Sports Archives | Page 21 of 36

NSF: Ogun begins reconstruction works on MKO Abiola Stadium

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

The Ogun State Government has commenced reconstruction and renovation works on the MKO Abiola International Stadium and the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, ahead of the National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged “2024 Gateway Games.” Speaking after inspecting the two facilities, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, assured that the renovation works would be completed within the stipulated time and would be tested before the games. The scraping of the pitch at the main bowl of the stadium, the removal of the tartan tracks, as well as the roofs at the indoor hall of the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, are ongoing simultaneously as the commissioner led journalists to the sites. He revealed that the VIP section of the stadium would be expanded, while an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and handball courts would also be constructed within the stadium. The commissioner noted that the current administration is intensifying its efforts to develop sports and youth development programs in the state, as well as to discover and nurture young athletes. He highlighted the importance of harnessing the potential of the youth and channeling their energy into productive ventures for their personal success and the socio-economic gains of the state, reiterating the government’s commitment to organizing a world-class National Sports Festival. Hon. Isiaka submitted that the festival will bring together the best athletes from the state, inspiring the next generation of athletes, promoting the rich cultural heritage, and promising to reward outstanding performances. He stated that the massive renovation will not only help develop the skills and dedication of local athletes before, during, and after the games but will also underscore the commitment and readiness of the state government to host the National Sports Festival, calling on corporate organizations and other well-meaning individuals to join hands with the government to make the NSF a huge success. The Commissioner added that the Sports Festival is a moment for the state to shine and show the world the abundance of talents, potentials and inherent hospitality in the state. He, therefore, reaffirmed the readiness of the state government to host a befitting festival, adding that the facilities would be top-notch and would attract national and international events. The National Sports Festival has been slated to hold between January 12 and January 26, 2025.

Sports

AFCON 2025: Cape Verdean referee to officiate Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi. He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official. Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer. Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).

Morocco 2025: Eguavoen targets double over Libya that will send Eagles to final tourney

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has set as objective, the maximum six points from this month’s double header between the Super Eagles and Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in the teams’ group D attrition as the race to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals hots up. Nigeria host the first game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday evening, with the return at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, 19 kilometres from Libya’s second city Benghazi, on Tuesday night. “We have to be practical about it: our best and surest route to the finals will be to pick up the six points in the matches with Libya, and be somewhat guaranteed of a place in Morocco even before Matchday 5. We don’t want to be in any anxiety in the run-in in this qualifying campaign. “I admit we will miss Victor (Osimhen), but I believe in the other strikers available to get us the goals that will give us the three points in Uyo, and the three points in Libya.” Twenty of the 23 invited players trained in Uyo on Tuesday evening, with defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke arriving on Wednesday morning. Leaders Nigeria have four points from their two matches so far, one point ahead of Benin Republic and two ahead of Rwanda. The Eagles will go to 10 points with a double win over Libya, while both teams on Nigeria’s heels are in attrition and are bound to chop at each other’s advantage one way or the other. Wins for Benin Republic in both matches will take them to nine points, still short of Nigeria’s probable tally of 10, but Rwanda will remain stuck at two and Libya one, with only two matches left in the campaign. Wins for Rwanda will leave Benin Republic stuck at three points and Rwanda at eight. “There are possibilities and opportunities for us to sail home at the end of these two matches, and we will do our best to take our chances and have the ticket in hand before the final round of games,” Eguavoen reiterated. The delegation of Libya’s Mediterranean Knights landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport around noon on Tuesday, before moving to Uyo by road. Malawian referee Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga, who will be at the centre during Friday’s encounter, alongside the other match officials, are already in the Akwa Ibom State capital. The Confederation of African Football has also appointed Nkhakananga’s compatriots, Clemence Kanduku and Joseph Nyauti as assistant referees 1 ad 2 respectively, while Botswanan Keabetswe Dintwa will serve as fourth official.

Ex-Green Eagles’ goalie on life-support

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

A former Green Eagles goalkeeper Peter Fregene has been reportedly in critical condition. The ailing former footballer, according to his national team, Dr. Segun Odegbami (MON), is currently on life support. “Peter Fregene is in hospital and on life-support. His situation is critical. “The Creator of Life has shown up. “What Peter Fregene needs the most now are our collective prayers that the will of His Creator be done! “I thank all Nigerians for their concern and response to the humble cry of their hero currently in distress,” Odegbami wrote on social media. The Mathematical also thanked Nigerians who overwhelmingly turned up for Fregene. “The interest generated by my story on Peter Fregene earlier today has been overwhelming. “Nigerians made me proud. “I thank all those that responded in messages, particularly in prayers and in their desire to contribute to any funding.” He however emphasised that he is not raising funds for the ex-player, saying all financial supports should be directed to Fregene’s wife. “I am NOT involved in raising funds from the public on behalf of Fregene because I have no such authority. I would also not be involved in any thing that can be abused if not handled properly. As important as funds are for his treatment, they are secondary considering the stage of Peter’s condition in hospital. “The Creator of a life has shown up. Three Nigerians that I know, read me and volunteered to support his treatment in hospital. I accepted their offer and channelled their wish to Tina, Peter’s faithful wife that has stood by him completely through all the decades of his medical ordeal. “Once again, I am NOT raising or collecting any funds on behalf of Peter’s family. If the need arises, and I am requested and authorized to do so, I shall.”

CHAN 2024 qualifiers: Nigeria, Ghana renew rivalry

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Nigeria has been drawn against their eternal rivals, Ghana in the Second Round of the CAF African Nations Championship qualifiers. The draw held on Wednesday paired the two West African countries together. Ghana will host Nigeria in the first leg between 20th and 22nd of December, while the reverse fixture is slated 27th and 29th of the same month. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the tournament between 01 – 28 February 2025. Since its 2009 inception, the CHAN tournament has been an exceptional platform of showcasing the world-class talent and quality of African football as well as its ever-evoling landscape. Algeria played host to the last edition of the tournament which drew thousands of supporters, millions of global audiences and digital engagement as a result of the rising popularity and quality of the tournament. In line with CAF’s key objective of increasing the commercial strength of its competitions, the CAF CHAN competition has also seen an increased rise in commercial value. This has also been supported by CAF’s 60% increase in the tournament’s prize money that sees the winners walking away with $2 Million.

Lobi Stars unveil Amokachi as new Technical Adviser

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Nigeria Professional Football League side, Lobi Stars on Tuesday unveiled former Super Eagles striker Daniel Amokachi as the new Technical Adviser. The Club Chairman, Dr. Philip Nongu, in a brief ceremony, presented the Amokachi, to the State Governor, Father Hyacinth Alia. The Bull as Amokachi is fondly called was presented with the club’s jersey. The Makurdi based team on Monday had announced the appointment on its social media handle. “Former @NGSuperEagles striker, Daniel Amokachi, now takes charge of the club following the exit of Eugene Agagbe,” Lobi Stars wrote on their official X handle. Amokachi had spent time as manager of Nasarawa United, Enyimba, Ifeanyi Ubah and JS Hercules. He has also spent two spells as assistant coach of Nigeria, as well as managing the national team in an interim capacity from 2014 to 2015.

AFCON 2025 qualifier: 20 players hit Super Eagles camp

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Twenty players have arrived the Super Eagles camp in Uyo ahead of this month’s home-and-away 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battle with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. The players in camp as at press time are; Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Victor Boniface, Samuel Chukwueze, Benjamin Tanimu, Ademola Lookman, Maduka Okoye. Others are; William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Raphael Onyedika and Olaoluwa Aina. The Super Eagles will host the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before flying to Benghazi to take on the Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometres away from Benghazi on Tuesday, 15th October.

Basketball: Rivers Hoopers begin title defence this month

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Rivers Hoopers will tip off their title defence when the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League begins on 25th October. According to a press statement released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to all teams, the league will be held in two phases: the first phase and the final eight. Atlantic and Savannah conferences will be played in Benin and Jos, respectively, from 25th October to 3rd November. Hoopers will play against Lagos Legends, Police Batons, Delta Force, Kwara Falcons, Comets, Oluyole Warriors, and Hoops and Read in the Atlantic Conference in Benin. The top four teams from each of the conferences will advance to the final eight, billed for 13-19 November in a yet-to-be-decided venue. The champion will represent Nigeria at the 2025 Basketball Africa League.