AITEO Cup: Sunshine ,Nasarawa clash headline Round of 32

The encounter between NPFL teams Sunshine Stars of Akure and Nasarawa United of Lafia at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode is the pick of the Round of 32 matches of this year’s AITEO Cup competition that will come up on Wednesday.

In the women’s competition, in which the first ball will be kicked on Wednesday, the match between Premier League teams FC Robo Queens and Delta Queens of Asaba at the Legacy Pitch of National Stadium, Lagos headlines the Round of 32.

Yobe Desert Stars, who eliminated top NPFL side Kano Pillars in a rescheduled Round of 64 tie in Damaturu on Thursday, square up against Akwa United in Uyo next week – the match rescheduled as a result of the Nigeria/Cameroon World Cup qualifier in the same city on Friday.

Lobi Stars, who kicked out fellow NPFL side Katsina United, are away to Ngwa FC in Abakaliki, while Unicem Rovers will host Rangers International of Enugu and the Oshogbo Township Stadium is venue for the clash between Osun United and Kwara United.

In the women’s version, Adamawa Queens will take on Edo Queens in Fufure, Invincible Queens are away to Confluence Queens in Lokoja and Rivers Angels will tackle Delta Babes in Port Harcourt.

NPFL side Niger Tornadoes will be up against FC Atete (the club that eliminated Rivers United) in Lokoja, Shooting Stars are away to Delta Warriors in Warri and Plateau United host Ede United in Jos.

AITEO Cup Round of 32 Matches

WOMEN

Adamawa Queens Vs Edo Queens (Fufure)

FC Robo Queens Vs Delta Queens (Lagos)

Confluence Queens Vs Invincible Queens (Lokoja 2pm)

Beautiful Tours Vs Moje Queens (Area 3, Abuja 2pm)

Rivers Angels Vs Delta Babes (Port Harcourt)

Bayelsa Queens Feeders Vs Fortress Ladies (Nembe Stadium)

Pelican Stars Vs Young Talents 99 (Calabar 2pm)

* Ben Women FC, Ibom Angels, Jokodolu Babes, Sure Babes, Sunshine Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Osun Babes, Abia Angels and Bayelsa Queens were drawn bye into the Round of 16.

MEN

Sunshine Stars Vs Nasarawa United (Ijebu-Ode)

Akwa United Vs Yobe Desert Stars (Uyo, 6 September 4pm)

Osun United Vs Kwara United (Oshogbo)

Niger Tornadoes Vs FC Atete (Lokoja)

Ngwa FC Vs Lobi Stars (Abakaliki)

Unicem Rovers Vs Rangers International (Calabar 4pm)

Ekiti United Vs Abia Warriors (Ado-Ekiti)

FRSC FC Vs Heartland FC (Area 3, Abuja 4pm)

FC IfeanyiUbah Feeders Vs FC IfeanyiUbah (Nnewi)

El-Kanemi Babes Vs Almar FC (Maiduguri)

FC Abuja Vs Samba Kurna (Area 3, Abuja, 31 August)

Plateau United Vs Ede United (Jos)

ABS FC Vs Adamawa United Feeders (Ilorin)

Katsina United Feeders Vs Bayelsa United (Katsina)

Akwa Starlets Vs Doma United (Uyo, 6 September 2pm)

Delta Warriors Vs Shooting Stars (Warri)

* All matches to be played on Wednesday, 30th August 2017, except otherwise stated.

Eagles target 12th win over Cameron's Lions

Eagles target 12th win over Cameroon’s Lions

The Super Eagles will aim to achieve a 12th triumph over the Lions of Cameroon when both teams go for each other’s jugular at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday.

In 19 previous encounters, Nigeria have been winners 11 times, with Cameroon winning four times and four matches drawn.

Of these games, three happened to be the Final matches of the Africa Cup of Nations (all won by Cameroon, including a nail –biting penalty shoot-out session in Lagos in February 2000), and there were two different fixtures of FIFA World Cup qualifiers (1968 and 1989) shared equally.

Nigeria eliminated Cameroon from the qualifying race for 1970 World Cup finals, winning 3-2 in Douala after a 1-1 draw in Lagos. But the Lions took their revenge in 1989, snatching the minimum win they needed in Yaounde (1-0) to kick the Eagles out of the race for Italia ’90, only two weeks after Sam Okwaraji’s death.

While Cameroonians treasure the wins in Abidjan (1984), Casablanca (1988) and Lagos (2000) that gave them three of their five African titles, Nigerians have sweet memories of a 2-0 defeat of the Lions in Ibadan (in 1989) and a gutsy 2-1 win over Cup holders Cameroon in the quarter finals of 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in the sunshine of Monastir.

When the two teams last clashed, at the Edmond Machtens Stadium in Brussels in October 2015, the Eagles ran away 3-0 winners. Efe Ambrose rose highest in the Lions’ box to nod home a Mikel John Obi free –kick, before Moses Simon rounded the goalkeeper for the second goal and Odion Ighalo headed the third after a splendid pull –out by Elderson Echiejile.

Mikel Obi, Simon, Ighalo and Echiejile are in the Nigerian squad that will seek a repeat scoreline on Friday.

NIGERIA & CAMEROON AT SENIOR LEVEL

8 Dec 1962: Nigeria 3 Cameroon 1 – Lagos (Nkrumah Cup)

1 Jan 1963: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2 – Yaounde (Nkrumah Cup)

7 Dec 1968: Nigeria 1 Cameroon 1 – Lagos (World Cup Qualifier)

22 Dec 1968: Cameroon 2 Nigeria 3 – Douala (World Cup Qualifier)

13 Feb 1972: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2 – Yaounde (Friendly)

22 Jan 1975: Nigeria 1 Cameroon 0 – Lagos (Friendly)

17 July 1978: Cameroon 0 Nigeria 0 – Algiers (All-Africa Games)

2 Feb 1980: Nigeria 0 Cameroon 0 – Ibadan – (Friendly)

18 Mar 1984: Cameroon 3 Nigeria 1 – Abidjan (ACN Final)

17 Mar 1988: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 1 – Rabat (ACN – group phase)

27 Mar 1988: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 0 – Casablanca (ACN Final)

10 Jun 1989: Nigeria 2 Cameroon 0 – Ibadan (World Cup Qualifier)

27 Aug 1989: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 0 – Yaounde (World Cup Qualifier)

25 Jan 1992: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2 – Dakar (ACN – Bronze medal game)

7 Aug 1997: Cameroon 0 Nigeria 1 – Tunis (LG Cup)

13 Feb 2000: Nigeria 2 Cameroon 2 (3-4 penalties) – Lagos (ACN Final)

1 Jun 2003: Nigeria 3 Cameroon 0 – Lagos (LG Cup)

8 Feb 2004: Cameroon 1 Nigeria 2 – Monastir (ACN – group phase)

11 Oct 2015: Nigeria 3 Cameroon 0 – Brussels (Friendly)

Upbeat Eagles plot Cameron's fall in Uyo

Table –toppers Nigeria are confident of overhauling Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions when both teams clash in perhaps the biggest match of Africa’s Group B of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying race on Friday.

Reigning African champions Cameroon come to town at a time the Eagles are fully committed to establishing an unassailable lead in the pool, and on the back of Nigeria having won the last three encounters between both nations at senior level.

Cameroon won the African title in Gabon early in the year – a championship for which Nigeria failed to qualify – and then tucked three big games under their belt at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia in the summer. Yet, they have a mountain to climb against a Nigerian side ready to rise to the occasion in front of a partisan home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

The Lions will derive little comfort from glancing at the Group B table, on which they lag behind Nigeria with as many as four points, and also realize they have never beaten Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying match played in Nigeria.

Team captain Mikel John Obi is at the head of 22 players who were as at Tuesday morning in the Akwa Ibom State capital for the big encounter, with only Cyprus –based Abdullahi Shehu and Russia –based Aaron Samuel still expected at the Ibom Meridien Hotel.

Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, told thenff.com on Tuesday that his wards are fully focused on what pundits have referred to as Nigeria’s biggest match of the year.

“It is a big match and we are fully focused and committed. The players know what it means; they need little or no reminding of how important this match is. I am happy we have almost the full house now and can concentrate on our tactics for the game.”

Tuesday’s arrivals were Moses Simon, Uche Agbo, Leon Balogun, John Ogu, Anthony Nwakaeme and Victor Moses, joining up with Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelechi Iheanacho, William Ekong, Ahmed Musa, Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Mikel Agu, Odion Ighalo, Wilfred Ndidi, Dele Alampasu, Elderson Echiejile and Tyronne Ebuehi who made it to Uyo on Monday.

Nigeria, on six maximum points from their first two matches, will all but seal a place in Russia if they snap up the three points on offer on Friday evening. Zambia and Algeria, the other two teams in the group, have one point each and clash at the Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.

It's Been a Wonderful, Crazy Season For us ....Amobi

"It's been a wonderful, crazy season for us.  This season we learn from each game and come back better " .

These are the choice words of Barrister Amobi Ezeaku ,the team manager of Rangers international football club used in describing Rangers' 2017 season.

 

The defending Champion defeated Remo stars by two goals to one in one of the March day 36 fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League , NPFL, at the Gateway international stadium Sagamu on Sunday courtesy of brace from the boots of Bobby Clement.

Each goal in each half gives Rangers international their first away victory of the campaign to take their point haul to 52 points ,which is enough to keep them in the NPFL for next season.

 

A lot of their fans expected a lot from the defending Champion this season but they couldn't just lived up to that high hopes of the fans.

The team started the season with a loss at home to Abia warriors and the Flying Antelopes failed to recover from that 1-2 loss all season,that moment marks the begining of a  rough and turbulent ride both in the domestic and Continental compaign.

 

Off the pitch pitch event wasnt helpful to the cause of the team on the pitch , from the rise and suspension of Christian Chukwu to the sacking and arrest of Imama Amakpakabo these are no doubt ugly Episodes in the Club's season that serve as a major distraction to the team's collective aspirations of giving their fans a good follow up season after a winning their first tile after 32 years in the previous season.

 

An elated Amobi  seems to have put the troubles' season behind and looks at the future after the soothing victory at Shagamu on Sunday

'Now we know we are safe and we will go back to Enugu to work hard and preserve our future in the league it's been a crazy season for us".

 

Rangers will host Enyimba of Aba at the cathedral ,in Enugu ,in their last home match of the season though nothing significant at stake,save pride and bragging rights, for the flying Antelope but they Will fancy a victory in front of their home fans and give them a parting moment to savour till league match returns to the venue next season .

The Mayweather vs McGregor bout: The official Purse

It's no longer News that Mayweather knocked out McGregor in the 10th round.

For all that cares,the bout lived up to the hype.

But the news is the Amount of take home for boxers that made last night event a great show that it was.

Here is the official breakdown of the purses:

Bout 1: Savannah Marshall ($5000) vs. Sydney LeBlanc ($3500)

Bout 2: Kevin Newman ($7500) vs. Antonio Hernandez ($7000)

Bout 3: Juan Heraldez ($12,500) vs. Jose Borrego ($5000)

Bout 4: Thomas Dulorme ($75,000) vs. Yordenis Ugas ($50,000)

Bout 5: Andrew Tabiti ($100,000) vs. Steve Cunningham ($100,000)*USBA/NABF Cruiserweight Title*

Bout 6: Nathan Cleverly ($100,000) vs. Badou Jack ($750,000)*WBA Light Heavyweight Title*

Bout 7: Gervonta Davis ($600,000) vs. Francisco Fonseca ($35,000)*IBF Junior Lightweight Title*

Bout 8: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. ($100,000,000) vs. Conor McGregor ($30,000,000)

Vitoria Futebol Clube completes the signing of Adebanjo jacob

Portuguese Side Vitoria Futebol Clube have completed the signing of  Adebanjo Jacob from AD Oliverense.

The Portuguese Premiere Liga Side announced the signing of the 23 year old defensive midfielder on their Facebook page as Adebanjo Jacob signed on a two year deal.

Jacob moved to Portuguese second division side AD Oliverense from Remo Stars in 2014 and after playing for the Sky Blue Stars in the 2013/14 Nigeria National League Season.

"Am very excited about my move to Vitoria Futebol. It's a big step for me in my career having played in the second division for quite a while, now I have the chance to play in the top division for the next two year.

"I want to make a huge impact for my new club just as my legend Rashidi Yekini did in the past, I also want to start winning major trophies and possible get a chance to play for my country but first I need to settle down and start playing games for now."

Ahead of 2017 ITTF World Cup: I need a coach Aruna Quadri pleads

Despite putting Nigeria on the world map at several occasions, Africa’s highest ranked table tennis player, Aruna Quadri is pleading for support for him to hire a coach prosecute the 2017 ITTF World Cup holding in Liege, Belgium later in the year.

Quadri who has consistently been inking his name in the annals of African table tennis history as the first African to make it to the quarterfinal of the Olympic Games as well as the first player from the continent to make it to the semifinal of the ITTF World Tour.

Being his second consecutive appearance at the ITTF World Cup, a pained Quadri said: “I am actually getting used to playing without a coach because I have no sponsor. Since I have no sponsor in order to have a coach, I just have to play alone. I can say that a coach is very, very important but since I have no support, I just have to keep on playing alone.”

“Actually, if I am not ready to play in the Bulgaria Open, I wouldn’t come along. But I am here because I am ready to play without a coach. If I had a coach, it would be even better of course,” he added.

Quadri attributed her victory against Japan’s Yuto Kizukuri in the round of 16 of Bulgaria Open as sheer luck.

“I think I have been really lucky in this tournament. It was my best match I was 6-3 down in the last set but luckily I won. I gained some confidence from the round of 16 match. I have something really important happening here and I am very happy,” he said.

He however, pleaded with his fans over the disappointment at Nigeria Open.

“I cannot actually say that Nigeria Open was a big disappointment for my fans but at the same time it is one of the things that normally happen in sports. For me it is meant to buckle me up. I thought it is possible to do so much better and anything can truly happen,” Quadri said.

It would be recalled that the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung promised to support Aruna Quadri for the World Cup but the 2014 ITTF Star Player is still waiting on the minister to fulfill his promises.