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W’Cup Fallout: Amiesimaka Harps On Structured Football Dev Programme

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A former Green Eagles player, Adokiye Amiesimaka, has called for the setting up of a well-structured football development programme that will capture youths from eight years old to 19.
He said in an interview with newsmen in Lagos last Wednesday that doing so would ensure grassroots development of the game and enable the country’s national teams to perform creditably at global competitions.
Amiesimaka was speaking against the backdrop of Nigeria’s exit from the ongoing 2018 Russia World Cup after the Super Eagles’1 – 2 loss to Argentina.
“The players did their best, but until we start from the basics, until we have a structured process of youth football development, we will not do better than we have been doing overtime.
“We need to set up a  youth development programme that will enable us to catch players young especially in their formative years, from the ages of eight to 17.
“Until we go back to the basics of a structured programme we cannot develop and be consistent.
“And the structured development programme is in phases – from Under 12, to Under 15, Under 17, Under 19, then to the senior level.
“That is how it is done.’’
The former attacking winger praised the Super Eagles for a brave performance against their perennial adversary, Argentina, at the World Cup, but said that the team lacked the extra punch to upset the two-time World Champions.
Tidesports source gathered that the Super Eagles were five minutes away from pulling off a 1-1 draw, which would have been enough to qualify Nigeria for the Round of 16.
Unfortunately the Argentines were able to earn the win they needed to qualify for the Round of 16 ahead of Nigeria, who finished third in the group with three points after losing two matches (to Croatia and Argentina) and winning one (against Iceland).
Argentina earned four points at the group stage having won one match (against Nigeria), drawn one (against Iceland) and lost one (to Croatia).

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NBF eyes Commonwealth Games redemption

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The Nigeria Boxing Federation has set its sights on six gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the body looks to recover from the administrative turmoil that undermined its preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu told our correspondent, “Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colours. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.

“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping.”

Diaspora boxer Patricia Mbata, the African Games gold medallist based in the United Kingdom, was among the women’s finalists, while Kenneth Anigboro topped the men’s 90kg class. Other female finalists are Udoette Happiness and Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajishola Kadijat and Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola and Ismail Abibat (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), and James Queen and Odoka Celestina (above 70kg). The male finalists are Ogunremi Michael and Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulwahab Abdulrahmon and Saliu Ridwan (65kg), Folly Hassan and Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua and Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Anigboro Kenneth and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).

National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade, who attended Nigeria’s Commonwealth trials, also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me,” he said.

Nigeria’s push for improvement comes after the backdrop of a difficult period for the sport at the last Olympics.

Boxers who competed at Paris 2024 also raised concerns about poor preparation, with Zainab Adeshina stating there was no adequate equipment for training and Ifeanyi Onyekwere describing the build-up as a one-week camp filled with stress.

Nigeria also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ghana in a Commonwealth Games warm-up friendly in Accra recently, a result Imadu acknowledged as a reminder of the work still required, while noting that the federation was in advanced talks with two other nations over additional preparatory fixtures before the Games.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, where boxing will feature across 14 events — seven men’s and seven women’s categories.

The NBF vice president also commended the board members for their commitment and altruism towards the welfare of the athletes.

“As a federation, we would like to appreciate these board members for their patriotism. This is an attestation of their dedication to the advancement of boxing in the country. As a body, we would continue to encourage the selflessness of our colleagues so we can collectively deliver on our mandate to revamp the squared ropes sports across the board,” he said.

The Yucateco boss further states the NBF’s readiness to deliver medals at the Games in Glasgow.

“Like I said previously, our focus has not shifted. We strongly believe that every boxer on the plane to Scotland must return with a medal for Nigeria, hence we took the lead as the only federation to call its athletes to camp ahead of time. 30 of our boxers have been in camp since April, and the federation has been solely responsible for their welfare since they commenced training,” Imadu added.

10 boxers, which consist of male and female, will fly Nigeria’s flag at the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games from July 23rd to August 2nd in Glasgow, Scotland.

At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, nine Nigerian fighters returned with four medals — one silver through Elizabeth Oshoba and bronzes for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.

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PH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday

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Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will, on Saturday, the 30th of May, 2026, do a street procession to celebrate as
Arsenal Football Club of England emerged  champions of the English Premier League (EPL).
The street parade will take off from the GRA junction by 11am,  through Aba Road to the UTC bus stop and back to GRA; thereafter, watch the Champions League final at Ediz Wine Bar, GRA.
This was disclosed by the coordinator of the community, Ugochukwu Oputa, while fielding questions from sports journalists on Monday in Port Harcourt.
Port Harcourt Arsenal Community is a fan base for Arsenal Football Club, in London, with the view to achieve unity, peace, and love among all football fans in Rivers State. This is what the fan base has been achieving since its inception.
According to him, arrangements are in top gear, as security and other logistics are set, waiting for the day to come.
“The celebration is necessary because it is not easy to win the EPL trophy after 22 years against all odds. As I speak, all Arsenal fans in the world are very happy and excited with this feat.
“I must tell you what is about to happen in Port Harcourt on Saturday has been happening in other countries.
The most interesting part is that other football club fans are joining in the celebrations.
“By His grace we hoping to win UEFA champions League and that will be another round of celebration because if we win that trophy it will be the first time ever, so that celebration will be huge” Oputa said.
He advised the forum to advise fans that will come out for the streets’ procession to be civil and orderly; hence, it is a celebration.
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Remo To rebuild After NPFL Relegation

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Former Nigeria Premier Football League champions Remo Stars F.C. have expressed regret over their fortunes in the Nigerian top flight this season following their relegation to the second division, Tidesports source reports.

Remo Stars were relegated on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance F.C. in Benin City.

The Sky Blue Stars initially looked on course for survival when experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the situation changed dramatically deep into stoppage time when Chijioke Akuneto equalised for Bendel Insurance to secure a 1-1 draw.

The delayed fixture between Kun Khalifat F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. later confirmed Remo’s fate, with the newcomers winning 3-1 to preserve their top-flight status and condemn Remo Stars to life in the second division.

In the wake of a season that saw them garner just 47 points from 38 games, only one year after winning the league title, the Sky Blue Stars described the outcome as heartbreaking.

“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought. We did not deliver the performances or consistency required to maintain our place in the division. We take full responsibility for that failure.’’

“To our fans who filled the stands, supported the team online and stood by us even during our darkest moments, thank you. Your loyalty means everything, and we recognise that we owe you much more than what this season produced.

“Our focus now turns towards rebuilding with purpose and determination. Important decisions will be made, and every effort will be directed towards returning this club to where it belongs.”

They became the first defending NPFL champions to suffer relegation since Bayelsa United in the 2009/10 season.

They also became only the fourth reigning league champions to drop into the second tier during a title defence campaign after Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.

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