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Togo, Senegal Lose Friendlies To Japan Korea

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Togo were thrashed 5-0 by Japan and South Korea beat Senegal 2-0 in international friendlies on Wednesday.

Both Japan and South Korea have already qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

In Sendai Shinji Okazaki scored a hat-trick for Japan against Togo, who lost 3-0 to Cameroon last Saturday to end their chances of going to the World Cup.

Togo had arrived in Japan half a day late with just 14 players after eight last-minute pullouts because of a financial dispute with the country’s FA.

The West Africans scrapped their only scheduled training session on Tuesday and their lack of preparation showed as they fell behind 3-0 after just 11 minutes.

Okazaki put Japan ahead in the fifth minute, redirecting a cross from Yasuhito Endo, then doubled the lead just two minutes later.

Takayuki Morimoto, who plays in Italy for Catania, scored his first goal for Japan in the 10th minute to give the hosts a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Okazaki headed in his third of the game in the 64th and Keisuke Honda, of Dutch club VVV Venlo, then completed the rout.

Meanwhile South Korea controlled much of the game but initially struggled to find a way past Senegal goalkeeper Chiekh Tidiane Ndiaye.

Ki Sung-yong, who will join Scottish side Celtic in January, opened the scoring three minutes before half-time as he shot home from 20 meters after good work from Bolton Wanderers’ winger Lee Chung-yong.

Then after both teams made a number of substitutions in the second half, the action slowed.

Manchester United star Park Ji-sung and Park Chu-young both missed chances to extend South Korea’s lead before Oh Beom-seok sealed the win ten minutes from time.

Senegal are undergoing a rebuilding process after failing to make the final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

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RSG Pledges To Develop  Baseball 

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Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.
The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.
Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.
” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the  State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.
” This  programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the  programme”,  Inyengiyikabo stated.
Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.
He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was  indication the game was popular in Nigeria.
” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.
“The  few days we have stayed  Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.
Kiadum Edookor
 

 

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CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

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Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials,  depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo. 

 

The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.

 

This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.

 

He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm. 

 

According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.

 

“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.

 

 

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FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.

 

 

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