Sports

Mathematical Segun Odegbami loses son, Oluwagbeminiyi

Published

2 years ago

April 2, 2024

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Oluwagbeminiyi, son of Nigeria’s most celebrated football ex-international, Patrick Olusegun Odegbami is dead.

The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner with the then Green Eagles, disclosed this in a tribute he wrote in his memory.

Odegbami, popularly known in his hey days as: “Mathematical Segun Odegbami,” wrote: “Oluwagbeminiyi Omo Odegbami – the simple pilgrim returns home!

“It is completely impossible to think that I am writing about Oluwagbeminiyi Omo Odegbami in the past tense.

“One day to Good Friday, his message woke me up whilst I was in Accra, Ghana. He wanted my summary of the synopsis of the documentary project we were working on.

“I told him not to wait for me but to go ahead and apply his abundant creativity to the project. I was not exaggerating. Gbemi was an unknown and unappreciated G. He was a highly gifted, multi-talented young man. His writing skills, poetic literature in musical lyrics, rapping, elocution when he reads, and unique culinary skills, were all in this laid back young man whose life is simple, spartan and secluded, with no intention whatsoever to disturb the equilibrium of the chaotic world around him.

“Four hours after our exchange, I receive the first of endless phone calls that eventful day, last Thursday: Gbemi is not feeling well; Gbemi is being taken to a hospital; the hospital has referred Gbemi to another hospital.

“I direct that he be taken to a specialist hospital. His situation is critical. The hospital works on him for hours. Twelve hours after our first communication, and exactly 5 minutes past midnight, at the birth of Good Friday (a significant day in Christendom), the doctors call me for the umpteenth time that day to break my heart with the news that haunts me till now – Gbemi has passed on!

“Would it have happened had I not travelled? Would I have handled his situation better? It was a shocking, devastating, painful and incomprehensible news. Good people should not die! Why should this young man, at the start of a new exciting chapter of his life, die so suddenly? Except, of course, (and I now believe so) that it is part of a divine plot that his spirit catches up with that of the ‘dead’ on Good Friday, his sins and transgressions wiped away on the cross of Calvary through Grace at Easter. His soul must be resting peacefully now with the Creator of the Universe.

“This ‘sermon’ has become my consolation. This kind, gentle and simple heart, must no longer be tortured by the difficult challenges of his life in his world over which he had little control.

“Gbemi, until his death, was unfamiliar with world’s complex ways. His easy going life was totally harmless to anyone. His love riveted on his little son, his mother, his sisters, his music, his cooking, his song-writing, his friends and his current work in the radio station – probably in that order.

“He finally found peace, plus the space and opportunity to express his multiple skills without the pressure of any external scrutiny, enjoying his productions in sights, performances and sounds.

“Then death comes like a thief in the night to steal all of that, snatch him away and leave us with a yawning space in the puzzle of life. Personally, this hurts real bad.

“I miss Oluwagbeminiyi Omo Odegbami, an absolutely brilliant mind that is encapsulated in the frail body of a simple and gentle pilgrim. He came to the world, played his part quietly amidst unbelievable challenges, and now departs leaving a legacy of love and kindness to all those he encountered on his journey.

“He told me some weeks ago that what he had missed the most in his life were the love, guidance and friendship of a father, but that he was happy to have finally found them in a relationship with me.

“Adieu Son, as you return (on the 4th day) to our Creator this morning!”

Sports

Atlas Lions zoom into World Cup quarter finals, hammer co-hosts Canada 3-0

Published

7 hours ago

July 4, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Atlas Lions rule in Houston as second-half blitz ends co-hosts’ dream as
Morocco delivered a commanding second-half performance to hammer co-hosts Canada 3-0 on Saturday night, securing a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions remained patient throughout the opening 45 minutes as Canada stood firm, with the home crowd creating an electric atmosphere and believing their dream run could continue.

However, Morocco returned from the break with renewed purpose and completely took control of the contest.
The breakthrough goal opened the floodgates before a second strike put the result beyond doubt. A third goal sealed an emphatic victory, leaving Canada with no way back.
By the final whistle, Morocco had dominated possession, controlled the tempo, and capitalised on every mistake made by the Canadians. What started as a competitive encounter ended as a convincing statement of intent from the African side.
The victory sends Morocco into the last eight of the tournament, keeping Africa’s hopes alive on North American soil, while Canada’s World Cup campaign comes to an end on home ground.

Sports

Nigeria’s Team D’Tigers risks hotel ejection in Angola, over unpaid bills, possible disqualification

Published

10 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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Ugly development unfolding as Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, is facing another administrative and funding crisis after reports emerged that the players risk being evicted from their hotel in Angola and could even face disruption of their campaign in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers over unpaid accommodation and participation fees.

The latest development comes barely a day after D’Tigers boosted their qualification hopes with a hard-fought 84-81 victory over Tunisia in their opening Group C game in Luanda on Thursday.

However, despite the impressive result on the court, officials familiar with the tournament say Nigeria has yet to settle its financial obligations to the organisers and hotel management.

A source within the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) told journalists on Friday that the situation could escalate if the payments are not made promptly.

“Your team is looking good, but I don’t know if their participation will be disrupted by their situation here,” the FIBA official said.

“Nigeria has not paid for anything here, even though we understand your government officials could be in Luanda on Friday. I hope they are not ejected from their residence or even stopped from the competition.”

The funding crisis threatens to derail Nigeria’s bid to secure one of Africa’s qualification tickets to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Qatar.

D’Tigers entered the second qualification window under pressure after managing just one victory from three games in the opening window.

To keep realistic hopes of qualifying alive, the Nigerian side is expected to win all three matches in Angola.

The latest controversy adds to a growing list of administrative setbacks that have plagued Nigerian basketball in recent years.

Only months ago, D’Tigers also battled funding challenges that delayed their preparations and forced the team to arrive at an international competition just moments before tip-off, raising concerns over the welfare of Nigerian athletes and the country’s approach to sports administration.

The crisis also comes after years of instability within Nigerian basketball, including the Federal Government’s suspension of the Nigeria Basketball Federation from international competitions in 2022 following a prolonged leadership dispute. Although the suspension was later lifted after intervention by the International Basketball Federation, concerns over poor funding, administrative inefficiency and inadequate planning have continued to dog the country’s basketball programmes.

Sports stakeholders have repeatedly warned that recurring financial and organisational failures risk undermining the performance of Nigerian teams despite their abundant talent.