The Nation Newspaper

Tag: beat

  • Dodan Warriors beat Kwara Falcons 64-76

    Dodan Warriors beat Kwara Falcons 64-76

    Former champions, Dodan Warriors became the only basketball team that secured an away win at the weekend after defeating Kwara Falcons, 64-76 in the Atlantic Conference of the DSTV Premier Basketball League Week 8 game played at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Kwara State Stadium.

    After their proprietor, Rt. Col. Sam Ahmedu gave a vote of confidence on the backroom staff in spite of their loss to Customs and their unimpressive win against Police Baton, the Warriors went to Ilorin full of confidence and were able to survive the onslaught of the home team.

    Coach Ayinla Johnson returned to the sideline to guide Union Bank to a 72-60 point victory over Customs at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.

    The Stallion Boys won all the four quarters 16-11, 36-26, 51-42, 72-60, but in a chat with SportingLife after the game, Ayinla said there is lot to be done on the team despite the fact that they dominated the game.

    “I’ve not really sat down to check the stats but I’m surprised that we won all the quarters because I thought most of the time we shot ourselves on the foot, most of the time we let them back into the game. I think we still don’t have that killer instinct yet. We allow people to come back into the game. So, we have work to do. I want guys that when you have people down, you bury them. You don’t have people down and still allow them to get back into the game,” said Ayinla.

    After suffering their second loss of the season to Union Bank in Week 7 game, Atlantic conference table toppers Lagos Islanders got back to winning ways defeating bottom of the log Police Baton 65-51.

    In-form Oluyole Warriors defeated Royal Hoopers 75-70 points at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan to revenge their narrow defeat to the financially troubled former champions in Port Harcourt in week 2.

    In the Savanna Conference, High flying Kano Pillars continued their imperious form that has seen them go unbeaten in the league this season defeating Immigration with a wide margin of 90-56 points at the Sanni Abacha Stadium. The Premier league’s defending champions are now record 8 wins in 8 matches.

    Plateau Peaks got their playoffs dreams back to life when they defeated relegation threatened Niger Potters 63-40 points.

    Having failed to honour their week 7 fixture in Gombe, Potters could not avoid their seventh loss in eight games this season in Jos.

  • Union Bank beat Islanders 80-73 in Lagos derby

    Union Bank beat Islanders 80-73 in Lagos derby

    Union Bank made a bold statement at the weekend by defeating Atlantic Conference table toppers Lagos Islanders 80-73 in the Week 7 of the DStv Premier Basketball League game at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere.

    The Coach Ayinla Johnson tutored side who lost their three games winning streak against Oluyole Warriors in Ibadan in Week 6, was able to rally back after losing the first quarter by 13-16 points to take the remaining three quarters 39-34, 62-50, 80-73. The win, however ,prevented Coach Lateef Erinfolami’s side from achieving four consecutive win.

    In other Atlantic games, Police Baton ,who were without their head coach Dominic Dike and influential forward Malu Williams due to suspension, lost 66-71 Dodan Warriors.

    The Oluyole Warriors, who are currently enjoying a rich vein of form this season picked an away win with a 68-64 points victory over Customs.

    The Scott Nnaji tutored Customs who came back to defeat Dodan Warriors 62-53 in Week 6 game were however short of that spirited display against the Warriors who have now won five of their seven games this season.

    Former champions, Royal Hoopers suffered their fifth straight loss to Kwara Falcons 71-49 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Ilorin Township stadium.

    In the Savannah Conference, Kano Pillars continued to set the pace by defeating northern rivals Kada Stars 84-36 at the Sanni Abacha Stadium in Kano.

    Other matches in the conference saw Mark Mentors securing a 51-62 away victory over Bauchi Nets in Bauchi, while Gombe Bulls secured the match full points with ease after the team walked over Niger Potters.

  • Sewe Sport beat Bayelsa United 2-0

    Sewe Sport beat Bayelsa United 2-0

    Bayelsa United suffered a temporary setback in its bid to qualify for the group stages of the ongoing CAF Confederation Cup when they lost 2-0 to Sewe Sport in the first leg play-off clash in Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

    Roger Assale’s double strike in the 45th and 90th minutes gave the West African side a lead into the second leg slated for Sapele Township stadium, Sapele next weekend.

    The only Nigeria representative in the continental stage may be seen to be walking a tight rope in advancing to the next stage of the competition but the Restoration Boys could still make it to the money spinning stages if they can overturn the two goals deficit.

    The team is expected to arrive in Lagos today after Sunday’s game in Cote d’Ivoire before connecting a bus to Sapele on Tuesday.

  • El Kanemi beat Lobi 2-0

    El Kanemi beat Lobi 2-0

    El Kanemi Warriors’ head coach, Salisu Yusuf has praised the resilience of his players who defied the scorching sun to beat Lobi Stars 2-0 in Kano.

    The game, played at the Kano Pillars Stadium by 2pm, was the opener of the double header games slated for that centre in the Glo Premier League Week 6 yesterday.

    Yusuf, who has guided his wards to eight points from six matches, said his players deserved to be praised for their fighting spirits at securing maximum points against a difficult Lobi side.

    “We got burnt out because of the scorching sun but I will have to thank my players for rising up to the occasion despite the unfavourable weather. Lobi were a good side but we thank God that we won at the end,” Yusuf told SportingLife.

    Still smarting from the point gained from the verdict from the League Management Company (LMC) in their abandoned match with Bayelsa United, El Kanemi swarmed on their visitors from the kick off of the match and their barge on their opponents paid dividends after Obioma Arinze slotted the opening goal in the 38th minute.

    At the re-start of the second half, El Kanemi Warriors were not satisfied with their lone goal lead and their incessant threat to the vital area of Lobi resulted into the second goal in the 57th minute after their former player, Emmanuel Ajia’s precise shot sailed beyond the reach of Lobi’s goalkeeper, Terkaa Melai.

     

  • Nigeria will beat France in 2nd round —Enyeama

    Nigeria will beat France in 2nd round —Enyeama

    SUPER Eagles shot stopper, Vincent Enyeama says he would be a happy man if Nigeria gets to the quarter-finals by ending France Le Blues 2014 World Cup campaign in the second round.

    The Lille Metropole number one expressed his desire in a pre-match chat ahead Friday’s French League 1 clash against big cash spenders, Monaco.

    Its three months to Brazil, what are your feelings?

    “The World Cup is a another competition I want to go to with much happiness. We’ll see what happens to Nigeria against Iran, Bosnia and Argentina. All of these nations will be facing us in the group stages, so we’ll take them very seriously.

    “And I hope that we get pass the group stage and who knows, may be defeat France in the second round to qualify for quarters.”

    On the game against Monaco, “Its nine games to go and 27 points at stake, the target will be to take the maximum.

    “Right now, we have all our injured players back; this will help us secure a 3rd spot on the log.

    “The second place occupied by AS Monaco shows that they are a quality team. It has a mix of young talent and experienced players. The best examples are James, who lately has been very efficient, and Berbatov, an excellent striker who joined Monaco in the winter window. But the beautiful part lies ahead.

    “When we confronted PSG in December, we had thought that we could get a point, unfortunately we lost, but we played a good game, which was very interesting.

    “So, I ‘m excited and looking forward to facing Monaco again.”

  • Enyimba beat Nembe 2-0

    Enyimba beat Nembe 2-0

    Enyimba of Aba have beaten Nembe City 2-0 at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, to move to 5th on the log with 38 points from 24 games in the Globacom Premier League.

    Two goals from Bishop Onyeudo in the 18th and 40th minutes saw the Aba Millionaires get another three points ahead of their crunch trip to Warri to tackle Wolves.

    It was Onyeudo’s 11th goal of the campaign after he crossed over from Gombe United at the start of the second stanza.

    The tie also saw the debut of veteran league player, Victor Ezeji who has just moved to Enyimba from Sharks of Port Harcourt.

    Ezeji was introduced to Aba fans to thunderous applause from the stands as he came on for Daniel Etor in the 76th minute of the game.

    At Owerri, Heartland lost their third home match of the season to Kwara United at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

    The game was played under closed doors and it was the club’s second home match of the three they are billed to play without their fans after crowd violence during the Naze Millionaires’ 0-1 home loss to Enyimba on match day 20.

    Idi Lawal scored the only goal of the match for the Afonja Warriors in the 55th minute of the tension-soaked affair.

    An elated head coach of Kwara United, Samson Unuanel described the result as best for the Nigerian League. He also hailed the maturity displayed by the home team despite the loss.

    “It is a victory for the Nigerian league. It is a new dawn too where teams can go anywhere to record favourable results. I pray it is sustained,” Unuanel said.

    Kwara United are now 4th on the log with 38 points from 24 ties.

  • Kayode shoots Nigeria into Round of 16: As Flying Eagles beat South Korea 1-0

    Kayode shoots Nigeria into Round of 16: As Flying Eagles beat South Korea 1-0

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday defeated South Korea 1-0, to qualify from Group B for the knockout stage or round of 16. The match was at the ongoing 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

    The Nigerians finished second in Group B with six points behind seven-point Portugal, which defeated Cuba 5-0 in the other match in the group.

    Olanrewaju Kayode put Nigeria ahead when he headed home a free kick from the left by skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun in the ninth minute. Defender Wilfred Ndidi came close with header after 15 minutes off a corner and moments later Kayode’s shot missed narrowly after he was put through on goal by Michael Olaitan.

    Shehu Abdullahi also missed with a header inside the box after 32 minutes and minutes later Kayode turned sharply inside the box but his effort missed target. In the 54th minute, Nigerian goalkeeper Samuel had to dive to stop Sunggyu Han right inside his goal area.

    Nigeria continued to dominate the game, but failed to utilise the chances they had created. Kayode then forced goalkeeper Changgeun Lee to make a big save after 73 minutes and seven minutes later, substitute Samuel Eduok saw his effort from the left hit the side net.

  • Wolves beat Sunshine Stars in Warri

    Wolves beat Sunshine Stars in Warri

    Warri Wolves finished the first half of the Globacom Premier League Season in seconnd spot after securing a 2-0 win over Sunshine Stars in their Week 19 fixture at the Warri City Stadium.

    A goal in the added time of the first half and another in the added time of the second half gave Wolves all the three points on the day as they end the first half of the League campaign with 33 points

    A solo effort orchestrated meters away from the center circle by Warri Wolves youngster Oghenekaro Etebo gave the host the breakthrough to end the 1st half 1-0 while Kola Anubi finished the business in the dying minutes of the encounter to end proceedings at 2-0.

    Sunshine Stars have a chance for revenge as the second half of the League stars with a home game aginst Wolves.

  • Youths beat Rivers traffic official to coma

    I rate youths yesterday went berserk, swooping on a patrol team of the Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMA-RIV). After the moment of rage, an official of the outfit lay comatose.

    The victim, Gift Amadi, who was trapped in the mob as his colleagues fled for safety, was pounded black and blue with working tools and other dangerous weapons.

    It was gathered that his attackers were provoked by the attitude of the TIMA-RIV officials while trying to arrest the defaulting driver of an unpainted commercial taxi cab on Godspower Ake Road, Port Harcourt.

    However, TIMA-RIV’s Head of Research, Media and Public Partnership, Gift Egboh, said: “The victim became unconscious owing to the assault and was taken to TIMA-RIV’s sick-bay and later to the Military Hospital for urgent medical attention.

    “These are officers-in-charge of Zone 6 Area of Port Harcourt and they were carrying out their lawful duties when they sighted an unpainted commercial taxi Jetta car, which contravened the law. Efforts to arrest the offender led to his abnormal behaviour.”

    “He (driver) alighted from his car and started rolling himself on the floor, shouting and raising false alarm, which prompted the youths in the area to attack the officers.”

    Egboh said it is against the law of TIMA-RIV to drive unpainted commercial bus or taxi cabs in the city of Port Harcourt, adding that Articles 2 and 13 of the Law No.6, 2009, states that: “All commercial vehicles operating in the state, especially in the city of Port Harcourt, must be painted in the state-approved colour – light blue and white.”

    Egboh, therefore, called on Rivers State Government to assist in the security of TIMA-RIV officials while on duty by providing the patrol team with armed security personnel.

  • How Presidency beat Council of State members to plan

    How Presidency beat Council of State members to plan

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday on the Council of State meeting in which the President announced the pardon of some high profile ex-convicts.

    Most members of the Council were not aware of the list of pardoned ex-convicts, especially the inclusion of former Bayelsa Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, until they got to the session.

    The agenda was said to be scanty with a heading merely referring to prerogative of mercy.

    It was also learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan met with the principal officers of the National Assembly and the leadership of the Judiciary on Monday, in a bid to stave off the likely backlash which a reprieve for Alamieyeseigha might generate.

    At the session with National Assembly and Judiciary leaders, Jonathan merely restated his commitment to the anti-corruption war.

    Most leaders at the meeting did not realise the import of the “renewed pledge” against corruption, until they got to the Council of State meeting.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “As a matter of fact, a deliberate strategy was adopted to keep the list of beneficiaries of the pardon under wrap till the last minute.

    “Some strategists in the Presidency were of the opinion that a leakage of the list, especially that of Alamieyeseigha, could ignite a public protest which might force the government to backpedal.

    “There were also fears that opposition parties might join issues with the government and prevail on their governors to shun the meeting.

    “The list was also padded to give it a national colouration and earn the sympathy of members across the six geopolitical zones.

    “These were the reasons why most council members could not fault the list because they had little time to debate it.”

    Another source,who pleaded not to be named, also claimed that sensing likely resentment from the National Assembly and the Judiciary, the President had on Monday met with leaders of the two arms of government to “renew pledge” to the war against corruption.

    The source, who was at the session, said: “Some of us did not understand the import of the renewed pledge until we got to know of the pardon at the Council of State meeting.

    “What the Presidency did was to place National Assembly and Judiciary leaders on a stable psychological plane ahead of the unfolding of his plans at the meeting on Tuesday.

    “So, the strategies were well-thought out and members of the Council of State were caught off-guard to buy into it.”

    On why reporters were not briefed after the meeting, another source, who also pleaded not to be named, because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said: “No council member, including any of the governors, was willing to go and defend the pardon for Alamieyeseigha because of public reaction.

    “Also, the Presidency was a bit careful about national and international outcry, which could rubbish the mileage gained so far in the anti-graft war.”