Sports
Egypt, Nigeria In Opening Clash
Holders , Egypt, will begin their defence against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a Group C opener on January 12 in the Western Angolan province of Benguela. Benin and Mozambique will face-off in the other Group C encounter.
The Pharaohs, seeking to complete a hat-trick of titles after successes in 2006 and 2008, will be expected to channel all their efforts on the biennial championship after missing out narrowly on a ticket to the first ever Mundial to be staged on African soil.
Having been paired in a group with two-time winners Nigeria, Mozambique and Benin; Egypt will be hoping to appease their fans with a splendid performance at the biennial event, a competition their record is unmatched.
After guiding the Super Eagles to the South Africa 2010 World Cup, Coach Shuaibu Amodu is hoping to guide his side to a superb outing at the 27th edition of the continental showpiece soccer event.
For Amodu preparation, will serve the tonic for their progress at the competition.
“It’s not an easy group especially with the defending champions around. We will be going back home and prepare feverishly for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.”
Benin failed to advance past the group phase during the last edition in 2008, but Football Federation President, Anjorin Mousharafou is optimistic they can improve upon that in Angola 2010.
“I’m happy with the draw. Our fear was being drawn against hosts Angola and it came to pass. We played against them during the qualifiers and they are a strong side.
“To reach this level is no mean feat. Nigeria is not very strong, and Egypt are psychologically down after failing to reach the World Cup. We can qualify for the next round with good preparation.”
For Mozambique, this is their first attempt since 1998 and fourth overall. They have failed to advance past the group stage on each occasion.
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
PH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
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.
-
News14 hours agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
Politics11 hours agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News22 hours agoGroup Hails Tinubu, Chinda Emergence
-
Politics11 hours agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Sports11 hours agoNPFL: Rivers United Finishes Second, Secures Continental Ticket
-
Politics11 hours agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries
-
Sports11 hours agoStakeholders Laud GTI On NPFL Partnership
-
Comment14 hours agoRivers @59: Progress Through Tough Times
