The Nation Newspaper

Tag: title

  • Ikhana hails players for League title

    Ikhana hails players for League title

    Enyimba have  officially been confirmed champions of the 2015 NPFL season dropping the curtain on a difficult season with a goalless result against Sunshine Stars at the Teslime Balogun Stadium.

    The last time the Kadiri Ikhana led his men to Lagos was in a Federation Cup final against Dolphins and though he’ll not be defending the Cup he’ll return to Aba with the League title and a ticket for next season’s CAF Champions League.

    “I am the happiest coach in Nigeria today for winning the title. This is special. Returning to Enyimba after 12 years to win the league. Credit to my players and the club management,” Ikhana said.

    Enyimba wrapped out the League on 70 points with Warri Wolves in second – They play their match against FC Taraba today. The top two teams qualify for the CAF Champions League next season.

  • Amapakabo backs Enyimba for title

    Amapakabo backs Enyimba for title

    Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo, is of the view that former CAF Champions League winners,Enyimba are favourites to win the Nigerian top division this season.

    Amapakabo, a former coach of Enyimba, believes that it will be difficult for the Peoples Elephant to be dislodged from the summit of the Glo Premier League as they hold a three-point lead over the chasing pack until they play Heartland in the southeasy derby on Sunday.

    “You are putting me on the spot right now. I think with Enyimba’s position they are in pole position (to win the league title),” said Amapakabo.

    Though Amapakabo is tipping the team of his former employers to win the top flight for a record seventh time, he is more concerned with the chances of how his team finish this campaign.

    After a 3-3 draw at Abia Warriors on Saturday, Amapakabo is hopeful that his team can win their six remaining fixture to take their total points to 62 and qualify for either the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup.

    Amapakabo is also quite confident that there is the possiblity of winning their remaining league matches of the season to brighten their chance of a top-three finish. Rangers’ remaining games are against Warri Wolves (home), Sunshine Stars (away), Kano Pillars (away), Akwa United (home), Lobi Stars (away) and Bayelsa United (home).

    “Every captain will always say his ship isn’t going to sink. But realistically if we win all six of our remaining games we will have 18 points and have a chance at the continent. (It is) very possible (to win all six remaining games). My players have the mentality to win games, and I play to win all the time. Our next game we hope to win and the next one after that,” said Amapakabo.

    Rangers are currently in 11th position with 44 point and are nine points off the pace on the top-three clubs in the Glo Premier League standings.

  • Defending my title was easy — Adekuoroye

    Defending my title was easy — Adekuoroye

    2016 Olympics medal prospect, Odunayo Adekuoroye has admitted she had no difficulty in defending her African title at the 11th All Africa Games, Brazzaville 2015.

    After a successful outing at the 2015 World wrestling Championship in Las Vegas, USA, where she secured Rio 2016 Olympics ticket, Adekuoroye still maintained her tempo to win her second Africa title at the Games.

    Adekuoroye successfully defended her title by beating Parfaite Menbau of Congo in the 53kg at the Masamba Sporting Center on Thursday.

    The Commonwealth gold medalist won the African title in 53kg when she defeated Isabelle Sambou of Senegal at the Africa Wrestling Championship in Egypt.

    In a chat with NationSport, Adekuoroye she was able to apply the experienced gathered at the world championship at the All Africa Games.

    “I feel so very great defending my title. I went to the World Championship and won bronze and also qualified for the Olympics. So my president said coming here is just like a film. I believed the experience I also got from my participation at the championship was helpful. I know with God on my side, no one can stop me in Africa and to God be the glory I claimed the gold.

    “I had a very smooth campaign here, my opponents were very easy, none of them lasted more than one minute.

    Adekuoroye is now looking forward to do the country proud at the next Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

    “By the special grace of God, I will perform excellently well. I will continue to train well and prepare myself for the Olympics.”

  • Niger 2015: Osimhen wants title more than Golden Boot

    Niger 2015: Osimhen wants title more than Golden Boot

    Gangling Golden Eaglets striker, Victor Osimhen,  has admitted it would be an effort in futility if he emerges as Niger 2015 top scorer without the Golden Eaglets as champions of Africa.

    On the road to Niger 2015, Osimhen was Golden Eaglets’ top marksman with an impressive 18 goals in 38 (official and friendly) matches, and has scored thrice in Niger, including  two spectacular strikes against Zambia on Saturday.

    “We are  happy  that we have qualified  for the World Cup, the priority now is to ensure we win the trophy because it would be meaningless even if I finish as top scorer,” Osimhen said.

    Incidentally, Osimhen and captain Kelechi Nwakali are the only two Golden Eaglets on the Niger 2015 score sheet as they have six goals between them. But Osimhen insists it is just a mere coincidence.

    “Personally, I’m not thinking as an individual because the team comes first. I’m not focused on all that because we have so many other good players who can score goals for us too.”

     

  • Kwara Utd eye Super Four title

    Kwara Utd eye Super Four title

    Kwara United coach, Tunde Sanni has said his side will be crowned champions of the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super Four tournament.

    The annual tournament is among the winners and runners-up of the divisions in the out gone 2013/14 NNL season.

    The challenge, which commences today through Wednesday at the Kwara State Stadium, llorin  will involve hosts, Kwara United, Wikki Tourists, 3SC and Gabros FC.

    Sanni said his side will use the tournament to ascertain their preparedness for the Nigerian top flight campaign in the upcoming season.

    “We’re hosting to win fairly on the field of play as we’re trying to rebuild and repackage Kwara United to our taste. We discovered that the state government has tried for the side but what we produced in the past was not quite good compared with government input.

    “We’re starting the campaign to right the wrong with the Super Four tournament. Though we started preparations a bit late we’ll work very fast to see how to manage the time available before the league starts.

    “We’ll use the Super Four tournament platform to test our preparedness for the Premier League campaign. I’ve the confidence that we’ll win the Super Four and that resolve will be put to acid test when we confront 3SC in match day 1 on Monday.

    “We don’t know the present strengths of 3SC or other teams but we’re determined to start the Super Four contest on a winning note and take it up from there to other challengers.

    “After the Super Four contest we will shift attention to the Glo Premier League match day 1 clash at Dolphins. We’ll do everything in our capacity to ensure that the presence of Kwara United is felt in the land in the coming season,” said the former Apa United coach to supersport.com.

    The Super Four challenge will determine the winners of the 2013/14 Nigeria National League season as the quartet are promoted to campaign in the Nigerian elite league.

  • Kogi kinsmen battle for title

    Trouble is brewing in Ganaja in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State over which of two brothers should occupy the traditional stool of the area. While one of them, Idris Mohammed occupied the stool in an acting capacity hoping to be confirmed later, his cousin, Yahaya Abubakar Umar was eventially crowned as the Anajagaku of Ganaja.

    This action has created tension in the sleepy community as supporters of the two kinsmen are spoiling for war.

    Mohammed has petitioned the authorities in the state on the development, saying he has been prevailing on his supporters not to take the law into their hand but to remain calm and allow peace to prevail. However, he is not sure for how long he can hold them down.

    Although there are two ruling houses in the community, he claimed that the kingship was snatched away from him by undisclosed persons and handed over to his cousin.

    He claimed that the “coup” was perfected with the connivance of Umar and some of his loyalists.

    Mohammed said the reason behind the development is the fear that if the throne returns to him and his family lineage, being the “rightful owners, the impostors might not be able to return. Even right from time, they didn’t use to snatch it; if you beg we give you, but this one was done with fire, cutlasses and arrows. The palace was locked and now the situation is ripe for war, but I have continued to appeal to our people to remain calm.”

    He explained that “the Ohi of Egunji in Adogo (Ajaokuta LGA) is the traditional ruler in charge of the whole area, and the Onu of Ajaokuta”.

    The Nation was informed that the Shaba of Ganaja title has been in existence for over 400 years, long before the creation of Kogi State and is recognised by the authorities. Supported by a cousin-sister, Zainab Banda, Mohammed said despite the petition to the state Commissioner of Police (CP) and the Director of State Security Service (DSS), things have remained the same as those bent on fomenting trouble within the community went ahead with the coronation. He claimed he was molested when he went on a peace mission to the palace of the Anajagaku.

    “I have written petitions to the Commissioner of Police and the SS, but still they couldn’t stop them. The situation is tense as I am talking to you right now. I want the Ohi of Egunji and his council to call this chief top order in case of trouble tomorrow. There has been peace and we don’t want this to cause trouble. We are cousin-brothers but we have to sit and agree. As an elderly brother, they pushed me out of the palace so that maybe I will cause trouble and government will push me out that I cannot lead. I have acted as Anaja of Ganaja for so long, but we later agreed to give it to the present person because he was an elderly person, but since he is now chief; the position ought to revert to me, but they tried to short-change me. I want peace in my community and I want things to be properly done. The council will now sit and come out with an acceptable candidate, even if it is him, but what is obtainable now is unacceptable”.

     

  • Chieftaincy title for Amaechi

    Chieftaincy title for Amaechi

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has been honoured by the people of Emohua Kingdom with the title of “Ugwugwu of Emohua”(the Pride of Emohua).

    In a statement by Ozaze Obillor and signed by the monarch, Eze Oha V. B. Okor, the eight communities of Emohua said: “The people of Emohua adore you and appreciate your administration for the landmark achievements brought to Rivers State. The many model schools, the modern road networks, the hospitals, the Greater Port Harcourt Project shall all speak your name long after you would have left the scene.

    “In all these projects, you remembered Emohua, we celebrate you, we also appreciate you, we pledge our support and loyalty to your government, Emohua is with you, Emohua is for you”.

    Amaechi elevated Eze Vincent Benson Okor from a third- class to first-class monarch.

    He said: “In my struggle to become relevant in life and in politics, I have always served my people. If you check in Emohua Local Government, there is only one village that is yet to have a road.

    “The only road that we have not done because we owe the contractor is Rumuodogo Road. The one that is a promise is the three-km road, I made that promise and I will redeem it before the  elections. I will drive on that road before election time because I will come back here to ask for your votes.

    “In the history of Ikwerre, this is about the first time we are important in national politics, we will not sell it for the position of the governor.

    “This is the time when we will be here in Port Harcourt they will call us on the phone to attend meetings in Abuja. We will not sell it because of one young boy who, for reasons of greed, can even sell his parents. We cannot sell the right of the Ikwerre people.”

  • Udoh: Ikhana can deliver league title

    Udoh: Ikhana can deliver league title

    Former Akwa United striker, Mfon Udoh has declared confidence in the ability of coach Kadiri Ikhana to deliver the NPFL title for Enyimba this season.

    The Enyimba topscorer believes that the club can prevent the Kano based team from winning the league for the third consecutive time.

    “If you look at our hardwork and consistency in the game under coach Kadiri- we have played nine matches and lost only one, so it is very possible Enyimba wins the league this season.

    “If you remember at some point last season Kano Pillars were leading Enyimba with 16 points but before the end of the season it was very close that – the last match that was played between Enyimba and Kano Pillars, if they had drawn that game then Enyimba would’ve emerged Champions.

    “But Kano Pillars were fortunate and maybe that’s how God wanted it to be. Presently, they lead us with just four points so we can catch them and possibly win the league,” he explained.

    Udoh has scored 11 goals for Enyimba in all competitions since he joined from Warri Wolves.

  • DStv Premier Basketball League: Kano Pillars retain title

    DStv Premier Basketball League: Kano Pillars retain title

    • Mark Mentors cry foul • Usman wins MVP 

     

    KanoPillars exhibited the true hallmark of a champion when they edged out Mark Mentors 89-88 to retain the NBBF organised DStv Premier Basketball League at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos at the weekend.

    The victory makes the coach Sani Ahmed tutored Pillars the first team in the history of the competition with four titles out of the six-season-old league

    The thrilling final, which kept fans at the edge of their seats as the Abuja-based Mentors looked set to do the impossible leading by four points (88-84) with nine seconds left. But the coach Peter Ahmedu side allowed the euphoria of winning a first title become its greatest undoing, thus allowing Pillars energetic point guard Adeolu Olaiya to go on a fast-break for two points.

    A hasty ball-inbound finally cost Mentors the game as Olaiya’s steal  set-up Pillars hit-man Abubakar Usman who made a three-point with three seconds remaining.

    Efforts by Mentors to draw a foul or hit two-point did not yield result as the buzzer went off to signal the end of the game which Pillars won 89-88  (20-25, 21-19, 20-18 and 28-26).

    Mark Mentors coach, Peter Ahmedu, however, believes his team was robbed of victory. He revealed that an official protest will be filed to the relevant authority.

    “Definitely I’m going to make an official complaint. I want the federation to go back and play that tape and  to tell us why the referee stopped the game when it was four seconds left. Then we’ll accept our defeat”, a visible angry Ahmedu said.

    Kano Pillars went home with N1million  and Mark Mentors got N750,000 while both teams will now represent Nigeria at the upcoming Continental games.

    Dodan Warriors won N500,000 after claiming the third spot with a over-time 81-71 points (08-16, 14-22, 18-15, 27-14 and 04-14) victory over Gombe Bulls.  Nigerian International Abubakar Usman of Kano Pillars won his second consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Final 8 award. Nda’ Abu as he is popularly called also won the Highest Scorer award having ended the tournament as the leading scorer with 138 points in five matches. While Mark Mentors forward Abdul Yahaya went home with the Highest Rebounder award.

  • ENYIMBA 2-1 NEMBE CITY Ikhana: Federation Cup title race still open

    Enyimba FC head coach,  Kadiri Ikhana, has stated that  the Aba Millionaires next focus is their quarter-final tie billed for next week and that any talk about winning the trophy again may be too early for now.

    Defending champions, Enyimba FC have moved a step closer to achieving their aspirations of successfully winning the Federation Cup back to back after they stopped Nembe City 2-1 in the Round of 16 of the Federation Cup tie played at the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure yesterday.

    Mfon Udoh scored both goals for the People’s Elephant while Nembe City only reduced the arrears in the dying minutes of the encounter from the penalty spot.

    Ikhana who spoke with SportingLife shortly after the tie at Akure hinted that Enyimba’s players have been told to forget about the victory over Nembe City and start thinking about their upcoming tie with their next opponents.

    “We are done with the game with Nembe and the objective is to play the next one. We are happy about the victory but we won’t be distracted from the main objective,” Ikhana told SportingLife.

    Enyimba eliminated Sokoto North and Niger Tornadoes in their previous games.