2019 AFCON: Dangote,Otedola to reward Super Eagles with $75k for each goals henceforth

 

The day after their exquisite and efficient performance against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa (conquerors of seven –time champions and host nation Egypt) that saw them reach the semi finals of AFCON 2019, the Super Eagles received pledges of more dollar rain from two of Africa’s richest businessmen.

 

On a visit to the team’s Le Meridien Cairo Airport hotel on Thursday morning, during which he urged the players to even redouble their efforts in order to cross the semi final stage on Sunday, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick put a call through to the two well -known philanthropists and tasked them to commit to supporting the team.

 

While Dangote made a pledge of $50,000 to the team for every goal in their remaining two matches at the championship, Otedola pledged the sum of $25,000 for every goal.

 

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who holds Nigeria’s second highest national honour (GCON) is the President of Dangote Group and is ranked as the richest person of African descent in the world. The Dangote Group has interests in various commodities in Nigeria and other African countries.

 

Oil baron Femi Otedola has recently been involved in a number of commendable interventions for ailing former Nigerian international players, including 1980 AFCON winning team –captain Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu and goalkeeper Peter Fregene.

 

Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana as Ekong Troost Late Winner secure semi final birth for Nigeria at AFCON 2019

 

Nigeria soared into the semi finals of the 32^nd Africa Cup of Nations finals after an unlikely William Ekong winner two minutes to full time at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday night.

 

Bongani Zungu scored in the 70^th minute as the ball hit the back of Super Eagles’ forward and tournament top scorer Odion Ighalo from a free kick, to cancel out a Samuel Chukwueze strike in the 26^th minute that had kept Nigeria on top all evening. But Ekong popped up at the far post to slam the ball into an empty net as goalkeeper Ronnie Williams and his entire defence missed the ball from substitute Moses Simon’s corner.

 

No doubt, the game lived up to its billing as a confrontation between two fierce rivals, with both teams sizing each other up in the early minutes and being very cautious in their approach. But Nigeria were quicker off the blocks, with Ahmed Musa guilty of a poor pull out and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi watching his shot sail narrowly over the bar in the 5^th minute.

 

As the game wore on, Samuel Chukwueze tried to stamp his authority on the right wing, combining beautifully with defender Chidozie Awaziem. In the 26^th minute, Alex Iwobi sold a dummy and cantered to the right side of the Bafana Bafana defence, before a sharp cut-back for Chukwueze, whose first shot was blocked. But the young forward followed up and snatched the rebound, and then slotted past Williams for Nigeria’s first goal.

 

The atmosphere was electric at the Cairo International Stadium, with the near 20,000 fans all rooting for the Super Eagles. But Musa, on a counter attack, failed to make it count with a poor cross, and then Chukwueze himself concocted a poor finish from Ahmed Musa’s pass with 10 minutes left before interval.

 

In the second half, Oghenekaro Etebo rocked Williams’ crossbar from a 25 –yard free kick, and Musa and Chukwueze had their hands on their heads from missed opportunities, before South Africa equalized somewhat fortuitously in the 70^th minute.

 

The ball hit the back of forward Odion Ighalo from Percy Tau’s free kick as Nigeria massed to defend, and flew to Zungu, who directed his header to the far corner and beyond a flat footed goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

 

Yet, Nigeria would make hay late, with Ekong’s winner, and now the Super Eagles await the winner of the tie between Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire in the semi finals at the Cairo International Stadium.

 

In the first semi final, Senegal’s Lions of Teranga (1-0 winners of Benin Republic in the first quarter final match on Wednesday) will take on the winner of the Madagascar/Tunisia match.

2019 HIFL: LASU Blazers,FUTMINNA through to of Round 16 as the Ibadan derby ends in deadlock

LASU Blazers have secured their place in the round of 16  after thrashing Afe Babalola University football team,ABUAD stars by three goals - One to take up their point haul to 6 points which is enough to guarantee the team a second round berth at the Ibadan centre as 

UI Pioneers and Lead City Gladiators settled for a goalless draw in the second  match of the day in Ibadan.

The thrilling encounter saw the Pioneers dominated the opening minutes of the game with all the  possessions of ball but the Gladiators defense was formidable to thwart all the attack thrown at it by the Pioneers.

Elsewhere at the Abuja centre, FUTMINNA Transformers beat defeated PLASU Boulders, plateau state  University Football team by two goals to one to book their place in the Round of 16 having trounce Nile Rovers earlier in the round to secure unassailable 6 points to top the group.

Meanwhile the battle for qualification continues today  the teams involved are in a win or break situations. 

UI pioneers will need to beat  LASU blazers to make it to the next round irrespective of the outcome of the match between Lead City Gladiators and ABUAD stars

While at the Abuja Centre PLASU Boulders will need to avoid defeat against the host,the Nile Rovers.

NFF sets up Member Associations Adhoc Committee

The Nigeria Football Federation has in line with its Statutes set up a Member Associations Adhoc Committee, saddled with the responsibility of maintaining excellent relationship with its 44 affiliate bodies.

 

Acting President of the NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, made this known to thenff.com on Wednesday, while underscoring the importance of having such a body in order to constantly and firmly keep the affiliate bodies on the same page with the supreme –governing body for the game in the country.

                                                           

Akinwunmi also disclosed that the membership is composed of the current zonal coordinators, with himself as chairman, while Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Chidi Ofo Okenwa, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Emmanuel Ibah and Babagana Kalli are members.

                             

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, will serve as secretary of the committee.

                                             

All the Football Associations in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory are members/affiliates of the Nigeria Football Association, alongside the Nigeria Referees Association, Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Players’ Union (National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers) and the Leagues (Nigeria Professional Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League One).

 

…announces composition of NFF Foundation

 

The Nigeria Football Federation also on Wednesday set up the NFF Foundation, which would be saddled with the responsibility of targeting and raising funds for noble programs and legacy projects.

 

The Foundation is headed by Mr. Mohammed Edewor, with Mallam Danladi Bako, the Kogunan Sakkwato and former Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, as the vice chairman.

 

There are also His Excellency Silas Agara, the immediate past deputy governor of Nasarawa State who had earlier served as Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the same State, as well as Hon. Goni Bukar Lawan, Chairman of the House of Rep’ Committee on Youth and Sports Development in the eighth session of the National Assembly; football –passionate businessman Yemi Idowu; former Nigeria international player and President of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers, Tijani Babangida and; foremost sports journalist and editor of Saturday Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Onochie Anibeze.

 

The committee will appoint its secretary.

 

Essentially, the Foundation will raise funds for empowerment initiatives for ex-international players by way of training and skill development; football community and social change programs; grassroots development programs and; football-for-the-girl-child and women football empowerment programs.

 

Acting President of the NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi will serve as Adviser/NFF Liaison to the Foundation, which will adopt and adapt the governance structure of the (English) FA Foundation, with appropriate modifications to comply with the laws of Nigeria and take care of the local situation and environment.

Rangers Hires 'Surugede' as Caretaker Coach

 

Management of Coal city ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C ably led by Prince Davidson Owumi, has engaged the services of former senior international and club’ defense Trojan, Benedict Ugwu as care-taker head coach pending when a substantive technical adviser is hired.

In an exclusive chat, Prince Owumi said that Ugwu has been saddled with the task of taking care of the technical department of the team especially as the players retained return to begin pre-season activities following the expiration of the contract of former gaffer, Olugbenga Ogunbote.

“There is no room for any vacuum and Ugwu has shown through his actions and technical contributions that he has what it takes to lead our team on a care-taker basis. As a senior national team player, Benedict distinguished himself. As a player of Rangers, he was full of the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit. Even when he took his game oversea, he was a great ambassador of club and country. When he came back, he showed some great stuff with the feeder team. Naturally, it is the belief of management that he has what it takes to guide us before a substantive technical adviser come around,” said the G.M of Rangers.

Benedict Ugwu came to the lime light with the famous Benue Cement Company F.C of Gboko where he shorn like a million star to help the Gboko side to a national challenge cup and CAF cup winners cup in 1990 the same year he won the best player award in the country and third best play on the continent.

Ugwu, who spent a dedicated ten years service to the ‘Flying Antelopes’ in his playing days, was a strong member of the team that won the national challenge cup for the Enugu side in 1983 and 1984 before taking his skills to such clubs as El-Kanemi Warriors and 3SC where he also excelled before venturing overseas.

‘Surugede’, as Coach Benedict Ugwu is fondly called is a N.I.S, Lagos and CAF coaching license holder.

Goals Galore as the HIFL returns to the Pitch with Week 4 games

Action resumes at the on going 2019 HiFL ,Higher Institution Football League after last week break. 

The break was necessary to pave way for the 'Coaching the coach ' program where the coaches of the participating teams were taught on new tactical and technical aspects of the game .

Andy Smith, the technical director Man city football school led the team of experts in the two day event which was held I  lagos last week.

 The coaches no doubt were eager to apply what they learn and the week 4 matches live up to Expectations as FUTMINNA transformers put five goals past Nile Rovers of Abuja.

The new entrant from Abuja can only reply with one  goal. The match took place at the Nile Phoenix stadium Abuja.

 DVC Administration, Prof. Kayode Adebowale presenting the Man of the Match award to UI Pioneers Defender, Oyesina Emmanuel after the Higher Institutions Football league match between UI Pioneers and ABUAD Stars in Ibadan….

At the Ibadan  centre,LASU Blazers blew off resistance from the Lead City Gladiators as the lagos University team came from a goal deficit to beat their opponent by two goals to one.

In the Opening match at the Ibadan centre, the UI Pioneers failed to take maximum points at stake despite playing in front of their crowd at the University of Ibadan sports company,Afe Babalola University ABUAD stars share the spoils with the boys from UI.

Action continues in both centres tommorrow ,

The league is organised by Pace Sports and Entertainment Marketing in partnership with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA). The top 32 Universities from NUGA-member institutions will play over a period of 21 weeks, with the final four billed for the Agege Stadium, Lagos. 

The league is proudly sponsored by Stanbic IBTC, Premier cool

AFCON 2019: Nigeria edge Cameroon 3-2 to reach quarter finals . Eagles versus Bafana Bafana on Wednesday

                                                                                          

Nigeria ejected Cup holders Cameroon out of the 32^nd Africa Cup of Nations after a brace by Odion Ighalo spearheaded a spirited fightback at the Alexandria Stadium on Saturday.

 

The Round of 16 clash was not given much of a rating after Nigeria suffered a nightmarish 2-0 defeat by lowly Madagascar in their final group match on Saturday and Cameroon failed to defeat Benin Republic and ended up in second place in their pool.

 

Yet, the rivalry between both neighbouring countries made for a cagey start, with the Super Eagles, who sliced the Indomitable Lions to tiny bits in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying race, showing more urgency and purpose at the fore.

 

Moses Simon had dithered unexpectedly as Cameroon slipped in defence before Odion Ighalo, top scorer in the qualifying race with seven goals, put Nigeria ahead after connecting from a pass by Kenneth Omeruo in a melee that ensued following Oghenekaro Etebo’s free kick from the left. This was in the 19^th minute. The ball deflected off a Cameroonian defender past goalkeeper Andre Onana.

 

Three minutes later, Simon fired a shot that was held by Onana, and at the other end, Stephane Bahoken, Clinton Njie and Choupo-Moting harassed the Nigeria defence as Kenneth Omeruo, William Ekong and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi showed frail nerves.

 

The Cup holders equalized in the 41^st minute when Bahoken lashed home from a pull out as the Nigeria defence ball –watched, and then shot into the lead three minutes later when Njie shook off the feeble challenge of Ola Aina and shot past Akpeyi.

 

Six minutes after the restart, Nigeria nearly conceded an own goal as Omeruo and Ekong faltered at the rear. On the hour, Nigeria introduced former junior international Samuel Chukwueze, and this brought some verve, zeal and energy into the Super Eagles’ attack.

 

Three minutes later, Chukwueze’s brilliant run ended with defender Chidozie Awaziem’s cross, which Ahmed Musa cleverly chested for the better –placed Ighalo to fire home his and Nigeria’s second of the evening.

 

With AFCON legends Nwankwo Kanu and Samuel Eto’o (who played against each other in the 2000 and 2004 finals, with honours even) seated in the VIP box, both teams chased a tie-breaker but it was Nigeria that got it in the 66^th minute. They profited from their ascendancy with a clinical strike by Alex Iwobi from a smart pass by Ighalo.

 

AIthough they were hardly spectacular on the night, with most moves rather lumberous and ponderous, Ighalo’s man-of-the-match performance egged on the Super Eagles and eventually landed them in the quarter finals, in which they confront South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday.

 

1996 champions South Africa shocked host nation Egypt 1-0 at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday evening, setting up another clash with familiar foes Nigeria, whom they defeated 2-0 in Uyo but had to force to a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg in the qualifying series for this championship.

 

Saturday’s feat was the sixth time that Nigeria would eliminate a defending champion from the Africa Cup of Nations. In 1976, a young squad captained by Christian Chukwu mauled then Cup holders Zaire (now DR Congo) 4-2 in Ethiopia, and in 1984, Nigeria edged Cup holders Ghana 2-1 in Cote d’Ivoire.

 

In 1994, on the way to winning a second title, the Super Eagles sent packing Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire after penalties in the semi final, and in 2004, bundled out Cameroon (winners in Mali in 2002) 2-1 in a quarter final match in Monastir, Tunisia.

 

Two years later, incidentally in Egypt, the Super Eagles ejected Cup holders Tunisia after penalties in an interesting quarter final match in Port Said.

 

NFF partners AITEO, Nigeria’s leading energy solution company, will reward the team with the sum of $75,000, after promising the sum of $25,000 for one goal before the match against Cameroon.  

Soname to Chair Ogun State sports Commission

The foremost Sport enthusiast and financier; and the owner of the largest sport betting company, bet9ja, Mr. Kunle Soname in my office.

Mr. Soname has graciously agreed to Chair the Ogun state Sports Commission once the government puts all the enabling law in place

According to his Excellency, Dapo Abiodun MFR after he hosted kunle soname in his office on Friday

"We assured him of our government's support, adding that  his coming home would inspire other sons and daughters to invest and follow his path."

The Governor continued, 

"As a government, we had challenged Mr. Soname who is a proprietor of a football club in Europe to come home and invest in the state by rebranding an redefining sport in our state as we believed he could also help with the state owned football team that is not really performing well"

In his remark, Mr. Kunle Soname noted that he would partner the state in terms of grassroot development of sports, adding that he would also invite his friends to invest in Ogun State. 

AFCON 2019 Round of 16 : Nigeria and Cameroon renew AFCON rivalry

 

Three –time champions Nigeria and five –time winners Cameroon go toe-to-toe in an Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match that could well determine the future of new squads being built by both nations.

 

Both teams finished runner –up in their respective groups despite being rated to top, and low fire power is a constant variable in both camps with only two goals in each team’s kitty.

 

Nigeria, winners in 2013 and having reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the current AFCON campaign respectively with a match to spare, suffered a nightmarish 0-2 defeat to lowly Madagascar in their final Group B game they were expected to win well without sweat. But Cup holders Cameroon also bombed on bookmakers by drawing blank in their final Group F encounter with the Squirrels of Benin Republic.

 

Cameroon have had the upper hand against Nigeria in AFCON history, although Nigeria has won 13 of 22 encounters in all with the fierce neighbours at senior level, and humiliated the Indomitable Lions in the race to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

 

It is also on record that the Lions have not beaten the Super Eagles in regulation time since 27^thAugust 1989, when an under-strength Nigeria side lost 0-1 in Yaounde in an Italia 1990 World Cup qualifier –two weeks after Samuel Okwaraji died in another World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos.

 

In 1984, in an entertaining AFCON final in Abidjan, Cameroon came from one goal down to defeat Nigeria 3-1, exhibiting the quality and experience that had made them unbeaten at the FIFA World Cup in Spain two years earlier. Four years later, at the same stage in Casablanca, the Lions were less convincing, as Nigeria lost following Mauritanian referee Idrissa Saar’s inexplicable decision to disallow a goal by Henry Nwosu in the first half, and then award a soft penalty to the Lions early in the second half.

 

Again in the final, in 2000, it was even more controversial. A 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time was followed by a penalty shootout, during which Tunisian referee Mourad Daami controversially ruled out the kick by Victor Ikpeba that television replays later showed to have crossed the line behind goalkeeper Alioum Boukar.

 

Nigeria got some revenge in 2004, when Jay Jay Okocha spearheaded a comeback in a quarter final tie in Monastir, Tunisia that ended 2-1 in favour of Nigeria, and after waiting 13 years, the Eagles dismantled reigning African champions Cameroon 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Uyo before a 1-1 draw in Yaounde days later.

 

Saturday’s encounter at the 20,000 –capacity Alexandria Stadium will be a fight-to-finish, as both teams are undergoing some sort of restructuring in playing personnel and introspection on recent below-par performances.

 

Despite lifting a fifth African title in Gabon 30 months ago, Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and were less than convincing in qualifying for this tournament.

 

On their part, Nigeria failed to reach the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, and despite earning a ticket to Egypt with a match to spare, analysts have drawn daggers for Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr on perceived lack of bravery in selection and lack of clear playing pattern of his team.

 

While Nigeria appears to be seeing the last active days of captain Mikel Obi on the international road, Cameroon have excluded big goal-poacher Vincent Aboubakar from this tournament altogether.

 

Yet, all things must fall nicely in place for the Super Eagles on Saturday as they seek a place in the tournament quarter finals, with young horses Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem and even the experienced Odion Ighalo aware they cannot afford to falter at this stage in their AFCON debut.

 

With Mikel injured and certain to be on the bench, the burden is on Ahmed Musa’s shoulders to rally the troop from the humiliation by Madagascar and launch offensive after offensive that will break down the traditionally –strong Lions rearguard.

 

While Nigeria’s senior team has not played many games on 6^thJuly in the past, they pipped Tunisia 1-0 in a 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Lagos on 6^th July 1985. Other matches prosecuted in the month of July include a 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat of Tunisia (2-0) in Lagos on 12^th July 1980; a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat of Algeria (4-1) in Lagos on 13^thJuly 1993; a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat of Sudan (4-0) in Omdurman on 1^st July 2001 and; a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat of Algeria (1-0) in Abuja on 3^rd July 2004.

 

AFCON 2019 ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES

 

Egypt Vs South Africa

Madagascar Vs DR Congo

Nigeria Vs Cameroon

Senegal Vs Uganda

Algeria Vs Guinea

Morocco Vs Benin Republic

Mali Vs Cote d’Ivoire

Ghana Vs Tunisia

Bench warrant on four NFF officials abates as counsel fulfils court’s requirements

The bench warrant issued on Monday, 1^st July against four top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja with regards to a case brought by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) has died a natural death, after the defence counsel submitted on Tuesday morning the documents requested by the court.

 

In the covering note signed by Barrister Mohammed Sani Katu and addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, the defence counsel affirmed that “in compliance with the proceedings of 1^st July 2019 wherein this honourable court directed the issuance of a Bench Warrant against the 2^nd– 5^th Defendants (Seyi Akinwunmi, Shehu Dikko, Sanusi Mohammed and Yusuf Ahmed Fresh) which shall abate upon the submission of evidence of participation in the ongoing Total Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2019.

 

“We are thus forwarding, herewith, the Official Accreditation Documents for the tournament of the defendants and travelling documents to Egypt evidencing their participation and official status as representatives of Nigeria at the continental tournament, which necessitated their absence in court on 1^st July 2019.” Also attached were copies of entry visas into Egypt, and Europe, for those of them who travelled direct from the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France to Egypt.

 

The documents were submitted on Tuesday morning and have been duly filed.

 

It woud be recalled that at the resumed hearing of the case on Monday 1^st July 2019, Justice Ojukwu had issued a conditional bench warrantagainst the four officials, meaning that the warrant would die naturally and there would be no need for the defence counsel to ask for vacation of the same by the Judge.

Unseeded Nigerian conquers African champion

Isau Ogunkunle (NGR) in action at the Africa PTT Championships in Alexandria, Egypt on Sunday June 30, 2019..

Nigeria’s Isau Ogunkunle announced his emergence at the Africa Para Table Tennis Championships holding in Alexandria, Egypt, as the 33-year-old humbled African Champion - Egypt’s Mohamed Sameh Eid in the men’s singles Class Four in the first round.   Isau Ogunkunle may not a familiar name in Africa but the Nigerian has made name for himself at the 2019 Africa PTT Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, when he caused the biggest upset at the tournament after beating the Egyptian 3-2. Ogunkunle who is competing in Class Four as one of Nigeria’s representatives was set up against his idol - Egypt’s Mohamed Sameh Eid and he knew that for him to prove a point in Africa, he must surmount the world number 11 and Africa’s number one. As Nigeria’s national champion, Isau Ogunkunle did the impossible in front of the Egyptian fans when he humbled the home hero in the first round of the Class Four singles event. From the start of the encounter the unseeded Nigerian was full of confidence against the tournament’s number one seed by winning the first game at 11-8. But Mohamed Sameh Eid had to rely on experience with a lot of topspin from the backhand to win the next two games at 8-11, 6-11. Having discovered the weakness of his opponent after losing the second and third games, Isau Ogunkunle decided to play more to the Egyptian forehand and this worked for him as he won the fourth game by 11-2. The final and deciding game went the way of the Nigerian who led from the start to the end to win at 11-7. The excited Nigerian did not hide his joy after the big win when he said, he would be unstoppable having surmounted his biggest challenge in the competition with the victory. “In 2011 when I first played against Mohamed Sameh Eid, he defeated me 3-0 but after the match he came to me to comfort and encourage me not to give up. Since then we have been friends and we communicate with each other regularly. He became my idol in the game,” Isau Ogunkunle said. However, the romance for table tennis for Isau Ogunkunle did not come by leisure but by sheer determination to make it big in life. “I was in school in 2005 when I lost my father and it was difficult for me to continue schooling so I dropped out. I decided to embrace shoe-making as a vocation. But it was in 2010 that somebody who came to patronize me invited me to table tennis hall and that was how I started playing table tennis,” the Nigerian said.

Egypt’s Eid Saleh sets new record in Africa

Egypt’s Eid Saleh sets new record in Africa Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh (EGY) makes it to fifth Pralympic Games in Tokyo 2020 in Alexandria, Egypt on Monday July 1, 2019...

At 41, Egypt’s Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh becomes the first Africa para table tennis player to be featuring in five Paralympic Games after the world number 11 avenge her group loss to Nigeria’s Isau Ogunkunle in the final of the men’s Class Four on July 1, 2019, to secure the continental sole slot to Tokyo 2020. From the group stage of the 2019 Africa Para Table Tennis Championships holding in Alexandria, Egypt, where he lost 2-3 to the Nigerian, Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh who is current African champion knew that it would not be an easy ride to Tokyo. Having put the group stage defeat behind him, Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh went to work to ensure he set another clash against the unseeded Nigerian. Being the last match of the session, Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh and Isau Ogunkunle gave the fans something to cheer as both players sized up each other to the admiration of the fans. Even when Isau Ogunkunle was trailing Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh, it was clear that the match would go into full length. With applause greeting every point won by the Egyptian, the final game made some of the fans to sit at the edge of their seat and without any doubt the win received a rousing applause from the home fans. For five minutes every activity at the Olympic Club Hall was standstill as the victory was celebrated in a big way by the home fans including the President of Egypt Table Tennis Federation (ETTF), Moataz Ashour. An elated Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh admitted that this has been the toughest qualification for him having featured in previous four Paralympic Games. “I am so excited that I will be going to my fifth Paralympic Games in Tokyo but I must admit that it was a difficult route for me this year. My opponent is a good player and I think he is still young and can still make it to the Paralympic Games. But generally, this has been the toughest qualification for me and I am so happy that I will becoming the first African para table tennis player to compete in five Paralympic Games,” Mohamed Sameh Eid Saleh said. From the 14 athletes that qualified for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Egypt picked eight slots, Nigeria picked five while Tunisia secured one slot.

Nigeria vs Madagascar Preview: Why I will make changes to team's line up..Gernot Rhor We will try and win...Madagascar coach

Coach Gernot Rhor is set to name a different Squad that defeated Guinea last week Wednesday as the team file out this Evening against Madagascar. This is to put pressure on players and intensify competition in every position www.sportspedalng.blogspot.com can report.

The coach made this known at the pre Match  conference held in Alexandria on Saturday when he was answering questions from journalists. 

The Belgian German tactician who uncharacteristically made five changes to his starting line up  against the syli stars responded affirmitively when ask whether he will make changes to his squad that played against Guinea as the set to take on the braise from Madagascar 

"Will I make changes? Yes, because I want to put everyone under pressure and have that competition in each position. We’ll see in the last training tonight which changes we will do,” .

The coach however reterioted that the focus of the team is the to finish top of the group in order to avoid second in other group because it is better to play third. 

“It’s important to finish first of the group, it’s better to play a team in third than second so we will do all to finish top,” Rohr told reporters at the pre-match news conference.

According to the coach,the match will be very interesting as the team is highly motivated to win the match in order to top the group 

“It will be a really interesting match against a team that has a lot of offensive qualities. I think it will also be a ‘final’ in the group, the winner will be top and that’s a big motivation for us.”

The tactician will be playing against the country home of his in law as the Madagascans are having stellar outing so far in their debut appearance. 

They are yet to lose a game having drawn their first game against Guinea 2-2 and defeated Burundi in their last game to garner 4 points and a point against the Super Eagles will guarantee them a second place finish and avoid the calculations that come with qualifying with the third best finish across the groups

Madagascar coach,Nicolas Dupuis knows the task at hand and declare that his team will try and win .

“We’re going out there to try and win knowing we’re not favourites. One point will be enough for us to finish second. 

We’re not yet qualified for the last 16 so I’m not going to try and calculate things. It would be a shame for it to end here.”

Madagascar will be meeting the Super Eagles for the first in AFCON in their 3rd ever game in the competition while the Super Eagles will be playing their 89th matches after making their debut in 1963,they have racked up a massive 42 victories ,22 draws and 19 defeats with 3 titles to show for it.

The match is one the final matches  in Group B of Egypt 2019 as Burundi takes on Guinea in a winner takes all encounter, both matches will kick off by 5pm Nigeria time.

Nigeria invites 44 for Basketball World Cup

D’Tigers Head Coach, Alex Nwora has released a 44 man preliminary roaster ahead of the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup in China, after weeks of scouting.

The camping exercise which will commence on July 7, 2019 in Erie Community College, Buffalo, USA will include D’Tigers captain, Ike Diogu, Ben Uzoh, Ike Iroegbu, Agada Caleb, Emegano Obinna, Efevhera Michael, Portland Trailblazer’s Al Farouq Aminu, Stanley Okoye, Jordan Nwora, Aminu Alade, Tosin Mehinti, Zana Talib, Chris Obekpa and Ayodeji Akindele who all featured during the qualifiers.

Others include David Nwaba (Cleveland Cavaliers), Josh Akogie (Minnesota Timberwolves), Nwamu Ike (Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Michael Eric, Charles Bassey, Ike Obiagu, Achiuwa Precious, TK Edogi, Stephen Ugochukwu and Ado Abdul, Chimezie Metu (San Antonio Spurs), Ekpe Udoh (Utah Jazz) and recently drafted trio of Miye Oni (Miami Heat), Chuma Okeke (Orlando Magic) and Kezie Okpalla (Phoenix Suns).

Nwora also extended invitation to five Nigerian based stars, Agu Abuchi Ibe, Okpe Ocheibi Victor, Abdul Yahaya, Vincent Buchi Nwaiwu, Victor Koko Anthony alongside former Golden State Warriors player, Festus Ezeli, Michael Oguine, and Jordan Ogundiran.

Ogugua “OG” Anunoby (Toronto Raptors), Semi Ojeleye (Boston Celtic), Ochai Agbaji, Vincent Nnamdi, Stephen Domingos, Moneke Chima and Joshua Ifeoluwa Ajayi complete the 44- man list.

As part of the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s effort to effectively prepare the team, D’Tigers will face fellow world cup bound Dominican Republic at the Palacio de Los Deportes in San Domingo on July 20th and 22nd before another test game against Ex NBA and Euro All Stars on the July 26, as they round off the first phase of camping.

The Second phase of camping will commence on July 29, while the invited NBA players are expected to report to camp on August 1 before departing for Toronto on August 5, where they will be facing Canada on the August 7 and 9.

Nwora will be assisted by Glynn R. Cyrien (Ex Memphis Grizzlies), Mfon Kokoete Udofia (Atlanta Hawks) and Ogoh Odaudu (Rivers Hoopers)

The final 12-man list will depart for Nigeria on August 12, for the final round of training before leaving for China on August 18.

Nigeria battle Korea, Argentina and Russia in Group B