DOHA 2019: Okagbare,Oduduru and 23 others make AFN list as team Nigeria depart for World Athletics Championship this weekend

The AFN has selected a 25-member Nigerian team, consisting of Track and Field Athletes as well as Coaches to represent the country at the 2019 IAAF World Championships taking place in Doha, Qatar from the 27th of September to 6th of October, 2019.

The team comprises of the 100 Metre & 200 Metre NCAA double champion Divine Oduduru, all African Games Gold medallists Raymond Ekevwo, and the Queen of track and field Blessing Okagbare.

To compete for the Men’s 100 metre event are, Divine Oduduru, Raymond Ekevwo and Itsekiri Usheoritse while Emmanuel Arowolo as well as Divine Oduduru will represent the country in the Men’s 200m event.

Blessing Okagbare, is the country’s sole representative in the Women’s 100 and 200 metre events.

National champion, Patience George Okon and the just concluded Morocco All African Games Silver Medallist, Favour Ofili will represent the country in the Women’s 400m event.

African Games and Common Wealth Gold Medallist Tobiloba Amusan will feature in the Women’s 100mH while Rilwan Alowonle and Edose Ibadin will feature in the Men’s 400mH and 800m events respectively.

For Field events, African Games Gold Medallists Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Oyesade Olatoye will feature in the Men and Women’s Short-put events respectively while African Games Discus throw champion Chioma Onyekwere will feature in the Women’s Discus throw event.

Our outstanding Long Jumper and All African Games Gold Medallist Ese Brume will feature in the Women’s long jump event.

Representing the country at the Relays are Enoch Adegoke, Ogho-Oghene, Seye Ogunlewe, Divine Oduduru, Itsekiri Usheoritse, Arowolo Emmanuel as well as Raymond Ekevwo who will all participate in the Men's 4x100m while Rosemary Chukwuma, Bukola Jasper, Ntia-Obong Mercy, Joy Udo-Gabriel, and Blessing Ogundiran will represent the Women.

Representing at the 4x400m Female Relay is a team consisting of Patience George Okon, Favour Ofili, Blessing Oladoye, Abike Egbeniyi, and Blessing Ovwighoa-Jabre.

The Coaches team led by the AFN Technical Director, Sunday Omotayo Adeleye includes Gabriel Okon, Kayode Yaya, Ogunkoya Sean Micheal, Endurance Teye, Opuana Gabriel and Soetan Olalekan Stephen.

In conclusion, we the Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN, will like to make of worthy note that the entire team has been selected based on the IAAF qualification standard and we are prepared to deliver on the set mandate. The team departs for Doha, Qatar on Sunday 22nd of September 2019. 

#IAAFDoha2019

NFF hunts for African opposition, after sealing Eagles/Brazil

 

The Nigeria Football Federation is working hard at sealing a match with an African team for the Super Eagles, after announcing on Monday night that the three –time African champions will play Brazil in a friendly in Singapore on Sunday 13^th October.

 

Nigeria and Brazil will tango in a much –anticipated encounter at the Singapore National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore on Sunday, 13^th October, 23 years after Nigeria, on their way to winning Africa’s first Olympic football gold, spanked the Selecao in the semi finals at the Athens Stadium in the State of Georgia, USA.

 

Efforts to match the two teams in a friendly match after that spectacular game came to nought for several years, until the organizers of the 8^th All-Africa Games that Nigeria hosted in 2003 flew the Brazilians to Abuja in June of that year. Brazil won 3-0.

 

There has been no competitive tie between both countries’ senior teams since that memorable U23 match in Georgia, and next month’s session will test the character of the African champions who are somewhat building a new team after a rash of retirements and injuries to key players.

 

That newbreed came close to shocking Ukraine in a friendly match in Dnipro a week ago, before bungling a two-goal lead to stalemate at 2-2.

 

“We are happy to have sealed this encounter with Brazil, the five-time champions of the world. It is not everyday that you get to Brazil, and I think it is very good for our young team.

 

“The Nigeria Football Federation must also commend Eurodata Sport, our FIFA –licensed Match Agent, for pulling this off. Having said that, the focus now is on getting an African team for the Super Eagles as a second match for the FIFA window in October, ahead of their 2021 AFCON qualifying matches in November,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said.

 

The Super Eagles have two 2021 AFCON qualifying dates in November. After hosting the Squirrels of Benin Republic on 14^th November, they will fly to Maseru for a Day Two encounter with the Crocodiles of Lesotho on 19^th November

CHAN EAGLES: Amapakabo names Omoyele, mfon ufoh, 18 others as NIgeria begins qualifying campaign against Togo on Sunday in lome

Coach Imama Amapakabo has named the 20 players who will fly Nigeria’s flag at Sunday’s African Nations Championship qualifying match against Togo in Lome.

 

First choice in goal Adamu Abubakar is joined by Super Eagles’ goaltender Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Enyimba’s Theophilus Afelokhai, as well as defenders Olisah Ndah, John Lazarus, Etboy Akpan and Ebube Duru.

 

There are also ace forward Ndifreke Effiong (who netted two of the five goals that condemned Sudan to the scrap heap in the final round of the U23 AFCON qualifying series), Mfon Udoh and Tosin Omoyele.

 

The delegation will fly out of Abuja on Friday to Lome, where they face the Sparrow Hawks at the Stade de Kegue as from 4pm on Sunday.

 

20 EAGLES B FOR TOGO

 

Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC); Adamu Abubakar (Wikki Tourists); Olisah Ndah (Remo Stars); Denis Okon (Akwa United); Stephen Manyo (Enyimba FC); John Lazarus (Lobi Stars); Etboy Akpan (Akwa United); Ebube Duru (Lobi Stars); Oluwadamilare Olatunji (Enyimba FC); Fatai Gbadamosi (Shooting Stars); Ndifreke Effiong (Akwa United); Seth Mayi (Remo Stars); William Ukeme (Wikki Tourists); Samuel Matthias (Akwa United); Chisom Orji (Collin Edwin Academy); Mfon Udoh (Akwa United); Reuben Bala (Enyimba FC); Tosin Omoyele (Plateau United); Sikiru Alimi (Lobi Stars); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC) 

Abuja, Lokoja agog as NWPL Play-Off, NWFL Pro-League get dates

The Secretariat of the Nigeria Women Football League, has fixed October 2, 2019 for the Nigeria Premier League Relegation Play-Off.

According to the letter sent to the four clubs involved; Osun Babes of Osogbo, Dream Stars of Lagos, Kaduna Queens and Invincible Angels of Gboko, and signed by the NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Alhaji Ayo Abdulrahman, the NWPL Relegation Play-off will take place at the FIFA Goal Project, Package B of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

The first game will be played at 1pm, between Loser A (Osun Babes) and Loser C (Kaduna Queens). While the second game between Loser D (Invincible Angels) and Loser B (Dream Stars) will come up at 3pm.

The winners of the two games will stay back in the Nigeria Women Premier League for the new season, while the two losing teams will be relegated to the NWFL Pro-League.

In a bumper package, the Nigeria Women Football League has also announced that the Nigeria Women Pro-League Competition will be played as a Zonal Competition. 

This has been scheduled to hold between 3rd to 7th October, 2019 at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, Kogi State.

The Women Pro-League would see four teams; Pelican Stars of Calabar, Police Female Machine FC of Uyo, Moje Queens FC of Ilaro and Olori Babes FC of Warri, battle for the two promotion slots to the Nigeria Women Premier League.

In a signed letter sent to these clubs, the NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Ayo Abdulrahman, disclosed that, 3rd October, 2019 will be the arrival date for the clubs. The draws for competition holds same day.

The Match Day One slated for 4th October 2019, would see games played at 1pm and 3pm.

The Match Day Two is on 4th October, 2019, at 1pm and 3pm.

There will be a rest day on 6th October, and the Match Day 3, would see games at 1pm and 3pm to complete the round robin format.

My Visit To Nigeria With The Partnership Of Bereckiah International Is About Sports, Education and Humanity, Says Dr Corttrell Kinney

American Sports Agent and Consultant, Dr Corttrell Kinney who has arrived in Nigeria for a sports development project in conjunction with Bereckiah International Sports Agency; made known on Wednesday in a media briefing that his sports development project in Nigeria with Mr Wonders Nwigwe Nduka is all about Sports, Education and Humanity.

Dr. Kinney disclosed this in his welcome address stating that this is the first time he will be launching a project with such magnitude as regards education and sports with Bereckiah International Sports Agency with the immense help that the agency has administered in bringing other partners on board.

Dr Corttrell at the press conference

Speaking about his partnership with  Wonders Nwigwe; Dr. Cottrell Kinney said: "Yes, it's about Sports, Yes, it's about education and it's also about the humanity. Touching the live of all kids and also helping the youths to realise their own abilities and their prominence in the world. We all know about the talents that are abound in Nigeria, and if they are given the opportunity to connect, then we connect".

"It's not only about soccer [football], but it's also about American football, baseball and also basketball, and so we are looking at a multiplicity of sports; tennis as well". Kinney disclosed.

As regards the scholarship that would be given; Kinney said; "The scholarships would be full scholarships for students to study; which would have housing [accommodation], food, transportation which would be paid for from our end and also have sponsors in America; and eventually we hope to have a sports-life academy here [in Nigeria] with the involvement of Bereckiah International Sports Agency to have a bigger platform in searching for talents and nuture them to limelight"

With the on going rise of racism, Dr. Kinney made known:

"Whether Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, you represent a tribe. Racism has to speak of what kind of character you have first, your integrity, knowing who you are. But doing a program of united front, we can tackle racial issues with a cultural train, by training the mind to be very confident and making yourself not being attacked through racism. Education is Key, and they will respond."

Dr. Cottrell Kinney expressed his gratitude to be in Nigeria, to work with Beraciah International Sports Agency's CEO, Mr. Wonders Nwigwe Nduka, the youth of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari(GCFR) and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo(GCON), Governor's, Senators, House of Representatives and also Nigerians who have given him a warm welcome since he arrived the country.

Dr Corttrell Kinney arrives Nigeria for Sports development projects

Dr Corttrell Kinney is in Nigeria for Sports development projects in the mold conjunction of Bereckiah International Sports Agency to fish out raw talents in some states in the nation through sports and education

“We work with an organization to limelight talents for Nigeria through soccer, basketball, American football, etc. 

In our partnership with some states we are looking to select talents and fit them to our scholarship programs so that they can study, because it's not just not about sports, it's also about education in other to reach their potentials”.

“We want those who are talented in sports to be able to go to school in the US and also develop their sporting talent with education”, Kinney said.

“However the partnership we give us a bridge to utilize their talents and that will be taking to America and  progress successful in the world, with the hope of coming back to Nigeria and help to uplift more youths in the region and greater communities”.

CEO of Bereckiah International Sports Agency Wonders Nwigwe Nduka also sais that Kinney visit will confer awards to President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammed Buhari (GCFR) with Vice President of Nigeria His Yemi Osibanjo (GCON), some state Governor's, Deputy Governor's, senators, House of Representatives, Individuals who have contributed immensely to youth development.

HIFL SOUTHWEST DERBY: LASU Blazers Bank on 12th man as OAU Giants Call for Peace

Event: 2019 HIFL 2nd Leg Quarter Finals

Teams: LASU BLAZERS 0 V 2 OAU GIANTS

TIME : 4PM DATE: 11TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2019

VENUE: LASU OJO SPORTS CENTRE

The die is cast and the grass will suffer as these two Bigwigs get on the turf , Obafemi Awolowo University Football team aka the OAU GIANTS will lock horns with their Opponent, Lagos State University Football team aka the LASU BLAZERS in the second leg of the HIFL quarter finals,the lasuites suffered a crushing two nil defeat against the giants from OAU,in the first leg played at ile ife a week ago, the pride of the Lagos based team is at stake as they stare elimination in the face. 

The need three clears goals to ensure they booted out OAU giants and made the short  trip from Ojo to Agege for the Super 4. They have made a passionate appeal to their fans to come out in their numbers to support the team to achieving the near impossible as the OAU giants is yet to conceed any goal in the tournament. 

In an open letter posted on their Twitter handle,

 our Dear Fans,

It's going to be the second leg of the quarter final against @OAUGiants

and we would need you as our 12th man on match day against them. Please bring your full support to the sport center on weds.

In a swift reply the OAU retweeted and send a reply,calling the fans to come and enjoy the beautiful, support the their team and ultimately not to lose the essence of the game.

Here is their the content of their tweet

'Football is a game of love, a game of passion.

Let's make love, not war! 

We're brothers in the game, not enemies on the pitch! 

LASUites, come out & watch beautiful football from 2 amazing teams, support your own, but sure don't lose the essence of the game. 

#LASUvsOAU