Sports
2018/2019 NPFL: ‘Rangers Must Beat Niger Tornadoes’
The Team Manager of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Amobi Ezeaku, yesterday said the club must continue to have the bragging rights over Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna.
Ezeaku told newsmen in Enugu that the club was battle ready to maintain their superiority over Niger Tornadoes in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
He said they would do this to also make up for lost grounds after losing against the MFM FC of Lagos.
Tidesports source reports that Rangers will host Niger Tornadoes on Today in Enugu.
The game is a rescheduled match for Rangers as a result of their ongoing campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Ezeaku said Rangers have always been beating Niger Tornadoes, especially since 2016 in Enugu.
“We have been beating them in Enugu and getting draws at away against them. We did it in 2016 when we won the league and repeated it last season.
“This year we are taking them serious to ensure we keep having the upper hand and maintain the bragging rights over them.
“We are aware the match will not come easy for Rangers, but our players are working to ensure victory on Wednesday and all hands are on desk.
“We will not only win to make ourselves happy and proud, but to make the state and our supporters generally happy with entertaining football,’’ he said.
Speaking on the club’s performance so far in the 2018/2019 NPFL, the team manager expressed delight with the win over rivals Enyimba International FC of Aba.
“It was a great display by the players and we give God all the glory, because `Oriental derbies’ are always tough.
“Even though we fielded new players in the game, but we were able to come out victorious and in the league so far a draw and a win is not too bad.
“Michael Uchebo, Bobby Clement, Saka Paschal and a couple of others are good players and the new players gave their all in the two matches played in the league.
“I believe the club’s Technical Adviser and the General Manager saw something unique in these new players, and this made them to incorporate them into the team’s fold.’’
He pointed out that the club has been doing well in matches, especially on the continent where they have been unbeaten.
Leeds yesterday beat Birmingham in a penalty shootout to squeeze into the FA Cup fifth round for the third time in four years.
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri denied Tommy Doyle before Patrick Roberts, who scored a stunning equaliser in the 89th minute, blazed over.
Up stepped Sean Longstaff to score Leeds’ fourth spot-kick from four and send Daniel Farke’s side into the last 16.
Defeat was tough on Chris Davies’ Birmingham side, who pushed their Premier League opponents all the way before falling to only their third home defeat of the season.
The hosts, whose fans applauded owner Tom Wagner as the American continues his recovery from a stroke, deserve huge credit for their display.
And with their cup dream over for another year the ambitious Blues, who are two points off the Championship play-offs, will turn their attention to ending their 15-year exile from the top flight.
In one of the games of the week, Ajegunle United SC edged Best of Best International FA 2–1, courtesy of Ajibola Malik’s 12th-minute strike and James Solomon’s decisive penalty in the 40th minute. Lukman Jaiyeola had earlier equalised from the spot for Best of Best in the 23rd minute. Solomon’s match-winning effort earned him the Man of the Match award.
Pure Talents FA produced one of the standout performances of the week, thumping Sharp Talent FA 4–1. Igbowu Adeleke stole the show with a brilliant hat-trick, scoring in the 26th, 36th, and 40+1 minutes, while Isah Ibrahim added another.
Suliamon Ibrahim had briefly given Sharp Talent the lead in the 4th minute, but Adeleke’s heroics sealed the win and the Man of the Match accolade.
Divinely Blessed FA cruised to a 3–0 victory over Coal City FA, with Mahmud Musa netting twice in quick succession (30th and 34th minutes) and Amadu Daniel adding another in the 32nd minute. Daniel’s commanding display earned him the Man of the Match award.
Young 11 FA and Moree Wins FA battled to a goalless draw, with Akachukwu Uzoma of Young 11 FA recognised as Man of the Match for his solid performance among others.
Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji has claimed a silver medal at the 2026 Para-Badminton World Championship in Bahrain following the conclusion of the women’s SL3 final on Saturday,.
Bolaji put up a spirited performance in the final but fell to Japan’s Shino Kawai, settling for second place in what marks her first-ever World Championship podium finish.
Despite the final result, Bolaji’s run in Bahrain was nothing short of outstanding. The reigning African champion powered into the final with a dominant semi-final victory over China’s Gaoying Yuan, winning 21-12, 21-16 at the New Capital Indoor Hall.
Throughout the tournament, the Nigerian star showcased remarkable consistency and class, recording impressive straight-set victories over Australia’s Caitlin Dransfield, Brazil’s Adriane Ávila, France’s Milena Surreau, and Turkey’s world number five Halime Yildiz.
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