Sports
Aiteo Cup: NNL Teams Quit NPFL Big Shots
Nigeria National League sides Bayelsa United, Gombe United, Niger Tornadoes and Gateway United continued their impressive run in the round of 16 of the 2021 Aiteo Cup with victories over Nigeria Professional Football League sides on Wednesday.
Bayelsa, who sent favourites Enugu Rangers packing in the previous round, pulled off the biggest upset in the round with a comfortable 2-0 win over Lobi Stars at the Owerri centre, while Niger Tornadoes held their nerves in the closing minutes to book a quarter-final spot at the expense of Abia Warriors, winning 3-2 in Makurdi.
Gateway beat 10-man Wikki Tourists 4-3 on penalties after regulation time ended goalless in Enugu, while Gombe United knocked Katsina United out of the competition 5-4 on penalties after 90 minutes of action had ended 1-1.
Green Berets, who beat struggling NPFL side Warri Wolves July 7, could not repeat the heroics against Sunshine Stars, losing 5-4 on penalties after regulation time ended goalless. Kebbi United held Kano Pillars 0-0 but lost through the lottery of penalties 3-2 to their more illustrious opponents. In a clash of NPFL teams, Nasarawa United humbled Plateau United 3-1 at the Lokoja venue while Rivers United beat Heartland 2-1 in Aba.
Gateway United entertains fellow NNL side, Bayelsa United, in the quarter-finals, while Kano Pillars slugs it out with Sunshine Stars. Rivers United will hope to book a semi-final ticket against Niger Tornadoes as in-form Nasarawa United tries to avoid an upset against Gombe United.
In the women’s category, FC Robo booked their place in the semi-finals of the competition, beating Nasarawa Amazons 3-2 on penalties after full-time ended 1-1. Edo Queens scaled to the next round after beating Osun Babes 4-3 on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1.
Bayelsa Queens were 2-0 winners over Delta Queens while the postponed fixture between Bright Future and Rivers Angels is scheduled to hold today.
Sports
FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa
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
Sports
Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions
Sports
Niger Delta Games: Sports Facilities In Edo Excites Ikpokpo
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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