Tag: General Sports

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles head coach, Ladan Bosso, has attributed the team’s group stage elimination from the 13th African Games to inadequate preparations, citing insufficient time for player scouting.

Nigeria’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals were dashed by Senegal, who secured a 3-2 victory on Friday, March 15, despite Nigeria’s promising start in Group B.

The match witnessed Nigeria taking an early lead in the second minute through Charles Agada. However, Senegal’s Idrissa Traore equalized in the 21st minute with a well-executed shot past the Nigerian goalkeeper.

Traore doubled his tally just six minutes later, giving Senegal their first lead in the match. Chibuzor Izuogu’s brilliant free-kick brought Nigeria back into contention, leveling the score at 2-2.

However, Senegal’s Pape Diouf sealed Nigeria’s fate with a penalty-kick goal, securing Senegal’s place in the semi-finals and ending Nigeria’s aspirations.

Expressing his disappointment after the match, Coach Bosso lamented the outcome and acknowledged the challenges he faced in assembling the squad.

“I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament,” Bosso stated. “I didn’t have enough time to scout for players, and what I did was to watch a few games in Uyo and other places. That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze.”

Looking ahead, Bosso emphasized the necessity for early preparation for future tournaments, underscoring the inadequacy of the 13-day preparation period for the African Games.

“The lesson is that we need to prepare very well for future tournaments,” Bosso asserted. “The idea of preparing for a tournament in 13 days is really not the best. But we can take positives from the fact that some players in this squad can be nurtured for the future and possibly play for the national team.”

Despite the setback, Bosso acknowledged the team’s efforts to improve with each match, highlighting their performance against Senegal as the tournament’s best.

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In a thrilling encounter at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Ademola Lookman scored for Atalanta as they secured a 2-1 victory over Sporting CP in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 clash.

The match began with both sides evenly poised following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Portugal last week. Atalanta started strongly, but it was Sporting CP who took the lead in the 33rd minute courtesy of a goal from Pedro Goncalves, giving the visitors the advantage heading into halftime.

However, Atalanta staged a remarkable comeback in the second half. Lookman ignited the turnaround just a minute after the break, capitalizing on a precise cross from Ederson to slot the ball into the net with aplomb.

The momentum swung further in Atalanta’s favor when Gianluca Scamacca doubled their lead in the 59th minute, putting them firmly in control of the tie. Despite Sporting CP’s efforts to mount a comeback, Atalanta’s resolute defense held firm to secure the victory.

Ademola Lookman, in particular, stood out with an impressive performance, registering two shots, 55 touches, and two successful dribbles. He was substituted for El Bilal Toure in the 85th minute as Atalanta held on to clinch the win, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory over Sporting CP.

The result sees Atalanta progress to the quarterfinals of the Europa League, joining the likes of Liverpool, Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham, Marseille, AC Milan, and Benfica as the clubs that have qualified for the knockout rounds.

READ MORE: Nigerian striker bags 8th Serie A goal of the season in Atalanta defeat

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The unveiling of a title sponsor for the third tier of league football in Nigeria represents a goodnews for the once cash strapped Nationwide League ONE.

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has taken a significant stride towards the advancement of grassroots football in Nigeria by announcing New Year Mega Lottery (NYML) as its official title sponsor. The momentous occasion was marked by a prestigious signing ceremony held at the Harris Hotel in Wuye, Abuja.

This four-year partnership, valued at 964 million naira, signifies a joint commitment between NLO and NYML to elevate grassroots football throughout Nigeria. Ms. Obiorah Emmanuella, Head of Corporate Communications for New Year Mega Lottery, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the company’s dedication to nurturing talent and engaging football enthusiasts nationwide.

“We are thrilled to enter this sponsorship deal with the Nationwide League One (NLO) and engage a large audience through our brand,” she stated. Emmanuella highlighted the opportunity to support aspiring athletes and contribute to community development through sports.

Through this collaboration, NYML aims to connect with the future generation of football athletes at the grassroots level across Nigeria, fostering their growth and empowering talents. Honorable Silas Agara, Chairman of the NLO and former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, commended New Year Mega Lottery for their support, recognizing the significance of their sponsorship in advancing grassroots football.

“We are truly delighted to have New Year Mega Lottery come on board as our title sponsor,” Agara remarked. He emphasized the NLO’s role as a vital platform for nurturing future football stars and expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to propel Nigerian talent onto the global stage.

With New Year Mega Lottery’s sponsorship extending until 2027, the company reaffirms its commitment to driving positive change through sports and education in Nigeria, providing dreams and opportunities for aspiring athletes.

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A Lagos-based human resource consultant, Modupe Bankole has shown her continuous dedication and commitment to mentoring and developing school sports in Akwa Ibom State in the last six years. Bankole, a mentor with the Inoyo Toro Foundation was struck by the sheer determination of the foundation in rewarding teachers who are dedicated to nurturing and shaping lives in our society.

In an exclusive interview with The Athletic NG, Bankole shared the serendipitous beginning of her involvement with the Inoyo Toro Foundation and the Methodist Senior Science College, which started at a conference in Abuja, where she learned about the foundation’s mission and decided to join, ultimately becoming a mentor for the college.

“It’s by providence, I would say,” Bankole said when asked about her journey with the Inoyo Toro Foundation. “I heard the founder of Inoyo Toro Foundation, we were at a conference in Abuja and he was talking to a group of people, and he mentioned that he has this foundation and needs to go to the foundation from the conference; I think there was a milestone anniversary for the foundation.

“When he was discussing with this group, I got curious. So I called one of the persons standing in the group and said, what is this about? And he explained to me anyway; short of it, I said, I want to be part of this. I got on the plane, found myself in what is now called the Ibom Icon Hotels and I sat at this table where they were some students that nobody was sitting with them, so, I sat on the table with them. It happens to be the Methodist Science Senior College students’ table, their mentor hadn’t shown up, I stood in and the mentor never showed up, and six years later, here I am, as a mentor for the MSSC.”

That journey has provided her with the opportunity to “support the students in their aspirations to the extent that the foundation allows.” Her mentorship extends beyond individual students to engaging with teachers and addressing challenges the school faces, such as infrastructure, educational materials, and facilities. She emphasises the universality of aspirations among students and the importance of providing a platform for them to fulfill their dreams.

“I enjoy coming to Uyo. I enjoy coming to Oron to interface with the students. For me, I get a feel that universally we’re all the same, and so the aspirations of most children in the world are about the same and all they need is a platform to be able to fulfil their dreams and I’m an activator of that fulfilment, at least in this phase of their journey and that is something that I truly, really enjoy.

“When you have a one-on-one with them, you understand that we intend to turn up our noses, especially those of us that live in the city, but sitting with the students changed my life, and I realised that there’s so much to be done even beyond the city.

“I had a tete-a-tete with them (teachers) to understand what the challenges are. Challenges in terms of infrastructure, challenges in terms of educational materials, challenges in terms of equipping the library, challenges in terms of even things like facilities to use for convenience because this is a boarding school, some things are falling, water, and things like that.

“To the best that we can, we give support, financial advice also, but my main focus is actually the students and to tell them that anything is possible. That the current circumstances would not determine what their future is, if only in their mind, they can think beyond that and that my role here is to say, hey, we are on this journey together and I’m here.”

On March 8, 2024, Mrs. Bankole traveled from Lagos to Oron to actively participate in the Inter-House Sports Competition organised by the Methodist Senior Science College, a school with a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1988. 

Modupe Bankole talks about her connection to sports and their educational significance, and the vital life skills that sports instill in individuals, emphasising the transformative power of competition in teaching humility, empathy, kindness, teamwork, and other essential qualities.

“I will say results don’t lie.  I am a recipient of public school education where sport was taken seriously. The only reason you will not participate in sports is because you had a cogent medical reason and so I understand how sport is very important in teaching certain life skills that are required for success.

“Sport is not just a gaming activity to win medals; it’s very important because it prepares humans, especially in the formative and developmental years, for how to relate with other humans, how actually to be human because you’re in a competitive environment. Your humility, your empathy, kindness, striving to outperform yourself, encouraging others, working in a team, being kind, being honest, everything put together is what sports give you. 

“Again, I say that sports is not only a gaming activity; it’s actually an education in itself. I was saying earlier that the problem of Nigeria is not about how many people know science, how many people know biology, how many people know all of these subject matters, but it’s about our behaviour and what better platform to use, for instance, an experiential study than put the students in an activity that helps them develop this very important skills and sport. So that is my relationship with sport.”

Methodist Senior Science College was one of the most revered schools in Akwa Ibom State because of its stature and has produced a good number of successful Nigerians in different fields of endeavour, such as medicine, engineering and others. 38 years later, the school looks abandoned, dilapidated and unsecured for learning. 

The principal of the school, Mrs Florence Eyoren Essien, said the school needs a perameter fence to help secure lives and properties.

“We really need the government to give us perimeter fencing. This is why we have all the theft and vandalisation at the school. If we have parameter fencing, I think some of those excesses will be curbed. Many parents who are security conscious will not bring their children to school.”

Dr Iniobong Umoren, a chemistry lecturer at the University of Uyo and a consultant with the Inoyo Toro Foundation, feels the plight of the school and calls on the government to make the school a model school.

“For me, when I came in here, I felt like weeping because of the deplorable state. Methodist Senior Science College has been one of the schools we knew from across the Niger. For us over there, we hear of Methodist Senior Science College, Oron, what I am seeing today doesn’t really look like that school. For me, I know that the coming of private schools has really brought down the public schools in our society.

“What the Inoyo Toro Foundation has been doing over the years, for us to come here to see the teachers, students and today we came for the inter-house sports competition, I came because of the foundation, I’ve never entered this school before.

“The foundation has already started some work, talking with government, collaborating with government to see what they can do. This place is a good school environment, I think that the foundation will have to do some work with the government who is saddled with the responsibility of running schools to do something about this school. We cannot allow it to be in the form that it is, if we come here, at least, when we had it as Senior Science College then, it was a reference point, why can’t we come make this place a model school in Oron and change the narrative?

“There are many people living in this environment, there will send their children to this school, so, it is not the foundation that will come and take over the running of the school. The foundation can collaborate with government to set up this place as a model school.”

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On matchday 25 of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League, home teams displayed their dominance on their home turf, with several exciting encounters taking place across various stadiums.

Plateau United showcased their superiority with a commanding 4-0 victory over Gombe United. Lafia Enejo opened the scoring, followed by a sensational hat-trick from Nenrot Silas, securing a resounding win for Plateau United.

Shooting Stars secured a crucial away victory against Doma United, as Monday Gideon’s goal ensured a narrow but significant win for the visiting team.

Niger Tornadoes demonstrated their efficiency in front of goal, clinching a 1-0 victory over Sporting Lagos thanks to an early strike from Azeez Akintunde.

Heartland FC emerged triumphant with a 2-0 win over Abia Warriors, with goals from Onyekachi Okafor and Ikechukwu Mgbemena contributing to their victory.

Sunshine Stars claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Katsina United, with Yusuf Ibrahim’s solitary goal proving to be the difference between the two sides.

Rangers FC and Kano Pillars battled to a draw in a closely contested match, with goals from Sani Mubarak and Chinemerem Ugwueze ensuring both teams shared the points.

Akwa United showcased their attacking prowess with a convincing 3-1 victory over Bendel Insurance, with Ubong Friday netting a brace and Suleiman Sani adding to the scoresheet for the home team, while Zaidu Ayuba scored a consolation goal for Bendel Insurance.

Remo Stars secured a narrow 1-0 win over Enyimba FC, with Adams Olamilekan’s second-half strike proving to be the decisive moment in the match.

Kwara United secured a slim victory over Bayelsa United, with Mohammed Alao’s goal being the deciding factor in their 1-0 win.

In a thrilling encounter, league leaders Lobi Stars edged past Rivers United with a 3-2 victory. Goals from Samuel Tiza Alao, Danbani, and Kumaga Suur secured the win for Lobi Stars, while Ukeme Williams and Mark Gibson found the net for Rivers United, making for an exhilarating match for the fans.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up for their upcoming matches against the Black Stars of Ghana and The Eagles of Mali with former Ajax star Finidi George set to take charge as their coach.

Scheduled to face their West African counterparts in highly-anticipated friendly encounters on March 22 and March 26 respectively, both matches will be held in Morocco.

The team finds itself without a permanent coach following the departure of former manager Jose Peseiro after guiding them to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. However, Finidi George is poised to step into the role for the upcoming matches.

Reports indicate that Finidi George, alongside Enyimba goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke, will join the team in Morocco following their NPFL midweek game against Remo Stars in Ikenne.

While there were speculations that NFF technical director Austin Eguavoen would temporarily lead the team, those rumors have been dismissed.

Having previously served as one of Peseiro’s assistants during the 2023 AFCON, Finidi George remains familiar with the team dynamics. Moreover, he is among the leading candidates who applied for the vacant managerial position, alongside Emmanuel Amunike, Sunday Oliseh, and Samson Siasia, among others.

The NFF has received numerous applications for the role, with the final decision expected to be made soon. However, it has been suggested that the decision may come down to Emmanuel Amunike and former Cameroon coach Antonio Conceicao

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The Nigeria U-20 female football team the Falconets thrashed the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal 4-0 in their second group game of the 13th African Games in Ghana.

Guided by coach Chris Danjuma, the Super Falconets extended their winning streak following a triumph over Morocco in their opening group fixture. In a showdown against Senegal at the Cape Coast Stadium, the team showcased exceptional skill and determination as they aimed to secure gold in Gold Coast.

Continuing their impressive form, goal scorers Yina Aidoo and Chioma Oliseh retained their positions in the starting lineup as Nigeria made a formidable start within the initial fifteen minutes.

Loveth Edeh broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, granting Nigeria an early advantage to settle any initial nerves. Despite a late attempt by Motunrayo Ezekiel just before halftime, the Senegalese goalkeeper managed to thwart the effort.

However, Motunrayo redeemed herself after the halftime break. Five minutes into the second half, she capitalized on a set-piece opportunity to find the net, and shortly thereafter, a defensive lapse from Senegal gifted the Falconets another goal.

Chioma Oliseh then dashed any hopes of a Senegalese comeback by securing her second consecutive goal in the 80th minute. A well-executed pass from Chiamaka Okwuchukwu set up Chioma’s goal, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Chris Danjuma’s side.

With this triumph, the Falconets progressed to the semifinals as Group B winners, accumulating six points from two games. They now await the outcome of Group A to determine their opponents in the next stage of the tournament.

READ ALSO: African Games: Nigera’s Flying Eagles secure vital win against South Sudan to keep knockout hopes alive

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In a crucial match at the ongoing African Games, Sadiq Isyaka’s late penalty sealed a 1-0 victory for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles over South Sudan on Monday, March 11, 2024.

After a disappointing start with a 2-1 loss against Uganda in their opening game, the Flying Eagles were determined to bounce back and secure qualification for the knockout round.

Despite dominating the first half, Ladan Bosso’s side couldn’t convert their chances, leading to a goalless draw at halftime.

However, they improved in the second half, creating numerous opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 78th minute when they were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box.

Isyaka confidently converted the penalty in the 80th minute, giving the Flying Eagles a crucial 1-0 lead.

Although they had opportunities to extend their lead, they couldn’t capitalize, and the match ended 1-0 at the University of Ghana Stadium.

With their sights set on a semi-final spot, Nigeria will face Senegal in their final group stage match.

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The Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has been rocked by controversy after suspending 62 players for age fraud, revealing evidence that they misrepresented their ages, with some players allegedly lying by over a decade.

Among those embroiled in the scandal is Wilfried Nathan Douala, a standout 17-year-old midfielder who gained prominence for Victoria United and featured prominently for the Indomitable Lions at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Douala’s remarkable rise to prominence during AFCON 2023, where he was celebrated as a prodigious talent at just 17 years old, captured the attention of football enthusiasts. However, FECAFOOT’s investigation uncovered inconsistencies in Douala’s age, along with 61 other players, leading to their suspension for alleged “double identities” and suspected age concealment.

The revelation has cast a shadow over Douala’s promising career, raising significant integrity concerns for FECAFOOT and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Douala is anticipated to face severe repercussions for participating in international competitions under false pretenses, potentially resulting in a lengthy ban.

The age fraud scandal has triggered broader apprehensions regarding the prevalence of age manipulation within African football youth programs. FECAFOOT’s swift action suggests that such practices may be more widespread than previously believed.

For Douala, the scandal has tarnished the perception of him as a teenage prodigy, casting doubt on his accomplishments and performances at AFCON 2023. Despite his initial acclaim, his involvement in the tournament had raised suspicions among football enthusiasts on social media.

The revelations underscore the imperative for enhanced scrutiny and vigilance in verifying players’ ages, emphasizing the paramount importance of upholding integrity and fair play in football competitions.

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Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo has heaped praise on Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against Napoli in the round of 16.

The Blaugrana are set to face Serie A giants Napoli in the second leg of their UCL tie at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday, with the first leg ending in a 1-1 draw. Osimhen proved his worth by scoring the equalizer for Napoli in the previous encounter, impressing Cancelo with his clinical finishing.

Cancelo highlighted Osimhen’s talent, acknowledging the threat he poses to Barcelona’s defense. “Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen, and Politano are exceptional talents. Osimhen scored against us in the first leg with half a chance. He is one of the best strikers in the world,” Cancelo stated, as reported by Napoli Magazine.

Despite Napoli’s lackluster performance in the first leg, where they struggled to create opportunities, Osimhen’s goal demonstrated his ability to capitalize on limited chances. With Napoli showing improved form since then, scoring ten goals in four matches under new management, they are expected to provide a tougher challenge for Barcelona, with Osimhen leading their attacking line.

As the two teams gear up for a decisive showdown, Osimhen’s presence on the field adds an extra dimension to Napoli’s offensive threat, keeping Barcelona’s defense on high alert.

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