Italian footballer Edoardo collapses during Serie A game

Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is in a medically induced coma after collapsing on the field during his team’s Serie A match at home to Inter Milan, with the game abandoned shortly afterward. Bove’s teammates immediately called for medical help and both sets of players surrounded the 22-year-old while he was being treated before he was swiftly stretchered off to an ambulance near the pitch and taken to Careggi Hospital in Florence on Sunday. “Fiorentina and the Careggi University Hospital announce that the footballer Edoardo Bove… is currently under pharmacological sedation and hospitalised in intensive care,” Fiorentina said in a statement. “The first cardiological and neurological tests performed have ruled out acute damage to the central nervous system and the cardio-respiratory system. Edoardo Bove will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hours.” ACF Fiorentina and the Careggi University Hospital have announced that footballer Edoardo Bove, who was treated on the pitch following a loss of consciousness during the Fiorentina v Inter match, is currently under sedation and is hospitalised in intensive care. Sky Italia reported that the player regained consciousness while he was in the ambulance and was managing to breathe on his own. Bove’s parents and his girlfriend have arrived at the hospital along with Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino and most of his teammates, as well as club directors and the city’s mayor. Fiorentina fans have also gathered outside the hospital and displayed a banner with the words: “Forza Edoardo, Florence is with you.” Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso echoed that sentiment and the club said he and his family are in constant contact from the United States to support Bove and his family. “Forza Edoardo, we’re with you,” Commisso said. “You’re a strong boy with a great character.”

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Tinubu departs France for South Africa

President Bola Tinubu will leave France on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, to co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa. The presidential BNC, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on December 2, 2024, at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town. President Tinubu and President Ramaphosa will engage in substantive talks on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including bilateral, regional and international matters. Building on the commitments from their June 20, 2024, meeting in Johannesburg shortly after President Ramaphosa’s inauguration for a second term in office, the two leaders will review the progress achieved since the 10th session of the BNC held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021. The 11th session of the BNC will feature deliberations across eight working groups, each focusing on a specific area of mutual interest. These include political consultations, consular and migration, banking and finance, defence and security, manufacturing, social sector, mines and energy, and trade and investments. At the high-level meeting, officials of both countries will sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements. The Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission was established in 1999 to further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The first session at the Heads of State level was held in October 2019 in Pretoria. The BNC provides a platform for sustaining high-level dialogue and promoting cooperation in critical areas such as diplomacy, economy, trade, security and other areas of mutual interest. This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Commission, a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa. President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising state governors, ministers, and senior government officials, He will return to the country after the BNC meeting.

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Habeeb Akeem wins 1st Kwara Governor’s Cup Open Golf Tourney 

The 1st edition of the Kwara State Governor’s Cup Open Golf Tournament took place from the 15th to 17th November, 2024 at the prestigious Ilorin Golf Club. Akeem Habeeb of Ilorin Golf Club has emerged the champion of maiden Kwara Governor’s  Open golf tournament.  The rising star playing handicap 4 emerged winner with a gross of +5, 149 over 36 holes.  Habeeb who also won the 7th edition of the Kwara Open Golf Tournament which took place at same venue in August and Insurance Open at Ibadan Golf Club carded +6; 78 on Sunday after opening the event with a – 1, 71 gross on Saturday.  Despite the hot pursuit by the Nigerian number one amateur golfer, Olajide Owolabi of Abeokuta Golf Club and Oladele Samson of Ekiti Golf Club, Habeeb held tightly to his lead to see of the two challengers who finished +7, 151 and +8, 152 gross in 2nd and 3rd respectively.  The event which featured over 140 players from different clubs across the country such as Sagamu, Abeokuta, Ekiti, Tiger, Ibadan, Ikeja, Dolphin, IBB, Rosanny golf clubs and of course Ilorin Golf Club saw Olaitan Kayode of Ilorin Golf Club winning the best net prize with a net of 137 over 36 holes, beating Onoyivwe D. of Sagamu Golf Club to 2nd place with a net of 143 and pushing Oladele I of Rossany Golf Club to the 3rdplace with a net of 145.  Adekeye Ayanfeoluwa and Paul Adache both of Ilorin Golf Club returned 146 and 149 net to clinch 4th and 5th positions respectively.  For Handicap 13-28 category it was an Ilorin Golf Club affairs with Hamza Ojo clinching the star price with 137 net, followed by Dr. Lucky Itsekor in 2nd place with 139 net, Ibrahim Adeyemi in third place with a net of 140 Babatunde Abdulwahab returned 141 net to clinch the fourth place while Muhammed Ibrahim 142 net was good enough to earn him the fifth position and Aliu Shola losing on count back with 142 net to Muhammed Ibrahim in the 6th position. Part of the participants who registered his name in the winning list is the B.O.T. Chairman of the Club, Hon. Justice Lambo Akanbi (Rtd) of Ilorin Golf Club who won the BOT category with 70 net over 18 holes.  Men’s veteran went to Alaba Yahaya of Ilorin Golf Club, who carded 73 net pushing Commodre A.J. Taiwo (rtd.) to the 2nd Position with 74 net.  Super Veterans category went to Prof. Ben Ogunlade of Ogbomoso Golf Club.  Best gross ladies was won by Opeyemi Adenigba of Ekiti Golf Club with a gross of 171 over 36 holes while Nihilola Olawuyi of Ilorin Golf Club won the best net with 128 net over 36 holes.  Folashade Ajala and Patience Ekwere both of Tiger returned 152 net and 160 net to finish 2nd and 3rd in the ladies net category respectively.  The ladies super veterans’ prize category went to Ms Zulu Omo-Ikerodah of Ikeja Golf Club. In his remark, Director of the tournament and representative of Slqufort Nigeria Limited, the marketing outfit that put the event together, Barr. Oludare Akanbi thanked the Title Sponsor, Kwara State Government and other co-sponsors and donors for their financial and material support which contributed to the huge success of the tournament.  Among the corporate sponsors are First Bank Plc, Femtech IT, Emirates Global Hotels Limited, Yolas Consultants, Momrota Pharmacy, Rotamedics Pharmacy, Kam Abioye Estates and Adeslam Properties Limited. Other sponsors are Senator Sadiq Umar, Senator Lola Ashiru, Hon. Justice Lambo Akanbi (Rtd), Engr. Lanre Sagaya, Otunba Olusola Adekanola, Otunba Layi Malik, Dr. AWA Ibraheem, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, Hon. Tunji Olawuyi Ajulo Opin, Dr. Isaac Ishola, and Engr. Babatunde Ibikunle (ATM).  In his speech, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq pledged government’s continuous support towards the development of Golf and sports generally in the state. The Governor who was represented by the Executive Chairman Kwara State Sports Commission, Malam Bolakale Mogaji pledged the State Government continued support for the next edition of the tournament which he promised will be bigger and better and the forth coming Ilorin Ladies Open Golf Tournament slated for early 2025.

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EFCC arrests suspected internet fraudster in Abuja 

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, arrested one suspected internet fraudster.  The suspect was arrested at No.25 Aliyu Modibbo Street, Guzape Hills, Abuja following credible intelligence on his alleged involvement in internet fraud. Items recovered from him include a Range Rover Velar 2019 model, $4100 (Four Thousand One Hundred United States Dollars), N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira) cash, One AP silver wrist watch, two mobile phones and one laptop. He will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

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International Friendly: Super Falcons, team officials jet into France for big game

Players and officials of nine-time African champions Nigeria have started arriving in the city of Angers, France from Wednesday morning, ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated international friendly game between the Super Falcons and the Les Bleues. It is the second time both teams will engage in a friendly encounter – the first being a forgettable experience for the Falcons as they lost by eight goals in freezing weather inside Le Mans’ Stade Marie-Marvingt on 6th April 2018. Only goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who plays her club football in France, and Mexico- based defender Osinachi Ohale, remain from that squad that was undone by, among other things, a hat-trick from Valérie Gauvin and an own goal by defender Faith Ikidi-Michael. The defeat equalled the Falcons’ biggest-ever defeats – by Norway at the 1995 FIFA World Cup finals in Sweden and by Germany in a friendly in Leverkusen’s Bay Arena on 25th November 2010. However, clashes at the FIFA World Cup finals have been much closer, with the Falcons losing by the odd goal against the Les Bleues in Germany in 2011, and by the same margin at the Roazhon Park when both sides clashed at the 2019 finals hosted by France. The consummation of Saturday’s encounter is further confirmation of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led administration’s commitment to fully blood a new Super Falcons’ squad, by implementing a process of exposure and experience-garnering for the new squad, following an under-par outing at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer. The big game with the Les Bleues comes up only five weeks after the first of two friendly matches with Algeria’s Green Ladies in Nigeria (2-0 and 4-1 wins), and eight days after the Super Falcons learnt they would be playing Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in the group phase at the 13th Women AFCON in Morocco next summer. Saturday’s match will commence at 9.30pm France time, same time as in Nigeria.  SUPER FALCONS FOR LES BLEUES CHALLENGE: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lioness, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)  Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons) Forwards: Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens)

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NFF congratulates Felix Owolabi on 70th birthday anniversary

The Nigeria Football Federation has felicitated with former Nigeria captain, Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye as the former defender-turned-winger celebrated his 70th birthday anniversary at the weekend. General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said the former wing wizard deserves all the adulation on the occasion of his Platinum Jubilee Anniversary. given his immense contributions to Nigeria football both as a player of immense repute and an administrator. “The NFF congratulates Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye on this landmark occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary. It is not everyone who gets to attain the septuagenarian level. We celebrate him for his many wonderful outings for Nigeria and his excellent service as an administrator after his playing days. “As a member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, we value his contributions at meetings and advice and suggestions through the telephone on the direction that Nigeria Football and the various National Teams should take each time.” Felix Owolabi Akinloye, who started as a defender, became a fascinating winger for then Green Eagles, and played a key role as Nigeria won her first Africa Cup of Nations title, on home soil, in 1980. Owolabi was captain of the team to the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Libya, where the team got off to a promising start with a 3-0 defeat of Ethiopia in Benghazi, before forfeiting a one-goal lead to lose 1-2 to Algeria and then fell 0-3 to Zambia. The pacy forward retired from international duty afterwards, but continued playing club football, and was in then IICC Shooting Stars FC (now 3SC) that won the inaugural edition of the CAF Cup in 1992.   

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Boniface suffers thigh injury

Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria striker Victor Boniface is set to miss “a few games” after returning from international duty with a leg injury, coach Xabi Alonso said Friday. “He’s got a small injury in his thigh muscle, it’s a shame,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Heidenheim. Nigerian media reported Boniface could miss the remainder of 2024 but Alonso was optimistic the striker would be back soon. “He won’t be there tomorrow or against Salzburg (Champions League). “We hope he will play again this year. We have to wait and see, but it’s not going to be six or eight weeks.” Forward Patrik Schick, who has started just twice in the league this season, is expected to step up in the Nigerian’s absence. “He is always ready — we don’t just need him now, but always.” The defending champions, who did not lose a game in Germany last year on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double, have stuttered this season. Leverkusen are currently in fourth, nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. Alonso’s men have dropped 13 points so far this season, one more than the 12 they leaked in the entirety of the last campaign. Boniface is Leverkusen’s highest scorer in the league, with six goals and an assist in 10 games.

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NFF President, Gusau, elected 1st Vice President of WAFU B

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected as the 1st Vice President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) B zone. The election took place in Niamey, Niger Republic on Friday, on the margin of this year’s CAF African Schools Football Championship (WAFU B qualifying tournament) taking place in that country. President of Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku, was elected President of the zone, while Oumarou Sawadogo, President of the Burkinabe Football Federation, was elected as the 2nd Vice President. The WAFU B zone is made up of seven countries, viz Nigeria, Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Cote d’Ivoire. Gusau, who became President of NFF in September 2022, has served in several high-level capacities in African football, including being on the Organizing Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and serving as a top security officer of both FIFA and CAF.

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