Sports
Enyimba Wrestling Championship Rescheduled For Oct 11
The millennium wrestling championship tagged “The Battle at Enyimba” billed for the Enyimba Stadium yesterday which would have seen African Wrestling Heavyweight sensation, Osita Offor (a.k.a Ultimate Commander) defend his title against Joe Legend of Canada has been postponed.
The championship which would see about 16 world class wrestlers, including South Africa-based, Nigerian-born boxing champion, Kilmanjaro, take Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State by storm, will now hold on October 11, 2009.
Spokesman for The Ultimate Wrestling and Charity Organisation (TUWCO), promoters of the championship, and Nollywood megastar, Zack Orji, said the original date has to be changed to give Ultimate Commander time to recover from injuries he suffered during his recent fight in Scotland.
“As you all know, the Battle at Enyimba was originally scheduled for the 23rd of August, 2009, being yesterday. But because of the closeness between that date and the date of the fight which just held in Scotland and the fact that he (Ultimate Commander) sustained injuries and will need sometime to recuperate, we have had to chose a date in conjunction with the Federation of World Wrestling Professionals (WWP) Thunderstrike in South Africa and finally we have all agreed on the date on which the battle at Enyimba, the clash of the titans, would be held at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.
“In consultation with His Excellency (Governor Theodore Orji), that date has been finalised and we are happy to announce that the Battle at Enyimba will be on the 11th of October, 2009, at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Abia State.” Orji told newsmen in Umuahia at the weekend.
He said the new date would give room for Ultimate Commander to undergo medical treatment as well as prepare adequate for the fight to be able to retain the African Heavyweight Championship crown he is currently holding.
“As you know, his title would be on the line on that day. He is going to defend his title and it is our hope, it is also our confidence that he is going to successfully defend his title on that date. And the title is the WWP African Heavyweight Wrestling Championship Belt and he is going to wrestle Joe Legend of Canada,” Orji added.
Other title fights which would feature Kilmanjaro and no fewer than 16 world class wrestlers would add glamour to the Enyimba “war.”
“Kilmanjaro will also be wrestling on that day. He will also be defending his own title on that day which is All Africa Championship. On that day, during the Battle at Enyimba, there will also be other fights featuring wrestlers under the WWP Thunder strike. There will be about 16 wrestlers coming from different parts of the world.
“WWP is the Number One wrestling federation in Africa and Number Three in the world. They have affiliations within the WWP even in the United States. They will be parading their wrestlers on that date and these wrestlers will be wrestling on that date,” Orji explained.
“We are looking forward to the battle at Enyimba. It is not just about the Ultimate Commander. This is about Abia State; this about Nigeria. If you watched the fight in the UK, the Nigerian flag was hoisted. This means that this man went to the United Kingdom as an ambassador of this country and we are very happy that he made us proud. So this event is one that everybody must contribute something from his position of strength and make sure it is a resounding success,” he appealed.
Also speaking, Ultimate Commander, said he has been bolstered by the support he has gotten from the government and the people to face the forthcoming challenge with determination and hope.
He confirmed that he sustained injuries in his last fight in Scotland which he said was healing fast. “The injury I sustained is gradually leaving because my body is not his home but then the pain is so much on me that I cannot continue this championship at this time. But still I have to do some physical examination by some doctors in America, after which I will still have about two, three weeks to train,” Offor said
“The Battle at Enyimba is going to be a memorable championship. It is going to be a fight that the whole world will stand up for Nigeria and it is going to be another fight that will convince everybody that has been having doubt about wrestling because what we are doing is re-branding wrestling. Those that are not strong enough, they should leave the ring. My kind of fighting is not the type people say has been arranged,” the Abia-born wrestler said.
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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