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Tag: qualify

  • Sports Minister tells Dream Team VI: Beat Algeria, qualify for Senegal 2015 semis

    Sports Minister tells Dream Team VI: Beat Algeria, qualify for Senegal 2015 semis

    • Promises payment of players, coaches’ outstanding bonuses

    The Minister of Youths and Sports Solomon Dalung has promised to ensure the payment of all the outstanding bills, allowances and bonuses of the Dream Team VI within few days but the team should beat Algeria to qualify for the next stage of the ongoing Africa U- 23 Cup of Nations in Senegal.

    The Minister disclosed this to SportingLife after inspecting the medical facilities on ground at the Abuja National Stadium yesterday while assuring the U23 players and their coaches led by Samson Siasia of the government promise if they beat Algeria in today’s make or mar match and qualify to the semi-finals of the ongoing Africa U- 23 Nations Cup holding in Senegal.

    “When we talk of lack of funds we need to go back to the budget. If these things were budgeted for and they are contained in the budget of course it means they are due for spending. Therefore, the lack of fund stories has been so common since I came in but it has been at the level of whispering.

    “Not until some few days ago that I understood the (Dream Team VI) players in Senegal have some outstanding camping bonuses and allowances which I instructed the Director General of the National Sports Commission (Mallam Al-Hassan Yakmut) to source for funds anywhere within their reach and send it to the players in Senegal.

    “They actually brought the document yesterday (Thursday) but they are still tidying it up so that it can be perfected for payment. I think not too long, in the next few days we should have these allowances taken care of. But I think like I have said the attitude has to do with the budgeting tradition.

    “I have been in constant touch with the team and the officials in Senegal and we speak daily. I spoke with the players yesterday (Thursday). I want them to beat Algeria tomorrow (today) and make all Nigerians happy,” the Minister told SportingLife.

  • Falconets qualify for U-20 Women’s World Cup

    Falconets qualify for U-20 Women’s World Cup

    Nigeria’s Falconets beat their South African counterparts 1-0 in Johannesburg on Sunday to qualify for next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea 3-1 on aggregate.

    Falconets won the first leg in Abuja 2-1 with leading scorer Chinwendu Ihezuo netting a brace.

    Ihezuo also struck after 16 minutes in Johannesburg to win for the Nigerian ladies.

    The Falconets reached the final game at the 2012 and 2014 FIFA World Cups but lost to Germany on both occasions.

  • Itodo, Sanni and Godgift Qualify for Semifinals

    Itodo, Sanni and Godgift Qualify for Semifinals

    Chris Itodo of Kaduna State is on course to win the boys 16 title as he made sure of a semi-final place by beating Philip Abayomi from Ogun State 6-2 in his final one set round robin.

    The one set round robin matches according to the organisers, the International Tennis Academy, is to ensure that all the players get a minimum of three matches with different opponents.

    Also through in the boys 16s is Christopher  Bulus who beat Chris Joseph 6-0.

    In the boys 14s, Musa Sanni, the most promising “Almajiri boy” beat Emeka Chukwu 6-1 in his final round robin match to qualify for the semifinals. Ahmed Lawal from Plateau State also qualified for the semifinals by Gabriel Friday.

    In the girls’ categories, Marylove Edwards has qualified for the girls’ 16s finals where she will face

    Toyin Asogba. Chidinma Ezeh from Anambra will meet Rebecca Peter in the girls’ 12 finals.

    The SNEPCo Junior Tennis Championship is featuring singles competitions in five categories – boys and girls 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18s.

    The tournament which is taking place at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club ends on Saturday.

  • Falcons will qualify- Nkwocha

    Falcons will qualify- Nkwocha

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria arrived in Vancouver , venue of their last group game against The US yesterday, and veteran striker, Perpetua Nkwocha, said her teammates can still qualify for the second round of the Canada 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    Nkwocha told SportingLife that all hope should not be lost on the Nigerian side.
    The Super Falcons will lock horns with The United States in a must-win match at 1 am (Nigerian time) on Tuesday, in Vancouver.
    A draw with Nigeria in Vancouver coupled with an Australia victory over Sweden could see the United States still finishing second in Group D as against their lead on the table. Nevertheless, expectations are high in the Nigeria camp that star striker, Asisat Oshoala, will put in a professional touch against the Americans, just like she did to torment the Swedish defence in their first match.

  • Enyimba pip Buffles 1-0, qualify on 4-0 agg

    Enyimba pip Buffles 1-0, qualify on 4-0 agg

    Face Smouha of Egypt in first round

    Enyimba International have qualified for the next round of the CAF Champions League after earning a 1-0 victory over Buffles du Borgu in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

    The visitors headed into half time level with Buffles despite creating the majority of the chances in the opening 45 minutes at the Stade de L’amitie yesterday.

    In the first leg encounter played at the Enyimba International Stadium, the People’s Elephants hammered Buffles 3-0.

    Enyimba made an attacking start to the match, but both Kingsley Sokari and Ezekiel Bassey fired early chances straight at Soffo Souradjou, leaving the keeper with a couple of saves.

    A Buffles attacker tried to weave his way into the box, but the Enyimba back line led by captain Chinedu Udoji marked him closely to stop him getting the cross in before making the clearance.

    In the 42nd minute, coach Kadiri Ikhana made a tactical change with Bassey making way for Andrew Abalogu.

    Mama Seibou forced a stop from Chijioke Ejiogu who parried the ball to the woodwork.

    Six minutes from the break, the two-time CAF Champions League winners grabbed the opener.

    Substitute Abalogu stole in behind the defence to punish the ball-watching hosts.

    His amazing skills, deft touches and individual brilliance were crucial against the physical Buffles side.

    Buffles didn’t look like forcing a draw, as Enyimba held on to secure a narrow win away from home and a 4-0 aggregate victory.

    Enyimba will face Smouha of Egypt in the first round of the competition later this month.

  • Super Falcons qualify for World Cup

    Super Falcons qualify for World Cup

    • As Oshoala’s brace inspires Nigeria to 2-1 win over Bayana Bayana 

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria are the first country from Africa to qualify for next year’s FIFA senior Women’s World Cup after they beat Bayana Bayana of South Africa 2-1 in the semi-final of the African Women Championship in Windhoek yesterday.

    The Nigerian women dominated the opening minutes of the first half and should have taken the lead  more than twice with Asisat Oshoala missing incredible chances, but the Canada 2014 U-20 Women World’s Cup MVP and Highest goal scorer made up for her earlier misses when she grabbed the first goal for the Falcons in the 36th minute.

    The Rivers Angels star got a through ball from the left wing, out ran two of her markers before placing the ball to the far corner to calm anxious minds on the Nigerian bench.

    Her second goal came in the 45th minute of the encounter, Oshoala having being left unmarked in the far right, got a pass, controlled the ball and volleyed over goalkeeper Philadelphia Mndaweni in goal for the Bayana Bayana.

    Knowing that they needed at least a goal to come into the game, the South Africans stepped up the game in the second half with their quick inter change of passes spearheaded by the inspirational Portia Modise but it was not until mid way in the second half did their goal come in the most controversial manner.

    The Nigerian defenders rallied to clear on the line from a pull out that was sailing into the net while the centre referee Damaris Kimani from Kenya blow for an infringement against the South African, the assistant referee ruled that the ball crossed the line.

    With the goal line technology not available for the African Women Championship, there was no clear cut conviction whether the ball crossed the line or not.

    Coach Godwin Okon introduced veteran Perpetua Nkwocha for skillful Ngozi Okobi and Esther Sunday for Francisca Ordega who struggled in the game but it was the resurgent South Africans who piled more pressure in the closing stages until the referee ended the game as the Super Falcons avenged their loss to the Bayana Bayana at the same stage two years ago.

  • Enyeama confident Eagles will qualify for AFCON

    Enyeama confident Eagles will qualify for AFCON

    Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has expressed confidence Nigeria will qualify for the Morocco 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite a slow start to the qualifying campaign, which has seen them get only a solitary point from a possible six.

    Enyeama, who missed both games against Congo and South Africa due to ‘family reasons’, says he’s a firm believer in possibilities, and as a result, believes qualification is not out of Nigeria’s reach.

    “I have always believed in possibilities and I have absolute confidence that we can always achieve the best no matter what.

    “There are still four games to play and I’m very confident we will make it to Morocco 2015, we just have to keep the focus,” he said.

    Nigeria are third in Group A, with Congo topping with a maximum points haul of six, South Africa are second with four points, while Sudan are bottom with no points from the two games played so far.

    The Super Eagles will play back to back against Sudan, first in Omdurman and then possibly in Abuja, knowing that they must secure maximum points from those games if they are to stand a clear chance of qualifying for the tournament.

  • Quadri, Offiong qualify for main draw

    Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri and Edem Offiong secured their spots in the main draw of the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-sanctioned World Tour tagged ‘Spanish Open’ after advancing from the preliminary round of the competition.

    For Quadri, it was a dream come true as he will be playing in his first main draw of any ITTF World Tour after the Portugal-based ping ponger finished top in Group 10 of the preliminary round.

    Prior to his return to the ITTF World Tour this year, Quadri’s first attempt in the competition was in 2010 but he did not progress beyond the preliminary stage. Then earlier this year, he featured in two World Tours in Kuwait and Qatar but failed to advance to the last 64 of these tournaments. However, Quadri finally achieved his dream of playing in the main draw of the Spanish Open after a resounding 4-0 bashing of homeboy – Spain’s Carlos Franco.

    The last meeting between Quadri and the Spaniard was at the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) Cup this year and it was the Nigerian that won 3-2. Quadri was not deterred by the home support his opponent got during the encounter and put the match beyond reach of the Spaniard.

    With minimal effort, he ended the encounter 11-4, 11-4, 11-5, 12-10 (4-0) to join the seeded players in the main draw which serves off today. Before the victory against the Spaniard, Quadri had late on Wednesday accounted for the routing of Jersey’s Joshua Band in a match that ended 11-5, 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 (4-0) in favour of the Nigerian.

    He is now expected to rub shoulders with rated players in the main draw of the championship holding in city of Almeria.

    Offiong, who is also making her debut at the ITTF World Tour, had to be at her best to finish second in Group Seven behind Russia’s Yulia Prokhorova. On Wednesday, Offiong lost 12-2, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 (4-1) to the Russian but yesterday, she fought well to beat England’s Hannah Kicks 14-12, 7-11, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10, 6-11, 11-5 (4-3) in her second match of the group to make the last 64 of the championship.

    In the main draw, Offiong will face a Herculean task, as she will battle the competition’s number two seed, Japan’s Sayaka Hirano today on table seven.

    Unlike Quadri, Makanjuola’s good start in the competition came to an end on Thursday after he bowed to Spain’s Alfredo Carneros in the second group game that ended 13-11, 8-11, 15-13, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6 (4-2).

    Also the duo of Quadri and Makanjuola still has a date to keep today against Denmark’s pair of Mikkel Hindesson and Kasper Sternberg in the men’s doubles.

    But the woes of Ganiat Olatunde-Aruna continued in the women’s singles as she lost her three matches in the preliminary round to exit the event. However, Olatunde-Aruna will partner Offiong to confront Chinese Taipei’s Hsin Huang and Hsing-Yin Liu in the women’s doubles.

  • Enyimba qualify for first round

    Enyimba qualify for first round

    Nigeria’s remaining representatives in the CAF Champions League, Enyimba are through to the first round of the competition despite losing 1-2 against Anges de Notse of Togo in Lome.

    Abdulrahman Bashir’s goal in-between two goals netted by Anges sent the Aba giants to the first round on a 4-3 aggregate having beaten the Togolese side 3-1 a week earlier in Aba.

    The People’s Elephant were bouyed by the presence of the country’s Ambassador to Togo, His Excellency, Matthew Sunday Adoli and the players played their hearts out but lost to the better side on the day.

    Nevertheless, the team booked a date with Real de Bamako, Mali, in less than a fortnight.

    Enyimba FC started the game at a low pace which allowed their hosts to gain the early advantage.

    The charged atmosphere at the Stade Municipal in Lome did not help matters as supporters of Anges de Notse including the security men utilised every opportunity, no matter how slight, to bully the Enyimba team.

    It was during this process the home team scored the opener in the 30th minute against the run of play. Anges’ striker was allowed to roam through Enyimba’s defence and let off a ballistic missile from 25 metres. The ball flew beyond the reach of Femi Thomas in goal for the twice African Champions.

    An Enyimba official was assaulted despite wearing the approved accreditation tag while club chairman, Felix Anyansi Agwu was prevented for over seven minutes from entering the dressing room at halftime. He was pushed and ruffled before being pelted with several sachets of water. It took the intervention of the police before the attacks ceased and Anyansi was allowed to join the Enyimba players and coaches in the dressing room.

    Earlier in the first half, there was a mild drama when Anyansi, who was sitting very close to the technical area, was reported to the Match Commissioner, Louis Laryea for sitting on his team’s bench. But the Match Commissioner later settled the dispute with the club chairman still allowed to maintain his spot.

    At the start of the second half, the Anges’ players continued the way the first half ended but a long thrust from Enyimba’s captain, Chinedu Udoji met Abdulrahman Bashir in a good position to score and he did not disappoint.

    Bashir raced to the inviting cross with an Anges’ defender and the goalkeeper to battle with. He got to the ball first and displaced the already badly positioned goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an empty net. It was his first Champions League goal. The goal came in the 52nd minute.

    However, Enyimba’s loss of concentration led to Anges’ second goal in the 72nd minute. A free kick from some metres to the 18-yard box resulted in the goal. The Enyimba defenders misjudged the cross and the Anges’ player made a simple pass for his team mate to slot the ball beyond the reach of Thomas, who was absolutely far from his best during the match.

     

  • ‘Pillars ‘ll qualify for group stage of CAF CL’

    ‘Pillars ‘ll qualify for group stage of CAF CL’

    Baba Ganaru, Head Coach of Kano Pillars FC, has said that his team would qualify for the group stage of the ongoing CAF Champions League, following their brilliant start.

    Ganaru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, that the 5-1 victory over Olympique Real de Bangui showed that the team was poised to go places.

    NAN reports that Kano Pillars had defeated their Central Africa Republic opponents 5-1 in the first leg of the 2013 Orange CAF Champions League in Kano.

    “I am very optimistic that we are going to qualify for the group stage of the competition. We started on a brilliant note by beating them 5-1 and it is a good way to start the qualifying stages,” Ganaru said.

    The coach told NAN that the team would not get carried away with the result from the first leg, but would work harder to secure the ticket for the group stage.

    “Our main goal is to clinch the ticket for the lucrative group stage of the CAF Champions League and we won’t relent until we achieve our objective. We are already preparing for the return leg match and it will be better than the first leg,” he said.

    Ganiyu commended his players for the hard work they had put into the encounter and their adherence to the tactical plan for the match.

    “The players played according to my instructions; and if they continue like this, they will go far in the competition,” he said.

    NAN reports that the return leg would be played in Bangui on Feb. 28. Coach says players for West African Table Tennis tourney will perform

    Nasiru Bello, Head Coach, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), said on Wednesday that he was hopeful that the Nigerian team to the West African Cadet Table Tennis Championships would not disappoint.

    The Nigerian team comprising nine players will depart Lagos for Cote d’Ivoire today by road for the championships, holding between Feb. 21 and Feb. 24.

    Bello told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that most of the players were selected because of their exceptional performance at the recent National Schools Sports Festival in Port Harcourt.

    “Majority of the players were discovered from the school sports festival in Port Harcourt and there is no better way to test them than exposing them to international tournaments,” he said.

    Bello said the exposure would give them the needed experience to develop. He said the nine players had been training for a month to prepare them for the regional championships.

    “I made sure that the players started preparation immediately after the school sports festival and with what I have seen, they will not disappoint. They may not be exceptionally good now, but with time and

    experience, they will improve,’’ he said.

    Bello named the players for the U-18 male category as Jide Omotayo and Kehinde Awobajo.

    For the male U-15 category is Michael Obayomi, while Ahmed Osibanjo and Martins Abass will feature in the male U-13. In the female U-15 are Ifiok Udoh and Mary Mbah, while Tosin Oribamise and Blessing Eniola will feature in the U-13.

    The officials are Segun Oguntade, who is the Chef de Mission, while Nasiru Bello and Ajayi Olubode are coach and assistant coach, respectively.