Sports
Maku Triumphs At Keves Global Leasing Tennis Tourney
The 2nd edition of Keves
Global Leasing Tennis Championship 2014 has ended with Kunle Maku winning the star prize as he upset his brother, the former Nigeria number one tennis player, Sunday Maku, after a 3-6, 7-6 tie-break before he retired.
The championship, which featured 48 players at the Port Harcourt club Tennis section, popularly known as Freedom Squre, also saw Emma Afangide emerging champion in the veteran category while Chijioke Amunodi in court one and Charles Oruitemeka, the choir master, winning the coverted prizes in court two.
Othr winners include, Tonye Azike Alahaji of court three and Sam Umeh in court four.
Speaking during the tournament, the Sponsor and Managing Director of Keves Global Leasing Services, Ikenna Okafor commended the players for their performaces as well as the captain of the section, Emma Obiora, the Chirman Tournament Organising Committee, Cosmos Ntemuse and members of the section for their efforts in ensuring a hitch-free tournament.
Okafor promised to refurbish court one and donated the sum of N250,00 for the section to participate in the finals of Standard Tennis Tournament against Owerri club billed for Aba, Abia State this month.
He also charged the players to keep up the spirit, while promising that the next tournament would be better and more exciting.
In an interview with newsmen immediately after the competition Okafor who is also the Vice Captain of the tennis Section and Patron of the Rivers State Tennis Association said the aim of the sponsorship was to support sports (tennis) grow and create fun among members for good health.
He used the opportunity to dismiss the rumour that he intends to contest for President of the club, but said he would do everything possible to promote the game and commended the government on infrastructural development, while appealing for improved facilities at Port Harcourt club.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Keves Global leasing Services, Maxi Henry Umunna assured that the company would improve on its sponsorship every year and thanked participants.
Earlier, the Captain of the section, Emma Obiora had expressed gratitude to the sponsor, Ikenna Okafor for his desire to improve the courts in the section, and said the tournament would help prepare them for the Owerri championship in Aba.
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CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
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.
Sports
FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
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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