NIGERIA'S Stanley ‘Edo Boy’ Eribo on Boxing Day at the the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, made his kinsmen proud when he defeated Ghanaian Isaac Sowah by unanimous decision to become the new African Boxing Union (ABU) welterweight champion.
His heroics also earned him the N1.5m star prize and the Mojisola Ogunsanya trophy as the best boxer of the 10th Gotv Boxing Night promoted by Flykite Promotions.
Sowah had come in as a replacement for Tanzania's national champion, Meshack "Smart Boy"
Mwankemwa.
Interestingly, Eribo had clinched the best boxer of the night award on December 26, 2015 with the N1.5million star prize when he stopped Sunday "Capo" Olalekan in the ninth round of their 12-round contest to become the national welterweight champion.
On Monday night also in the sports city, ‘Edo Boy’ as Eribo is fondly called dominated the better part of the 12-round contest as his Ghanaian opponent resorted to occasional throw of punches in order not to make the bout a one-sided affair.
One of those punches took Eribo to the canvas in the early rounds but the Nigerian was able to beat the mandatory count and never fell to his opponent's kick-boxing style again while the fight lasted.
The Ghanaian exhibited spirit of sportsmanship after the fight as he took time to exchange pleasantries with the home boy even before the judges' scorecard was made public.
In one of the supporting bouts, reigning national lightweight champion, Otto Joseph floored his arch-rival, Fatai "Prince" Nurudeen for the third time.
The 2012 National Sports Festival gold medallist this time, silenced Prince Nurudeen, a former national champion with a knockout in the fourth round of their six-round national lightweight challenge.
When both boxers first clashed at GOtv Boxing Night 4 in 2015, Joe Boy stopped Prince Nurudeen in round five as the latter attributed the loss to an injury sustained on his right hand.
Also, Joe Boy after 12 rounds won by unanimous decision during the second meeting at GOtv Boxing Night 7 on May 1, 2015 to become the new national lightweight champion. Joe Boy also clinched home the best boxer of the night award which attracted N1million then.
However, on Monday night, the dream of Prince Nurudeen to floor Joe Boy at least before bidding for a title fight later in the New Year to reclaim his lost title ended in round four. He tried to reignite his old good days form in the ring but it failed to materialise.
The wizardry of lad who represented Nigeria at the 2014 Commonwealth Games came to the fore in round four as he delivered a straight punch which sent Prince Nurudeen to the canvas and finally back to his corner to remove his gloves perhaps for another day.
In another supporting bout, reigning national featherweight champion, Waidi "Skoro" Usman knocked out Dare "Fighting Machine" Oyewole in round four of their eight-round contest.
It was a rematch as well as Skoro had in 2014 defeated Oyewole to become the national champion.
In what turned out to be the shortest fight of the night Kabiru Towolawi almost turned pro debutant, Emmanuel "Man Mopol" Igwe to punching bag before the referee stopped the light heavyweight bout in round two.
Rilwan Oladosu "Real One" also triumphed over Prince "Lion" Nwoye by unanimous decision in a lightweight bout, while Rilwan Babatunde "Baby Face" also secured a unanimous decision victory over Sikiru Shogbesan in a light welterweight bout scheduled after the cancellation of the West African title defence by Nigeria's Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi against Ghanaian Raphael "Iron King" Kwabena.
Fijabi sustained an injury while preparing for the fight and he has since apologised to his numerous fans for his inability to show up on Boxing Day, just as he looks forward to meeting the Ghanaian challenger again who he beat at GOtv Boxing Night 9 to win the sub-regional title on February 2017.
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Caption for Photo 1 above: Stanley Eribo, the new African boxing welterweight champion.
Caption for Photo 2: Otto Joseph (right) lands a punch in the face of Fatai 'Prince' Nurudeen during their lightweight contest earlier in the year before the Boxing Day's showdown.
Heartland FC of Owerri on Thursday released a list of new management and technical crew members with Atlanta ’96 Oympic gold medallist, Mobi Oparaku, Rangers International and Iwuanyanwu Nationale star, Ramson Madu and former Sun Newspapers senior correspondent, Cajetan Nkwopara occupying positions.
The Naze Millionaires will however, for the first time campaign in the Nigeria National League (NNL) when the 2016/17 season kicks off next year, having finished in the relegation zone at the outgone Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
The list which was signed by the club Chairman, Honourable Goodfaith Chibuzo Etuemena saw Nkwopara move in as secretary cum media manager, while Oparaku retained his position as team manager.
Madu will also continue as the chief coach of the Nigeria National League (NNL) bound team.
Other names include Veronica Aghalanya who will serve as the assistant secretary, Emmanuel
Emelu will hold sway as welfare officer, while Clifford Eze holds the position of chief security officer.
Emmanuel Ugo is the new deputy security officer, Anthony Okoro holds the post of assistant coordinator while Sunny Ndubuisi Opara combines the posts of scouting and marketing manager.
On the technical bench, Madu will be assisted by Patrick Awaja as assistant coach, while Bob Acholonu remains the chief fitness trainer.
Charles Uzo holds the junior team as head coach of Team B, Longinus Duru is the goalkeeper
trainer, while George Iheanacho retains his position as the team’s physiotherapist..............
Caption: Coach Ramson Madu, can he bring back Heartland to the Nigerian top-flight league in 2017?
The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its support for the development of tennis through the NCC League.
The second edition of the NCC League- a team tennis championship- was concluded last Sunday in Lagos with Kaduna-based Team Offikwu emerging winners after beating 2015 champions, Tombim of Abuja 4-2.
NTF president, Engineer Sani Ndanusa expressed gratitude to the NCC stating that their coming into Nigerian tennis has provided a platform for tennis players to improve and showcase their talents.
He noted that NCC League has also developed interest in the sport and given recognition to top tennis players through the enticing prize money.
“It is worthy of note that the NCC League helped Nigeria to a decent outing at this year’s Davis Cup Euro Africa Group III in Madagascar in July. We were able to retain our place in the group because the NCC League was used as part of our build up for the Davis Cup,” he said.
Ndanusa, who revealed that it is being considered by the NTF that the winning team automatically gets the nod to represent Nigeria at the Davis Cup, also paid tribute to the International Tennis Academy (ITA) which has Godwin Kienka as its Director.
He noted that aside organising the NCC League, which is the first of its kind in Africa, the ITA has helped Nigeria solidify its top rankings in junior tennis in Africa as highlighted by Nigeria’s impressive record in the past few years through its (ITA) several junior programmes.
Team Offikwu received N7 million as prize money, while runners-up, Team Tombim got N5million. Team Civil Defence pocketed N4million for placing third, while Team FCT which finished fourth earned N2million as prize money.
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Caption:
Edwards Christopher, featured for Team Offikwu at the just-ended NCC League.
A member of the Nigerian Olympic Fund Group, Mr Jide Fashikun, has said the establishment of a gymnasium in Offa, Kwara State, is a project known as BOOST by 10 Nigerian sports brands headed by the former African queen of the track, Chief Mary Onyali-Omagbemi.
Fashikun said that he and other eight Nigerian sports brands behind the Basic Olympic Opportunity Sports Training (BOOST) project are Nduka Odizor, Professor Sadiq Abdullahi, the late Sunday Bada, the late Shaibu Amodu, Bose Kaffo, Pat Itanyi, Ruth Ogbeifo-Balofin and Charlton Ehizuelen.
He stated that BOOST will be in phases to achieve its set objectives.
"We have three phases for the delivery of the project. There is the elite athlete programme. 90 athletes from five sports: athletics, wrestling, taekwondo, table tennis and tennis will enjoy a N35million each budget to prepare them specifically for Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Renowned coaches have been contracted to train youngsters in all the mentioned fields.
"The second is the all-comers programme and the school project. The All-comers is for those who are 11 years to 17 years whose span is mid-term and children in primary and secondary schools who we will catch young and help to have a long span in sports.
Each of the 11 of us on the project is entitled to a community development project. The first toss was for Chief Ruth Ogbeifo-Balofin, a Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medallist, who hailed from Kokori in Delta State but chose Offa.
"When she (Ruth) finished at the 7th All Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa where she won three gold medals in weightlifting, she had a career threatening injury and was abandoned.
"Private sources were launched by journalists in Ilorin and the proprietor of Olalomi Hospital took over her treatment, flight etc. In return, Ruth took the project back to his benefactor's community which incidentally is Offa," said Fashikun who further disclosed that N10m worth of sporting equipment are already in Lagos that would be installed in Offa Club House where the training would be carried out from January next year.
He stated that the BOOST would be funded through lottery funds.
"It is a community project, the Nigeria Olympic Fund will raise the fund but a local governance structure will manage the funds to achieve the objectives. Every child that lives in that community or ancillary communities are allowed to, as of right, participate in any sport of their choice.
"All funds are to be raised by lottery (national and community), celebrity endorsement and other measures but no single kobo will come from any government account. If government personnel give us in their private capacities, we shall take but not official funds," he added.
Meanwhile, the 1994 Commonwealth Games 100m champion, Onyali, had during a courtesy call on the Oloffa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi in his palace last weekend with members of the sports brands said the project is aimed at reviving the declines fortunes of athletics in Nigeria.
“All of us have been to the Olympics several times, so we know it inside out, and we are determined to revive Nigeria’s athletics, by reproducing stars who are far better than us,” Onyali, the 1992 and 1996 Olympic bronze medallist said.
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Caption:
Nigeria's first Olympic medallist in weightlifting, Ruth Ogbefo-Balofin, a member of the BOOST project.
Desire Oparanozie's 54th minute goal on Tuesday night at the Stade Municipal de Limbe, gave the Super Falcons a 1-0 victory and the ticket to the final of the 10th Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) at the expense of the Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
The seven-time African champions will now face the hosts, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Saturday's final billed for the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde.
Nigeria were lucky to finish the first half with a clean slate as what would have been the curtain raiser by the Desire Ellis-piloted side was scored from an offside position.
The Florence Omagbemi-team missed a pocket of chances especially in the first half before the Guingamp of France striker, Oparanozie scored what turned out to be the winner nine minutes into the second half with a thunderous free kick close to the goal area, which caught goalkeeper Andile Dlamini helpless.
Faith Ikidi had been fouled by an overzealous Banyana Banyana player leading to the award of infringement in favour of the reigning African champions.
Asisat Oshoala, who is leading the goal chart with six goals, was axed in a goal-bound move in the 85th minute but the centre referee turned a blind eye to the penalty appeal
.
Meanwhile, the hosts made it to the final courtesy of the 72nd minute goal by Raissa Feudijo which silenced the Black Queens of Ghana in the tension-soaked match in Yaounde.
The Ghanaian goalkeeper, Ama Nana Asantewa was had misjudged a cross while Raissa cashed in on the rebound to flick the ball into the roof of the net after Njoya Ajara's effort had been cleared off the line.
Patricia Mantey later finished the match for the Black Queens after Asantewa was stretchered off as a result of a head injury.
Mantey was brilliant enough to stop what would have given the hosts another goal in the dying minutes when she tipped Michelle Ngono Mani's rocket of a shot over the bar.
It will be recalled that Nigeria defeated Cameroon 5-0 in the final of the 2004 edition in South Africa and also two years ago in the final in Namibia 2-0.
The Lionesses, it will be recalled, had defeated the Falcons 1-0 to win the bronze at the 2012 edition.................
Caption:
Desire Oparanozie, scored the match winner for Nigeria.
It was a repeat of last year's final as Sylvester Emmanuel and Moses Michael clashed in the Men's Singles final of the 30th Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship last weekend in Kano.
Emmanuel won last year after three sets which produced 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-3 but this time, he retained the title with a 7-6, 6-4 victory over his arch rival.
Interestingly, it was also a sweet revenge for Emmanuel having lost to Moses, winner of the 2014 Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup during their meeting in this year's CBN Senior Tennis Championship held in June in Lagos.
Kaduna-based Emmanuel, who was one of the two Nigerian players who finished in the quarter-final of the 2016 Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup, received N800,000 as prize money for successfully defending his Dala Hard Court Tennis title.
Meanwhile, Christy Agugbom also successfully defended the Women’s Singles title beating
Blessing Samuel 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 in an excruciating final.
Agugbom, got N500,000 as prize money for her victory over Samuel, who sent the 2014 winner and last year's finalist, Sarah Adegoke packing in the semi-final of this year's tournament in a match which ended in 6-1, 5-7, 6-3.
Caption:
Sylvester Emmanuel cooling off with water during a game.
What turned out to be another upset at the ongoing 30th Dala Hard Court tennis Championship in Kano was recorded on Thursday, as former Nigeria's number one, Abdulmumin Babalola was bundled out of the tournament by Joseph Imeh.
Imeh in an explosive Men's Singles quarter-final clash stunned Ibadan-based Babalola as he came from behind to win the match 3-6, 7-6, 7-6.
The former Nigeria junior player, Imeh who is eyeing his first national senior title will on Friday face top seed, Moses Micheal in the semi-final after the latter had triumphed over Shehu Lawal 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 in another quarter-final pairing.
Moses had conquered Clifford Enosoregbe 6-3, 6-4 in the second round amid his devastating form to overwhelm Nigeria’s best performer at the 2016 Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis Championship, Enosoregbe who made it to the quarter-final of the International Tennis Federation-ranked tournament last month.
“This is undoubtedly one of the toughest matches I have ever played in my career. Mumin’s experience reflected in his game but I was so determined not to lose the game and in the end I won. We were both tired because we played so many games. I thank God I won in the end and I now believe I can beat anybody and win the tournament,” an elated Imeh said.
Interestingly, it was also a sad day for another Ibadan-based player, Sarah Adegoke as she lost in the semi-final of the Women's Singles.
Adegoke, last year's finalist tried her best to contain the firepower of Blessing Samuel, but to no avail as the match ended in 6-1, 5-7, 6-3.
The 2014 Dala Hard Court champion, Adegoke, had in the quarter-final came from a set down to beat Ronke Akingbade 4-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Defending champion, Christy Agubgom is a game left to retain her title as she dumped Patience Onobamhoin also on Thursday to book a final showdown with Samuel.
Also in the Men's Singles, Thomas Otu, former Nigeria number one ranked player defeated Emmanuel Idoko 6-3, 6-2 and will face the winner between defending champion, Sylvester Emmanuel and Emmanuel Sunday whose game was suspended due to poor visibility at 1-1 major. The match will be completed on Friday (November 25) morning.
In his remarks, Yusuf Datti, the Chief Operating Officer of the tournament said he was
impressed with the quality of play.
“It has been a very tough championship as all the players are so much determined to go for the top prize. The match between Imeh and Babalola is a classic so also the match involving Moses and Lawal. It has been an impressive tournament by all standard,” Datti said.
The men’s singles champion will go home with N800,000 while the women’s champion will pocket N500,000 as prize money according to the organisers of the annual tournament.
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Caption:
Sarah Adegoke (left), crashed out of the Women's Singles and Moses Michael, still in the race to win the Men's Singles of the ongoing Dala Hart Court Tennis in Kano.
Hard fighting Christopher Edwards on Tuesday qualified for the second round of the Men's Singles of the ongoing 2016 Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship at the Kano Tennis Club.
Edward, who reached the second round of the just-ended Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup championship triumphed 6-0, 6-2 over Ikilil Sani-Waziri.
The Benue State-born player told www.harmonysport.blogspot.com that he is well-prepared
to make a statement at Dala 2016.
"I gained a lot from participating at the Lagos Governor's Cup and I believe I will put that experience to bear on the Dala Hard Court. I will take every game as it comes and I believe it is going to be a fight to the finish. Mental toughness helped me to stop Waziri and this victory is a morale booster," Edward said.
He added that he is battle-ready to face the 'giant killer' Emmanuel Idoko saying "I will remain focused and take every game seriously and hope for luck as well".
Idoko, it will be recalled, created what served as the first major
upset in the tournament as he dumped the 2014 CBN Open champion, Henry
Atseye 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday to land in the next round.
Meanwhile, defending champion, Sylvester Emmanuel began his title defence with a 6-3,
6-3 victory over Tochukwu Ezeh as his elder brother, Sunday Emmanuel, who won the title in 2013 also secured a 6-0, 6-2 win over Dauda Ayuba to advance in the Men's Singles.
Thomas Otu, the 2015 CBN winner also advanced after defeating Idris Aiyu 6-4, 6-4, as Nonso Madueke stopped John Otu 6-1, 6-4, while Albert Bikom triumphed over Ibrahim Badamasi 6-4, 7-5. Joseph Imeh beat Monday Igbinovia 3-6, 5-3 rtd to move to the next round as well as Chritopher Bulus who dumped Shehu Adamu 7-6, 5-1 rtd.
In some of the Women’s Singles matches decided on Tuesday, Christy Nwankwo defeated
Pauline Ebijimi 6-3, 6-2 while Loveth Donatus dumped Colleen Orji 6-2, 6-2.
Christy Agugbom is the defending champion of the Women's Singles after beating Sarah
Adegoke during last year's final.
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Caption:
Edwards Christopher in a spectacular move during a recent championship. He is through to the second round of the ongoing Dala Hard Court Tennis Cup in Kano.
Governor's Cup
1945 : Marine 1-0 Corinthians
1946 : Lagos Railways 3-1 Port Harcourt FC
1947 : Marine 3-1 Lagos Railways
1948 : Lagos Railways 1-0 Warri
1949 : Lagos Railways 3-0 Port Harcourt FC
1950 : Lagos UAC 3-2 Port Harcourt FC
1951 : Lagos Railways 3-2 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1952 : Lagos PAN Bank 6-0 Warri (Mid-West)
1953 : Kano Pillars F.C. 2-1 Lagos Dynamos
FA Cup
1954 : Calabar 3-0 Kano Pillars F.C.
1955 : Port Harcourt FC 4-1 Warri
1956 : Lagos Railways 3-1 Warri
1957 : Lagos Railways 5-1 Zaria
1958 : Port Harcourt FC 6-0 Federal United
1959 : Ibadan Lions 1-0 Police
Challenge Cup
1960 : Lagos ECN 5-2 Ibadan Lions
1961 : Ibadan Lions 2-1 Lagos UAC
1962 : Police 1-0 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1963 : Port Harcourt FC 1-0 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1964 : Lagos Railways 3-1 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1965 : Lagos ECN 3-1 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1966 : Ibadan Lions beat Mighty Jets (Jos)
1967 : Stationery Stores (Lagos) 3-1 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1968 : Stationery Stores (Lagos) 3-1 (r.) Warri
1969 : Ibadan Lions 5-1 Warri
1970 : Lagos ECN 3-1 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1971 : WNDC Ibadan 2-1 Enugu Rangers
1972 : Bendel Insurance (Benin City) 2-2 3-2 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1973 : No competition
1974 : Enugu Rangers 2-0 Mighty Jets (Jos)
1975 : Enugu Rangers 1-0 Shooting Stars FC (Ibadan)
1976 : Enugu Rangers 2-0 Alyufsalam Rocks (Ilorin)
1977 : Shooting Stars FC (Ibadan) 2-0 Racca Rovers
1978 : Bendel Insurance 3-0 Enugu Rangers
1979 : Shooting Stars FC (Ibadan) 2-0 Sharks FC (Port Harcourt)
1980 : Bendel Insurance (Benin City) 1-0 Stationery Stores (Lagos)
1981 : Enugu Rangers 2-0 Bendel Insurance (Benin City)
1982 : Stationery Stores (Lagos) 4-1 Niger Tornadoes (Minna)
1983 : Enugu Rangers 0-0 (5 t.a.b. Ã 4) DIC Bees (Kaduna)
1984 : Leventis United (Ibadan) 1-0 Abiola Babes (Abeokuta)
1985 : Abiola Babes (Abeokuta) (6 t.a.b. Ã 5) BCC Lions (Gboko)
1986 : Leventis United (Ibadan) 1-0 Abiola Babes (Abeokuta)
1987 : Abiola Babes (Abeokuta) 1-1 (7 t.a.b. Ã 6) Ranchers Bees
1988 : Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri) 3-0 Flash Flamingoes
1989 : BCC Lions (Gboko) 1-0 Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri)
1990 : Stationery Stores (Lagos) 0-0 (5 t.a.b. Ã 4) Enugu Rangers
1991 : El-Kanemi Warriors (Maiduguri) 3-2 Kano Pillars F.C.
1992 : El-Kanemi Warriors (Maiduguri) 1-0 Stationery Stores (Lagos)
1993 : BCC Lions (Gboko) 1-0 Plateau United (Jos)
1994 : BCC Lions (Gboko) 1-0 Julius Berger FC (Lagos)
1995 : Shooting Stars FC (Ibadan) 2-0 Katsina United
1996 : Julius Berger FC (Lagos) 1-0 (a.p.) Katsina United
1997 : BCC Lions (Gboko) 1-0 Katsina United
1998 : Wikki Tourists (Bauchi) 0-0 (3 t.a.b. Ã 2) Plateau United (Jos)
Coca Cola FA Cup
1999 : Plateau United (Jos) 1-0 Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Owerri)
2000 : Niger Tornadoes (Minna) 1-0 Enugu Rangers
2001 : Dolphin FC (Port Harcourt) 2-0 El-Kanemi Warriors (Maiduguri)
2002 : Julius Berger FC (Lagos) 3-0 Yobe Stars (Damaturu)
2003 : Lobi Stars (Makurdi) 2-0 Sharks FC (Port Harcourt)
2004 : Dolphin FC (Port Harcourt) 1-0 Enugu Rangers
2005 : Enyimba FC (Aba) 1-1 Lobi Stars (Makurdi) (aet, 6-5 pen)
2006 : Dolphin FC (Port Harcourt) 2-2 Bendel Insurance (aet, 5-3 pen)
2007 : Dolphin FC (Port Harcourt) 1-1 Enugu Rangers (aet, 3-2 pen)
2008 : Ocean Boys FC (Brass) 2-2 Gombe United FC (aet, 7-6 pen)
Federation Cup
2009 : Enyimba FC (Aba) 1-0 Sharks FC (Port Harcourt)
2010 : Kaduna United F.C. 3-3 Enyimba FC (Aba) (aet, 3-2 pen)
2011 : Heartland F.C. 1-0 Enyimba FC (Aba)
2012 : Heartland F.C. 2-1 Lobi Stars
2013 : Enyimba F.C. 2-2 Warri Wolves (aet, 5-4 pen)
2014 : Enyimba FC (Aba) 2-1 Dolphin FC (Port Harcourt)
2015 : Akwa United F.C 2-1 Lobi Stars
2016 : FC IfeanyiUbah 5 Nasarawa Utd 4 (pen)
1991 Rivers Angels (PH)
1992 Ufuoma Babes (Warri)
1993 Ufuoma Babes (Warri)
1994 Ufuoma Babes (Warri)
1995 Pelican Stars (Calabar)
1996 Ufuoma Babes (Warri)
1997 Pelican Stars (Calabar)
1998 Pelican Stars (Calabar)
1999 Pelican Stars (Calabar)
2000 FCT Queens (Abuja)
2001 Pelican Stars (Calabar)
2002 Pelican Stars (Calabar)
2003 Not played
2004 Delta Queens (Asaba)
2005 Nassarawa Amazons (Lafia)
2006 Delta Queens (Asaba)
2007/08 Delta Queens (Asaba)
2009 Delta Queens (Asaba)
2010 Rivers Angels (Port Harcourt)
2011 Rivers Angels (Port Harcourt)
2012 Rivers Angels (Port Harcourt)
2013 Rivers Angels (Port Harcourt)
2014 Rivers Angels (Port Harcourt)
2015 Sunshine Queens (Akure)
2016 Rivers Angels 3 Bayelsa Queens 2 (pen) 1-1 at regulation time
Caption: Rivers Angels... reclaim the Women's Federation Cup title.
Bright Future Cycling Club, Ibadan, stole the show in the junior category of the Second Monthly Criterium organised by CC 12 Cycling Club, Lagos.
In the race held at the Ikoyi GRA, Lagos on September 24 where the cyclists covered 45.5km, Odebiyi Azeez of Bright Future Cycling Club (BFCC) and SS III student of Government College, Apata, Ibadan, finished ahead of other competitors in the junior cadre to claim the gold.
He was followed by his team-mate, Zakariyau Faruq, an SS II student of Sacred Heart Secondary School, Inalende, Ibadan, while Bamidele Bello also of BFCC and SS I student of Atanda Comprehensive High School, Ibadan, clinched the bronze.
In the senior category, Effiok Eyo of CC 12 claimed the gold in a time of one hour and four seconds, as Ajibade Sodiq also of CC 12 settled for the silver with a time of one hour and five seconds, while Afeez Bakare won the bronze in a time of one hour and nine seconds.
Pedal Power, Ibadan and the cycling teams from Ogun and Lagos states also participated at the monthly event which featured 35 cyclists.
Meanwhile, Coach Kolapo Aminu of the Bright Future Cycling Club, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his wards at the event.
"We are happy that our cyclists are improving with each competition. When we came for the first edition, we didn't perform up to this level. Apart from the trio who made the podium, We also paraded Ojo John and Asiribo Olamilekan who also did their best.
"I give kudos to the organisers for creating a platform for these young cyclists to develop because we must expose them to regular competitions to build them for major championships. It is through regular competitions that we can ascertain the performance of every cyclist and not training alone and that is why all stakeholders must rally round CC 12 to be able to sustain this Monthly Criterium.
"Our cyclists were so happy with their performance and they are looking forward to the October edition," Coach Aminu told harmonysport.blogspot.com.
Also, Team Coordinator of BFCC, Odebiyi Gafary said with proper motivation, Nigeria is blessed with a crop of young talented cyclists who would make the country proud in the near future.
"The best way is to catch these cyclists young and expose them and that is what we are trying to do in Oyo State and with what we have seen at several competitions we have attended, the future is bright for Nigeria.
"I believe Nigeria in the near future would begin to dominate cycling even in Africa as a whole because we have the potential," Gafary told harmonysport.blogspot.com.
The third CC 12 Monthly Criterium is scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 29, 2016 in
Lagos.
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Caption:
Photo 1: Proud winners from the Bright Future Cycling Club pose after their heroics in Lagos. From left is Zakariyau Faruq, Odebiyi Azeez and Bamidele Bello.
Photo 2: The winners in the senior category after receiving their medals. From left is Ajibade Sodiq, Effiok Eyo and Afeez Bakare.
Ajeast Nigeria Limited, bottlers of Big Cola soft drinks has boosted this year’s Med-View/Lagos NUJ Media Games with a donation of N1million.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, ‘Deji Elumoye
disclosed on Wednesday that the company has promised to support the annual event of the
journalists.
“The donation when eventually released will go a long way in the organisation of the Games and we hope our relationship with the company will be a lasting one,” said Elumoye.
Reacting to the donation, Marketing Executive of the company, Perpetua Ohiri, said the company decided to support the Games because of the roles of journalists in the country.
“This is a new relationship and I want to say that it has come to stay. This is just the beginning and by God’s grace, we will improve on our donation during next year’s event.
“We all know what is going on in the country, hence we could have done more than this but definitely, next year’s edition will be bigger and better,” Ohiri said.
Over 200 journalists are participating in this year’s edition of the Games in seven events - football, athletics, scrabble, chess, draught, ayo and table tennis.
Meanwhile, The Sun and Vanguard soccer teams will on Friday, October 28 clash at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, in the first semi-final of the NUJ Games, while defending champions, Lagos Information Chapel will tackle the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Chapel in another battle for the final ticket.
Enrique Lopez-Perez of Spain last Saturday won the men's singles of the 16th Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup decided at the centre court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
Lopez-Perez Perez, who won the competition in the 2012 edition outplayed French-Nigerian-born Calvin Hemery 7-5, 7-5 to win the second leg (Futures 6) of the International Tennis Federation-sanctioned circuit.
The Spaniard had on October 15 won the first leg (Futures 5) on the same court after defeating Gianni Mina 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-1.
However, Hemery, born to a Nigerian father gave his opponent a fight which made the final to last over three hours before the winner could emerge.
A drizzle of rain forced the second set then at 2-2 to be stopped for some minutes before the gladiators later returned to the court to settle their differences to the admiration of spectators including the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello.
Hemery, a debutant in the tournament and seeded number two had lost in the quarter-final of the Futures 5 also won by the Spaniard, Lopez-Perez.
Earlier in the day, it was a sweet revenge for Swiss Conny Perrin as she defeated her perennial rival, Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia in a near one-sided game which ended in 6-3, 6-3.
Majeric, winner of the 2013 edition, it will be recalled, had defeated Perrin 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 to win the first leg (Futures 5) also played on the same court on October 15.
Meanwhile, it was also a sweet revenge for Mr Ganiyu Salman as he came from behind to defeat Mr Fred Edoreh 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to win the second Media Tennis tournament of the Lagos Governor’s Tennis Cup.
Salman, Deputy Editor (Sports), Tribune titles had lost to Edoreh, Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Lagos chapter last year 1-6, 3-6 before his victory last weekend at the court five of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.
...............
Caption:
The 2015 winner of the Media Tennis tournament of the Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup, Fred Edoreh (left) and the current champion, Ganiyu Salman, before their match last weekend at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
FORMER Nigeria international and celebrated sports columnist, Chief Segun Odegbami (MON), leads other pen pushers to the second media tennis exhibition of the Lagos Governor’s Tennis Cup Championship scheduled to hold on Saturday at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos.
It will be recalled, that the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Fred Edoreh, won the inaugural event last year.
According to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2016 Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup Championship, arrangements have been put in place towards making the exhibition tennis a huge success.
The media tennis event according to the Tournament Director of the 2016 Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup, Prince Wale Oladunjoye, is to encourage journalists to play tennis as a form of recreation which also serves as a platform to promote their physical fitness.
The competition will start at 7am on Saturday, October 22, the final day of the Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup proper, while the presentation of prizes to the winners will hold during the closing ceremonies the same day.
Other journalists listed for the tournament are broadcast sports analyst and presenter, Mr Ejiro Omonode; Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Mr Fred Edoreh; Deputy Editor (Sports), Nigerian Tribune, Mr Ganiyu Salman; Sports journalist with NAN, Mr Owolewa Olayinka; NTA Ogbomoso sports, Mr Femi Afariogun; Television and radio broadcaster, Mr Taiwo Oyeyemi and the Editor of the Osun State-based online news outfit, Mr Kayode Oladeji.
Meanwhile, National President of SWAN, Comrade Honour Sirawoo, has promised to grace the
media tennis exhibition saying "we have to encourage our members to keep fit at all times and this competition provides an avenue to promote healthy living."
Caption: Chief Segun Odegbami.
Tunisian Moez Echargui on Wednesday gave his host, Clifford Enosoregbe an 'unpleasant' birthday present as he sent the homeboy packing from the ongoing 16th edition of the
Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup.
On a day Enosoregbe was celebrating his birthday, his dream to make it to the quarter-final of the International Tennis Federation-sanctioned tournament was dashed, as he could not finish the second round, second leg (Futures 6) match played at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.
Injury forced the Edo State-born player, who turned 27 On Wednesday, to retire in the second set of the men's singles with score at 0-4 after the Tunisian had claimed a 6-3 victory in the first set.
Enosoregbe received plaudits from a handful of spectators at the arena for his heroics after he could not continue with the match.
The wildcard entrant had last week in the first leg (Futures 5) created an upset when he defeated eight seed, Maciej Smola of Poland, before he lost to Indian Sasi Kumar Mukund in the quarter-final.
Enosoregbe also on Monday in the Futures 6 created another upset as he sent number seven seed, Benin Republic's Alexis Klegou packing, before he bowed to Tunisian Moez.
Also on Wednesday, other Nigerian players in the competition crashed out of the men's singles as Thomas Otu lost 6-2, 6-2 to Maciej Smola of Poland, while Joseph Imeh Ubon was beaten 6-3, 6-2 by Boy Westerhof from The Netherlands.
Sylvester Emmanuel lost 6-4, 6-4 to Enrique Lopez-Perez of Spain as another homeboy,
Mohammed Mohammed lost to Indian Sasi Kumar Mukund 6-2, 6-0.
Also, no Nigerian player is left in the women's singles event of the tournament introduced in 2000.
It will be recalled that Sule Ladipo won the 2001 edition, while Michael Moses became the second Nigerian to win the men's singles of the tournament in 2014.
In the women's singles, Osaro Amadin remains the only Nigerian to have won the competition in 2000, while Sarah Adegoke finished as runner up in the 2014 edition after losing to Zarah Razafinmahatratra of Madagascar.
.................
Caption: Clifford Enosoregbe, fails to make it to the quarter-final this time.
Nigeria's Clifford Enosoregbe on Monday created another upset in the second leg (Futures 6) of the ongoing Lagos Gov’s Tennis Cup as he sent number seven seed, Benin Republic's Alexis Klegou packing.
Enosoregbe, a wildcard entrant won the first round men's singles match decided at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan 6-4, 6-3 to advance in the International Tennis Federation-sanctioned competition.
The Edo State-born Enosoregbe, it will be recalled, in the first leg (Futures 5) last week created an upset when he defeated eight seed, Maciej Smola of Poland, before he lost to Indian Sasi Kumar Mukund in the quarter-final.
Also on Monday, other Nigerians who made it to the second round of the men's singles are Joseph Imeh Ubon who beat Christopher Andrew Ito 6-4, 6-4, Mohammed Mohammed who defeated Ghanaian Tsatsu Segbedzie 7-6, 6-4, as Sylvester Emmanuel also proved supremacy over Ugandan Duncan Mugabe 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, while Thomas Otu outplayed compatriot Albert Bisong Bikom 6-1, 6-4.
However, Moses Michael was not so lucky as he gallantly lost to Maciej Smola of Poland 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, while Christopher Bulus also lost to Sasi Kumar Mukund of India 6-0, 6-2. Ikechukwu Iloputa equally lost to Tunisian Moez Echargui 6-2, 6-2, all in the men’s
singles.
In the women’s singles, top seed Valetini Grammatikopoulou from Greece beat Swede Brenda Njuki 6-4, 7-6, Harmony Tan of France defeated Japan's Ange Oby Kajuru 6-1, 6-1. Bulgarian Julia Terziyska defeated French Estelle Casino 6-2, 7-5 as Valeriya Strakhova of Ukraine sent Nigerian teenage star, Angel MaCleod packing in a first round match which ended 6-0, 6-0.
Caption: Clifford Enosoregbe, can he break the quarter-final jinx this time?
Eight Nigerian players have bagged wild cards for the 16th Governor's Cup Lagos Tennis Championship which serves off on Saturday, October 8 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Lagos.
The tournament will run till October 22.
The organisers of the tournament have increased the prize money to $100,000 from $80,000, which makes the tourney officially the ITF highest prize-money championship in Africa, Asia and South America.
Chairman of the LOC, Chief Pius Akinyelure, while speaking in Lagos at a media briefing said the increase in the prize money is a step towards raising the status of the tournament.
“This singular action ,the increase, has not only cemented Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis in the number one position in Futures Tournaments in Africa, Asia and South America, it is also the final step towards the tournament’s upgrading to the Challenger Series. This level, with its attendant economic and commercial benefits gels into the future of Lagos as a Mega City. We will be moving from an ITF tournament to a Professional Tennis Association (PTA) tournament which is only a step away from the ultimate in tennis, the Tennis Open,” Akinyelure said.
Also speaking, president of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Engineer Sani Ndanusa said the Governor’s Tennis Cup has become a household name and carnival to tennis lovers in Nigeria and the entire world.
Ndanusa, who was represented by the first vice-president of the NTF, Mr Yemi Owoseni,
commended Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode who sustained the sponsorship of the
tourney despite the recession in the country.
“Today, we are having six futures in our calendar which is likely to be around ten this time next year,” Ndanusa said.
In his remarks, Tournament Director, Prince Wale Oladunjoye revealed that it was challenging to attract sponsors due to recession in the country.
Meanwhile, only three Nigerian players made it to the second round of last year's Futures 4 of the men's singles, which was won by Antal Van Der Duim of The Netherlands as he defeated Zimbabwe's Takanyi Garangaga 6-3, 6-4.
The Nigerian trio of Sylvester Emmanuel lost to Fabio Reboul of France 6-2, 6-4, as Joseph Imeh Ubon lost to Garanganga 6-4, 6-2, while Umaru Balami was beaten by Antal Duim 6-2, 6-1.
Christian Paul, was Nigeria’s best performer at the 2015 men's singles Futures 3 as he reached the quarter-final before he lost 6-2, 6-1 to New Zealand’s Ben McLachlan.
Switzerland’s Conny Perrin clinched the women's singles Futures 4 title whe she dumped Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 in the final.
Blessing Samuel emerged the only Nigerian who made it to the second round of the women's singles of Futures 4 before she lost to Tessah Andrianjaftrimo 6-0, 6-0.
............
Caption:
Christian Paul, the only Nigerian who made it to the quarter-final of the men's singles Futures 3 of the 2015 Lagos Governor's Tennis Cup.
FINAL TABLE
P W D L PTS
1 Rangers 36 18 9 9 63
2 Rivers Utd 36 19 3 14 60
3 Wiki Tourists 36 16 9 11 57
4 FC Ifeanyiubah 36 16 8 12 56
CLUBS WITH 2017 CONTINENTAL TICKETS
.................................
5 Lobi Stars 36 16 7 13 55
6 Sunshine Stars 36 14 11 11 53
7 Kano Pillars 36 15 7 14 52
8 El-Kanemi 36 16 3 17 51
9 Enyimba FC 36 14 8 14 50
10 Nasarawa FC 36 16 2 18 50
11 N/Tornadoes 36 15 4 17 49
12 Plateau Utd 36 13 10 13 49
13 Abia Warriors 36 12 12 12 48
14 Akwa United 36 13 8 15 47
15 Shooting Stars 36 14 5 17 47
16 MFM, Lagos 36 12 9 15 45
.................
RELEGATED TEAMS
17 Warri Wolves 36 12 9 15 45
18 Heartland FC 36 11 11 14 44
19 Ikorodu Utd 36 07 11 18 32
20 Giwa FC 00 00 00 00 00
........
NPFL 2016 season's notable goalscorers
1. Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists) 18 goals
2. Chisom Echugbulam (Rangers) 16 goals
3. Okiki Afolabi (Sunshine Stars) 13 goals
4. Abdulrahman Bashir (Nasarawa United) 13 goals
5. Ismaila Gata (Tornadoes/IfeanyiUbah 13 goals
6. Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars) 13 goals
7. Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars) 10 goals
8. Sunday Adetunji (Shooting Stars) 10 goals
9. Mustapha Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors) 9 goals
10 Esosa Igbinoba (Nasarawa United) 9 goals
11. Stephen Odey (MFM FC, Lagos) 8 goals
12. Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars) 8 goals
13. Kingsley Eduwo (Lobi Stars) 8 goals
14. Wasiu Jimoh (3SC/IfeanyiUbah) 7 goals
15. Ubong Ekpai (Akwa United) 7 goals
Caption: The Goal King of the 2016 season, Godwin Obaje in a world of his own during a match. He succeeds Gbolahan Salami, who scored 17 goals for Warri Wolves last season.
*Rangers 4 El-Kanemi Warriors 0
Chisom Echugbulam (3, 57, 68 mins)
Osas Okoro (45 mins)
*Akwa United 1 Rivers United 2
Frederick Obomate -Rivers Utd
Fortune Omoniwari -Akwa United
Guy Kuemian scored -Rivers Utd (78 mins)
*Wikki Tourists 2 Sunshine Stars 0
Chukwudi Samuel (23 mins)
Mubarak Umar (28 mins)
* MFM, Lagos 1 FC Ifeanyiubah 0
Stanley Okorom (23 mins)
*Lobi Stars 2 Nasarawa United 0
Sunday Alimi
Yaya Kone Soumaila
*Kano Pillars 1 Niger Tornadoes 1
Adamu Mohammed -Pillars (17 mins)
Ifeanyi Okoye -Tornadoes (75 mins)
*Warri Wolves 1 Ikorodu Utd 0
Sikiru Alimi (36 mins)
*Abia Warriors 2 Shooting Stars 1
................( Abia Warriors)
................( Abia Warriors)
Nojeem Olukokun (Shooting Stars)
*Plateau United 1 Heartland 1
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Plateau United vs Heartland
Rangers vs El-Kanemi Warriors
Warri Wolves vs Ikorodu United
Wikki Tourists vs Sunshine Stars
Abia Warriors vs Shooting Stars
Akwa United vs Rivers United
Lobi Stars vs Nasarawa United
MFM, Lagos vs FC IfeanyiUbah
Kano Pillars vs Niger Tornadoes
*Heartland 1 Kano Pillars 0
Emeka Ogbugh (65 mins)
*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Plateau United 0
Hussain Mohammed (59 mins)
*Ikorodu United 2 Enugu Rangers 1
Obinna Nwobodo -Rangers (25 mins)
Chisom Egbuchulam-Rangers (38 mins)
Paul Dike -Ikorodu (68 mins)
*Sunshine Stars 1 Warri Wolves 0
Dayo Ojo (62 mins)
*Shooting Stars 1 Wikki Tourists 0
Olabisi Samuel (52 mins)
*Nasarawa United 2 Akwa United 2
Esosa Igbinoba -Nasarawa (13 mins)
Hassan Babangida -Akwa Utd (23 mins)
Cyril Olisema -Akwa Utd (26 mins)
??????????????? -Nasarawa (89 mins)
*FC IfeanyiUbah 1 Enyimba 0
Isaac Loute (3 mins)
*Niger Tornadoes 3 MFM, Lagos 1
Solomon Owello -Tornadoes (5, 18 mins)
Gabriel Wassa -Tornadoes (50 mins)
Stephen Odey -MFM, Lagos (75 mins)
*Rivers United 0 Abia Warriors 0
............................
NPFL League Table, one game to go
1 Rangers 35 17 9 9 60
2 Rivers United 35 18 3 14 57
3 FC Ifeanyiubah 35 16 8 11 56
4 Wikki Tourists 35 15 9 11 54
5 Sunshine Stars 35 14 11 10 53
6 Lobi Stars 35 15 7 13 52
7 Kano Pillars 35 15 6 14 51
8 El-Kanemi 35 16 3 16 51
9 Nasarawa FC 35 16 2 17 50
10 Enyimba FC 36 14 8 14 50
11 Tornadoes 35 15 3 17 48
12 Plateau Utd 35 13 9 13 48
13 Akwa United 35 13 8 14 47
14 Shooting Stars 35 14 5 16 47
15 Abia Warriors 35 11 12 12 45
16 Heartland FC 35 11 10 14 43
......................................................................
17 MFM, Lagos 35 11 9 15 42
18 Warri Wolves 35 11 9 15 42
19 Ikorodu Utd 35 07 11 17 32
20 Giwa FC 00 00 00 00 00
Yemi Asaleye on Saturday won the Obafemi Awolowo Tennis Club's intra-club championship as he defeated Otunba Oladimeji Olatunde in straight sets 6-0, 6-1.
The competition which was sponsored by one of the members of OATC, Mr Tunji Adesina, produced a lot of exciting moments for the spectators, who watched the matches especially the final decided at the centre court of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
Asaleye, had defeated Obinna Odigwe to qualify for the final, while Oladimeji created what turned out be the major upset of the tournament with his 4-2, 4-2 victory over Barrister Leye Olubajo in the second semi-final.
Cash prizes were later presented to the winner and the runner-up after the exhilarating final.
In his remarks, Club Captain of OATC, Mr Kunle Yusuf lauded the sponsor of the tournament, Mr Adesina, saying such gesture will go a long way in helping members of the club to improve in their standard of play.
He stated that efforts were being intensified to ensure that the club organises regular competitions to keep members busy.
Also speaking, another member of OATC, Engineer Niyi Adekola, said "Mr Adesina has pioneered a unique initiative that should be emulated by all" adding "every player who participated in the tournament is a winner because there is joy in participation as well."
In her remarks, the Director of the OATC Tennis Academy, Coach Adepeju Faboyinde, expressed satisfaction with the quality of play of each participant saying with regular competitions, the standard would improve in no time.
The former international tennis player equally thanked Mr Adesina for providing an avenue for members to engage in a healthy competition.
"I am glad that one of us, Mr Adesina sponsored this tournament and we are grateful to him. Tournament makes every player to improve and if we continue to have more of this competitions, our standard of play will surely improve," coach Faboyinde, 1985 National Sports Festival gold medallist said.
.............
Caption:
SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP: Dimeji Olatunde (left) with his conqueror, Yemi Asaleye after the final. PHOTO: GANIYU SALMAN.
MANAGER Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal is ready to begin “a new era” by beating Chelsea on Saturday (September 25) at the Emirates Stadium in a Premier League game.
Interestingly, the derby would see Nigerian internationals on parade as Arsenal boasts youngster Alex Iwobi, while the Blues are likely to parade Victor Moses, as John Mikel Obi remains doubtful for the clash billed to start at 5:30pm.
Aside from the Gunners victory in last year’s Community Shield, the Blues have held the upper hand in recent years, but Wenger is confident that will change.
“It is an important game for us because we feel we are on the way up and Chelsea is a good test and a good opportunity for us to continue our progress,” Wenger who clocked 20 years with Arsenal as manager last week told the Gunners' official website.
“Chelsea in the last 10 years had very, very strong teams. You realise that today as well. Before that period, we were always beating them, after they were always the stronger team for a few years.
“Now, it looks like it’s a new era where it’s a bit more balanced again and we feel we are progressing at the moment so we have a good opportunity to grab and to change what I call ‘the inconvenient facts’ of the recent years.
“Chelsea have always come to the Emirates with a strong defensive solidity and to [try to] catch us on the break, because they know we like to take the initiative,” added Wenger.
“[Antonio] Conte has very strong players in transition, like Hazard, like Willian, like Diego Costa. For us to stop them, these three players, from being dangerous will be one of the keys of the game.”
Another key will be keeping 11 men on the pitch, something we didn’t manage in two Premier League games against Chelsea last season.
“Yes, we talk about that because in the last two games, we’ve played against Chelsea with 10 men,” said the French manager.
“Of course for the result on Saturday, it will be important the way we play football, but as well the way we behave, because discipline and results are strongly linked. The results we’ve had in the last two games are that we couldn’t play 11 against 11.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager, Antonia Conte says Saturday's clash means a lot to one of
Arsenal's former players, Cesc Fabregas now in his squad.
"For Cesc [ Fabregas] this is a special game but the most important thing for Cesc now is that he is a Chelsea player and he is playing very well for Chelsea. I am seeing him very focused and concentrated during the training and he played a good game in the cup. It is a possibility he can start [against] Arsenal. I have another day to make the decision.
"We know tomorrow we face a good team and for sure they will fight until the end to win the title. Arsenal has good young players with great technique and good potential and organisation. They play good football.
"This is a big game between two big rivals and it is important to play a good game after the defeat against Liverpool," the Italian manager, Conte told the official website of the Blues after his media conference on Friday afternoon.
...............
We need discipline to win--Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says maintaining discipline is the key to beating Chelsea as both sides clash at the Emirates today in the English Premier League.
The Gunners have been shown four red cards in their past five Premier League matches against their London rivals, and the squad know that keeping cool will be essential.
“It’d be nice to keep 11 men on the pitch against Chelsea this time round,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told the Arsenal's official website.
“I know it sounds funny but generally speaking in the last few games against them, it’s always a big clash with a lot of emotions and maybe some mind games.
“First and foremost, it’s a massive game and we just need to keep our discipline and stay in the game. I’d back this team to be able to beat anyone in the league on our day.
“It’s going to be a big occasion but we can’t get too caught up in it, we just need to go out and play our game.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain also stressed the importance the home crowd can play today, and hopes
that he can play his part in sending the fans home happy.
“It will make a difference, but at the same time you’ve got to keep a cool head and you can’t let all of that cloud your judgement or get the better of you on the day," he said.
“You know, if you go a goal up and the crowd starts getting right behind you it can push you on. At the same time, sometimes you might end up going a goal down and the crowd can show their frustration and you can’t let that affect you too much because you’ve got to focus on getting the right result and keep plugging away.
“The crowd will be massive and I’m sure the atmosphere will be great. It always is for the big games and we’ve got to use that to our advantage. We need to get the right result so everyone leaving the Emirates happy.”
.......
Caption: Nigeria's Iwobi (Arsenal) faces compatriot, Moses in a London derby at the Emirates.
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Heartland vs Kano Pillars
El-Kanemi Warriors vs Plateau United
Ikorodu United vs Rangers
Sunshine Stars vs Warri Wolves
Shooting Stars vs Wikki Tourists
Rivers United vs Abia Warriors
Nasarawa United vs Akwa United
FC IfeanyiUbah vs Enyimba
Niger Tornadoes vs MFM, Lagos
...............
*Plateau Utd 1 Ikorodu United 0
Kelechi John (11 mins)
*Rangers 2 Sunshine Stars 0
Bobby Clement (37, 49 mins)
*Warri Wolves 1 Shooting Stars 0
Sikiru Alimi (18 mins)
*Wikki Tourists 1 Rivers United 0
Christopher Waziri (80 mins)
*Abia Warriors 2 Nasarawa United 1
Ogbonnaya Okemmiri -Abia Warriors (18 mins)
Douglas Achiv -Nasarawa Utd (59 mins)
Abdulbasit Shittu -Nasarawa Utd (87 mins, Own goal)
*Lobi Stars 2 FC IfeanyiUbah 1
Kone Soumaila -Lobi (32 mins)
Ismaila Gata -If/Ubah (52 mins)
Kone Soumaila -Lobi (72 mins)
*Enyimba 0 MFM, Lagos 0
*Kano Pillars ? El-Kanemi Warriors ? (Wed. Sept 21)
*Heartland ? Niger Tornadoes ? (Wed. Sept 21)
Sunday, September 18
Kano Pillars vs El-Kanemi (pp)
Plateau Utd vs Ikorodu
Rangers vs Sunshine Stars
Warri Wolves vs Shooting Stars
Wikki Tourists vs Rivers Utd
Abia Warriors vs Nasarawa Utd
Lobi Stars vs FC IfeanyiUbah
Enyimba vs MFM, Lagos
Heartland vs Niger Tornadoes (pp)........
*Shooting Stars 2 Enugu Rangers 1
Ajani Ibrahim -Shooting (47 mins)
Ifegwu Ojukwu -Shooting (50 mins)
*FC IfeanyiUbah 2 Akwa United 0
Seka Pascal (8 mins)
Ismaila Gata (79 mins)
*Sunshine Stars 3 Plateau United 1
Dele Olorundare -Sunshine (2 mins)
Samad Kadiri -Sunshine (17 mins)
Kabir Umar -Plateau (51 mins)
Dele Olorundare -Sunshine (76 mins)
*Rivers United 3 Warri Wolves 1
Kelvin Itoya -Wolves (10 mins)
Godwin Obinze -Rivers (34 mins)
Bernard Ovoke -Rivers (40 mins)
Guy Kuemian -Rivers (82 mins)
*Nasarawa Utd 2 Wikki Tourists 1
Esosa Igbinoba -Nasarawa (90 mins)
Aminu Kadir -Nasarawa (+90 mins)
*Ikorodu Utd 4 Kano Pillars 1
Rabiu Ali -Pillars (41 mins)
Onyelonu Chinedu -Ikorodu (44 mins)
Muyiwa Lawal -Ikorodu (47 mins)
Paul Dike -Ikorodu (62 mins
Onyelonu Chinedu -Ikorodu (75 mins)
*Niger Tornadoes 1 Enyimba 0
Solomon Owello (75 mins)
*MFM, Lagos 3 Lobi Stars 1
Sikiru Olatunbosun -MFM (21 mins)
Musa Newman -MFM (51 mins)
Sikiru Olatunbosun -MFM (58 mins)
Barnabas Imenger -Lobi (63 mins)
*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Heartland 0
Ibrahim Mustapha (7 mins)
----------------------------------
Rescheduled game:
Ikorodu United 3 Enyimba 2
Fatai Abdullahi -Ikorodu (28 mins)
Mfon Udoh -Enyimba (32 mins)
Oluwole Johnson -Ikorodu (53 mins)
Musa Najare -Enyimba (61 mins)
Michael Okoyoh -Ikorodu (68 mins)
*El-Kanemi Warriors 2 Niger Tornadoes 0
Chinedu Ohanachom (45 mins)
Hussaini Mohammed (65 mins)
*Rangers 4 Rivers United 0
Tope Olusesi (40 mins)
Godwin Aguda (47 mins)
Obinna Nwobodo (84 mins)
*Lobi Stars 1 Enyimba 0
Barnabas Imenger Junior (3 mins)
*Kano Pillars 2 Sunshine Stars 0
Amos Gyang (42 mins)
Gambo Mohammed (51 mins)
*Warri Wolves 1 Nasarawa Utd 0
Kelvin Itoya (66 mins)
*Plateau United 1 Shooting Stars 0
Benjamin Turba (78 mins)
*Akwa United 3 MFM, Lagos 1
Hassan Babangida -Akwa Utd (18, 72 mins)
Ubong Friday -Akwa Utd (86 mins)
Ifeanyi Ifeanyi -MFM (+90 mins)
*Heartland 0 Ikorodu United 1
Fatai Abdullahi (54 mins)
*Abia warriors 1 IfeanyiUbah 1
Ndifreke Effiong -Abia Warriors (23 mins)
Kojo Baah -IfeanyiUbah (86 mins)
.............
Rescheduled match
*Enyimba 2 Wikki Tourists 1
Godwin Obaje -Wikki (42 mins
Nzube Anaezemba -Enyimba (45, 50 mins)
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Heartland vs Ikorodu United
Kano Pillars vs Sunshine Stars
Plateau United vs Shooting Stars
Rangers vs Rivers United
Warri Wolves vs Nasarawa United
Abia warriors vs IfeanyiUbah
Akwa United vs MFM, Lagos
Lobi Stars vs Enyimba
El-Kanemi Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes
*Enyimba 2 Akwa United 1
Mfon Udoh -Enyimba (9 mins)
Hassan Babangida -Akwa Utd (44 mins)
Ikechukwu Ibenegbu -Enyimba (80 mins)
* Ikorodu United 1 El-Kanemi Warriors 1
*Sunshine Stars 1 Heartland 1
Chidiebere Ajoku-Heartland (84 mins)
Kehinde Adedipe -Sunshine (90 mins)
*Shooting Stars 4 Kano Pillars 0
Ifeanyi Ojukwu (9 mins)
Ajani Ibrahim (33 mins)
Sunday Adetunji (53, 66 mins)
*Rivers United 2 Plateau United 0
Bernard Ovoke (31 mins)
Daniel Israe (84 mins)
*FC IfeanyiUbah 1 Wikki Tourists 0
Jimoh Oni (70 mins)
*MFM, Lagos 0 Abia Warriors 0
*Niger Tornadoes 2 Lobi Stars 0
Kunle Issah
Solomon Owello
*Nasarawa United 1 Rangers 0
*FC Giwa vs Warri Wolves
Sunday, August 27, 2016
Ikorodu United vs El-Kanemi Warriors
Sunshine Stars vs Heartland
Shooting Stars vs Kano Pillars
Rivers United vs Plateau United
Nasarawa United vs Rangers
FC Giwa vs Warri Wolves
FC IfeanyiUbah vs Wikki Tourists
MFM, Lagos vs Abia Warriors
Enyimba vs Akwa United
Niger Tornadoes vs Lobi Stars
*El-Kanemi Warriors 3 Sunshine Stars 2
Hussain Bata -El-Kanemi (09 mins)
Samad Kadiri -Sunshine (11 mins)
-El-Kanemi (16 mins)
Hussain Bata -El-Kanemi (23 mins)
Alaba Adeniji-Sunshine (37 mins)
*Heartland 1 Shooting Stars 0
Emeka Atuloma (36 mins)
*Kano Pillars 1 Rivers Utd 0
Gambo Mohammed (23 mins)
*Warri Wolves 0 IfeanyiUbah 1
Chijoke Alakwe (36 mins)
*Wikki Tourists 2 MFM, Lagos 1
Godwin Obaje -Wikki (18, 36 mins)
Austine Ogunye -MFM (64 mins)
*Akwa United 1 Lobi Stars 0
Babangida Hussaini (21 min)
*Ikorodu Utd 1 Niger Tornadoes 0
Adeshina Oduntan (90 mins)
Plateau Utd ? Nasarawa Utd ?
Abia Warriors vs Enyimba (pp)
Rangers vs FC Giwa (pp)
Sunday, August 21, 2016
El-Kanemi vs Sunshine Stars
Heartland vs Shooting Stars
Kano Pillars vs Rivers Utd
Plateau Utd vs Nasarawa Utd
Rangers vs FC Giwa
Warri Wolves vs IfeanyiUbah
Wikki Tourists vs MFM, Lagos
Abia Warriors vs Enyimba
Akwa United vs Lobi Stars
Ikorodu Utd vs Tornadoes
*Niger Tornadoes 3 Akwa United 0
Lukman Mohammed (33 mins)
Kunle Isa (57 mins)
Solomon Owello (63 mins)
*IfeanyiUbah 2 Rangers 0
Alberico Da Silva (4 mins)
Chijokwe Alakwe (48 mins)
*Rivers Utd 1 Heartland 0
Christian Welli (37 mins)
*Lobi Stars 3 Abia Warriors 2
Kingsley Eduwo -Sunshine (43 and 46 mins)
Sunday Akeleche -Sunshine (80 mins)
Chima Ullocha -Abia (84 mins)
Michael Olaha -Abia (90 mins)
*Sunshine Stars 3 Ikorodu Utd 0
Dayo Ojo (25 mins)
Dele Olorundare (74 mins)
Michael Egbeta (89 mins)
*MFM FC 1 Warri Wolves 0
Obinna Eleje -Wolves (58 mins)
Isah Akor -MFM (80 mins)
*Nasarawa United 1 Kano Pillars 0
Samuel Agba (90 mins)
*Shooting Stars 0 El-Kanemi Warriors 0
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Niger Tornadoes vs Akwa United
Wednesday, August 17
Nasarawa United vs Kano Pillars
Shooting Stars vs El-Kanemi Warriors
Rivers United vs Heartland
IfeanyiUbah vs Rangers
MFM, Lagos vs Warri Wolves
Enyimba vs Wikki Tourists
Lobi Stars vs Abia Warriors
*Dethrones King Hammer after 15 yrs reign
Abolaji Rasheed on July 30 ended the 15 years reign of Sunny Iyere 'King Hammer' to become the new national middleweight boxing champion in Nigeria.
Afonja Warrior as he is fondly called secured unanimous decision to send 'King Hammer' out the hall empty-handed.
The title fight was the main bout of the GOtv Boxing Night 8 staged at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, in honour of the late boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.
All the judges in their scorecards rated the Kwara State-born fighter ahead of his opponent, who exhibited dexterity in a bid to retain his title in the face of waning stamina as he threw everything into the fight.
'Afonja Warrior' who had in March this year stopped Ghanaian Adjei Sowah to win the West
African middleweight belt, after stopping the visitor in the third of their 12-round contest, in what served as his last bout prior to the July 30 showdown with King Hammer, whose last fight was in 2011.
Speaking after the bout, Afonja Warrior said beating King Hammer, did not come on a platter of gold after all.
"He was bigger than me and that made the fight difficult for me but I give God the glory for the victory. I was not disturbed by the cut he game me though through headbutt, because it was not the first time. I thank my fans for their tremendous support at all times. In fact, I had been wanting to face Hammer a long time ago but he was not willing to fight and I became happy when he agreed this challenge.
"This is just the beginning, I have to work extra hard to remain Nigeria's number one middleweight boxer and hope to defend these titles successfully for as long as God permits. In fact, the immediate target is the African title and I am working towards making this happen with God," said Afonja Warrior who defeated Jamiu 'Rotor' Animasahun on September 1, 2013 in his professional debut.
Meanwhile, King Hammer in a post-match interview said he gave a good account of himself
despite losing the title he won in 2001 in Benin Republic at the expense of Suleiman Alani.
"I showed the stuff I am made of as a champion. I had only five defence bouts since I
won this title and the reason I was not accepting bouts is that promoters were offering
us peanuts until GOtv came into boxing promotion.
"They always offer N20,000, N30,000, N40,000 and N50,000 and that was why I refused to box and when GOtv came in, they offered me N200,000 and I was happy and I agreed to fight. They supposed to give me two warm up bouts before this title fight which they did not do but there is no problem, I did my best tonight," he said.
Also on the night, reigning national light welterweight champion, Olaide Fijabi stopped Tombraye Christmas in just 58 seconds of the first round in place of Joseph 'Blacky Joe' Adeniji.
Waidi Usman 'Skoro' beat David Ekpeyong, by unanimous decision in a featherweight challenge and also went home with N1million prize as the best boxer of the night.
Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo stopped Dele “Lagelu” Adeleke via a fifth round knockout in their national welterweight clash, as Rilwan ‘Baby Face' triumphed over Babatunde Shakiru 'No Shaking' Lateef in a national light welterweight challenge.
However, the super middleweight bout between Matthew “Wizeman” Obinna and Samuel “Lion Heart” Igbokwe was declared a no-contest.
Caption: Abolaji 'Afonja Warrior' Rasheed.
*Ikorodu United 1 Shooting Stars 1 (abandoned)
Chinedu Onyelonu-Ikorodu (25 mins)
Ajani Ibrahim -Shooting Stars (86 mins)
*Plateau United 2 IfeanyiUbah 0
Kabiru Umar (13 mins)
Anayo Ogbonaya (40 mins)
*El-Kanemi Warriors 1 Rivers United 0
Michael Ohanachom (61 mins)
*Sunshine Stars 2 Niger Tornadoes 0
Michael Egbeta (46 mins)
Kadiri Samad (50 mins)
*Heartland 1 Nasarawa United 0
Chidiebere Ajoku (35 mins)
*Abia Warriors 0 Akwa United 0
*Rangers 1 MFM, Lagos 0
Tope Olusesi (75 mins)
*Wikki Tourists 1 Lobi Stars 1
Godwin Obaje -Wikki (65 mins)
Alimi Sunday -Lobi (72 mins)
*Warri Wolves 0 Enyimba 0
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Ikorodu Utd vs Shooting Stars
El-Kanemi vs Rivers United
Heartland vs Nasarawa United
Plateau Utd vs IfeanyiUbah
Rangers vs MFM, Lagos (pp)
Warri Wolves vs Enyimba (pp)
Wikki Tourists vs Lobi Stars (pp)
Abia Warriors vs Akwa United
Sunshine Stars vs Niger Tornadoes
