Author: Georgina Bode

Female football: Her game  foundation tournament kicks-off in Abuja

Tournament

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Her Game Sporting Foundation football tournament for girls has kicked-off in Abuja, with 16 teams battling for honours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden edition of the grassroots tournament got underway on Thursday at the Area 3 FIFA Goal Project astro pitch.

Mrs Pat Ayegba, Chairman, Female Football Committee, FCT FA told NAN, shortly after the kick-off that the tournament is meant to showcase and empower young female footballers in the FCT.

Ayegba who is the sponsor of the tournament, said that  the foundation decided to partner with the FCT Football Association (FCT FA) so as to make much impact.

“The Her Game Foundation is not just a tournament, but a movement, a movement that empowers women and girls to embrace their strength, passion and potential.

“Football is not just a game, it’s a platform for growth, for learning and breaking barriers.

“It teaches us team work, discipline and resilience, it shows us that with hard work and determination, we can achieve greatness,” she said.

NAN reports that the kick-off was preceded with a march-past by participating teams, and presentation of branded jerseys and balls by the sponsor to each of the teams.

Football stakeholders and board members of the FCT FA were also present at the entertaining opening ceremony.

The tournament which has female secondary schools and football academies participating will end on July 7. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BOG/MUYI/JPE

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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Joseph Edeh

Dominican Republic: Flamingos beat Liberia 2-0 to  secure World Cup ticket

Victory

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, have secured their ticket to the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals after defeating their  Liberian counterparts  2-0  at the Moshood  Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria had earlier defeated Liberia 4-1 in Monrovia in the final round, first leg encounter, bringing the aggregate to 6-1.

Chidi Harmony opened scoring for Nigeria three minutes into the game, when she outplayed the Liberian defence to put the ball beyond the goalkeeper, Makula Konneh from a Shakirat Moshood crossing.

Peace Effiong was close to scoring in the 17th minute while  Moshood hit  the crossbar  in the 18^th from 20 yards and  also missed a goal from a close range 10 minutes towards the end of  first half.

Chidi made it two in the 58^th minute when she when she placed the ball beyond Konneh’s reach as Nigeria seized the ball from a defensive slip-up by the visitors.

The 8th FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in the cities of Santiago de los Caballeros and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic on Oct. 16 to  Nov 3.(NAN) (www. nannews.ng)

BOG/JPE

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Edited Joseph Edeh

2024 Olympics: We are confident of winning multiple gold medals, Onikeku says

Medals

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Samuel Onikeku, the technical director of the Athletics Federation Nigeria(AFN),said the federation was confident of  winning  multiple gold medals at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Onikeku who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, said he is optimistic the athletes will win gold medals for the country.

“Our athletes are in a good frame of mind and we know that with the recent performances at the African games and world championships.

“We have that confidence that our team will perform well and they are determined to win medals.

“We want our national anthem to be played at the Paris Olympics stadium, that is what we are working hard to ensure that it comes to reality,” he said.

The technical director said 36 athletes are already on the road to the Olympics.

“We’ve qualified for four relays and 14 individual events and there are about 8 athletes too that will stick on the rankings by ranking.

“Between 36 to 40 and more athletes will represent Nigeria in athletics at the Olympics.

“My target is for the athletes to have a personal base for us to be able to win medals.

“We’ve been working towards this for four years and we believe that it will come to pass,”he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria will feature in 11 sports in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics Games.

The president said that the federation`s target is to be on the podium and hear the country`s national anthem being played.

He congratulated the Nigerian team for their wonderful performance at the just concluded championship in Ghana.

NAN reports that Team Nigeria emerged champions at the 2024 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), Zone II Senior Athletics Championships, which has just ended in Accra, Ghana.

Team Nigeria won 13 gold medals, four silver and one bronze to place first at the championships.

The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Region II seniors’ athletics championship was held from June 3 to June 6 in Accra, Ghana.

According to him, the athletes are determined to make the country proud in their various competitions.

He said the competition also serves as a means of training ahead of the Olympic Games.

NAN reports a total of 88 Athletes have qualified for the Olympics, as many others are still in the qualification process

NAN reports that the 2024 summer Olympics is scheduled to start from July 26 to Aug. 11 in Paris, France.

Paris is the main host city with 16 other cities spread across Metropolitan France and one sub site in Tahiti.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BOG/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Flamingos:  Olowookere optimistic of victory against Liberia  in Abuja

Flamingos

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The head coach of the Under 17 national female Football team, Flamingos , Bankole Olowookere, says his team is certain of victory against  Liberia in Abuja.

The Flamingos defeated Liberia 4-1 in the first leg of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualification series on Sunday in  Monrovia, Liberia

Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the target of the team is to secure a ticket and represent the country in the Dominican Republic.

“We participated in the last edition of the Under 17 world cup in India and we will participate in this year`s championship and surpass our previous position.

“This is possible with the help of God and that is our prayers,” the coach said.

Olowookere urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs to come en masse to support the girls.

” I was impressed with the crowd at our last match against Burkina Faso at the stadium, we want spectators to come and support these young female players.

“The girls are determined to win this last match of the qualifying series, they have done it before and they will do it again.

“The team is ready for the final encounter, the defenders, the strickers, midfielders, attackers and the entire technical crew are set for the game,” he said.

NAN reports that Flamingos will meet Liberia in the second leg match on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium 4 pm Nigeria time.

This year’s FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in the cities of Santiago de los Caballeros, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic from Oct. 16 to Nov 3.(NAN) (www. nannews.ng)

BOG/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Dominican Republic 2024: Flamingos ready to grab World Cup ticket

Flamingos

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Nigeria`s Under 17 Female Football Team, the Flamingos are set to grab their FIFA World Cup ticket in the Dominican Republic in October, as they take on Liberia on Friday in Abuja.

Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Flamingos defeated their Liberian counterparts 4-1 in their first leg match in Monrovia.

They will meet Liberia in the second leg match on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

NAN reports that goals by Harmony Chidi, Peace Effiong, Shakirat Moshood and substitute Blessing Ifitezue earned Nigeria a striking first leg win in Monrovia on Sunday.

“Chidi has been a celebrated talent of this qualifying campaign globally, scoring 11 goals in five matches and will probably add more goals in the return leg.

“The attacking strength of the Nigerian girls has been extraordinary, with a 12-0 aggregate win (6-0 in each leg) against Central African Republic in the second round,.

“They had 7-1 aggregate against Burkina Faso (1-1 and 6-0) in the third round, and a 4-1 routing of their hosts in Monrovia in the final round, first leg encounter,“he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria missed only one edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals till date, the 2018 edition in Uruguay  which Cameroon  edged the Flamingos on the away-goal rule in the final round.

The Saturday match scheduled to commence at 4pm, has Egyptian official Shahenda El-Maghrabi as referee with her compatriots May Ali Hassan.

Gamalat Ahmed Shebl and Noura Samir El-Sayed will be assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official.

Christine Ziga from Ghana will be the commissioner while Tesfanesh Woreta Hailu from Ethiopia will serve as referee assessor.

This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in the cities of Santiago de los Caballeros, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic from Oct. 16 to Nov 3. (NAN) (www. nannews.ng)

BOG/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

2024 Dominican Republic: Nigeria’s  Flamingos beat Liberia 4-1 in Monrovia

Flamingos

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 9, 2024 (NAN) Nigeria’s Under 17 football female team, the  Flamingos, defeated their hosts Liberia  4-1 in the first leg of the final qualifying fixture for this year’s FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup match.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  the match was  played on Sunday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, Monrovia.

The Flamingos got off to a pretty quick start in the match.

The Liberian girls,  who  shocked Senegal on the away-goal rule to reach this final round, warded off the early threats from the Nigerian girls.

Nigeria got the ball into the net after 14 minutes, but the  Chadian referee Lare Lamngar ruled it offside.

Not deterred , the Flamingos went forward once again, and in the 19th minute, Shakirat Moshood opened the scoring from a solo run.

Peace Effiong scored in the 29th minute to put a wedge of respect between the two teams.

Harmony Chidi scored the third goal in the 36th minute to widen the gap between the two  teams.

On resumption of the second half, Nigeria continued to dominate, and substitute Blessing Ifitezue made it four in the with 74th minute.

Liberia scored a consolation goal in the 85th minute from the penalty spot through Yassah Gwaikolo, after substitute Onyedikachi Ekezie  committed a foul in the eigtheen yard box.

NAN reports that the Flamingos will host Liberia in  the return leg  scheduled for Friday, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The tournament  will be hosted by the Dominican Republic from Oct. 16 to Nov. 3 and this is the first FIFA tournament hosted by the country.

A total of 16 teams from six confederations will participate in the world cup. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BOG/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Volleyball: NAF Rockets eye promotion to Premier league

Volleyball

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Team leader of Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Rockets VC, Fortune Bako, says the team hopes to maintain its lead in the Division One men category so as to gain promotion to the Premier league.

Bako stated this in an interview with  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

She  said that the team will not relent in picking up valuable points in the second phase of the 2024 National Division One Volleyball League.

NAN reports that NAF Rockets finished tops with 22 points at the end of the first phase of the just concluded league in Abuja.

Bako thanked the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar for his support in ensuring the team attends the National Division One.

She  also thanked the Chief of administration, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani for his speedy approval for the release of players as well as the Director of Sports, Air Commodore Abanum Magnus for his guidance.

Bako said that mistakes observed during the first phase will be corrected before the second phase.

The leader  said that recruitment of players as well as series of training was responsible for the exceptional performance of the team during the first phase of the league.

“I am happy and I think we deserve to be on top of the 2024 National Division One Volleyball League (first phase) because we put in so much effort.

“Series of training were conducted and proper selection of players were done by the coaches through the proper supervision of the Director of Sports.

“Losing 2-3 to LifeCamp VC is not a big deal for us because they were the champions of Division 2 and getting a point from them is a good development.

” Out of 9 matches, we lost only one which was against LifeCamp VC.I feel it was a first step and I am certain we are going to up our game when we meet in the second phase,”she said.

Bako who is  also the  captain of the women’s team said that the men’s team deserves to be in the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.

“The results of the first phase will not be a distraction to the players.

“NAF Rockets are four points ahead of LifeCamp after the end of the first phase. It is obvious that we are going to qualify for the Nigeria Volleyball Premier League next season.

“We will not allow the results of the first phase distract us as the coaches will continue to work on the lapses observed,”she said.

NAN reports that NAF Rocket VC finished with 22 points to occupy the first position on the table.

Life camp of Abuja VC finished second with 19 points, UCEM of Enugu finished third with 16 points while Oluyole Spikers of Ibadan finished fourth with 14 points.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVF) has not fixed a date for the second phase of the league. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

BOG/MUYI/JPE

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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Joseph Edeh

Volley Coach urges KSTG`s support for other sports

Support

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Tajudeen Abass, head coach of Katsina State, has urged the state government to extend its support to other sports in the state.

Abass stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

The coach said that the state was not doing enough for other sports compared to football.

He said that the state`s volley team`s participation at the just concluded Volleyball National division 1 league in Abuja, did not get any support from the government.

Abass said he and some players supported the team to participate in the league because of the love and passion for the sport.

“There was nothing like camp before the competition because the state ministry was not ready to help and support us.

“We transported ourselves, we got accommodations on our own, we fed ourselves, and there were no allowances for the players.

“We did not have any support from the state. The players played all their games and they were not discouraged.

“This lack of support affected the performance of the players during the competition in Abuja.

“We appealed to the state government to support us in our subsequent sports competitions whenever we are going to represent the state.

According to the coach, the state government allocates N700 million to football alone, ignoring other sports.

“We want the state government to support all other sports in the state for better performance.

“The same privilege should be given to other sports within the state,” he said

NAN reports that the Katsina team played a total of eight matches and  won only one game and lost seven. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

BOG/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh