CHAN: Super Eagles inspired to beat Sudan after bonus payment – Captain

Home-based Super Eagles captain Ikechukwu Ezenwa says the team are determined to beat Sudan in Wednesday’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-final fixture.

The Eagles will battle the Sudanese for a place in the final at the Grande Stade Marrakech after edging out Angola 2-1 in the quater-final on Sunday.

Sudan beat the highly rated Zambian side 1-0 to book their passage in the last four.

Ezenwa who picked the man of the match award for his exemplary performance in the game against the Palancas Negras said the players are determined to make the country proud.

Xhaka puts rock-solid Arsenal in League Cup final

Arsenal fought back from a goal down against old foes Chelsea to reach the League Cup final as Granit Xhaka poked home to complete a 2-1 second-leg win on Wednesday.

The result meant Arsenal set up a Wembley showdown with Manchester City.

Nothing separated the sides after the semi-final’s first leg at Stamford Bridge ended goalless two weeks ago.

But the stalemate was swiftly broken as Chelsea took the lead through Eden Hazard after seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

Yet question marks about Arsenal’s steel in the face of adversity were swept away as they levelled five minutes later through a fortuitous Antonio Rudiger own goal.

They then turned the match on its head, with midfielder Xhaka turning predator 15 minutes after halftime to finish from close range.

Arsenal stayed rock-solid at the back for the rest of the game to set up an enticing final against Manchester City on Feb. 25.

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Real Madrid suffer humiliating Copa del Rey exit

Real Madrid suffered a humiliating 2-1 home defeat by Leganes on Wednesday to exit the King’s Cup at the quarter-final stage on away goals.

A much-changed Real side, missing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, held a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

But their troubled season hit a new low as they were outplayed by a team lying 13th in La Liga.

Nigeria Escape World Cup Dismissal, Lose 3-Point Against Algeria

FIFA has sanctioned the Nigeria Football Federation for fielding an ineligible player in their World Cup qualifying encounter against Algeria, but it will not affect the country’s participation in Russia next year.

The Super Eagles fielded right-back Abdullahi Shehu – who was on one-match suspension – in their final qualifying clash against the Desert Foxes on November 10 which ended in a 1-1 draw, Goal.com reports.

But the tie have been forfeited and a 3-0 victory have been awarded in favour of the north Africans, with the NFF slammed with a fine of CHF 6,000.

Kebbi BSC’s Isa savours first Copa Lagos experience

Despite losing the title to England’s Arsenal, head coach of Kebbi Beach Soccer Club, Abdullahi Isa has described his side’s first ever international outing at the Copa Lagos 2017 as an ‘unforgettable’ experience.

The Kebbi Fishers defeated Gidi Sharks 9-4 and Pepsi Football Academy 8-3 to garner six points but lost the trophy to the European side on head-to-head rule no thanks to their opening day 11-9 loss. And the former Nigeria international insists his side’s impressive show and second place finish was a rewarding debut, which he vowed to build on.  

Copa Lagos: Arsenal beats Kebbi 11-9, wants Nigerian players

Arsenal Beach Soccer Club started their campaign yesterday with an 11-9 victory over Kebbi BSC at the on-going Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament. It was the first match of the competition, which is featuring four clubsides and four national teams at the Eko Atlantic.

The Gunners led in each of the three quarters, winning 4-3 in the first quarter. The Kebbi boys, who were cheered by their governor, Abubakar Atiku Baguda, fought back in the second stanza to tie at 4-4, but a sudden loss of concentration saw them falling 8-6 at the end.

Plateau United are NPFL champions. Their first ever title

Plateau United Football Club of Jos, yesterday, emerged champions of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), beating former champions, Enugu Rangers 1-0 at the Rwang Pam Stadium, in Jos.

It was however a sad day for Ibadan warlords, Shooting Stars Sports Club, as they were relegated to the lower division after suffering a 0-1 defeat to Niger Tornadoes.

Remo Stars of Sagamu, ABS of Ilorin and Gombe United are also relegated from the NPFL.

World Cup Qualifier: Nigeria vs Cameroon On Friday 5:00PM

This evening in Uyo, it will be a top-of-the-table clash when the Super Eagles of Nigeria take on reigning African Champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, in a World Cup qualifier, at the ‘nest of champions.’ The game will be the first leg of a double header against the Cameroonians in just four days, as the return leg comes up in Yaoundé, next Monday.

President Buhari Congratulates D'Tigress on African Basketball Victory

 

 

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the national female basketball team, D’Tigress, on winning the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Mali and qualifying for the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain.

President Buhari joins other sports-loving Nigerians in saluting the heroic performance of the victorious D’Tigress over their Senegalese counterpart in the final of the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament on Sunday.

The President commends the players for displaying uncommon strength, confidence, skill and dexterity in their victory over the defending champions.  

President Buhari urges members of the team and their handlers to remain focused and dedicated even as they prepare for greater glory to Nigeria at the forthcoming FIBA World Cup.

The President assures the team, its managers and the Nigeria Basketball Federation of his support and that of the Federal Government to ensure that they excel against other top competitors in Spain.

 

FEMI ADESINA

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 28, 2017

Super Eagles Vs Kano Pillars Match: Gov. Ganduje Donates Sport Kits To Over 1000 Clubs in Kano

His Excellency Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR attended a friendly match between Super Eagles and Kano Pillars which took place at The Sani Abacha Stadium Kano.

Governor Ganduje also donated sporting items to over 1200 clubs in the state out of the 1500 registered clubs that we have.

Kogi Confluence Soccer Emerges Champions of Kebbi First Beach Soccer Competition in Zauro, Kebbi State

The first Kebbi Beach Soccer competition has been concluded in Zauro, this Friday with Kogi confluence soccer emerging champions.
The team defeated Kaduna Kada Beach Soccer by five goals to four.
​Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu presented trophy to the winners and decorated the runners up with silver medals.

The governor affirmed the commitment of his administration to the development of sports especially among secondary schools to attain excellence and competitive spirit.
​He said the State Government would construct modern stadium in major towns in the state.
​Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu commended the Ministry of Youths and Sport for organizing the first Kebbi Beach Soccer tournament successfully. He also thanked the organizer of Kebbi Beach Soccer for hosting the event.

YSFON: Kastina set for President Buhari National Peace Cup

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The Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON),in conjunction with the Kastina State Government have concluded plans to stage the maiden edition of President Mohammadu Buhari National Peace Cup for U-18 boys soccer tournament.

According to the YSFON scribe, Patrick Okpavuerhe, the one week tournament which will be bank rolled by the Katsina state government, will hold from today to 17 May in Katsina State.

  Gov Aminu Bello Masari has already given his nod for the staging of the tournament .

Katsina thrashed Kebbi 6-0 in para-soccer

Katsina state’s para-soccer team on Saturday in Abuja thrashed their Kebbi counterparts 6-0 in the third match of the ongoing 2017 National Para-Soccer League.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second edition of the National Para-Soccer League which started on Thursday is expected to end on April 18.

In the match played at the Old Parade Ground, Yau Rufai of Katsina State scored the first goal in the fifth minute.

Sani Gimbia doubled the tally seven minutes later, and he went on to also score the third goal of the game in the 16th minute.0

Rufai scored their fourth goal in the 18th minute.

Kebbi players struggled to keep up with the pace, but they could not convert their chances of scoring as the first half wore to an end.

On resumption of the second half, Kebbi players continued from where they stopped in the first half as they pinned their opponents to their half.

Barcelona Fan Dies In Yola, Adamawa While Celebrating His Team's Victory

A supporter of Barcelona football club died Wednesday night in Yola, Adamawa State, after Sergi Roberto’s 95th minute goal of the round of 16 clash against PSG, witnesses said.

The fan, identified as Teri, died while celebrating the goal. Some witnesses said he died of “over excitement”

“Teri was watching the match at football show centre and he jumped up to celebrate the last goal scores by Barca unfortunately died celebrating,” a former chairman of Yola Central Development Area said.

Photos: Taraba state football team players stage protest in front of the state government house over unpaid allowances

 Members of the Taraba state football club today staged a protest in front of the state government house overtheir 21 months unpaid salaries and allowances. The footballers staged the same protest in front of the government house last year over their unpaid salaries and allowances

Fans hail Kano Pillars Basketball Club as team makes semi-finals in Egypt

 

Basketball pundits on Wednesday hailed Kano Pillars Basketball Club for their heroics as they qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing FIBA Africa Club Champions Cup in Egypt.
The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they defeated Algeria’s Groupment Sportief Petroilers 91-81 on Wednesday.
Led by their inspirational Captain, Abubakar Usman, the Nigeria representatives were trailing Algeria 36-39 in the closure of the second quarter but pulled up a superlative performance in the third and fourth quarters.
Abubakar led the scoring chat with 34 points and seven rebounds, while Abdul Yahaya scored 17 points and 4 rebounds and Ejike Ugboaja 16 points and eight rebounds.

Ganduje appoints Babangida as Kano Pillars Chairman

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has approved the appointment of Muhammad Babangida as new Chairman for Kano Pillars.‎A statement by ‎Director General, Media and Communications to the Governor, Salihu Yakasai‎, made this known in Kano on Thursday.

The others members of the board were; Musa Yakasai, Faruk Haladu, Tijjani Minjibir, Sani Lawan, Murtala Zainawa and Yahaya Idris.‎ Ganduje appealed to new management team to ensure that the objective of the administration of restoring the glory of the club was achieved. He also directed other members of the former board to immediately handover all public property, including finances under it, to the new management.

‎NAN reports that the state governor dissolved themanagement of the club on Wednesday due poor performance and internal squabble.‎Kano Pillars finished seventh last season which led Coach Babaganaru Muhammad to resigned as head coach of the team after the last match of the season.

(NAN)

Yobo, Ex-Eagles Skipper Signs For Kano Pillar

Former Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, has signed for Kano Pillars for the rest of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season. Yobo, who signed as a League Management Company (LMC) ambassador on June 21, had made himself available to play for any interested club for the remaining 12 games of the season. Yobo, capped 100 times by Nigeria, is expected to make his debut appearance against Sunshine Starson Saturday. The former Everton defender represented the Super Eagles at three FIFA World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Yobo played in Europe for several clubs, notably Standard Liege in Belgium, Olympique Marseille in France, Everton and Norwich in the English Premier League and Turkish giants Fenerbache.

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Photos: Japanese millionaire fulfills his promise, gives $390k to U-23 Dream Team

 The Japanese multimillionaire who promised coach Samson Siasia and his boys a huge amount of money if they win Gold, Silver or Bronze in the football event at Rio has fulfilled his promise.

He presented a $190k cheque to Mikel Obi and $200k cheque to Samson Siasia, a total of $390k. So nice of him!

FG denies asking Nigerian Athletes to buy their tickets to Rio 2016

Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has released a statement denying claims that they asked the Nigerian Athletic contingent to Rio 2016 Olympics to purchase their tickets themselves.

Read the statement from Dalung

WE DID NOT ASK ATHLETES TO BUY TICKETS TORIOThe Ministry of Youth and Sports Development says it did not direct foreign based athletes goingto the Olympic Games in Rio to buy their own air tickets. The Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung said this in a statementfollowing a purported mail asking athletes to buy their tickets to the Olympics and which was said to have originated from the Ministry. Barrister Dalung stated that the Director, High Performance Angie Taylor has been saddled with the responsibility of arranging for the flights and movement of the foreign based athletes to and from Rio. "We did not write any mail asking athletes to pay their way to Rio. As the overseers of sports in the country, it is our duty to take care of all our athletes. The letter did not come from us and we will investigate the writer of that letter. It does not represent our stand concerning the movement of athletes to Rio and the writer or anybody asking athletes to buy their tickets to Riowill be investigated. We ask Nigerians and athletes in particular to disregard the mail" Dalung said.

The minister however regretted the embarrassment caused by the letter and asked athletes to remain focused on their build-up to the Rio games.