Latest news with #Ayinde
CAF
26-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Halimatu Ayinde: From Northern Nigeria's Streets to anchoring Super Falcons' Mission X quest
In the conservative neighbourhoods of Kaduna in northern Nigeria, girls were expected to marry young not chase football dreams but Halimatu Ayinde was never one to follow convention. From sneaking out to play barefoot with boys in secret, to now patrolling the midfield for Nigeria's Super Falcons with silent authority, her story is one of defiance, faith, and resilience. At the 2024 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the calm, composed Ayinde has once again emerged as the heartbeat of a Nigerian team that blends experience with hunger. With every tackle, interception, and line-breaking pass, Ayinde embodies the spirit of a player who plays for more than herself—for her family, her community, and the girls in the north who now dare to dream because of her. As she leads Nigeria into yet another WAFCON final going up against hosts Morocco in Rabat on Saturday, her voice reveals a journey forged in struggle and sustained by purpose. WAFCON 2024: Redemption, Unity and Belief Nigeria's unbeaten run to the WAFCON 2024 final has been driven not just by talent but by tactical maturity and emotional togetherness—values Ayinde represents on and off the pitch. 'The experience has been great with the fact that we have been winning from the beginning. Everyone has been working really hard and making efforts to get the results. That's a very good start for the team and has brought us to where we are now.' She views this campaign as a statement after the Super Falcons' last continental disappointment. 'I would say yes, we've changed the perception. During the last tournament, almost every Nigerian had written us off. But now that we are back, winning games and in the final, I think that has changed the narratives. We are back as the giant of Africa.' With four wins and a draw so far, the Falcons look well-tuned and Ayinde knows what it takes to go all the way. 'Almost all the teams we have played are very technical. We won against them, but everything has been good. This final is not going to be different. We are going to stick together as a team and fight for each other.' Forged in Fire: Injury, Comeback and Club Success Ayinde's brilliance today is built on deep personal struggle. Two ACL injuries inside 24 months threatened to end her rise, but she responded with fierce determination. At FC Rosengård in Sweden, she found both a home and a proving ground. 'The second Damallsvenskan title was the best for me because I participated from the beginning—from preseason, Cup games, and friendlies. It was huge for me because when I joined in August 2022, I had just recovered from that ACL injury. I didn't play that much initially. The second title was more special because I contributed almost throughout.' Rehabilitation took more than physical strength, it took spiritual grounding and mental discipline. 'It wasn't easy to do another surgery in the space of two years—it's heartbreaking. The rehab entirely—the training, having to think of getting back or not, and what the future looked like—those negative thoughts really weighed me down. But with the help of the people around me, I was able to fight those thoughts and be positive until I got better again.' Adapting Through Change: Coaching, Tactics, and Growth Having worked under both foreign and local managers, Ayinde appreciates the nuances of leadership and applauds current coach Justin Madugu for unlocking the team's true potential. 'Every coach has their style. Randy was a good tactician who wanted to keep the ball and play around, but African football is not all about that. When you know your strengths, you have to use them. That is what Madugu is doing now, and it's really paying off.' She credits Madugu for uniting the squad and building trust across the roster. 'The change is that he has carried everyone along and given everybody the opportunity to showcase themselves. That brings energy and positivity into the camp. He doesn't just focus on his starting eleven—he brings others close, talks to and encourages them.' Ayinde's role has also grown beyond the pitch she mentors younger players and maintains the team's mental stability. 'I always try to give my best and adapt to whatever pattern the coaches bring. With the experience I have, I try to help the younger players settle and excel.' Roots and Resistance: Breaking the Mould in Northern Nigeria Born in Northern Nigeria city of Kaduna, to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother, Ayinde has grown into one of Africa's most consistent and combative midfielders. Her unique heritage reflects the multicultural blend of strength and resilience that defines her game. Born into a culture where girls were expected to abandon sport early, Ayinde's path to stardom was paved with resistance, especially from her own siblings. 'Growing up in northern Nigeria is not that easy because they don't believe that a girl child should play football. From my family, my parents were supportive, but my brothers didn't want me to play. I was stubborn and didn't listen. 'Sometimes I would sneak out to play with boys and they would beat me when I returned. Eventually, they gave up and started supporting me.' Her story resonates now more than ever, as she actively empowers others through grassroots outreach. 'I've been doing that for two to three years now because I really want to give back to the community. I try to promote grassroots football in the North. I'm getting support from the state government, and it's helping young girls who want to play professionally and pursue their dreams.' Legacy and Leadership: Playing for Something Bigger With over a decade in the national team and several trophies in her cabinet, Ayinde's drive today is not just to win, it's to inspire, uplift, and lead by example. 'I always try to mentor young players with the little knowledge I have. I talk to them during training and matches. I think they appreciate it—it's up to them to use what I tell them.' Ayinde's Character and Quality Earns Praise from Peers and Coaches Few understand the essence of Halimatu Ayinde's game better than former Super Falcons midfielder and long-time teammate, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, who currently suits up for Canadian club Ottawa Rapid. Reflecting on nearly a decade of playing alongside Ayinde for Nigeria, Okobi described their on-field relationship as instinctive and intelligent. 'We had a perfect combination. We've got good understanding and we're both intelligent with the ball. She has always been the pillar of the midfield—strong, tough, and fast,' Okobi-Okeoghene told from her base in Canada. Their partnership, forged in high-stakes competitions, formed the backbone of Nigeria's midfield across multiple international tournaments, recounting Ayinde's resilience in overcoming serious injuries, including two knee surgeries in three years. 'I'm 100% satisfied and very happy for her. Seeing her work this hard after two knee surgeries—the most recent just a year ago—makes me super proud,' she said. For Okobi, Ayinde is more than just a teammate, she's a role model. 'Yes, and even more successful. For the young ones, Halimatu should be a role model. She's a fighter and very hardworking. My message to her is simple: keep working hard as usual.' Echoing that praise from Sweden is FC Rosengård head coach Joel Kjetselberg, who has seen Ayinde's influence up close at club level, especially in their 2024 Damallsvenskan title win. 'It has been great to see Hali be such an important part of Nigeria's AFCON tournament so far. She has been outstanding for her national team,' he remarked, in chat with 'Hali plays with so much composure and control that you can rely on her in so many ways on the pitch. I'm really proud and glad to see her doing so well, but it comes with no surprise.' Kjetselberg added, 'She is a very important player in our squad, and I know I can rely on her to do whatever job we need. She is a fantastic person. We wish her all the best for the final and look forward to having her back with us soon.' As Nigeria aim to lift yet another historic continental title, one thing is certain, the Super Falcons' rhythm flows through the boots of their midfield trojan.
South China Morning Post
14-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Misuse of AI risks harming public confidence in the justice system
The risks of relying on artificial intelligence for research, without verifying the results, should by now be clear to all, almost three years after the groundbreaking launch of ChatGPT. Lawyers using generative AI tools to prepare material for court should be setting a shining example. But judges around the world, from Britain to the US, Canada and Australia, continue to be presented with arguments based on non-existent court judgments generated by AI. More needs to be done to prevent such abuses. Hong Kong is not immune to the problem. Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok used a ceremony for three new senior counsel to sound a warning last weekend. He said the city's legal profession faced the challenge of adopting new technology without compromising integrity. Lam then quoted from a UK court judgment delivered the previous day. The court had warned that AI tools are 'not capable of conducting reliable legal research'. Dame Victoria Sharp, one of two judges ruling in the case of Ayinde, pointed out that AI's 'apparently coherent and plausible responses' may be entirely incorrect or simply untrue.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former player Mackie appointed as CFLPA executive director
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — The CFL Players' Association appointed David Mackie as its new executive director Monday. Mackie replaces Brian Ramsay, who left the organization in August to take on the same post with the Professional Hockey Players' Association. Former CFL player Peter Dyakowski had been serving as interim executive director. Mackie, 30, retired earlier this month following six seasons as a fullback with the B.C. Lions. He had served as a player rep with B.C. and in 2024 was elected as the union's third vice-president. B.C. selected the six-foot-two, 252-pound native of Jackson's Point, Ont., in the second round, No. 16 overall, in the 2018 CFL draft. Mackie played collegiately at Western, winning a Vanier Cup with the Mustangs in 2017. Mackie appeared in 61 career regular-season CFL games, rushing 49 times for 206 yards with eight touchdowns. He also recorded 25 catches for 203 yards, returned three kickoffs for 52 yards, and recorded 35 special-teams tackles. 'I am truly honored to take on the role of executive director for the CFLPA,' Mackie said in a statement. "As a very recently retired former player, I understand firsthand the challenges and opportunities that our members face. "I am committed to ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected as we work together to strengthen our association and our league.' The union also announced the addition of Andre Gougen as in-house legal counsel and chief operating officer. Long-time CFLPA general counsel, Art Vertlieb, will be moving into a senior legal adviser role within the association. --- OTTAWA -- The Ottawa Redblacks have signed American linebacker Ayinde (Ace) Eley to a one-year contract. Ayinde joins the Redblacks after being released by the B.C. Lions. The 26-year-old American was the Lions' nominee for the CFL's top rookie award after registering 60 tackles, six special-teams tackles and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season games. He also appeared in B.C.'s 28-19 West Division semifinal loso to Saskatchewan, record two tackles and a forced fumble. Before signing with B.C., Ayinde spent time with the NFL's Carolina Panthers, and Houston Texans. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2025. The Canadian Press
