The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • ‘NFF now free to hold AGM’

    ‘NFF now free to hold AGM’

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has given the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) the permission to hold its Annual General Meeting anywhere the NPL wishes or chosen.

    The NPL was given go ahead after a peaceful resolutions with its parent body, the NFF after a meeting held between the two at the Zone 7 Secretariat of the governing football body in the land.

    The Aminu Maigari led NFF had halted the NPL AGM originally scheduled for Kano but will now go ahead as being planned the Premier League body.

    “They (NPL) came and explained to us vividly their side of the story and the NFF body is happy with their (NPL) explanation. So all is well.

    “We (NFF) will now write officially to them (NPL) to permit them to go ahead with their programs (AGM). So all is well,” the NFF Media Committee boss Emeka Inyama who is also a Board member of the NFF told SportingLife.

  • We ‘ll not underrate any state — Rivers Sports Director

    We ‘ll not underrate any state — Rivers Sports Director

    Rivers State Director of Sports Daobu Harry says the state will not underrate any state in its bid to emerge the overall winner of the 18th National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Eko 2012’.

    Harry told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that Mr Tele Ikuru, the Deputy Governor of the state and leader of Team Rivers to the games, had tasked the state’s athletes to surpass the number of medals won during the Garden City Games.

    Rivers topped the 17th edition, in Port Harcourt in 2011 with a medal haul of 299, comprising 135 gold, 79 silver and 85 bronze medals.

    The director said Team Rivers was determined to achieve the target set for it at the ongoing sports fiesta.

    “We have told the whole world that we want to remove the impression in so many people last year that we won because we hosted.

    “We want to remove this impression from people and that is why we have been telling people we are coming to Lagos on a neutral ground to defend our title and to bring back the cup.

    “That has been our aim and that has been what we have been pursuing for. Of course, the first gold medal in the festival, we picked it.

    “We should have picked the second gold medal, but well, in sports, a little mistake can cost you a gold medal, but we have not ended.

    “Today, our girls, just in volleyball, beat Ogun State 3-0 and we are coasting ahead, we are coasting ahead and we are sure that their aim is to bring back the trophy and win.

    “And, that is our plan, and that is our goal and that is where we are pursuing it to,” he said.

    Harry said that Team Rivers was aware of preparations by rival states, and would work hard to retain the trophy.

    He said the athletes had been charged to work extra hard to overcome all opposition.

  • El Kanemi set for pre-season tour

    El Kanemi set for pre-season tour

    Nigeria Premier League returnee El Kanemi Warriors are billed to take part in a series of pre-season matches which will see them head to three states.

    A club source told futaa.com that the northern club will play three games in Gombe while they will then head to Taraba where they are also play two matches.

    The Warriors who witnessed an exodus of players and officials after bagging promotion ticket last season due to security fears in the north eastern part of Nigeria are scheduled to wrap up their tour-like preparations in Adamawa where they will also play two matches before heading back to their base.

    The former FA (Federation) Cup winners are also in line for some pre-season matches in Chad and Cameroun which are border to their Maiduguri base.

    Futaa.com gathers that since the club started preparation for the season about two months ago, they have not been privileged to feature in any warm-up games due to a handful of reasons.

  • Team Ondo wins first medal

    Team Ondo wins first medal

    The Ondo State Sports Council has commended Wumi Olowokande, the first medal winner for the state at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olowokande won silver medal in the 48kg class of female judo event, after losing to Yemisi Okelola of Delta State at the final.

    The event was held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Multipurpose Hall B.

    Bamido Omogbehin, the chairman of the council told NAN on Thursday in Lagos that the state athletes were in Lagos not for jamboree, but to win medals and do the state proud.

    ”The state is confident of winning more medals at the festival. We are here to perform and not to play.

    “At the 17th edition of the festival last year in Port Harcourt, we came fourth, but we are confident we will surpass that record in Lagos.

    “Although, every state here is ready for the festival and all eyes are on Team Ondo because they knew we are always ready for the challenges,” he said.

    NAN reports that in the male boxing event, Omorusi Omoniyi of Team Ondo beats Alujo Usman of Team Kano 8-1 in the 49kg category.

    The event which began on Thursday was holding at the Gymnasium of the Nigeria Institute for Sports (NISports) at the National Stadium, Lagos.

  • Eguavoen boasts: Sharks the team to beat

    Eguavoen boasts: Sharks the team to beat

    New Sharks coach Austin Eguavoen has declared that his club would be the one to beat in the new season.

    Sharks are presently in closed camping in Calabar after about two weeks of training in Port Harcourt.

    Eguavoen, who landed a hefty deal with the Garden City side months after parting ways with Enyimba, told MTNFootball.com: “With what I have seen so far in camp, I can confidently say we would be the team to beat next season. We have been in Calabar for over two weeks now and with most of the team’s old players returning, we are making steady progress.”

    Sharks management has handed the former Super Eagles handler a continental ticket target for next season. Last season, the Port Harcourt outfit placed seventh on the NPL table.

  • Ex-D’Tigers star funeral begins today

    Ex-D’Tigers star funeral begins today

    The funeral service of ex-D’Tigers player, Chinedu Onyeuku will commence today at Fort Street Church of Christ located at 5922 Fort Street, Omaha NE 68104, USA from 5-8pm.

    A release from the Onyeuku’s family on Thursay further advised friends and well wishers wishing to pay their last respect to the deceased to do so from Saturday, December 1, 2012 between 10am to 1pm before the funeral services begin at 1pm prompt.

    The late Onyeuku is survived by children, Isaiah Jeremiah Onyeuku and Chinedu Jeremiah Onyeuku Jr.; Mother, Josephine Onyeuku; Father, Saul Onyeuku; Sisters, Kelechi Onyeuku and Ozioma Onyeuku; companion and mother of his children, Tiaira Erwin.

    Reports suggest Onyeuku was shot dead after ‘trying to rob home in Texas with an accomplice’.

    It was gathered that the former basketball player, was shot dead in a botched burglary in Texas before Thanksgiving.

    Onyeuku, 29, was trying to break into a home in Plano on 21 November and was shot and killed by the homeowner, Police say. Onyeuku had played for the Nigerian team that qualified for this summer’s Olympic Games in London.

    According to the Dallas News, Onyeuku and another person allegedly tried to break into a residence on Rio Grande Street in Plano, Texas the night of November 21.

    The homeowner told Plano police that he saw ‘multiple people’ approaching the house. The two apparently entered the residence by breaking a glass patio door. The homeowner shot Onyeuku, killing him instantly. His accomplice ran away without injury. Police are still trying to track the second burglar.

    No one inside the home was injured in the burglary. Upon their arrival, EMT workers pronounced him dead at the scene. It is unclear why Onyeuku and his companion were trying to burglarize the residence.

    The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, posted a statement, saying that the 29-year-old athlete played basketball for the team that qualified for the London 2012 Olympics. However, Onyeuku was not on the Olympic roster and did not actually compete.

    The statement reads: “His passion for playing with D’Tigers was deep-seated and he will be greatly missed. The federation joins his family and team mates to mourn a departed son, father, husband and great patriot.”

    According to online sports records, Onyeuku was born in the Nigerian capital of Lagos in 1983. He moved to the United States at the age of six.

    He played college basketball at Illinois State University and then went semi-pro for awhile, playing for the Arlington Bulldogs, in the American Basketball Association. In 2009, he was invited to play for the D’Tigers of Nigeria. It also said that Onyeuku lived in Omaha, Nebraska.

  • Maccabi Tel Aviv shops for Enyeama’s replacement

    Maccabi Tel Aviv shops for Enyeama’s replacement

    Speaking after the 2 – 2 draw with Hapoel Haifa in a cup match played on Tuesday, Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Oscar Garcia has hinted that the club will recruit a goalkeeper in the January transfer window to provide cover for Vincent Enyeama, who is expected to be named in the Super Eagles party to the 2013 African Cup.

    ”We look and look. Need to believe that Barak Levy is a young and good goalkeeper, but we will decide next month, Vincent will be in Africa and will have only one goalie, so maybe,” Garcia was quoted as saying by Sports Walla.

    Vincent Enyeama will miss at least five league games – against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Ashdod, Hapoel Acre, Hapoel Ramat Gan and Hapoel Tel Aviv – if Nigeria qualifies for the last four of Africa’s premier soccer competition.

    The Nigeria numero uno is under contract with The Yellows until the end of the season.

  • BATTLE OF CATALONIA: Moses, Mikel, Ameobi out

    BATTLE OF CATALONIA: Moses, Mikel, Ameobi out

    Sportinglife can reveal exclusively today that Barclays English Premier League trio, Newcastle FC’s Shola Ameobi,

    Chelsea’s pair of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses will not be compelled to participate in the January 2 international friendly match against Catalonia at Estadi Cornellà El Prat, home ground of Spanish side Espanyol.

    Disclosing this to SportingLife on telephone Thursday, Barrister Chris Green, who was on his way to Bamako in Mali stated, that the NFF is favourably disposed to allow the trio play for their English sides in that weekend’s matches and have asked them to ensure that they report to the team’s training camp in Faro, Portugal on January 4.

    Green disclosed further that home-based players would commence camping on December 17 whilst the Europe-based stars are expected in camp before midnight on January 4.

    Nigeria have lined up an international friendly match against Catalonia in preparation for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Catalonia, like other Spanish regions such as the Basque Country, compete in friendlies against international teams but are not permitted to play in official competitions is being coached by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.

    It will be the second meeting between the West Africans and Catalonia. The first match, in December 1998, ended in an emphatic 5-0 defeat for Nigeria. And the Catalans may be looking to achieve a similar result to provide a fitting send-off for Cruyff, whose tenure as coach comes to an end after this match.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), though, is delighted with another “high-profile” friendly for the Super Eagles.

    “It has been finalised that the team will travel to Spain for this friendly against Catalonia,” said NFF assistant Director of Communication Ademola Olajire.

    “This match is another crucial step in our preparations for the Nations Cup in South Africa. The players and officials are all looking forward to another opportunity to continue building momentum after the victory against Venezuela in Miami. The Catalonia side will provide a tough test at the right time for us.”

    Nigeria begin their Nations Cup campaign against Burkina Faso on 21 January and then face Zambia and Ethiopia in Group C.

  • …Train in ‘burning’ Bamako sun

    …Train in ‘burning’ Bamako sun

    Determined to overcome any obstacles to secure a ticket to 2013 African Under-17 Championship, the Golden Eaglets had their first training session under the searing 35 degree centigrade Bamako sun at the Stade Quezzin Coulibalily -named after the foremost Malian monarch.

    This team has gone through so much on this road to Morocco 2013 including playing less than 41 degree in the 4-1 victory over Niger in Niamey last September.

    “We know the challenges before us and by the grace of God, we shall overcome Mali on Sunday,” defender Wilfred Ndidi who has played every minute of the Eaglets’ last five matches stated.” The weather in Bamako is hot but it can’t be compared with what we had in Niger (Niamey).”

    The Golden Eaglets’ training yesterday took place at a makeshift ground with a well-maintained pitch, pending the release of the team’s official itinerary by the Malian Football Federation.

    Manu Garba (MFR), head coach of the Golden Eaglets reckons that the players must take benefits of being here on time and focus on the job at hand.

    “Whatever we are going through now cannot be compared with our collective efforts over the last months as such we must be extra focussed now,” Garba told his ever ready young guns. “The game against Mali on Sunday is our biggest match and we are confident that you would give it your best shot.”

    Coach Siji Lagunju, chief Technical officer of the NFF, who witnessed the training session, said he was impressed with the overall fitness of the players, adding that their movement on the ball was excellent.

    “ I’m impressed with the physical condition of the players and their fitness level because all of them were able to go through all the various stages of the training session which is a good omen as we build up to the game on Sunday,” noted the former Nigerian international.

  • secret romance: Martins hooks Balotelli’s sister

    secret romance: Martins hooks Balotelli’s sister

    Super Eagles returnee, Obafemi Martins, is reported to be in slizzing discrete relationship with Abigail Barwuah, sister of Manchester City attacker Mario Balotelli.

    According to record.com.mx sources citing Italian media revealed that the pair were captured on camera in suggestive poses, with Martins embracing and kissing Abigail.

    The report further added that the relationship between the Nigerian and Ghanaian started in Milan, Italy while Martins was playing for Inter Milan.

    However, City’s Mario Balotelli is deeply concerned and displeased that the pictures have been published as he does not approve of the relationship.

    Meanwhile, Martins coach at Levante, Juan Ignacio Martinez, has reflected that playing three competitions this season is likely to take its toll on his squad.

    Los Granotes won 4-1 on Wednesday night against Melilla to safely progress 4-2 on aggregate to the Last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

    However, it came at a cost, with Pedro Rios and Hector Rodas picking up knocks during the game and both now facing at least a couple of weeks out of action.

    “We levelled the tie early on, but they scored one immediately. During the second half, though, we noticed the difference in physical appearance and quality, began JIM post match, who then turned his attention to the players injured,” he said.

    “We seem jinxed in the Cup. Last season we lost many players as we advanced in the competition. I am not saying that we should throw the Cup, but three competitions is a lot for us.”