It is time to rebuild and reboot' - Abdul Sule, President, All Nigeria Football Players Union (ANFPU)

Newly appointed President of the All Nigerian Football Players Union (ANFPU) Abdul Sule has urged all present and retired footballers to demonstrate core values that would help them remain relevant during and after playing the game of soccer. 

Sule who was a former Super Eagles player was appointed as President of the body, in a well-organised ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday, which was attended by ex-footballers, and top NFF Officials, including the Second-Vice President of the NFF, Shehu Dikko.

"It is time to rebuild and reboot the players union association in our country. It requires vision, trust, knowledge and courage. ANFPU is a players-led organisation, which demonstrates the values of ensuring a better life for the present and retired footballers in Nigeria.' Sule Said. 

"As a former player, who has played both in the local league, the national team and also abroad. I believe I have a deep understanding of the player's position within the game and will contribute significantly to the growth of the organization.

"This historic initiative will provide courage for all footballers in the country. Their voices will be heard and together, we can think of ways to develop, and protect players rights, both male and female.

"The association also aims at inspiring the younger players for more achievements and restoring hope to the retired footballers. 

"Generally, we are looking at galvanizing the football playing community, through a strategic support system that would bring a new life into the Nigerian Football environment. 

"We have so many opportunities, partnerships with the club owners and also with the Football Federation, as we are affiliated with them and have all it takes to be a union. 

"We have started work and are willing to accept players who are eligible to join the association. We are poised at helping the current and ex-players achieve their dreams. This is the main motive behind the association.

UFC 268: Khabib Nurmagomedov backs Kamaru Usman to smash Covington

 

UFC Welterweight champion has received Khabib Nurmagimedov's backing to go all out to defeat Colby Covington on Saturday, in the UFC 268. 

On a Face-Time call, shared by Usman on his social media page, Khabib told Kamaru to smash Colby Covington and defend his belt. 

Khabib said:  “My energy with you, brother… Honestly, I want him to smash this guy like he did the first time. Let’s go, Kamaru. Pound-for-pound best in the world. Kamaru Usman, Nigerian Nightmare, African Power. Let’s go, brother. I’m with you.”  

The ' Nigerian Nightmare' will take on Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 268 at the MGM arena in New York on Saturday.

The Nigerian - American will be defending his title for the fifth time since 2019 when he defeated Tyron Woodley to win the title. 

This will be the second fight between the team fighters, as Kamaru broke Colby's jaw and stopped him in the fifth round through TKO in his first title defence. 

Okoli ready to help Al Mokawloon tame ENPPI

A tough, physical encounter against ENPPI is on the cards for Saturday night’s first away league match of the season for Al Mokawloon. 

The Egyptian Premier League encounter takes place at the Petrosport Stadium (al-Qāhirah (Cairo)) with a kick off set for 6 pm.

The last kick-off as the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in Cairo. Overall, in the head-to-head record, there have been 30 matches played, with ENPPI winning 16, Al Mokawloon 5, and nine draws.

Al Mokawloon won their first game of the season against El Sharqia Dokhan 1-0 thanks to a first-half strike from new signing John Okoli. 

“It’s very important for us to start well in our first away fixture of the season,” said Okoli to the Media.

“So it’s vital that we go out on Saturday night and get all three points against ENPPI.

“Preparations have gone well this week. We have settled in well – everything’s in place and we know what’s expected of us on Saturday.

“ENPPI are a difficult team to play against – an aggressive, hard-running team - strong and physical, they play long balls. It will be a tough game, but we’re well prepared and looking forward to it.”

The former Saif Sporting star also emphasised that he is not under pressure to deliver.

“The team is very, very, very important. I prioritise overall success and not personal ambition. Every striker always want to score, but there is no pressure on my part to make it happen,” he said.d

Flying Officers Cup 2021: Lawal Wins MVP Award, Obindinma Best Goalkeeper

Flying Officers Cup 2021 is finally in the books after FC Robo Queens were crowned Champions for the first time, defeating 2019 winners Edo Queens by a lone goal. Some individual footballers did fantastically well and were celebrated at the end of the tournament. 

Player Of the Tournament (Taiwo Lawal, FC Robo Queens)

The FC Robo Queens forward was superb all through the tournament and was one of the reasons her team became eventual winners of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup. She was always pushing forward and was a nightmare for every defenders she faced.  

The Bar. Seyi Akinwunmi' Award For Highest Goalscorer - Ibinabo Georgewill, Confluence Queens -3 Goals 1 Assist) 

Ibinabo Georgewill of Confluence Queens edged out Emem Essien to win the tournament's Golden boot award. Ibinabo scored three goals, same as Emem, but had one assist ahead. Unfortunately, Emem Essien's goal against Confluence Queens in the Semi-finals was taken off board after a video review showed that Confluence Queens defender, Micheal Joy actually headed the ball and not the Edo Queens forward. 

Young Player Of The Tournament - (Rukayat Shobowale, FC Robo Queens) - 

The young football maestro started all six games as the 'Lagos Landladies' went all the way to lift the coveted title. She was everywhere on the pitch, ensuring that her team never loses focus upfront. 

The Bar. Seyi Akinwunmi Award For Best Goalkeeper (Nkiruka Obindinma, Edo Queens)

 - The 2019 NWFL Premiership goalkeeper of the year was voted as the best safe hands at the 2021 Flying Officers Cup. The Former Osun Babes goalie, conceded only one goal in 5 games that she participated in. She made some good saves too, yo help her side get to the final of the competition for the second time. 

Fair Play Award (Naija Ratels FC) -

 Naija Ratels weren't at their best in the Competition, but the players showed class and discipline all through the competition. The 'Ratels' exhibited exemplary behavior that promoted the spirit of fairplay despite going down against Royal Queens and FC Robo Queens in the competition. 

Goal Of The Tournament (Adaobi Okah, Edo Queens Vs Sunshine Queens) - 

The best goal of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup was scored by Edo Queens Adaobi Okah of Edo Queens against her former side, Sunshine Queens in the third quarter final encounter of the competition. 

Her extraordinary, strike from a far-right acute angle against Sunshine Queens was the cream of the crop.

Most Entertaining Team- (Ghana Police Ladies FC)-

 Even though they crashed out in the first round, the Ghanaian team won the hearts of fans with their style and should be credited for producing some fine moments of football. Juanita Aguadze, Jane Ayayiem, Ivy Kolli and others were on top of their game and never let loose guards at all.

2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Registration commences November 1

The registration process for the 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will be commencing on Monday, November 1, 2021 organisers have confirmed 

Interested participants in the February 12, 2022 race will have the chance to register online or by picking hard copy forms at the Marathon Office inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The forms for the 2022 race will also be made available in selected Access Bank branches. 

According to a press statement issued by Olukayode Thomas, Head of Communication and Media for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, unlike the last edition which was restricted to only elite runners, the 2022 race will be open for all; including fun runners in the 10km category.

Thomas explained that across the world, road races have since returned to full capacity after the initial reduction in the number of participants and outright cancellations occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

He said “Yes, we are back to full capacity just like the other top races across the world. With the return of the 10km fun run, we should be having close to 80,000-100,000 participants at the seventh edition of our yearly race”.

Already seen as the biggest one-day event on the continent, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is set to become the first marathon in Nigeria to organize the 7th edition. 

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is also the first race to win a World Athletics Bronze Label in Africa after two editions and the first in the world to win the prestigious Silver Label after four editions. 

In terms of prize money, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon ranks among the top 10 in the world and terms of the number of participants, the Lagos race is proudly among the top five in the world.

Flying Officers Cup 21: FC Robo Queens Crowned Champions As Osun Babes Wins Bronze In Dramatic Shoot-out

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side, FC Robo Queens have emerged as the Champions of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup, Africa's biggest Women Pre-Season Championship, after earning a 1-0 win over 2019 Champions, Edo Queens in the final game at Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.

The club which is making its debut at the tournament won the keenly contested game deservedly. 

The solitary goal of the game came in the 26th minute through Opeyemi Ajakaiye wonderful goal from about 33 yards which was the first goal conceded by Edo Queens in the tournament.

In the second half of the game, Edo Queens searched for the equalizing goal.

FC Robo Queens on the other hand tried to double its lead in the 60th minute but her effort went wide as they hold on to clinch the title.

FC Robo Queens coach, Emmanuel Orobosa Osahon became the third manager to win the Flying Officers Cup after Gabriel Adejor (Edo Queens) and Moses Aduku (Bayelsa Queens).

Earlier on, Osun Babes FC defeated Confluence Queens 9-8 on penalties.

Abisola Abiona missed her spot kick for Osun Babes while the duo of Hauwa Abdullahi and Oliver Jenifer missed their penalties for Confluence Queens.

Osun Babes defender, Kemi Abiodun converted the final penalty kick to win the third place match for the Omoluabi Queens..

Rukayat Shobowale (FC Robo Queens) - Young Player of the Tournament

Adaobi Okah vs Sunshine Queens (Quarter final) - Goal of the Tournament

Obidinma Nkiruka (Edo Queens) - Goalkeeper of the Tournament

Ibinabo Georgewill (Confluence Queens) -

Highest Goal Scorer

Naija Ratels FC - Fair Play Award

Ghana Police FC - Most Entertaining Team

Taiwo Lawal (FC Robo Queens) - Most Valuable Player of the Tournament

Ratel Foundation honors Tolulope Arotile, Ukaigbe, Others at 2021 Flying Officers Cup final

The 2021 Ratels Sports Development Foundation Heroes Awards will hold on Sunday, 24th October, 2021 at the Area 10 Sports Complex Abuja. The prestigious Awards will witness the decorations of Nigeria women football heroes as put together by the Organisers of this year's Flying Officers Cup.

The distinguished awards would be handed over to individuals who have in a long way impacted the world of women football in the country and have commanded untainted characters which has portrayed them as icons.

Eigth different categories have been earmarked for the awards which takes place simultaneously with the final match between Edo Queens and FC Robo Queens. The categories are:

Post-humous Award, Life Time Achievement Award, Heroic Icon of the Year, Grassroots Women Football Icon of the Year, RSDF Gallantary Star Award, Women Football Promoter of the Year, Women Football Pioneer Award and Role Model Coach Award.

Four people were remembered and honoured in the Posthumous Awards category:

Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile: The first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigeria Air Force. She contributed significantly to combat operations against insecurity in the northern states of Nigeria. Arotile died from a head injury sustained in an accident at the Nigerian Air Force base.

Henrietta Ukaigwe: She was a veteran sports journalist cum women’s football promoter. Started FFIG – Female Football Interest Group comprising individuals, who actively promoted and energetically projected the women’s game and made it an item of consequence in the media and public space across the nation from the nineties. This group did not only report the game; it coalesced efforts and resources to organize women’s football tournaments and provided much-needed stout and meaningful support to administrators at that incipient stage.

Chief Larry Eze: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Larry Angels, It should be noted that Larry Angels and the likes of Rivers Mermaids metamorphosed to Rivers Angels in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership.

Chief Sunny Eghaghe Inneh: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Inneh Babes. Inneh babes metamorphosed to Edo Queens in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

Chioma Ajunwa: Former athlete, notable for being the first Nigerian to win gold at 1996 summer Olympics. The first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event. She remains only woman to compete at the FIFA world cup both  as a footballer and the Olympics as a track and field athlete.

She is now an assistant commissioner of Police.

Princesses Bola Jegede: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria played a pivotal role in Organizing the first women Inter-club competition in Nigeria in 1990. The establishment of her female football Club, Jegede Babes in the late 1980s culminated in the establishment of other female football Clubs in the country producing players for the nascent Super Falcons squad to the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991.

Ismaila Mabo: He was the head coach of the Nigeria women’s national team at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2000 Summer Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics. He led Nigeria to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, the team’s best ever result

Eddington Kujebola: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of defunct Ufuoma Babes of warri. Notable players for Ufuoma Babes were Florence Omagbemi, Mavis Ogun, Patience Avre, Uche Eucharia, Mercy Akide, Omo Love Branch, Nkiru Okieseme, Florence Iweta, Phoebe Ebimienkumo, etc.

Alhaja Ayo Omidiran: Pioneer of women’s football in Nigeria and the Proprietor of Omidiran babes, which left the football scene but are now back. She became a member of the Nigerian Football Association Board and remained there till 2005. Since 2006, she has been a member of the FIFA Women Committee.

Other Awards Include:

Heroic Icon Of The Year: Leah Shuiabu.

Women Football Promoter of the year: Phillip Shuiabu.

Women Football Grassroots Icon of the year: Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.

Women Football Trailblazer of the year: Aisha Falode.

Recall, Ratels Sports Development Foundation had earlier unveiled some great personalities at the draws of the tournament, and they are expected to be decorated for their astounding contributions to the women football development in Nigeria all along.