Author: Nurudeen Obalola
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…
By Kayode John Enyimba head coach Yemi Olanrewaju has said the club will not let their fans down in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The nine-time Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions will take on Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso at Stade Mamadou Konate in Mali on Friday in the first leg of their tie. “We don’t really have much information about them you know, but I know they must have been following us. This is Enyimba FC, I know what the club represents and stands for, which is winning,” Olanrewaju said in a preview of…
By Kayode John The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has declared that act of age cheating at the 2024 National Youth Games will not be tolerated. In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media, Diana-Mary Nsan, the minister stressed the importance of upholding the integrity of the Games and urged all participating states to adhere strictly to the age requirements. Emphasising the importance of upholding the integrity of the Games, Enoh called on participating states to embrace the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. “As the name of the Games implies, this competition is strictly…
The hearing into Manchester City’s 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations will begin on Monday, according to ESPN. City were referred to an independent commission over the alleged breaches, which go back to the 2009/2010 campaign, in February 2023. The club is alleged to have breached rules relating to the provision of accurate financial information. City are also charged with failing to comply with Premier League rules requiring clubs to follow UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations from the 2013/14 to 2017/18 seasons and failing to follow Premier League rules on profit and sustainability (PSR) from the 2015/16 to…
By Nurudeen Obalola Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has indicated that Super Eagles star Wilfred Ndidi is in good enough shape to play this weekend. The central midfielder played 80 minutes in the 3-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier victory over Benin Republic in Uyo last Saturday but was taken off with 20 minutes left on the clock in the 0-0 draw against Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday, raising concerns about his fitness. Cooper, however, confirmed on Thursday that there are no post-international break injury worries ahead of Saturday’s English Premier League trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.…
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez failed to turn up in court on Wednesday as he was banned from driving for six months. The £106million midfielder had been convicted of failing to identify the driver of his Porsche Cayenne when it was clocked at 37mph in a 30mph zone in Swansea. The 23-year-old was due to appear before Llanelli JPs for sentence but was in South America on Tuesday night playing for Argentina. He already had nine points on his licence and was given 12 more to earn the ban. Fernandez, who was not represented in court, was also ordered to pay £3,020…
Cristiano Ronaldo has told his former club Manchester United to rebuild everything from the bottom up if they are to compete for top silverware again. The 39-year-old Portugal forward, now at Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr, won three English Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup during his first spell at Manchester United from 2003 to 2009 under Sir Alex Ferguson. He says he still loves the club, who finished eighth in the league last season. despite leaving under acrimonious circumstances in 2022. Speaking on the ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ podcast set to air on Thursday,…