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  • 2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    Chippa United Goalkeeper, Stanley Bobo Nwabali says he is poised to give his best if he makes the final list of Super Eagles squad to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations holding  next year in Cote d’Ivoire.

    The former Go Round and Enyimba Goalkeeper is in the 40 man list submitted to the Confederation of African Football  (CAF) and with the squad to be trimmed to between 23 and 27 on or before January 3rd, 2024, Nwabali said he is eagerly expecting the final list.

    Nwabali who spoke glowingly of his admiration for the Eagles invitation promised to give his best adding that having the privilege to be in the midst of the Eagles is a great motivation to him.

    “I feel very happy. It is something I can’t explain how I am feeling about it.  I appreciate it even though it is not the final list yet,” Nwabali disclosed on  Lagos based Sports Radio station. “Everyone will like to give to his best to the country. I am ready to give my best and I won’t keep anything behind. I am looking forward to the final list.  To see myself among this  group of players is a motivation for me. I know I must work harder because the task ahead is huge.”

    Read Also: I plan to harness numerous underdeveloped sporting talents – Chanchangi

    Meanwhile, former Under 23 goalkeeper, Greg Etafia has appealed to the Super Eagles technical crew to give Chippa United Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali a chance to prove himself.

    Etafia, a former Goalkeeper of Moroka Swallows of South Africa and Lobi Stars admitted he never heard of Nwabali while playing in the Nigerian league but noted that his performance since he got to South Africa with Chippa United has been top notch.

    “I don’t really know him until I saw him in South Africa because it has been long i left Nigeria. He came in here not quite long but he is a top goalkeeper from what I have seen thus far,” Etafia, who now works in South Africa noted. “I just hope he can continue there in the national team. I will also like the Eagles technical crew to give him a chance and support for him to be stabilized.”

  • NPFL approve Rangers’ return to Enugu

    NPFL approve Rangers’ return to Enugu

    After playing away from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu for over two seasons the organizers of the Nigeria Premier Football League have accepted the request of Rangers International FC to return back home as from their next week home game with Shooting Stars.

    Rangers have been making use of the Awka City Stadium, Awka for over two seasons but with the completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and the inspection from the NPFL the league body has written to the General Manager of the Flying Antelopes, Amobi Ezeaku that the club can return home as from their NPFL Matchday 16 tie with the Oluyole Warriors billed for December 28th, 2023.

    The NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi wrote: “We refer to your letter on the above and the subsequent inspection exercise carried out by our team, and hereby convey our approval for the use of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu as your home ground with effect from Matchday 16 fixture involving Rangers Vs Shooting Stars in the 2023-24 NPFL season scheduled to take place on Thursday 28th  December, 2023.

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    “You are to ensure that all necessary logistics are put in place for hitch free fixtures, both before, during and after the matches. The above is for your information and compliance, accept our sincere sporting regards.”

    Rangers played a 1-1 draw away to Enyimba on Wednesday in a Matchday 15 tie and their return home to Enugu will be a big boost to Fidelis Ilechukwu and his boys ahead of their subsequent games.

  • SACT 2023: Akinwunmi relishes giving hope to kids

    SACT 2023: Akinwunmi relishes giving hope to kids

    The 10th  edition of the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Tournaments comes up on December 29th  at the Maracana field in Ajegunle and the brain behind the foundation is excited about the impact in the past years.

    Barrister Akinwunmi, the former Chairman of Lagos State Football Association and former 1st  Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation , said he was  always happy to put smiles on faces of children

    He narrated some of the feedbacks from the beneficiaries of the charity project

     “ I went to Ilorin a few weeks ago, a guardian of one of the children that attended the 2018 edition was telling me how the little we did at the foundation changed the life of the entire family, he thanked me for giving hope to their family through the grant given to their child which came at an opportune time. She told me that the child had since finished secondary school and was in University.

    Read Also: I plan to harness numerous underdeveloped sporting talents – Chanchangi

    “There are many testimonies not only from guardians and parents but from coaches. I once met a coach in Abuja who came up to me and said that his trip to Lagos for the tournament was the fillip he needed to get his career going and that he was now an assistant coach with a premier league team.”

    Akinwunmi said 20 teams will take part in the 2023 edition and all arrangements are in to gear to make it glorious in Ajegunle next week.

  • Mizo, Alimi score 10th  goal of the season

    Mizo, Alimi score 10th  goal of the season

    Robert Mizo and Sikiru Alimi both scored yesterday to increase their tally for the season to 10 each to help their teams secure positive results in Lagos and Ikenne in that order.

    Mizo struck for Bayelsa United in the 24th  minute to silent the home fans but Sporting Lagos equalised in the 90th  minute through Aliu Salawudeen. The Prosperity Boys are 19th  on the log with 14 points while Sporting Lagos are 14th with 17 points.

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    Alimi also scored his 10th  league goal of the season after he helped Remo Stars broke Lobi Stars’ resilience in the game. The former Lobi Stars attacker nodded home Ismail Sodiq’s corner kick in the dying minute before Adams Olamilekan made it 2-0.

    Alimi’s 10th  goal of the season returned Remo Stars to the top of the league table with 29 points while Lobi Stars slipped to the third spot with 26 points.

  • 2024 Budget : National Assembly to appropriate funds for Para-Sports 

    2024 Budget : National Assembly to appropriate funds for Para-Sports 

    The leadership of the National Assembly said it would make adequate provision in the 2024 budget for people living with disabilities in the areas of sports.

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Sumaila Kawu, made the pledge when they received members of the Federal Capital Territory para-soccer team.

    The game was held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

    Addressing the athletes when they visited him at the National Assembly to present their medals to him, Ndume, who is the Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, said special funds would be allocated to para-sports as motivation.

    Ndume said: “The National Assembly will join hands to ensure that there is adequate provision of funds for the people living with disabilities in the 2024 budget.

    “We will also expose them to the International competition just as some of our footballers are making waves in the International arena.

    “Recently, these people living with disabilities in the Nigerian Army recently went for a competition in Germany and came back with gold medals.

    Read Also: I plan to harness numerous underdeveloped sporting talents – Chanchangi

    “As you are all aware there was a recent National Para games in FCT  and over all, Kano took the gold; Lagos took the bronze while the FCT took the silver medal.

    “They (athletes) came to my house  and I told them to come to the National Assembly.

    “These are people living with disabilities who need to be given publicity because they are doing a lot of great things despite their challenges.”

    He added: “They have shown that living with disabilities is not the end of the world, If you’re able to live with the disabilities; it’s not the end of the world.

    “Most of them are married, some of them have businesses and I stood as guarantor to many of them to secure some grants to fund their businesses.

    “I have a couple of shoes made by some of them. They  are actively engaged instead of begging about the whole place.”

  • Monimichelle to train local hands in grass maintenance

    Monimichelle to train local hands in grass maintenance

    In his bid to ensure that more Nigerians are gainfully employed and have their minds off nefarious activities, the Managing Director, Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Company, Ebi Ezekiel Egbe has disclosed his plans to train local hands in grass maintenance.

    Egbe in a chat hinted that he is doing this to create employment opportunities in all the states they have projects and that to ensure more Nigerians get to work, he has replaced what machines could do at record time with local manpower to get more unemployed youths busy. 

    He said the reason for this is not only to spot unemployed youths but also to identify, train and incorporate locals in the company’s nationwide workforce and as well as in maintenance of sports facility equipment.

    “Monimichelle Sports we are sensitive to local needs and government determination to create employment in the state,” Egbe explained. “In the light of this as a matter of corporate policy, we have substituted use of machinery to the barest minimum. Task that a mini extractor or bobcat would perform have been eliminated in preference for local manpower.

    “As we continue to engage with the community in the project, we will identify, train and incorporate locals in our nationwide workforce and as well as in maintenance.”

    The Managing Director of Monimichelle Sports went ahead to state the advantage the stadium’s pitch his company carry out to others done by their competitors.

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    “At Monimichelle Sports, we prioritise your safety and well-being. Unlike some artificial turf options that use black rubber granules infill made from recycled car and truck tires, we take a stand against potential health risks,” he said. “Rubber granules, whether ambient or cryogenic, have been associated with concerns related to harmful chemicals.

    “Your peace of mind matters to us, and that’s why we strongly recommend against the use of black rubber granules infill in any Monimichelle Sports installation for almost two decades.”

    He added: “Our commitment to quality extends beyond just creating a beautiful and durable synthetic turf; it’s about ensuring your environment is free from potential harm of playing football on black rubber granules in-filled pitches.

    “Choose Monimichelle Sports hybrid synthetic pitches for a safer, more sustainable, worry-free turf experience,” he said.

  • Agbala community lifts Imo/Anambra River Unity Cup

    Agbala community lifts Imo/Anambra River Unity Cup

    The Managing Director of Anambra Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA), Eng. Gerald Osuagwu has commended their host community, Agbala for maintaining peace and unity with the organisation and for winning the Unity Cup.

    Agbala defeated Ulakwo through penalty shootout as the first leg of the cup finals which was played last week was inconclusive due to inclement weather.

    Osuagwu commended the winners during the grand finale of the first edition of AIRBDA unity cup held in Owerri, the Imo state capital yesterday.

    He noted that the unity among the communities had fostered development and peaceful coexistence of people and AIRBDA.

    According to him, it was part of the corporate social responsibility to foster peace and unity amongst its host communities.

    The AIRBDA unity cup was among the host communities of Agbala, Naze, Obibiezena and Ulakwo all in Owerri North local government area.

    Read Also: I plan to harness numerous underdeveloped sporting talents – Chanchangi

    Earlier, Osuagwu had appealed to the players to be good sportsmen as only one team will win the tournament even as he called on match officials to display the highest level of professionalism to ensure free and fair play.

    Chairman of the organising committee, Dr Chidi Amaliri thanked the AIRBDA management for the tournament adding that since the creation of AIRBDA in 1976, this was the first time the agency organised a unifying competition involving the host communities.

    He expressed joy at the skills displayed by the players throughout the tournament  just as he urged NFL to scout for talents and skilful players in such local competitions.

    The jubilant Agbala team expressed gratitude to God for their victory and pledged commitment to unity with AIRBDA and the other communities.

  • EU Court verdict: Man United, Bayern, others  reject Super League

    EU Court verdict: Man United, Bayern, others  reject Super League

    Major clubs and leagues across Europe rejected the Super League in favour of the status quo following the EU court verdict which said UEFA and FIFA contravened EU law by preventing the formation of a Super League.

    Manchester United were one of the first to say they remain committed to playing in competitions run by Europe’s soccer governing body UEFA, as did German champions Bayern Munich.

    United were one of the 12 clubs involved in the formation of the breakaway Super League in April 2021 but pulled out due to pressure from fans, governments and players.

    “Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game,” the club said.

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    Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur were the other five Premier League clubs involved before pulling out.

    Two months after the six English clubs pulled out of the project in 2021, they said they would offer a combined 22 million pounds ($27.78 million) as “a gesture of goodwill” to go towards the good of the game, including new investment to support fans, grassroots football and community programmes.

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    The Premier League said they would face a 30-point deduction if they attempt a similar move in future and each would be fined 25 million pounds for any such breakaway attempt.

    “The ruling does not endorse the so-called “European Super League” and the Premier League continues to reject any such concept,” the Premier League said in a statement.

    “Supporters are of vital importance to the game and they have time and again made clear their opposition to a ‘breakaway’ competition that severs the link between domestic and European football.”

    Bayern Munich said they were committed to UEFA competitions, saying the door for the Super League “remains closed” for the German champions.

    “The Bundesliga is the foundation of FC Bayern, just as all national leagues are the foundation of other European football clubs,” Bayern CEO Jan Christian Dreesen said.

    “It is therefore our duty and our deep conviction to strengthen them, not to weaken them. We are also committed to the European club competitions under the umbrella of UEFA.”

    The German Football League (DFL), which is in charge of the Bundesliga, said it “explicitly supports the European sports model and rejects competitions outside those competitions organised by the federations and the leagues”.

    The European Club Association (ECA), which represents nearly 500 clubs across the continent, said the football world had “moved on from the Super League years ago”.

    “Through ECA, clubs today are already at the heart of decision-making in relation to the competitions they participate in,” the ECA said.

    “Most importantly, football is a social contract not a legal contract.

    “All the recognised stakeholders… spanning confederations, federations, clubs, leagues, players and fans stand more united than ever against the attempts by a few individuals pursuing personal agendas to undermine the very foundations and basic principles of European football.”

    France’s Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said it “unequivocally supports” competitions organised by UEFA.

    The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) reiterated its intention to protect the national championships, “for the defence of the broader and more general principle of sporting merit and the respect of international calendars”.

    “The FIGC believes that the Super League is not a project compatible with these conditions and will always act in pursuing the general interests of Italian football,” it added.

  • NPFL: Remo’s late goals down Lobi Stars

    NPFL: Remo’s late goals down Lobi Stars

    • Bayelsa United in Lagos

    Remo Stars scored two late goals to beat Lobi Stars and returned  to the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League table after Doma United brief occupant stay on Wednesday.

    The Savannah Tigers had jumped to the top on Wednesday after defeating Heartland FC 1-0 in Gombe but goals from Sikiru Alimi and Adams Olamilekan changed all that in the dying moments of the game between Remo Stars and Lobi Stars.

    The Sky Blue Stars had tried everything to unlock the Pride of Benue without success until goals came in, in the dying minutes.

    The win returned  Remo Stars to the top of the table with 29 points from 15 games while Doma United slipped to the second spot with a point behind. Lobi Stars are third with 26 points.

    In Ilorin, Kabiru Dogo’s three game ultimatum as the head coach of Kwara United started with a win. The Harmony Boys had to come back from a goal down before securing maximum points off Plateau United.

    Albert Hilary made it the fourth goal in the last two games after he fired home a free kick from about 20 yards in the 20th  minute. Plateau United were reduced to 10 players in the 35th minute when Yakubu Adams received a second yellow card.

    The equaliser eventually came in the 73rd  minute through Kabiru Balogun from another long range free kick before Sadeeq Yusuf got the matchwinner for the Harmony Boys in the 84th minute. He celebrated the goal wildly and got a second yellow card and a dismissal in the process. But his colleagues held on for a win. Kwara United improved to the 11th  on the log with 19 points.

    Read Also: I plan to harness numerous underdeveloped sporting talents – Chanchangi

    Mojeeb Odufeso struck in the 76th  minute as Gombe United beat Katsina United to move to the 12th  spot. The Changi Boys are in the 15th  spot with 17 points.

    Sporting Lagos scored a late goal before rescuing a point against 10 men Bayelsa United.

    Robert Mizo scored for the visitors in the 24th minute, his 10th of the season but Aliu Salawudeen equalised for Sporting Lagos in the 90th minute.

    In Kaduna, Niger Tornadoes bagged a last minute goal through Bashir Usman to beat Kano Pillars 1-0 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

    While in Benin, Bendel Insurance pipped Abia Warriors 1-0 to move to the fourth spot with 23 points. Evans Ogbonda struck after seven minutes for his first goal of the season to secure all points for the Benin Arsenals.

  • Primitive husband

    Primitive husband

    • We commend Akwa Ibom governor for steps to hold wife abuser to account

    Domestic violence has been a recurring evil in Nigerian society. Not that it is new, and not that it is peculiar to our society, but it is gaining currency because of the increasing prying eyes of the social media. We have no clear statistics to show it is worse now than before. Social media has however piqued us with its urgency.

    It is not always about spousal abuse, but its various forms have not failed to fascinate and puzzle psychologists and sociologists. It could be between father and son or daughter, mother and child, uncle and niece or nephew, or it could involve grandparents or aunts. But what intrigues is that it is happening in the smallest unit of the society, which is the family. When the family is in plague, the society at large is in pain.

    This brings to the fore a recent incident in Akwa Ibom State involving a lawyer, Ekere Ebong. The man, on a recent night, subjected his wife, whose name is not in the public domain, to physical torture. The man, in the full bloom of a feral temper, inflicted blows on his wife, and the screams of the wife disturbed the neighbours. That aggression drove the wife outside the home, and forced out the neighbours who rescued her from her assailant.

    They made pleas to Ebong to leave his wife alone, especially as the woman was screaming because she was writhing with pain. Ebong seemed to derive a sort of demoniac delight from threatening the woman by asking her to return home, apparently because he still wanted to unleash more assault.

    The woman was half naked, and was bleeding on the floor outside of their home. Ebong defied calls by neighbours, all male, who first entreated him to restrain himself and later threatened to hold him to account physically. In fact, one of the neighbours found a perch for her to sit across the road, even as the woman sobbed. They started looking for clothing for her.

    It was a naked show of machismo by a man who had no sense of propriety. It attracted the attention of the governor of the state, Umo Eno, and a statement by his chief press secretary, Ekerete Udo, described it as “a despicable act of violence and spousal abuse…from a man who otherwise should be the one to protect her.” The state government has therefore vowed to “ensure that justice is served in line with the provisions of the law against gender-based violence.”

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    On the governor’s order, the culprit was arrested, and his picture in handcuffs should be a lesson to all those who deploy immunity because they can exercise power. The state government has vowed to charge him to court, adding that Ebong’s primitivity was out of sync with “our culture.”

    We also, like the governor, urge the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to institute disciplinary measures against Ebong so that a punishment can show him that the professional should not act with such reckless rage.

    Ebong belongs to a class of men with patriarchal hubris who believe the woman has no place in a decent home unless the man allows her. This is a hark back to a time when men were above the law, and their manliness and base instincts were the metrics of a real man. He did not show a good example of family in the presence of his children. A longtime neighbour said, in the viral video, that Ebong was a perpetual abuser and had been beating up his wife for years.

    Ebong is not a good father or husband. He does not even deserve to be called a man.