Tag: General Sports

Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has sent congratulatory message to the Super Falcons on their qualification for the 2024 WAFCON, to be held in Morocco.

Senator Enoh said the Super Falcons displayed an impressive level of determination and teamwork, securing vital victories during the qualifiers to solidify their place in the prestigious African Women’s Cup of Nations.

He lauded the Super Falcons for their remarkable effort in showcasing the nation’s prowess on the continental stage with a 7-1 aggregate win over Cape Verde.

“The qualification of our Super Falcons for the African Women’s Cup of Nations is a testament to the dedication and talent of our exceptional players. Their outstanding performance reflects Nigeria’s rich sporting heritage and unwavering commitment to excellence,” expressed Senator John Owan Enoh.

The Minister emphasized the significance of women’s football in Nigeria, highlighting the pivotal role played by the Super Falcons in inspiring young athletes and fostering a culture of inclusivity and sporting prowess across the nation.

“Through their hard work and commitment, the Super Falcons have not only secured a place in this prestigious tournament but have also inspired a new generation of aspiring female footballers. Their success resonates beyond the field, serving as a beacon of hope and empowerment for young women in our country,” added Senator John Owan Enoh.

As the Super Falcons continue to demonstrate exceptional skill and resilience, Senator John Owan Enoh reaffirmed the government’s steadfast support for women’s football.

In their last hurdle, the Super Falcons edged Cape Verde 2-1 in Praia, to claim a 7-1 aggregate win and confirm their ticket for Morocco 2024. The Madugu-led team came from behind through goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade to pick the win.

Nigeria is the most successful team in the tournament, winning 9 out 13 editions of the biennial championship.

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Following his election and swearing-in as 2nd vice-president of the African Clubs Association [ACA], Akwa United FC chairman, Elder Paul Bassey, has received goodwill message from the NPFL Clubs forum.

In a message authored by Rivers United FC General Manager, Chief Okey Kpalukwu, Chairman of the NPFL Club Owners forum, the body hailed Elder Paul Bassey’s experience and said it will rub on his engagement with the recently launched African Clubs Association.

” Elder Paul Bassey is a man that is highly respected in the game of football globally, ” the NPFL club owners said.

” We all know his contributions to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) committees.

” His experience will be needed in this new body that was launched by CAF to give clubs in Africa a voice in matters that concerns them on the continent. We salute and wish him all the very best. We know he will represent us and Nigeria very well.”

In his response, Elder Bassey thanked members of the Club Owners from Nigeria who nominated and voted for him during the election.

“I want to thank most sincerely the Chairmen and General Managers of Bendel Insurance of Benin, Rangers of Enugu and Plateau United of Jos who asked me to go for the election and they stood by me. For Nigeria to be so recognised, kudos must go to clubs like Rivers United and others for their good outing in recent times on the continent. My take away and the task ahead of me as 2nd Vice President of ACA is to bridge the gap between Nigerian clubsides and our colleagues from other countries”, explained the former CAF General Coordinator.

ACA is made up of 80 elite clubs drawn from leagues across Africa and 4 Nigerian clubs were invited by CAF during its launch last week in Cairo, Egypt.

The motives behind the creation of ACA is to protect and promote the interests of African Football Clubs, ensure that they’re commercially viable, globally competitive and profitable, to ensure that Referees, Match Commissioners and VAR operators are respected, credible, independent and world-class. To build partnerships with sponsors, the private sector and Governments to build stadiums that comply with CAF and FIFA standards and other football infrastructure and facilities in each of the 54 CAF Member Associations. To
develop African youth talent, academies for Boys and Girls and improve the quality of African Club football to be world class.

Engineer Hersi Ally Said of Young African Football Club of Tanzania emerged President, while the Marketing Director of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club of South Africa Jessica Motaung will serve as the 1st Vice President of ACA.

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Rivers United FC head coach, Stanley Eguma has revealed why his team lost the CAF Confederation cup game vs Dreams FC of Ghana.

Dreams FC edged Rivers United FC 2-1 in the CAF Confederation Cup matchday two fixture.

” They ( Dream FC) got their chances and converted them, especially in the first half., ” Eguma said after the match.

“We had a load of chances in the second half but unfortunately, we couldn’t convert those chances.

” That was our greatest undoing today and I think we have to go back and work on those areas and come back stronger in the next game”, he stated.

That was the first win in the group stage of the 2023/2023 CAF Confederation Cup.

The Ghanaian side had lost 2-0 to Club Africain of Tunisia in their opening fixture last weekend.

The hosts however bounced back with a spirited display at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi.

John Antwi sent the home fans into wild jubilation after netting the opening goal in the 35th minute, with Eric Boateng providing the assist.

Boateng also set up Abdul Aziz Issah for the second goal 15 minutes from time.

Rivers United reduced the deficit through Alex Oyowah in stoppage time which proved to be only a consolation goal.

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Shammasu Mohammed fired Nasarawa United FC past Mighty Jets with a brace to secure a 2-0 win on matchday three of the 2023/2024 Nigeria National League season.

Nasarawa United are eyeing instant-promotion back to the Premier League and have so far started the season well.

The Solid Miners went into the week three clash vs Jets in high spirits after picking four points from the opening two games.

Early in the match, Nasarawa United left-back, Suleiman Akoza’s shot was palmed over the crossbar by Goalkeeper, Gobum Rotduwe, while the visitors went close with an effort courtesy from Abiya Abdullahi but Goalkeeper, Jerry Isaac, was alive to the threat.

The hosts threatened again, this time, Musa Muktar, struck the frame of the post after pouncing on a lovely cross in from Suleiman Akoza in the 11th minute that effort was followed by Attahiru Zangina’s header and another glaring chance by Sabo Gambo as Nasarawa United pressed for the opening goal.

Coach Usman Adams thought his side were already in the lead only for Chinedu Ohanachom’s moment of glory to be curtailed as the first-half ended nil-nil apiece.

With the Solid Miners all over the guests, it felt as though a goal was eminent in the reverse half, and they were rewarded for their persistence in the action-packed encounter.

Substitute, Shammasu Mohammed was at the right position, four minutes after his introduction, as he headed home a beautiful cross in by mercurial midfielder, Ham Danjuma, to give the home side the lead in the 57th minute.

While the away team were still trying to recover from the shock, golden boy, Shammasu Mohammed added a second goal, ten minutes before the regulation time with another substitute, Moses Ajiboye, the architect of the assist, a straw that broke Jets’ back as further actions could not alter the scoreline, and United winning their second home game of the campaign, returning them to the top of the Group C table with seven points from three matches.

Nasarawa United will be on the road for a date with former Nigeria Premier Football League side, El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri in their next fixture.

POST-MATCH REACTIONS

COACH USMAN ADAMS(NAS): “Two home games, six points, and we picked a draw away from home making a total of seven points, I think we have not started badly. We want to continue in this format.

“Yeah, we had a lot of goalscoring chances in the first-half but failed to convert them. However, the most important thing is that we were able to utilize those chances in the second half, and we will continue to work towards scoring more.

“Our next game is against El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri, and we are going there as league leaders even though our next table challengers have a game at hand before our next tie. It’s going to be an advantage for us if we are still on top of the log.

“Regarding the two goal-hero today, Shammasu Mohammed, he is an exceptional player as long as club football is concerned in this country.

“From the elite league to where we are now, he has shown how exceptional he is. We know when to bring him and what he is capable of doing once introduced.”

COACH NAJIB MABO(JETS): “Actually, this wasn’t the result we expected. We came here with the intention of winning, or probably go home with a draw. Unfortunately, some tactical errors led to our defeat today.

“We hope to go back home to correct those errors before our next game.

“Two points from three matches is very unfortunate, but we won’t lose concentration. We will remain focused and determined in our next home match against NAF FC of Abuja.

“Generally, Nasarawa United are a big team with a household name.

“Before coming here, we had that respect for them as humans.

“They are a fantastic team, and honestly, I commend their efforts, and I congratulate to them because their victory today was deserving.”

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The Akwa Ibom State Referees Council have released a message congratulating Elder Paul Bassey on his emergence as 2nd Vice-President of the newly launched, African Clubs Association.

Recall that Akwa United FC Chairman, Elder Paul Bassey was elected 2nd Vice President of ACA at the official launch in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

Engineer Hersi Ally Said of Young African Football Club of Tanzania emerged the President, while the Marketing Director of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club of South Africa Jessica Motaung will serve as the 1st Vice President of the association.

In a message signed by the Referees Council Chairman, Elder Joseph Bassey and made public by its spokesperson, Nsikakabasi Akpan, the football arbiters forum said news of Elder Paul Bassey’s election was received with ‘ great joy ‘.

See below full text of the congratulatory message.

*CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM THE REFEREES COUNCIL IN AKWA IBOM TO ELDER PAUL BASSEY ON HIS ELECTION AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN CLUBS ASSOCIATION*

The Akwa Ibom State Referees Council is pleased to identify with and congratulate the Chairman of Akwa United FC, Elder Paul Bassey on his election and inauguration as 2nd Vice President of the African Clubs Association (ACA).

We received with great joy, news of the unanimous vote in support of your aspiration to serve on the executive committee of the newly formed African football club’s body at its launch in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

As a seasoned journalist cum sports administrator, the Akwa Ibom State Referees Council is convinced you will contribute positively towards the growth and effective administration of the African Club Association in alliance with the President, Engr. Hersi Ally of Young Africans Football Club of Tanzania and 1st Vice President, Jessica Motuang of South African Club, Kaizer Chiefs.

Once again, we say congratulations and best wishes in your new responsibility, Sir.

Signed

Elder Joseph Bassey

Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Referees Council

2/12/2023

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Nigerian footballers Victor Boniface, Gift Orban, Chuba Akpom and Raphael Onyedika scored goals for their respective clubs in Europe’s club competitions on November 30.

BONIFACE HITS 12TH GOAL OF THE SEASON

Victor Boniface scored his twelveth goal of the season as Bayer Leverkusen defeated Hacken 2-0 in Sweden on matchday five of the 2023/2024 UEFA Europa League.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring for his side in the 14th minute, when he headed home a Josip Stanisic cross.

While Boniface was taken off after the first half, compatriot Nathan Tella also got 64 minutes of action for Leverkusen. Tella’s replacement Patrik Shick sealed the win for Bayer Leverkusen in the 74th minute.

That result shoots Leverkusen to the Europa League last-16 with a game to spare.

ORBAN LEADS THE WAY IN THE CONFERENCE LEAGUE

Gift Orban leads the UEFA Conference League goal-scorers chart after scoring his fifth goal in the competition this season.

The Nigerian footballer was on target as Gent secured a 4-1 win over Ukrainian club Zorya Luhansk.

Orban’s Gent were favourites, and made no mistake as Malick Fofana and Arseniy Batagov(OG) served a two-goal lead after 49 minutes.

He will now hope to follow in the footsteps of Super Eagles striker, Cyriel Dessers who won the UEFA Conference League top-scorer award in the 2021/2022 season.

AKPOM SCORES AGAIN

Chuba Akpom came off the bench to score for Ajax again in their 4-3 Europa league loss at Olympique Marseille on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

Ajax coach Van’t Schip opted to name in-form Akpom on the bench for the match despite his return of five goals in his last five matches for the Dutch club this season.

Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Marseille in front in the 9th minute but Ajax responded thrugh Brian Brobbey a minute later for 1-1.

Chancel Mbemba stole the lead again for Marseille in the 26th minute, but Brobbey scored again in the 30th minute to level the score again.

Two minutes into the second-half, former Arsenal forward Aubameyang scored Marseille’s third with Ajax suffering further setback when Steven Berghuis was red-carded in the 62nd minute.

With Ajax trailing 3-2 and a man-less, Akpom was introduced from the bench in the 77th minute, and made instant impact when he rose high to meet a cross from Kristian Hlynsson with a header to make it 3-3 for his side.

Unfortunately for the former Dutch champions, Aubameyang scored in stoppage time to win the game 4-3 for Marseille, the loss effectively knocking Ajax out of the Europa League.

ONYEDIKA OPENS GOAL ACCOUNT

Super Eagles midfielder , Raphael Onyedika opened his goal account for Belgian outfit Club Brugge in a 5-star win over Besiktas in Turkey.

His first Club Brugge goal arrived in the 50th minute to put his team 0-4 up in the UEFA Conference League clash vs Besiktas.

Brugge flourished in a strange land, a 0-5 win to maintain grip on top-spot in their group.

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The Super Falcons of Nigeria trashed Cape Verde 5-0 in a 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification first-leg match. THE ATHLETIC NG reports.

Uchenna Kanu and Esther Okoronkwo both scored twice plus one goal by Gift Monday to seal a 5-0 trashing of Cape Verde by Nigeria in the first leg of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The match was played on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

To reach the final qualifying round, Nigeria walked over São Tomé and Príncipe while Cape Verde flourished in a 6-3 aggregate win over Liberia.

Nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria were near-perfect to take a convincing first-leg win In Abuja.

US-based striker Uchenna Kanu scored the games opening goal in the seventh minute to set foundation for a big-win.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a stunning save to deny Cape Verde an equalizer minutes later.

The Coach Justin Madugu tutored Nigerian ladies were two-goals up when Tenerife forward, Gift Monday doubled the lead for the Falcons from a goal-mouth scramble in the 25th minute..

Nigeria dominated the encounter and got a deserved third when Uchenna Kanu finished off a pass from Sevilla midfielder, Toni Payne as the Falcons won 3-0 at the break.

Esther Okoronkwo came on as a substitute in the 53rd minute, and got on the scoresheet soon after with a sublime finish from Akudo Ogbonna’s cross.

Eleven minutes later, Esther Okoronkwo grabbed her second of the match as she pounced on Rofiat Imuran’s cross to make it 5-0 for Nigeria.

It finished 5-0, Nigeria recording their biggest win in a competitive fixture since beating Equatorial Guinea 6-0 at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2018.

Cape Verde and Nigeria will meet again for the second leg on December 5, 2023 at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia.

The aggregate winner of this match will qualify for the 2023 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

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Super Falcons of Nigeria stand-in coach, Justin Madugu and midfielder Toni Payne have promised the team will not underrate Cape Verde when faceoff in a 2024 Women’s Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Nigeria will host Cape Verde in the first leg of the qualifier at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

That match will kickoff by 4pm [ Nigerian time].

The Super falcons will hope to secure a big-win in Abuja to make the return leg in Praia on December 5, a walk in the park.

In seperate pre-match comments with NFF TV, stand-in coach Justin Madugu and midfielder Toni Payne say the Super Falcons would not underrate their opponents, who are ranked 133rd in the world by FIFA.

For midfielder Payne, the Falcons will be wary of their not too popular opposition.

“I haven’t heard much about them, they are a little bit unknown in terms of how they play. We will see some videos to know more about them,” Payne told NFF TV.

”We just build on what we normally do and focus on ourselves. Our way of playing is keeping the ball. We can’t afford to take them for granted.

“We believe if we have the ball it will be difficult for the opponent to score. We will try and stick to our plan and get a win.” she concluded.

For Coach Madugu who has led the Falcons post world-cup, Cape Verde are a very good team and so it will be wrong to expect an easy game.

He said “Gone are the days when people play football with names, and when you hear a particular country, people assume they are not a football country without us knowing how much they have invested into their game.

“Over the past three years, Cape Verde have greatly improved, and they have invested so much in their game. The first major tournament they performed in was in WAFU in 2020 and they came fourth. This year, they also did well getting to the final and only losing to Senegal by just one goal.

“People do not realise they have as many as 11 of their professional players playing in Portugal, they have that experience and the home-based players at home are coming from two major teams so they have the advantage of having that understanding since they have been together for quite a while.

He continued ” You will not just assume that it will be a stroll in the park, certainly, we are not taking anything for granted, look at the results across Africa now and you can’t take anybody for granted, if you do that, it’s at your own peril.”

“We all know what is at stake, the players themselves know what is at stake, the players that are here, you can see that they are not taking anything for granted and the ones that are not here, we know they are also prepared.

“You must put in every effort to ensure that you win, no one is just going to come to the field and just allow you to get whatever you want, they will put up a fight, so you  must be ready for the fight so that at the end of the day, you get the result you deserve.”

On the absence of some key players like Asisat Oshoala, the coach added , “We are without a few regular players for various reasons but we are not here to dwell on that. The Super Falcons’ team remains the Super Falcons anytime, any day, and anywhere. We have players in camp who will do justice to the badge and get us the qualification ticket to the AFCON.

“Surely, we would have wanted a couple more days for the team to train together, but the fixture is the fixture and the window is the window, and we just have to make do with what we have and get the best out of the arrangement. Everyone in camp will play their part for the Super Falcons to qualify for Morocco 2024,” Madugu remarked.

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