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‘MyPlayers Deserve Victory’

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One of Super Eagles continental engagements

One of Super Eagles continental engagements

Hosts Shooting Stars
Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan on Wednesday lost 1-2 to Warri Wolves Football Club in a 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 16 fixture.
The Tidesports reports that the tension-soaked match ended in a disappointment for the home fans.
The team, after a 0-6 loss to hosts Kano Pillars in week 13, had drawn 2-2 at home with Plateau United FC of Jos in week 14.
But they had then gone on to draw 1-1 with hosts Rangers International FC last Sunday, and this had raised the fans’ hopes of an improved performance and a good result.
However, hope soon turned into disappointment after Warri Wolves scored through King Osanga and John Odumegwu in the 22nd and 64th minutes.
3SC’s Najeem Olukokun reduced the tally in the 79th minute, and there were hopes of a redemption through a penalty kick towards the end of the encounter, but Olukokun lost it.
Coach Ardsluis Dutch of Warri Wolves described the encounter as a great one, adding that his players got the good result they deserved.
He however said Nigerian football was not where it was supposed to be, even though the kind of talents he had seen in Nigeria could not be found elsewhere.
“Nigerian football needs a direction and that is the reason why I am here,’’ the coach said.
In his comments, coach Kadiri Ikhana of 3SC admitted that his players did not perform well in the encounter, saying the players had just returned from Enugu.
Ikhana, who told newsmen that he had just returned from the sick bed, bemoaned the way the welfare of the players was being handled.
“In my 22 years of practice, I have never seen a team like this before, where players would not be paid salaries.
“Welfare is very important. Imagine a man playing so hard to earn a living and thinking about how to feed his family and pay children’s school fees. Such was very bad for a motivation,’’ he said
Ikhana however expressed the hope that the situation could be rescued with the intervention of the state government.
That the coach had consistently bemoaned the non-payment of the players’ five months salaries, saying such was not good as a motivation for better performance.
Tidesports also reports that the match was watched by Michael Adeyemo, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, some other members of the Assembly, and Soji Eniade, the State Head of Service.

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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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