2022 AWCONQ: Lady Elephant's threat is the beginning of wisdom for the NFF

      

The threat posed by the Lady Elephant of Cote d'ivoire is real and NFF has started taking proactive steps towards securing a place for Super Falcons of Nigeria in the 2022 Africa Women Cup Of Nations (AWCON) and the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup. 

           

The Super Falcons rounded off a 9-day training camp on Tuesday 30th November 2021 at Abuja.  

The first of such camp since Randy Waldrum takes over as the coach of the team over a year ago, an exercise the American coach describes as a marvellous experience as it's a rare opportunity to truly assess the players. 

"I am happy we had this training camp as we were able to see the home-based players and the overseas-based, and everyone bonded very well. 

“We will look to have periodic campings like this to be able to put forward the best of Nigeria women players for matches and championships at any time,” Waldrum told the NFF media. 

This is coming after the coach's first two International games against the Black Queens of Ghana in the first round of 2023 Africa Women Cup Of Nations ( AWCON) qualifiers. 

It was a scary 180 minutes as the Super Falcons struggled to break down the Ghanaians in Lagos and laboured to an unconvincing 2-0 victory and the Super Falcons lost the second leg in Accra by 1-0 but qualified by 2-1 on aggregate in October. 

The team's performance on both occasions wasn't good enough and it confirms that the dominance of the Super Falcons on the continent is fast becoming a thing of the past. 

This is a fact the NFF knows and part of the measures in arresting the downward slide of the team is the introduction of the periodic training camps as the team cannot afford not to defend the 2019 AWCON title won in Ghana two years ago. 

Standing between this dream is the Lady Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire as both countries will square up in March next year for a place in place in the competition. 

The General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, knows the threat posed by the Ivorians hence the need for the camping exercise. 

" We are aware of the challenge that Cote d’Ivoire will pose when we confront them for a place at next year’s Women AFCON. We need players who are committed and are proud to dorn the country’s colours and will strive to deliver no matter the circumstances". 

The Ivorians threat is real, as they stopped the Super Falcons from participating at the 2020 Olympic Games and the manner with which the Lady Elephants despatched the Niger Republic in the first round of the 2022 AWCON qualifier scoring 20 goals in 180 minutes.  

No doubt this camp is desirable and timely as its importance cannot be overstated as the task ahead is far beyond just two-legged AWCON qualifiers against Cote'd'ivoire as the 2022 AWCON will also determine the countries that will represent Africa at the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup. 

Hence the threat posed by the Ivorians cannot be overemphasised and camping the team is a good step to ensuring the Super Falcons scale the hurdle, kudos to the NFF for being proactive.

FALCONS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE TRAINING CAMP:

Goalkeepers: Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Bayelsa Queens); Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels); Uchenna Chukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Onome Ebi (Minsk FC, Belarus); Maureen Okpala (Nasarawa Amazons); Patricia George (SC Sand, Germany); Ashley Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Miracle Joseph (Bayelsa Queens); Joy Duru (Nasarawa Amazons); Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Glory Edet (Bayelsa Queens); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens)

Midfielders: Adekite Dada (Watford FC, England); Peace Efih (Kiryat Gat, Israel); Yetunde Aluko (WFC Ramat Hasharon, Israel); Amanda Mbadinuju (Bayelsa Queens); Goodness Onyebuchi (Edo Queens); Grace Igboamalu (Bayelsa Queens); Toni Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus); Christy Ucheibe (FC Sevilla, Spain)

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint Etienne, France); Mary-Ann Ezenagu (Rivers Angels); Anam Imo (Pitea IF, Sweden); Vivian Ikechukwu (Rivers Angels); Gift Monday (FC Robo); Juliet Bassey (Bayelsa Queens); Chinonyerem Macleans (Gonirk Leczna (Poland)  

Ballon d’Or 2021: Results as Lionel Messi beats Lewy by just 33 votes

Lionel Messi beat Robert Lewandowski to the 2021 Ballon d’Or title by just 33 points after football figures the world over cast their vote for the globe’s best player.

Each nation was represented in the voting by the national team’s manager, captain, and a leading sports journalist nominated by the country’s association. They selected a top three with three points for the winner, two for second place, and one for third.

It led to Messi being awarded 613 points ahead of the 580 claimed by Lewandowski - a thin winning margin but by no means the smallest claimed by the Argentine superstar.

Messi beat Virgil van Dijk to the 2019 gong by just seven points while Kevin Keegan and Alfredo Di Stefano share the closest near-misses, finishing runner-up in 1972 and 1956 respectively while just three points behind - under previous voting systems.

Finishing third in Monday’s ceremony was Jorginho, who scored 460 points.

Karim Benzema came home fourth with 239 points ahead of Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante on 186.

Cristiano Ronaldo beat Mohamed Salah to sixth place and almost took Kante too, finishing on 178 points. Salah earned 121 points to Kevin De Bruyne’s 73, with 58 for Kylian Mbappe and 36 for tenth-placed Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Outside the top ten were Erling Haaland (33), Romelu Lukaku and Giorgio Chiellini - both with 26 but the Belgian officially ahead due to the weighting of his votes.

Leonardo Bonucci (18), Raheem Sterling (10), Neymar (nine), Luis Suarez, Simon Kjaer (both eight), Mason Mount and Riyad Mahrez (both seven) completed the top 20.

Bruno Fernandes and Lautaro Martinez (both six) shared 21st place ahead of Harry Kane (four), Pedri (three), Phil Foden (two) and the trio of Nicolo Barella, Ruben Dias and Gerard Moreno who all took home a single point.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Luka Modric did not receive any votes and finished tied for 29th.

Culled: The Standard 

Ballon D'or: Lewandowski stands between Lionel Messi's seventh heaven

Robert Lewandowski is the leading favourite to win the 2021 Balon D'or, the first of his career but he has to deal with Lionel Messi's brilliant 2021 exploits in the Argentina shirt as the PSG forward might have done just enough during the 2021 Copa America to win the golden ball award for the seventh time.  

The year 2021 is significant in Lionel Messi's career as he won the first international trophy after several attempts.  

He helped Argentina to end a 28 years wait for an international trophy, a feat Messi described as "the best given all that it cost."

And many considered Messi's performance good enough for the " crazy"  seventh Ballon d'Or.

"If the Ballon d'Or were to arrive, it would be extraordinary for what it would mean to win one more. The seventh would be crazy." Messi told the Catalan Daily Sports ahead of the 2021 award. 

The competition was just for three weeks during the summer but the Argentine put up a performance that would have a lifetime effect on the continent as he scooped all the individual awards. 

He won the MVP as well as the highest goal scorer award alongside breaking the international trophy duck for Argentina despite a filled trophy cabinet for Barcelona. 

He also had a decent personal output with the Blaugrana in the Laliga winning the King's Cup as well as the highest goal scorer award for the 8th consecutive season, before he finally bowed out of the Catalonia club in a record-breaking move to France.  

Though he is yet to hit his best of form since he joined Paris St Germain in the summer, he has nothing to prove in Paris hence not under any pressure to lift the team as the team is loaded with stars to win the French Ligue 1 title once again. 

 

Lionel Messi performance will be judged with the UEFA Champions League, where he has scored four goals already and is still in the race to win the trophy in 2022, with PSG the first in their history.  

But Robert Lewandowski is the uncrowned winner for the 2020 award which the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic didn't allow to hold. 

The Polish international striker has done everything possible football-wise in 2020 with no player so close to rivalling him but the organiser decided not just to hold the award.

 

The 2020 FIFA best needs to keep his 2020 form and probably better it in 2021 to be counted among the winners of the prestigious award.  

He did just that. His 53 goals in the calendar year is a feat that shows he has not slowed down a bit from where he left off in 2020. 

The 33-year old striker consistency in the last three years shows he gets better with age and the sentiment is rife for his glorious Bayern Munich and Bundesliga career need a personal award to crown the feats as he gets better and better every passing season. 

Winning the  2021 Balon D'or might just be a cool compensation for his efforts of the last three seasons and the 2020 miss when he deserved it all alone.

"'Lewy' has to win the golden ball Monday when you see the way he is playing at the moment," Mueller said of a player who has already scored 25 times in 20 appearances this season. 

Other players in the mix are Jorginho of Italy and Chelsea, the midfielder who won the European Player of the year after helping Italy to win the Euro and guiding Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2021.  

He is a real threat to coming from behind to scoop the award off Lewy or Messi but historically it's been a tough one for a defensive midfielder to win the award as strikers are always first considered by the voting experts.  

As the time ticks and the countdown to Monday,29 November 2021 continues, will Lewandowski 2020 performance be compensated for or Lionel Messi's Copa America brilliance be appreciated with the award for the seventh time?

SportsFlames Name Police DIG Moses Jitoboh As Sports Man Of The Year

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of South-East and South-South, Moses Jitoboh has received the Command Secondary School and SportsFlames Sports Man Of The Year Award.

Jitoboh a member of the 1987 Set received the award on Saturday in Lagos after his secondary school classmates defeated the 1984 Set (their seniors) 3-0 in a novelty football match played at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Surulere Lagos.

According to DIG Jitoboh after receiving the Award at the Legacy Pitch inside National Stadium Surulere, he expressed joy and excitement.

In his words," I'm delighted and honoured to have received this award. The only way I can show my appreciation to the organizers of this award is to do more for sports with which I have a passion.

" Anything that is done for the promotion of sports is never small. We plan to upgrade the Command Secondary School football pitch. We are working on it and at the right time, works should commence on it."

The DIG thinks that the youths can use the Police Force as a platform to achieve their dreams in Sports.

" Recall I was a former national basketball player,  I slammed and dunked at the highest level in Nigeria as I was the captain of the Police Team. Sports drives me and not just me but my family. My two kids are in the United States playing basketball.  

" I was also formerly in charge of Police Sports, if you look at the different sports in Nigeria, you will find an athlete (male or female) who is in the force and have gone ahead to win laurels for the country.

As regards the 1987 Set, who have gone four novelty matches unbeaten, "One unique thing about the 1987 Set is the camaraderie amongst ourselves and sure a few present for the novelty match have come from far as Europe and America. I flew into Lagos from Abuja and others from Port-Harcourt not just for the game but to see ourselves.

" The meeting is not just about sports, which of course is the unifying factor, life and helping ourselves to greatness."

Captain of the winning 1987 Set, Femi Barry after the game said: "Our team was and still the only side that has played in the quarter-final round of the Lagos Principals Cup, losing to MBHS at the Onikan Stadium (now Mobolaji Johnson Arena).

" The previous novelty matches we have played were against our juniors, while this is first against our seniors. We were too fit for them, Dele Awoshika, Eniola and I scored. In the second half, we were just doing the passing. I think we have to pause our play as any set that wants to play against the 87 Set must go four games unbeaten before they think of challenging us, as we are true champions.

Reacting to the 3-0 defeat, David who led the 84 Set teams out said, "I knew we will lose as when I saw them, the 87 Set team looked fit unlike us. Some of us were meeting ourselves again for teams 30 or 35 years. The novelty game was fun, I used to be the captain of the school football team, did not pursue a career in football as I chose to do God's work." 

Also, Managing Partner  Sportflames Communications and Football Events Consultant to Command Secondary School Ipaja, 

Olawale Olatoye said: " It's a well-deserving award to DIG Moses Jitoboh who has contributed to sports in Nigeria as a former boss of Police Sports.

" Sportflames objectives is to always encourage and support exceptional personalities, put smiles on faces by contributing to sports Development, we love giving back to the industry by appreciating and embracing hard work with massive efforts, not in competition with anyone, just doing what we love to do."

Great Organization, Magnificent Facility; Alexander Otasowie Praises Gymnastics Federation, Philip Shaibu

This is World Class Suspended Gymnasium":Board Member Gymnastics Africa Eulogies Edo State Government On Facility

As part of its manifesto in repositioning Nigeria Gymnastics sphere, the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria under the leadership of Prince Kelvin Erhunwmunse is currently on Day 5 of its week training, exposure of athletes, coaches and judges of the game as well as Gymnastics camp for West Africa countries ongoing at the ultra-modern gymnastics gym of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City of Edo State. 

The week-long camp, the first of its kind in West Africa, has seen the presence of FYG experts from Egypt train coaches, judges and technical instructors from about seven countries in Africa.

Amongst participants at the week-long camp is a former gymnast and an administrator, Alexander Otasowie who couldn't hide but registers his excitement on this landmark. 

"I started gymnastics from this State and I'm happy to be here not just for the fact that I'm a gymnast, but for the fact that my state is pioneering this for the country and this is something I take pleasure in."

"I also want to thank the president of the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria who since he came on board as president has changed things. Himself being a gymnast is aiming to improve coaches, athletes and judges in the just concluded Level 1 course, a move to have a proper database to push the entire Gymnastics Federation forward."

"Nobody has ever believed this can happen in Nigeria, even the west African countries are amazed at what they have seen."

The excited Otasowie however heap praises on the Edo state government for putting in place the world-class gymnastics suspended gym.

"For the facility, this is the best we have in central West Africa and one of the best in another part of Africa. I'm a member of the UOG, the highest body for Africa and Edo state is pulling the whole of Africa and the whole world is monitoring. I'm amazed that this is happening in Nigeria."

"Now we are having this for the first time, bringing together the entire zone in West Africa. A big appreciation to the Government-Governor Obaseki and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu for putting in place this structure to help raise more gymnasts who train with modern facilities."

"More completions, more games would be coming and now that the international bodies have seen it, it's a clear indication that we can stage as many competitions here."

"The very recent commissioning we had in the world was in Germany, 2019, this is exactly what's there-suspended gymnastics gym-which look impossible, which means that way happened in Germany is happening here. Not only Edo is benefiting from this or the whole country, but West Africa is also benefiting from it and Africa is happy to showcase this as one of the best they have."

"For Edo state, it's good and as a federation, we can see that it's one of the best and we are happy to have the best. This is the best place you can have the national team train, no other place in Nigeria has this facility," Otasowie added.

It's scary ending, protests but no surprises as CAF FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifiers enter a playoff

It's nervy endings and two protests as CAF FIFA 2022 World Cup qualification series enter the playoff with no upsets as all the ten countries that qualify lived up to pre-competition ratings. 

Nigeria, Senegal, Morrocco, Ghana, Cameroon, Congo Dr, Algeria, Egypt, Mali, and Tunisia left in the race, which started in August 2021 with all the 54 FIFA-affiliated football associations from CAF. 

There is no notable absentee from the list of qualified teams as Nine out of the remaining ten teams are in the top 10 brackets of Africa football based on the  FIFA ranking for November. 

Probably the only missing name in the top 10 rankings is Ivory Coast but they find themselves in the same group with Cameroon, of which Cameroon eliminated the Ivorians on the final day in Yaounde as the group winner needed just a victory to make it to the playoffs. 

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon needed Karl Toko Ekambi 21st minute goal to wade off all pressures mounted by Sebastian Haller, Nicholas Pepe, Aboubacar Sangare, etc to ensure a place in the playoffs. 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria also survived a scare from the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, as the Super Eagles played 90 minutes of lustreless football to hold on to a 1-1 draw which guarantee the needed one point which is enough to keep their track in the race to Qatar.

The current African Champions Algeria were pushed to the limit by Burkina Faso as the Burkinababe came back twice and very close to causing one of the biggest upsets of the last day in the 2022 World Cup qualifier. 

But nearly wasn't enough as the Algerians held their nerve and ended the game on 2-2 which is enough for passage to the playoff and keep their unbeaten record of 33 games on the bounce since 2019. 

Tunisia was levelled on points with Equatorial Guinea going into the final day and needed victory to qualify. 

The Carthage Eagles made no mistake in Rades as they scored three first-half goals against Zambia to erase doubts as they ended the group on top after ninety minutes with the game ended 3-1. 

Equatorial Guinea ended their wild chase of a place in the place off by playing a 1-1  against Mauritania, in Antananarivo.

The Benin Republic also went into their final game against Congo Dr, needing only a point to progress but they left Kinshaha with nothing after losing the match by two goals to nil which is enough for the Congolese to secure their place in the playoffs. 

Ghana also edged South Africa through a disputed penalty in the 35th minute after Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. 

The resultant penalty kick results in 1-0 for the Black Stars which is enough to topple the Bafana Bafana on the head to head and book their place in the final round.

Mali, Egypt, Morrocco and Senegal, all get the job done before the final day and save themselves from the drama of the final day. 

Morocco completed a flawless process in the qualifiers keeping their 100% record of winning all their games by taking Guinea to the cleaners with a 3-0 victory on the final day. 

Egypt also made it a good home ending as they defeated Gabon by 2-1 despite resting the majority of their first-team players having qualified on matchday five with the pulsating 2-2 draw against Angola in Luanda. 

Mali also defeated Uganda by 2-0 while Senegal bests Congo by 1-0 to end the series without losing any of their games. 

Protests 

The Federation of International Football Association has confirmed the protest of South Africa and the Benin republic. 

The South African Football Association, SAFA are praying that their match against Ghana is replayed. 

According to the SAFA, the penalty that decided their game was manipulated by the centre referee Maguette Ndiaye to favour the Black Stars.

FIFA has once ordered a replay between Bafana Bafana and Senegal in the 2018 World Cup qualifier after the referee was found guilty of match manipulation.

Also, the Beninoise Football Federation (FBF) is asking for the ejection of Congo Dr for violations of the rules of the game on substitution per match.

The appeal is about the fact that DR Congo made four substitutions on four separate occasions during Sunday's qualifier. 

Under current Fifa regulations for international games, teams are allowed to make up to five substitutes but only during three substitution windows in the game.  

Whatever decision the world football governing body, FIFA takes won't affect the draws for the playoff which will be held on December 18 2021 with the top 5 ranked teams in the FIFA ranking will be in a pot as the seeded teams and the second pot will have the remaining fine teams. 

The seeded teams are Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia. 

The unseeded teams are Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Mali and Dr Congo.

'Rohr must go' Nigerians roar on Facebook as Nigeria struggles against Cape Verde in Lagos

Nigerians on Facebook are asking for the sack of the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr despite picking the needed point to qualify Nigeria to the 2022 FIFA World Cup final round of qualifiers in Africa. 

The Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr was at the centre of attraction on Facebook just after the Super Eagles secured a place in the CAF 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs after playing a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde on Tuesday (16 November 2021) in Lagos. 

The greater number of people reacting to a poser by the 'Nigeria Football League' page wants the Nigeria Football Federation to sack the Franco-German tactician before the African Cup of Nations in January 2022. 

The poser is asking to know the impression of the page users about the performance of the team after 1-1 draw. 

Lots of the microblogging website users who commented under the thread believed the coach has nothing more to offer the team as he has failed to improve the team since 2017 hence the best alternative is for his employer to sack him now as the Super Eagles deserve a better tactician going forward. 

Coach Gernot Rohr has overseen 53 games for the Super Eagles with an Appearance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup where the team failed to progress out of the group stage. 

He also qualified the team for the 2019 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON )and finished third at the competition. 

He has qualified the country for another AFCON and is on the verge of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup with two more games to go in the playoffs. 

Here are some of the respondent's reactions. 

The Super Eagles topped group C which has Cape Verde, Liberia and the Central Africa Republic with 13 points with victories in four of the six games played, losing one of the games in Lagos and also playing another draw in Lagos.

You can have your say too, Rohr, to go or to stay?

NIG 1 vs 1 CPV: A poor second coming for Ighalo as Osimhen shines in Super Eagles' drab draw

Odion Ighalo delivered a poor performance on his Super Eagles second coming after almost 3 years of absence as Osimhen outshone him to help Super Eagles play a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde to qualify for the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Lagos on Tuesday (16 November 2021).  

Odion Ighalo is expected to lead the youthful Super Eagles attack with his experience but rather he struggled o match the pace of the younger Super Eagles led by Victor Osimhen. 

The Napoli FC striker took the initiative from the first minute to give the Super Eagles the lead only for the Blue Sharks to fight back in the sixth minute to restore parity.  

The lanky forward delivered a man of the match performance as he was torn in the flesh of the Cape Verde defence line, running down channels with the ball on his feet and taking up good positions off the ball. 

However, he lacks the support of Odion Ighalo who is supposed to be the second striker. 

Ighalo is always behind Osimhen, providing little or no support and this made going forward difficult for the team as the Super Eagles returning player faded with time as the match progressed. 

The highlight of the Al-Shabab FC striker performance on his Super Eagles return was the two scoring chances he missed in flying colours. 

The first was a sitter in the 25th minute after he was set up in the box only for him to shoot at goal but missed the ball. 

The second was in the air when he failed to connect a free header in the 33rd minutes when he was picked out by Victor Osimhen.

The two chances that he could have easily converted to give the Super Eagles a two-goal lead going into halftime and ease the pressure off the team.

It was a surprise that Ighalo could last one hour and a quarter minutes on the pitch as he was absent throughout the second half till he was subbed off in the 75th minute. 

His performance shows he might have seen his best time in the Super Eagles and it will be more honourable for him to have his testimonial match and concrete on his club career. 

He played a total of 35 games for the Super Eagles scoring 16 goals before he declared his retirement from the Super Eagles only for him to accept the coach's offer to rescind his decision to help the Super Eagles secure a playoff qualification in Qatar 22 race.

Prince Okumagba Birthday: Super Eagles Supporters Club ( SESC) describe him as Leader of Leaders

The Super Eagles Supporters Club wishes to congratulate the President of the most prestigious club Prince Vincent Okumagba on the occasion of his birthday celebration.  

Today, like always, we celebrate the impact of your rich life on the lives of so many others, within and outside SESC. Having dutifully followed your trajectory since the club was formed, we take cognizance of the influence of your courageous leadership on the human and material development of our dear Club. 

As you add a new year on earth, the leadership role you have continually played which has over the years produced more leaders easily attest to your unmatched ability to discover, harness and develop potent ls. On behalf of the teeming excos and members of defined, we are grateful to have a leader like you  in the space of SESC and Nigeria which have largely define the stability of our dear Club. 

It is our firm conviction that your birthday presents a unique opportunity to once again thank you for the sustained opportunities you have given to the weak and the powerless to also aspire to greatness. For being the inspiration and hope of many, we say thank you.

We thank you for your brave and selfless leadership over the years, and for always working hard and diligently on our behalf. We are very proud to call you our leader and role model, and we pray you have many more healthy years to keep up the good work.

Happy birthday celebration, Okumagba Gbera! 

102 caps: How Ahmed Musa added a new feather to his Super Eagles Legendary status

With another appearance for the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa hits another career milestone in Nigeria football history as he added a feather to legendary status in style. 

Ahmed Musa came in the 85th minute during the 2022 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Liberia in Tangier, Morrocco to become the first Nigerian ever to play 102 international games for the Super Eagles. 

The captain of the Super Eagles surpassed the 101 appearances of former captains of the JosephYobo and Vincent Enyeama. 

He did it style, by scoring his 16th International goal in the match, the goal secured the three points for the Super Eagles as the Lone Stars of Liberia bow to the Superior firepower of the Super Eagles by 2-0. 

Musa coolly converted from the penalty spot in the 93rd  when Victor Osimhen was hacked down by the Liberian goalkeeper. 

He added this new feather to his legendary status in Nigeria football, a career spanning over thirteen years at the highest level and he has never stopped breaking and setting new records. 

The 29-year-old winger is the first player to score 18 or more goals in the history of the professional football league in Nigeria. 

He achieved this feat in the 2009/2010 season when he 18 goals in 25 appearances for Kano Pillars to break Ishaya Jatau haul of 17 goals in a season which was standing for ten years (1990) before Musa's broke it in 2010.

The talismanic winger also holds the record of being the only Nigerian to score two goals in a match at the FIFA World Cup. 

 He set the record in 2014 when he first appeared at the Mundial when he scored the two goals in the Super Eagles 3-2 loss to Argentina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup which took place in Brazil. 

He repeat the feat at the Russia 2018 edition when his two goals helped Nigeria to defeat Iceland by 2-0, which is coincidentally the only game the Super Eagles won at the World Cup.  

The four goals he scored in the two matches remained the highest number of goals scored by any Nigerian in the history of the FIFA World Cup.

This makes him arguably the most valuable Nigerian player ever to play at the FIFA World Cup judging by his extraordinary performance at the two world cups he attended. 

The Faith Karagamuk FC player is no doubt at the twilight of his career but he is not done yet with setting the records as he is in line to extend the number of his international caps. 

Furthermore,  he also stands a chance to become the first Nigerian to win the AFCON twice if selected for the 2021 African Of Cup Nations billed for Cameroon in January 2022, having won the competition in 2013 in South Africa. 

Ahead of CAF Confederation Cup: Enyimba hosts Rivers United in a friendly

 Nigeria representatives in the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup will face off in a friendly as Enyimba FC host Rivers United at the Enyimba International stadium by 4 pm on Sunday ( 14 November 2021).  

The two remaining Nigerian sides will size up themselves in readiness for their upcoming crucial encounters in the CAF Confederation Cup ( CAFCC) as Enyimba will face Al Ittihad of Libya and Rivers United squares up Al Masry of Egypt.  

The first leg will be on November 28 while the second leg will hold on December 5. The winner of the games over two legs will proceed to the group stage of the competition. 

The friendly in Aba will be the second friendly between the two sides since the 2020/2021 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League ended with no resumption date in sight. 

The first which was played on October 10 2021 ended goalless at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Rivers State. 

Though it's just friendly, the two sides will love to go all out as bragging rights and prides is at stake as it will also serve as an exercise for both teams to be in a competitive mood ahead of the crucial CAFCC playoffs 

The rivalry between the two club side's was taken to another level during the 2019/2020 season when the season ended abruptly due to COVID-19 and the organiser favours Enyimba ahead of Rivers by adopting the weighted Point Per Game, (WPPG) format instead of Points Per Game (PPG ) which favours Rivers United,  hence allowing Enyimba FC pick up the last CAF Champions League ticket while Rivers United lost out.

2022 WCQ: 3 problems the Super Eagles coach must solve to avoid a slip versus Cape Verde in Lagos

The Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr still have some problems to be solved in the Super Eagles despite a 2-0 victory over Liberia to avoid slipping up against Cape Verde in Lagos. 

Nigeria and Cape Verde won their respective penultimate matches to set up a winner take all decider in Lagos on Tuesday, (16 November 2022) by 4 pm. 

The Super Eagles stay on top of Group C with 12 points, two points ahead of Cape Verde, who are on 10 points leaving them with " beat the Super Eagles in Lagos" as the only to qualify from the group.  

Recent Slip-Ups 

Though that looks like a tall order recent results have shown that the Super Eagles are susceptible to occasional slip-ups especially when it is least expected. 

For example, just a year ago in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, the Super Eagles threw away a four lead against lowly rated Sierra Leone. 

Also less than two months ago, the Super Eagles in Lagos in the 2022 World Cup qualifier lowly rated the Central Africa Republic by 1-0.  

The Decider  

Nigeria was able to turn the corners during those slips because there were more games left to make amends. 

There is no margin for errors in the match against Cape Verde on Tuesday as a loss will throw Nigeria out of the race to Qatar 2022.  

Hence, the problems noticed in their match against Liberia needs to be addressed immediately to avoid stories that touch the heart. 

The problems 

Shaky central defence 

The Super Eagles were lucky to keep a clean sheet against Liberia as the central defence of the Super looks shaky for the whole of ninety minutes. 

The pair of William  Ekong and Leon Balogun have so far failed to pull up a solid cover for the goalkeeper since the beginning of the qualifier and that Cape Verde will explore that weak link in the Super Eagles defence to hurt the team is an open secret.

The coach needs to work out something fast to ensure the central defence is solid avoid the mistake of matchday two during the qualifier when errors from both players lead to the defeat of the Super Eagles against the Central Africa Republic in Lagos.

A poor final ball through to attack from the midfield 

The Super Eagles got better against Liberia with the return of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi as Joe Aribo also upped his game. 

Nevertheless, the final ball through to the attackers was always a problem throughout the match as Alex Iwobi miscued almost all his decisive passes to the opponent or put in a wrong foot which made goal scoring a bit difficult for the strikers. 

Though Chidera Ejuke was able to manage the situation better than Alex Iwobi by not losing the ball to the opponent. 

 

However, the link passes from him to the strikers was missing apart from his occasional dance and dribble on the ball that leads nowhere but a back pass to the defenders.  

Gernot Rohr must continue to work on the engine room and ensure they can locate the strikers with the passes that matters and Nigeria will beat Cape Verde on Tuesday in Lagos.

Set pieces 

The conversion rate of the Super Eagles when it comes to set-pieces is abysmally low as 99% of the team goals in the qualifier came through open play despite the high volume of free kicks and corner kicks the team do get especially when playing at home. 

The Cape Verdians may likely sit back and wait to break down the Super Eagles on a counter.  

This ploy implies that the Super Eagles will enjoy the lion share of possession but penetration may be a problem as the opponent may likely commit fouls in the dangerous areas. 

The easiest way to beat this tactic is to score from one of the resulting free kicks as this will open up the game for the  Super Eagles to wreak more havoc. 

So the coach must find a way to ensure corners kicks and free kicks in dangerous areas are converted to goals on Tuesday when the Super Eagles host Cape Verde in Lagos so that everyone can jubilate and celebrate after the 90 minutes on Tuesday.

Liberia 0 vs 2 Nigeria: Why Odion Ighalo was left out - Gernot Rohr

Coach Gernot us happy that Ighalo returns to the Super Eagles but he was left out of the matchday squad as Nigeria defeated Liberia by 2-0 in Tangier 

The Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has explained why the returning Super Eagles striker was left out of the 2022 World Cup match between Nigeria and Liberia played in Tangier, Morrocco on Saturday (13 November 2021) evening. 

Nigeria defeated Liberia by two goals to nil courtesy of two penalties scored by Victor Osimhen and Ahmed Musa in the 15th and 93rd minute to ensure the Super Eagles left Morrocco with all the three points at stake, without Odion Ighalo in the matchday squad.  

In the post-match conference, Gernot Rohr told journalists present that the Al -Shabab FC forward played no part in the game despite coming out of international retirement because of his late arrival at the team's camp in Morrocco and he is expected to play the game the next game against Cape Verde in Lagos on Tuesday.  

Rohr said:  "We are happy to have him back, he only arrived on Thursday that's why he couldn't participate in this match.  

"I hope that in the next match next Tuesday he will be able to help us much more." 

When he was quizzed on why Odion was forced out of retirement even though Victor Osimhen has successfully filled the void created by his absence, the coach has this to say 

"No, the reason why we asked Ighalo to come back is that we have such a young team, they are very young 22, 23, 21," Rohr said. 

"Our strikers are all very young, Ejuke is coming now, Chukwueze is coming back from injury.

"Everybody is young, we need somebody to help them with his experience in the striker position and he's a good goalscorer we know it." Said the coach.  

Nigeria the after five matches with 12 points while Cape Verde follows with 10 points after defeating the Central Africa Republic by 2-1 on Saturday evening. 

The Super Eagles need a point against Cape Verde in Lagos to qualify for the final of the qualifying series. 

The final round will have all the 10 group winners square up to form a pair of 5 fixtures and the winner of each of the fixtures will represent Africa in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

LIB vs NIG: Super Eagles' coach is ' confused' with choices as Ighalo, Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze return

With Odion Ighalo, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, back in the team Coach Gernot Rohr is 'confused' with choices as he selects the starting eleven against Liberia in the 2022 World Cup qualifier on Saturday. 

All is set for matchday 5 between Liberia and Nigeria in the CAF 2022 World Cup qualifier as Liberia host Nigeria in Tangier Morrocco on Saturday, (13 November 2022) by 5 pm.  

The Super Eagles has the full complement of players invited for the encounter as the team has been preparing hard for the game all through the days leading to the weekend. 

Odion Ighalo joined on Thursday after accepting the offer from the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) to rescind his international retirement decision. 

Other players that also returns to the team after a bout with Injury are Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, making the team stronger than ever in the qualifiers on paper, hence making the selection of the starting eleven a sweet headache for the coach.

Nigeria needs a victory and hope that Cape Verde failed to beat the Central African Republic to book a place in the final round, hence there is no margin for error starting from starting eleven.

The team has been charged by the NFF led by the president, Amaju Pinnick to avoid errors after their last training on Friday as it will put pressures off their shoulders going into the final game in Lagos, against Cape Verde on Tuesday, (16 November 2022).

" The spirit is great and I believe you will do the job tomorrow. Let us leave very few rooms for mistakes; in fact, no room for errors at all" began Amaju Pinnick

"The three points are important and we should put them in our bags as we fly back to Nigeria tomorrow night", Amaju concludes.  

So the job starts with the coach, by ensuring he picks the best from the pool of fantastic players he has in camp and armed detailed match plan to get the needed result. 

Here is our predicted eleven based on the situation report from the Super Eagles camp in Tangier, Morrocco.

Predicted lineup 

The coach needs to outdo his Liberian counterpart in the tactics and strategies game and ultimately choose the best combination of players that can get the job done. 

The coach may likely adopt a 3-5-2 formation based on the strength of the players and their performance in camp, according to reports. 

Goalkeeper 

Maduka Okoye will keep the number one hand glove as he remained the safest hand in the team.  

Defence 

The defence line may likely stand on the tripod stand of William Troost Ekong, Leon Balogun and Chigozie Awaziem. 

Reports have it that Awaziem is one of the central defenders in camp and he is one of the reasons the coach may switch to three the accommodate the versatile defender. 

Midfielders 

Ola Aina is in contention for a starter shirt as a right wing-back and he is in pole position to get the coach's nod for a place on the right side of the wing. 

Zaidu Sanusi is in contention to return to the team after he missed out on the last two games due to poor form. 

The Porto FC defender is likely to be the man on the left wing-back for the team, ahead of Jamilu Collins due to his speed and higher recovery rate. 

Wilfred Ndidi will be anchorman through the middle, and may likely play behind Alex Iwobi as both players to the squad after matchday one of the qualifier against Cape Verde in Lagos. 

Chidera Ejuke is also in line to get the nod on the left side of the midfield, continuing from where he stopped at the last qualifier where he shone like a diamond in the sky.  

While Ahmed Musa and Samuel Chukwueze may likely start from the bench according to our camp source who witnessed the team's tactical training on Thursday.

Attack 

The two-man attack favours Kelechi Iheanacho playing behind Victor Osimhen, 

While Odion Ighalo may likely start from the bench as his late coming has greatly reduced his chances of starting ahead of any of the two. 

The Possible Line-Up 

Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Chigozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, William Troost Ekong, Zaidi Sanusi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Chidera Ejuke, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen.

How it panned out the last time Liberia hosted Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier 21 years ago

Christopher Wreh double wreck the Super Eagles the last time Liberia hosted Nigeria In a World Cup qualifier 21 years ago. 

The Super Eagles will file out on Saturday (13 November 2021) away to Liberia in the 2022 World Cup in Tangier, Morrocco. 

The clash will be the third time the lone stars will be hosting their Nigeria counterparts in a World Cup qualifier, with both sides winning one apiece.

Nigeria won It the first time Liberia hosted the Super Eagles a World Cup qualifier in 1984 by 1-0 in Monrovia en route to Mexico 86. 

The last time Liberia hosted Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier, the host shock the Super Eagles by 2-1 in a match played on the 9th of July 2000 in Monrovia at the Samuel Doe Stadium.  

The Super Eagles were fresh from the African Cup Of Nations where the team finished second at the Ghana/Nigeria 2000 and everyone expected the Super Eagles to enjoy a walk in the park on matchday 2 of the 2002 World Cup qualifier.  

But the Liberians were desperate to shock a fellow West African brother who stood by the country during the country's civil war which took the lives of many people.  

A victory will be a sign of victory for George Weah, who took it upon himself to rebuild the team and ensure that the country is reunited through football by spending his hard-earned money through playing professional football on the team.  

The 1995 Balon Dior winner used to be ' the FA, 'the coach, the motivator ' and the team's utility player. 

He adapted to any role available as long it will help the ambition of putting Liberia on the World map for positive things once again and playing at the FIFA World Cup is one of the cardinals of achieving that. 

The fact that the team has been together for over five years having played in the 1996 Nations Cup, no one sees them as a threat to the Super Eagles but they always have a chance especially with the bonding and spirit in the team. 

The Super Eagles remain the favourite going into the match despite the team going through transition after coming second at the Ghana/Nigeria 2000 African Cup Of Nations.  

Coach Bonfrere Jo lined up all foreign-based players which include Goalkeeper Ndubuisi Egbo, with Rabiu Afolabi, Christopher Kanu, Godwin Okpara and Chikelue Iloanusi forming the four men defensive line. 

The midfield pivoted on the duo of Sunday Oliseh, the team captain, Jay Jay Okocha, while the attack has and Garba Lawal and Pius Ikedia on the left and right wings respectively with Kanu Nwankwo playing behind Benedict Akwuegbu as the main striker in a 4-2-4 formation.  

The Liberians have the likes of Christopher Wreh, Joe Nagbe, George Gebro, Kelvin Sebwe, etc alongside the luxury of George Weah The Lone Stars is filled with decent players in every position as the era could pass for the beat generation of Liberia footballers. 

Just four minutes into the game, Joe Nagbe set George Weah on Goal, who picked Christoper Wreh in a cool position and the striker finished with a plumb to give the host the lead in the 4th minute to end the first half by 1-0. 

Before the Super Eagles could get back into the game when the second half resumes, Christopher wreh delivered the goal that wrecked the Super Eagles three minutes after the resumption of play.

The goal sent the full capacity stadium into a frenzy as the shout of goal vibrated the four walls of the stands at the Samuel Doe Stadium as their local heroes are 'disgracing ' the African giant' to the delight of the fans at the Stadium and on the streets of the Monrovia. 

Sunday Oliseh responded barely a minute after and by reducing the deficit for Nigeria in the 49th minute but the Lone Stars kept their discipline and win the game by 2-1 after ninety minutes. 

The introduction of Henry Nwosu and Henry Nwuzuirike couldn't do much after the coach introduced them to help the Super Eagles attack, replacing Akwuegbu and Pius Ikeda respectively. 

The Liberians shot to the lead in the group and remain on top until the final day, but they lost the return leg to Nigeria in Port Harcourt by 2-0 and a surprise loss to Ghana in Monrovia slipped off the World Cup ticket off their hand.

Nigeria defeated Ghana in the final of the qualifier to overtake the Liberians on the standings with 16 points to 15 points after eight matches after Amodu Shuaibu of blessed memory replaced Bonfrere Jo along the line to win three games on the bounce and became the first indigenous coach to qualify Nigeria to the FIFA World Cup.  

Unlike 31 years ago, the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier will take place in Tangier Morrocco as no Stadium is good enough to host the match in Monrovia.  

The Super Eagles need to avoid a defeat to ease their qualification process to the final round while the Liberians are o of the race already only have national pride at stake. 

The match will kick off by 5 pm local time on Saturday evening.

Everything Victor Osimhen said on the return of Ighalo to the Super Eagles

Victor Osimhen said the recall of the Odion Ighalo is good for the team, that the coaches and the Federation know what's best for the team.  

Nigeria Napoli FC forward, Victor Osimhen has reacted to the recall of the Odion Ighalo to the Super Eagles after two years of international retirement. 

The 2015 FIFA U-17 world cup golden shoe winner told the NFF media that he has a lot to learn from Odion Ighalo and looking forward to receiving him with open arms when he eventually joins the camp. 

"It's good for the team and of course the coaches and the Federation know what's best for the team",  began Osimhen when he was speaking with the NFF media in Tangier Morrocco where the Super Eagles are preparing to take on Liberia in the matchday five of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday, 13 November 2021. 

The lanky forward continues  "We welcome him with open arms and looking forward to receiving him in the camp".

"Like I said before he's like a big brother to me and we love him a lot and I'll learn a lot from him, I admire him so much so I think for me it's one of the most important things to have him in the squad.

"We all have a common goal to qualify the nation for the World Cup and to do well in the AFCON so whatsoever thing that is good for the team I think the coach and the Federation will bring it into play," Osimhen concluded. 

Odion Ighalo retired from the Super Eagles after the 2019 African Cup of Nations where he won the highest goal scorer award with five goals to take to his international goals to 15 in 35 appearances for the Super Eagles.  

The 33-year-old played for Manchester United after he left the Super Eagles and he currently plays in Saudi Arabia with Al Shabab FC.

Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen has allayed the fears of the numerous Nigerian football fans as he declares himself as fit as fiddle and ready to go against Liberia on Saturday if we upon.

They were concerned that the striker may not be available for the crunchy ties against Liberia and Cape Verdy after he suffered a calf injury in training before Napoli FC clash with Salernitana on Sunday in Serie A.

But the revealed that the MRI scan shows it wasn't serious as first envisaged and he only took a rest for some days before the Sunday match, against Salernitana.

Osimhen said: "I feel good. After the MRI scan showed I had nothing serious it was important to rest for a few days before I play the game on Sunday. 

"Like I said before I'm always ready when I am called upon and to give my all for my country is one of the most important things in my career and of course I'm ready to come Saturday." 

Victor has started all the four games the Super Eagles have played in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and scored two goals for the team. 

The striker participated in both morning and evening sessions of the Super Eagles' training held on Wednesday, (10 November 2021) in Tangier. 

He is the favourite to lead the attacking of the team on Saturday, while Ighalo Is yet to join the camp, less than 48 hours to the match.

Nigeria University Games Association approves Boxing for 2022 NUGA Games

Students will now engage in Boxing in the University Games to discover boxing talents 

The Nigeria University Games Association, ( NUGA ) has approved Boxing as one of the games that will feature at the 2022 Nigeria University Games Sportspedal Media reports.  

The decision was part of the resolution of the NUGA council meeting held ahead of the upcoming games billed for the University of Lagos beginning from March 15 to March 22 2022. 

However, the event will only hold as a demonstration sport, but it will be considered as a medal-winning event for subsequent editions. 

Sportspedal Media reliably gathered that NUGA will be working with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBB of C for logistics support as the platform will be a good ground to hunt for new boxing talent.   

Furthermore, the council also upgraded Karate from none scoring event to a medal-winning event while women football, walking will also no longer be demonstration sports. 

NUGA was established in 1966 to organise the University games among Nigeria University students to foster unity and to serve as an avenue to discover burden sports talents.

National Development Plan: Sports development to gulp 80 billion naira in the next 4 years - 2021-2025

For the first time in the history of Nigeria National Development Plan, Sports is now included as a business with the plan to inject 80 billion into sports development and youth development gets 60 billion naira over 4 years- 2021-2025.  

 

Recall that in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020, Sports was excluded and ended up with zero budget.  

The approval to reclassify Sports as a business was given by President Muhammadu Buhari last year. ( 2020). 

The presentation of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development to the Federal Executive Council was instrumental in bringing sports into the business category in the budgeting process.

Thus, it can be said that the reclassification of Sports as business and no more mere recreation paved the way for sports in the National Development Plan, hence the 80 billion earmarked for sports. 

The second boost for this new budget is the efforts by the Ministry to deliver a National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP).

The Minister had championed the need to build a business model around Nigeria’s Sports Development with the mantra of Sports as a business.

Working with critical stakeholders, a final draft of the policy is under review by the Ministry of Justice.

Very interestingly, the NDP 2021-2025 harped on the legal and regulatory framework needed to drive Sports as a business, hence, the Sports industry and the budget were approved.

The NDP also gave Youth development a boost of 60 billion earmarked for youth development focusing on building a robust MSME growth, Entrepreneurship and overall  Human capital development now classified as under social development.

Under the NDP, Youth and Sports together have secured 140 billion- a record no doubt.

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is now on the National Steering Committee of the NDP 2021-2025. 

UFC GOAT: Between Isreal Adesanya and the next career move for Kamaru Usman

Will Kamaru Usman break the brotherly code by fighting Isreal Adesanya to take his career to the next level? 

Kamaru Usman has seen it all at the Welterweight division. He defeated number one contender Jorge Masvidal at UFC 268 to continue his reign in the category. 

The Nigerian Nightmare has also defeated four out of the top seven rated fighters in that category.  

He has broken all the records at the division just after two years he defeated Tyron Woodley to win the gold belt.  

With 15 successive victories, the longest in the history of the welterweight division and five title defences which tied him with St Georges Pierre as the longest consecutive defences in the 165kg category. 

Perhaps Kamaru has nothing to prove and can be regarded as the greatest of all time, GOAT in the welterweight division but there is a need not to rest on his oars. 

Having 'conquered' his territory the consensus is for him to move his career to the next level and before retiring from the octagon. 

The next level includes moving to the next weight category and winning a world title to become a winner in more than a division and probably doing a crossover fight against Canelo Alvarez. 

The two options will surely make not only sporting and financial sense but also cement his UFC legacy.  

The latter may be for greater fame, and payday but the former is a step up necessary for his career and records. 

But there is a snag, his friend and compatriot, Isreal Adesanya rules the next weight category. 

He is not willing nor ready to fight Adesanya unless for a 100 million dollar purse, a proposal which may never see the light of day. 

Keen followers of the game believe Kamaru has what it takes to defeat Isreal if only he is ready to break the brotherly code and move to the middleweight category and validate his greatest of all-time legacy in the game. 

For two former two titles holders, Henry Cejudo believes the only way Kamaru can be compared favourably with St Georges Pierre, the former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion is for Kamaru to win titles at least in two weight categories. 

He admonished Kamaru to put friendship aside and go for it for him to be truly considered as the pound-for-pound greatest of all time. 

“I’m sure if it’s the African pride, I kind of get that, but I don’t get that,” Cejudo said on “The Triple C & Schmo Show.” “Actually, as a matter of fact, I don’t get that because, to me, it’s all about legacy. Somebody else shortly is going to be able to go through the same run that Kamaru Usman did. 

"But the difference is that, can you win a second belt? And can you defend that second belt? And that’s what I want from ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’ I want him to go up. I want him to fight Izzy (Adesanya), and I just believe he has a perfect style to beat somebody like Izzy because he has wrestling.” said the former champion in two weight categories. 

“You’ve already lapped the division, Kamaru Usman,” Cejudo said. “You’ve already beat Colby twice. You’ve already beat Masvidal a couple of times, too. The winner of Masvidal and Edwards, I mean, you’re gonna beat Edwards again. There’s only one take in my side, and that’s saying go up and fight your African brother because this is about legacy.” said Cejudo

Does Kamaru need a second title to validate his GOATship in the welterweight category, even, at the expense of Israel Adesanya? Time will tell.