Sports
Joshua may quit boxing after car crash — Uncle
The 36-year-old boxer, who survived a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members, made the decision known to his family in private following last week’s tragedy.
“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally,” Adedamola told The PUNCH during a visit to the family home in Sagamu on Monday morning.
“Each time he’s knocked down, it is just like the heart is coming out of our chest. All these emotional feelings whenever he’s fighting, it’s too much trauma for us, also. Now that he has said that he’s leaving while the ovation is highest, we are happy.”
Our correspondent asked if Joshua had communicated this decision to the family.
“Yes,” the uncle confirmed.
The boxing star has also committed to providing lifelong support to the families of his two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, who died in the car accident near Lagos last Monday.
Joshua broke his public silence on Sunday, sharing photographs with the bereaved relatives on Instagram. His post carried the caption “My Brothers Keeper”, accompanied by two heart emojis and a military helmet symbol representing protection. The phrase references a biblical passage from Genesis 4:9, conveying a moral obligation to look after others.
A source within Joshua’s camp told UK publication The Sun, “AJ is fiercely loyal to his friends and their families and will be there for them for the rest of their lives. He’s had the same team around him for his whole career, and that team included Sina and Latz.”
Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele worked as his personal trainer, making both men integral members of his boxing camp.
The pair had travelled to Nigeria with Joshua to visit his family when tragedy struck. Their Lexus SUV collided with a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Both Ghami and Ayodele were killed instantly at the scene.
Joshua had to be extracted from the wreckage by rescuers. The boxer was rushed to the hospital but escaped with only minor injuries.
One of the indigenes in Sagamu, Adeniji Taiwo, expressed relief that Joshua survived the crash while mourning the loss of the two friends.
“We thank God we didn’t lose our son, and for those who lost their children, God will help us to comfort them,” Taiwo said.
“I believe the fear will be there for him not to come back home, but I will advise him to come back home because he can’t leave his father’s place. This is his home.
“We feel bad that happened to our son, who was already almost home when he had the accident, but we thank God, and we pray nothing like that will happen to him again. There is nothing that can’t happen anywhere. God will continue to be with him, and all of us; no one in Remo wishes him evil, he is our glory.”
Joshua’s uncle also addressed concerns about the boxer’s relationship with Nigeria following the tragedy.
“There are a lot of things we have heard, but this is a Christian family, and everything we take with faith,” he said.
“Once something like that happens, emotionally, you can say anything, but as time goes on, you know this is (always) your root.”
On Friday, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that Adeniyi Kayode, who was driving the car with Joshua as a passenger, had been charged over the crash at the Sagamu Magistrate Court. He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care, and driving without a valid driver’s licence. The case has been adjourned until January 20.
Kayode’s lawyer told the Daily Mail, “My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident. I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet, but I know he is saying the brakes did not work.
“I also understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat, but the driver asked him to swap seats. He did this because Anthony is a big fellow, and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly, so he asked him to move, and he sat behind the driver. From what I understand, Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony.”
Joshua, who was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, was on holiday in Nigeria following his sixth-round knockout win over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami on December 19.
Chelsea have confirmed the sacking of Liam Rosenior, just three four months into his six-year deal at the club. The decision comes after the club suffered their sixth loss in seven matches across all competitions.
In a statement published by the club, the FIFA Club World Cup champions confirmed that the decision was not taken lightly but rather forced after the poor form. They praised the Englishman for his time and Stamford Bridge and said:
“Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Liam Rosenior. On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, we would like to place on record our gratitude to Liam and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club. Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season.”
“This has not been a decision the Club has taken lightly, however recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards with still so much more to play for this season. Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future.”
The Blues hired Rosenior after Enzo Maresca resigned from his post on New Year’s Day. The Englishman had impressed at sister-club Strasbourg and was given the chance to show his skills at the Premier League club.
The 41-year-old took charge of just 23 matches before he was sacked. He won 11 matches, eight of which came in his first 11 matches at the club. The Blues kept just four clean sheets in all competitions, while conceding 38 goals and scoring just 47.
Chelsea reappoint Calum McFarlane as interim coach
Chelsea appointed Calum McFarlane as the interim coach after Enzo Maresca parted ways, and the former U21 coach is back at the helm for the rest of the season. He was a part of Liam Rosenior’s backroom staff and will take charge of the first-team for the rest of the season.
“Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach until the end of the season with support from existing Club backroom staff, as we strive to achieve European qualification and progress in the FA Cup. As the Club works to bring stability to the Head Coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment.”
Reports indicate that the Nigerian international was confronted by intruders who forced their way into his home and threatened him with a knife while searching for valuables. The attackers reportedly ransacked the property and carted away expensive items, including luxury wristwatches, jewellery, mobile phones, and other personal belongings.
Sources close to the incident revealed that the robbers also accessed a safe inside the residence and stole valuables estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Fortunately, the Super Eagles star escaped without physical injuries, although the shocking incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of footballers living in Europe.
Alex Iwobi Robbed At Knifepoint: Iwobi Yet To Speak Publicly
As of the time of filing this report, Alex Iwobi has not released an official public statement regarding the robbery incident.
However, a source familiar with the situation said the midfielder is safe and recovering from the traumatic experience.
“He is doing okay and thankful that no one was injured. The most important thing is that he is safe after the frightening incident,” the source reportedly disclosed.
The source added that the player is cooperating with authorities as investigations continue.
Security agencies in the United Kingdom have reportedly launched an investigation into the robbery, with efforts underway to identify and arrest the suspects involved in the attack.
Authorities are believed to be reviewing security footage and gathering intelligence to track down the criminals responsible for the home invasion.
Although details of the suspects remain unclear, law enforcement officials are said to be treating the case as a targeted burglary involving a high-profile footballer.
Growing Concern Over Footballers’ Safety
The incident involving Alex Iwobi has once again highlighted the growing security risks faced by professional footballers in Europe.
In recent years, several footballers in the English Premier League and other European leagues have become targets of organized criminal gangs who monitor their movements and attack their homes in search of valuables.
Security experts say such attacks are often carefully planned, especially when players are away for matches or public engagements.
As a result, clubs and players are increasingly investing in advanced security systems and private protection to reduce the risk of home invasions.
Jamie Redknapp called for Mikel Arteta to take the blame for Arsenal’s defeat by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final for a huge decision – starting his second-choice goalkeeper.
Kepa Arrizabalaga got the nod to start between the sticks for the Gunners at Wembley, chosen ahead of David Raya as Arsenal’s cup goalkeeper, having played every other match in the competition.
It was widely deemed as a risk and a downgrade on Raya, who usually plays Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League matches, and that proved to be true in the second-half.
Just after the hour mark, Kepa came out of his goal to try and catch Rayan Cherki’s cross, but fumbled the effort and the ball fell kindly into the path of Nico O’Reilly. Four minutes later, O’Reilly would score again as City won 2-0.
And Redknapp suggested that it was the wrong call to play the Spaniard – and that Arteta needs to take the blame for that.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I know people will say sentiment because he’s played in the earlier rounds, but Kepa is not as good as Raya, that’s why he’s your No2.
It was put to Redknapp that James Trafford, playing in goal for City, is the winners’ No2 and made three top-class saves in the first-half.
‘I’m not saying he’s a bad goalkeeper, but he’s not as good as Raya and it has backfired big time,’ Redknapp added. ‘You can turn around and say Trafford isn’t your No1 either, but he made three big saves and then he was hardly tested.’
Micah Richards went onto echo Redknapp’s views, explaining why the situation is different with Trafford.
Many thought the England star would be City’s No1 this season when he joined the club, but Gianluigi Donnarumma signed from Manchester City soon after to dislodge his spot.
Trafford has therefore been subject to mostly cup competitions, with nine of his 13 games this season coming in either the FA Cup or League Cup.
‘I think you’re right,’ Richards said. ‘When you asked about goalkeepers at the start, Trafford was brought in as a No1, he was ready – it’s just that Donnarumma came on the market.
‘The difference between Raya and Kepa is so big, so in a big game, you’re thinking, “you’ve got to go with Raya”. Look, we can talk about it after, but ultimately we’re talking about it because (it) cost Arsenal the game.’
Morocco were on Tuesday crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal, ruling that the West African side forfeited the match following a walk-off during the game in Rabat on January 19.
CAF stated that “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”
The decision followed a protest by Morocco after chaotic scenes late in the final, when Senegal players briefly left the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to the hosts, an action the appeal board ruled fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations on misconduct and forfeiture.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football said it had taken note of the decision delivered by CAF’s Appeal Committee in case DC23316, which followed a complaint filed during match 52 of the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco.
“The Senegalese Football Federation has today taken note of the notification of the decision rendered on March 17, 2026 by the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football, in the context of case DC23316,” the statement read.
The federation said the appeal board declared admissible the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and overturned the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board, citing a procedural flaw in the initial hearing.
“With this decision, the CAF Appeals Board declared the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation admissible and accepted it.
“In doing so, the board overturned the decision rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Board, on the grounds that the appellant’s right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings,” the FSF said.
“The Appeals Committee also determined that the conduct of the Senegalese team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations.
“Consequently, CAF declared that the FSF had violated Article 82 and awarded the match by forfeit, with a recorded score of 3–0 in favor of the FRMF, in accordance with Article 84,” the federation stated.
Reacting to the verdict, the Senegalese federation criticised the decision, describing it as damaging to the credibility of African football.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football,” the statement added.
The federation confirmed that it would file an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” the statement said.
The FSF added that it remained committed to due process and would continue to inform the public as the case progresses.
“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice, and will keep the public informed of the follow-up to this matter,” the statement concluded.
By Chinedu Sabastine
Rangers International FC on Sunday recorded a convincing 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, popularly known as The Cathedral, to move to the top of the league table.
The Flying Antelopes dominated proceedings with crisp passing and attacking intent, restricting the visitors to defensive duties as Nasarawa United struggled to contain Rangers’ relentless pressure.
The win pushed Rangers to the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League standings with 47 points, placing them first on the NPFL ratings.
Rangers striker Godwin Obaje opened the scoring in the 20th minute of the first half, capitalising on sustained pressure from the hosts. Captain Chidiebere Nwobodo doubled the advantage eight minutes later with a well-taken effort in the 28th minute.
Both teams searched for goals in the second half, but despite Rangers’ continued dominance, no further goals were added as the encounter ended 2–0.
Reacting to the outcome, Nasarawa United coach Mangut Mbwas admitted that Rangers were the better side on the day.
“Rangers are a good team. We tried our best but the goals did not come. We missed scoring chances, but we will put in more effort to improve,” he said.
Rangers’ Technical Adviser, Fidelis Ilechukwu, also praised the visitors while expressing satisfaction with his team’s performance.
“Today we played against a very good side. We will continue to work hard to maintain our winning momentum,” he stated.
The result further strengthens Rangers’ title push as the season enters a decisive phase.
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