Sports
HOS Cup: Mighty Sparrows Zoom Into Final
The football team of Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, yesterday, qualified for the final of the second edition of the states inter ministerial football competition, christened, Head of Service (HOS) Cup.
The team, fondly called Mighty Sparrows defeated their Government House counterpart, 1-0 to end the dream of the Governor Amaechi’s boys making the final of the competition for the first time.
It is the second time the Mighty Sparrows would be qualifying for the ultimate match of the competition.
In the second semi final match decided at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, the Government House players known for their resilient defence and flamboyant attacking moves, were put on the backfoot early in the game through a sustained pressure by the midfield and attack of the Mighty Sparrows.
Consistent heat from the attacking trio of Skipper Honour Sirawoo, hitman Francis Edookor and winger Isaac Isuku, ably oiled by Emughedi Samuel and Fengecy Onisoya ensured that Government House team was sufficiently contained.
Despite creating several chances, Mighty Sparrows lone goal was scored by Edookor, the team’s leading scorer, midway in the first half when he stole behind defenders to connect Osiga Saturday’s cross.
Efforts by the Government House team to draw level were effectively neutralised by Iminabo Michael, Emeka Olisa, Emmanuel Akpelu and Saturday in defence.
With the victory, Mighty Sparrow will now confront the Ministry of Special Duties, which edged out their Education counterpart 1-0 in the first semi final, in the final scheduled for the 24th of the month.
Meanwhile, the third place match between the losing semi finalists will hold next Tuesday, June 8 at the Sharks Stadium.
Sports
Iwobi Optimistic On S’Eagles Qualification
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
Sports
ATLANTICBELL CEO ADVICE SPORTS WRITERS ON SPECIALIZATION
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
Sports
DEPUTY PRESIDENT EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT SPORTS DEV, SWAN
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.
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