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CAF U-20 Nations Cup: Nigeria wins

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CAF U-20 Nations Cup: Nigeria wins

As Senegal breezes into the  Knockout stage

 

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By Edwin Emeanua-Editor

 

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles finally registered points at the 2023 U-20 Africa Nations cup championship in Egypt after beating the host nation 1-0 in a game in which the Nigerians were clearly, lack-lustered in the first half.

 

Meanwhile, Senegal effortlessly breezed into the knockout stage from Group A of the ongoing CAF U-20 Nations Cup in Egypt, with a convincing 3-0 win over Mozambique at the Cairo International Stadium.

 

Egypt’s Young Pharoahs dominated coach Ladan Bosso’s Flying Eagles in the opening half in which the Nigerians found it hard to string their passes together for a cohesive play.

 

However, the Nigerians became purposeful in the second half, taking the fight to their hosts. Chinonso Solomon Agbalaka headed Nigeria into the lead in the 71st minute of play off a well squared corner kick.

 

The Nigerian youngsters thereafter defended like trojans fending off the hosts. Egypt must now go all out to win their final group game to progress, or watch the rest of the competition as bystanders.

 

Nigeria’s last group game comes up on Saturday when the Flying Eagles are billed to tackle Mozambique, and current group leaders, Senegal encounters the host nation, Egypt, at the same venue.

 

The Flying Eagles only have half of their legs through to the knockout stage and the other facing an early exit from the tournament, which also serves as the qualifying play for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

 

In the Group’s first game today, Papa Amadou Diallo opened the scoring for Senegal in the second minute of injury time of the first half in which the winners completely enforced total dominance over the opponents.

 

Papa Demba Diop then added the second goal in the 53rd minute of the tie, with Papa Diallo completing his brace of goals in the 85th minute of the game.

 

The win took Senegal to two wins from two games after piping Nigeria 1-0 in their group opener last Sunday.

 

The wins earned the Young Teranga Lions passage to the next round of the tournament, making their final group encounter against Egypt a mere formality.

 

All the Results

 

Today’s Matches

 

Finished

Mozambique U20  0-3    Senegal U20

 
Finished 

Nigeria U20  1-0    Egypt U20

 
ROUND 1
 
21.02. 11:00    Benin U20 1-1 Zambia U20
 
21.02. 08:00  Gambia U20  1-0  Tunisia U20
 
20.02. 11:00  South Sudan U20  1-2  Congo U20
 
20.02. 08:00  Uganda U20  2-1  Central Africa U20
 
19.02. 11:00  Senegal U20  1-0    Nigeria U20
 
19.02. 08:00  Egypt U20  0-0    Mozambique U20
 
20.02. 11:00  South Sudan U20  1-2  Congo U20
 
20.02. 08:00 Uganda U20  2-1  Central Africa U20
 
21.02. 11:00    Benin U20 1-1 Zambia U20
 
21.02. 08:00  Gambia U20  1-0  Tunisia U20
 

Make them go to school-Ndidi

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Make them go to school-Ndidi

Leicester City star wants upcoming footballers to take education as top priority

 

Ndidi battles for the ball with Philippe Coutinho during Nigeria's recently friendly with BrazilWilfred Ndidi battles for the ball with Philippe Coutinho during Nigeria’s friendly with Brazil

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 
Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make upcoming players take to education as a top priority while actively playing the game.
 
Ndidi studied Business and Management at De Montfort University (DMU) , in Leicester City, England.
 
Speaking on Futbol Picante, a sports program on FOX sports, the Nigeria international advised young players to take education more seriously, because it is the best legacy they can fall back on after retiring from the game.
 
“The football life span of a player is very short.  When you’re playing, you should always think of life after football, Ndidi said.
 
“Soccer Academies, football clubs, and especially the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), should encourage young talents to go to school. This will go a long way in helping them pick up another career in case of injury or sickness.”
 
The former Genk FC of Belgium player also said that young players should keep believing in themselves because that is the only way they can achieve their career goals, adding that, they should erase “impossible” from their dictionary.
 
“It was very difficult growing up as a player in Africa because there were many good players, but with hard work and dedication, I was able to achieve my goals,” Ndidi added.
 
Seyi Olofinjana, Adokiye Amasiemaka, Kenneth Boardman, Paul Okoku, Felix Owolabi, Segun Odegbami, Emmanuel Benson (Nasarawa United, Fredrick Oromate (River United) , Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (Eyimba), Davidson Owumi, and Emeka Ogbuga ( Mouldia FC Morocco)  are some educated Nigerian players.
 
Internationally, Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, simply known as Sócrates, completed his doctorate degree while actively playing football. He practiced as a medical doctor following his retirement from the game.
 
Other well educated international footballers include; Giorgio Chiellini, Vincent Kompany, Duncan Watmore, Frank Lampard, Yuto Nagatomo, Andres Iniesta, Juan Mata, Simon Mignolet, Romelu Lukaku, and Fikayo Tomori.
 

Hughton promises Black Stars equal opportunity

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Hughton promises Black Stars equal opportunity

New Ghana manager will be fair in his team selection

 

Chris Hughton shock candidate to become new Ghana boss with ex-Brighton and Newcastle chief wanting return to management | The US SunChris Hughton promises equal opportunity to all Ghanaian players around the world in his Black Stars selection 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 
The newly appointed Black Stars of Ghana coach Chris Hughton has assured Ghanaians that local and foreign based players would be given equal opportunity to play for the national team.
 
Hughton was unveiled last week by the Ghana Football Association (GFA). The duration of the contract of the former Brighton and Hove Albion FC manager is yet to be announced by the GFA, but sports Joust reliably gathered that he’s going to be in charge for the next 12 months. 
 
“I have big connection with the Black Stars even before accepting to coach the team, and that’s why I think it would be fair to give our players both home and abroad the chance to prove themselves without any prejudice in favor or against any player” Hughton told Joy Fm crew.
 
“My main objective is to give the first generation of players (those who were born and raised in Ghana), the second generation (those who were born in Ghana but developed in foreign countries), and the third generation (those who were born in Europe and other parts of the world), equal opportunity to showcase their talents for the betterment of football in the country.”
 
Hughton admitted that his excitement for coaching the Black Stars was based on the fact that he wanted to coach young and talented players who have something to offer the national team in the future.
 
He believes that with the support of the GFA, the players, and fans , the Black Stars will excel at the next African cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in January, 2024.
 
Hughton is expected to release  the 23 man list for the Afcon double header against Gabon on March 20 and March 28, early next month.
 

Students throng Gombe Athletics Grand Prix

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Students throng Gombe Athletics Grand Prix

As Gombe State Athletics unfurl its catch-them-young talent hunt

 

Athletic Images – Browse 13,888,492 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video | Adobe Stock

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

Talent hunt was made possible as thausands of spectators including school children thronged the Pantami Stadium in Gombe on Tuesday to witness the maiden edition of Dr. Ahmed Gara Shuaibu Gombe AthIetics Grand Prix.
 
The competition which featured athletes in and around the Gombe metropolis, was keenly contested in 100m, 400m, 1500m, long jump and 4×100m relay boys and girls. Other demonstrations events also took center Stage.
 
The grand prix-the first of its kind inside main-bowl of Pantami Stadium-was attended by numerous Schools with their pupils and students.
 
The competition was dedicated to the school kids in attendance and was aimed at ignitling athletics interest in a huge number of school children and convince them to take to the sport.
 
According to Gara Gombe who Sponsored the event, packaging the competition with a few AthIetics events was also to arouse the interest of young athletes mainly school kids who are the majority of expected talents to take to the sport.
 
“It’s our expectation that after the kids watched the AthIetics events, they will develop interest in the sport and finally embrace it,” Gara Gombe said.
 
“This would also make them take their education seriously and cut off street hawking.”
 

The Gombe athletics boss argued that the fund that states in the country expended on recruiting mercenaries for competitions is enough to invest in discovering and nurturing athletes in each state.

 

“I have commenced a comprehensive talent hunt at the grassroots in Gombe State since I became chairman of the state athletics association and I believe the result would show in the next five years,” he further said.

 

Over 200 primary school pupils from the 11 local government areas of Gombe State watched the one-day grand prix at the Gombe Stadium, Pantami and the GAA chairman said it was aimed at inspiring the pupils to embrace athletics

 
Dignitaries from the political, educational and sports circle, like marathon legend Abass Mohammed, Chairman Gombe State Sports Commission, director of schools and others, witnessed the event.
 
In their comments, they extolled the Sponsor and organizer of the event and assured of their individual contributions to the effort of the catch-them-young project of the Chairman Gombe AthIetics Association.
 
Meanwhile, the Gombe State Chapter of National Association of Technical Officials (NAATO), was inaugurated after their training on Monday.
 
Twelve members out of 70 participants in the training, were endorsed as executives of the chapter, and were immediately sworn-in by NAATO’s national first vice president.
 
Coaches that anchored the event include, Dr. Alex Miana, Mohammed Kolo, Solomon Achi, Simon Ayuba, Abass Mohammed, NAATO secretary James, among others.
 
In his remarks after their inauguration, Gara Gombe demanded loyalty and absolute seriousness in the conduct of officials as a unit, pointing out that the officials’ determination would spur others to join the ranks to make AthIetics officiating in Gombe State a success.
 

Africa Games 2023 moved to 2024

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Africa Games 2023 moved to 2024

The organizers of the Games have given no new dates

 

12th All-Africa Games (Rabat, Morocco) - The Chess DrumLights of Africa: Colorful lights and glamour envelop Rabat, Morocco’s sky during the opening ceremony of the 12th Africa Games in 2019

 

By Edwin Emeanua-Editor

 

According to Ghana Web, The 2023 Africa Games has been postponed. The Games’ organizing committee has announced that the competition will now hold in 2024.

 

Previously known as the All Africa Games, the 13th edition of the Africa Games was billed to hold in Ghana from August 4 through August 19, 2023.

 

The organizers provided no official reason for the postponement of the Games.

 

Also, the organizers announced no new dates. The organizers’ communique only stated that the event had been pushed to next year.

Gombe athletics revolution benefits entire zone

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Gombe athletics revolution benefits entire zone

Shuaibu Gara Gombe assures the North-East Zone that his ‘athletics blue print’ would lay the golden egg

 

 

Gombe Athletics Blue Print: Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe perfects his athletics blue print

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

The entire North-East Zone stand to benefit from the ongoing AthIetics revolution launched by the Gombe State Athletes Association (GAA).

 

This assurance was given by the executive Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association, Alhaji Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe in his welcome address at a 2-day coaches and technical officials training Seminar in Gombe.

 

He noted that the State has intensified efforts in training the trainers to realize the dream of catching talented athletes at a very young age.

 

“The Seminar is very Important because one can’t hunt for young athIetes without training coaches and technical officials to guide them,” Gombe said.

 

Gombe, the sponsor of the Seminar and the AthIetics Grand Prix slated for Tuesday in Gombe, said the fire Gombe State have started in grassroots athIetics, would continue to resonate throughout the North East Zone.

 

The seminar which attractied over 70 participants will be inaugurated on Tuesday as technical officials’ training.

 

Resource personnels that anchored the Seminar include Dr. Alex Maina, Garma Yakubu James, Kolo Mohammed, Solomon Achi, and Prince Simon Ayuba, who majored in various topics ranging from track & field, long, middle distance races, and sports politics and the Media.

 

According to him, “It’s funny and shameful that some states take pride in poaching athletes to complete for them at local competitions in Nigeria.

 

He insisted that Gombe AthIetics Association under his watch plans to development its own athletes, provide facilities, and other technical incentives for them instead of poaching athletes from other zones or regions.

 

Gombe said the State had a poor experience at the just ended 21st National Sports Festival in Delta State where the entire State won only two medals as 8 of the Athletes were not indigenes of Gombe State.

 

All these must change when current effort begins to work in a short time, insisting that the Seminar will snowball into massive talent hunt in Gombe.

 

He assured, “very soon, we shall be organising the U- 13, U-15, and U-17 competitions for boys and girls in Gombe, and the entire North-East Zone.

 

ASMA finally endorses Sanusi-led Nigeria chapter

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ASMA finally endorses Sanusi-led Nigeria chapter

Mohammed Sanusi led ASMA-Nigeria is finally acknowledged by the continental accreditation body 

 

 

May be an image of text that says 'THE AFRICA SPORT MANAGEMENT ASMA'

 

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

 

The Africa Sports Management Association, (ASMA) headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya has officially accorded recognition to the newly appointed Executive Board of its Nigeria chapter, headed by Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who is also General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation.

 

In a letter personally signed by the Acting President of ASMA, Professor Oluwaseun Omotayo, ASMA communicated its unconditional endorsement of the new executive team which has Dr. Sanusi as President, while Dr. Timipreye Okout, and Nkechi Obi are first and second vice Presidents respectively. Nunayon Olumide Travih is the secretary-general.

 

Others appointed into the ASMA Nigeria chapter are Dr. Aminu Mohammed (policy and strategic planning officer), Barr. Kenneth Agadagba (legal officer), Olushola Ogunnowo (public relations officer), Dr. Toyin Aluko (treasurer), DCP Atayero Patrick (auditor), and Professor Tunde Morakinyo (ex-officio and director, sports management scientific researches).

 

Dr. Sanusi, a former university lecturer, has variously served as General Manager (Accommodation) for the organizing committee of the 8th All-Africa Games that Nigeria hosted in 2003, Assistant Secretary General (Competitions) for the Nigeria Football Federation and Director of Competitions, NFF before attaining the position of NFF General Secretary in March 2015.

 

He is also a qualified Football Coach, as well as President, National Colleges of Education Games.

Nigeria condole Ghana on Atsu’s death

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Nigeria condole Ghana on Atsu’s death

West-Africa arch-rivals united by the tragic death of Ghana international football superstar Christian Atsu

 

Heartwarming footage has emerged of Christian Atsu's final moments as a football player (left)

Heartwarming footage has emerged of Christian Atsu’s final moments as a football player (left)

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi
 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially commiserated with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) over the unfortunate death of Black Stars’ ace, Christian Atsu in the tragic Türkey earthquake.

 

Reports on Saturday, quoting the player’s agent, said Atsu was found dead in the rubble and his remains had been flown to Ghana for burial, sending shock waves round the universe.

 

In a letter signed by the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF said it was devastated by the news about one of Ghana’s standout performers on the pitch, and prayed earnestly for God to comfort the family, friends, the GFA and the entire Ghanaian football family for his demise.

 

“The Nigeria Football Federation, and indeed, the Nigeria Football family has on Saturday, 18th February 2023 received with much sadness news of the death of Black Stars’ player Christian Atsu, who has reportedly been found dead in the rubble of the recent earthquake that ravaged Türkey,” the statement said.

 

“Our collective grief knows no bounds for a highly dedicated professional who was one of the very best at his craft, a super patriot who served Ghana to the best of his abilities and a stellar talent of the beautiful game. We remember Atsu as that rare talent who was the overwhelming choice for Player of the Tournament at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea, and also won the Goal of the Tournament award.

 

“His 65 caps and nine goals for the Black Stars make him one of the sterling individuals in Ghana’s international game in the past two decades. His sense of dedication to duty is underscored by his eye-catching 90th minute goal that won the game for his Club, Hatayspor in a Turkish league game less than 24 hours before the earthquake happened. We mourn a true Black Star who gave his all to the game, but we are consoled by the giant footprints he left in the sands of time, and pray that God Almighty will grant him eternal rest, and also grant his family, friends, the GFA and the Ghana Football family the fortitude to bear the loss,” the statement concluded.

 

 

 

Nnodim finishes wrestling season in third place

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Nnodim finishes wrestling season in third place

Promising Mesquite Horn DL ends his first wrestling season on a high

 

 

Image

The Think-tanks behind Armstrong Nnodim athleticism

 

By Edwin Emeanua-Editor

 

Armstrong Nnodim ended his highly remarkable first wrestling season on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 on a high, with a 3rd place finish in metal at the Texas wrestling tournament in Houston.

 

The rising high school star then took to Twitter to thank his coaches for their belief, and his fans for their support, for his ahtleticism.

 

“I finished my wrestling season with a 3rd place metal in state!! Thank you coaches for believing in me and thank you all for the support!! I will be back!” Nnodim tweeted moments after his outstanding acievement.

 

Tweet

 

 
Armstrong Nnodim🇳🇬
@strongnnodim
I finished my wrestling season with a 3rd place metal in state!! Thank you coaches for believing in me and thank you all for the support!! I will be back!
 
 

Image

 
Nnodim’s tweet soon drew almost instaneous responses in retweets, quotes and likes.
 

11.6K

Views

 

5 Retweets 5 Quote Tweets 84 Likes
 

Benson Jerry 🇳🇬 @BensonJerry8 · Feb 19

 

Replying to

@strongnnodim
@TheCoachB

and 3 others

Yessir that’s great 
 

  Charles Wheeler @coach_c_wheeler. Feb 19

Replying to

@strongnnodim
@TheCoachB

and 3 others

Proud of you my man!!!
 

   zaga @KenelmWhyte·

Replying to

@strongnnodim
@TheCoachB

and 3 others

proud of you fam
 

Nnodim (6’1, 245 LBS), is DL for Mesquite Horn 2024 DL and is preparing for the new football season by taking part in high level school grappling contests.

 

Coach Ethan Gardinar feels Nnodim’s approach to preparing for the upcoming gridiron season is smart.

 

Ethan Gardiner @CoachGardiner 12·
I will say it over and over, football and wrestling just go hand in hand. Every football player looking to get that edge should be wrestling in the winter. It wont be easy, but nothing worth doing is. Set yourself apart, compete,get better, & be a champion…
 

‘Advising NFF is waste of time’

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‘Advising NFF is waste of time’

Former Super Falcons coach, Sam Okpodu fumes from his USA base

 

“Whatever I say now would be just a repeat of what had been said or written in the past by coaches, pundits and analysts.”

 

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Nigeria’s Christy Onyenatutuchi (left) staves Mexico’s Lizbeth Jacqueline off the ball in their Revelations Cup yesterday in Guanajuato City, Mexico. Picture: Credit EPA

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi 

 
Former Super Falcons coach, Sam Okpodu, is not ready to waste his time advising the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on how to prepare the female national team for the 2023 FIFA World Cup to be co hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
 
Okpodu in a chat with Sports Joust, declined to share his technical views on the Super Falcons’ preparation for the Mundial, adding that whatever he says now would be a repeat of what had been said or written in the past by coaches, pundits and analysts.
 
“We have been talking and advising the NFF for the past thirty years. Our advice did not change anything. I don’t think it is necessary to advise them for now. I wish them well,” Okpodu said.
 
“We’ve been singing the same song for many years and nothing has changed. That shows that our advice is not working or not needed.”
 
Okpodu led the Super Falcons to their third African women’s championship staged in Nigeria (2002). He also took charge of the team at the 2003 FIFA women’s world cup in the United States of America.
 
Mexico on Wednesday defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the women’s Revelation cup in  Leon , Mexico.
 
Nigeria will play in group B with Canada,  Australia and Republic of Ireland at the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
 
 
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