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Middlesbrough boss Carrick backs Iheanacho to keep scoring

Our Reporters5 days ago5 days ago03 mins

Michael Carrick has backed Kelechi Iheanacho to build on his first goal for Middlesbrough and boost the push for a Sky Bet Championship play-off place. Boro moved level on points with sixth-placed West Brom and two points shy of Coventry in fifth after coming from behind to beat Oxford 2-1. Iheanacho’s strike in the 48th minute, when he powered in Samuel Illing-Junior’s cross, cancelled out Michal Helik’s opener for Oxford seven minutes before the break. But Iling-Junior, who was a menace throughout on the left for Middlesbrough, delivered another low cross into the area with 10 minutes left for defender Neto Borges to flick a brilliant finish into the net. That proved enough to earn an important win with just seven matches remaining, turning around a game which had seen Boro booed off at the end of the first half. And former Leicester forward Iheanacho is up and running, having scored for the first time since moving from Sevilla in January on loan. Boro boss Carrick said: “He is happy. We are trying to keep the smile off Neto’s face as much as anything! He was delighted too. “But Kel knows it. He has played at a level, and goals make you feel a bit better, naturally. “I wasn’t concerned, I knew he would score and hopefully he has got more in him, I am sure he has. It was a massive goal for us. “I thought it was a bit slow, a bit sticky first half. Credit to them, they started well. They put us under pressure with long balls, long throws, counter attacks, and we were slow. “I liked how we responded and we spoke about being positive. There is going to be a hell of a lot more ups and downs before the end of the season. We can’t let it affect us. We have to stay positive with it.”

Iheanacho Opens Middlesbrough Goal Account

Our Reporters6 days ago6 days ago04 mins

Kelechi Iheanacho’s first league goal in nearly 18 months helped spark a Middlesbrough revival and earn a 2-1 win over Oxford that has strengthened Teesside hopes of a Sky Bet Championship play-off place. The 28-year-old former Leicester striker finished confidently and powerfully inside three minutes of the second half to cancel out Michal Helik’s opener seven minutes before half-time. To cap Iheanacho’s first goal for Middlesbrough since arriving on loan from Sevilla in January, Brazilian defender Neto Borges also flicked in his first for the club and that turned out to be Boro’s winner with 10 minutes left. Middlesbrough, who have won three home league games in a row for the first time since October 2023, are now level on points with sixth-placed West Brom with seven matches remaining. Coventry are two points further ahead. Oxford, buoyed by ending a nine-match winless run in their last outing, deserved to be ahead before the break. In fact, they could have had more than one. The first fantastic chance for the visitors arrived as early as the fifth minute. Matty Phillips got beyond his man down the line and crossed perfectly, but Przemyslaw Placheta’s first-time effort was turned behind by Mark Travers. Phillips was the next to be wasteful. The experienced winger scuffed an effort wide of the back post from close range when he looked certain to turn Siriki Dembele’s corner into the net. Despite a number of occasions when Middlesbrough looked to find an opening in the final third, the nearest they came to scoring was when Hayden Hackney struck off target from 22 yards. Oxford got their reward in the 38th minute. Middlesbrough’s failure to deal with a long Will Waulks throw into a crowded box ended with Mark Harris’ cushioned lay-off landing perfectly for Helik to hammer low inside Travers’ bottom right corner. Even then Middlesbrough could have been level before half-time but Iheanacho, who had beaten a couple of defenders, saw his effort hit the bar after he had lifted his finish over Jamie Cumming. The disappointment on the Nigerian’s face soon disappeared after the break when he powered in the equaliser. Iheanacho pounced on Samuel Iling-Junior’s brilliant delivery from the left touchline, missed by Ciaron Brown, and struck first time beyond Cumming. Suddenly Iheanacho had a new lease of life. He played in substitute Morgan Whittaker down the right, where he clipped a cross to the back post for Tommy Conway to head goalwards for Cumming to save. And with 10 minutes remaining Middesbrough grabbed a stylish winner. Iling-Junior, impressive down the left, played a clever one-two with Aidan Morris and from his low cross into the area Borges was on hand to flick brilliantly beyond Cumming.

SWAN partners Nigeria Customs ahead of African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago04 mins

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has pledged full media support for the upcoming African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, set to take place in Abuja from April 1-14, 2025. In a courtesy visit led by SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, discussions centered on fostering a productive working relationship to amplify the championship’s impact and promote volleyball’s growth in Nigeria. The NCS volleyball team, Nigeria’s sole representative, is eager to improve on its fourth-place finish in 2021 and aims to leverage home advantage to make history as both hosts and potential champions. The Nigeria Customs Service, as the sole sponsor of the event, has committed significant resources to ensure a world-class tournament, making it the first-ever African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship hosted in the region. Speaking on behalf of the SWAN President, Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo praised the Customs Service for taking the bold step to bring Africa’s top club volleyball tournament to Nigeria. “This is a historic moment for Nigerian sports. Hosting an event of this magnitude is a testament to the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to sports development. As the sporting media, we are proud to partner with Customs to ensure this championship gets the visibility it deserves, both locally and internationally,” Okonkwo stated. FCT SWAN Chairman, Kelechi Onwudiwe, assured that the sporting press in the capital city would fully mobilise to give the event maximum coverage, working together with the SWAN National leadership. “We are committed to delivering a viral championship, one that will showcase the passion and dedication of the Nigeria Customs Service and its Comptroller General. This partnership goes beyond the championship; it is a foundation for a stronger relationship between Customs and the sporting media,” Onwudiwe emphasised. Responding, NCS Comptroller General CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR) welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the vital role of the media in making the championship a success. “We are not just hosting this championship; we are aiming to make history. With SWAN as a strategic media partner, we are confident that this event will leave a lasting impact. Beyond volleyball, we look forward to a sustained working relationship with the sporting media for the promotion of various sports under Customs,” the CG said. With this landmark collaboration, SWAN and the Nigeria Customs Service are set to make the 2025 African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship a defining moment for Nigerian sports. The SWAN delegation also included FCT SWAN Vice Chairman Victor Okoye, FCT SWAN Secretary Samuel Ahmadu, and FCT SWAN Welfare Officer Joan Iwuchukwu.

IJF Handball: Nigeria draw USA, Azerbaijan, Moldova in Group B

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Nigeria’s Under-23 Men Handball team has been drawn against United States of America (USA) and Azerbaijan in Group B of the 5th IHF Emerging Nations Championship slated between 11 and 16 of March, 2025 in Vana, Bulgaria. The International Handball Federation revealed the championship groupings on Wednesday following the completion of the Draw at the IHF Headquarters in Basel, Switzerland. It can be recalled that the Nigerian side lost to the Americans in one of the group games in the first edition of the Emerging Nations Championship held in Georgia in 2019 and they defeated Azerbaijan in another group game in the 2023 edition hosted in Bulgaria. According to the President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Samuel Ocheho, assured that the Federation will ensure they succeed at the championship. “This is a tricky group for our boys but i see opportunities as it is an opportunity for the team to improve on their previous 7th place standings in the championship. “We also know our opponents in this competition and we will give all the necessary support for the team to succeed because we believe they will thrive in the championship,” he said. Ocheho also appealed to the National Sports Commission to also support the efforts of the HFN in their continued push to put Nigeria handball in the global space. The IHF Emerging Nations Championship is a competition organised by the World Handball governing body, the International Handball Federation (IHF) for countries participating in the four-year plan of the European Handball Federation and some of the best ranked countries that didn’t qualify for the World’s Men Handball Championship.

Championship strugglers fire Wayne Rooney

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney stepped down as Plymouth manager on Tuesday after just seven months in charge of the Championship strugglers. Rooney leaves with Plymouth rooted to the bottom of the second tier following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Oxford. Plymouth sit four points from safety after winning just four times and losing 13 of their 23 league games following Rooney’s appointment in May. Plymouth have been thrashed 6-1 by Norwich and lost 4-0 against both Bristol City and Coventry in recent weeks to heap the pressure on the former England captain. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board of Plymouth,” said Rooney. “Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as head coach and I wish them all the best for the future. “To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever. “Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to look out for and take interest in their results.” A statement on the club website added: “Plymouth Argyle can confirm that the club and head coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. “We would like to thank Wayne and his team for all their efforts and wish them well for the future.” It is 39-year-old Rooney’s latest managerial flop. He was sacked by Birmingham after only 15 games in charge last season. Birmingham were eventually relegated from the Championship after Rooney’s exit. Rooney was also unable to keep Derby in the Championship after the club were hit with hefty points deductions when they went into administration and breached Football League accounting rules. He earned plaudits at Derby for keeping them in the survival battle until the end of the season but quit the Rams in the aftermath of their relegation in 2022. Rooney also had a spell as DC United manager in the United States before returning to England. Feted as one of the greatest players of his generation, Rooney is Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer and also held that record with England for eight years before it was broken by Harry Kane in 2023. He won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup in a glittering 13-year spell with United that ended in 2017.

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.