Sports
‘Nigeria Can Excel Internationally With Adequate Support’
Nigeria has all it takes to excel in football and to become the best on the African continent.
The Coordinator, Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Club Secretaries Forum, Mr Chibuzor Nwogu, said this in an interview newsman on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, all we need to do is to bring all our potential to bear, and to create an enabling environment for football to thrive.
He noted that though, much was being done to improve the sport in the country, a lot still needed to be done for Nigeria to get it right.
“We have great potential in football, there are budding talents all across the country, we need to deploy our resources toward making sure we bring them on board,’’ Nwogu said.
Nwogu, who is also the secretary of Enyimba FC, said that there was the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure Nigeria became a country to reckon with in terms of football.
Speaking on Enyimba Football Club’s performance in the league season, he said that the club did not really play many matches due to the activities of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Nwogu, however, said that the club had achieved a lot, adding that the management of the club was putting measures in place to ensure the club excelled in the NPFL.
Commenting on the sack of former Head Coach of Enyimba FC, Usman Abdallah, he said that the management of the club felt he had been managing the club for a long time and there was the need to inject “fresh blood with new ideas’’ into the club.
According to him, Abdallah is a good coach any time, any day but has to move on to more adventurous ventures and he is doing well in his present assignment.
Tidesports source gathered that Abdallah was sacked after the club’s 0-4 loss to Plateau United on January. 3.
According to the management of the FC, after disappointing results, the club decided to remove the Head Coach Abdallah in order for it to regain its lost glory.
On the maiden edition of the NPFL Club Secretaries Forum Annual General Meeting/Awards, Nwogu noted that it was aimed at bringing together stakeholders in the sector to contribute and exchange ideas on how to move football forward.
He said that it was also to recognise and give awards to some governors and stakeholders who have contributed immensely to the development of sports in Nigeria.
The Enyimba FC secretary listed the governors to include Nyesome Wike of Rivers, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Simon Lalong of Plateau and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia.
Other stakeholders he said are Sunday Dare, the minister of Sports, the President of the Nigeria Football Association (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, the General Secretary, NFF Dr Sanusi Mohammed, and the Chairman, League Management Compqny (LMC), Shehu Dikko among others.
Tidesports reports that the event which opened yesterday will end tomorrow.
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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