Sports

Brazil’s Gabigol Handed Two-year Ban For Anti-doping ‘Fraud’

Published

2 years ago

March 26, 2024

Flamengo’s international forward Gabriel Barbosa was suspended for two years on Monday for attempted fraud during a doping test, a Brazilian sports court said.

Known as Gabigol, the 27-year-old Brazilian was alleged to have been uncooperative during a surprise doping test at club headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

The punishment, which can be appealed, is backdated to April 8 last year, when the events occurred.

He failed to comply with the schedule, disrespected the doping officers and refused to obey instructions, local media said.

“The aforementioned athlete was tried today by the Full Court of Sports Anti-Doping and, by majority, it was decided that a violation of the anti-doping rule of fraud had occurred,” the court said in a statement sent to AFP.

Gabigol subsequently hit back on social media, saying “I never tried to obstruct or defraud any test.”

“I am confident I will be found innocent at the highest court,” he added.

Flamengo said in a statement it would support its player and assist with his appeal “because there was no type of fraud”.

On the testing day, Gabigol’s teammates underwent testing in the morning while he ignored a request to be present and attended after lunchtime, according to the accusation.

When he finally arrived to be tested, he reportedly became upset because an officer escorted him to the bathroom.

Furthermore, he did not respect the sample collection protocol, according to the accusation.

A key figure in Flamengo’s 2019 domestic league and Copa Libertadores titles, Gabigol has consistently denied having tried to cheat in the test.

“The Flamengo player has confirmed that the test has been carried out and the result was negative,” his lawyer said in December, when the allegations first surfaced.

“In view of this information, there is nothing that could compromise or violate the protocol,” the lawyer added.

Gabigol had disappointing spells at Portugal’s Benfica as well as at Inter Milan in Italy having come through Santos’ academy, before joining Flamengo in 2019.

His return to form for Flamengo earned him call-ups to the Brazil squad and he made the last of his 18 international appearances in January 2022.

Gabigol’s contract with Flamengo expires in December.

Sports

AFCON: Osimhen Sends Message To Super Eagles Fans Globally After Nigeria’s Victory Over Algeria

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen has shared a heartfelt message to the team’s fans around the globe following Nigeria’s 2-0 triumph against Algeria in the AFCON quarter-finals on Saturday.

Osimhen contributed to the win with a goal, while Akor Adams also found the back of the net, securing Nigeria’s progression to last-4 stage.

In a video posted on X after the match, Osimhen expressed his gratitude to Super Eagles supporters.

Sports

AFCON: Super Eagles Beat Algeria 2-0, To Play Morocco In Semi-final

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Nigeria have qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Super Eagles pulled off a stunning display to beat Algeria 2-0 in their quarter-final clash on Saturday evening, to book their spot.

Eric Chelle’s men dominated the Desert Foxes for most of the first half, but failed to find the back of the net.

The closest Nigeria came to opening the scoring, came when Calvin Bassey’s effort was cleared off the line.

But in the second half, Victor Osimhen headed in Bruno Onyemaechi’s cross, before setting up Akor Adams for the second goal.

The three-time African champions will now clash with the hosts Morocco for a place in the final.

Sports

AFCON: Nigerians React To 2-0 Against Algeria

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

Some Nigerian football fans have reacted to Super Eagles’ 2-0 win against Algeria in the AFCON quarter-final tie on Saturday.

DAILY POST reports that goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams ensured Nigeria defeated the Desert Foxes.

Reacting, some Nigerians wondered how come the Super Eagles failed to qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following their brilliant display against Algeria.

Others hailed Eric Chelle’s men for putting in a magnificent performance against the North Africans.

Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST on X:

@WhispersAfrica5, “Massive respect to the Super Eagles! All those early morning sessions, tactical drills, and team unity have turned this squad into a beast. Beating Algeria so convincingly didn’t happen by chance, it’s pure graft and heart. On to Morocco.”

@AbrahamAsi18962, “All players deserve massive accolades. They all display magnificent performances. It has been a while I saw Nigeria played this way. Total dominance throughout.

@FemiAyo593554, “The whole of Nigeria Team.. on fire. Osayi so solid like it’s onyemeachi.. Bassey and Semi Ajayi so solid and compose. Bruno the crosser, Ndidi, Iwobi the passer, onyeka the tank . Lookman, Akor the dreadful one, Oshimen the great.. Kudos to Marhez for saying “I AM AFRAID”.

@DanielIheke, “That’s was awesome display, brilliant performance by the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Congrats.

@Panda_521, “How did this super eagles team not qualify for the world cup with players like Osimhen and co?”

@youngskidmusic_, “What a win against the second unbeaten team in the tournament. Eric Chell deserved a chilled bottle of wine. The other guy knew what he was saying when he said he was afraid of Nigeria. He said it and we did it.”

@harrysone9 “NFF cost Nigerians the joy and place in the World Cup, but thank God they got the appointment of Eric Chelle right. So far so good; the Super Eagles have been a joy to watch.
Nigeria has a better chance of winning the AFCON than Arsenal has of winning the EPL under Mikel Arteta.”

@DanielRegha, “Super Eagles need to start playing like a team that’s ready and hungry to win the tournament; Nigeria’s performance slightly improved today, but it’s still very dissapointing considering the depth of the sqaud. Step it up already.”

@___astroblvck, “How did we not qualify for the world cup?! this is a world class performance..kudos boys.”

@AFC_EMMI, “The real challengers have arrived, Morocco is next.”