A wave of grief swept through the Portuguese town of Gondomar on Saturday, July 5, 2025, as thousands gathered to bid a final farewell to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva, who tragically died in a car accident earlier in the week.

The heartbreaking funeral, held at 10:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), took place just 48 hours after the siblings’ vehicle crashed on a motorway in northwestern Spain and caught fire, killing both men instantly. The crash occurred while the brothers were travelling to a jetty to board a ferry to the United Kingdom.

Just Days After a Wedding, a Family is Plunged into Mourning

The devastating accident came barely a week after Jota had celebrated his wedding. According to reports, the 28-year-old forward had been advised against flying due to a recent lung surgery, prompting the road trip instead. His 25-year-old brother, André, also a footballer at local club level, was accompanying him.

In an emotional service presided over by the Bishop of Porto, the pair were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar, located near Porto. The ceremony was attended by Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, football agent Jorge Mendes, FC Porto President Andre Villas-Boas, teammates, and several football icons from across Europe.

Speaking at the funeral, the Bishop described the brothers’ passing as “a loss beyond words,” adding, “They were not only stars on the pitch but bright lights in the lives of many.”

Anfield Pays Tribute

Meanwhile, back in England, Liverpool Football Club has announced that it will pay the remainder of Jota’s wages to his family, an act that fans have praised as a “touch of class” by the Premier League giants.

“We are heartbroken and stand united with Diogo’s family,” said a Liverpool FC statement. “We urge the public to respect their privacy during this unimaginably difficult time.”

At Anfield Stadium, fans have turned the gates into a living memorial, laying scarves, jerseys, heartfelt notes, and bouquets of flowers. Liverpool has also postponed its pre-season training, originally set for Friday, to allow teammates and coaching staff to travel to Portugal for the burial.

A Life of Promise Cut Short

Diogo Jota, born in Porto in 1997, rose to prominence at FC Paços de Ferreira before stints at Atletico Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Liverpool, where he became a fan favorite for his relentless style and crucial goals. He earned over 35 caps for Portugal, scoring key goals in both European and World Cup qualifiers.

Jota leaves behind his mother, grandfather, a newlywed wife, and three children. His younger brother André, though not as globally known, was cherished in the local football scene and actively involved in youth mentorship.

Family Devastated, Nation in Mourning

On Friday, mourners flocked to the São Cosme Chapel for a wake, where grief was palpable. Jota’s grandfather, visibly heartbroken, had to be assisted inside the chapel. Family members clung to one another for strength.

Jota’s agent, Jorge Mendes, told reporters: “We have lost a warrior, a gentleman, a family man. Diogo was on the path to greatness, not only in football but as a person.”

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has expressed deep pride and joy over Kwara United’s victory in the 2025 President Federation Cup, describing the win as “a triumph of grit, discipline, and determination.”

Kwara United secured the historic title after edging past Abakaliki FC 4–3 in a tense penalty shootout at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos. The final ended goalless in regulation time, but the Ilorin-based team held their nerve to seal their first-ever major trophy.

Governor Abdulrazaq, who was present at the stadium, watched the match alongside Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, and other dignitaries.

Following the victory, the governor took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to congratulate the team and thank the supporters who rallied behind them.

“I am overwhelmed with joy over the triumph of Kwara United in the 2025 President Federation Cup,” he wrote.

“I wholeheartedly salute the players, the coaching crew, the management of Kwara United, the Sports Commission, and our supporters’ club for this remarkable feat. I am particularly grateful to the people of our state, including Kwarans in Diaspora, for their overwhelming support for the team.

This win again testifies to the power of team spirit, discipline, determination, and grit.”

Governor Abdulrazaq also noted the symbolic significance of the win coming shortly after the state’s debate team won a national competition, adding:

“Our victory over the Abakaliki FC comes on the heels of yet another win as our contingent at the Senior President Debate Competition has emerged the national champion for the first time ever.”

A Night of Champions in Lagos

Kwara United’s victory marks a significant turnaround for a team that struggled through the 2024–2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. Their success in the cup also earns them a spot in the 2025–2026 CAF Confederation Cup, joining Abia Warriors as Nigeria’s representatives.

Their opponents, Abakaliki FC—a second-tier side from Ebonyi State—were widely regarded as “giant slayers” after knocking out top-tier clubs like Enyimba, Nasarawa United, and Ikorodu City. However, the underdogs fell short in the final against a determined Kwara side.

Rivers Angels Continue Reign in Women’s Final

In the women’s category, Rivers Angels clinched their record-extending 10th President Federation Cup title by beating Nasarawa Amazons 4–2 on penalties.

The match had ended in a thrilling 2–2 draw in regulation time. Nasarawa Amazons, led by two first-half goals from Rukayat Shobowale, dominated early on, but Rivers Angels staged a comeback through Taiwo Ajibade and former Flamingos star Taiwo Afolabi.

The penalty shootout saw Rivers Angels converting four kicks while Nasarawa Amazons missed twice.

Nigerian-born UFC superstar, Israel Adesanya, has officially been inducted into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Fame, celebrating his legendary 2019 bout against Kelvin Gastelum.

The historic announcement was made Thursday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the former two-time UFC middleweight champion was enshrined in the Fight Wing category. His unforgettable victory at UFC 236 saw him defeat Gastelum via unanimous decision, securing the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship after scoring four knockdowns.

Other memorable UFC battles being honoured in the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame class include:

Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar

Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg II

Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen

Reacting to the news, Adesanya said in a February interview:

“I was surprised. I was like Hall of Fame? I’m too young but I wouldn’t fight it, I’ll accept it. If they want to honour me like that, I’ll take it. I’m very grateful.”

NSC Debunks Rumours of Favour Ofili’s Alleged Defection to Turkey

Meanwhile, Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), has dispelled reports suggesting Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili is defecting to Turkey.

Addressing journalists during a World Press Conference in Abuja ahead of the Confederation of African Athletics U-18 and U-20 Championships, Olopade, who also chairs the Local Organising Committee, affirmed:

“Favour Ofili is still representing Nigeria. She wrote to the NSC two months ago, reaffirming her commitment to compete for Nigeria.”

He added:

“When I resumed as DG of the NSC, I called her personally and she confirmed her allegiance to Nigeria.”

To further strengthen his claim, Olopade disclosed that Ofili is among 69 athletes who received financial grants from the Commission in April 2025 under its athlete support initiative.

“There has been no official communication from any international federation or national body indicating that she has switched allegiance. As far as the NSC is concerned, she remains a Nigerian athlete,” he stated.

AFN President Reacts to Allegations

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, also weighed in on the controversy, describing the speculation as painful:

“If this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful. But we are yet to get any official statement from her or from World Athletics. She is old enough to decide what’s best for her, but it is painful and hard to take for us.”

Favour Ofili, a rising star who holds the women’s 150m world record, has been a consistent medal hopeful for Nigeria. The rumoured defection had sparked widespread concern among athletics stakeholders.

Conclusion

While Israel Adesanya cements his legacy in the global MMA community with his Hall of Fame honour, the NSC’s firm stance on Ofili’s status assures Nigerians that the sprinter remains a proud representative of the country.