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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Abraham may finally dump Nigeria for England

    Chelsea hotshot Tammy Abraham looks set to reject Nigeria and commit his future to England – if the striker gets called up for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers.

    Gareth Southgate has been monitoring the in-form Blues star, 21, in a bid to ensure the Three Lions don’t lose the hot prospect.

    Abraham’s dad is close friends with the president of the Nigeria Football Federation and he could yet choose the African nation.

    However, it is now believed Abraham will put all speculation to bed and commit to England should he get the call from Southgate.

    Read Also: International future: Thursday is D-Day for Tammy Abraham

    England take on Czech Republic and Bulgaria in their Euro 2020 qualifiers later this month.

    And Southgate will name his squad Thursday – with Abraham widely tipped for a call-up.

    Abraham has been capped twice by England – both under Southgate. But both matches were friendlies, against Germany and Brazil in 2017.

    Southgate even sent his No2 Steve Holland to watch Chelsea lose 1-0 to Valencia in the Champions League – with explicit orders to keep tabs on Abraham.

    Abraham has scored seven Premier League goals this season – including a stunning hat-trick against Wolves and two apiece against Sheffield United and Norwich.

  • Ofili, Okon-Georgace fail to make final in 400m

    Nigeria’s duo of Favour Ofili and Patience Okon-George may have run their last race in the women’s 400m, after the Nigeria quarter-millers missed out from the final of the event at the ongoing IAAF 2019 World Championships holding in Doha, Qatar.

    The duo ran fastest time in the heat events with Ofili running her personal best to berth in semi-final but their efforts were not enough yesterday as they finished below the fastest time to miss out from the final round.

    In heat one, Okon-George ran 51.89secs to finish sixth, while Ofili ran 52.58secs to finish in same position like Okon-George in heat three to exit the event.

    Jamaican Stephenie Ann McPherson had gone out a little too hard heat three of the semi-final, but that was not the case as she built a big lead through the first 250m. She also had enough in the tank to carry her position through to the line and win in 50.70secs.

    Read Also: IAAF 2019 World Championships: Oduduru: I’m frustrated with AFN

    Poland’s Justyna Swiety-Ersetic also ran well through the final 50m to grab second in 50.96. She looks on in disbelief as that is confirmed up on the scoreboard.

    The US champion, Shakima Wimbley, was in the running until 300m, at which point she stopped with what looked like an injury, although she was able to jog through to the line. Her official clocking is 1:13.

    The 2016 Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of Bahamas eases through the gears to win the second 400m semi in 49.66. Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson had started quickest, but the tall Bahamian easily reeled her in round the second bend before striding away for a very impressive win.

  • CAF Champions League: Enyimba’s Abd’Allah takes lessons after exit

    Enyimba head coach, Usman Abd’Allah has stressed that they have taken useful lessons from their painful exit from the CAF Champions League in the first round.

    The People’s Elephant were sent packing from the continental’s foremost club  competition by Al Hilal of Sudan 1-0 on aggregate after they played a barren draw with the North African side in Aba a fortnight earlier.

    Abd’Allah praised his players’ courageous display in Omdurman and described the only goal they conceded in the return leg as ‘stupid error’.

    He said it was unfortunate they had to exit the African club flagship competition but that they have taken the useful tips they learned and note it ahead of coming matches.

    Read Also: AHEAD FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP: Eaglets to depart for Brazil training tour October 8

    “I will have to say that even though it was painful that we have to bow out of the CAF Champions League we were not disgraced out,” Abd’Allah said at his post-match interview.

    “We were eliminated with our heads held high. I want to praise my courageous boys who gave their all in Omdurman.

    “We could have achieved a better result if not for the injuries we had in the game,” he noted.

    I won’t like to comment about officiating but I can say that we have a good account of ourselves.”

    Enyimba will still have another chance to remedy their season in the second tier African club competition

    which they have dropped to when the draw for the CAF Confederation Cup is made in October 9 in Cairo, Egypt.

  • AHEAD FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP: Eaglets to depart for Brazil training tour October 8

    The national U-17 side, Golden Eaglets, are expected to leave the country on 8th October for Sao Paolo, Brazil for the final build up to the FIFA U17 World Cup billed for South American nation.

    This much was disclosed  by the team’s head coach, Manu Garba through the team’s media officer, Francis Achi who explained that 30 players would  make the trip to Brazil before the final 21-man list  is selected.

    Garba was quoted as saying  that the closed camping in Sao Paulo will afford the technical crew the chance to fully access all the 30 players before a decision is made on the 21 that will don Nigeria colours in Brazil.

    Read Also: CAF Champions League: Enyimba’s Abd’Allah takes lessons after exit

    The coach, according to Achi,  commended the UEFA/CAF tournament in Turkey and stressed that the three games they played have enabled them to notice errors that must be corrected before the start of the World Cup.

    “It was a very good exposure for the boys especially after the last AFCON played in April,” Garba said.

    “Since April the team has not played any international  match and they met very stiff competition from almost all the teams that  took part in the tournament  in Turkey.”

  • Zenith Bank Basketball League: Air Warriors, Customs in early lead

    Air Warriors Women team continued from where they finished at the Abuja Zone of this year’s Zenith Bank Basketball League as they whipped Adamawa Super Flames in the four quarters to lead the Savannah Conference.

    The Air Warriors coached by Samson Sotiminu drubbed the Adamawa Babes 25-3, 49-14, 68-21 and 80-24 to establish the lead at the Conference.

    “Our goal is to go all out and clinch the title for the first time. We are prepared but we know it is not going to be easy but we are prepared for it,” Sotiminu said after the victory.

    Read Also: IAAF 2019 World Championships: Oduduru: I’m frustrated with AFN

    Also through yesterday are the Nigeria Customs ladies who narrowly defeated Plateau Rocks 53-49 and Blackgold Queens who defeated a sloppy Nigeria Army side 73-60.

    Meanwhile, the League continues on Wednesday with Plateau Rocks playing Adamawa Flames while Blackgold Queens take on Air Warriors.

    The other two matches are between Kaduna Angels and Nigeria Customs while Nigeria Army slug it out with Taraba Hurricanes in the last match of the day.

  • Commissioner demands more from finance managers

    FINANCE and account officers of the Lagos State government have been urged to go beyond reconciliation and cash book records if the state is to become accountable to the people.

    The Commissioner for Finance Dr. Rabiu Onaolapo Olowo made the appeal on Monday at a technical meeting with directors and heads of finance and accounts of all ministries, department and agencies of the government.

    The meeting which held at the treasury office resource centre, Alausa, Lagos, was the second edition in 2019.

    According to Olowo, “there is need for accountants, as finance managers of the resources of the State Government, to ensure that funds allocated to projects under them are not only judiciously spent, but to also ascertain that the projects executed are commensurate with the resources allocated for such projects.”

    “The whole essence of this”, according to him, “is for them to be more diligent in the discharge of their responsibilities and also ensure thorough compliance with all financials laws and regulations guiding the profession.

    “Finance and Accounts officers have been on top of their duties but I want them to go a step further by placing the value of projects side by side with the value of resources committed to such projects, this will allow government have value for every kobo of Lagosians spent because we are accountable to members of the public,” the Commissioner added.

    The State Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, Mrs. Abimbola Umar, said the State Government will continue to train its Finance and Accounts officers in International Public Sector Accounting Standards, (IPSAS) to ensure that accountants working with the Government are IPSAS certified.

     

     

  • Council chief to public officers: fulfil your campaign promises

    THE Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos, Hon Shuaib Fatia Ajidagba has urged public officers holders to deliver on their campaign promises as that would help them live a good legacy.

    Ajidagba said this at the Lagos City Biggest Leadership conference and award organised by Success in Leadership Conference 2019 in conjunction with Hall of Fame.

    The event brought together government representatives, business leaders, and youths.

    The chairman said that government at all levels must be responsible to the needs of the people as Nigeria is in dire need of development. Public office holders should, therefore, be alive to their responsibilities, he said.

    He asserted that leadership is about influence, impact and leaving a good legacy for others to follow, adding that Nigerians will be better off if leaders do things that better the lot of the people.

    He said it is sad that many public office holders have become self-centered and self-serving rather than serving the communities and the nation, adding that Nigerians are wiser now and would speak out with their votes.

  • Fleet-footed Dennis’ brace nearly ruined Real Madrid

    Super Eagles forward, Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis was the cynosure of all eyes at the Bernabeu on Tuesday as he scored a first half brace against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League but the Belgian side couldn’t hold to their lead.

    Real Madrid were battered by Paris Saint-Germain in the opening match of their Champions’ League group and their game at home against Club Brugge was expected to set them back on course in the competition, but Zinedine Zidane’s side suffered a nightmare start.

    Dennis put his side ahead after just nine minutes with a goal that was initially ruled out for offside, before VAR came to their rescue, and doubled the lead with a deft chip over Thibaut Courtois on 40 minutes.

    Ramos headed the Spanish side back into the game after 55 minutes despite the fact he’d initially looked offside from the cross, but VAR confirmed it was indeed a goal.

    Read Also: Olayinka leads Slavia Prague against Dortmund

    Ruud Vormer was sent off after 84 minutes for a second bookable offence and Casemiro made it 2-2 from the resulting free kick.

    Dennis’ first goal for Club Brugge is the fastest they have ever scored in a Champions League game (8 minutes, 9 seconds) and the 23-year-old became the third Nigerian to score against Real Madrid in the competition, after James Obiorah and Ayila Yussuf.

    Compatriot David Okereke was not listed for the Belgian side despite scoring a brace last weekend and was replaced in the team by South African international, Percy Tau.

  • IAAF 2019 World Championships: Oduduru: I’m frustrated with AFN

    Following the criticisms that trailed his absence in the men’s 100m at the IAAF 2019 World Championships, Divine Oduduru has opened up on his frustration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

    In an interview posted on YouTube yesterday, the America-based sprinter said: “I was frustrated with my federation as IAAF has nothing to do with what happened to me because, if my country does what they are supposed to do, IAAF won’t have issues with us. I am not going to say I lose faith in IAAF because it’s a system that we need to go through.

    “There are rules that guide everyone, so if we don’t want to follow the rules, things are not going to go right. We don’t expect to think we can change the rules, rules are made for everyone to follow, so that my country does not do what they are supposed to do does not mean that I would have to lose faith in the people that are following the rules and regulations.”

    Read Also: Fleet-footed Dennis’ brace nearly ruined Real Madrid

    Revealing his frustration, he added: “It was in the afternoon of the day we were to run the 200m that I found out I was going to run and I think they have been working towards ensuring that I was listed for the event, so when they said I can run finally I just have to get my body ready.”

    The athlete that failed to make the 200m finals, further lamented the neglect of athletes by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), saying: “Now nobody wants to know what happened, nobody wants to understand what happened, people just going around, saying all sort of things. Sometimes they should listen to we athlete because we are the ones that are doing these events.

    “The way I was proud to put on my school clothes to run is the same way I’m proud to put on my country clothes to run. I don’t want to pay my flight ticket to meet and sit down and watch. This is the biggest meet in my career, so you’re not going to call it a joke.”

    Meanwhile, Oduduru said he was looking forward to new season in readiness for Tokyo 2020.

    “I’m not going to lie; I came here to get a medal because I was ranked number two in the world this year,” he said. “The next thing for me is to go back, sit down, meditate, get good rest and get ready for next season.”

  • International future: Thursday is D-Day for Tammy Abraham

     

    Which way for Nigeria-born England junior international Tammy Abraham?  Will the 21 year old play for the Three Lions under Coach Gareth Southgate or settle for Super Eagles under Coach Gernot Rohr?

    Thursday will be decision day for the Chelsea forward who has since netted seven goals for the Stamford Bridge landlords. Both countries have shown interest in having him commit to international future and several stakeholders have offered him useful advice on the pros and cons of choosing one of the countries.

    Decision time for Chelsea forward Tammy

    Gareth Southgate is set to play a double header in the Euro qualifiers against Czech Republic and Bulgaria respectively and there are indications that his final 23-man team will be announced on Thursday. There are equally insinuations in some quarters that Tammy might get a last minute call up.

    Should Tammy who is sure to feature in Chelsea’s Champions league against Lille today  feature in any of the qualifiers lined up for the Three Lions  next weekend, he would put paid to the unending debate over which country he will settle for. Only recently former Millwall and Wimbledon striker John Fashanu advised Tammy to learn from his mistake and join the Super Eagles where he stands a chance of playing many national matches that will help his international career.