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Super Eagles Aassure Nigerians Of Victory In Malawi

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Super Eagles players have in Abuja assured Nigerians of victory against The Flames of Malawi in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier of Saturday, June 9 in Blantyre.

The players said they had been working and training hard as a team for victory for the Eagles in the game.

Victor Moses, who disclosed that the weather affected his performance against Namibia, said he was promising all Nigerians that “the match in Blantyre will be a different ball game.

“The relationship between the Nigeria-based players and the overseas-based players makes victory easy to be achieved.

“The home-based players are doing wonderfully well and can fit into any team abroad,” Moses who plays in the attack for English Premiership side, Wigan Athletic, said.

Juwon Oshaniwa, a defender, on his part said the team was seriously working hard through extensive training and as a family, so as to restore the lost glory of the Super Eagles.

“We hope to improve and perfect things in our next game in Malawi, so that our team can get back the good name we had in the past.

“It is not going to be easy, but we believe God will help us and we will get there,’’ he said.

John Utaka of French Ligue 1 side Montpellier, who said he was disappointed at not scoring a goal in Calabar, assured that he would make up for it in Malawi.

“As a team, we will fly together in Blantyre and if I have the opportunity to score, I will not fail to do so,” he said

Efe Ambrose of Israeli side FC Ashdod told Tidesports that the Eagles team had brought together professionals from within the country and abroad to work together for a common goal.

“This goal is victory in the end. We are therefore working hard as a team to correct the mistakes we made in our last match in Calabar, and make good use of our chances in our next game,’’ he said.

The midfielder went on to dispel the notion that there is a distinction in the team between the Nigeria-based and overseas-based players.

He said they are all professionals in the football sport and playing abroad or within the country makes no difference.

“I play for FC Ashdod in Israel and I am just coming back home to meet home-based professionals. It makes no difference because we share the same goals and ideas.

“There is good football in Nigeria, which is not different from the one abroad, because the players and the game plan are the same.

“The only differences are the infrastructure and welfare system, and if these are taken care of, there will be better motivation for the home-based players,’’ Ambrose said.

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FRSC Wins  2025 Ardova Handball Premier League 

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The Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute of Sports, Surulere, Lagos, erupted in celebration on Friday as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) teams — Safety Shooters and Safety Babes, were crowned champions of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, following an elaborate finale graced by members of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) board and top executives of Ardova PLC.

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.

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Ikoyi Club Tennis Tourney, Winner  Takes N4m 

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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.

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NSC hails S’Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong

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The National Sports Commission has extended its profound appreciation to former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong following his announcement of retirement from international football.

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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