Sports
Adepoju Charges Super Eagles On Seychelles Match
Ex-Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju has urged the Super Eagles to take their inconsequential 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Seychelles seriously.
The three-time African champions currently lead Group E with 10 points from five games and have already booked their spot in the continental competition but they still have the first spot to fight for as they are a point adrift of second-placed South Africa.
They welcome Gavin Jeanne’s men who are rooted to the bottom of the group to the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Friday.
And Adepoju who scored six goals in 42 international outings for the Super Eagles advised Gernot Rohr’s men to see the encounter as part of preparation for the Afcon finals in Egypt.
“It is a dead rubber encounter and we have qualified already but that does not mean we should forget the importance of the game because it is a qualifier which we have to play as if we have not qualified,” Adepoju told newsmen.
“We have to take it seriously because if we have qualified and we’re looking forward to going to the tournament which is the Africa Cup of Nations, we have to play with all seriousness and field the available key players.
Rohr resorted to a familiar 23-man squad for the clash with Midtjylland’s Paul Onuachu and Enymba’s duo of Valentine Ozornwafor and Ikouwem Utin the only players handed debut call ups.
While many insisted that German tactician should have added more new faces to his squad this month, the former Real Madrid midfielder reckoned that time for preparation is of vital importance.
“The AFCON is barely three months away and there’s not enough time to prepare so most of the players that are going to go should be among the players to play against Seychelles,” he added.
“Leaving all those [regular] players could amount to waste of time. All the matches from now on should be in preparation for the tournament we have ahead.”
On his expectation from the Super Eagles who are bound to return to the AFCON stage after a six-year absence, Adepoju said: “I expect a very serious game and playing the game as if we have not qualified and I expect to see how the players can play together.
“Definitely, expecting a win because no game is small and you have to play every game to win.”
The Federal Government has commended Ogun State for its continuous commitment to hosting a world-class National Sports Festival as the event draws closer.
The Organizing Committee (LOC) with the firm support of the NSC officially unveiled Premium Trust Bank as the lead sponsor of the festival on Wednesday in Abeokuta, in record breaking deal.
Speaking on this feat, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, lauded Ogun State’s dedication to ensuring a seamless and memorable festival, emphasizing the importance of corporate and private sector support in shaping the future of Nigerian sports in line with vision of the NSC.
“The unveiling of Premium Trust Bank as the lead sponsor for the 2024 National Sports Festival is a testament to the rising confidence of the private sector in Nigerian sports. Ogun State has demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment, and this partnership is a step toward elevating the festival to execeptional standards,” Dikko said.
He further underscored the economic and social benefits of the festival, noting its potential to boost tourism, generate employment, and stimulate the local economy.
“Beyond the thrill of competition, the Gateway Games 2024 will drive economic growth, create opportunities for young athletes, and showcase Ogun State as a hub for sports excellence as well as its economic potentials. The National Sports Commission stands fully behind this vision and will provide every necessary support to ensure its success and the legacy of the hosting the games to the state is enduring,” he added.
“This festival is more than just a sporting event, it is a celebration of talent, resilience, and the boundless potential of Nigerian sports. With Ogun State’s level of preparation and the commitment of all stakeholders, I have no doubt that the Gateway Games 2024 will be the most remarkable edition yet,” Dikko stated.
The NSC will indeed continue to collaborate with the hosting state to provides all the enablers to ensure a successful games.
The National Sports Festival ( often tagged the Nigerian Olympics ) is owned by the National Sports Commission, and it is expected to feature over 20,000 participants across the 36 states plus the FCT, with the introduction of Invited Junior Athletes ( IJA ) as the 38th State.
The competition will run from the 16th of May to the 30th of May 2025.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko has commended the successful hosting of the inaugural National School Board Games, describing it as a significant step in the advancement of school sports in Nigeria.
The event, which featured chess in its pilot phase, was organized by the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF) in collaboration with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Nigeria Chess Federation. With over 300 students from all six geopolitical zones competing in the U-9, U-12, U-15, and U-18 categories, the tournament provided a platform for young athletes to develop critical thinking, discipline, and competitive excellence.
Mallam Dikko, was represented at the event by Mr. Lanre Ogunjobi (Technical Assistant, Strategy & Research) and Barrister Uche George Egbe (Technical Assistant,Legal and Compliance) as well as Mrs Ada Nwachukwu, Zonal Head of the NSC Lagos office
Also in attendance were the Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Mr. Jumiu Alli-Balogun, and the Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole, both of whom expressed strong support for the initiative.
Delivering the Chairman’s message, Mr. Ogunjobi reiterated the NSC’s commitment to school sports development as a key pillar of Nigeria’s overall sports growth strategy.
His words, “The National Sports Commission remains dedicated to fostering both intellectual and physical sports as part of our broader vision for national sports development. The successful hosting of the inaugural National School Board Games is a testament to our resolve to ensure that every aspect of sports receives the attention and investment required for sustained growth.”
Enyimba International’s head coach, Stanley Eguma, has pointed to a red card issued to one of his players as the primary reason for their 1-0 loss to Bendel Insurance, .
The match, which took place in Benin on Wednesday, saw Enyimba lose after Innocent Gabriel was sent off for a reckless challenge on Kayode Oke of Bendel Insurance.
Eguma acknowledged that both teams played well but noted that being a man down significantly impacted his team’s performance.
”It was a good game, but being a man down made things difficult for us,” he said.
Enyimba will look to bounce back when they face Rivers United this weekend.
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