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SWAN Worries Over Future Of Nigerian Football

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The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has Wednesday expressed serious concern over the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian football in recent times.

In a press statement signed by its Deputy Secretary-General, Babs Oyetoro, the body said Nigeria’s present situation was one of its darkest moments in football.

“It is sad to note that this is the first time since 1986 that Nigeria would fail to qualify for the African Nations Cup.

“It is also worrisome that the Super Falcons, who were African champions for a sixth time record by 2010,did not make it to the All-Africa Games last held in Maputo.

“Now, they are already out of the Olympic Games slated for London in 2012,’’ SWAN said in the statement, a copy of which was made available to the Tidesports source in Abuja.

The sports writers body also lamented the failure of former African champions Enyimba International FC of Aba to qualify for the final round of the CAF Champions League.

“This was after it (Enyimba)had raised the hope of the teeming Nigerian populace that they were on the verge of making another history.

“In the same vein, Sunshine Stars of Akure lost at home in the CAF Confederation Cup in the first leg match, and this is also a testament to the declining state of the Nigerian league,’’ SWAN said.

It noted that all these indicated that there were some fundamental problems.

“Obviously, something is fundamentally wrong with Nigerian football,’’ SWAN lamented.

It then called on the Nigerian football authorities to urgently address the ugly situation.

“This has to be done with immediate effect, if Nigerian football must move ahead. Nigerian football, at the moment, needs an urgent reformation to move forward,’’ it said.

It also urged the National Sports Commission ( NSC) to go beyond funding the game, and take its supervisory role more serious.

“The NSC should be prepared to take the bull by the horns to deliver the round leather game from its present captivity.

“It should work in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to find a lasting solution to the lingering crises.

“These crises, to a larger extent, have affected the genuine growth of the game because any house divided against itself can never stand,’’ SWAN said.

It further called on all the warring factions in Nigerian football to sheathe their swords in the interest of the game.

“Certainly, there cannot be any meaningful progress amid crisis.

“This is why the NFA board members, when they meet on Friday in Abuja, should allow national interest to be the overriding factor with a view to moving Nigerian football forward,’’ the body said.

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CHELSEA FANS GIVE ENZO MIXED RECEPTION 

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Enzo Fernandez was booed by some supporters on the day when Morgan Rogers scored on his first appearance for Chelsea in a 3-1 win against Real Sociedad.

Joao Pedro also continued his fine pre-season form with a double as manager Xabi Alonso offered a glimpse of what could be his blueprint for the season.

But the action was overshadowed by the reaction to Fernandez’s second-half appearance, less than 24 hours after Chelsea’s self-imposed transfer deadline had passed.

Fernandez had been keen to join Real Madrid earlier this summer before the Spanish club ended their interest in the Argentine.

His representatives later held talks with Manchester City, but no offer was made to meet Chelsea‘s £120m valuation before Friday’s deadline.

Fernandez was booed by some early arrivals at Stamford Bridge when his name was read out 45 minutes before kick-off.

There were then audible boos when Fernandez came on in the 62nd minute.

Chelsea supporters appeared divided, with others responding by chanting his name.

Yet, it was a signal of Alonso and Chelsea‘s backing that when Reece James left the field he passed his long-time vice-captain the armband as usual.

Each touch of the ball was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers.

It followed attempts by some supporters to move on from a saga that appears to have ended with Chelsea now expecting to keep one of their best players.

Others, however, remain unhappy with his perceived disloyalty, having come out publicly about his desire to move to Madrid, with his agent Javier Pastore also claiming he is underpaid.

It will be interesting to see how supporters of the Premier League’s other 19 clubs react to Fernandez, given his celebrations and social media jibes after Argentina beat England in a World Cup semi-final in July.

That will remain an issue whether he remains at Chelsea or Manchester City elect to revive their interest and attempt to reunite him with his former manager Enzo Maresca before deadline day on 1 September.

It took Rogers only seven minutes to score his first goal in a Chelsea shirt as he reacted quickest after Alex Remiro saved Joao Pedro’s initial header.

The £117m club record signing from Aston Villa initially looked sharp and linked well with Cole Palmer and Pedro in Chelsea‘s front three.

Within 10 minutes of his debut, supporters were already chanting his name.

However, it was understandable that Rogers faded as the match wore on, given he had trained for less than a week since returning from holiday before his 62-minute outing.

Beyond Rogers, Joao Pedro has been the star of Chelsea‘s pre-season.

In this outing he headed Chelsea back in front in the 47th minute before adding a side-footed finish 30 minutes later to seal victory after Sociedad had equalised just before half-time through Jon Mikel Aramburu’s volley.

Chelsea lost control towards the end of the first half and looked vulnerable, but they were much improved after the break.

 

 

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Rivers-born Chess Player Clinches Third Position At World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship 

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A veteran Rivers State chess player, Apollos Akomaka, has finished in joint 3rd place at the just-concluded World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship held in Abuja.
Akomaka, who is the director of physiotherapy at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, overcame a shaky start to secure a podium finish in the 11-round rapid event that began on August 2.
The tournament featured top chess players from several countries.
After losing his opening game, the defining moment for Akomaka came between Rounds 7 and 11.
He raised his game and began defeating some of the top-ranked players in the event.
The Rivers-born player ended the championship tied for 3rd place in the U2000 category with 6.5 points out of 11, alongside Cameroon’s national champion, Noumbo Vidal.
His final game was against Vidal, with the Nigerian playing the black pieces.
Vidal opened with a queen’s gambit but quickly transposed into an English opening with a double fianchetto attack.
Akomaka responded sharply with a king’s Indian defense and soon launched a kingside attack from a defensive position.
The pressure paid off, resulting in an immediate material gain, a knight for a rook, and leaving Akomaka with a strong attacking advantage.
Vidal fought hard to avoid mate and managed to steer the game into an endgame, where he found some respect. At that point, the Cameroon champion offered a draw, which Akomaka accepted.
Speaking after the event, Akomaka said that he is resilient and determined after the poor start but happy that he finished on the podium.
He expressed optimism that in subsequent competitions he will make Rivers State proud and Nigeria at large.
Akomaka has won both local and national chess championships in recent times.
He is passionate about chess; besides, he has equally sponsored several national chess tournaments in Nigeria.
The World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship concluded with Akomaka of Rivers State,
Nigeria, battling back from an early loss to end among the top three in his category
Tonye Orabere/Kiadum Edookor
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Team Nigeria Secures Women’s 4x100m, 4x400m Finals at World U20 Championships

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Team Nigeria continued its impressive showing at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, securing places in both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay finals after strong performances in the heats.
The Nigerian quartet of Becky Ebiyadi, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Praise Ugoh and Faith Ezechukwu booked their place in the women’s 4x400m final after clocking a season’s best of 3:35.28.
Nigeria finished third in the heat behind Italy and Great Britain, doing enough to advance to the final and remain firmly in contention for a medal.
In the women’s 4x100m, Ugoh joined Lucy Nwankwo, Chigozie Nwankwo and Oluebube Ezechukwu as Nigeria produced another season’s best, clocking 43.65 seconds to secure an automatic ticket to the women’s 4x100m final.
The qualification was sealed by a sensational anchor leg from Ezechukwu. Receiving the baton nearly 20 metres behind the United States, the Nigerian launched a determined charge down the home straight, rapidly closing the gap before edging the Americans at the line to claim the third automatic qualifying position.
Nigeria stopped the clock at 43.65 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of the United States, who finished in 43.67 seconds.
The performances mean Nigeria will now contest both women’s relay finals, further strengthening the country’s medal prospects at the championships.
In Saturday’s evening phase of the event, Success Uyibo will compete in the 200m women’s final while the 4x100m compete in the women’s final.
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