Sports
Mali’s Success Overwhelms Captain Kante
Cedric Kante has revealed that he is honoured to have been captain of Mali as the Eagles recorded their best Africa Cup of Nations finish in 40 years at the just concluded 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans beat regional rivals Ghana 2-0 to take third place at the finals for the first time.
“It’s a great honour, as a captain and a Malian player, to finish third, a very great feeling”, said Kante.
“When we started this competition, we came to play as well as possible but we didn’t expect results like this”.
“I am more than happy (and) more than satisfied.”
Prior to the competition, most Malian fans had low expectations because of the combination of big-name absentees, a handful of injuries and the introduction of several youngsters.
However, a 1-0 win over Guinea in Mali’s opening game propelled the Eagles into the knock-out stages from Group D, where they were beaten by Ghana before sinking Botswana.
In the quarter-finals, coach Alain Giresse’s side took on co-hosts Gabon and triumphed via a penalty shoot-out after the game finished 1-1 after extra-time.
The Eagles were trailing in Libreville before finding an equaliser with just six minutes left, an incident that reflected the Malians’ character at these finals, says Kante.
“The spirit is here, we have the quality, we are young and I think we can improve in the next couple of years,” the centre-back told Tidesports source.
“We have been building the spirit we showed in this competition for two years now, it is not a new thing.”
The Panathinaikos defender also paid tribute to Giresse, saying the Frenchman’s role in rebuilding the Eagles has been crucial.
“If you see the work Giresse (and his coaching staff) did over the last two years, it’s fantastic,” said one of the defenders of the tournament.
“With his experience, not to mention the great player he was in the past, the coach is very helpful for us and for Malian football as we have many things to learn from him.”
Mali’s attention will now turn towards qualifying for next year’s Nations Cup and the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which get under .way in June.
Despite the Eagles’ success in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, Kante is refusing to believe that his side will cruise to Brazil 2014.
“If we keep this spirit, I think we can go far and we can be optimistic,” he explained. “But to go to the World Cup is (not like qualifying for the) African Cup.
“There are only five teams who qualify – and with Cameroon, Nigeria and all these teams who are better than us normally, we have to prove that we can beat those teams.
“First, we have to beat Benin and Algeria and we’ll see if we can keep the spirit but I hope so.”
Rwanda are the fourth and final team to make up Group H of African qualifying for the 2014 World Cup – with the 10 group winners meeting in a play-off in late 2013.
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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