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Musa, Ekong, Iheanacho, 20 others for double CAR games   Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has listed team captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain Wlliam Ekong and 21 others for the Super Eagles’ FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 double qualifying encounters against the Central African Republic in Lagos and Douala next week. The Day 3 encounter will hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Thursday, 7th October with the Day 4 match in Douala, Cameroon (presently the ‘home’ of Central African Republic national teams) on Sunday, 10th October.     With the maximum six points from their first two matches of the campaign (against Liberia in Lagos and against Cape Verde in Mindelo earlier this month), the Eagles countenance another six points against the central Africans and Franco-German Rohr has largely kept faith with the troops that delivered in a September to remember.     Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi return, just as defenders William Ek...

The First edition of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament going on in the Edo State capital, Benin City, is living to expectations as top Nigeria Women Premiership clubs are in photo finish to get the four a available places in the semi finals of the tournament as the group games ends today at the University of Benin Sports complex, Ugbowo campus and the Western Boys High School, Ikpoba Hill. The battles for the four semi finals places will be fierce in  in three matches: Edo Queens versus Heartland Queens, Rivers Angels versus FC Robo Queens and the cracker between Bayelsa Queens and Sunshine Queens. In Group A, Edo Queens on six points and +5 Goal Difference, must beat or play a draw against Heartland Queens of Owerri in their last group game scheduled for the Uniben Sports Complex at 1pm. If Edo Queens fail to beat Heartland to move to 9 points, the narative will change if the Owerri team wins the game with just a lone goal. This will take Heartland to seven points from t...

Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament Update:  On a daily basis histories are being made in the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament taking place in Benin City, Edo State, as the Chief Coach of FC Robo Queens of Lagos, Emmanuel Osahon, for the first time in the history of women football development in Nigeria introduced a 10 year old player, Kemi Adegbuyi, in the second half of the Group B match against Fortress Ladies FC of Benin, where team captain, Gift Monday scored all the five goals of the match that confirmed the club's leadership of the group.  Kemi Adegbuyi, who was first seen earlier this year at the First EkoFootball Women's Championship played at the Legacy Pitch and Agege Stadium, Lagos, provided the assist for the fifth goal scored by Gift Monday. The young player said she want to be like Assisat Oshoala when she grows, reason she was happy joining FC Robo, the team that trained her to become the best player in Africa. Aunty Assisat is my hero. I believe God...

Edo First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, Tuesday continued in her strides for more milestones in the history of Nigeria Sports development as she on Tuesday moved round tournament venues in the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament in Benin City to watch group games played. This was the first in Nigeria for a serving First Lady of s state to aside from hosting a 12-club tournament, will move across match venues to watch games played.   She earlier did it on Day One when she watched and kicked off the matches at the Uniben Sports Complex - Rivers Angels versus Fortress Ladies, and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium - Edo Queens versus Naija Ratels of Abuja. Tuesday afternoon, the energetic First Lady, was at the Western Boys High School, Ikpoba Hill and Uniben Sports Complex, Ugbowo campus. At the Western Boys High School, she watched FC Robo defeatef Fortress Ladies of Benin 5-0 with all goals scored by Monday Gift. The highlight of her visit was the pep talk she gave to the two teams at ha...

The maiden edition of the Ottasolo Pre-season Tournament will be held in Lagos for top football teams in Nigeria. According to the coordinator of the Tournament, Kola Daniel the event is meant to prepare teams for the 2021/2022 season. The versatile media practitioner said the competition is aimed at helping to prepare teams adequately for the new campaign and give them the opportunity to assess all their new recruits. Kola disclosed that 23rd to 30th October has been proposed for the competition at Agege Stadium. Mr Gabriel Davies is the financier of the Ottasolo Pre-season Tournament. He is the Proprietor of Ottasolo International Football Club, a team that will participate in the Nigeria National League next season. The beauty of Pre-season matches and competitions in Nigeria includes having teams play in superb atmospheres where the players and clubs have a more conducive ambiences to show how good they are. Pre-season games offer fans the opportunity of glimpsing the true quality ...

Former president of the Nigeria Judo federation, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has decided to pull out of the race to become president of the Weightlifting federation of Nigeria. This decision was reached after due consultation with friends who advised him to pull his weight behind another contestant, Lawrence Iquaibom, a former commonwealth champion in the sport.  Senator Orji Uzor Kalu As Africa Pillar of Sports, Kalu reckons that he needs to play the big brother role to a former Olympian who has indeed invested his passion and money into developing the sport at state and National level and should not be seen as an elder who wants to reap where he has not sowed.     "My intention was clear from the onset. I wanted to return Weightlifting to where it used to be. This is one sport that can give us medals at major international competitions. Everyone know what I achieved as president of the Nigeria Judo federation and now, as Chief Whip of the Nigeria Senate, I thought I cou...

Minister of Youth and Sports  Development Mr Sunday Dare has re-affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to the development of women football in Nigeria.  Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare at the draws of the maiden edition Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament. The Minister gave the assurance during the draws of the maiden edition of the Betsy Obaseki women football tournament held in Benin on Sunday. The Betsy Obaseki women football tournament is sponsored by the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs Betsy Obaseki as her own contribution to the development of the game in the country alongside the private sector.   According  to the Minister, "This competition is a re-affirmation of the important place of women's football in our country and also an attestation of the status of Edo State as the home of Football in Nigeria.  "Coming just a few days after Nigeria successfully hosted the the First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos only confirms Nigeria's ...

Nigeria Women Football League Premiership club, FC Robo Football Club of Lagos were the first to arrive the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City in readiness for the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, which kicks off tomorrow in three venues across the city. FC Robo players were bubbling with life ready for the challenges ahead as they moved around the stadium with so much zest, obviously set for the battle against seven other NWFL Premiership clubs and four NWFL Championship clubs. The Chief Coach and Proprietor of FC Robo FC, Emmanuel Osahon, told BOWFT MEDIA on arrival at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium that the Lagos State team armed with Super Falcons super star, Monday Gift and Falconets star Esther Onyenezide and other dedicated players, are poised to make a point in the tournament as usual. He disclosed: "We are yet to win any competition this year, we believe that the Betsy Obaseki Tournament may be the blessing God has been keeping for us in the year 2021 after all ou...

The management of Arkleen Oil and Gas Limited, led by it's General Manager/ Chief Operating Officer, Benin City office,  Dr. Dele Omenogor (Ksc), in Benin City, presented their company's sponsorship cheque for the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, to the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mrs. Sabina Chikere, at a brief ceremony at the Edo State Government House, Benin City. Dr. Omenogor, said at the brief presentation ceremony that, Arkleen Oil and Gas Limited is committed to adding values to the development of Edo State government most especially programmes initiated by the state government headed by the dynamic Governor, Godwin Obaseki supported by his energetic First Lady, Her Excellency Mrs. Betsy Obaseki and the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu and his First Lady. He added that, the theme of the Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament, "Promoting The Girl Child", was a huge attraction that made Arkleen Oil and Gas key into the programme. "We...

Africa’s most successful team at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, the Falconets of Nigeria will on Saturday commence another race to qualify for the global tournament when they square up to their counterparts from the Central African Republic in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Africa’s football-governing body, CAF has not approved any stadia facility in Central African Republic as being good enough to host an international match – this has forced the country’s national teams to adopt other nations as ‘home ground’. The country’s Men ‘A’ team played Cape Verde in Douala on Day 1 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 series, which ended 1-1. That country’s Men ‘A’ team will take on the Super Eagles in a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Day 3 clash also in Douala. Falconets have played in every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched as an U19 tournament in Canada in 2002, winning the silver medals in 2010 in Germany and in 2014 in Canada, and were semi finali...

36 Lion defeated Djeffa Football Club 1-0 in a friendly on Tuesday morning as they continued their Tour of Benin Republic.  The ambitious Academy boys finally won their first match in four attempts. They lost one and drew two before today's game. Following series of high profile friendly matches, they travelled back to Cotonou to honour a friendly match with Djeffa. At the end of a very good exercise, the Lions recorded a 1-0 win over their opponent that is expected to boost the confidence of the team before a tantalising battle with Coton Sports. The boys from Lagos created chances as usual but weren't clinical in the first half. Former Nigeria youth international Azeez Oseni scored the only goal of the match in the 62nd minute after he was hacked in the box. On Wednesday, 36 Lion are expected to continue the tour with a tough duel against Coton Sports in Ouidah.

A gallant 36 Lion team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Dynamo Football Club in their second outing of the Benin Republic Tour on Friday afternoon. The Lions arrived Abomey around 11am, four hours drive from Cotonou on Thursday for the encounter. They had a feel of the Stade Municipal de Bohicon before facing Dynamo. It was a keenly contested battle that led to the end of 36 Lion's 14-year unbeaten run in Benin Republic. The hosts bagged the opener in the first stanza of the game. Moses Usor and Chika Odom came close to scoring for 36 Lion but they were unlucky. Lion improved their performance in the second half by having more of the possession but failed to convert scoring chances. "It was really painful to be defeated after playing so well against Dynamo. We can't question ourselves but look forward to our next game," Odom told the Media on Friday. "The playing tour has really helped us and we hope to continue improving with each match. The Lagos ba...

Nigeria women's senior volleyball team progresses to the semi-final of the ongoing 2021 African Seniors Nations Championship in Rwanda on Friday. The development is coming on the heels of the decision taken by African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) to disqualify hosts Rwanda from the championship, having confirmed they fielded ineligible players following an appeal by Nigeria and two others. At it stands, Nigeria move to the top of Pool A with 6 points and will face Morocco in her last group match on Saturday, September 18. Before the match between Senegal and Rwanda on Thursday, the Senegalese team wrote a protest letter to African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) control committee on the foreigners been used illegally by Rwanda team. Afterwards, Morocco and Nigeria joined in with their own petitions to the Local Organising Committee on the ineligible players fielded by Rwanda, which led to the latest verdict made by the organizers.  Before the verdict, the Nigeria women's sen...

2018 African Woman Player of the Year Thembi Kgatlana was the star of the evening as South Africa steamrolled Ghana 3-0 on Day 3 of the six-day Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament in Lagos.   In an entertaining encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena firmly dominated by the reigning African vice champions, Kgatlana was too much to handle for the Black Queens’ rear-guard led by Captain Portia Boakye, and she eventually accounted for one goal and one assist as the Queens were diminished.   The shape of things to come was clear as early as the 7th minute, when Ellen Coleman had to stretch full length to clear the ball from the line as the Banyana launched onslaught after onslaught, the pacy Kgatlana creating most of the trouble. The lithe forward, who plays her club football for Atletico Madrid of Spain, was in good enough position to gift the Banyana the lead after 12 minutes, but that was foiled by goalkeeper Dumehasi Fafali.   A minute later, Banyana’s calm-and c...

Organizers of the Abeokuta 10KM Race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) have confirmed Coleman Wires and Cables as the latest partners to join the list of sponsors for the event . The Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mr. Bukola Olopade who announced the partnership expressed optimism that the relationship will stand the test of time. He said "Coleman is a great addition to our list of outstanding sponsors and partners, for 25 years, Coleman has been manufacturing products that meet national and international standards of excellence". "Coleman's commitment to excellence is a key trait we celebrate in all our sponsors and partners, this race is about celebrating what makes us stand out as Nigerians, our tenacity and the spirit of excellence". "Naija, race for homeland is not just about the Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race, it is a call for Nigerians to embrace an active fitness lifestyle". The Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race is scheduled...

36 Lion have landed in Abomey ahead of their next game against Dynamo FC. The team kick started their training tour of Benin Republic with a 1-1 draw against AS Cotonou on Wednesday morning. The boys had a recovery session before jetting off to Abomey for their next assignment. The team arrived Abomey at 11am from the city of Cotonou on Thursday. Secretary General and Vice President of Dynamo FC gave the Lions a superb reception and treated them like Kings with Pounded Yam done naturally with Mortar and Pestle while they watched amusingly.  The Lions had a feel of the Stade Municipal de Bohicon where their second match of the tour will be played on Friday. Kickoff is 4pm. It would be recalled that 36 Lion have produced the likes of Junior Ajayi, Imoh Ezekiel, Sadiq Atanda, Yira Sor, Sodiq Popoola, Yusuf Lawal, Samson Akinyoola amongst others.

The Director of Organisation of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament, Aisha Falode, has congratulated the Super Falcons and heaped praises on Monday Gift for scoring the two goals that gave Nigeria the much deserved victory against unfamiliar foes, the Eagles of Mali in the opening game of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. Falode, who is also the Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, noted that, what Monday Gift demonstrated with those two goals after she came into the game as a second half substitute, was share determination and the 'never say die spirit' in the Nigeria Women Football League Premiership, where the greatest revolution in the Nigeria women's football league was witnessed at the last edition of the NWFL Premiership Super Six played at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode. "The FC Robo of Lagos captain just put  the icing on the cake and confirmed that the massive development i...

South Africa head coach, Desiree Ellis is confident that her team are ready to fire on all cylinders at the Aisha Buhari Cup after having a feel of the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium turf laid by Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd. Banyana Banyana are one of the participating teams at the prestigious competition currently hold in the commercial City of Lagos.   The charismatic Ellis tinker her team the Black Queens of Ghana (Friday) in what would be their first game of the competition.  The ex Spurs Ladies gaffer who spoke ahead of the cracker was full of praise for organizers of the #AishaBuhariCup for providing top class facilities. The 58-year-old tactician stated that the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium turf is something she has fallen in love with, while declaring that her wards would relish playing on the Hybrid Synthetic Pitch. "The facilities here are top class, the grass is so beautiful. This is unarguably the best pitch I have played on in here in Nigeria…so I am very ...

Substitute Gift Monday handed Nigeria a sweet 2-0 victory on the opening day of the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament in the City of Lagos.   Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State led eminent political big-wigs, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe led football’s top echelon, including President of NFF and FIFA Council Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick, to the showpiece at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.   Monday, interestingly a player of FC Robo Queens of Lagos, spun in the air to meet a cross by Captain Asisat Oshoala in the 83rd minute and nod past goalkeeper Fatoumata Karenta, six minutes after coming into the fray for Francisca Ordega.   The goal put the Super Falcons in the lead after a rather turgid day on Lagos island, with the Malians showing greater zest and desire in the opening half and returning after the recess with the same impressive fighting spirit.   The visiting Female Ea...

36 Lion were held to a 1-1 draw by AS Cotonou in the tour of Benin Republic as the highly-anticipated game with AS Cotonou ended in a stalemate on Wednesday morning. The two clubs based locked horns at Stade René Pleven d'Akpakpa aiming for a win in the friendly. Following a bright start from both sides in the first half, fans were treated to exciting football as 36 Lion and AS Cotonou opened up play and went on successive attacks. The roaring Lions drew the curtain raiser on the stroke of halftime through Joe Oloko. The forward latched on a delicious pass from Azeez Oseni to score. With 36 Lion led by Nigeria youth international Oseni resuming the second half to give it their all, they should have doubled the lead.  AS Cotonou grabbed the equalizer in the 79th minute via penalty. The determined Lions were unable to find a winner thereafter which left Oseni and his team-mates disappointed. “I think we deserved more, but you have to show more also on the pitch,“ the attacking midfie...

The Lions who landed in Cotonou on Tuesday from their training camp in Lagos, were very confident during the shape up activities, ahead of the tie which is their first game of the Tour Of Benin Republic. "We had a feel of the pitch and trained very well. The boys are ready to impress here in Cotonou," CEO of 36 Lion Liameed Gafar told the Media. "Our first game of the tour is against AS Cotonou on Wednesday morning, we are looking forward to it," he added. 36 Lion will also face five other Benin Republic Premier League teams at the training tour. The Lions will cover about 400 Kilometers inside Benin Republic, from Port Novo to Cotonou, from Bohicon to Ouidah and Abomey with determination to conquer and win it all.

Nigeria lost to Rwanda in the men and women's category of the ongoing 2021 African Seniors Nations Championship in Rwanda on Monday. Rwanda beat Nigeria 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17) in the 5th to 8th classification match in the men's category while Rwanda narrowly beat Nigeria 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-) in their second match of Pool A. Nigeria women's team stands a chance of qualifying for the semifinals if they beat Morocco in their last match. The Head Coach of Nigeria women's team, Samuel Ajayi hailed his players for giving the host, Rwanda a good fight during the game. Ajayi said Nigeria woke up in the third set despite being down with 7 points but the could not steal the show. He said the teams mistakes will be worked on before their next match. He said, "I could not believe my eyes, we lost concentration at the crucial stage of the game. I believe we still have a chance of qualifying for the Semifinals; I am going to correct some of the mistakes I noticed before we...

The Federal Government of Nigeria has selected Award Winning Journalist, Sports for Development Enthusiast and Gender Advocate, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello as Representative and member of the Federal Government Team on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Line Up Live Up Programme (LULU). LULU initiative is a sports-based life-skills training curriculum for youth aged 13-18. It strengthens the youth resilience to crime, violence and drug use by enhancing their personal and social skills and increasing their knowledge on the risk associated with these phenomena. The Federal Government through office of the Special Adviser to President MuhammaduBuhari on Special Investments is partnering with UNODCto work with states on curbing violence and substance abuse by developing life skills through sports.  Target is out-of-school youthsand kids which is part of the At Risk Children–Programme(ARC-P) by the Federal Government of Nigeria, set to address the challenges being experie...

The 2021 edition of the BIGI Abeokuta 10 Km Race will hold on November 13 from the Alake of Egbaland Palace to the MKO Abiola Stadium, by strictly Nigerian runners. Nilayo Sports Management Ltd boss, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said at the IBD Hotel, Abeokuta in the race official press conference, that, the race tagged "Running For Naija' Homeland, would see Nigerian runners going home with dollars prize money. The race General Manager, Yusuf Ali disclosed that every runner, able and wheelchair runners will wear chips to avoid cheating. Spy cameras will be mounted on the routes and athletes will have social distance at the start point identified by the running numbers in front of them. All Covid-19 protocol will be observed in the race. Yusuf appealed to media personnel covering the event to be mindful of the mandatory distance to the athletes to avoid any distractions. He stressed at the last race in Ijebu Ode, media personnel on motorcycle covering the Ijebu Heritage Half Marathon,...

36 Lion of Lagos are set for the tour of Benin Republic, where they would play series of friendlies against six Premier League sides. The tour will last for two weeks and the team will travel to the Francophone country on Tuesday 14th September. Liameed Gafar the proprietor of 36 Lion revealed plans for the two-week tour in a chat with the Media on Monday afternoon. "Our players have been undergoing intensive training for sometime, having played against the likes of Kwara United, MFM FC and Joy Cometh in the past," the well respected man enthused. "It is necessary to take them out to garner experience and exposure, especially outside the shores of the country. The aim of 36 Lion is to discover and nurture talents to international limelight." "I have much confidence in our youngsters that they will not disappoint the club when we get to Benin Republic. They have been together for a long time and have done well.  "We have been embarking on this tour in the l...

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has given kudos to the athletes and officials of Team Nigeria to the just concluded Tokyo Olympics in Japan for their level of competitiveness at the Games.   In a statement released by Phemmy Adetula, the NOC PRO, "this was a five-year plan for the athletes because of the Covid 19 pandemic that delayed the Games. The NOC, in its capacity, made sure that grants and scholarships were applied and given to as many athletes that deserved it from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of National Olympic Committee of Africa (ANOCA).   These grants assisted our athletes through the thick and thin of their preparation and we saw the testament in Tokyo.   The NOC thanked Mr President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to Team Nigeria and the continuous development of sports in Nigeria. The body, equally appreciates the working relationship between the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare and the ...

Nigeria breaks 16 years jinx by qualifying for the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2021 African Men’s Senior Volleyball Nations Championship in Rwanda. Usman Abdallah’s men dug deep to defeat Ethiopia 3-1 (25-20, 25-12, 32-34, 25-17) in their last match of Pool B. An elated head coach of Nigeria men’s team, Usman Abdallah expressed satisfaction with his team’s display against the Ethiopia and he is now aiming to spring up a surprise in the quarterfinals “It was a good performance from the team today, we played really well though it was a tough game from the Ethiopians,” Abdallah said after the game. “I am happy we could deal with the danger they posed in the first set but they became more determined in the 3rd set where they eventually won by 34-32 points.” Abdallah said Nigeria wants to better her position in this year’s Nation’s Championship. In 2019, Nigeria was missing at the African Nations Championship due to unseen circumstances; in 2017, we finished 13th position which was very po...

Chairman of Katsina state football association, Aminu Kurfi, popularly called Balele by his admirers is the new moving train of Nigeria football.  In 2014 and 2018, the former chairman of Katsina United, listened to superior arguments and decided to give peace a chance as he stepped down on both ocassions, to allow Kano state FA Chairman Sharif Inuwa an easy return to the executive committee of the Nigeria football federation.  When asked by friends and colleagues, Balele said he is bidding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.  Ahead of the 2022 NFF Elections, there were rumors that Balele is being considered by the north as their sole candidate for the presidential seat but the Kurfi born politician who has been tipped by many to become governor of Katsina state in the nearest future, was quick to dispel these rumors linking him with the NFF top job, rather he is now focused on becoming the North West candidate on the board.  An economist with over 20...

Anything he touches is gold. That is the story of former Ogun state commissioner of Sports, Bukola Olopade, a man that is best remembered for his many success stories as an administrator and his achievements as a sport marketer.  As commissioner of sports, Bukola Olopade hosted the best National sports festival ever in the history of the games in Nigeria. As Chairman of the wheelchair basketball federation of Nigeria, he singlehandedly raised over 200m naira to help popularize the sport and improve the lives of players and officials.      As Chief executive officer of the Nigeria National League, Bukola Olopade did the unthinkable, as he managed to bring in over 300m naira to the coffers of the league board at a time when the board seriously needed a face-lift.  It is on record that he remains the only football administrator that had the boldness to step down from his position as NNL CEO, when he felt things were not going as planned.  That did not stop him...