Sports
Stakeholders Task Flamingoes On U-17 World Cup Final
Some football stakeholders have urged the U-17 female team, the Flamingoes, to remain focused and ensure they get to the final of the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to hold from September 22 to October 13 in Azerbaijan.
In separate interviews with newsmen yesterday, the stakeholders said that they have confidence in the ability of the team and urged the players not to let the country down at the championship.
Nnenna Etim, a former Super Falcons coach, urged the team not to underrate any country, saying getting to the final should be their target.
Etim advised the players not to allow sentiments to rule them, but follow the instructions of their handlers and play their normal game.
“These girls have shown a lot of zeal from the beginning. So I do not doubt their determination. The best advice I have is that they should not underrate any team,’’ she said.
The former coach also recommended that foreign training tours should be organised for the girls, to expose those who would be featuring in the competition for the first time.
The coordinator of the Super Falcons, Henrietta Ukaigwe, also tasked the team to surpass the achievements of their predecessors.
According to her, getting to the final would create opportunities unimaginable for them.
“The Flamingoes in the last edition dropped at the quarter-finals. This time, I urge them to go all the way to the final because this would open doors for them in the world,’’ she said.
Ukaigwe,who commended the team, described them as hardworking, dedicated and with experienced coaches.
“They have been dedicated from the qualifiers and I know there would be training tours to prepare them ahead of the competition in September.
“I implore them to adhere to the rules of the game. If they can put all these into consideration with their unwavering focus, they would go a long way at the games,’’ she said.
The Nigeria Football Association’s Director of Competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, said the team should remain focused and disciplined.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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