Category: Sports

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

2026 WCQ: NFF to employ foreign technical adviser for Super Eagles

Coach

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it will employ an ‘expatriate’ technical adviser for the Super Eagles in the ‘coming weeks’.

The decision is contained in a communiqué issued on Thursday in Abuja at the Federation’s executive committee hybrid meeting.

“The executive committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

“Notwithstanding the challenges that attended the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games of the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, owing to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action.

“The Board expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some of the players to the National Assignment, and unanimously decided in favour of a more robust scouting programme of outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from across the four corners of the universe, who can add tremendous value to the nation’s flagship team,” the communiqué read in parts

The NFF also apologised to Nigerians for the Super Eagles’ poor start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with a pledge to beef up the technical department.

“The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologised to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

“The Committee resolved to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect,” it said.

Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George has come under heavy criticisms following the team’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo and 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in the World Cup qualifiers.

The result leaves the Super Eagles with just three points out of a potential 12. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/AMM

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Stadium

By Olayinka Owolewa

Ilorin, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Kwara Football Association (FA) says it is in possession of evidence that money realised from rentage of the Kwara State Stadium Complex’s main bowl was going into private accounts.

Amidst the raging controversy on the maintenance of the grass of the pitch, the Football Association on Thursday in Ilorin said it was officially withdrawing its services.

Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of the FA, Malam Idris Musa, said the decision became necessary to forestall a further clash of interests.

Reacting to claims by the Executive Chairman of Kwara Sports Commission, Malam Bola Mogaji, that N3 million was remitted to the FA’s account, Musa said that was incorrect.

Musa said the money, out of which N1 million was allocated to the Kwara Sports Commission, was not paid into the FA’s account.

“Where did the N3 million come from? The only money we collected was N1 million from the 10 Nationwide League One (NLO) clubs, and which we paid into the Commission’s account.

“The Commission complained about the delay in us paying them N1 million.

“All the clubs didn’t pay at once. Some paid early, while some paid even 10 to 11 days later, and we waited until all payments were made before we remitted same into the Commission’s account.

“From where is the N3m coming from, and for what exactly? He has no idea of what kind of money comes and goes out of our account.

“And it’s clear that our account has records. We can prove anybody wrong by making the account statements available.

“They are directing people to pay into personal accounts, of which we are taking proper records.

“We have enough evidence of payment of monies into private accounts, and not even the Commission’s account or that of Kwara Internal Revenue Services (KWIRS). The only money we paid into the Commission’s account was the N1 million from the 10 NLO clubs,” the Kwara FA chairman said.

He noted that it was not a threat the body was withdrawing its maintenance services because a lot of questions would need to be asked about the processes of doing so.

“We cannot continue to make the facility conducive for use while some people are collecting revenue on it, and not remitting part of it to support the maintenance processes.

“We decided to initiate the construction of the grass pitch and also maintain it not for our own personal gains, but for the growth of sports and other related businesses in the state.

“We also did that to encourage the hosting of national and international matches, as FIFA and CAF are moving from synthetic grasses to natural grasses,” Musa said.

While making further clarifications, Musa said while the facility belongs to the government, the Kwara Sports Commission are the caretakers.

He added that the issue of maintenance became that of the FA because of the process of having the grass converted from artificial to natural grass two seasons ago.

Musa disclosed that Barrister A, U. Mustapha agreed to support the conversion to complement government’s efforts, and this was successfully executed.

He added that Kwara FA midwifed that conversion process, and had since undertaken the maintenance, with Kwara United Football Club fully funding the maintenance.

The Kwara FA Chairman said this was just to ensure they play their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches at home.

“Maintenance of the grass should be the responsibility of the Commission, especially when it’s a commercial facility. But they have never maintained it ever since the planting of the natural grass,” he said.

Musa added it was Kwara United, especially its Chairman, Kumbi Titiloye, who had been spending heavily to maintain the grass for the team to have the opportunity of playing in front of their fans.

“Even at that, they still pay the Commission the normal charges for the usage of the facility on match days,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bola Mogaji, the KSC Executive Chairman, had on Tuesday fought back against those accusing him of various wrongdoings.

He had urged them to familiarise themselves with the regulations governing stadium facility management.

Mogaji told NAN the Commission was open to providing clarifications where necessary.

He had been accused of mismanagement and embezzlement of funds, related to the use of the main stadium by teams and football clubs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

OOH/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

After 90 minutes of regulation time, the match ended two goals apiece for both sides to settle for penalty kicks.

2026 W/Cup: NFF plans changes to ensure qualification 

Qualification

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) , Ibrahim Gusau says the Federation will take all necessary steps to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 World Cup in U.S, Canada and Mexico.

The NFF boss said this on Thursday in Abuja, shortly after a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, to address Nigeria’s  poor results in the qualifiers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister had summoned the NFF leadership and demanded a detailed technical report on Super Eagles’ disastrous start to the World Cup qualifiers.

Nigeria has managed  just three points out of the maximum of 12, and currently sit precariously in fifth position in a group consisting of South Africa, Rwanda, Benin, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Gusau, after the meeting with the minister, expressed optimism that all hands would be on deck to get Nigeria back on track in the qualification campaign.

He said the NFF would continue to work closely with the sports ministry and other stakeholders to fashion out a winning template for the Super Eagles.

“It’s a very sad moment for Nigerian football. We cannot run away from that. But all I want to assure is that we are working tirelessly in conjunction with the minister to see that we come out with holistic measures that will change the face of the entire system so that we can move forward. 

“Don’t forget, it is still possible and I want to assure you that we are going to fight it to the latter and Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup.

“This is not something I will just say it now but very soon you are going to see major steps that NFF would come out with and by the grace of God, those measures that we are going to take will lead us to qualify for the next World Cup,” he said.

The NFF boss assured that the federation was putting in place holistic measures to overhaul the system and get the Super Eagles soaring again.

“We are looking holistically at the general affairs of the team. And as I said, very soon, Nigerians will see the measures we are going to take.

” Whatever it takes us for us to do, we would do and think outside the box to make sure that everywhere we can see or find any player that is fit to play for Nigeria.

” We’ll try as much as possible to get in touch with them so that at least have a pool of players that will play for this country to help us to qualify for the next World Cup, ”  he said.

Gusau said that the NFF would continue to give Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George ,all the needed support to succeed.

NAN reports that the meeting was attended by other top NFF officials including first Vice-President, Felix Anyansi-Agwu; General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi; Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen; Coach Finidi George and Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/BHB

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Edited by Buhari Bolaji

NDLEA boss says athletes can be winners without drugs  

Drugs 

By Chimezie Anaso

Awka, June 13, 2024(NAN) The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has tasked the country’s athletes to excel and be tournament winners drugs clean.

The NDLEA Commander in Anambra, Mr Ogbonna Onyishi, said this when receiving executives of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter, in his office  on Thursday in Awka.

He described drugs as any banned performance enhancing substance capable of derailing a persons ambition.

Onyisi said that athletes should subject themselves to constant training and discipline in order to excel in their chosen sports.

He advised budding athletes particularly to shun all performance enhancing substances, which could derail their ambitions of becoming world champions. 

The commander said that the agency had adopted a two-prong approach of supply reduction and demand reduction to fight the drug war in Nigeria.

He said that the NDLEA was working assiduously to bring every Nigerian to join in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

“It is not drugs that make you what you are, it is the training, professionalism that makes you a star.

“We will be willing to partner SWAN in sensitising the youth on the need for them to compete clean.

“Youth love and engage in sports, so we need to partner in our campaign against drugs. 

“Training and developing your skills is what makes you a star and not drugs. Doping is a crime, it can ruin one’s career,” he said.

In a short remark, Chimezie Anaso, Chairman of SWAN, Anambra Chapter expressed the readiness of the association to work with NDLEA in the campaign against drugs in sports.

Anaso called on NDLEA to promote sports as a veritable preventive and rehabilitation tool that youths could engage in.

“Drugs are largely abused by youths and sports is for the youth.

“While the NDLEA prevents drug abuse, SWAN promotes sports, so there is a symbiotic relationship that we can explore to achieve a drug free and healthy society,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

APC/AOS 

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Edited by Bayo Sekoni

2025 AFCON qualifying draw set for July in Johannesburg

Draw

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN)  The qualifying draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 4, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The 48 competing teams will be split into 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group reaching the finals in Morocco.

The tournament hosts will be included in the draw but, given the Atlas Lions are already assured of qualification; only one team in their group will book a ticket to Morocco.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that date for the 2025 AFCON have not been announced by CAF.

The qualifiers for the tournament will take place in September, October and November, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria set to slug it with other foes in the qualifying series.

Liberia, Chad, South Sudan and Eswatini all progressed through a preliminary round to join the continent’s 44 highest-ranked nations in the group draw. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

MUYI/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

Cycling

By Aderonke Ojo

Abuja , June 13, 2024 (NAN) Bashiru Mohammed, the Technical Director of Nigeria Cycling Federation (CFN), says the Nigeria cycling team finished third at the just concluded tour International du Togo.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that the Team came back with three trophies.

“Nigeria team took first position in  individual by points for Under 23 Elite and Individual by points for Under 23 and third in team classification points.

“In the general team final classification, we came third. I appreciate the effort of the Team performance and the Federation will continue to support them.

“I was optimistic that Nigeria will put up an excellent performance at the competition  and which we did,” he said.

He said that, Abdulmalik Yusuf wore the yellow jersey on the fourth stage in line with this new edition of the Tour international du Togo.

“Other honorary jerseys were also distributed throughout the competition, including the jersey of the longest competitive breakaway and the Ducreux jersey.

“This  aims to pay tribute to the late Francis Ducreux, one of the promoters of the Tour International du Togo,” he said.

Mohammed said that the just concluded 29th edition of the Tour Cycliste of Togo in Lomé, for a week of racing tour covered a distance of more than 700 kilometers in the heats.

“The Cyclists went through some principal towns and cities including the route of peloton to Kpalimé, Mango, Kara, Pagouda, Sokodé, Sotouboua, Atakpamé with a closed circuit Vogan-Aného-Lomé.

“Nigeria was represented by a nine-man contingent made up of six cyclists and three officials.

“The six cyclists are; John Odumu, Abdulmalik Yusuf, Isah Momoh, Mansud Garuba, Precious Etim and Emmanuel Udohudoh.

“The officials were; Moses Omozusi and Kamole Amoo for coaches and the Mechanic,Timothy Anagolu. The Team has since returned home on Tuesday,” he said.

The Mali squad finished in second place, behind the Burkina Faso team. The Nigerian squad, however, finished third.

The following teams placed fourth through ninth, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo team A, France, Ghana, Benin, and Cedeao.

NAN reports that for the first time, the Togo Cycling Tour is being organised by a local partner, including “UK and PARTNERS”, a communications and marketing consultancy, in collaboration with the Togolese Cycling Federation (FTC).

The 2024 International Cycling Tour of Togo took place in six stages with teams from nine countries: Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, France, Togo A,Cedeao  and Mali. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

STJ/OIF/JPE

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Joseph Edeh