Sports
HOS Cup: It’s Govt House, Special Duties For Final
Gabriel Nwanetanya, and Joy Teena, Chioma Nnodim
The Government House Football team, yesterday overcame their Ministry of Justice counterparts in the second semi final match of the 2013 Rivers State Civil Service Football competition tagged Head of Service, HOS, Cup.
In the match decided at the Sharks FC Stadium, the Government House team triumphed 3-2 via penalty shootout after regulation time had ended scoreless.
Now, the team will square up with the Ministry of Special Duties team, winner of the first semi final in the final match for the ultimate prize of the competition.
The Special Duties team had defeated Ministry of Sports by a lone goal in their semi final encounter last Monday.
Yesterday, both the Government House team and their Justice counterparts battled each other to standstill and could not be separated within normal time.
Both side demonstrated ample determination to make the final, as neither of them had reached the final stage in the competition’ five year history.
However, Ministry of Justices ambition was betrayed by the players poor penalty kicks, missing the first and third kicks to hard the finals ticket to the Government House team, who showed better composure and accuracy to convert their first three kicks.
Reacting to the victory, Government House’s team coach, Mr Adawari Ubani expressed joy at the historic victory. He noted that it would be the first time the team would be getting to the final of the competition in fire editions and promised to do his best to ensure that they win the trophy.
The Ministry of Sports and their Justice counterparts will now play for the third place crumbs tomorrow.
Meanwhile, elimination and qualifying series for the other sports events, athletics, 100 metre 200meter and 4×100 metres and thug of war were conducted began yesterday at the mainbowl of the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.
The finals of the events come up next week during the grand finale of the civil service week celebrations.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
-
News4 hours agoSERAP Sues Govs, FCT Minister Over Security Vote Spending
-
News4 hours agoAkande Proffers solution to insecurity in Nigeria
-
News4 hours agoRSG Sets Up Panel To Investigate Alleged Extortions At College Of Nursing Sciences
-
News4 hours agoNDLEA Nabs Wanted Drug Kingpin 12 Years After Killing Three Officers
-
News4 hours agoAkpabio Celebrates S’Eagles Bronze Medal
-
Rivers4 hours agoINEC Urges Peaceful Rivers Assembly Bye-elections
-
News4 hours agoRivers Open For Business, Safe For Investors, Says Fubara
-
News4 hours agoFire Guts Abuja Plaza As FFC Rescues Property Worth N900m