2024 Winter Olympics Qualifiers: Nigeria’s Junior curlers get accolades despite a tough run in Finland

The young set of curlers representing Nigeria at the ongoing World Junior-B Curling Championships in Lohja, Finland have what it takes to become world beaters in a few years. 

This was the assertion made by Daniel Damola, President of the Nigeria Curling Federation, NCF as he reviewed the country’s performance so far in Finland.

According to the NCF President, the outing in Finland is more of an eye-opener for the Nigeria contingent, who are only being exposed to competing on ice for the very first time.

Even with the losses recorded in the games against Latvia, Austria, Spain, and then Italy, Mr. Damola noted that the players have shown the great potential that can be developed with the right resources and support system,

“When the team played against Latvia, they lost,0-24, being their first experience because they only had two days to train.  

“You can imagine kids that are coming from sub-Saharan Africa that have not been on the ice before getting on the ice, having less than 48 hours of training on how to slide, how to move from the arc, how to deliver a stone, how to play stones and then how to sweep at the same time within the 24-48 hours window to train.

“I think it speaks volumes that these kids have something in them.”

Having shown great improvement as they progressed in their group games; especially in Friday’s tie against Italy, the NCF President is confident that the lads are on the right path to stardom.

“They are the future of curling, watch out for them. You will see that these kids will be world-beaters because I think they played so well. The only thing that worked against them is the placement of stone because of their lack of experience and this is their first time stepping on the ice.  

“I think we can do better in our subsequent games. I believe we will do better because the first time they played, they won five against us in the first innings and second innings. It was six and then they now dropped to 3,4,2 and so on. 

“They are picking up and we believe they will do better because they were lacking some technicalities being their first time on ice. And then to play an international championship of that magnitude, they also played against older kids that have gotten the experience of maybe 5,6,10 years ahead of them. They did well.” the excited NCF President added.

Kamsiyochukwu Emmanuel Dike (Skip), Ebube Daniel Chukwuemeka (Vice-Skip), Fatiu Adedamola Danmola, Goodnews Idongesit Charles, and Great Aniedi Umoren are the history-making curlers for Nigeria in the male category.

The ongoing World Junior-B Curling Championships is open to junior teams from all World Curling Federation Member Associations that have not already qualified for the World Junior Curling Championships. 

The top three women’s and men’s teams will qualify for this event for the World Junior Curling Championships.

8 teams to fight for honour in first edition of SheFootball Tournament

Eight women teams will fight for honour in the first edition of She Football Initiative Tournament a brain child of Aiysa Yusuf Aromire Foundation which kick off 7th January 2023 at Legacy Pitch, National Stadium Surulere, Lagos state, Nigeria. 

The football tournament is aim in promoting women and promoting 

the power of women in Football and also using various means to highlight the positive social impacts the game of Football have on Women and girls across Nigeria, Africa and the World. 

The participating teams are  DreamStar Ladies, Royaltoms Queens, Phoenix Queens, Lakeside Queens, Ijamido Queens, English Queens, Future Stars Queens, Nakamura Queens. 

Meet the Teams

CLUB PROFILE

Dream Star Ladies

DreamStars Ladies was founded in 2017, they played in the Nigeria Women Premier League.

Based in Ibadan, Lagos state. Nigeria.

Lakeside Queens

Lakeside Queens is a Bariga based women football club founded in 2007.

They presently played in the second division of the Nigeria Women football league.

Future Stars 99 Football Academy  

Founded in 2016 in Igando, Lagos state. They currently played in WAFA league.

Royaltoms International Football Academy.

A football Academy established in 2002,  based in Sango-Ora, Ogun state. They have produced bear known female footballers in recent years.

Ijamido Football Academy

Established in 2002 in Sango Ota, Ogun State. The team has produced some promising female footballers who plying their In Nigeria and abroad.

Nakamura Babes (The Black Arrows) 

Is a female football club based in the heart of Lagos state (Mushin) the aim of the is to harness the potentials of girls through sports in one of the density populated area in Lagos state and arguably in the South West of Nigeria.

The club was founded in 2017.

Phoenix Queens, Orile

Established in 2007 to provide enabling environment to youth in Or ile-Iganmu and its environs.

They currently play in the WAFA League in Lagos state, Nigeria.

English Queens ( Best Wale FC)

Founded in 2005 in Owode Egbe in Ogun state.

A football academy combining  education with football to the youths of owode-Egba. 

The SheFootball is an initiative of Aiysha Yusuf Armoire and is powered by Nigeria's private airline ValueJet Airline.

Bosso invites " New Iwobi" as screening of players continues in Flying Eagles camp

Flying Eagles Coach, Ladan Bosso has invited Joshua John of Ikon Allah Academy.

The attacking midfielder who was part of the 15 players invited to the Flying Eagles camp, left no stone unturned immediately he joined the camp.

Joshua John reminds me of attacking midfielders like Alexander Iwobi, Sunday Mba and others whose style of play always catch the attention of the fans.

No doubt, Joshua John will really make a big statement if given the opportunity to prove himself.

Recall that Ikon Allah Academy produced players like Chidera Ejuke who is a Super Eagles player, newly signed Nasarawa United player, Francis Ayuba who is currently in the camp of the Flying Eagles, and he scored two goals today in favour of his team.

Lion Heart FC: A good ground for discovering talents

Lagos based Lion Heart FC duo of Akanbi Ayobami Akinwale and Ademola Oladejo Damilare are the newest entrants to the camp of Flying Eagles, following Coach Ladan Bosso's invitation of fresh legs to beef up his team in preparation for next year's U-20 Afcon championship in Egypt.

The club known for its capacity in establishment and grooming of players both locally and internationally have served the national team with two of it's reliable and committed players.

Ademola Oladejo Damilare, an impressive safe hands with Lion Heart,  is expected to ruffle shoulders with Nathaniel Nwosu and the host of other goalkeepers for a place in the squad, while Akanbi Ayobami Akinwale an enterprising midfielder, will be proving his might against Daniel Daga and others to stake a claim to a role in the midfield position.

It is also worthy to note, this will not be the first time Lion Heart FC will be attracting the attention of Nigerias national teams, as the club had previously supplied five of it's underage players to the national U-17 men's team, the Golden Eaglets.

Club chairman, Samuel Olonade who started Lion Heart FC in Ipaja Ayobo local government area of Lagos state had earlier said, grooming of players is one of the core values of the club and it's interesting to know that both national teams and clubs within and outside the shores of the country are identifying with them, which is a clear indication that the club in on the right track with it's set goals and objectives.

Ladan Bosso, thinks the addition of fresh talent will strengthen his team, haven sent home 15 players earlier this week for some logistical challenges.

Egypt will play host to the U-20 AFCON in February, 2022.

Opeyemi influential to Kauno Zalgaris' qualification to the Europa League

Abdulgafar Opeyemi have been a fantastic talent to watch as he made his mark for A Lyga side, Kauno Zalgaris in the Lithuania league. 

Abdulgafar Opeyemi who can play as an attacking midfielder and at the right side of the midfield was instrumental and influential to Kauno Zalgaris qualification to the Europa League.

The midfield maestro, who have the ability of long range passing accuracy, defense splitting passes and also a good eye for goal.

The 20 years old right footed midfielder is the cynosure of all eyes in the Lithuania League making a mark for himself as one of the bright prospect in the A Lyga.

Abdulgafar Opeyemi is destined to make waves in the Europa League and so many top flight clubs will be chasing for his signature because of his prospect and qualities.

Kauno Zalgaris finished as the second best team in the Lithuania A Lyga with 63 points from 36 matches and scored a total of 55 goals and conceded 37 goals.

Ote4Wealth: Pride FC of FC beat Golden FC of Abia to emerge champions

Pride FC of FCT on Thursday beat Golden FC of Abia 3-1 to emerge champions of maiden #Ote4Wealth National Football Tournament. 

Coach of Pride FC, Lawal Abdul said, "It was a unique tournament. We have been in existence for three years and I have never seen any tournament like this. The six day tournament was well-organised with fair officiating. It all started last Friday and ended today in my team's favour. 

"We registered for free, got gifts for free, our accumulated funds for yellow cards were forfeited and yet we got the trophy and prize money.

"This tournament showed that we have many talented players scattered around Nigeria. From the beginning as a coach, I saw many young good players from other teams that if well managed will go places. 

The tournament was organised to celebrate the 60th birthday of Nigeria business mogul, Femi Otedola. 

37 teams from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participated in the tournament which was held between Friday, November 25, to Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the Water FC Football Pitch, Lokogoma, Abuja.

Speaking after presentation of trophy, the Chief Executive Officer CEO of MK Sports, Nureni Makanjuola, said the next edition will be bigger than what was witnessed this year.

"We shall have more teams and increase in prize money in the next edition next year. Many clubs have indicated interested to participate and our doors will be opened to so many teams that meet up with the criteria.

All is set for Shefootball 2023 as Press Conference holds on Friday and Saturday

The Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire Foundation in conjunction with ValueJet Airline will hold the 2023 Edition of the SheFootball Conference on Friday & Saturday the 6th and 7th of January 2023 at the Lagos State Sports Writers Association Of Nigeria (SWAN), Hall, Surulere, Lagos. 

The SheFootball Initiative is aimed at harnessing the power of women in Football and also using various means to highlight the positive social impacts the game of Football have on Women and girls across Nigeria, Africa and the World. 

As part of activities for the 2023 Edition, a one day Football Competition, called ' The SheFootball Cup' will be played at the Legacy Football Pitch, Surulere and will feature Eight (8), namely, DreamStar Ladies, Royaltoms Queens, Phoenix Queens, Lakeside Queens, Ijamido Queens, English Queens, Future Stars Queens, Nakamura Queens. 

The theme for this year's edition is 'Women's Football Development Beyond Limits' and is expected to be graced by top Women Personalities, who have shown great value and quality in the development of sports in the country and beyond.

Notable amongst them are Ms Christina Oshodi, who is a UEFA Coach Educator in the United Kingdom, Dr. Abiola Akiyode, UNILAG & Executive Director (Women Advocate Research And Documentation Center) WARDC, Mrs Ezinne Ezeani, Director SheCan Nigeria and many others.

The goal of the year's SheConference is to increase the awareness of opportunities available to Women In Sports and also develop new strategies or revising and improving on existing strategies in a tailored-made approach to help develop Women's Football In Nigeria and Africa as a whole. 

Speaking ahead of the 6th Edition of the SheConference, Convener and Former Super Falcons Player Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire reiterated that the main motive behind the Conference is to engage Women Football Likeminds in providing pathways in the development of the round leather game in the Country.

Ayisat, who recently became the first woman to win the FIFPro Merit Award is positive that the game will keep improving with programmes like the SheConference.

"The priority for anyone involved in Women's Football should be development. This is an opportune time to be part of women's football, through the SheFootballConference.

"There is still much work to be done, so that the potential of the women's game can be integrated and maximized. 

"Perhaps, that's one of the reasons behind the SheFootballConference, which has been on for the past five years.

"We will continue our mission of providing opportunities and positive experiences for women who aspire to progress in Sports, through the SheFootballConference.

As we bring the importance of Women Football Development into sharper focus on the 6th and 7th of January 2023 in Lagos, we appreciate ValueJet Airline for their massive supports, FareNetwork, Monaliku, C13, Enescott and FIFPro.

The 2023 Edition of the SheFootball Conference will hold on Friday & Saturday, 6th and 7th Of January 2023 at the Lagos SWAN Hall, Surulere, Lagos.