Sports
‘Falconets’ Loss, Unfortunate’
Some coaches and ex-internationals yesterday described the Falconets’ 0-2 defeat to the U.S. in the first semi-finals of the ongoing FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Japan as unfortunate.
The U.S. team scored a goal each in both halves of the match to deny the Falconets a second successive final.
Ex-international and Coach, Henry Nwosu said that “the girls have tried and it’s only unfortunate they lost in the semi-finals,” He urge the team to aim for the third place medal.
“They should be confident that they can win the bronze medal, though it would have been better if they had lifted the trophy,” Nwosu said.
Ex-goalkeeper, Joseph Dosu, said the defeat was saddening, but charged the team to go all out and make the country proud by finishing third.
According to him, the Falconets failed to beat the U.S. because they relied more on individual play, instead of team work, but overall, I think they have had a good tournament.
“But they can do better by going a step further from this defeat to winning the third place match, to still make the country proud,” he said.
The General Manager of 3SC FC of Ibadan, Mutiu Adepoju, attributed the team’s defeat to their inability to convert their chances and advised them to win the third place match as a consolation.
“It’s very unfortunate that we lost the match; we were just unable to convert our chances.
“They should try as much as possible to win the third place match; if they finish third, it will be a good compensation for failing to reach the final,” he said.
Also reacting to the defeat, Paul Hamilton, said it was sad, but noted that the Falconets have had an impressive tournament.
“It’s a sad loss; the team gave their best, but their best wasn’t good enough. I think they had an impressive tournament and deserve to be commended,” he said.
Fatai Amao, a former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, said: “We expected to get to the final, like we did the last time. But we should take out the positives from it and work on the negatives.”
In her reaction, Super Falcons team Coordinator, Henrietta Ukaigwe, described the loss as a sad one for the team, having given a good account of themselves in the tournament.
She, however, expressed the optimism that the U-20 team would come home with the bronze medal and hopefully, be given a chance to transit to the senior national team.
The Falconets will on Saturday take on Japan, which lost 0-3 to the defending champions, Germany, in the second semi-final game.
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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