Sports

Israeli Footballer Arrested, Fired For Dedicating Goal To Hostages

Published

2 years ago

January 15, 2024

An Israeli footballer, Sagiv Jehezkel, has been arrested and fired by his Turkish club, Antalyaspor, after dedicating a goal to hostages abducted by Hamas.

Daily Mail reports that Turkish police detained and questioned him on Monday over a message he displayed on his bandaged wrist saying ‘100 days, 7.10’, during a top-tier match alluding to the passage of 100 days since the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel.

Jehezkel, 28, was reported to have held his clenched fist aloft to display the message after scoring a goal for his team against Trabzonspor in Turkey’s Super League on Sunday.

The president of his Turkish club, Sinan Boztepe, disclosed on X that Jehezkel had been removed from the club for the act.

He wrote, “Sagiv Jehezkel, who was seen to have acted against the national values of our country by sharing the writing on his wrist after scoring the goal has been decided to be excluded from the squad by the decision of the board of directors.

“Our Board of Directors will never allow behavior against the sensitivities of our country, even if it results in a championship or a cup.”

The Turkish Football Federation supported the decision of the club in a post on its official X handle which read, “We condemn the completely unacceptable behavior of football player Segiv Jehezkel in the Bitexen Antalyaspor – Trabzonspor match. We find Bitexen Antalyaspor’s decision to exclude the player from the squad appropriate.”

The Turkish Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc, in a post on X also disclosed, “Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a judicial investigation against Israeli football player Sagiv Jehezkel for the crime of ‘inciting the public to hatred and hostility’ due to his ugly action supporting the massacre committed by Israel in #Gazze after the goal he scored.”

However, former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett slammed the arrest and removal of Jehezkel from the club in a tweet on X, describing the situation as “unbelievable”.

He wrote, “This is Turkey 2024. Shame on you, Turkish government.”

Despite the severe consequences, Israeli media reported that Jehezkel did not regret making the gesture, and said, “It was a gesture for the Israeli hostages in Gaza, a humanitarian gesture.

‘It was important to me to point out that they have been in captivity for 100 days. I didn’t want to provoke anyone. I know Turkish feelings, it was just a gesture.”

Yehezkel is reported to have been released pending a trial, and a private plane has been sent from Israel to pick him and his family up so they could return him home.

Sports

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

Published

23 hours 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

23 hours 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

23 hours 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.”