Sports Archives | Page 65 of 72

Ex-Super Eagles’ goalie bags coaching certificate

Our Reporters8 months ago8 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

Our Reporters8 months ago8 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

Our Reporters8 months ago8 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.

Lagos SWAN in shock over Adeyinka Adebayo’s demise

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago04 mins

The Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN), is deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of one of its esteemed members, Adeyinka Adebayo- a head of sports desk at Eko FM/Radio Lagos until his death. The news of his death as announced on Tuesday night, has left the association and the wider sports journalism community in shock and mourning. Until his passing, Adeyinka Adebayo was a Director at the Lagos State Ministry of Information and an unwavering member of Lagos SWAN. Members have continued to mourn and celebrate Adebayo for his professionalism, commitment, and contributions to the growth of sports journalism in Lagos State. Reacting to the news, Debo Oshundun, Chairman, Lagos SWAN, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. “I am devastated. ‘Yinka was among my greatest supporters and confidant. He was very close to me, and his passing has left me deeply saddened. “I called him Woli Agba, I am lost for words in describing what his death means to me personally and Lagos SWAN as an organisation,” Oshundun said. According to Oshundun, the late Adebayo was a multifaceted individual who left a lasting impact on Lagos SWAN members as a mentor, friend and colleague. He believes his legacy of dedication and kindness will continue to resonate within the sports writing fraternity and ensure his memory endures. Dapo Sotuminu, former Group Sports Editor of Compass Newspapers, said, “Apostle Yinka Adebayo, may your soul rest in perfect peace. May the good Lord take care of the children you left behind. A good guy just left us” . Ace broadcaster and CEO of AfroSports, Deji Omotoyinbo said “Terrible news A real gentleman. Rest in peace Yinka.” Former Lagos SWAN Chairman and Sports Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Tony Ubani wrote, “Yinka is, without doubt, the definition of a gentleman I have met. He was compassionate and humble, with a contagious smile. God has called him back to his Kingdom, where there is no pain or cry. Rest in peace, my man of God, as I usually called him.” Another respected member of Lagos SWAN and current Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, remarked that Adebayo was too young to die! Condolence messages have continued to pour in from members as well as heartfelt condolences to the family and friends for the strength to bear this irreparable loss while they pray for his soul to rest in perfect peace.

Labbadia may return as Super Eagles manager

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

German coach Bruno Labbadia may have sorted out contractual issues with the NFF to now take charge of the Super Eagles. Labbadia announced “New chapter” accompanied by the Nigerian flag on his Instagram this afternoon. He was to have led the Super Eagles in 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda before the NFF announced that talks broke down over who will be responsible for the payment of his taxes in Nigeria and Germany. Labbadia himself was not particularly pleased his appointment was made public by the NFF when a full agreement was not in place. The Super Eagles will play a double-header against Libya next month in continuation of the AFCON qualifying series.

Sports

Why Polish guards handcuffed Usyk at airport

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

Polish Border Guard Major Jacek Michałowski has explained that the use of handcuffs against Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk at the airport in Kraków was not a detention but a precautionary measure. They were later removed immediately. Michałowski said that Usyk and another man were withdrawn from the flight, and as a result, they lost their passenger status. He said that the men did not want to go to the gate when airport security called for them. “They did not want to go to the gate when called by the airport security service, so we were called to deal with this issue,” he added. The border guard reported that the use of handcuffs was due to the men’s excessive gestures. “The handcuffing was related to the gentleman’s posture; both men were gesticulating a lot because they were unhappy that they missed their flight. Therefore, the handcuffing was a completely precautionary measure; in the office, the handcuffs were removed immediately,” explained Michałowski. After Usyk was transferred to the office, the handcuffs were immediately removed.

Usyk handcuffed, detained in Poland

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

Video footage of three-belt heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in handcuffs and being escorted by police at John Paul II International Airport in Krakow, Poland, set off alarms, but has been quickly followed by statements that Usyk is freed. “Dear Friends: A misunderstanding took place. It was quickly resolved. Thanks to all who got concerned. Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats for the efficient support,” Usyk wrote in a statement sent to BoxingScene and other news outlets by his manager, Egis Klimas. “And respect to Polish police for conducting their obligations with no regards to height, weight, reach and regalia. Thanks God for everything.” Usyk’s wife also posted on Instagram that “everything is fine. Oleksandr will explain everything later. Nothing criminal.” In the brief video footage, as many as four police officers are seen escorting the handcuffed Usyk toward an elevator. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on “X” that he was involved in Usyk’s freedom, posting, “I spoke with Oleksandr Usyk on the phone after he was detained. I was disappointed by this attitude towards our citizen and champion. “I instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, to immediately look into all the details of the incident at Kraków airport. Now, everything is fine, our champion has been released, and he is no longer being detained. In the photo, he is with our Consul General in Kraków right after being released.” Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) was reportedly traveling to London to attend Saturday’s IBF heavyweight championship fight between two fighters he’s previously defeated, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. Usyk, after surrendering his IBF belt earlier this year rather than fight his mandatory contender, is headed to a Dec. 21 rematch with former WBC champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.

NYG: Team Lagos increases medal sweep

Our Reporters8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

Team Lagos continued to soar in the 2024 National Youth Games taking place in Delta State with the state athletes making an impressive sweep of medals. David Akinade has defied all odds by landing a gold medal for Team Lagos in the Shot Put event at the ongoing National Youths Games in Asaba, Delta State. Akinade showed resilience, putting up an impressive performance against his opponents in the Shot put F42/44 by throwing 7.74 in the event, defeating his counterparts from Delta and Edo states. Akinade coming into the games as a first-timer and winning a gold medal, shows the commitment of the Lagos State government to sports development and indeed, a state that nurtures and breeds talents providing an enabling environment for people with disability to thrive. Still in Athletics, the trio of Fashola Abiodun, Akinwuwo Oladeji and Soliu Simbiat also recorded four medals in their events. Abiodun won a silver medal in the 100 metres boys while Soliu Simbiat settled for bronze and Oladeji scooped two gold medals in the 100 and 200 metres respectively. Oladeji is now working hard to surpass the feat he recorded three years ago, with other events slated for tomorrow. In boxing, Lagos’s four pugilists, Agboola Oyindamola (F), Bello Olamide Lawal (M), Yakubu Sofiat (F) and Bolarinwa Michael (M) progressed to the finals in their different weight categories. The four pugilists will be competing in 40kg, 42kg, 42kg and 44kg respectively during the final bouts at St.Patrick’s College, Asaba, on Wednesday, Similarly, the Lagos Girls Basketball team has set up a final battle against the hosts, Delta. The girls will do everything within their power to upstage their opponents and add another gold to Team Lagos’ medal haul. Lagos Hockey team are also set for a South-West derby, seeking qualification for the final, in the semifinal clash with Osun State.