The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Okocha crowns Osimhen Africa’s soccer king

    Okocha crowns Osimhen Africa’s soccer king

    Former Super Eagles captain Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has tipped Victor Osimhen to be named CAF Player of the Year for 2023 after his exploits with his Italian club Napoli.

    Osimhen, 24, was top scorer in Serie A as Napoli won the Italian league last season for the first time since 1990.

    Okocha said Osimhen’s consistency at the highest level has won him the prestigious gong.

    “He (Osimhen) deserves it because for me, he was the most consistent player of last season,” remarked the former PSG midfield star.

    Nwankwo Kanu was the last Nigeria star to win the CAF Player of the Year Award in 1999.

    The CAF Awards ceremony will be staged on Monday, December 11 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

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    In a related development, Osimhen has yet underlined the importance of collective team’s efforts  as he eulogized his Napoli teammates  on receiving the Serie A Player of the Year award at the Gran Gal del Calcio held in Milan on Monday.

     “The people that know me know that I don’t try to get all the praises to myself. For me personally, I’m a team player, and I believe if I could share this award, I will share it with Kvaratskhelia and the rest of my teammates because we deserve it,” Osimhen said.

    “We were instrumental to each other towards last season’s success. This award goes to the rest of my teammates, the ones that are here and the ones that are not here.

    “It also goes to Mr Spalletti, De Laurentiis, and everyone that works in Napoli. The fans deserve it, and this award represents the whole of Napoli. I’m proud to win this, and it is the most important thing for me now.”

  • Aina wins  Forest’s  November goal of the month award

    Aina wins  Forest’s  November goal of the month award

    • Awoniyi vies for Player of the Year

    Super Eagles defender  Ola Aina’s strike against Aston Villa has been voted as Goal of the Month for November at his  English Premier League side, Nottingham Forest.

    The full-back opened his account for the club in Forest’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, with his first-time effort rifled into the bottom corner to give The Reds the lead.

    Announcing the result on its website yesterday, the club  noted that the  former Fulham defender, had a large chunk of the votes as  his strike received a 50% of the total vote.

    Aina has been in a rich vein of form since his arrival at the Reds Ground  and

    The 26-year-old has made a positive impression since joining Forest on a free transfer following his departure from Torino and last September, he was voted as Forest’s Player of the Month.

    Capable of playing on either flank, the versatile full-back has operated on both the left and right side of defence so far this season, producing a string of solid displays.

    Reflecting on his switch to the EPL  from  the Italian Serie A,  Aina  said  he was  having the best of time since he joined The Reds.

    “It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it so far,” he said  in one of his major interviews at the club. “The staff, the players, the city itself, it’s been really good to me so far and long may it continue.

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     “I was the first to arrive this summer and it was fun, I had Taiwo and Emmanuel Dennis here who I know from Nigeria, I knew Morgan and Harry Toffolo too, so it was smooth sailing.”

    Meanwhile, Taiwo Awoniyi has been nominated for the Nottingham Forest Fans’ Player of the Year Award.

    The 26-year-old striker netted 10 goals in 25 Premier League games to ensure Forest stayed put in the English top flight last season.

    He has scored four goals and provided two assists in the Premier League this season before a groin injury cut short his campaign.

    The other nominees for the award are Orel Mangala, Danilo and Morgan Gibbs-White.

  • Minister fires  NFF, Peseiro  warning  over AFCON

    Minister fires  NFF, Peseiro  warning  over AFCON

    • Says Nigeria’s thirty for glory after  10 year wait

    Minister of Sports Development , Senator John Owan Enoh , has enjoined the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro  to consolidate efforts at ensuring that the country win her fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title  at  next month’s  continental fiesta  holding in Cote d’Ivoire.

    The Super have been drawn in a tricky  Group A  that housed hosts Cote D’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau and  Senator  is rallying  efforts  behind the three-time champions  as he held a high-level meeting  yesterday with the leadership of the NFF and Peseiro ‘to deliberate on strategic plans and preparations towards the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).’

    At the meeting held at the Minister’s office in Abuja, Enoh reaffirmed government’s unwavering support for Nigerian football and emphasized the significance of meticulous planning and cohesive strategies to propel the national team to victory at the AFCON.

    “Our country is so passionate about football, such that amidst all other sports, football is about the only sport that has an entry in the nation’s national budget,” the Minister said. “That is how important football is, because whatever happens to it, happens to us as a country.”

    “After 10 years, the country is thirsty to win the AFCON. It will matter a great deal to the Nigerian people, and to the Government of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

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    “ It is important to not just leave the task to the NFF alone, but the Government is also interested in being able to tell the Nigerian people what is being done in that regard,” he  added.

    Speaking further, Enoh  reemphasized the importance of Wednesday’s session,  adding  the ministry would provide  all the necessary support and resources to ensure Super Eagles’ readiness and competitiveness at the tournament.

    Responding, NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau assured Nigerians that there is no need to panic, saying  all hands are on deck to ensure the country flies high in Cote d’Ivoire.

    He added that the NFF is committed to making sure the country performs well at the championship.

    Super Eagles gaffer, Coach Jose Peseiro conveyed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts and reiterated his commitment to steering the Nigerian national team towards excellence.

    He highlighted the significance of robust preparation and emphasized that the technical crew will work with the players to sort out grey areas and bring joy to Nigerians.

    The Minister commended the dedication and professionalism exhibited by Coach Peseiro and the NFF, stating that necessary efforts are ongoing to settle outstanding issues with the coach and assured him of an enabling environment to help the team thrive.

    As the tournament draws nearer, Senator Enoh assured football enthusiasts of the Government’s continuous support and urged Nigerians to rally behind the national team as they prepare to compete at the highest level of African football.

    The NFF delegation at the meeting also included 1st Vice President, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, Chairman, Technical Committee, Sharif Inuwa and Director of international competitions, Dayo Enebi.

    The tourney will be held in Côte D’Ivoire between January 13 – February 11.

  • Super Falcons: Ikhana urges NFF to offer Madugu formal contract  

    Super Falcons: Ikhana urges NFF to offer Madugu formal contract  

     Former Super Falcons  coach  Kadiri Ikhana  has urged  the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF)  to reward   coach Justin Madugu a  decent long contract after guiding the  national women’s team  to next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)  to be held in Morocco.

     Nigeria progressed to the 13th edition  of the tournament on Tuesday  after  fighting back to a 2-1 away win against Cape Verde in Praia, for a 7-1 aggregate win in the final round of the qualification series.

    Ikhana surmised that Madugu who had  stood in for American coach Randy Waldrum who  is stalled on a new contract with the NFF, deserves a pat on the back for a job well done  and should be rewarded a contract forthwith.

    “ Even when the Super Falcons  were winning laurels in the past, it was the indigenous caches who were doing the job,” Ikhana, the first Nigerian coach to win the  Africa Champions League trophy with Enyimba in 2003, said in an interview with Brila Fm.” Now that we have an indigenous coach who has won  home and away to qualify the super Falcons for the WAFCON, he should be given a contract “

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    Madugu has been an integral part of the Super Falcons for many years  and Ikhana said he has acquired enough experience that can stand him in good stead in ensuring the team rule the continent again.

    “ Madugu has been with the team (Super Falcons) for a long time and I t think he should be  the opportunity to lead them to the tournament in Morocco,” he continued.

    “ He should be given at least five year contract  to pilot the team and I believe with this,  Falcons would be back to where they are supposed to be.”

     In a related development, former national U17 women’s national team coach, Bankole  Olowookere , has tipped the Super Falcons  for glory at next year’s WAFCON.

    “The Super Falcons have all it takes ( to conquer the continent again)  but they should not take any team for granted when they go into the competition,” he said.“ Once, they respect their opponents , it would be easier  for them and  they should know that there’s no champions forever.”

  • Women’s  Yellow-Greens  off  to Uganda  for WC qualifiers

    Women’s  Yellow-Greens  off  to Uganda  for WC qualifiers

    Nigeria Women’s cricket team, the Female ‘Yellow-Greens’ are  expected  to depart the country today for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier holding  in Uganda between December 9  and 17 at Entebbe Cricket Oval.

    Currently ranked 30th   in the World, the female national team would be hoping to pick one of the two tickets at stake during the event.

    The qualifiers will feature eight teams that have been divided into two groups. Group A has Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana, and Kenya, while Nigeria will feature in Group B, alongside Rwanda, Namibia and hosts Uganda.

     Coach of the Female Yellow-Greens, Leke Oyede, said the team has camped at the Cricket High-Performance center at Edo Boys’ High School in Benin city for the better of part of the last six weeks, adding the players are primed for the qualifiers.

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    “The team has the benefit of being together for a long time and has put a lot of work to address the weaknesses we observed from the last events they took part in. So, we are going to Uganda assured of better performance, compared to our participations earlier in the year,” he said.

    Coach Oyede   has listed the team’s long serving captain, Blessing Etim, as the leader of the pack while unveiling his team with  other members including  Sunday Salome, Esther Sandy, Lucky Piety, Victory Igbinedion, Favour Eseigbe and Christabel Chukwuonye. There are also Sarah Etim, Abigail Igbobie, Lilian Udeh, Rukayat Abdulrasaq, Peculiar Agboya, Adekunle Adeshola and Rachael Samson in  the team.

    Nigeria’s opening match will be against Namibia on Sunday, 10th December 10th by 9:30am local time.

    The female national team had won the five-nation NCF Women’s T20i Invitational earlier in the year. The event featured, Rwanda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and host Nigeria.

  • Rainoil Grandslam Tennis starts today at Ikoyi Club

    Rainoil Grandslam Tennis starts today at Ikoyi Club

    The annual Grandslam Tennis competition sponsored by Rainoil starts today at the Ikoyi Club 1938.

    On Tuesday December 5, the draws for the event were made as club members are expected to be on parade to showcase their skills and earn bragging rights over one another in the competition.

    The men will compete for honours in the Singles A and B categories while the women are to compete in the Ladies singles.

    Veteran singles cadre is on the cards for smashers between ages of 60 and 69 while the players of 70 years and above will take part in the Super Veterans cadre.

    The team event will also be held in the tournament expected to run till December 16.

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    While the individual events start today, team events will serve off on Monday December 11.

    Chairman of the Ikoyi Club Tennis section, Akeem Mustafa, said yesterday  that all was set for the tournament.

    “We have been preparing for this for some time now and we are ready. In our usual way at Ikoyi Club, we set good standard to create the template for all participants. I am certain that all the participants will enjoy the forthcoming competition,” Mustafa said.

    Destiny Da defeated O. Emelie 6/3, 6/3 to emerge champion last year just as Team Retail defeated Jet Fuel 7-3 to win the team event in the final of the last edition on 3rd December 2022. 

  • Olowu eyes  WABU Title At GOtv Boxing Night 30

    Olowu eyes  WABU Title At GOtv Boxing Night 30

    Super welterweight boxer, Taiwo ‘Gentle Boy’  Olowu, is targeting the West African Boxing Union (WABU) super welterweight title at GOtv Boxing Night 30.

    The enterprising boxer, who is the national welterweight title holder, will square up against top Ghanaian boxer, Michael Ansah, at the event slated for the Tafawa Balewa Square, Victoria Island, Lagos on December 26.

    Speaking ahead of the fight, ‘Gentle Boy’ boasted that he would ensure the Ghanaian return to his country empty-handed.

    “I aim to add this West African Boxing Union title to my national title. As a national champion, I cannot allow a foreigner to come and take this belt away in front of my fans. This is a big opportunity for me to be a WABU champion. Ansah will leave Nigeria empty-handed,” he said.

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    Ironically, the more  experienced Ghanaian boxer has a record of 23 wins, 12 defeats, and three draws from 38 professional fights, while ‘Gentle Boy’ boasts of 15 wins and one defeat from his 16 professional fights.

    n the other title fight, Sifon “Best” Iwatt, will battle Saheed Azeez, for the national super flyweight title.

    Also on the bout card for the night are five other national fights, including a female national cruiserweight challenge fight between national female cruiserweight champion, Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole and Blessing Abisoye.

    Arabambi Ojo and Ibrahim “Golden Boy” Opeyemi will slug it out in a national bantamweight challenge bout; Abdulafeez “Big Name” Osoba will face Christopher Ucheji in a national super welterweight challenge fight, while Ayanfe Adeoye and Ahmed Ganiyu will duel in a national light welterweight category.

  • U-17 African Nations Volleyball: Nigeria edge  Cameroon  to set up final  against Egypt

    U-17 African Nations Volleyball: Nigeria edge  Cameroon  to set up final  against Egypt

    Nigeria’s Girls Under -17 team have qualified for the grand finale of the 2023 Girls Under 17 African Nations Volleyball Championship holding in Abuja.

    The Nigeria’s Girls defeated Cameroon 3-1 again for the second time in three days to pip the Central African to the final ticket and they have set up a date with Egypt today in Abuja.

    Unlike three days ago when the Cameroonians won the first set before the Nigerians rallied back to win the next three sets, the Nigeria’s Under-17 girls emerged victorious in the first set 26-24 in a nail biting tension soaked affair but the Cameroonian took the second set 25-23 to even the tie.

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    It was another close contest in the third set but the Nigerians triumphed 26-24 before clinching the final set 25-19 points to win the game 3-1.

    The final comes up today in Abuja with Nigeria slugging it out with Egypt who have played a game less than the host nation. The Egyptian Under 17 Girls had beaten Nigeria (3-0) and Cameroon (3-2) to qualify straight away to the final.

    Nigeria that lost to the Egyptians in the opening game had to play a game more before grabbing the second final ticket

  • Onuachu misses Trabzonspor’s Turkish Cup home win  

    Onuachu misses Trabzonspor’s Turkish Cup home win  

    Super Eagles attacker, Paul Onuachu was an unused substitute as Trabzonspor beat Corum FK 3-1 to qualify for the next round of the Turkish Cup.

    Onuachu who has scored seven goals from 10 Turkish Super Lig ties was rested in the game played at the Papara Park in Trabzon yesterday.

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    Trabzonspor will travel to Gaziantepspor for their weekend Super Lig tie billed for Sunday with Onuachu fresh and ready to wreak havoc.

  • Nadal targets competitive return after injury-enforced absence

    Nadal targets competitive return after injury-enforced absence

    Rafael Nadal has  insisted he will be “competitive” when he returns to professional tennis next month after enduring nearly a year out of action due to injury.

    The 22-time Grand Slam champion has undergone surgery twice in 2023 after struggling with a hip injury.

    He has said next year will likely be his last season before retirement and announced last week he would make his comeback at the Australian Open warm-up event in Brisbane, which runs from January 1-7.

     “I don’t know at what level (he will play at), I don’t know what to expect, I have no idea, but I don’t care right now,” Nadal said in a video posted on social media. “I’m just happy to be back and with great excitement to make the effort that is necessary to have fun and I believe that I will be competitive.”

    Nadal last played at the Australian Open in January, losing in the second round to American MacKenzie McDonald.

    He originally hoped to be back in time for the clay-court season and Roland Garros, where he is a 14-time French Open winner, but had to end his campaign early.

    The 37-year-old Spaniard has slipped to 664th in the world rankings while sidelined.

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     “It’s been a long year in which I’ve gone through many phases, from trying to get back to compete at the clay season, week after week, disappointment after disappointment,” said the former world number one.

     “Of course I have had many doubts, of course there were moments where it seemed impossible that this moment would come, but we’ve maintained the work, spirit and hope and I think I am ready.”

    Nadal is a two-time Australian Open champion, in 2009 and 2022.

    He has slipped behind old rival Novak Djokovic in the all-time list of Grand Slam singles titles, as the Serb won three this year in his absence to take his tally to a record 24.

    “I have finally had good training weeks at a level that allows me to have the possibility to compete again,” added Nadal.

    “I have gone through many phases, but today I think it’s time – I’m coming back in a tournament that I’ve played in the past, that I’m familiar with…

     “I know it’s a difficult tournament but I hope to be ready to compete, I don’t aspire to anything else but to be competitive.”