AFCON
HS MEDIA CAUTIONS NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT ON SPORTS BROADCAST RIGHTS…URGES BACKING FOR NTA
Nigeria’s leading sports marketing and broadcasting company, HS Media Group has urged the Federal Government to strategically support the local industry in line with its recent reforms, which is aimed at competitiveness in sports broadcasting in the country.
HS Media Group, which provided live broadcast for the Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt last year, said that the government should empower and position the nation’s public broadcaster, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to bid for sports broadcast rights of premium tournaments, including the English Premier League, the Spanish LaLiga in addition to the existing partnership with Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
According to HS Media Group President/CEO, Mr Taye Ige, NTA has the competences, equipment and the reach to provide viewing experience for Nigerians in every corner of the country, while other stations would benefit from the rights.
He said that liberation of the Nigerian economy has worked positively for the country in several aspects, making reference to the telecommunication sector where opening up the industry has encouraged competitiveness among players and multiple choices by the consumers.
Ige however urged the government to be cautious by not breaching the spirit of liberalisation through an immediate review of ongoing broadcasting right.
“In the case of SuperSport for instance, the exclusive right to air the English Premier League for sub-Saharan Africa is expected to run till 2022,” he stated. “The government should allow that contract to run its full course while preparing the Nigerian broadcast sector for the next bid round. The government should remember that right issues are purely economic decisions that cannot be regulated by fiat but by market forces.”
Ige advised that the government should encourage broadcast operators in Nigeria to become competitive with their foreign counterparts in line with the pronouncement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to reposition the industry.
In his words: “It is gladdening to hear the Minister of Information and Culture say that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) would immediately implement measures aimed creating jobs, promoting local content, boosting the advert industry and bringing the broadcast industry up to par with the best practices from around the world.
“I will therefore expect the government to follow its words with action by aggressively supporting local broadcast entities in all ways.”
NTA and HotSports, the leading subsidiary of HS Media Group, jointly provided live broadcast for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Not only was HotSports the Official Marketing Agency for NTA’s AFCON transmission, the company also produced all AFCON 2019 matches from its Lagos studios on terrestrial stations of NTA across the country.
Founded in 1996, HotSports has exciting and authoritative sports broadcasting packages that offer brand owners a vehicle to the widest sports loving audience in Nigeria.
It is the Official Media Partner as well as marketing consultants to the Nigeria Football Federation and has become reputable as a go-getting company committed to adding value to clients’ sponsorship investments.
It has provided activations for leading brands around major continental and global sports events.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says Nigeria will head to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations determined to go one step further after the heartbreak of losing the last final to Côte d’Ivoire.
In an exclusive chat with CAFOnline.com, the Al-Kholood defender said the experience of falling short in Abidjan has made the team tougher and more united.
“Last AFCON left a lasting impression on all of us,” Troost-Ekong said. “This group is excited to have another chance to try and win the trophy. We learned so much from that final—this time we’ll be calmer and play our football better.”
The Saudi Arabia-based centre-back downplayed talk of Nigeria being clear favourites, noting that hosts Morocco, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal are equally strong contenders.
“There’s no such thing as a clear favourite at AFCON,” he warned. “You can’t win a tournament with expectations. AFCON is difficult and full of surprises.”
Troost-Ekong, who has appeared in multiple AFCON campaigns, said the key to winning lies in “heart, togetherness and consistency.”
“Momentum has to grow through the tournament. Don’t panic when things go wrong, and don’t get carried away when they go right,” he added.
On Nigeria’s group opponents—Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania—the skipper admitted the road to the knockout stages won’t be easy.
“Tunisia knocked us out in 2021. Uganda and Tanzania are improving fast. There’s no easy game at AFCON,” he said.
Troost-Ekong also saluted Nigerian fans for their support and promised the team would give everything to bring home the title.
“When all of Nigeria stands together, that’s our power,” he declared. “Hopefully, the headline this time will read: Nigeria crowns the special generation with an AFCON title.”
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for their impressive performance in the 4–0 victory over Benin Republic, praising the team for keeping Nigeria’s qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Adebayo Onanuga, the President lauded the players for their “hunger, passion, and determination” during the crucial qualifier in Uyo, describing their display as one that has “reignited Nigerians’ football pride.”
“While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs,” Tinubu said. “The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.”
Reaffirming the government’s backing, President Tinubu assured the players and coaching crew of full Federal Government support as they prepare for the decisive play-off stage.
“Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too,” he said. “We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.”
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The Organizing Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 has announced a strong start to ticket sales, confirming that 58,000 tickets had been sold as of Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
According to an official update, the enthusiasm for the continental showpiece has also been reflected on the Yalla App, where 145,731 applications have been received so far. In addition, a total of 121,924 FAN IDs have been issued, including 31,058 belonging to foreign nationals representing 108 countries around the world.
In response to the overwhelming demand, the committee disclosed that technical teams are working round the clock to enhance the ticketing and FAN ID systems to ensure smooth processing for fans.
To assist applicants and ensure better communication, the organizers have provided a dedicated customer service line: +212 5 30 30 20 30. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in Arabic, English, and French, and is staffed by over 600 agents trained to respond to inquiries and provide user support.
Fans can also reach the support team via email at info@yallamorocco.ma.
The Organizing Committee expressed gratitude to supporters, media representatives, delegations, and partners for their enthusiasm and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a seamless and memorable experience for all stakeholders during AFCON Morocco 2025.
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