Sports
Yuguda Stresses Role of Sports in Economic Development
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Lamido Yuguda, has emphasised the important role of sports in the socio-economic development of any nation.
He said the sports industry can be used to deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria and also discover more talents, who may likely ply their trades outside the country and remit more foreign exchange earnings to the nation, which will, in turn, boost the value of the Naira.
Speaking when he received the trophy won by the SEC Football Team at the just-concluded Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) All Financial Institutions Football Tournament, the DG said this is why adequate attention should be paid to sports.
Business Post reports that a total of 24 football teams from different financial institutions participated in the tournament aimed at contributing to the development of sports and promoting financial inclusion in the country.
Mr Yuguda described the tournament as one of the avenues used by regulators and operators in the financial ecosystem to promote the development of sports in Nigeria.
“I congratulate the team for going out, putting in your best and winning the cup for the commission.
“You have really done the SEC proud and I hope this is one of the first in the streams of trophies that you will bring back to the Commission.
“I was not really expecting the team to come back with the trophy and this was a big surprise when I was called that we qualified to the semi-finals and entered the finals and eventually became victorious,” the SEC chief said during the presentation also witnessed by former Super Eagles star, Daniel Amokachi, and others.
While commending Amokachi for celebrating with the team and the agency, he said the financial institutions’ tournament had led to the discovery of many football talents for Nigeria, expressing optimism that this year’s edition will also lead to the discovery of young talents that would do the country proud.
“This CBN all financial institutions cup has led to a number of bright young players being discovered and many of them have played in the international scene.
“For our young players in the SEC team, put in more efforts because the sky is your limit. Football is a great industry and it brings more joy to the nation because anytime the football team of Nigeria plays, everyone comes together to support them,” Mr Yuguda said.
In his remarks, Amokachi applauded the SEC management team for its support for football, advising members of the team not to get carried away by their victory and forget the importance of education.
He said while football talent is good, it is more rewarding when such talents are supported with quality education.
“I love this game and will do all to support it. There are a lot of lapses when it comes to football and it’s sad that I stopped playing football at 28 which is my peak. The young ones love to play football but I want to advise that they should also get an education,” the former Everton FC of England star said.
“There are a lot of people who need training and we need to upgrade the knowledge of the coaches that we have to be able to produce good players,” the African Nations’ Cup winner added.
Sports
What You’ll Find in the GameZone Platform Games Library
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.

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.
Sports
Senegal to Appeal AFCON Title Loss at Court of Arbitration for Sport
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.
Sports
CAF Strips Senegal of 2025 AFCON Trophy, Gives Morocco
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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