Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Athletes representing Lagos State at the ongoing National Youth Games have expressed their target for the competition taking place in Delta State. The Games were declared open on Thursday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh—with athletes from the state among those who participated in the matchpast. Chidera Nwokedi, a 10-year-old Judoka, is one of the 270 youngsters set to compete in 34 individual and team sports events from the state. Nwokedi is confident the quality of training she was exposed to during preparation for…
By Kayode John Nigeria Professional Football League champions Enugu Rangers recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Sagrada Esperanca in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie in Uyo on Friday. In the CAF Confederation Cup on the same evening, Enyimba secured a 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso’s Etoile Filante in their second preliminary round first leg clash in Bamako, Mali. Rangers, whose home ground, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, was not approved by the Confederation of African Football for their continental matches, had to host their Angolan opponents at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in…
Erling Haaland has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for August following his electric start to the season for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Haaland, scored consecutive hat-tricks to finish the month on seven goals after just three games. The Norway striker already appears the early favourite to win the Premier League Golden Boot with his nearest current challengers — Mo Salah, Noni Madueke, Bryan Mbeumo and Luis Diaz — already four back, on three goals each. Haaland — as part of a City team that have made an ominous, 100% start to their 2024/25 Premier League campaign…
Edo State weightlifter Esther Chijioke is already eyeing a future with Olympic gold after winning the first gold medals of the 8th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State. Competing in the 45kg female weightlifting category, Chijioke lifted 56kg in the snatch and 75kg in the clean and jerk, to clinch the first three gold medals of the Games. Afterwards, the ‘golden girl’ declared her intention to take over the world of weightlifting. “My target is the Olympic gold, and I will not relent until I achieve it,” Chijioke said. “This is a good platform for us young athletes, and…
By Kayode John El-Kanemi Warriors captain, George Abine, has revealed that the floods which ravaged most parts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, affected the club’s training activities for the week. Maiduguri was hit by severe floods on Tuesday, when the Alau Dam broke its banks following torrential rainfall. Over half of the Borno State capital has been affected, with houses submerged and thousands of residents displaced. Consequently the matchday 2 fixture of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) between El-Kanemi and Kwara United, initially scheduled for Maiduguri on Sunday, has been postponed. Abine on Friday said the floods have…
By Kayode John Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface, has light-heartedly disagreed with EA Sports rating of his passing ability. Boniface scored 21 goals and registered 10 assists in all competitons for Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen last season, when they won the league title for the first time in their history and reached the UEFA Europa League final. In a video posted to Leverkusen’s official Facebook page on Thursday, the Nigeria international was dissatisfied after he was shown his ratings by EA Sports by teammates, Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tabsoba. “Don’t even open it. 82 for my physicality? For me, they…
Some athletes from Imo State bound for the 2024 National Youth Games are stranded at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the state capital. The athletes have been unable to travel to Asaba, Delta State, the venue of the Games, which began officially on Thursday, due to lack of funds. In a video widely shared on social media on Thursday, the teenagers are seen lying on mattresses on the floor of a room. The day the video was recorded is not known. Edo athletes confident ahead of National Youth Games “Chosen, this one you’re drinking garri since morning, you’ve been drinking…
By Kayode John Super Falcons of Nigeria head coach, Randy Waldrum, has leff the position. Waldrum cited his wife’s health condition as the reason for his decision to leave the women’s national team. “It’s been a very difficult few weeks following the Olympics, with my wife’s health issues, and the worries that obviously come with that,” the American coach wrote in a letter he purportedly sent to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which was in circulation on social media on Thursday night. “After much thought and consideration, I am hereby resigning my position as Head Coach of the Super Falcons.…
The Falconets of Nigeria have been eliminated from the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup following a 2-1 round of 16 defeat to Japan in Bogota, Colombia in the early hours of Friday. Japan, runners-up of the last edition of the tournament, scored once in each half while the Falconets got a late consolation goal in stoppage time. The Asians put their noses in front in the 33rd minute through Miyu Matsunaga, who headed home a cross by Rihona Ujihara. U-20 Women’s World Cup: Germany too strong for Falconets After near misses by both sides, Japan doubled their lead in…
Kayode John Edo State has picked up the first three gold medals of the 8th National Youth Games in Delta State. Esther Chijioke won the three gold medals in clean and jerk (45 kg), snatch 56kg and 101kg total in female weightlifting in the Indoor Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. The triple gold medallist was understandably delighted with her feat, and she expressed joy afterwards. “I am excited. I thank God for the victory after all our training, all the preparations so far, getting the desired result is what everybody wants,” Chijioke said. “I thank my coaches and…