Sports Archives | Page 28 of 36

Ex-Eagles, Haruna Lookman, Ramon Azeez resurface at Dosu Joseph FC

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Former Super Eagles duo, Haruna Lookman and Ramon Azeez have resurfaced at Dosu Joseph FC. Both players have since gone into oblivion but were seen in a photograph posted on social media by Dosu Joseph’s younger brother John on Sunday. “Ex-Super Eagles players Haruna Lookman and Azeez Ramon chilling after training with Dosu Joseph FC,” the photograph was captioned. Haruna, 33, was part of the Nigerian team that won the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in South Korea. In 2010, he was part of the Nigerian 23-man squad in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Azeez, 31, was also named in the provisional 30-man squad ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was included in Stephen Keshi’s final list for the tournament, and made his debut on 16 June by starting in a 0–0 draw against Iran. In September 2019, Azeez was recalled to the national team after five years.

Iwobi charges Fulham on consistency

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi has urged Fulham find the consistency to deliver impressive victories like Saturday’s win over Newcastle United regularly. Iwobi shone as Marco Silva’s side inflicted the Magpies’ first defeat of the campaign in an outstanding 3-1 win. Iwobi revealed to FFCTV after the final whistle that the squad were desperate to respond to the midweek League Cup exit at Preston in a positive fashion. “We wanted to bounce back from the Cup defeat that we had and we thought let’s start on the front foot against a team that’s been unbeaten before this match. “We aimed to do that and I thought we did, especially in the first half. We work on our link up play in training all the time; me, Antonee Robinson and Emile [Smith Rowe]. “We try to make that triangle all the time, so when it’s coming off in games, it’s a plus for us. A big shout out to Antonee Robinson – even though he didn’t get on the ball, he took a couple of defenders [away] and made it easy for me to spot Emile, who made the run in behind.” The midfielder felt Fulham let their standards slip at the start of the second half as Harvey Barnes reduced Newcastle’s arrears within thirty seconds of the restart, but praised the squad’s resilience as they ground out a big victory. “We knew that they were going to come out fast in the second half, but we have to deal with it better. There was probably a touch of offside [about the goal] but we have to defend better and deal with it ourselves. “We were able to bounce back and get another goal. We weren’t able to keep a clean sheet, but we’ll take the three points regardless. “We knew how hard we worked [in the] previous games. Staying mentally focused for the 95 minutes was the aim and we were able to do that for the rest of the game. We had people like Reiss, Reedy and Sander Berge came on and gave us that extra focus and energy that we needed. “We were able to defend, but also able to get another goal that killed them game off. We talked about staying focused before the game and we made sure we did that today. Remaining consistent is the aim.” Iwobi identified the psychological message behind the importance of beating Newcastle at the Cottage – as Fulham hope to continue the fine form that has underpinned their successful return to the top flight over the past two seasons. “Our performances have been very good – I’d say apart from Ipswich – but it’s getting the results is the most important thing. It was a great performance and a great result. If we remain consistent, we’ll definitely finish better than we did last season. “It sends a message to any other team that we can compete with anyone, teams who are going for the top four or the Champions’ League, that no one can come to our fortress and take any points from us.”

Anthony Joshua plans to activate rematch clause against Dubois

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Eddie Hearn has revealed the identity of Anthony Joshua’s next opponent in the wake of his shock knockout by Daniel Dubois. Joshua was knocked out in the fifth round at Wembley in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley by the 27-year-old Brit. Dubois retained his IBF heavyweight title with an impressive victory, knocking down his challenger four times. Despite the disappointing outcome on Saturday and suggestions in some quarters that he should retire, Joshua is already looking ahead to his next fight. After the fight Hearn was asked about what the next steps are for Joshua, 34. Hearn disclosed that there is a rematch clause for Joshua to face Dubois again and added that it is likely to be activated. Speaking to DAZN, Hearn said: ‘I’m sure he’ll exercise that rematch clause, I think that’s a given. He’ll need a rest and it’s a dangerous fight. This guy’s growing in confidence all the time. ‘He’ll believe he can hurt Dubois. He’ll believe he can beat him, but full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit tonight. It was a great performance from Daniel.’ Following his defeat, Joshua admitted that he wanted to ‘kick off’ in the ring. He said: ‘Credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice of success, but we came up short. ‘You know I’m ready to kick off in the ring, but I’m going to keep my cool, keep very professional, and give respect to my opponent. ‘I’m always saying to myself I’m a fighter for life… We keep rolling the dice. ‘I had a sharp opponent, a fast opponent and a lot of mistakes from my end, but that’s the game.’

Dubois demolishes Joshua in ‘Battle of Britain’ to retain title

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Britain’s Daniel Dubois demolished compatriot and two-times world champion Anthony Joshua with a fifth-round knockout to retain his IBF world heavyweight boxing title at a packed Wembley Stadium. Dubois sent his fellow Briton to the canvas in the opening round with a stinging right, the referee delivering a standing eight count, and the 27-year-old proceeded to tear up the pre-fight predictions as swiftly as he ripped into his opponent. Joshua was on the ropes again in round two but managed to ride out the storm before round three came crashing down around him again. With Dubois landing more banging right-handers, Joshua’s defence failed to protect him and he was literally on the ropes as he took another count. Joshua could barely stand at the end of the fourth, after going down again with two minutes remaining, and he lasted just 59 seconds of the fifth with the rebuilding of his career suddenly in ruins. “I’ve only got a few words to say: Are you not entertained?,” declared Dubois after the biggest win of his career. “I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior to the bitter end. I want to get to the top level of this game and reach my full potential. “I’ve been on a rollercoaster ride. This is my time, this is my redemption story, and I’m not going to stop until I reach my full potential.” Organisers said a British post-World War II record of 96,000 spectators attended the fight at London’s Wembley Stadium.

UK-based boxer Arenyeka tips Joshua to beat Dubois

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

United Kingdom-based Nigerian boxer Eworitse Ezra Arenyeka has tipped Anthony Joshua to stream roll Daniel Dubois in their face off for the IBF World title today. Arenyeka, whose fought Ben Whittaker in June believed Joshua has what it takes to triumph over his opponent. “Yeah, AJ versus Daniel Dubois, it is going to be a tough fight. “Daniel Dubois in the last two fights was really looking great, same with AJ. He’s really found new form. “Dan Dubois got the dynamite and same as AJ, so let’s see how it plays out. “For me, I’ve got my home boy, AJ. So I think AJ is going to do the business. It’s going to be a great night of boxing. “It’s not going to be easy but I believe AJ wins in the late rounds. May be eight or the ninth round,” Arenyeka opined. Arenyeka currently competes in the light-heavyweight division. In 2019, he won the ABA’s Elite Cruiserweight Eastern Counties Championships and in 2022, he won the Nigerian Super Middleweight Title.

Ex-Super Eagles’ goalie bags coaching certificate

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Former Super Eagles and Enyimba FC of Aba goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba is now a certified coach. The Kwara United FC goalkeeper became a certified coach after the completion of his coaching course at the National Institute For Sports (NIS). Aiyenugba returned to Nigeria ahead of the 2020-21 season to play for Kwara United after 13 seasons in Israel with four teams. His son, Daniel Aiyenugba, is also a goalkeeper. The two played against each other when Kwara United played against Beyond Limits in the semi-finals of the Value Jet Cup in Ikenne, in August 2023.

120 players drilled at FIFA Talent Development Scheme

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has successfully completed a two-week training program for the National U15 Boys, otherwise known as Future Eagles in Abuja. This is in line with FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS) initiative aimed at creating a sustainable legacy for long-term talent development in the country. Head of TDS delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Nasiru Jibril, a former Nigeria international, said the program is a welcome development which will serve as a pathway for every child within the ages of 12-15 to showcase themselves and be discovered. With the main goal of the TDS project being to help raise the standards of national-team football around the world for both men and women, which is driven by FIFA’s desire for a long-term dedication to global talent development, Jibril said he is confident the program will form the major plank for supplies to our senior national teams in no distant time. “Talent Development Scheme (TDS) is a project initiated by FIFA in all countries of the world to benefit places like Africa. Presently, we are trying to go round and give every single child the opportunity to showcase their talent. “Players from the ages of 12, 13, and 14 are the ones we are bringing to this center so we can pick the best out of them and build them into a group where the national teams will be getting supplies from. From 2025, the U17 AFCON will become an annual project, and if there is no program like this, any country may struggle in assembling the best legs to represent her.” Also speaking, Head Coach of Nigeria’s U15 national team, Mr Patrick Bassey said the process of recruitment has been transparent with merit as key factor, without any form of bias or sentiments. “In the selection of the players, there has not been any sentiment; every player that was scouted and brought here has the talent, the skill and the commitment to the game. I believe these players will be very useful to the nation in the long run.” A total of 120 players divided into two batches were invited to camp for the first phase of the program, with 40 players to be selected for another schedule before the end of the year, according to Coach Bassey.

Super Eagles retain spot on FIFA ranking

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Nigeria’s Super Eagles retained her 39th position the World football governing body, FIFA, monthly ranking. The formers African kings secured 1489.02 points to keep her place in August. Nigeria however have slipped from fifth best team in Africa to six. They are currently trailing Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Tunisia. Nigeria will hope to bounce to reckoning in the next round of matches of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in November. The Nigerian side also hope to win the remaining six games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when the qualification series resume in January. Meanwhile, it is getting tighter at the summit. After respectively being beaten 2-1 away to Colombia and 3-1 at home to Italy, Argentina (1st) and France (2nd) will be looking nervously in their proverbial rear-view mirrors. Spain (3rd) and England (4th) are looming large in pursuit, with Brazil (5th) and Belgium (6th) hot on their heels. Yet, despite the tremors, the top ten remains unchanged, continuing to be rounded off by the Netherlands (7th), Portugal (8th), Colombia (9th) and Italy (10th). The next FIFA Men’s World Ranking will be published on 24 October.