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Paris 2024 Olympics: Minister Apologises For Nigeria’s Poor Outing

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John Enoh

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Mr John Enoh, has apologised to Nigerians over the country’s poor outing at the just-concluded 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Nigeria finished the competition without a medal, a feat that was last recorded in the 2012 edition of the global sporting event in London.

The country’s poor performance this year sparked outrage from citizens amid complaints from athletes of bad preparations and lack of facilities to compete properly despite President Bola Tinubu approving N12 billion for the Olympics and the Paralympics.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Enoh said the team had fallen short of expectations.

“The Olympic Games, Paris 2024, have ended, and I accept that our performance should have been a lot better. It obviously fell short of our objectives, expectations, and hopes of Nigerians. I must apologize to our compatriots and reflect on what went wrong while looking forward to the Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 (August 28 – September 8th).

“When I assumed office as the Minister of Sports Development in August 2023, I was confronted with the task of executing four international competitions namely the AFCON, the African Games,the Olympic and Paralympic Games in a matter of a few months. I was also reminded that the Olympic Games is the world’s supreme sports competition, and countries require at least four years to prepare for it. I held extensive discussions with the management staff of the Ministry and got to know that preparations for the Olympics, which was less than a year away, had not started.

“In the true Nigerian spirit, it was our view that we should spare no effort to sustain the international sports image of our country. Our target was to re-enact the Atlanta 1996 performance or even improve on it.

“To this end, we embarked on a progressive approach to drive forward the performance of our athletes and coaches. In my first week in office, I requested all National Sports Federations to furnish me with plans and programmes. I also embarked on a nationwide inspection of our sports facilities.

“Subsequently, I constituted a Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee comprising seasoned sports performance professionals to drive our preparations. At this time, we had hardly qualified for the Olympics in any sport.

“We focused on both the AFCON and the African Games (both of which were happening in quick succession)while our athletes also participated in Olympic and Paralympic qualification tournaments. This had the disadvantage of compelling the athletes to attain peak performances several times within a short space of time.

“I was also enlightened that athletes of many countries had qualified almost one year ago and had already structured their training programmes for the Olympics. We were not deterred.

“I convened a series of meetings involving the Presidents of the National Sports Federations, their Technical Directors, and Secretaries General. These meetings examined the preparations for the competitions.

“The Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee was in attendance to discuss and streamline methodologies and training methods in the best possible way, considering the time constraints.

“After the African Games, subsequent meetings were limited to the Federations that had bright chances of qualifying for the Olympics. Medals projections were made by all the Federations, although their athletes were still trying to qualify;which lasted until about June 2024. The concerned Federations obviously prioritized qualification over preparations for the Games. This seems to have always been the case. This has to change.

“At the end of the qualification period, the selection of athletes and coaches was the absolute responsibility of each Federation. A few attempts to question selection after I got complaints were strongly resisted and defended.

“To achieve our targets, we approved onshore training in different locations in the country in addition to the offshore training camps for our teams in Saarbrucken, Germany, and Sevilla, Spain. Ten out of the eleven sports trained in Germany.

“The choice of the training facilities in Germany was based on the very positive recommendations of the Ministry team and included the President of one of our Federations who as a former world champion and Olympic gold medal winner, is quite familiar with Olympic-standard facilities and equipment.

“At the training camp, the Ministerial Podium Performance Advisory Committee offered scientific preparation and mental strength training support. The very high quality of their participation was confirmed by independent sources comprising athletes, coaches, and team administrators.

“In all these, the President and Commander in Chief of the Federation, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ensured that funds were not a limiting factor. Athletes’ competition requirements were provided, allowances were paid early, and training grants were disbursed to all athletes.I made myself readily available to deal with any issue throughout the competition. Therefore, the underwhelming performance of our team is puzzling. We owe Nigerians an explanation.

“As a responsible organisation, we have swung into a review process. We shall evaluate the competition readiness of every athlete comprehensively, including their injury and medical history within the limits of patient confidentiality. The role of coaches and administrative staff will also be examined.

“There must be a lot of lessons to learn from our performance and improvements must be made in all ramifications. The last time we returned from the Olympics without a medal was in 2012.The next two Olympics after that we’ve had a bronze medal in 2016 and a silver and bronze in the 2020 Olympics. As a country, we deserve more. Let’s turn the disastrous outcome of the 2024 Olympics to a huge positive for Nigerian sports,” the apology letter read.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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What You’ll Find in the GameZone Platform Games Library

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GameZone platform games

GameZone platform games operate within a regulated digital ecosystem that combines casino titles, slot-based formats, and Filipino card games under one structured platform.

Instead of being limited to a single developer, the system integrates multiple accredited studios alongside internally developed releases.

This setup allows the platform to expand its catalog while maintaining consistent technical and compliance standards across all titles.

Before any game becomes accessible, it undergoes a multi-layered review process. Internal checks focus on system performance, gameplay stability, and rule accuracy, ensuring that each title functions as intended.

These are followed by external compliance procedures aligned with Philippine regulations, including certified randomization systems and clearly defined mechanics.

This dual-layer validation ensures that games are not only operational but also transparent in how outcomes are generated.

The platform also emphasizes clarity in presentation. Each title includes provider information, allowing players to identify its source and review accredited partners.

This visibility supports informed decision-making and reinforces trust in the platform’s structure.

In addition to third-party contributions, GameZone develops its own titles based on Filipino play habits. These in-house games retain familiar mechanics while adapting them for digital use.

With all content following the same approval and monitoring process, the platform maintains a unified environment where different game types, whether traditional, casual, or themed, coexist without inconsistency.

Filipino Card Games as the Core of GameZone Platform Games

A central component of GameZone Platform Games is its collection of Filipino card game adaptations.

These titles are designed to reflect widely recognized formats while introducing controlled variations that adjust pacing and gameplay options.

By keeping the core mechanics intact, the platform ensures that players can easily recognize and transition into each game, even in a digital setting.

Tongits Series

Tongits Plus—A direct adaptation of traditional gameplay, focusing on drawing, discarding, and forming valid melds.

Tongits Joker—Incorporates Joker cards as wild elements, allowing expanded combinations and recovery strategies.

Tongits Quick—Uses a smaller deck and shorter rounds, making it suitable for faster sessions without removing strategic depth.

Tongits Jackpot—Retains standard mechanics while adding a pooled reward system linked to game outcomes.

Pusoy Series

The Pusoy lineup follows a similar structure, centered on arranging cards into three hands from front, middle, and back, all while maintaining proper ranking order.

Pusoy Plus—A standard format that closely mirrors traditional gameplay, requiring careful hand arrangement to avoid penalties.

Pusoy Wild—Introduces a limited adjustment phase, giving players a chance to refine their card placement before final submission.

Pusoy Jackpot—Maintains the same arrangement-based mechanics but includes a reward layer tied to round results.

These variations highlight the importance of decision-making in Pusoy, where correct sequencing and balance between hands determine the outcome.

The digital format helps minimize errors through guided systems while preserving the strategic depth of the game.

Pusoy Dos (Classic)
Another key title is Pusoy Dos (Classic), which follows a shedding format where players aim to discard all cards by beating previous combinations.

Unlike arrangement-based games, Pusoy Dos focuses on timing and card control, requiring players to decide when to release strong combinations.

Its simple objective and fast pacing translate effectively into digital play, making it accessible for both experienced and new users.

These adaptations highlight how traditional Filipino games can be preserved within a digital system. Automated rule enforcement ensures accuracy, while guided interfaces help players understand gameplay without requiring prior familiarity.

Accessible Formats and Themed Game Integration

GameZone Platform Games are not limited to complex card-based experiences.

The platform also includes simpler formats designed for quick sessions and straightforward interaction. These titles provide variety, allowing users to alternate between strategy-heavy gameplay and more immediate outcomes.

The Color Game represents this category, drawing inspiration from traditional fairground setups. Its structure remains familiar, but it incorporates certified randomness and transparent probability systems.

Each round is brief, making it a practical option for players seeking short, low-commitment gameplay sessions.

This mix of complexity levels reflects typical player behavior. Many users prefer switching between extended gameplay and quick rounds depending on time and preference.

By offering both within the same platform, GameZone maintains flexibility without fragmenting the experience.

The platform also introduces themed titles tied to recognizable figures such as Manny Pacquiao. These games extend cultural familiarity into digital formats while maintaining the same regulated structure.

Manny Punch operates as an idle-style system where players adjust difficulty levels that influence potential rewards. Higher settings increase possible returns but lower the likelihood of success.

Pacquiao Fortune follows a slot-style format, combining reel-based mechanics with themed visuals while relying on certified randomization.

Despite differences in gameplay style, all titles follow identical testing and compliance procedures, ensuring that accessibility and presentation do not compromise fairness or reliability.

Digiplus multiply the fun

System Consistency and Platform Transparency

GameZone Platform Games demonstrate how a diverse set of titles can function within a unified and structured environment.

The platform combines traditional card games, simplified formats, and themed releases while maintaining consistent standards across all categories.

Uniformity is a key principle. Each game undergoes the same internal evaluation and regulatory review process before release. This ensures that gameplay mechanics are correctly implemented and that outcomes follow certified systems.

As a result, players can move between different game types without encountering inconsistencies in how they operate.

Familiarity plays an important role in accessibility. Card games follow established rules that many players already understand, while variations provide flexibility in pacing and reward structures.

Simpler titles offer alternatives for shorter sessions, and themed games introduce recognizable elements without altering core systems.

Transparency further strengthens this structure. Provider labeling and accessible game details allow players to understand both the origin and functionality of each title. This reduces uncertainty and supports informed participation.

Rather than focusing solely on expanding its catalog, the platform prioritizes maintaining a stable and understandable system.

This ensures that growth does not affect usability or clarity. Players experience consistent mechanics, reliable performance, and transparent systems across all titles.

By aligning variety with structure, the platform creates a cohesive digital environment that supports long-term trust and ease of navigation.

FAQs

Q: What are GameZone Platform Games?
A: They are a collection of casino, slot, and Filipino games within a regulated digital platform.

Q: Are games tested before release?
A: Yes. Each title undergoes internal checks and regulatory compliance verification.

Q: What themed games are available?
A: Manny Punch and Pacquiao Fortune are included, along with possible collaborations.

Q: How do I register?
A: Sign up through the official platform using a valid ID and mobile number.

Q: Do card games follow traditional rules?
A: Yes. Core mechanics remain consistent, with optional variations for pacing and rewards.

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Senegal to Appeal AFCON Title Loss at Court of Arbitration for Sport

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senegal afcon 2025

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Senegalese Football Federation has said it would appeal against the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF)  to strip it of the 2025 AFCON trophy at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

It called the decision “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football”.

CAF on Tuesday night declared Morocco champions, following a walkout staged by the Senegal team, but later returned to defeat Morocco 1-0.

CAF, in a statement yesterday, said “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match,” a 1-0 victory in the final, “with the result being officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said in a statement “its action was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations”.

During the final on January 18, with the scoreline 0-0, Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave a spot-kick in the eighth minute of added time.

Ndala was advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review defender El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz.

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, still incensed by Ndala’s decision a few moments earlier to disallow a Senegal goal from Ismaila Sarr, ushered his team off the field.

The decision follows an appeal by the Moroccan FA, which CAF said is “declared admissible in form” and was upheld.

CAF added that “through the conduct of its team”, Senegal infringed on Article 82 of the regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, and as a result, Article 84 became applicable.

Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.

Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Article 82 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.

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CAF Strips Senegal of 2025 AFCON Trophy, Gives Morocco

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host 2025 AFCON

By Dipo Olowookere

Senegal has been stripped of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy it won on January 18, 2026.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said the trophy now belongs to Morocco, which hosted the tournament.

Senegal defeated Morocco by a lone goal to clinch the title in extra time after earlier leaving the pitch due to a penalty awarded to the host nation, which was later lost after a restart.

The penalty was awarded in the last minute of the match following a VAR check by Congolese referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala, after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back, El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The Senegalese team was not happy with the call because they had earlier been denied one against Morocco. The Teranga Lions’ coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest, but Sadio Mane persuaded them to return after a 14-minute delay, and when the spot kick was taken by Diaz, he played it into the hands of Édouard Mendy.

The game went into extra time, and in the 94th minute, Pape Gueye netted the only goal.

After the tournament, Morocco launched an appeal to void Senegal’s win, but lost as CAF said Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations were not violated.

However, in a twist, the football governing body on the continent made a U-turn, declaring Morocco the 2025 AFCON champions.

It recorded the final match as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board.

CAF upheld “the appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)” and declared it “admissible,” agreeing that “Articles 82 and 84” were breached.

“The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations,” a part of the statement read.

“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),” it further announced.

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