Sports
Pillars, Lobi In Position For NPL Title
Some of the games for Week 36 of the Nigeria Premier League, have been concluded and Kano Pillars and Lobi Stars have consolidated their League title charge and overtake Rangers who still have a game to spare.
The most surprising result of the day was Lobi Stars’ 0-2 away victory over reigning champions Dolphins FC of Port-Harcourt.
Red-hot striker Tony Okpotu gave Lobi Stars the lead in the 16th minute over the lethargic and uninspired hosts. Dolphins had their plight worsened when goalkeeper Sunday Rotimi was sent off for a bad tackle on Okpotu in the 64th minute. An 85th minute header by Luther Iorhe sealed the win for the surprise title contenders who are now second on the table.
Kano Pillars reclaimed top spot courtesy of their easy 3-0 win over Jigawa G.S through goals from Mohammed Gambo who bagged a brace and another goal scored by Mustapha Musa.
Shooting Stars continued their good home form as goals from Gabriel Adikwu and Moses Ogaga saw them ease past Heartland. While a goal by Samuel Mathias was enough for Gombe United to defeat Akwa United.
Elsewhere, goals from Onyekachi Okoye, Captain Ejindu and Nzube Anazemba helped resurgent Enyimba defeat Niger Tornadoes by 3-0. While Kabiru Sanusi’s 16th minute penalty helped Kwara United defeat Warri Wolves.
Some of the games scheduled last Wednesday were postponed, such as the game between Rangers and Sunshine Stars, because of the latter’s participation in the CAF Champions League. Another such game was the one involving Wikki Tourists and Ocean Boys
The NPL week 37 and 38 fixtures will not be played until all outstanding cases with NFF Organisation and Disciplinary Committee, and Appeals Committees are cleared, thus making the date for the conclusion of the League uncertain.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoWe Are Elevated Through Plethora Of Projects —- Obagi HCDT Board … As Senator Attributes Success To PIA
-
Business2 days agoNCAA Certifies Elin Group Aircraft Maintenance
-
Sports44 minutes ago
CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance
-
Maritime2 days agoCustoms To Scan 200 Containers Per Hour At Apapa Port
-
Rivers2 days ago
ECOWAS Parliament Adopts AI In Lawmaking
-
News2 days agoNIGERIA AT 65: FUBARA HARPS ON UNITY, PEACE
-
Opinion2 days ago184 Days of the Locust in Rivers State
-
News2 days agoFG moves to avert fuel supply crisis, promises stability