Sports
Rangers Gets Two Weeks Break
The management of seven-time Nigeria league champions and CAF Confederation cup 2020 campaigners, Rangers International F.C of Enugu ably led by Prince Davidson Owumi, has given the players and officials of the club a two weeks break.
At a gathering at the club’ players’ camp over the weekend, the General Manager, Owumi thanked all the players and coaches for their efforts in the season that ended with the Aiteo cup 2019 round of 32 loss to Lobi Stars in Minna, Niger State.
The astute administrator described the performance of the team as great even when he agreed that much would have been welcomed.
“Let me start by thanking you all for the efforts you put in the ended season. Surely, we would have loved to be champions of the league and successfully defend our Aiteo cup trophy but God knows why we ended this way. As we embark on a two weeks break, I urge us to have the needed rest and come back with vigour to challenge on all fronts,” stated the former NPL and Warri Wolves boss.
On the Continental ticket that the team achieved for the season, Owumi said: “Getting back to the continent is a good feeling but our target at the start of the season was to be league and Aiteo cup champions but due to circumstances beyond our efforts, we came up as second runner-up in the league. We thank God for His mercies just as we can’t forget to appreciate the efforts of Enugu State government, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his continued sponsorship of our activities.”
He assured the club teaming supporters that there would be no room for errors in the coming season on all fronts stressing that it would be a trophy filled season.
Also speaking at the gathering that served as a thanksgiving session, technical adviser for the side, coach Olugbenga Ogunbote said: “Let me start by thanking God for His goodwill towards the team in the ended season. Also, I must say that this was a very challenging season that saw all of us giving our best to achieve our target which we missed by a few inches but thankfully, we are going back to the continent to complete what we started this season. It is my hope and belief that the trophies will rain next season.”
Players of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ are expected back in Enugu from the start of the second week of July when new and old players will start jostling for positions in the team.
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.