The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Samson Adamu as its substantive general secretary.

The decision comes months after he was initially named interim placeholder for the role in March, after Veron Mosengo-Omba, a Swiss-Congolese official, resigned.

Adamu becomes the first Nigerian to hold the post since CAF was founded in 1957.

The 40-year-old, who previously served as CAF’s Director of Competitions, takes over the administrative helm of African football’s governing body following approval by the executive committee.

With extensive experience in sports governance, Adamu has played a key role in organising major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and CAF Champions League.

As general secretary, Adamu will fill a role widely considered the “engine room” of African football, responsible for the body’s day-to-day administration, legal matters, and implementing decisions made by the executive committee.

Adamu holds a FIFA Master in management, law and humanities of sport. He began his journey in football administration by establishing the now-defunct Copa Lagos beach tournament in the early 2010s.

Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has diminished the importance of Carabao Cup to his side, describing the EFL Cup as the club’s “least important competition” .

after their penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool.

Alonso’s Chelsea were eliminated in the fourth round after losing 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, with Wesley Fofana missing the decisive spot-kick at Anfield on Thursday

Morgan Rogers had given visiting Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot before Cody Gakpo equalised with another penalty, sending the contest to a shootout.

Despite the disappointment, Alonso played down the significance of the defeat as Chelsea turn their attention to Saturday’s Premier League showdown with rivals Manchester United.

“It’s a small setback in this competition,” former Liverpool star Alonso said in an interview.

Chelsea currently occupies the fifth position on the Premier League table and eight points off the pace.

“It’s probably the least important competition for us in the year, so we need to move on.

“ Our focus is Saturday’s Premier League [game]. This is the main and the most important thing.” Alonso said.

He however, insisted there were positives to take from Chelsea’s performance despite suffering a second consecutive defeat following their loss to Tottenham.

“We showed an improvement, I would say. That’s what we wanted. We played with courage,” he said.

“The game was really close.”

The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has alleged that its candidates are being harassed and intimidated, while campaign materials belonging to the party are being destroyed.

The party made the allegations at a press conference in Benin City, calling on security agencies to investigate the reported incidents and bring anyone found culpable to justice.

The state chairman of the NDC, David Olukoga, who addressed journalists alongside the party’s senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly candidates, said the alleged incidents would not deter the party from pursuing its political ambitions.

“We know that the ruling party wants to come back and retain power. We have challenges with our facilities and intimidation. However, offices do not vote, posters do not vote, banners do not vote, but by the grace of God, by January 2027, the people will decide,” Olukoga said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Edo NDC Campaign Council and the party’s candidate for Edo Central Senatorial District, John Yakubu, appealed to the APC leadership to caution its members.

Yakubu alleged that the party’s campaign materials, including banners and billboards, had been targeted for destruction across the state, while materials belonging to other parties, particularly the APC, were left untouched, even when displayed alongside those of the NDC.

He called for a “prompt, impartial investigation” into reported attacks, threats, arrests, property damage and gun violence, urging authorities to prosecute suspects where evidence warranted it.

Yakubu also called for an immediate assessment of reported threats against a person identified as Mr Maxwell and other affected citizens, as well as the provision of appropriate protective measures.

“Edo belongs to all its citizens. No party stands above the law,” he said.

The NDC urged its supporters to remain calm and peaceful, warning them against retaliation. It also called on security agencies to enforce the law impartially and without political bias.