January 14, 2017
Kano Pillars 1 IfeanyiUbah 0 (Match abandoned in 48th minute)
Scorer: Gambo Mohammed
Kano Pillars 3 IfeanyiUbah 0 (Boardroom ruling)
January 15
*Shooting Stars 2 Lobi Stars 0
Afolabi Waheed (34 mins
Sunday Faleye (67 mins)
*ABS FC 3 Akwa Utd 1
Mohammed Mohammed -ABS
Stone Evbuomwan -ABS
Abubakar Chindo -ABS
Godspower Igudia -Akwa Utd
*Rivers Utd 2 El-Kanemi 1
Emeka Ogbugh -Rivers Utd
Guy Kuemian -Rivers Utd
Bello Kofarmata -El-Kanemi
*Enyimba 1 Sunshine 0
Ibrahim Mustapha
*Remo Stars 1 Plateau Utd 2
John Kim -Plateau Utd (26th min)
Victor Mbaoma -Remo Stars (45th min)
Golbe Elisha -Plateau Utd (52th minute)
*Katsina Utd 2 Gombe Utd 1
Tasiu Lawal -Katsina Utd
Suleiman Ibrahim -Katsina Utd
Mannir Ubale -Gombe Utd
*Rangers 1 Abia Warriors 2
Fortune Omoniwari -Rangers
Emeka Isaac -Abia Warriors
Godwin Zaki -Abia Warriors
*MFM FC 3 Niger Tornadoes 0
Sikiru Olatunbosun
Stephen Odey (2 goals)
*Wikki Tourists 0 Nasarawa Utd 0
Total goals scored: 25
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Friday, 13 January 2017
CAF withdraws U-17 AFCON 2017 hosting rights from Madagascar
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has withdrawn the hosting rights of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2017) from Madagascar.
The decision was reached at the CAF executive committee meeting held in Libreville, Gabon on Thursday.
Following the reports of the CAF inspection teams, the CAF executive committee unanimously
decided (with the exception of the President of the Malagasy Football Federation) to withdraw the hosting rights from Madagascar.
In a statement on its website, the secretariat of the continental body said it will launch a new bid for applications within a limited period (until 30 January 2017) for the selecion of a new host.
CAF has also issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) to
present player, Langa Lesse Bercy, for a new MRI test in Libreville, following a protest filed by the Tanzania Football Federation, after two unsuccessful scheduled meetings.
The test is to confirm the player’s eligibility to participate in the U-17 AFCON championship, having played in the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, CAF has also released the list of candidates for its executive committee elections billed for March this year with president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick as one of the contestants.
The incumbent president of CAF, Alhaji Issa Hayatou is to re-election against Ahmad from
Madagascar.
The full list:
Election of CAF President for the period 2017-2021
Outgoing President: Issa Hayatou (Cameroon)
Candidates: Ahmad (Madagascar) and Issa Hayatou (Cameroon)
Elections for CAF Executive Committee for the period 2017-2021
Northern Zone
Outgoing member: Mohamed Raouraoua (Algeria)
Candidates: Anwar El Tashani (Libya), Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) and Mohamed Raouraoua
(Algeria)
West Zone A
Outgoing member: Amadou Diakite (Mali)
Candidates: Amadou Diakite (Mali) and Hassan Musa Bility (Liberia)
West Zone B
Outgoing member: Anjorin Moucharafou (Benin)
Candidates: Amaju Melvin Pinnick (Nigeria)
Anjorin Moucharafou (Benin)
Central Zone
Outgoing member: Adoum Djibrine (Chad)
Candidates: Adoum Djibrine (Chad)
Central-East Zone
Outgoing member: Magdi Shams El Din (Sudan)
Candidates: Juneidi Basha Tilmo (Ethiopia)
Magdi Shams El Din (Sudan)
Moses Magogo (Uganda)
Suleiman Hassan Waberi (Djibouti)
Southern Zone (2 Vacancies)
Outgoing members: Ahmad (Madagascar)
Suketu Patel (Seychelles)
Candidates: Danny Jordaan (South Africa)
Frans Mbidi (Namibia)
Rui Eduardo Da Costa (Angola)
Suketu Patel (Seychelles)
Female Candidate (1 vacancy)
Candidates: Isha Johansen (Sierra Leone)
Lydia Nsekera (Burundi)
2. Election of African representatives to the FIFA Council for the period 2017 - 2021
Subject to eligibility confirmation by FIFA, the following candidates were approved for
the election of African members onto the FIFA Council:
Arabic, Portuguese and Spanish Grouping
Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia)
Francophone Grouping
Constant Omari Selemani (DR Congo)
Augustin Sidy Diallo (Cote d’Ivoire)
Anglophone Grouping
Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana)
Leodegar Tenga (Tanzania)
Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia)
Open applications (3 vacancies, including one female member)
Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea)
Chabur Goc (South Sudan)
Danny Jordaan (South Africa)
Hani Abo Rida (Egypt)
Lydia Nsekera (Burundi)
Caption: NFF president, Amaju Pinnick in the race for CAF seat.
The decision was reached at the CAF executive committee meeting held in Libreville, Gabon on Thursday.
Following the reports of the CAF inspection teams, the CAF executive committee unanimously
decided (with the exception of the President of the Malagasy Football Federation) to withdraw the hosting rights from Madagascar.
In a statement on its website, the secretariat of the continental body said it will launch a new bid for applications within a limited period (until 30 January 2017) for the selecion of a new host.
CAF has also issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) to
present player, Langa Lesse Bercy, for a new MRI test in Libreville, following a protest filed by the Tanzania Football Federation, after two unsuccessful scheduled meetings.
The test is to confirm the player’s eligibility to participate in the U-17 AFCON championship, having played in the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, CAF has also released the list of candidates for its executive committee elections billed for March this year with president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick as one of the contestants.
The incumbent president of CAF, Alhaji Issa Hayatou is to re-election against Ahmad from
Madagascar.
The full list:
Election of CAF President for the period 2017-2021
Outgoing President: Issa Hayatou (Cameroon)
Candidates: Ahmad (Madagascar) and Issa Hayatou (Cameroon)
Elections for CAF Executive Committee for the period 2017-2021
Northern Zone
Outgoing member: Mohamed Raouraoua (Algeria)
Candidates: Anwar El Tashani (Libya), Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco) and Mohamed Raouraoua
(Algeria)
West Zone A
Outgoing member: Amadou Diakite (Mali)
Candidates: Amadou Diakite (Mali) and Hassan Musa Bility (Liberia)
West Zone B
Outgoing member: Anjorin Moucharafou (Benin)
Candidates: Amaju Melvin Pinnick (Nigeria)
Anjorin Moucharafou (Benin)
Central Zone
Outgoing member: Adoum Djibrine (Chad)
Candidates: Adoum Djibrine (Chad)
Central-East Zone
Outgoing member: Magdi Shams El Din (Sudan)
Candidates: Juneidi Basha Tilmo (Ethiopia)
Magdi Shams El Din (Sudan)
Moses Magogo (Uganda)
Suleiman Hassan Waberi (Djibouti)
Southern Zone (2 Vacancies)
Outgoing members: Ahmad (Madagascar)
Suketu Patel (Seychelles)
Candidates: Danny Jordaan (South Africa)
Frans Mbidi (Namibia)
Rui Eduardo Da Costa (Angola)
Suketu Patel (Seychelles)
Female Candidate (1 vacancy)
Candidates: Isha Johansen (Sierra Leone)
Lydia Nsekera (Burundi)
2. Election of African representatives to the FIFA Council for the period 2017 - 2021
Subject to eligibility confirmation by FIFA, the following candidates were approved for
the election of African members onto the FIFA Council:
Arabic, Portuguese and Spanish Grouping
Tarek Bouchamaoui (Tunisia)
Francophone Grouping
Constant Omari Selemani (DR Congo)
Augustin Sidy Diallo (Cote d’Ivoire)
Anglophone Grouping
Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana)
Leodegar Tenga (Tanzania)
Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia)
Open applications (3 vacancies, including one female member)
Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea)
Chabur Goc (South Sudan)
Danny Jordaan (South Africa)
Hani Abo Rida (Egypt)
Lydia Nsekera (Burundi)
Caption: NFF president, Amaju Pinnick in the race for CAF seat.
Thursday, 12 January 2017
2017 African Junior Tennis championship: Oyinlomo in flying start as Igbinovia loses
Nigeria's Oyinlomo Quadri on Thursday began her quest to defend the girls’ 14 and under title she won in 2016 in Abuja on a good note, following her 6-1, 6-1 victory over Hanah Minet of Cote d’Ivoire at the ongoing
2017 ITF/CAT African Junior Championship West and Central Africa
qualifiers in Lome, Togo.
Oyinlomo were among the seven Nigerians who emerged victorious in the second day of the tournament featuring 15 countries.
With four wins from five matches on the opening day, the defending champions stepped up the gear enjoying the highest number of wins as hostilities hot up at the Stade Omnisports, Lome.
Marylove Edward had her match against Kouma Niangadov of Mali stretched to Thursday following poor visibility and the 12-year-old double forehand and double backhand player posted a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win to enhance her chances of qualification from the round-robin preliminaries.
Omolayo Bamidele from Ekiti also defeated a Togolese opponent 6-0, 6-1 as David Dawariye of the Kodian Academy, Port Harcourt humiliated another home boy, Paul Padio 6-1, 6-0.
Also, Kaduna-based Rebecca Peters also advanced in the competition beating Marie H of Burkina Faso 6-0, 6-0.
Matthew Abamu also stunned home fans as he defeated Togo’s M. Dossen 6-0, 6-1 while Micheal Ayoola who had in his first game defeated Mali's Umar Fouma 6-3, 6-2 also conquered Delmas Ntcha of Benin Republic 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday.
Abuja-based Saminu Abubakar kept Nigeria’s winning run with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Cedric Falalou of Togo.
Meanwhile, Wilson Igbinovia, who made a winning start at the AJC was the only Nigerian to taste defeat on Thursday losing to J. Alipoe of Togo 6-1, 6-2 in the boy’s 16 and under category to give worried home fans some respite.
Thirteen-year-old Igbinovia, it will be recalled, on Wednesday triumphed over Maiga Quattara of Burkina Baso 6-1, 6-2 in his AJC debut.
....................
Caption: Oyinlomo Quadri in action at a recent tournament.
Oyinlomo were among the seven Nigerians who emerged victorious in the second day of the tournament featuring 15 countries.
With four wins from five matches on the opening day, the defending champions stepped up the gear enjoying the highest number of wins as hostilities hot up at the Stade Omnisports, Lome.
Marylove Edward had her match against Kouma Niangadov of Mali stretched to Thursday following poor visibility and the 12-year-old double forehand and double backhand player posted a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 win to enhance her chances of qualification from the round-robin preliminaries.
Omolayo Bamidele from Ekiti also defeated a Togolese opponent 6-0, 6-1 as David Dawariye of the Kodian Academy, Port Harcourt humiliated another home boy, Paul Padio 6-1, 6-0.
Also, Kaduna-based Rebecca Peters also advanced in the competition beating Marie H of Burkina Faso 6-0, 6-0.
Matthew Abamu also stunned home fans as he defeated Togo’s M. Dossen 6-0, 6-1 while Micheal Ayoola who had in his first game defeated Mali's Umar Fouma 6-3, 6-2 also conquered Delmas Ntcha of Benin Republic 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday.
Abuja-based Saminu Abubakar kept Nigeria’s winning run with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Cedric Falalou of Togo.
Meanwhile, Wilson Igbinovia, who made a winning start at the AJC was the only Nigerian to taste defeat on Thursday losing to J. Alipoe of Togo 6-1, 6-2 in the boy’s 16 and under category to give worried home fans some respite.
Thirteen-year-old Igbinovia, it will be recalled, on Wednesday triumphed over Maiga Quattara of Burkina Baso 6-1, 6-2 in his AJC debut.
....................
Caption: Oyinlomo Quadri in action at a recent tournament.
Monday, 9 January 2017
Obafemi Awolowo Tennis Club organises free BP test
Aside tennis players, cyclists, footballers, coaches, administrators, track and field athletes, taekowondoists as well as parents also took part in the exercise which kicked off at 8am and lasted five hours on Saturday, January 7, 2017.
In his remarks, Club Captain of OATC, Mr Kunle Yusuf said the event was designed in memory of the late member of the club, Mr Wale Alayande, who died on January 6, 2016.
"We are impressed with the turn out of people who showed up for the BP test. It is important to pay attention to this aspect of life because health is wealth. Some of the participants were advised on what to do based on the results of the tests and this would certainly help them health wise. They will now know what to do to make their blood pressure normal having been advised by the medical personnel.
"Also on Friday, we held a special prayer for the repose of the soul of Wale because he is always in our hearts. May his soul continue to rest in peace," Yusuf stated.
Meanwhile, Coordinator of Bright Future Cycling Club, Ibadan, Mr Kolapo Aminu while speaking with harmonysport.blogspot.com commended OATC for organising the BP test.
Kolapo after taking part in the exercise noted that it was a good initiative.
"This is a control mechanism which must be embraced by individuals especially adults. It is important that one goes for this BP test every month for one to know his health status and act accordingly.
" I commend OATC for thinking in this direction and I believe this would motivate some organisations and individuals too to consider BP test in fact as a monthly exercise," Kolapo as he is fondly called said.
...................
Caption: Mr Collins Okofu (right), a member of OATC undergoing blood pressure test during the exercise.
Tuesday, 27 December 2016
Nigeria's Eribo turns African Boxing Union 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.
.............................
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.
Thursday, 22 December 2016
Heartland name new management team
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 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?
NTF lauds NCC for tennis promotion
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.
............
Caption:
Edwards Christopher, featured for Team Offikwu at the just-ended 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.
............
Caption:
Edwards Christopher, featured for Team Offikwu at the just-ended NCC League.
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