Sports
New Super Falcons List Excites Fans
Football fans yesterday commended Super Falcons Coach, Eucharia Uche, for including 26 home-based players in the 32 players she invited for the August 28, 2012 Olympics qualifier against the Lionesses of Cameroon in Abuja.
Tidesports reports that the players, including six foreign-based, began training in Abuja on Monday for the first leg of the national assignment.
The President, Female Football Interest Group (FFIG), Henrietta Ukaigwe, lauded the Super Falcons list, saying it has gien the home-based players opportunity to show their talents.
Ukaigwe urged the coach to start grooming them early for the London 2012 Olympic Games through international friendly matches.
“ The home-based players should be groomed properly through international friendly matches to ensure they blend when they qualify for the Olympics,’’ Ukaigwe said.
She also commended the early camping of the girls and expressed optimism that Nigeria would do well against Cameroon in the qualifier.
Former Super Falcons player, Gift Sowemimo, told newsmen that the team list had young players who had been monitored in the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL).
She said the 26 players were talented, adding that it was an opportunity for them to show that women football was still vibrant in Nigeria.
Sowemimo advised the team not to underrate the Lionesses.
“The Super Falcons should draw from the lesson learnt at the All Africa Games qualifiers against Ghana and ensure that the Olympics ticket does not elude Nigeria,’’ she said.
The ex-player said early preparation would help the players to excel and that the matches should be taken seriously to ensure their success at the Olympics.
Rolandson Odeh, President, Amalgamation of Nigerian Female Football Coaches Association, said that the call up gave the home-based players the opportunity to display their skills.
“This is the right step at the right time. With the inclusion of the home-based players, we will have a formidable national team “The foreign-based players’ inclusion has not really been justified because they usually find it difficult to blend with the local ones. “We have been clamouring for the use of local players in prosecuting matches. The list is good,’’ Odeh said.
The list has Perpetua Nkwocha, Emueje Ogbigbevba, Rita Chikwelu, Onome Ebi, Helen Ukaonu, Faith Ikidi, Precious Dede, Tochukwu Oluehi, Ebubeleye White, Osinachi Ohale, Ebere Orji and Stella Mbachu.
Others are Desire Oparanozie, Francesca Ordega, Rebecca Kalu, Esther Sunday, Tawa Ishola, Blessing Edoho, Josephine Chukwunonye, Immense Aighewi, Joy Jegede and Gloria Ofoegbu.
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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