N13.8m up for grabs at 14th Gov's Tennis Cup

THE 14th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship serves off on Monday, November 17 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan with N13.8 million (about $84,000) at stake as total prize money.

Vice chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Engineer Afolabi Salami, at a media briefing in Lagos, disclosed this adding that logistics have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free tournament.

Salami, who represented the LOC chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, said the total prize money for the competition remains awesome despite the reduction in the number of days of the event this time.

"Whereas our regular two-week Futures tournament has a total prize money of $80,000, added hospitality which includes accommodation and breakfast at the Eko Hotel and Suites for our foreign invited players and a N10,000 daily subsidy in lieu of accommodation for Nigerian players for the period they remain in the championship," he said.

He stated that 32 top class Futures players- for the men and women's singles and 32 each (16 pairs) for the men and women's doubles have been invited by the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) to feature in the invitational tournament.

Salami added that a clinic will be organised for the kids to be drawn mostly from various schools in the state between the ages four and 16 years on the last day of the week-long tourney.

The final of the highest money spinning circuit on the continent is fixed for Saturday, November 22.

It will be recalled that Croatian Borna Coric and compatriot Ante Pavic won the 2013 edition of the Futures I and II men’s singles titles respectively, while Tadeja Majeric of Slovenia and Italian Gioia Barbieri claimed the Futures I and II women's singles titles respectively.

Nigeria will be led to the 14th Governor's Cup by the reigning Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) men's and women's singles champions, Abdulmumuni Babalola.

The full list of players invited for the tournament on the home fronts: Adegoke Sarah, Samuel Blessing, Agugbom Christy, Akingbade Ronke, Pam Elizabeth, Kienka Loila, Aiyegbusi Aanu, Donatus Loveth, Airhunwunde Osariemen, Olowu Bukola, Ebijimi Pauline, Ibrahim Omotayo Osewa,Quadri Aminat, Anuna Blessing Dirisu Ngozi and Esorae Nosakhaire.

Nigerian male players

1.      Enosoregbe Clifford
2.      Babalola Abdulmumin
3.      Atseye Henry
4.      Shehu Lawal
5.      Otu John
6.      Otu Thomas
7.      Madueke Nonso
8.      Omoile Samuel
9.   Micheal Moses
10.  Imeh Joseph
11.  Balami Umaru
12.  Paul Christian
13.  Emmanuel Sylvester
14.  Adamu Sani
15.  Alade Kehinde
16.  Idoko Emmanuel

           Foreign players (female)

1.         Scheepers Channelle (RSA)
2.         Jabeur Ons (Tunisia)
3.         Simmond Chanel (RSA)
4.         Le-Roux Madrie (RSA)
5.         Fouroclas Natasha (RSA)
6.         Razafinmhtratra  Zarah (Madagascar)
7.         Abou Zekry Ola (Egypt)
8.         Sherif Mayar (Egypt)
9.         Hattingh Ilze (RSA)
10.       Sammons Michelle (RSA)
11.       Grandin Natalie (RSA)
12.       Ibbou Ines (Algeria)
13.       Atit Rita (Morocco)
14.       Hanza Yasmine (Egypt)
15.       Qostal Lina (Morocco)
16.       Andria Marosoa Sandra (Madagascar)

Foreign players (male)
1.         Safwat Mohammed (Egypt)
2.         Sabry Sherif (Egypt)
3.         Garanganga Takanyi (Zimbabwe)
4.         Mark Fynn (Zimbabwe)
5.         Hossam Karim (Egypt)
6.         Kiegou Alexis (Benin)
7.         Roelofse Ruan (RSA)
8.         Gooch Damon (RSA)
9.         Janse Van Rensbury Benjamin (RSA)
10.       El-Amram Reda (Morocco)
11.       Saidu Diallo (Mali)
12.       Tunde Segodo (Benin)
13.       Theophile Segodo (Benin)
14.       Hassan NdaYishmiye (Brundi)
15.       Mamoun Kaim Mohammed (Egypt)
16.       Ira Dunkwda GlynOrly (Burundi)

Caption: Henry Atseye, one of Nigeria's players to be on parade.

AFCON snub: No grudge against Keshi--Moses

NIGERIA international and Stoke City forward, Victor Moses says he doesn't bear a grudge against the head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi for excluding him from the list of invited players for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Republic of the Congo and South Africa.

The reigning African champions will this weekend in Point Noir face the Red Devils of Congo in a must win game with only four points to show on the table in group A, being dominated by Bafana Bafana of South Africa with seven points.
 
Nigeria's last AFCON qualifier holds on November 19 at the newly-commissioned Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, which could be a formality clash if the Eagles lose to Congo already with six points on the log.
 
Moses who is on loan from Chelsea told Stoke Sentinel that he was pleased with the decision of Keshi, who he said will never do anything that will jeopardise his career.
 
"There's a reason I'm not in it (the Super Eagles squad) and the manager (Keshi) has said I'm just getting back from injury and he didn't want to take the risk with me,"  Moses with seven goals since his debut in the Super Eagles in 2012 said.
 
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner who scored his first English Premier League (EPL) goal for the Potters during a 2-2 draw with West Ham United, said he derives positives after all from the development - to be in top shape to be able to play for Nigeria blessed with a lot of talented players.
 
"I think he (Keshi) was right to do that. I'm the sort of player who always wants to represent Nigeria, but I just need to make sure I get myself back to full fitness," said Moses who featured in Stoke's 2-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspurs last Sunday. 
 
Keshi while defending the exclusion of Moses from the squad to Congo said: "I left (Moses) out because he’s just coming back from injury and we don’t want to take any risks".
 
The former coach of Togo added that: "Everyone knows what I think of Victor. He’s a good kid and very talented footballer but at this point, for the upcoming games, we don’t want to take any risks".
 
Meanwhile, the former England junior international celebrated Stoke's second away victory of
the season after Manchester City demolition at Etihad Stadium, through the social media.
 
The former Wigan Athletic player in his twitter account @Victor Moses said: “Great win at a tough ground the boys were superb! Appreciate all of your support as always”.

Caption: Victor Moses

Eduok turns first goal scorer at Akwa Ibom International Stadium

ONE of the leading scorers in the Nigeria Premier League, Emem Eduok on Friday night became the first player to score at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, which was commissioned by Goodluck Jonathan a few minutes earlier before the encounter in a colourful ceremony.

Eduok's strike came in the 35th minute in the international friendly between the home-based  Super Eagles and Ghana's Black Meteors and the effort was good enough to earn Nigeria the Transformation Cup initiated by the Akwa Ibom State governor Chief Godswill Akpabio.

The Dolphins player with 20 goals in the domestic league connected Solomon Kwambe's cross past badly positioned goalkeeper Richard Ofori for the only goal of the game.
Also on hand to grace the commissioning of the 30,000 capacity stadium were presidents of Ghana John Dramane Mahama and that of the Ivory Coast, Allasane Ouattara.  

The Nigerian team handled by ex-international Daniel Amokachi was a delight to watch while the match lasted as the Ghanaians rekindled the healthy rivalry between both countries in the game handled by FIFA-graded referee, Ferdinand Udoh who incidentally hails from Akwa Ibom State.

The home-based Super Eagles paraded Chigozie Agbim, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe,
Gbolahan Salami, Ighodaro Osagona, Christian Obiozor, Rabiu Ali, Kingsley Zokari, Bright Esieme, Umar Zongo, Emem Eduok, Mfom Udoh, Stanley Dimgba, Christian Pyagbara and Tony Edjomariegwe, among others in the grudge match.

The first player to be issued a red card at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium turned out to be Richard Yamoah of Ghana. He was sent off in the 89th minute following his offensive clash with Edjomariegwe in an attempt to stop the latter from advancing with the ball. 

Kingsley Sokari would have made it 2-0 for Nigeria in the 93rd minute but his effort was cleared off the goalline by defender Emmanuel Nti Mensah after goalkeeper Ofori had been displaced.

President Ouattara after the match decorated the Ghanaians with silver medals as President Mahama decorated the Eagles with gold medals while President Jonathan presented the gold-plated Transformation Cup to goalkeeper Agbim, who captained Nigerian on the night.

The newly-commissioned stadium known as the Nest of Champions will on November 15 play host to the Super Eagles as they tackle the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
It will be recalled that Yakubu Mambo scored the first goal at the National Stadium, Lagos when it was commissioned on December 4, 1972 where Nigeria dumped Mali 3-0.
......
Caption: Emem Eduok, the match hero.

  

NNL postpones Week 30 matches

THE Nigeria National League (NNL) has postponed the Week 30 matches in both groups A and B scheduled to hold across the country on Saturday, November 8.
The games according to the secretary of NNL, Lawrence Katken will now hold on Saturday, November 15, saying that the postponement is to enable the outstanding protests to be decided before final round of matches.
Also, the Week 38 of the Globacom Premier League signalling the end of the season will hold on Sunday, November 16.
Kano Pillars with a game left against have claimed the league title for the third year running after amassing 65 points, as a loss to Enyimba in Aba on November 16 will only make the Aba-side to finish second on the log with 64 points.

Globacom Premier League Week 37 and NNL Week 29 results

Globacom Premier League

Bayelsa Utd     4 Lobi Stars     1
Akwa Utd       0 Heartland      1
FC Taraba       3 Crown          0
Abia Warriors 3 Sharks           0
Warri Wolves  1 Gombe Utd   1
Rangers         0 Nasarawa Utd 0
Sunshine       4 Kaduna Utd   0
Giwa FC       4 El-Kanemi    2
Kano Pillars  4 Nembe City   0
Dolphins      1 Enyimba          1

NNL Week 29 results

Division A
Supreme Court 0 Ranchers Bees  1

Division B
First Bank       2    Ekiti Utd      0
ABS              1   Shooting Stars 0
Gabros          2   MFM, Lagos     1
Remo Stars    1   Prime          0
S/Stores         1  Go-Round       1
Akwa Starlets 3 Gateway Utd    0

..............
NNL Division B table

1) First Bank---------29-----+7------48pts

2) Akwa Starlets-----29---- +5------48pts

3) Shooting Stars----29----+15--------47pts

4) Gabros FC---------29-----+7-----47pts

5) ABS FC--------------29---- -3-----43pts

6) MFM FC------------29-----+10----42pts

7) Bendel Ins---------29-----+1-----42pts

8) Remo Stars-------29------0-------41pts

9) Gateway--------29------- -5------40pts

10) Go-Round----29------- 0--------39pts

11)Unicem R-----29------- -2--------39pts

12) Abia Comets--29------ -5--------39pts

13) Prime FC-----29------ -3---------38pts

14) Ekiti Utd-------29------- -6-------38pts

15) COD Utd------29------- -10-------35pts

16) S/Stores----- --29------- -8-------31pts

NNL Week 29 results

Division A

FRSC                0    Jigawa Stars        0
Nigeria Prisons  0   Niger Tornadoes 1
Mighty Jets        1   Wikki Tourists    0
Kogi Utd            1     Plateau Utd        0
Kwara Utd         0     TEAP                 2 (abandoned)
Sokoto Utd        2      Spotlight            0


Division B

COD United           0    Bendel Insurance   0
UNICEM Rovers   3   Abia Comets         0
Akwa Starlets         3   Gateway United     0    (abandoned)

Globacom Premier League Week 37 and NNL Week 29 fixtures

Globacom Premier League

Week 37 fixtures November 1 and 2, 2014

Bayelsa Utd   vs Lobi Stars
Akwa Utd      vs Heartland
FC Taraba     vs Crown
Abia Warriors vs Sharks
Warri Wolves  vs Gombe Utd
Rangers       vs Nasarawa Utd
Sunshine Stars vs Kaduna utd
Giwa              vs El-Kanemi
Kano Pillars  vs Nembe city
Dolphins      vs Enyimba
..........

NNL Week 29, Nov. 1 and 2

Division A 

FRSC        vs Jigawa Stars
Ngr Prisons vs Tornadoes
Mighty Jets vs Wikki Tourists
DSS, Kaduna vs Adamawa Utd
Kogi Utd    vs Plateau Utd
Sokoto Utd  vs Spotlight 
Kwara Utd   vs TEAP
S/Court     vs Ranchers Bees

Division B

ABS FC        vs Shooting Stars
Akwa Starlets vs Gateway Utd
COD United    vs Bendel Insurance
First Bank    vs Ekiti United
Gabros FC     vs MFM
Remo Stars    vs Prime
S/Stores FC   vs GO-Round
Unicem Rovers vs Abia Comets
............