognise or reward his role in one of the nation’s greatest sporting achievements, The PUNCH reports.
Bonfrère led a talented generation featuring Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West, Celestine Babayaro, Garba Lawal and Emmanuel Amuneke to one of football’s greatest Olympic stories.
Nigeria defeated Brazil 4-3 after extra time in a memorable semi-final before coming from behind to beat Argentina 3-2 in the final at the Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, becoming the first African nation to win Olympic football gold.
While many members of the victorious squad received national honours, cash rewards and houses in the years that followed, Bonfrère believes his role has largely been forgotten.
The 80-year-old Dutchman also revealed that the Olympic gold medal he received after Nigeria’s historic triumph in Atlanta was stolen, alleging that it disappeared while in the custody of a team official. Bonfrère said the incident remained one of the most painful memories of his association with Nigerian football, lamenting that despite leading the Dream Team to Africa’s first-ever Olympic football gold, he not only missed out on government recognition but also lost the medal that symbolised the greatest achievement of his coaching career.
“They were claiming that everyone has received their rewards, but I have not received anything; they have never given me the reward for winning the gold medal,” he told The PUNCH.
“Even my gold medal was stolen from me, and I still didn’t get a reward from the government, which all the players have received, including players who were not on the list.”
The Dutch tactician, who masterminded Nigeria’s dramatic triumph at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, recounted how his gold medal was stolen from him.
“I don’t know how the medal was collected from me; I only know that when the players went upstairs, an official stopped me from going with them and the medal was gone.”
Bonfrère said his repeated efforts to seek recognition from the relevant authorities have yielded no results, revealing that he had reached out on several occasions but received little or no response.
The retired coach admitted he had not given up hope, saying he would be grateful if the government or the appropriate authorities finally acknowledged his contribution to Nigeria’s greatest Olympic football achievement.
“I will be happy if something can be done because I have made several calls and sent messages but nobody was interested in helping me.”
Three decades on, memories of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games remain vivid for Nigeria’s sporting community, with the historic outing still standing as Team Nigeria’s greatest-ever performance since the country made its Olympic debut in 1952. For the former Dream Team coach, however, the milestone evokes mixed emotions, serving as a painful reminder of what he says has been three decades without the recognition or reward he believes he deserves.
As celebrations continue to honour the players and officials who made history in Atlanta, Bonfrère hopes the milestone will also prompt a reflection on those whose contributions have gone unnoticed.
Hosts Morocco will look to complete a perfect Group A campaign when they face Senegal in their final group-stage match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Monday evening, while the Lionesses of Teranga need a positive result to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time (20:00 GMT).
The fixture also rekindles one of African football’s growing rivalries, with Morocco and Senegal having met in the controversial final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Moroccan Team | CAF
Senegal initially won the match 1-0 after extra time in Rabat, but CAF’s Appeals Board later overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory after ruling that Senegal had forfeited the final following a temporary walk-off in protest over a penalty decision.
The case remains the subject of an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), ensuring there is no shortage of history and emotion whenever the two nations meet.
Meanwhile, PUNCH Online reports that the encounter, which comes after Morocco secured six points from their opening two matches, is being billed as one of the standout fixtures of the group phase.
“Some group stage matches feel like knockout games. The clash between Morocco and Senegal on Monday evening at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat falls into this category,” CAF said in its match preview on Monday.
The Atlas Lionesses opened their campaign with a 4-0 victory over Kenya before edging Algeria 1-0 to book their place in the knockout rounds. Senegal, meanwhile, recovered from a 2-0 defeat to Algeria by beating Kenya 1-0 and remain in contention for qualification.
According to the official preview, “Hosts Morocco, who have already secured their place in the knockout stage, face Senegal in their final Group A match at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Monday, 3 August, with kick-off at 21h00 local time (20h00 GMT).”
Senegal team | CAF
The preview also notes that this will be “the third WAFCON meeting between Senegal and Morocco,” with “the teams meeting at a third successive edition of the finals.”
Morocco have won both previous meetings by identical 1-0 scorelines, with Ghizlane Chebbak scoring from the penalty spot in 2022 and Yasmin M’Rabet converting another penalty in first-half stoppage time at the last edition.
CAF further noted that “when the teams were paired together in 2022, and at the last edition, both progressed beyond the group stage.”
This time, however, Senegal’s qualification scenario is more complicated.
“For both teams to advance this time, Senegal need to win and Algeria must fail to beat Kenya,” the preview stated.
Morocco coach Jorge Vilda dismissed suggestions that history could determine Monday’s outcome despite last year’s narrow victory over Senegal.
Vilda said, “These are two completely different situations. Senegal is a great team on the African and even global stage. We will have to show the best version of Morocco.”
Although already through to the knockout phase, Morocco insist there is still plenty at stake.
“It’s neither a dead rubber match nor an easy one.
“It’s a mini-final. In this WAFCON, all the teams have improved. We must stay focused on our game,” Morocco international Sakina Ouzraoui said.
The hosts are also counting on home support to inspire another victory.
“Our supporters are our twelfth player. We want to repay their pride by winning,” Ouzraoui said.
Vilda expects another capacity crowd in Rabat.
The coach added, “All the tickets are sold out. If the stadium were bigger, it would be just as full. We want to offer a victory to those in the stands as well as those watching on television.”
Senegal coach Mame Moussa Cissé said his side had recovered strongly from their opening defeat and remained confident ahead of the decisive encounter.
“We approach every match with confidence, humility and the desire to achieve a positive result. After our first defeat, we found the mental, physical and tactical resources to react. Today, our qualification depends on us,” Cissé said.
Cissé also brushed aside comparisons with previous meetings between the two countries.
He added, “Football evolves. Circumstances change. The two teams are now very evenly matched in terms of level. It’s up to each of them to write their own story. The Moroccan crowd is a hurdle.”
He acknowledged the challenge posed by playing the host nation, saying, “playing against the hosts is always difficult.”
However, he believes such occasions bring out the best in players.
“But these are the matches every player dreams of playing. We’ll have to ignore the atmosphere and stay focused on our own game,” he noted.
Looking beyond the result, the Senegal coach said the match would also be a showcase for women’s football on the continent.
The coach stated, “Beyond Morocco and Senegal, it’s African women’s football that will be under scrutiny. This will be one of the most-watched matches of the competition. Everyone will have to rise to the occasion.”
The statistics underline Morocco’s recent dominance. The hosts are unbeaten in their last eight WAFCON group-stage matches, with seven wins and one draw, and have never conceded in this tournament after victories over Kenya and Algeria.
Victory would see Morocco win all three group matches for the second time after achieving the feat in 2022.
For Senegal, a win would secure successive WAFCON victories for only the second time and could send them into the knockout stage for a third successive appearance, provided Algeria fail to beat Kenya.
Senegal are also seeking to end an unwanted record, having never won, scored or avoided defeat in a third WAFCON group-stage match.
