Sports
Obi, Ayew Lead New Young Stars Of Africa
The next six months will be very busy for African football, as the final round of qualifiers for next year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations and the excitement of a new FIFA World Cup preliminary campaign take centre stage. In October, the last ten places in the 16-team field for the continental championship, co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, will hit a feverish pitch while the following month, the road to Brazil 2014 commences. The Cup of Nations itself kicks off January 21 and ends three weeks later.
Big events bring change, and the established order is under threat, with Egypt and Cameroon already out of the running for the African finals and new heroes emerging across the continent. Tidesports source looks at some of the enchanting players who have come to the fore during 2012 qualifying rounds and who appear set to be the paths set by the likes of Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Michael Essien enroute to Brazil 2014.
Mogogi Gabonamong (Botswana): The tough-tackling midfielder provides steel and strength for the biggest surprises in the African game. Based in South Africa with SuperSport United, he made his international debut more than a decade ago as a 16-year-old and is finally going to get a chance to show his ability on a bigger stage when Botswana goes to her first-ever continental finals.
Delvin Ndinga (Congo): The CNFF academy in Brazzaville is now six years old and has already produced a number of the players that took Congo to two FIFA youth tournaments. But their biggest achievement has been the discovery of Ndinga, who moved to Auxerre in 2007 and is now key to both club and country. Linked with a number of bigger clubs, Ndinga is a spark for the Red Devils as they try to improve on a poor AFCON qualifying campaign.
Wilfried Bony (Côte d’Ivoire): Formerly a top scorer in the Ivorian league, Bony has broken through to the national team in the absence of Drogba. The 22-year-old went to Europe in 2008 with Sparta Prague, but in January, he made a high-profile move to Vitesse in the Netherlands and has been in fine form since, including scoring a brace for the Elephants against Rwanda at the weekend.
Jordan Ayew (Ghana): The younger brother of South Africa 2010 break-out star Andre Ayew, and son of three-time CAF African Footballer the Year Abedi Pele, the Marseille attacker has all the right footballing genes. He won his first cap last September and is quickly emerging as another potential playmaker for the Black Stars, a side already full of prodigious talent.
Cheikh Diabate (Mali): A product of the Salif Keita academy in Bamako, Diabate moved to France in 2008 and has worked his way up through the ranks and into the first team at Bordeaux. Mali, who are a win away from reaching the 2012 finals, have had plenty of classy midfielders to choose from, but Diabate is emerging as the successor upfront to Frederic Kanoute.
Youseff Al Arabi (Morocco): Such were his goals and promise that the 24-year-old Al Arabi player ignored interest from of a number of European teams to sign for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal after an impressive start to his career at hometown club Caen. For Morocco, he has emerged as a key attacking figure since making his debut in September of last year, thriving on the confidence handed him by coach Eric Gerets as the Atlas Lions stand on the brink of 2012 qualification.
Moussa Maazou (Niger): Niger are another surprise package to upset the formbook in the Cup of Nations. They have built up momentum since a home victory over Egypt in October when Maazou blasted home a spectacular winner. The burly striker also got the decisive goal at the weekend against South Africa to take his country top of the group.
Joel Obi (Nigeria): The Super Eagles have been searching for several years for a successor to Augustine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha in the creative department and may well have found the solution in Obi. Touted as an up-and-comer at Inter Milan, Obi made his national team debut this February and is considered a natural partner for Jon Obi Mikel in the middle of the pitch.
Moussa Sow (Senegal): Sow is a candidate for the CAF African Footballer of Year award after winning the French title with Lille, ending Ligue 1 as top scorer and scoring four goals in five matches as Senegal won their Cup of Nations qualifying group in front of Cameroon. Linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, Sow could be the next superstar for the continent’s passionate fans.
Thulani Serero (South Africa): Diminutive but tricky, Serero was chosen as South Africa’s best player last season. He also earned a move to Ajax and has immediately impressed. For Bafana Bafana the 21-year-old provides the hint of unpredictable genius that coach Pitso Mosimane says he is looking for, and has won three caps since his February debut for the national team.
Knowledge Musona (Zimbabwe): Another 21-year-old attacker, Musona is full of speed and skill and it comes as no great shock that he has moved to one of world football’s top leagues, with Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga after two prolific years in South Africa. He scored three vital goals for his country in the Nations Cup qualifiers – including a brace and the 90th-minute winner in Zimbabwe’s most impressive victory, a 2-1 reverse of Mali.
Ekiti State Government has honoured its contingents for their outstanding performances at the recently concluded National Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Games held in Abuja.
The state’s contingents participated in six events, securing first place in Essay Writing, second in Debate, Spelling Bee and Girls’ Basketball, third in Boys’ Basketball, fourth in Digital Literacy and Painting, fifth in Environmental and Entrepreneurial activities.
One of the standout moments of the event was the performance of Eniola Awelewa, who excelled in the painting competition despite his physical disability.
Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State AGILE Project Coordinator, Yewande Adesua, described Eniola’s artwork, titled “It Takes a Village”, as a raw, honest and profound depiction of community and belonging.
She revealed that her painting attracted national attention and earned special recognition from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who requested that the piece be displayed in her office.
Adesua noted that Eniola’s excellence underscores Ekiti’s commitment to inclusive education, which has earned the state national recognition, emphasizing that “disability is not an inability.”
She also commended Deborah Bello for her exceptional performance in the Essay Writing category, stating that her brilliance and resilience have once again brought honour to the state.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, congratulated the contingents, noting that their resilience and determination has not only brought them personal pride but also elevated the entire state.
Dr. Aderiye, represented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Michael Omolayo, affirmed government’s commitment to not only infrastructural development but also intellectual growth and talent promotion.
He encouraged the students to continue to be exemplary ambassadors of Ekiti State and a source of inspiration to their peers.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Adetoun Agboola, applauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his investment in modern facilities for special schools, which according to her has empowered students with disabilities to perform beyond expectations.
Agboola, represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Special Education and Social Inclusion in the Governor’s Office, Stephen Abimbola, urged parents of children with disabilities to enrol them in the state’s special facilities, where they can receive proper support and unlock their potential.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of a brand-new wheelchair to Eniola Awelewa to aid his mobility (courtesy of Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa and the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba) and the formal handing over of the national award to Deborah Bello.
The Umuahia-based side secured their spot in the CAF second tier club competition after finishing third in the 2024/25 Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season their highest league placing in history and first opportunity to compete at the continental level.
To make sure they are adequately prepared when the competition kicks off later this year, both players and officials have commenced the first phase of training this week, a top official of the club who wants to remain anonymous said.
CAF is yet to release the preliminary draw, and Abia Warriors’ opponent is still unknown at this time.
Similarly, Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt have equally began preparations for the new season, marking a significant step towards building on their impressive performance in the 2024/2025 football season.
Under the guidance of Technical Manager Finidi George, the team held its first full training session on Monday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium’s main bowl, with about 25 players in attendance.
The technical crew and support staff warmly welcomed the players back, charging them to mentally prepare for the challenges ahead.
Finidi George emphasized the importance of readiness, stating, “I welcome you back from the offseason break. Now it’s time to get ourselves ready for the task ahead of time. Welcome back.
”Rivers United’s second-place finish in the NPFL season has secured their spot in the prestigious CAF Champions League. As they gear up for the continental competition, the team is focused on fine-tuning their skills and strategies. Although the CAF draw is yet to be released, Rivers United is diligently preparing for their opponents, whoever they may be.
The first phase of training has commenced, involving both players and officials. With the Nigeria Premier Football League schedule set to kick off in August, Rivers United is poised to deliver an outstanding performance in both the CAF Champions League and the domestic league.
The Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), led by its President Babajide Akeredolu, last Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, as part of preparations for Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming African American football tournaments in Egypt.
The NAFA delegation also held discussions with the NSC Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, during separate meetings held at the NSC office at the National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking during the engagements, Akeredolu outlined Nigeria’s level of preparedness for the continental event, revealing that three teams would be representing the country: the Male National Team, Female National Team, and the U-13 Team.
He noted that Nigeria would be the only nation apart from the host country fielding multiple teams, a testament to the consistent development efforts invested in the sport since 2019.
Akeredolu emphasised that the country’s expanded representation reflects years of commitment to nurturing American football in Nigeria and showcases the nation’s growing prominence in the African football landscape.
He said, “We are here to inform you about the fact that three teams will be going to Egypt. Male national team, female national team and under-13 which is as a result of the work we have been doing since 2019 in collaboration with Nigeria School Sports Federation. This project has led to over 17,000 kids who have gone through the league initiative over the past five years.”
Akeredolu also assured the NSC management that NAFA is optimistic of victory, adding that the team is eyeing representing Africa in the World Games slated for the United States next year and ultimately clinching a spot at the Olympics.
“We are ready and one of the few countries that have established leagues dotted around. We have leagues in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun. We have built a pipeline for talent.
“We are hoping that we will be the country that will represent Africa in the World game, which is slated for next year in the United States”, he said
Akeredolu explained the significance of the tournament and the Nigerian team’s preparedness for the event in Egypt. He stated: Since flag football became an Olympic sport, there has been a significant effort to establish continental games to improve Africa’s representation on the global stage. The collaboration of our federations has resulted in this notable event.
“All African countries came together to interface with the global body, and now we have our first African tournament”.
The President and his team also unveiled the teams’ jerseys at a separate event, noting to the excitement of the DG and Chairman that they were produced locally. He gave a detailed explanation of the efforts that have been put into place to ensure that the teams emerge victorious.
Akeredolu said, “We came here to unveil our jersey to the DG and tell him that we are fielding three teams for the competition- the main team which has been in camp for two months now, a female team and an U13 team who have been supported by our partners Nigeria American Football Outreach, Browns Nigeria and the NFL respectively.
“We are quite optimistic and we believe that with the support and activities of many leagues in Nigeria, we have a lot of players who can give us a formidable National team
Responding, the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, commended the NAFA leadership while wishing the team all the best in Egypt.
The Chairman charged the team to give their best and represent the country well by showcasing their talents in Flag Football.
On his part, the Director General of the NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade, charged the team to make the country proud and return with flying colours.
Hon. Olopade said, “On this trip to Egypt, I wish you guys well, and I am more encouraged that you guys are very confident that our women’s team will win Gold. I am also very fascinated that you are taking U13 to this tournament. It’s in line with the Commission’s renewed hope to also start building for the future.”
Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayo Olawande who doubles as the Chairman of the Flag Football Development Board in his goodwill message, urged the NAFA team to bring home the trophy.
He expressed his unshaken confidence in NAFA’s ability to break ground and make an impressive performance at the tournament.
On the NAFA team entourage were; the Vice President, Mr. Seye Obatolu and the coordinator of NAFA Gridiron Gems, Ms Nancy Damhindi.
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