Sports
CAF Championship: Rivers United’s Performance Excites Bipi, Others
A football enthusiast and Chief Whip of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi has expressed delight with the performance of Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt, against A.S. Real Bamako of Mali in the second leg preliminary round of the CAF Champions League played at the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, Sunday.
Bipi, who is also the lawmaker representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency in the Assembly in an interview with our correspondent soon after the encounter at the Stadium said with the performance of the Nigerian team, Rivers United FC at Mali, a forthnight ago and their artistic display here in Port Harcourt, he was optimistic that the team would make Nigeria and indeed Rivers State proud.
He called for the support of all Nigerians and sports loving people for the team to emerge victorious in their next encounters so as to make the dreams of all people come true.
Bipi also gave kudos to the players and indeed the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike for all the efforts in ensuring that Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt performed credibtably well in this year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League, after picking a ticket in the Nigeria Professional League, enjoining all to keep up the tempo.
Also speaking with our correspondent, a former Chairman of Sharks Football Club Supporters Club, Minalinyo Igani said, ‘it was a fine match although the Nigerian players in the first half were a bit relaxed which gave the visitors an advantage”.
Igani however gave kudos to the coaching crew who gave the players pep-talk that made them to wallop their opponents 4-0, as well as commended the officiating of the match, which he said had shown that football is growing in Africa.
A football promoter, Ambassador Miebi Ogunu, who is also the President, Independent Grassroot Sports Development Assocation opined that although it was a long journey of tactical and technical play, thank God that the journey had started with a step, and wished Rivers United FC successes in their future encounters.
On the officiating, a former Chairman of Rivers State Football Referees Association, Chief Omineokuma Kile said the officiating by the referee was okey and the two penalties awarded the United side were in order according to FIFA rules, and also commended the team for their victory.
However, a pioneer play maker of red Devils of Port Harcourt which metamorphosed to Sharks Football Club said he was not impressed with the performance of the players but that they were just lucky for the first penalty, and charged the coach, Stanley Eguma to brace-up and work hard for the next encounters.
Collins Barsimeye
Sports
Ghana Legend Names Okocha Africa’s Best
Ghana star, Mohammed Kudus has named Nigerian legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha as his greatest African footballer of all time, drawing parallels between Okocha’s style of play and his own.
Kudus, currently plying his trade with West Ham United, praised Okocha for his exceptional skills and entertainment value on the pitch.
Okocha’s illustrious career includes numerous achievements such as winning the Goal of the Year award in Germany in 1993, multiple Nigerian Footballer of the Year titles, and being named the BBC African Footballer of the Year twice.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Kudus expressed his admiration for Okocha, emphasising the lasting impact of his creative flair and ability to entertain fans. He highlighted Okocha’s unique style of play as a source of inspiration for him as a young footballer.
”I will say Jay Jay Okocha. I will say explaining from my lens how I see creative players and entertain. That can never be washed away and the fans can never forget that,” Kudus told our source.
Despite joining West Ham United last summer, Kudus has quickly established himself as a crucial player for David Moyes’ side.
With stellar performances throughout the season, Kudus has garnered attention for his impressive contributions on the pitch. In his debut season, the midfielder has netted an impressive 13 goals in 38 appearances, solidifying his role as a key player for the club.
Sports
HFN Sets Deadline For League Registration
The Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) have called on teams that will participate in the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 to complete all documentary registration on or before May 4, 2024.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 kick off with phase 1 to hold in Benin City, Edo State from May 12th to the 25th , 2024 and the HFN said all teams must document all their registration regarding player registrations, loans and transfers as soon as the 4th of May 2024 according to a statement addressed the officials of the twenty two participating teams by the Secretary General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Almu Umar Lambu.
“A total of 25 players and 4 officials shall be registered for the Season as there shall be no more registration in the Second Phase and all participating clubs should note that documentary registration of players, transfers and loans shall be completed on or before 4th May, 2024.” Mr. Lambu said.
Mr. Lambu also revealed that the HFN will hold an anti-doping seminar for players and officials during the course of the first phase of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2024 in Benin City, Edo State.
“Also Clubs should note that there will be Anti-Doping Seminar during the league to be organised by the HFN Medical and Anti-Doping Commission” Mr. Lambu concludes.
The top tier Handball league which is the biggest handball event in Nigeria, was to begin on April 28 through to May 11, 2024 but has now being shifted by two weeks by the Handball Federation of Nigeria for effective preparation in tandem with the sponsor Ardova PLC and will now hold from May 12 to 25, 2024.
Teams are expected to arrive Benin City on May 12, 2024 while hostilities will then begin the next day, May 13 through to May 24, 2024. Departure is May 25, 2024.
Sports
Athletics: Ofili, Nathaniel Qualify For Paris Olympics
Favour Ofili and Ezekiel Nathaniel have booked their places to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Ofili won the women’s 200-meter event in day one of the Tom Jones Invitational on Friday, hosted by Florida at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville.
The Port Harcourt, Nigeria, native blazed out of the blocks and clocked an event-winning time and No. 4 time in the world of 22.33 seconds (+1.4 m/s).
She defeated Anavia Battle who came through in 22.56s and Ida Karstoft in a new National Record of 22.60s
Her time dips under the Paris 2024 Olympics’ standard of 22.57 seconds, punching her ticket to the Olympics in her first season after turning pro.
It is her fastest time outdoors since 2022 where she set the Nigerian National Record of 21.96s the same year.
Nathaniel on his part shattered the Nigerian 400m Record at the Tom Jones Invitational, running a brilliant 48.29s.
The feat has seen Nathaniel automatically qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, surpassing the Olympic standard by almost half a second.
Chris Robinson of the United States won in a time of 47.95s ahead of Clement Ducos, who ran 48.26s.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s High Jump event, Nigeria’s Erhire Best won clearing a Season’s Best (SB) of 2.21m.
He defeated Riyon Rankin on countback, having needed just one attempt to clear the winning mark while Rankin took three tries. BJ Jennings was 3rd with 2.13m.
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