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Tragedy Overshadows Madagascar’s Draw With Senegal …2018 AFCON Qualifiers

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The death of a fan over shadowed Madagascar’s 2-2 draw with Senegal last Sunday as qualifiers continued for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
At least 40 more people were injured in a stampede before kick-off at the stadium in Antananarivo.
Despite the tragedy, the Group A qualifier went ahead as scheduled.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Ivory Coast, Mali and Tunisia all won away from home in the second round of qualifiers.
The 12 group winners and runners-up will secure places at the 2019 Nations Cup finals, except for Group B, where hosts Cameroon and the highest-placed other team will both qualify.
Gourp A
Senegal were twice pegged back by Madagascar in a match which was marred by the deadly stampede before kick-off.
Moussa Konate had put Senegal 1-0 ahead with Paulin Voavy equalising just before half-time.
Keita Balde made it 2-1 to Senegal in the second half while Carolus Andriamahitsinoro hit the equaliser to make it 2-2.
After two matches, Senegal leads the group on goal-difference ahead of Madagascar.
Equatorial Guinea is third , a further point back , after their 1-0 win over Sudan on Saturday.
In Group H, former champions Ivory Coast got their Nations Cup campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over Rwanda in Kigali.
After their opening loss to Guinea at home in the first round of qualifiers in June 2017, the Elephants were under pressure for a win, and Jonathan Kodjia set them on their way with a goal on the stroke of half-time.
Max Gradel added a second for Ivory Coast just after the break with Rwanda hitting back through Meddie Kagere to make it a nervy finish for the Ivorian team.
Guinea beat Central African Republic 1-0 in the late game in Conakry on Sunday to go top of Group H, above Ivory Coast, with their second victory.
Mali were also winners away from home, beating South Sudan 3-0 in Juba to make it two wins out of two so far in Group C.
Goals from Moussa Marega, Salif Coulibaly and Adama Traore gave Mali the win which puts them top of the group after the 1-1 draw between Gabon and Burundi on Saturday.
Tunisia also maintained their perfect start to qualifying for Cameroon 2019 with a 2-0 win away to eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) in Group J.
First half goals from Taha Yassine Khenissi and Naim Sliti gave Tunisia their second straight victory.
Tunisia is three points above Egypt who beat Niger 6-0 on Saturday.
Sierra Leone missed the chance to take an outright lead in Group F, after falling to a 1-0 defeat away to Ethiopia.
A penalty from Getaneh Kebede after 36 minutes was enough to give Ethiopia the victory, and it means all four teams in Group F are now level on three points each.
In Group G, Zimbabwe collected a point away to Congo Brazzaville to go top of the standings after a 1-1 draw.
Khama Billiat gave the Warriors the lead after 22 minutes with the hosts finding an equaliser through Thievy Bifouma in the second half.
DR Congo is second in the group, behind Zimbabwe on goal-difference, after a late equaliser helped them draw 1-1 away to Liberia.
Cape Verde went down to ten-men late-on in their 1-1 draw away toLesotho in Group L.
Uganda remains top of the group after their 0-0 draw with Tanzania on Saturday.
A goal from Gelson was enough to bring Angola their first points in Group Ias they beat Botswana 1-0 in Luanda.
Botswana is bottom of the group without a point, with Mauritania top of the standings after their 2-0 win over Burkina Faso.
Also on Sunday, Togo and Benin drew 0-0 in Lome which keeps Algeria top of Group D on goal difference above Benin, after their 1-1 draw away to the Gambia on Saturday.

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FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa

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Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).

The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.

The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.

He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.

Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.

” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.

“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.

“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.

The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.

 

Tonye Orabere

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Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions

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 The annual NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup 2025 edition draw its curtains closed last Saturday, with Obagi Community defeated hard fighting Akabta community 1-0, to lift the trophy.
The final which was held at  Obite Civic Centre (field) saw Chiefs, community leaders,  youths,  including the Total Energies JV Asset Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Cassasoles and people from all works of life in attendance.
Speaking at the event Mr. Cassasoles revealed that three best players in previous tournaments have been sponsored into a football academy within Nigeria.
He stated that  all participants are winners, as he reiterated that the tournament is aimed at promoting peace, cooperation among host communities.
He expressed gratitude for the peaceful organisation and conduct of both officials and players during the final of NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup for 2025.
On his part the Chairman of the Central  Organising Committee(COC), Mr. Saheed  Ogunsanya said Ubeta and Ubio will not be participating in the next edition as they violated  rules of the tournament.
Ogunsanya praised all the teams for their sportsmanship, stressing that this year edition was a success hence it maintained age grade of under 18 years.
He disclosed that two players have been picked from the tournament and they will be sent to football academy, while underscoring importance of the event to sports and youth development in the host communities.
This is the first time Obagi Community emerged champions of the competition since its commencement 22 years, as 18 communities participated in tis years edition.
At the end of the competition Obinna Godstime, emerged the highest scorer with 11 goals and Most Valuable Player( MVP) of the tournament.
while Michael Charles, from Obobru community became best goalkeeper of the tournament
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Niger Delta Games: Sports Facilities In Edo Excites Ikpokpo

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Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.

The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.

“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.

He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.

“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.

Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.

The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.

The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.

Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.

Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.

In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.

The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.

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