Sports Archives | Page 47 of 62

Ex-Green Eagles’ goalie on life-support

Our Reporters6 months ago6 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

Our Reporters6 months ago6 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

Our Reporters6 months ago6 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

Our Reporters6 months ago6 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

Our Reporters6 months ago6 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.

Andres Iniesta quits football at 40

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago05 mins

Legendary former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has confirmed his retirement from football aged 40. Iniesta, who scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, establishing himself as a core part of Barcelona’s midfield alongside long-term running buddy Xavi. He became one of the world’s best players, owing to his supreme technical ability, and was rewarded for his talent with endless success at both club and international level. A four-time Champions League and nine-time La Liga winner with Barcelona, Iniesta won the 2008 and 2012 European Championship with Spain, sandwiched either side of an unforgettable 2010 World Cup campaign that saw him break Dutch hearts with a late extra-time winner. Many felt his displays at club and international level would lead to the 2010 Ballon d’Or, but Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi pipped both Iniesta and Xavi to the award – he also finished in third place two years later. Iniesta departed Barcelona in 2018 but continued his career in Japan with Vissel Kobe, staying there for five years before joining Emirates Club, based in the United Arab Emirates, for a season. In an emotional announcement confirming he is stepping away from the game, Iniesta said: “I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it. All these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride. They are not tears of sadness. They are tears of that boy from Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of work, sacrifice… of never giving up, essential values in my life. “I feel very proud of this journey, with all the people who have accompanied me.” He continued: “I feel very happy to have achieved my dream. My sporting career has been like a fairy tale because I have experienced the best at a professional level. Let’s go through it. It starts on the track in my town, at school, and with all the trips to Albacete. My first steps were there. “I remember that stage as very happy. I remember watching Alba in the First Division. Although I never played professionally for Alba, I have always had two teams: Albacete and Barça. My land is in my heart.” “The journey of my life is Fuentealbilla-Barcelona. I am lucky to have the four people who made that trip with me. My parents, my grandfather and I. It is very nice that today we are together again at such a special moment. That journey involves everything: work, sacrifice, humility… La Masia changed me forever. It is the best place where I could be to enhance the values that must be had in life. And I am grateful to all the people, teachers, teammates… it is a stage that undoubtedly marked our lives. “Coming to Barca was a dream, which I focused on to fulfil. That effort, coming to Barcelona at 12 years old with everything that meant, could not divert my focus from what I had. I arrived at the best place to fulfill my dreams that lay ahead.”

Rivers Hoopers win CDS Basketball Championship

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

Reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League, Rivers Hoopers have emerged champions of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Independence Day Basketball Championship after their 72-59 win over City Chiefs at the Mo Arena on Sunday. It is the second time in five days the KingsMen have beaten the Titled Men at the CDS Championship in Abuja and the third time in almost a year. Hoopers defeated City Chiefs in the opening game of the Nigeria Premier Basketball League Final four in Port Harcourt last year. Abel Offia, who was awarded the most valuable player, scored a game-high 20 points, shot 2-of-3 three-pointers, and went 6/6 from the free throw line. New Rivers Hoopers recruit Patrick Abah added 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. The former City Chiefs forward had 70% field goals, including 2/3 three-pointers in 27 minutes while Buchi Nwaiwu helped defensively shooting 7 points and making 9 rebounds with 3 assists and 2 blocks to go with it Hoopers had taken a 19-10 lead after the first quarter, but a slow start to the second quarter and missed baskets found their lead cut down to 2 at the break. With two minutes left to play, Hoopers took advantage of consecutive turnovers made by Chiefs to score eight points and extend their lead to 13 points. Chiefs had little or no answer as the KingsMen ran the clock down to emerge champions. Next for Rivers Hoopers is to return to Port Harcourt and prepare for the 2024 Nigeria Premier Basketball League Phase one in two weeks time in Benin, Edo State.

Rivers crisis: Fire guts Eleme LG Secretariat

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

A section of the Eleme Local Government Council secretariat has been set ablaze. According to a phone conversation with former Ambassador Oji Ngofa who hails from Eleme, the newly elected chairman Brain Gokpa came to the council secretariat accompanied by his councilors and supporters but discovered that a few of the buildings in the council had been set ablaze. The new council chairman, his councilors, and supporters have vowed to take over the secretariat come what may. In Emohua council, some unknown individuals have barricaded the entrance to the secretariat. They’re resisting the resumption of the new Chairman, David Omereju. In a social media video, they can be heard chanting “No Wike, No Rivers State!!” So far, no arrests have been made and the police are yet to release any statement on the situation. There is a palpable fear of a potential outbreak of violence in some councils of the state. The lead-up to the Rivers LG elections was marred by controversies. Although details are still sketchy, the incident comes just days after the Rivers Local Government Elections which were swept by the Action Peoples Party (APP). Meanwhile, there was a disagreement in the Ahoada Local Government Area of the state on Monday after the police unsealed the council secretariats on the order of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). Channels Television learnt that some police officers were spotted firing into the air to disperse some persons who tried to resist the resumption of the chairman of Ahoada East LGA Ahoada East is the L.G.A of the Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the Governor. The incident is coming days after council polls in the oil-rich state. The elections were swept by the Action Peoples Party (APP) which won 22 out of the 23 LGAs while the Action Alliance (AA) took the remaining one. Disu said the police under his administration will employ community policing and strategic intelligence gathering.