Sports
Sharks FC Set To Dim Sunshine Stars
The Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt will today be the cynosure of attention for football follower as it has another Globacom Premier League cracker.
Host Sharks FC will seek to subdue Sunshine FC of Akure and claim the three points at stake in the match, one of the week eight matches.
Sharks which lost 2-1 to Bayelsa United, Midweek, and is yet to win any match this season, players of the team have stated their determination to record their first victory of the season to regain confidence and position on the league table.
It is like stating the obvious saying that the match will be another tough game for the Blues Angels, but it’s really a must win for the homers if they must register their name in the winners chat.
The expectation from sharks players is very high as the sponsors and fans are not happy over there recent unimpressive performances.
But the blues Angles have vowed to stem the tide of poor performances, especially playing in the presence of home fans.
The media officer of Sharks FC confidence Idaa, has also expressed optimism that the team will take the points at stake.
According to him, “the technical problem of the team has been taken care of after they lost to their neigbours, Bayelsa United,” adding that “sunshine is not a push-over team, but sharks must carry the day.”
“We want to rebuild our confidence from this match, We don’t care who the opponents is”, said one of the strikers of sharks, who promised to score, but does not want to be mentioned.
There are, however, fears in several quarters regarding the ability of the homers being composed enough to execute this match given the heat in the club.
Earlier this week, the teams Technical Adviser, Kadiri Ikhana had gone on French leave leaving the team in the hands of the two Assistant coaches, Chimiezie Barnabas and Ere Dokubo.
Although the duo had taken the team to Bauchi and came back with a 1-1 drawn last weekend, the fear is that given the present call for the sack of Ikhana and the team’s secretary, Cyril Dum Witte, the confusion in the team might destabilize the concentration of the players who may be loyal to either or both Ikhana and Witte.
Added to the fact that sunshine Witte stars have a comparatively better record so far this season, sharks may need some amount of luck in addition to playing well in todays match.
Tonye Orabere
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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