Sports
Onwuachi Explains Switch To Kavala
Nigeria striker, Benjamin Chukwuka Onwuachi says his move to Greek top side Kavala affords him the opportunity to prove he can succeed in a competitive atmosphere.
Onwuachi will be featuring in the Greek championship for the second time, after playing for Ionikos between 2006 and 2008.
The 25-year-old joined Kavala on Wednesday night from rivals Ionikos after the latter failed to conclude a deal with Cyprus side APOEL Nicosia.
“Both APOEL and Ionikos failed to reach an agreement and it was time to look elsewhere,” Onwuachi told Tidesports source.
“I enjoyed my time in Cyprus football but once the opportunity to play in the Greek top flight surfaced I felt wonderfully excited.
“I had little chance in Italy (with Juventus), I scored goals in the Cypriot league and Greek second division but nothing compares to the challenge of the top division with Kavala.
“This is probably the last chance to prove I can be a big hit in a competitive league and I am sure things will go really well.”
Onwuachi came to prominence in Italian football when he scored on his debut for Juventus in the Coppa Italia against Siena in 2003.
But with established stars like Alesandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Zalayeta and Miccoli ahead of him in the pecking order, he was farmed out on loan to Salernitana in the Italian Serie B.
Three goals in 15-games was the outcome of his stint at Salernitana before he returned to the Stadio delle Alpi.
With several names arriving at the Old Lady, another loan deal to Belgium was hastily arranged as the club refused to sell off their outright ownership of the Nigerian.
But that loan switch to Belgian giant Standard Liege only derailed his progress as the big money arrival from Juventus only took comfort on the bench of Standard instead.
“It was the biggest mistake of my career because while scoring freely in training and friendly games, the coach just refused to play me in any match,” Onwuachi recalled.
Ionikos rescued him from that meltdown as he attempted to resuscitate his career and a promising start which had earned him the moniker ‘Investment’.
The former FC Ebedei and AC Regianna striker may have played in Italy, Belgium, Greece and Cyprus but nothing compare to his 21 goals in 69 appearances for Ionikos.
On loan to Cyprus last season Onwuachi helped APOEL Nicosia to the Cypriot title scoring 12 goals in 32 games.
Missing out on Champions League football, Onwuachi is looking ahead to better days and fortunes with Kavala: “All that is in the past now and my immediate target is to help Kavala achieve success,” he added.
“It is a fresh start for me and I just can’t wait.”
With the chance to play alongside midfielder and compatriot Wilson Oruma in the colours of Kavala, the striker knows he has a chance to blossom in front of goal.
“After just one training session together I could tell I have a chance to be the best I can be in front of goal with him helping out.”
Kavala’s fans will be hoping their new signing can make their dream of playing European football come true.
Sports
NBF eyes Commonwealth Games redemption
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has set its sights on six gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the body looks to recover from the administrative turmoil that undermined its preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu told our correspondent, “Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colours. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.
“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping.”
Diaspora boxer Patricia Mbata, the African Games gold medallist based in the United Kingdom, was among the women’s finalists, while Kenneth Anigboro topped the men’s 90kg class. Other female finalists are Udoette Happiness and Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajishola Kadijat and Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola and Ismail Abibat (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), and James Queen and Odoka Celestina (above 70kg). The male finalists are Ogunremi Michael and Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulwahab Abdulrahmon and Saliu Ridwan (65kg), Folly Hassan and Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua and Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Anigboro Kenneth and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).
National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade, who attended Nigeria’s Commonwealth trials, also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me,” he said.
Nigeria’s push for improvement comes after the backdrop of a difficult period for the sport at the last Olympics.
Boxers who competed at Paris 2024 also raised concerns about poor preparation, with Zainab Adeshina stating there was no adequate equipment for training and Ifeanyi Onyekwere describing the build-up as a one-week camp filled with stress.
Nigeria also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ghana in a Commonwealth Games warm-up friendly in Accra recently, a result Imadu acknowledged as a reminder of the work still required, while noting that the federation was in advanced talks with two other nations over additional preparatory fixtures before the Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, where boxing will feature across 14 events — seven men’s and seven women’s categories.
The NBF vice president also commended the board members for their commitment and altruism towards the welfare of the athletes.
“As a federation, we would like to appreciate these board members for their patriotism. This is an attestation of their dedication to the advancement of boxing in the country. As a body, we would continue to encourage the selflessness of our colleagues so we can collectively deliver on our mandate to revamp the squared ropes sports across the board,” he said.
The Yucateco boss further states the NBF’s readiness to deliver medals at the Games in Glasgow.
“Like I said previously, our focus has not shifted. We strongly believe that every boxer on the plane to Scotland must return with a medal for Nigeria, hence we took the lead as the only federation to call its athletes to camp ahead of time. 30 of our boxers have been in camp since April, and the federation has been solely responsible for their welfare since they commenced training,” Imadu added.
At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, nine Nigerian fighters returned with four medals — one silver through Elizabeth Oshoba and bronzes for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
Sports
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Sports
Remo To rebuild After NPFL Relegation
Remo Stars were relegated on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance F.C. in Benin City.
The Sky Blue Stars initially looked on course for survival when experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the situation changed dramatically deep into stoppage time when Chijioke Akuneto equalised for Bendel Insurance to secure a 1-1 draw.
The delayed fixture between Kun Khalifat F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. later confirmed Remo’s fate, with the newcomers winning 3-1 to preserve their top-flight status and condemn Remo Stars to life in the second division.
In the wake of a season that saw them garner just 47 points from 38 games, only one year after winning the league title, the Sky Blue Stars described the outcome as heartbreaking.
“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought. We did not deliver the performances or consistency required to maintain our place in the division. We take full responsibility for that failure.’’
“To our fans who filled the stands, supported the team online and stood by us even during our darkest moments, thank you. Your loyalty means everything, and we recognise that we owe you much more than what this season produced.
“Our focus now turns towards rebuilding with purpose and determination. Important decisions will be made, and every effort will be directed towards returning this club to where it belongs.”
They became the first defending NPFL champions to suffer relegation since Bayelsa United in the 2009/10 season.
They also became only the fourth reigning league champions to drop into the second tier during a title defence campaign after Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.
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