Sports
Kids Football Challenge: RSG Backs Radio Nigeria’s Initiative
The third edition of Radio Nigeria Kids Football Challenge that held at the Radio Nigeria Port Harcourt premises witnessed the the finals between Great Calvary School, Mgbuoba Port Harcourt and Cedar Mount International School, Location Ada George Road Port Harcourt.
The Great Calvary School which emerged Champion of the tournament came from a goal down to defeat Cedar Mount international School, while the UPE Model Primary School Abuloma won the third place match.
Speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honour, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Sports, Sir Honour Sirawoo, said his ministry will encourage talent hunts such as the Radio Nigeria Kids football competition where young football stars will unearthed and blend for National Sports Festival team.
“The Ministry of Sports needs them for the National sports festival, if these stars are discovered in Rivers state they belong to us. That is why I even came here as the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Sports to see how strong the whole exercise is. And for what I have seen, it mean we will encourage them and also encourage others, so that we can discover more talents.’’
Sir Sirawoo, poured encomium on the management of Federal Radio Corporation South South zone for moving above sports broadcasting they are known for, to put food on families table and discover talents for Nigeria National teams.
“The Radio Nigeria Kids football competition is actually a great venture. Radio Nigeria is known for sports broadcasting, from what we are seeing here, they have grown beyond that. Even if it’s to be seen as their social corporate responsible, they are now trying to put food on families table, they are trying to discover talents for our national teams, they trying to increase our tourism potentials as they engage these children at their young ages. We saw at the field here a lot of talents, if starts to polish from now they will be great stars. Someone like Messi was picked at a very young age like this.’’
Sir, Honour Sirawoo who is also the President Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) admonished Parents and schools administrators to expose their wards to exhibit their God given potentials stressing that sport has gone beyond recreation.
“Sport has gone beyond recreation, its now a money spinning venture that doesn’t need so much education. If a family cannot afford to train their children in the school, and discovers the talent they have particular in sports, you have the opportunity to make money more than a Professor in University. You know Cristiano Ronado, tell me any President in this country that is wealthier than him. We need to let our Parents to know this fact. School administrators and families should allow their wards to exhibit their God given talents’’
Speaking at the event, the zonal Director Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria South South, Lucky Obarein expressed delight that Radio Nigeria is using the Kids football competition to demonstrate their slogan; (uplifting the people and uniting the nation) seeing the gesture as their corporate social responsibility to the society they operates from.
“Radio Nigeria uplifting the people and uniting the nation, we are using this competition to demonstrate that slogan.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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