2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Olumide Oyedeji To Run Lagos With Sanwo-Olu, Shaibu

Basketball legend Olumide Oyedeji over the weekend signed for the 2022 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Oyedeji who visited the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, Marathon Village at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere commended the headline sponsor of the race Access Bank for their fate in the race which has rubbed off positively on Lagos State and Nigeria. 

Discussing with the General Manager Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Yussuf Alli after signing his form, he said: 

“I must commend Nilayo Nigeria Limited the Project Consultant and the secretariat headed by you. Your pedigree as an athlete and administrator is well known but I must commend the headline sponsor Access Bank for investing in the race when it was just an idea on paper”.

Oyedeji said the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has put Lagos on the global sports map, “everywhere I go people always talk about Access Bank Lagos City Marathon informing me that we are doing a good job and that will be coming to Lagos to run the marathon. 

The decision of foreigners to come to my city and run motivated me to decide to run this year. It will be a great honour to run along with the Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Edo State Deputy-Governor Philip Shaibu and hundreds of thousands of runners from different parts of the world”.

Oyedeji urged celebrities in the sports and entertainment industry to join hands with the Lagos State Government to add colour to the annual marathon.

“Alicia Keys and celebrities in New York join the New York Marathon not just to run but because they know celebrity participation motivates millions and once millions show interest worldwide, it brings economy business to the city. 

In other American cities, celebrities join their local marathon I am appealing to celebrities in Lagos to embrace Access Bank Lagos City Marathon”. Said Oyedeji

36 Lions Product Collins Yira Sor Joins Peter Olayinka In Slavia Praha

36 Lions product Collins Yira Sor has joined Slavia Praha on a five-year deal from Banik Ostrava. 

The contract will keep the former Nigeria youth international at the Sinobo Stadium until December 2026, and he joins compatriots Peter Olayinka and Ubong Ekpai. 

Sor has played 16 matches in the current Czech Fortuna Liga campaign, scoring three goals and providing five assists. 

He has the chance of playing in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

After completing the move, the attacker spoke of his ambition with his new side.

“I am very positive, both on and off the pitch and I am very much looking forward to this new challenge,” Sor told the Media.

“As a player I am versatile, I usually play as a winger but I can also play well in midfield and as a striker.

“My ambitions at the club? Help Slavia Praha beat Fenerbahce in the next round of UEFA Europa Conference League and of course become champions. I also want to win the League title too. We should aspire to that!”

Yira Sor developed his game in Lagos at 36 Lion before switching to Banik Ostrava in February 2021.

The 36 graduates made two appearances for the Nigeria team at the 2019 U20 FIFA World Cup.  

The transfer was a bit frustrating but one of 36 Lion European representatives Mr Hannes D'Hoop made sure all stones were turned. Mr D’Hoop left Belgium and stayed in the Czech Republic for two weeks until Collins Sor signed.

Collins Sor kicked his first ball at Family Love Academy in Port Harcourt owned by Jeremiah Atu Kalu before coming to 36 Lion where his potentials were maximized as a young speedster.

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.