Olowookeere, Omokwo Receive NWFL Premiership December Manager, Player Of The Month Awards

 Ratels FC Manager, Bankole Olowookeere and Confluence Queens forward Mercy Omokwo both received their Naija Women Football League Awards for the best Coach and player for December. 

The duo picked up their awards on Wednesday at the Ilorin Township Stadium, just before the NWFL Premiership Week Five game between Confluence Queens and Naija Ratels. 

Mercy Omokwo in the first week of January was nominated for the NWFL Premiership Player for the month of December alongside Abigail Sunday of Nasarawa Amazons and Olamide Adugbe of Naija Ratels. 

The in-form striker scored four goals in December, including a hat-trick against Pelican Stars in week one of the NWFL Premiership and went on to gain over 70% of votes from Women Football experts, thus becoming the first recipients of the prestigious Award for the 2022 NWFL Premiership season. 

Olowookeere won two matches, including a 2-2 draw against Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. The former Dreamstar Ladies Coach got the accolades ahead of Liadi Bashiru of Confluence Queens and Christopher Danjuma of Nasarawa Amazons. 

Mercy Omokwo after receiving the awards hailed her teammates and everyone involved in the team for giving her the platform and support needed to excel. 

"This is the first time I am winning the player of the month award and for me, it is something special. Hopefully, I can win more in the future. I am indeed grateful to all my teammates for their great support, and also to the technical crew and management as a whole. I will continue to give my support to confluence Queens.

Pleased to be recognized, Bankole Olowookeere was also eager to give credit to his players, technical assistants, backroom staff and Club President, Barrister Paul Edeh for their help in allowing the team to perform to a top-level. 

"I am just grateful to be part of this wonderful team," he said after receiving the top-level There are no egos in the squad, no cliques, everyone is a tight unit and that helps us on the pitch. He concluded.

NFF celebrates Francis Achi at 50 years

It was a double celebration here in Garoua, Cameroon where Francis Achi, highly reputable Nigerian journalist clocked the golden age of 50 years and the Super Eagles also won their last group game against Guinea Bissau 2-0 to spice up the day.

Achi, popularly known as Totori Master, is the publisher of www.totorinews.com, also  the media officer of the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria and the NFF chiefs here in Garoua, Cameroon gave him a pleasant surprise birthday celebration as they baked a special cake for the milestone he has achieved.

"We thank God as we celebrate Francis Achi, whom we all call Totori on this occasion of his 50th birthday, his golden jubilee and to mark his day, NFF presented a special cake for the celebration," Fresh Yusuf, chairman technical committee of the NFF said.

"We are happy to celebrate a brother and friend in the football family in Nigeria and we want to urge him to remain steadfast in the discharge of his duties" he added.

Speaking also at the event, Hon. Sunday Samson Longbap, chairman of Plateau State Football Association, admonished him to always be guided with wisdom in whatever decision  he takes, noting that attaining the age of 50 years is a welcome to the club of elders and elders are known for their acts of wisdom.

"You are welcome to the table of elders as we all join you to celebrate your 50 years on earth. God deserves the honour and glory for this feat and we pray that you will apply more wisdom in all you do," Hon. Longbap advised.

The celebrant gave thanks to God and also appreciate the NFF for honouring his day, as he crowned it by singing a special number ' 'Goodness of God" to the delight of everyone at the event.

It was then dance, dance, dance with a lot of merryment.

Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Memorial Cup: Eyiowuawi FC Tackle Hammola Int'l FC In Final

The stage is now set for the final of this year's Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Memorial Cup, as Babatunde Eyiowuawi FC, Ede-South defeated GFCC Ede-North by 2-0 in the second Semi-Final played on Thursday, at the Ido-Osun High School, Ido-Osun.

Goals from Farooq Oyeniyi and Taiwo Lawal in the 65th and 77th minute ensured that the Ede-South based side got to their first-ever final. 

Recall that the first Semi-Final played between Hammola Int'l FC and New Dawn FC on Wednesday also ended 2-0 in favour of the Ido-Osun side. 

The final of the tournament between Hammola Int'l FC and Babatunde Eyiowuawi FC will come up this Saturday, January 15th, which is a significant date, as it is the birthday of the late first executive Governor of Osun State, Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. 

 The Competition, which is dedicated in honour of the first Civilian Governor of Osun State, Otunba Isiaka Adeleke is solely sponsored by Rep. Bamidele Salam who represents the good people of Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State in the National Assembly.

The final of the Competition will be played at 3 pm at the Federal Polytechnic Ede, Football Pitch.

Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Memorial Cup: Hammola Int'l FC Cruise Into Final, As Organisers Present Set Of Jerseys To Finalists

Hammola Int'l FC has booked their place in the final of the Otunba Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke Memorial Cup. 

The Ido-Osun based side booked one of the tickets after defeating New United FC of Ejigbo by two goals to nil on Wednesday evening at the Muslim High School Ede Football pitch. 

Two beautiful strikes from Adekunle Shakiru and Abiodun Tiamiyu gave the victory against New United FC side. 

The 'Lee Bombers' showed class and dexterity right from the start of the game and left no one in doubt in their determination to pick one of the final tickets. 

The Egbedore flag bearers will now meet the winners of the Semi-Final clash between Babatunde Eyiowuawi FC (Ede South) and GFCC FC (Ede North) which will come up at the Ido-Osun High School, Ido-Osun on Thursday Evening. 

Customary of the sponsor of the annual grassroots football fiesta, Representative Bamidele Salam, presented both Hamola FC Ido-Osun and New United FC Ejigbo with brand new football kits including a set of 20 pieces Football Jerseys with the same number of Football Hose and a pair of Goalkeeper Glove each. 

The adoring football kits, being the first layer of prizes for outstanding teams in the tournament, are to be used by the teams in the final and the 3rd place playoffs on Saturday.

All roads now lead to Ido-Osun High School for the highly anticipated contest between the other two teams from the ancient city of Ede, who like their counterparts in the other two local governments, will have their match decided at a neutral ground at the Ido-Osun High School.

The Competition, which is dedicated in honour of the first Civilian Governor of Osun State, Otunba Isiaka Adeleke is solely sponsored by Rep. Bamidele Salam who represents the good people of Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State in the National Assembly.

The final Competition will come up on the 15th of January 2022 in Ede.

AFCON 2021: Super Eagles Supporters Club (SESC) President sure of Super Eagles victory in Cameroon

President of the Super Eagles Supporters Club, Prince Vincent Okumagba on Thursday evening, has expressed his believe in the ability of the Super Eagles to conquer Africa once again. 

The president made this known in his message at a send forth party the club organised for members of the club ahead of the African Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon as the team jets out of the country.

The well attended event was held at the Club's secretariat, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.  

The soft spoken prince told the members 

to be good ambassadors and role model as he is optimistic that their support cam propel the Super Eagles to victory.   

I'm optimistic we will come back with the trophy". 

"The time we are all waiting for has come, as you all know the Super Eagles is already in Garoua, Cameroon. 

"I want us to go in to Cameroon in our unique style as we give our maximum support to the team, I also enjoin us to be ambassadors as we come out each Match-Day to show our unflinching support to the Super Eagle" said Okumagba 

He also thanked the AFCON Committee for ensuring everything is made possible to cheer our darling team. 

I want to sincerely thank the African Cup of Nations committee for putting in a lot of work to ensure we make this trip. 

Leader of the delegation who is also the Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Chairman of the AFCON committee Mr Olutoye Orishabiyi will lead 60 members across the 36 States as they leave Nigeria on the 9th of January to Garoua,

venue of Nigeria’s Group matches at the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.  

Forty members of SESC will join the party later in Garoua.

President of the Club, Prince Okumagba in his final remarks hinted that members on arrival in Garoua will get wonderful hospitality as everything has been put in place to ensure a memorable stay. 

Nigeria's campaign in Cameroon begins on the 11th of January, 2022 against Egypt in Garoua.

Omokwo, Olowookeere Win NWFL Premiership December Player, Manager Of The Month Awards

Confluence Queens FC star Mercy Omokwo and Naija Ratels FC Manager Bankole Olowookeere have won the Naija Women Football League Awards player and Manager of the month. 

Mercy Omokwo finished ahead of Naija Ratels forward Olamide Adugbe and Nasarawa Amazons Abigail Sunday to win the coveted monthly awards.  

The Confluence Queens forward scooped the prize after some sensational performances in the matches against Pelican Stars and Osun Babes. She netted the first hat-trick of the season against Pelican Stars on Matchday one and went ahead to score the only goal as her team went past Osun Babes in Ile-Ogbo. 

In all, Mercy Omokwo scored four goals in three matches, the same as Olamide Adugbe, who also scored four goals in three matches, with fewer minutes played.  

In the Manager's category, Bankole Olowookeere edged out Liadi Bashiru of Confluence Queens and Christopher Danjuma of Nasarawa Amazons to win his first Manager of the month awards. 

Seven points out of nine possible gave the Naija Ratels Manager the prestigious awards. His team, Naija Ratels are on top of the NWFL Premiership Group A table with 2 wins and a draw in December. 

The 'One day at a time' Ladies won Osun Babes 2-0 in the first game at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja, before deservedly getting a point in their 2-2 draw against Edo Queens at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. 

They ended the month on a high with the 5-2 bashing of Adamawa Queens in Abuja. 

A panel of NWFL Premiership experts decided the winners of the Player/Manager of the month awards through a very fair voting process. 

The awards will be presented to the duo on Matchday five in Lokoja.

Kamaru Usman visits Nigeria again as "Face-Off Fight Night" holds on Friday in Lagos

Kamaru Usman in partnership with 5five 4four, to host the first official MMA fight in Nigeria, leading the development of MMA in Nigeria and Africa.   

Olusola Adebayo  

Kamaru Usman is in Nigeria, to organise the Face-Off Fight Night - the first edition of the Martial Mixed Art,( MMA ) fights series which will hold in Lagos on Friday, January 7, 2022, at the grand Africa Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel in Lagos from 6 pm. 

The event which is endorsed by the Lagos State Sports Commission is powered by 5Five 4Four will see five professional fights among ten MMA fighters from Africa. 

In a well-attended press conference held in Lagos on Wednesday at the Lagos Continental Hotel, the organiser reveals that the vision behind the historic event is to provide opportunities for the burden fighters in Africa. 

Kamaru Usman who was excited about the partnership said he was happy to go into the partnership with 5five and 4four as it provides opportunities for more youths in Africa to become world champions like himself.  

Speaking at the event, Kamaru Usman said:  

“At first, I thought about it over and over on how I can help, and how I can create opportunities for more youths like myself. Luckily, I was able to run into these amazing partners, which was the best way to go to achieve the vision and what we eventually plan to do,” he said. 

The fight will feature Damilare ‘Ring Beast’ Addulrahim as he will face off Ugochukwu ‘Nicotine’ Melvin. 

Jude ‘Hurricane’ Ezugwu will go toe to toe with Richard ‘Resident Ninja’ Chidi Nwankwo. 

Emmanuel Onoja will battle with Richard ‘Shield’ Muzaan, while Daniel ‘Big Shark’ Emeka take on Ayivor ‘Finisher Mawuko.