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JOF Football Final Excites Former Super Eagle Elaho as Utility Emerge Champions
The 5th JOF Under 13 Grassroots football tournament reached a crescendo yesterday as HB Utility Ilupeju emerged champions of the 64 team competition.
Utility spanked Zamadek of Lagos Island 3-0 in the last game played at the UNILAG sports complex and organised under the auspices of Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association.
Former Nigeria international winger and AFCON silver medalist Friday Elaho who watched the encounter commended organisers of the tournament for staging a befitting grand finale, urging more private sector involvement at the grassroots in order to churn out budding talents that will take over from the ageing ones.
For emerging champions in the 5th edition of the competition, Utility smiled home with a prize money of seven hundred and fifty thousand naira while Latoyem FC received half a million naira after beating Strong Dove of Orile 1-0 in the bronze medal game also played yesterday.
In the individual awards, Ayomide Atiga was voted tournament’s Most Valuale Player MVP, his colleague Toheeb Ojerinde won the best keeper accolade while Abolade Abdulahi of Zamadek scooped the top scorer’s prize.
Speaking after the event, the Chairman/CEO of JOF Nigeria Dr Olusegun Olugboyegun promised that a select group of players who excelled in the tourney would be camped over the year as they undergo training in ethics, morals and other life skills. -
Finidi George Picks Assistants, Pens Deal as New Super Eagles’ Manager
Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, has selected his backroom staff in readiness for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Bafana Bafana of South Africa and Squirrels of Benin Republic.
The assistants are Benjamin James, Mehmet Ozturk and Chima Oyeike and Finidi’s forme international teammate Daniel Amokachi.
Benjamin James
James is a Youth coach at Hoffenheim in Germany. He played for Shooting Stars and briefly for the Super Eagles.
Chima Oyeike
Mehmet Ozturk will be the Match Analyst after working with several clubs in Europe while Onyeike was born in Zeist, Netherlands to a Nigerian father. He played in the Dutch League.
Finidi has also retained Olatunji Baruwa as the goalkeeper’ s trainer.
George was officially unveiled as new head coach of the Eagles today after signing a one year contract with option for extension if the team’s results go as expected.
The presentation took place at the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja today.
George, who evinced quiet confidence all through the unveiling, stated that he will invite for international assignments, only players who feature regularly at their clubs either in Nigeria or in the diaspora, and promised that the Super Eagles will remain even more competitive in the years ahead.
“My first target is to make sure that we are in line to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning the upcoming two matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. The 2025 AFCON qualifiers will soon start and we must also be prepared for those as well. I know what the NFF wants as it is boldly written in the contract, and I will work very hard to add value to the team and put myself in the position to earn even more than I will be earning from the take-off.” the UEFA Champions League winner said.
On relationships with the players, George said: “I have always had a cordial relationship with all the players as an assistant coach. I am still the same person even as Head Coach now, only that the title has changed. There will be no controversy regarding relationship with the players. These are professional players and we have to give them what they’re used to in Europe; you don’t need to slap anyone to get him to do the right thing.
“I will try my best to ensure the team starts functioning properly and we start winning games again. There is no pressure on me; I have tough skin. I just want to call for your support. I know this is not an easy job, but with the support of everyone, we can achieve our objectives.”
Nigeria’s Sports Minister, John Enoh, NFF president Ibrahim Gusau and secretary general of the soccer house, Mohammed Sanusi, were among the dignitaries that graced the ceremony with their presence.
The former Ajax and Real Betis winger was an assistant to former handler of the team, Jose Peseiro for 20 months.
He handled the Super Eagles in interim capacity for the friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March.
Finidi will make his competitive international bow as a coach against Bafana Bafana of South Africa next month in Uyo Akwa Ibom State. -
Maiden Japa Masters Volleyball Tournament Spikes Off in August
The inaugural Japa Masters Volleyball competition is expected to spark off hostilities as clubs jostle for four million Naira prize money at stake from 6 to 10 August 2024 in Lagos.
According to the organisers, Japa Master, a rapidly expanding travel agency in Nigeria with a passion for sports and recreation, the event aims to unite country’s top volleyball talents and elevate the sport on a global scale.
In line with commitment to giving back to society and fulfilling corporate social responsibility, the tournament serves as a platform to nurture talent and promote the development of volleyball in Nigeria.
Genevieve Obuladike, Manager of Japa Masters Spikers, expressed the tournament’s mission to enhance competitiveness, refine skills, and elevate the standard of play within Lagos and Nigeria.
Emphasizing the scarcity of opportunities through regular competition in Nigeria, Obuladike highlighted the tournament’s role in spotlighting talented players and providing a gateway to international recognition.
In collaboration with Nigerian volleyball authorities, the tournament plans to attract top agents to scout promising talent, offering players a chance to showcase their abilities and potentially secure international opportunities.
Registration for the tournament is now open and closes on June 30th. -
Nigeria Football Authority Condoles with Recuperating Former International Tijani Babangida
A delegation of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF has paid a condolence visit to former Nigeria international forward and President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria Tijani Babangida who was involved in a ghastly auto crash along the Kaduna – Zaria Road last Thursday.
The unfortunate incident, on the spot, claimed the life of Tijani’s younger brother, Ibrahim – a member of the 1993 FIFA U17 World Cup winning Golden Eaglets.
Tijani’s infant son, Fadil reportedly passed away Friday night during surgery, while his wife, Maryam is said to have successfully undergone facial surgery.
The visiting NFF delegation included the President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF Executive Committee member Timothy Heman Magaji and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
Others were NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; Member of the NPFL Board, Mr. Jude Anyadufu; former Nigeria international and Chairman, Bauchi State Football Association, Mr. Pascal Patrick; and ex international goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro.
The delegation met Tijani Babangida at a hospital in Abuja after he was transferred to from ABUTH.
They commiserated with the former World Cup star on the deaths of his brother and son, praying for quick recovery for him and his wife who is still under intensive care at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. -
Super Eagles’ World Cup Qualifying Camp Opens Next Month
Members of the Super Eagles are expected to start arriving camp on 1st June preparatory to pivotal 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic per Soccernet.
Nigeria sit third but will need to defeat South Africa and Benin in June if they are to go top of Group C of the World Cup qualifying.
On June 5, Nigeria will play South Africa, and three days later, they will fly to Benin for the second match.
The Nigeria Football Federation has reportedly received a provisional team list from the team’s new gaffer Finidi George, and the final list is expected to be made public shortly.
The South Africa match will be played at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, hence the Super Eagles will camp in Akwa Ibom State -
Finidi’s Presentation as Substantive Super Eagles’ Gaffer Gets Date
Newly appointed Super Eagles’ chief coach Finidi George’s official presentation to the public will hold on Monday 13 May 2024 in Abuja.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation NFF the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, President of NFF Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and his General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, are among prominent personalities expected at the unveiling.
The 52-year-old George spent 20 months as assistant to Portuguese José Peseiro from the summer of 2022, during which the Super Eagles qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and came within 28 minutes of a fourth African title in Cote d’Ivoire three months ago.
George, who passed up an opportunity to coach a second-tier team in Spain to return to Nigeria and lead two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC, won the tough-as-nails Nigeria elite division title with the People’s Elephant in his second season and has left the club in with a chance of retaining the title this season, with six matches to go.
When George formally bowed out of the Aba giants days ago, Enyimba FC remained in third place on the NPFL log, with 53 points from 32 matches, four adrift of table-toppers Enugu Rangers and three off second-placed Remo Stars.
As a player Finidi made 62 appearances for Nigeria at senior level, during which he won the Africa Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze, and played in two FIFA World Cup finals.
His immediate task as the new sheriff in town will be to pick maximum points from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa (home) and Benin Republic (away) in a few weeks.
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Amusan Seizes World Leading Time at Jamaica Athletics
Superstar world-record holder Tobi Amusan outclassed a competitive field at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational on Saturday to win the women’s 100m hurdles in a world-leading time of 12.40 seconds.
The Nigerian trailed reigning world champion Jamaican Danielle Williams and American Nia Ali for most of the race but surged ahead in the closing stages, eclipsing the previous world-leading time of 12.42 set by Tonea Marshall of the USA on April 20.
Williams finished second in 12.46 seconds, with Christina Clemens of the USA taking third place in 12.54.
Yanique Thompson of Jamaica secured fourth in 12.59, while Ali slipped to fifth with a time of 12.65.
First placed Amusan ended last season on a high by winning the Diamond League women’s 100m hurdles title in Eugene, Oregon for an astonishing third consecutive time and silencing critics following a disappointing performance at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest
World leader Daniel Roberts led home a 1-2 finish for USA in the men’s 110m hurdles.
Roberts, competing for the third time this season, secured a comfortable victory with a swift time of 13.17.
Eric Edwards finished second in 13.33, just ahead of Jamaican Lafranz Campbell, who clocked 13.37. -
Uchibe Wins Fourth League Crown in Portugal
Super Falcons’ midfield ace Christy Ucheibe maintained her impressive trophy haul in Portugal as she claimed a fourth league title with SL Benfica Futebol Feminino.
SL Benfica secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Racing Power FC today to retain their Liga BPI crown and hand Ucheibe her fourth league honour in Portugal.
The Nigeria international started the season-finale at the Caixa Futebol Campus in Seixal, sporting jersey number 16.
However, it was captain Carole Costa who opened scoring for the champions in the 38th minute from the penalty.
Drama unfolded when Racing Power FC equalised to potentially hand the title to Sporting CP, who were winning 2-0 away to Damaiense.
However, skipper Costa came to her side’s rescue in stoppage time when she netted another penalty to hand Benfica to seal win and the club’s fourth league title.
Ucheibe, who joined Benfica from Swedish club, Assi IF in 2020, has been a part of each of Benfica’s league triumphs, as they claimed the crown consecutively from 2021 to 2024.
Only last week, the 23-year-old midfield dynamo sealed her ninth title with SL Benfica when they won the Portuguese Taca da Liga. -
Rivers Hoopers Clinch Basketball Africa League Playoffs Spot
Rivers Hoopers became the first Sahara Conference team to qualify to the playoffs scheduled to take place later this month in Kigali thanks to a 78-71 double-overtime win over APR on Saturday.
Devine Eke’s put-back sent the game to the first overtime (58-58) before the Hoopers outscored APR 13-6 in the final five minutes to become the first Nigerian side to reach the BAL playoffs.
Peter Olisemeka came up with a remarkable performance, finishing a double-double of 17 points, 19 rebounds while dishing out 5 assists and swatting 3 blocks shots.
On the day that lethal scorer Will Perry had a quiet performance, Eke, who had a slow start, contributed massively on both ends of the floor, finishing with 18 points and 18 rebounds as the Hoopers improved to 4-1 with a game remaining.
APR started the game with a relatively new line-up with Jean Jacques Wilson stepping in for Williams Robeyn, but they ended up needing deeper changes as the game progressed.
APR Obadiah Noel, who scored the opening 2 points, limped off the court four minutes into game, and, to make matter worse for the Rwandan champions, Adonis Filer was stretchered off by the emergency services to receive medical. Noel and Filer never returned to the game.
The Rwandan champions had their toughest game in Dakar and dropped to 2-3 ahead of the last day of the Sahara Conference on Sunday.
“We have a lot of heart,” said an elated Kelvin Amayo who had a rough night turning the ball over 10 times although he contributed 13 points.
Amayo said: “Everybody counted us out, but I have been saying this since the training camp in Lagos and Port Harcourt… A lot of people were laughing at what happened to Nigeria teams before; But we created a really good group.”
Amayo lamented the APR short-handed roster, but he acknowledged the difficulty of coming up on top. “I am sorry for what happened to the other guys but the other group of guys that came in played very hard. They rallied for those guys. First time we beat them by four, but it was a big game too.”
APR face hosts AS Douanes on Sunday while Rivers Hoopers will go up against US Monastir.Credit: BAL
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Opeyori Credits Persistence for Ticket to Olympic Badminton Tournament
Multiple African Men’s Singles Badminton Champion, Anuoluwapo Opeyori has paid tribute to his resilience after qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Opeyori who is a two time African Games Champion made history by becoming the first Nigerian badminton player to make it to the Olympics back to back (2020 and 2024).
Writing on his Facebook page, Opeyori recounted how he faced challenges like injuries, lack of sponsorship, mental health, visa issues and tough nights, which eventually paid dividends.
“I didn’t give up despite all these challenges, I owned the process and believed in myself that I will make it through the dark times,” he stated.
“Yes, this is me telling everyone that I made it, I qualified for the biggest event in the whole world, I qualified for the second time, making a History of the first Nigerian to do so back to back, I qualified for the #Olympics once again.”
Opeyori dominated Africa in the men’s singles from 2019 till date winning four African Championship titles and two African Games titles.
An elated Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) told newsmen on Saturday that Anuoluwapo Opeyori has broken the jinx in Nigeria badminton by making it to the Olympic Games in Paris.
He revealed that BFN will leave no stone unturned in supporting the dreams and aspirations of the young players in making podium finishes.
Orbih said, “History has been made in badminton as Anuoluwapo Opeyori has secured a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with the release made by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“Three years ago, it was Dorcas Adesokan in the women’s singles and Opeyori with his partner Godwin Olofua in the men’s doubles that made it to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Today, Anuoluwapo Opeyori will represent Nigeria in the men’s singles; the leadership of BFN and Nigeria are proud of him.”
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