Nigeria Sports Arena

Nigeria’s flagbearers in continental competition return to action this weekend, with elite division champions Kano Pillars staring down the barrel of a huge task at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday afternoon.  They host Moroccan side, Moghreb Athletic Tetouane with a whole four goals deficit from the first leg at the Stade Saniat Rmel on March 21.  Chairman of the Pillars’ Champions League Campaign Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima has expressed confidence that the Nigerian champions will overcome the huge setback and sail into the next round.  Nigeria’s other CAF Champions League representatives, Enyimba FC will depart the country on Friday for their return leg clash with Smouha FC of Egypt, scheduled for Sunday. They will travel aboard Egypt Air from Lagos.  A letter from the Egyptian Football Association has informed the NFF that the match will be played at the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt’s second city, starting from 5pm Egypt time. Enyimba won the first leg in Aba by a lon

The Nigeria Basketball Federation says it will continue to promote basketball development from the grass root in all the geo-political zones, to this end the Federation will be giving technical support to the forth-coming annual Samuel Oguche youth Basketball Camp which is billed for Abuja in the month of May.   The famed summer basketball camp for youths which has been held in many cities across the world since 2007, is scheduled to commence on May 18th to 22nd in the city of Abuja.   Ex-basketball international Samuel Oguche, Founder and organizer of the yearly event hinted that all arrangements have been made by the foundation to ensure a hitch-free camp.   “This year’s camp will feature exposure to the rudiments of basketball and basketball drilling to be handled by experienced and national team coaches with world class training facilities; motivational speeches by successful individuals and sports icons as well as career talk and mentoring on having successful sporting and n

Theophilus Afelokhai Daniel Akpeyi Akas Chima Omeruo Kenneth Ogbonnaya Nelson Musa Ahmed Ukoh Steven Ighalo Jude Akpan Hope Leon Balogun Onazi Ogenyi Ujah Anthony Oboabona Godfrey Egwuekwe Azubuike Latifu Akeem Aluko Omatsone Olanare Aaron Samuel Nathaniel Joseph Ogu John Simon Moses Dimgba Sopuruchi Sokari Kingsley Michael Babatunde

Agege Stadium is one of the standard stadia in Lagos State but it has remained the most unfriendly venue to fans and media men. The refurbished stadium that looks beautiful haven't enjoyed the best of crowd turnout owing to the that the management of the facility have perfected strategies to frustrate fans and most especially the media who are always around to cover sporting event at the stadium. "When I'm going to cover an event at the Agege stadium, I get a bit worried of the stress I'll be put through before gaining access into the stadium," a Journalist told SL10.ng The stadium that is yet to be commissioned has hosted a lot of football event yet fans and Journalists have been messed up by security operatives at the stadium. On so many occasion, Journalist have been forced into the main-bowl bare footed because the securities usually give some flimsy excuses insisting that some particular foot wear isn't good for the tracks beside the pitch but the sa

Rivers Angels team manager, Mrs Matilda Otuene-Onyiloha was on Tuesday evening given an award by Futball Galore for her outstanding contribution towards the development of women football in Nigeria. Following her undying love for sports especially women football, the hardworking woman was presented with an award during the Nigeria Women Football League Congress held at the Namet Suites in Abuja.The award was to recognize her for her tremendous support and contribution towards the promotion of the Nigeria Women Football League and the various women national teams. ''I feel so privileged receiving this honourable award and I am really grateful to God, Rivers Angels FC, and the women football family because without their support and hard work, I would not have come this far in football. I would also like to congratulate the organizers Futball Galore for their effort and contribution towards promoting women football in Nigeria,'' she said.The award was presented to her

By-Bball Naija There is an African saying that if the knife is thrown up a thousand times, the handle will always hit the ground first. We cannot do things he same way over and over again and expect different results. I am beginning to think that this is one of our major problems in Nigeria sports. I was reading The Adobe 2015 Digital Trends Briefing when a paragraph caught my attention. The digital trends briefing is a quarterly digital intelligence briefing which is based on a global survey of more than 6,000 marketing professionals. The report highlights how business development leaders in corporate organisations grow their businesses and stay ahead of competitors. The paragraph says, “It is no secret that customer experience (CX) has emerged as a key priority for many organisations over the last few years. The emphasis on CX coincides with rising consumer expectations, which has led brands to focus on customer satisfaction or even delight at every touch point in an attempt to foste

Nigeria Booked qualification ticket to the 2015 FIBA Africa Basketball championship in Tunisia and the All African Games in Congo with a 63-50 victory over Burkina Faso in the 2nd Leg of the qualifiers at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National stadium in Surulere, Lagos. The D’Tigers who won the 1st leg by 23 points in Ouagadougou jumped off the starting block in style, in front of the ecstatic Lagos crowd with an 8 points lead in the 1st quarter with the score line at 18-10 points.  Though missing a couple of free throws in the 2nd quarter, the D’Tigers extended their lead 32-17 to go on the half time break with a 15 points lead thanks to good offensive display.  It was a tougher game for the host after the break as the Burkinabes’ gave a tough fight in the 2nd half winning both the 3rd and 4th quarters  15-14 and 18-17 points respectively.  However, a relentless Nigerian side held on for the much needed victory to keep the 2016 Rio Olympics dream alive, which the 2015 Afrobasket w

By-Oluwafemi Adefeso The Nigeria national men’s basketball team, the D’Tigers will take on their Burkina Faso counterparts on Wednesday in the 2nd leg of the 2015 Afrobasket/ All African Games qualifiers at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos. The D’Tigers who emerged champions at the just concluded 4 Nation tournament in South Africa will hope to seal the deal to the 2015 FIBA Africa Basketball Championship in Tunisia and All African Games in Congo Brazzaville tomorrow having defeated their opponents 83-57 in the 1st leg in Ouagadougou. You can witness all the action live from 6PM at the Indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium. The game will be televised live on SuperSport Select1 on DSTV and GOTV. 

The Nigeria Women League Congress for the 2015 season billed for Tuesday 25th March will witness an exhibition match between League champions Rivers Angels and Confluence Queens. Pelican Stars pulled out of the 2013/14 Nigeria Women Premier League Champion Of Champions Challenge against Rivers Angels. The match which has been fixed for the FIFA Goal Project Technical Centre will see Confluence Queens battle in an exhibition match due to get underway by 4pm Nigerian Time. According to the coach of Confluence Queens, Musa Amorley aka Baba Anini, who was quoted by the club spokesperson Ojo Tosin. “We are happy to be given this kind of opportunity to play a match of this class. It's a match that will be prepare us well ahead of the new season.” “Rivers Angels were the league champions for last season, so when you play against a good side like Rivers Angels it will help to amend areas where the team needs to work on.” “The essence is not to show that we are better than them but to

Players of Dolphins FC, led by their captain, Sunday Rotimi have tendered an apology to the club management, Nigerians and people of Rivers State.   Dolphins failed to travel on time for a CAF Confederation game last weekend in Tunisia as players refused to get on the bus to the airport because they wanted more than they were offered as out of station allowance, or estacode as it is more popularly called in Nigeria   The team subsequently missed its flight to Lagos, then Tunis and were walked over by the time they got to the stadium.   Captain of the side, Sunday Rotimi has in turn apologised for the role of the players in the saga,   “On behalf of my players, I want to apologise to the club management and also Nigerians concerning the game in Tunis.   “It’s unfortunate that we left Nigeria to Tunis and couldn’t play the game.   “I deeply apologiese to all Nigerians and especially people of Rivers State,” Rotimi said.   Dolphins returned from the Tunisia encounter on Satu

Dolphins FC will return to the league on Wednesday to play a rescheduled game against Abia Warriors.   Dolphins had spent 9 days on a journey to Tunisia and back to play a CAF Confederation Cup game and had two league matches against Abia Warriors in Umuahia and Warri Wolves in Port Harcourt rescheduled. The team will now play their rescheduled game against Abia Warriors in Umuahia on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 while a date is yet to be fixed for the game against Warri Wolves.   Dolphins have played against Abia Warriors twice in the top flight. In Port Harcourt last season, Dolphins won 3-0 while in Umuahia, Abia Warriors won 2-1.

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday three recorded seventeen goals from eight matches. Bright Ejike got the only brace of the week and joined the likes of Victor Yakubu, Sikiru Adewale who got theirs in Week one and Week two respectively. Segun Alebiosu, Abraham Audu, Ibrahim Mustapha, Ebere Odiche scored a goal each and teamed up with the trio of Yakubu, Sikiru and Ejike as the joint top scorers with two goals. NPFL all time top scorer with 23 goals last season, Mfon Udoh scored his first goal of the season against Bayelsa United in his second league appearance for Enyimba this term. Apart from Mfon, 11 other players netted their for first goal of the season in matchday three fixtures of the NPFL. They are Chibuzor Okonkwo, Sunday Adetunji Ifeanyi Onyeali, Joseph Iniobong, Fred Okwara, Jimoh Oni, Ugo Leonard, Musa Mustapha, Emenike Onuoha, Gyang Danladi Amos and Yusuf Jaiyeola. NPFL GOAL CHART 2 Goals Victor Yakubu--------Wikki Tourists   Sikiru Adewale--

Nigeria Sports Arena take a cursory look on important happenings in the Nigeria Sports sector last week. *Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday confirms Mr. Pascal Patrick (MON) and seasoned Sports Journalist Toyin Ibitoye appointments into the backroom crew of the Senior National Football Team, Super Eagles.   *Daniel Amokachi selected Goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama who is a match way from manning the post for the senior national team for a record of 100 times and 27 others for Uganda, Bafana friendly matches which comes up this week. The Uganda game will be played in Nigeria and it will take place in Uyo at the Nest of Champions stadium on Wednesday.   *The Nigeria Football Federation once again  endorsed the Nigeria Pitch Awards for the year 2015 to reward great performers in all areas of the football pitch. The organisers picked March 6 for the event.   *The Head Coach of the Beach Soccer National Team, Supersand Eagles, Audu Adamu Ejo invited Isiaka Olawale and

Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Emenike has declared that he wants racism to be kicked out of the round leather game after his team Fenerbache beat Besiktas 1-0 on Sunday at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. Emenike missed a goalscoring opportunity for his turkish team in a one-on-one situation with Volkan Demirel and he immediately took off his shirt and headed straight to the tunnel to substitute himself out of the game as a result of a racist comment. Report scooped from goal.com revealed that Emenike team-mates convinced him to return, but unsavoury scenes followed when both sets of players came together following a heated exchange between Fener captain Emre Belozoglu and Beskitas coach Slaven Bilic.Emenike was eventually substituted in place of Pierre Webo at half-time. Moussa Sow  salvaged the three points for his team when he volleyed home a fine 91st-minute winner for Fener. After the  slim victory the 2013 African Cup of Nation top scorer expressed his anger and revealed the reason be

Eko Akete progressed to the next round of Lagos State F.A Cup this morning as they edged Ikorodu United 3-1 on penalty shoot out after a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Agege Stadium in the round of 16 of the Cup competition. Ikorodu United who was one of the favourites to lift this year Lagos F.A Cup put up a good show in the first 45 minutes of the encounter, dominated possessions got a couple of scoring chances but failed to buried them, but one man, Ridwan Adeshina, made the difference with the opener before the referee blown the whistle for half time. The Mourice Coreman tutored side continued from where they stopped in the first half and got the second goal of the day through Ridwan who now have four goals in two matches, doubles the lead for Ikorodu United but the Ikorodu based team failed to defend the two goals lead as Eko Akete came from behind and forced them to a two all draw. Prior to this encounter, Ikorodu United experienced coach, Maurice Cooreman, boosted after their last

The FCT F.A organised a one day seminar on Appreciation of the Laws of the Game for teams in FCT playing in the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Nationwide League on Friday.   The seminar major purpose was to help build the knowledge base of the management and players of these teams to help them compete favourably in the forth coming league season.   Speaking at the opening of the seminar, the FCT F.A Boss Alh. Musa Saeed Talle tasked the various teams to capitalise on the current efforts of the FA to ensure that the nation’s capital produces a Premier League side. “We all can see the quality of play displayed yesterday at the coaches pre-season finals, and we are optimistic that one out of our two Nigeria National League teams if not the two will gain promotion, we will continue to support all of you and in every way possible to ensure we achieve this goal” as he declare the seminar open.   The coaches and players at the seminar where all full of praises and appreciated t

The saying that when two elephants fight the grass will suffer will  come into play on Saturday at Agege Stadium when Bridge Football Club take on 36 Lion Football Club in the star match of the day at the ongoing Winners Golden Bet/Lagos FA Cup. Bridge FC who defeated the defending champions, AS Recine FC to reach this stage will attempt to push their luck further when they take on 36 Lion FC that demolished Anointed Star FC by six goals to nothing. The match promises to by exciting and interesting with players like Kabiru Nosiru, who emerged the Man of the match in the match against AS Recine FC, Ojo and Galadima Sanni, 36 Lion FC has the likes of Qudus Sulaiman, Yusuf Lawal, Princewill Diemesor and Man of Match, in their last match, Otto John. The match will kick off at 3:30 PM in the last match of the day. However, Future Stars FC that parade the likes of captain, Tobi Israel, Yusuf Jamiu and Amosu Laja will slug it out against Wordstars FC in the first match of the by 8:00AM sa

Pelican Stars have pulled out of the 2013/14 Nigeria Women Premier League Champion Of Champions Challenge against Rivers Angels. With this development, Rivers Angels have been crowned the overall champions of the 2013/14 season. The match which was originally fixed for the FIFA Goal Project Technical Centre on Tuesday 24th March will see Confluence Queens battle with the Federation Cup champions in an exhibition match due to get underway by 4pm Nigerian Time. FC Robo and Martins Whyte Dove will clash to determine the overall Professional League Champions by 2pm Nigerian Time. Speaking to women football reporter, Ademetan Abayomi, Secretary General of the NWFL, Isaac Ajisafe stated that the decision to invite Confluence Queens was taken to make sure that an exhibition game takes place on the day of the Congress. The administrator stated the league body is looking forward to a successful congress to usher in a new season. The draws of the 2014/15 Nigeria Women Premier League and th

Confluence Queens attacker Chioma wogu has revealed her target to help the Super Falcons of Nigeria get a convincing result this weekend in Bamako. Super Falcons who are going into the weekend game away to Mali in the All Africa Games Qualifiers are fully aware that any result apart from defeat will boost their chances of going through. Fondly called "Spirit" by her admirers, Wogu noted that she and her team mates will strife to claim total victory in Bamako thereby making the second leg a formality. "I'm honored to be with the national team, my major target is to contribute my quota for the team to get a good result in Bamako,   we are aware of the task ahead of us but I can assure you that everyone of us is determined." "What we need right now is the prayers and support from our fans, so that we can make them proud." Asked if she has what it takes to compete with other big names expected to join the Nigeria Super Falcons' camp in Abuja when

Guidelines for the implementation of fan engagement to grow attendance at Glo Premier League matches have been released by the League Management Company (LMC) even as clubs have began to receive their financial rewards instituted to inspire healthy competition and expand the fan base. Chairman of the LMC, Mr. Shehu Dikko, while congratulating the nine clubs that have so far been rewarded through the initiative, also thanked fans, supporters and Club officials for the massive boost to the efforts of the LMC to drive followership of the league. Enyimba and Kano Pillars were rewarded for reaching the minimum spectators’ count of 5,000 upwards while Heartland FC and FC Taraba became the first set of clubs to earn the away win bonus. Over 12,000 fans watched the Match Day 1 game between Enyimba and Akwa United while over 10,000 were recorded at the Sani Abacha Stadium when Kano Pillars hosted Bayelsa United. Five others, Abia Warriors, Kwara United, Sunshine Stars, Akwa United and Lobi S

Head Coach of Nigeria National League, NNL side Kogi United Yomi Elijah has disclosed that much of positives were drawn from his side's 1-1 friendly encounter against Ekiti United. The friendly match played at Confluence Stadium saw both sides started slowly with creating of few chances. Exchanges from both Obinna Martins and Alex Adams could not yield positive ending as they faild to connect well with crosses from Abdulkareem Yekini and Iwuji kingsley. Ekiti United also created their own early chances as goalkeeper Detan Ogundare was put to test. Things started working well for the Wada Boys as they were rewarded with a goal with two minutes to end the first stanza. Yekini Abdulkareem combined well with Opeyemi Oketola as he sent a through pass to Martins Obinna who took it well to beat Dayo Olanipekun in goal for Ekiti United. But Kogi United were not allowed to enjoyed as Adio Monsuru level the score line for Ekiti United at the stroke of hlaf time. The second half saw Ko

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side Warri Wolves new signing Alimi Sikiru Adewale has dedicated his first topfligh goals to late Father Pa Alimi Rasheed. The new boy in the Seasiders squad was listed in Paul Aigbogun's starting 11 against Giwa Footbal Club of Jos in the rescheduled fixture of matchday two of the NPFL at the Warri City Stadium on Wednesday. and he put a great debut performance with two goals and one assist that saw his team winning their second game of the season comfortably with a three nill victory. Sikiru inspired Warri Wolves to record the highest result so far in the league this term when he set up an easy opener with a square pass that found an unmarked Gbolahan Salami in the 16th minute of play before helping himself to a goal each in the first and second half of the encounter. The former First Bank of Lagos forward found his way into the score sheet few minutes to end the first 45 minutes when he brilliantly beat an offside trap to latch on t

The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday confirmed the appointments of Mr. Pascal Patrick (MON) and Mr. Toyin Ibitoye into the backroom crew of the Senior National Football Team, Super Eagles. Patrick, a former Nigeria international player, will resume as Team Coordinator, while Ibitoye, a frontline broadcast journalist, will become the team’s Media Officer, with immediate effect. Patrick, who is also vice chairman of the Bauchi State Football Association, replaces Emmanuel Attah, while Ibitoye, who has a postgraduate diploma in sports management from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, replaces Benjamin Alaiya, who has held the position since December 2011. Godfirst Chike will also become the Equipment Manager, replacing Chidi Ngoka.

It was commendation galore in all the centres last weekend in the week one fixture of the Glo Premier League as both home and away teams alongside soccer fans commended the level of officiating put up by the Referees. Available information from most of the centers indicated that officiating were at best in the league first games,kudos to the introduction of Referees assessors by the new leadership of the LMC headed by Mallam Shehu Dikko. From Portharcout to Nnewi through Jalingo to Benin, Aba and kano as well as Bauchi and Jos, the news of excellent officiating by Referees filtered in as fans, home and away teams urged the LMC to ensure that it is sustained all through the season. This formed part of the concerted efforts to raise the standard of the League and build confidence on our fans to return to the stadium, even as efforts are being made to introduce special security for fans and Referees to guarantee a healthy atmosphere in all the league venues. In another efforts to bri

As the Glo Nigeria Professional Football League concluded it's matches in the week two of the 2014/2015 season, reports from most of the centers indicated an improved turnout of spectators across the venues. This might not be unconnected with the observed free, fair and firm officiating recorded in week one and as consolidated in the week two matches, with corresponding security measures on ground. The introduction of Referees assessors, improved officiating as well as the fans base development strategy of the new LMC board headed by Shehu Dikko may have lifted the standard of the league so far in the early stage. Available reports monitored across the centres in week two showed an appreciable increase in the number of fans that watched the league matches. In the Kano Pillars versus Bayelsa United Match held at the Sanni Abacha stadium in Kano, the Nigeria champions maintained their unprecedented turn out as the stadium was filled to capacity. At the Kwara stadium Ilorin, fan

As part of their preparation for the new Nigeria National League League season, Kogi United will engage Ekiti United in a friendly match on Wednesday. The match slated for Lokoja Confluence Stadium will get underway by 3pm. The Wada Boys will use the match to be in right rhythm ahead of their state FA Cup semi-final against FMC FC next week. Coach of the Confluence State club, Yomi Elijah noted that the friendly is timely as the league season draw closer. “We are playing this match at best time, we have been training in readiness of the league season and the FA Cup, and I think it will be help us greatly to get ready for FMC (opponent in FA Cup) and of course to help us perfect well ahead of the season,” Elijah said. Ekiti United have been rejuvenated and playing good football recently after they bought back a slot to remain in the NNL.

Nigerian champions Kano Pillars will fly out of the country on Tuesday night on their way to the postponed CAF Champions League first round, first leg date with Moghreb Athletic Tetouan of Morocco. A 36-man delegation to be led by former NFF President Ibrahim Galadima will travel aboard an Egypt Air flight from Kano to Cairo, where they will connect another flight to Casablanca, before a midnight flight from Casablanca to Tetouan on Wednesday. The match is scheduled for Saturday, March 21. The Confederation of African Football, acting on a plea from the Nigeria Football Federation, granted a one-week postponement of the first leg affair following an armed robbery attack on the Nigerian champions that left five players injured. CAF has already informed the NFF that the second leg of the fixture will take place as scheduled at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on Saturday, March 28.

The Nigeria Football Federation has re-confirmed that Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and skipper, Vincent Enyeama, will win his 100th cap for Nigeria if he features against Bolivia in an international friendly Uyo next week Thursday. Reacting to a story in a section of the media that Enyeama has played only 98 caps, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said on Monday that Enyeama has won 99 caps and will earn his century when the Eagles file out against Bolivia at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo on March 26. “There is no doubt that a lot of people have done extensive research on this matter. However, we insist that he has won 99 caps. Some persons appear to have omitted from Enyeama’s file, the Nigeria/Jamaica friendly match at Loftus Road, London on May 18, 2002, when Enyeama came in for Ike Shorounmu at the start of the second half,” Olajire clarified.

RIVERS STATE: Calvary Int'l Sch 5-1 Arc Deacon Brown Edu. ENUGU STATE: National Grammar Sch 0-0 Purple Known College (4-2 pk) NASARAWA STATE: GSS Keffi 2-1 GSS Keana ABIA STATE: Ibeku High Sch 3-1 Matrist Juniorate KEBBI STATE: Army Day Sch 2-0 Govt Day Sch KANO STATE: Govt Sec Sch 3-1 Mba Sec Sch KWARA STATE: Oro Grammar 4-0 GSS Bacito Zonal Preliminaries will come up by next month.

2 Goals Victor Yakubu--------Wikki Tourists   Sikiru Adewale-------Warri Wolves 1 Goal  Abraham Audu ------El-Kanemi Warriors Ibrahim Mustapha---El-Kanemi Warriors Bobby Abel------------------ Taraba FC      Abdulmalik Mohammed(pk) Taraba FC                           Nura Ahmed------------------Taraba FC Usman Mohammed----------Taraba FC Peter Coly-------------------Enugu Rangers Samuel Agba ---------------Enugu Rangers Razak Adegbite-------------Enugu Rangers Odah Marshall. O-----------Enugu Rangers Onuoha ----------------------Gabros Int'l Onyekachi N-----------------Gabros Int'l Chukwudi Stephen----------Gabros Int'l. Ebere Odiche----------------Heartland FC Jimoh Oni --------------------Heartland FC                Adamu Muhammed---------Kano Pillars Moses Ekpai-----------------Kano Pillars Stephen Eze-----------------Sunshine Stars Tunde Adeniji----------------Sunshine Stars Esosa Igbinoba-------------Nasarawa United Ibrahim Ibrahim-------------N

Super Falcons, Saturday in Abuja whipped Nigeria Women Premier League side Kogi Confluence Queens by three goals to nil in a friendly game intended to prepare both teams for the tasks ahead. Ngozi Ebere opened the flood gate of goals when she converted a penalty kick in the 27th minute after Francisca Ordega was fouled in the box. Falcons led 1-0 at half time. The Confluence Queens came up strongly at the start of the second half but it was the Falcons who scored the second goal in the 70th when Francisca Ordega collected a pass from Ugo Njoku to slot in and England import Inabasi Umotong completed the rout with a cool finish in;the 90th minute. In his post match interview Super Falcons coach Edwin Okon expressed satisfaction with the score!line but stated that the team lacked cohesion. “We need more of this kind of games to correct the flaws in the team. Our attack is not sharp yet. My team will improve with time. We would be ready for Mali". On his part Confluence Queens c

Warri Wolves FC defeated Dedebit FC of Ethiopia 2-0 on Saturday in their CAF Confederation Cup first round, first leg match at the Warri City Stadium. Nigeria U-23 team striker Etebo Oghenekaro scored after eight minutes, but the expected avalanche refused to materialize as the Nigerian representatives then found it difficult dominating their opponents. Wolves had dismissed Racing Club Bobo-Dioulasso 3-0 in their preliminary round, second leg clash at the same venue, but struggled to get past Dedebit, who pumped Cote d’Or of Seychelles home and away in the earlier round. Returnee forward Gbolahan Salami made the scoreline respectable for the Nigerians when he tucked in a penalty kick awarded the Nigerians 10 minutes to the end. The return leg will take place in Addis Ababa in two weeks.

Vincent Enyeama has expressed his ecstasy at plans by the Nigeria Football Federation to honour him on the occasion of his hundredth senior cap for Nigeria. The Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and skipper, presently at 99 caps, will notch his century when Nigeria takes on Bolivia in an international friendly at the Akwa Ibom Stadium on Thursday, March 26. “Nothing matches being recognized by your own country. I am very excited at the prospect of reaching 100 caps, and more so at the decision by the NFF to honour me on the day. “The NFF media department has also been speaking with me and I have followed the publicity they have generated about it. It is a delight. I am also excited by the fact that it will happen in Uyo, my hometown. What a great honour!” Of his 99 caps so far, the three –time FIFA World Cup star picks the Nigeria/Argentina FIFA World Cup match at the Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg on June 12, 2010, as his best so far. “Yeah, I can tell you that is one match I will alway

Former Athletics Federation of Nigeria President, Mr. Dan Ngerem has been named chairman of the management board of the Dodan Warriors Basketball Programme. Ngerem, who is also Chairman of the Hensen Trust Group and is at the head of other sporting and educational organizations will henceforth take charge of directing the affairs and policies of the club as the President of the Club, Col Sam Ahmed (Retd) by virtue of his office as FIBA Africa Zone 3 President has stepped aside from the day-to-day running of the programme. The former Athletics boss who produced and nurtured the likes of Gloria Alozie, Francis Obikwelu and many others leads a strong management board of five which includes the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Poosab Nigeria Limited, Elder Toba Oshinkaye, ASP Musa Usman of the Nigerian Police Force, Ada Mike, music icon Tu Face Idebia and Joseph Apu as Secretary. While addressing the players at the team’s Ilupeju court, Ngerem charged the players to remain

Kwara Football Academy Secondary School has been disqualified from this year’s edition of the NNPC/Shell Cup soccer competition among all secondary schools in Nigeria. The school, which won the national competition three years ago was disqualified for what was termed misconduct and violation of the rules and regulations of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) organized competition. The said act was said to have been perpetrated in their semi-final match of the competition against Oro Grammar School, at Omupo Grammar School on Wednesday 11th, 2015. According to reports, coaches and other supporting officials of the school encroached on the pitch during the game, which is against Rule 12 of the competition. The school was also said to have come to the venue with supporters, who later became unruly. The match has therefore, been awarded to Oro Grammar School, Oro, who have been cleared to play Government Secondary School, Bacita in the final today, at Bishop Smith Memorial Sec

BY Oluwafemi Adefeso The contingent of players and officials of the Nigerian senior men's national team the D'Tigers will leave the shores of the country on Friday 13th March aboard ASKY Air from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja for the 1st leg of their FIBA Africa Basketball Championship qualifiers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The qualifier which doubles as  the qualifiers for the  All African Games in Congo Brazzerville later this year will see the D'Tigers take on the Burkinabes' on Monday March 16th before  coming back home for the return leg on the 25th of March according to the FIBA Africa secretariat qualifiers schedule release. The team strength has however been boosted for the most win double header by the arrival of the foreign based duo of  Ejike Ugboaja, who remains the 1st and only Nigerian to be drafted by the NBA directly from the Nigerian Premier Basketball League in 2006 and veteran captain Olumide Oyedeji who currently stars for the London Lion

By Oluwafemi Adefeso With all set for the all important qualifiers for the 2015 FIBA Africa Basketball Championship and  All African Games between Nigeria and Burkina Faso on the 16th and 25th of this month in Ouagadougou and Burkina Faso respectively. The Nigerian camp was in high spirit yesterday following the arrival of the second foreign based player expected in camp with the arrival of  veteran D'Tigers captain  Olumide Oyedeji. The London Lions center who completed his second training session this morning having trained during the evening practice yesterday, disclosed that the team is in high spirit and will come back to Lagos for the 2nd leg with nothing short of victory.  "The guys are set and we are ready. All we want to to qualify for Tunisia 2015 and that's what we plan to do in Burkina Faso and later at home here in Nigeria". Oyedeji joins former NBA draftee Ejike Ugboaja, who is set for Greece after the qualifiers, following his move from Turkish 2n

  Midfielder, Isiaka Olawale says he looks forward to the club breaking its goal scoring jinx as soon as possible.   Since October 22, 2014 when the club thrashed Ocean Boys 6-0, Dolphins had not scored more than one goal in a game and failed to win a game until March 1, 2015 when the beat Leones Vegetarianos FC 1-0 in Port Harcourt and then 5-3 via penalty shootouts.   Olawale says it bothers the players and they believe winning against the Equato-Guineans two weeks ago is the beginning of their quest to end their goal scoring jinx   “As a player, it bothers me a lot. It surprises me and I don’t really know what is happening. It’s not that we are not creating chances, we create lots of it.   “If you don’t create chances, it’s another matter entirely but for us, the chances come but we can’t score,” Olawale said.   He however sounded his optimism that as soon as the goals come, it will be in big figures   “We just need to put our house in order. As soon as the goals start

  Dolphins will play their CAF Confederation Cup 1st round match against Club African in Tunisia on Saturday, March 14, 2015.   The Confederation of African Football, CAF had fixed the weekend of March 13-15 for the game but latest reports reaching Dolphins from the Nigeria Football Federation have confirmed the game will be played on Saturday, March 14,   Kick off time for the game is 3pm local time at the Stade de Olympics in Tunis.   Dolphins have never played against Club Africain or any Tunisia side in any of the CAF Competitions.  

Date:Sunday, 15.03.2015 Time: 4pm Nasarawa United FC vs.  Wikki Tourists  Warri Wolves FC vs. Giwa FC (PP)  Abia Warriors vs.  Dolphins FC (PP) Lobi Stars FC vs.  Enyimba International FC (PP) Rangers International FC vs.  Sharks FC  Akwa United FC vs Taraba FC  Sunshine Stars vs.  Gabros United  Kwara United vs. El-Kanemi Warriors FC  Shooting Stars vs. Heartland FC  Kano Pillars vs. Bayelsa United