Sports
Nigerians Hail Team, Call For Caution
As Nigeria Falconets secured one of the semi-final tickets of the on going under-20 female World Cup, in Germany yesterday after beating the defending champions USA on penalties, football analysts, coaches and football lovers have followed up with reaction on their prospects and performances in the competition.
In his reaction, former Sharks’ youth football team coach, Barnabas Chimezie, said the Nigeria female team have the potentials to lift the trophy.
According to him, the only problem facing the team is the difficulty in coverting scoring chances. He, however, noted that the problem had become a major issue to all our national teams.
“Yes, I believe strongly that our Falconets can lift the trophy, because they play quality football and have good control of the ball, but they must begin to convert clear scoring chances” Chimezie said.
He continued that the players also exhibit determination, commitment and fighting spirit, adding that any team that is committed would surely go far in any tournament.
Imama Amapakabo, the Chief Coach of Sharks FC, shared the same view with Chimezie, but added that the Falconets should take the semi-final game seriously because the team they are going to play (Colombia) is also a strong team.
Amapakabo warned that the Falconets should not be carried away or be over- welmed because they defeated the defending champions, USA.
“I am particularly happy that Falconets beat USA, that is my dream and prayers, but the players should concentrate on the semi-final match. They should not under-rate the Colombians, because they are also a very strong team”, Amapakabo said.
In his contributions, Jim Odede Opiki, the assistant secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Rivers State Council, expressed optimism that the Falconets will lift the trophy.
He advised the players to be positive, because they have reached a stage where Nigerians are praying for them.
Opiki, further advised the Falconets to believe in themselves and not to be in a hurry in the match against Colombians.
“Falconets should understand that they have only one match to the finals, so they should not be over zealous and always listen to their coach’s instructions.
“Individual game and unnecessary show of skills cannot help the team”, he advised.
Tonye Orabere
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”.