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The Charlesann displayed impressive performance to draw 2-2 with defending champions Smart City in the opening match of 2024 Jagaban Cup at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Tuesday morning. The enterprising Lemon Busayo opened the scoring for Smart City after slamming the ball home from the penalty spot on 8 minutes.  With The Charlesann slowly settling into the game, they managed to push the Nigeria National League team into their shell on several occasions before finally breaching the defense of the Smart City to draw level through Ayinla Olayinka as first half ended 1-1. The Charlesann stunned Smart City on the half hour mark. A beautiful long range shot from Abatan Ayodele outside the box landed in the top left corner of the post. Smart City replied the Academy boys instantly scoring the crucial equaliser.  Although both teams tried to flourish in their attempt to find the winning goal, neither side had the luck and hence was forced to settle for a 2-2 draw. 36 Lion started t...

It is few weeks to the kick-off of the second edition of the annual Jagaban Football Cup, organized by 36 Lion Investment Limited, and football stakeholders and enthusiasts of the game, have been salivating on the expected thrills and feels during the tournament.  Speaking on the tournament, Coach Dominic Etim of Akwa Ibom based Stars Football Academy, said he is eagerly looking forward to the tournament, which would feature eight of the best grassroots football teams in Lagos State.  "I witnessed the first edition and it was pure excitement for all football enthusiasts. And I can't wait for this year’s edition to begin. I also wish the organisers of the tournament can extend the invitation to other states, so we can also expose our players to such top quality tournaments," he added.  A former footballer Samuel Ibeh, who once played for Nigerdock FC, in the Nigerian National league, commended the organizers of the Jagaban Football Cup, for giving opportunities to grassroo...

Chairman of the Club owners Association of Nigeria, Chief Dr. Okey Kpalukwu (JP) has lauded the leadership of the NPFL as well as the organisers of the NPFL Youth League for the organisation of a fantastic competition. Speaking exclusively to Sports journalist, Sammy Wejinya at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, upon return from Luanda, Angola where his Rivers United team defeated Acádemica do Lobito 3-2 in the CAF Confederation Cup, Chief Kpalukwu said the present development excites him. He praised NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and the Chairman of the Youth League’s Organising Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama for their respective roles in "moulding Nigeria's next generation of football stars" and the overall success of the competition. "I'm quite excited at this project which will no doubt prove to have latent benefits for our footballers and in no small way, aid in moulding Nigeria's next generation of football stars. "I want...

Heartland FC and Plateau United will compete for the second time in the ongoing season in one of the Nigeria Premier Football League slated for Wednesday, February 28th at the Awka City Stadium. The Peace Boys who were the league champions in 2017 won the first leg 1-0 in Jos for their season's first home win that later extended to 10 straight victories before their fans. The streak was halted last weekend when a resilient Shooting Stars got a goalless draw in Jos after surviving a late penalty kick decision.  Heartland FC have not actually hit the ground running since the beginning of the season but they showed a hint of what to see henceforth with a fantastic display against league leaders, Lobi Stars who sweated before getting a goal that finally broke the Naze Millionaires from Goalkeeper Darlington Ovunda's mistake. He had performance to be proud of with strings of key saves before that error. Both teams had contrasting results in their last fixtures with Plateau United pl...

An astute football administrator and seasoned Broadcaster, Abolore AbdulRahmon, has described the football roadmap under the Fuad Oki led LSFA Board as sustainable. Abolore noted that the football ecosystem in the State must be standardized to meet international requirements which will in return have positive effects on Nigeria football as a whole. "The LSFA Chairman, Ogboni Fuad Oki, introduced football club licensing for all football clubs in the State, as a measure to operate professionally in the State. Clubs in their hundreds have subscribed to this laudable initiative which was well commended by all football stakeholders in the State" he highlighted. He further explained that "In the pursuit of an improvement in Coaching capabilities, the LSFA under Ogboni Fuad has partnered with Nigeria Institute for Sports (NIS) for subsidized Coaching Courses. This process is geared towards providing an enabling environment for Lagos State Football Coaches Association members....

The duo of Nigerian weightlifters, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal and Adijat Adenike Olarinoye on Monday won six medals at the ongoing 2024 Africa Senior Weightlifting Championship in Egypt.  Competing in the 59kg women's category, Lawal and Adijat dominated the category as they catered away the top prizes in on Day 1 of the Championship which also serves as Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier.  Lawal, gold medal winner in Tunisia last year, established her superiority in the category as she once again claimed all the available three gold medals.  She won the first gold in with a lift of 95kg in snatch, claimed another gold in clean and jerk with 119kg before winning her third gold medal in total with 214kg.  Adijat on her part, followed suit on her previous year's outing as she claimed, once again, all the three silver medals with 94kg in snatch, 115kg in clean and jerk and 209kg in total.  Meanwhile, Edidiong Umoafia Joseph will seek to consolidate Nigeria’s quest for more...

The Popo Aguda dynasty has felicitated with the wife of Governor of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on the occasion of her birthday anniversary which comes up today, January 8. This is contained in a statement by  Asiwaju Bolaji Mendes on behalf of the Popo Aguda clan and made available to the press.  Asiwaju Bolaji Mendes wrote on behalf of entire sons and daughters of Popo Aguda to felicitate with the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu who is also a descendant of Popo Aguda’s clan. “The entire Popo Aguda family appreciates your complimentary efforts with the Executive Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a bid to make Lagos a home for all regardless of ethnicity or religious background.  “On the propitious occasion of your birthday we celebrate you and pray to Almighty God to continue to guide, guard and prosper you even.   “You are a beacon of hope and a shining star for women as I wish you many more years of fulfillment,’’ Asiwaju Bol...