Nigeria Sports Arena

Clube Deportivo Primeiro De Agosto central defender, Yisa Anifowoshe has told nigeriasportsarena.blogspot.com that Os Militares are three match away from making an unprecedented mark on the continent after their 2-1 triumph over Mbabane Swallow Yesterday. D'Agosto beat Mbabane Swallow 2-1 in matchday 6 of the ongoing Total Caf Champions League group D game played at the Estadio 11 de Novembro on Tuesday to book a place in the quarterfinals of the competition courtesy of a goal each from Bitumba and Geraldo while Aladeokun scored a late consolation goal for the visitors. " Big congratulations to all my teammates for booking a place in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals" says Yisa shortly after the remarkable victory. He continued " Winning the Champions League is one of our objectives this season as a team and it's the dream of every player in the team. We have been working round the clock so as to achieve this objective. We are t

Super Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has told  Changchun Yatai forward, Odion Ighalo’s critics not to criticize the player but to encourage him as his team set to face Seychelles in the Matchday Two of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Victoria. Despite his unimpressive performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia where he failed to convert two begging chances against Argentina which could have sent the Super Eagles to the knock out stage of the mundial, Gernot Rohr believes the striker can silent his critics with the new call up. “You know he’s one of our players who did so well in the qualification, remember what he did, he played very well but at the World Cup he missed one or two opportunities against Argentina.” He continued “We don't let go a player like him so we want to allow him to score goals and to show to all his critics that he's still able to do well for his country.” “You know when a player has a problem, we all have the probl

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has included  Changchun Yatai  forward Odion Ighalo who was not  impressive at the recently concluded World Cup tagged Russia 2018 in his list of 24 players that will face Seychelles in 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Having lost all three points in the first round of the qualifying games to South Africa 14 months ago, the Nigerian senior national team will be up against Seychelles in Victoria on Friday, 7th September for the second game of 2019 AFCON qualifier. Rohr at a world press conference held in Lagos on Friday afternoon unveiled his 24 man squad for the matchday 2 of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with the trio of Ogenyi Onazi, Joel Obi and forward Odion Ighalo who were practically not impressive in Russia keeping their space in the squad. He also put four other players, including former U17 World Cup –winning captain Musa Muhammed, on standby. The three goalkeepers are those who made the final cut for the FIFA

FC Zurich striker, Stephen Odey bagged a brace in the first round of the Helvetia Swiss Cup as his team humiliated FC Concordia Basel on Saturday. Ludovic Magnin and his wards claimed a massive 6-0 away win over second division club Concordia Basel in the 1/32 finals played at the St. Jakob-Park courtesy of a brace each from Odey and Antonio Marchesano while Pa Modou and Benjamin Kololli scored a goal each. FC Concordia started the game with a well coordinated performance but they later surrendered to the city club attacking display spearheaded by the 20 years old Nigerian forward, Stephen Odey. Pa Modou put the City Club in front on 14 minutes with a remarkable solo. Eight minutes later, Odey doubled the lead after he tested FC Concordia Basel goalkeeper with a shot two minutes before his goal. With less than 20 minutes to wrap the first half, Marchesano and Kololli netted a goal each to take the game beyond the home team. After 55 minutes of action, Odey tried a shot

Clube Deportivo Primeiro De Agosto utility player Yisa Anifowoshe is confident that his team will overcome Etoile du Sahel at home this weekend in Tunisia. The Red and White will host De Agosto in matchday 5 of the ongoing Total Caf Champions League group D game at the State Olympique de Sousse on Sunday. Having gathered ten points from four games, the Jawharat Sahel only need a win to cement their spot in the quarter finals of the champions league but Yisa believes his team who has five points from four games will stop Etoile at home. “I don’t believe in impossibilities although it’s going to be a very tough one but I still believe that we have all it takes to overcome Etoile in Tunisia. “We have been on this journey for awhile now and this game will be the second meeting between us, they picked a point in Angola in the first league, I believe we can beat them. We just need to be focused and be determined, the former Al-Ittihad start told nigeriasportsarena.blogspot.com

Premier League giants Arsenal football club and WorldRemit - digital money transfer service - have launched Future Stars; an initiative to train African coaches. The initiative is put together to mark the 100th year post humous birthday of late Nelson Mandela in a bid build on his exemplary leadership in Africa. According to a statement received, this initiative is offering local coaches the chance to attend an exclusive new training camp with Arsenal's top youth coaches in London and 25 shortlisted coaches will be rewarded with Arsenal kits for their entire youth squad. WorldRemit will arrange for the successful applicant to fly to London and during the camp they will work together with the Soccer Schools coaches on plans to use this training to build a lasting legacy in their home country. The camp will be free to apply for and open to youth team (under 16s) coaches from across Africa. However, interested coaches will have to complete an online application fo

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has appointed Otis Hughley as an immediate replacement for Sam Vincent who was fired as Head Coach of the senior women’s basketball team on Thursday. The appointment of the former NBA Coach was finalised after the NBBF leadership approved his program for the D’Tigress’ participation at the World Cup in Spain. NBBF President, Engineer Musa Kida said the leadership of the federation settled for Hughley as it became apparent that he is the “most immediate available option.” Kida emphasized that since Sam Vincent was not sacked because of poor results but that based on issues surrounding conflicting professional engagements, it was wise to replace him with a coach that will be readily available. “We needed to take a proactive step in the interest of the team who are preparing for the World Cup. We needed to fill the vacuum immediately and continue our preparation for Spain. “For many, parting ways with Vincent at this time was not a good de

The leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation has ended its relationship with the Head Coach of the Senior Women’s Basketball team, Sam Vincent. The decision was taken after extensive consultations and assessment of the team’s progress in camp ahead of the 2018 FIBA Women World Cup in Tenerife, Spain. In a letter signed by the NBBF President, Engineer Musa Kida, the decision was taken in the best interest of all parties involved and the long term interest of the D’Tigress. NBBF stated that considering the numerous conflicting commitments of the 55 year old coach which has continued to affect his duties as the coach of the team, the latest decision became pertinent. The letter stated in part that, “The NBBF has been monitoring the situation in Atlanta closely and we are not satisfied with a lot of things. You left the National Women's Team Camp in Atlanta since Friday 27th July, 2018, without permission from anybody and you have continuously remained absent.” Fo

Renowned sports journalist and former media officer of the Flying Eagles, Adewale Ajayi has condemned the lingering crisis in Nigeria football, appealing to all parties to resolve the issues amicably in the overall interest of the Nigerian youth.       Ajayi who has been very vocal since this crisis began in 2014, has again appealed to genuine stakeholders of the beautiful game to bury the hatchets and unite for the interest of the game. "My life was threatened several time because of the position I took in this and other matters as it affects the Nigerian youth.  "I have come under severe attacks and condemnation by those involved but all i  can say for now is that the Nigerian youths deserve more and shouldn't be made to go through these frustrations which is daily destroying their career.     "The Nigeria professional football league, the Nigeria National league, the Nationwide league and the Nigeria women's football league have all been put on ho

FC Zurich manager, Ludovic Magnin is happy with Nigerian international, Stephen Odey's exceptional performance in Matchday Two of the Swiss Super League played on Saturday at the Letzigrund stadium against city rivals, Grasshoppers Club. The Nigerian striker scored his first goal of the season with a neat finish and helped his team claimed a 2-0 derby win over Grasshoppers after Adrian Winter had put the City Club in front with two minutes of action in the second half. Speaking after the match, FC Zurich head  Ludovic said " yeah I‘m very happy for him exactly that he scored, because he came to us a year ago. "He trained a lot and worked and gave his best and was patient and he did finally came on the level of europe, not just with offensive, he helped the team defensively too. "He’s looking very good and it took a little time for him to play but that‘s the key from this team that nobody is sad when they don‘t play. I‘m happy for him", he conclud