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Sharks FC Records First Away Point

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Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt recorded its first away point and goal of the season following   the draw against Wikki Tourists at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

Sharks kicked off the game with so much precision and more business like than their host who were relying on the centre referee Shabacg Barnabas from Kaduna  to play the tactically for them to the consternation of the fans.

The blue angels as Sharks FC are fondly called broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when Abraham Ezioha detached and jumped high above his marker to head home the first goal of the match.

The score line stood that way until the end of first half, there were other scaring moment once Ikechukwu Ezenwa was called to duty the other was the cross bar which was at the mercy of Sharks FC.

On the resumption of play in the second half Wikki  came out stronger in search of the equaliser and not before long they got a controversial penalty after the referee adjudged Ezioha to have handled the ball and the subsequent spot kick was clinically converted by Tunde  Aremu in the 55th minute.

The equaliser ginger the Bauchi boys and for ten minutes they were in control of the game as Sharks resorted to long thrust so as not to caused any infringement since the Centre Referee was busy making calls to the advantage of Wikki.

The introduction of Kingsley Patrick popularly called Nakata for tired Stanley Okoronkwo worked pretty well as Sharks took charge of proceeding using fast break to destabilised Wikki but the second goal never came.

Most of the fans rooted for Sharks FC but the few irate ones harassed the visitors such that the assistant coach Gabriel was slapped and the media officer got some too on his back while struggling to enter the team bus.

In fact it took the intervention of those fans who felt their players should be blamed for not taking advantage of the 12th player’s (centre referee) match officials largesse that we came left the ATB stadium unhurt.

Goal keeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa described the performance of the entire team as heart-warming.

“If I may say it’s a great performance for the team and I think it was because of the hard work by the players and officials”.Ëzenwa said

The shot stopper said the draw will further motivate the boys while he solicited for more support from the management of the team.

“I believe the boys are happy now because of the score draw which will certainly ginger us for more just as I appeal to management to also do their own part as well”,  he added

Meanwhile technical adviser of the side Gbenga Ogunbote dedicated the outcome of the match to God almighty.

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CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance 

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Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).
He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players  will  grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.
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Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
 This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.
“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.
“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and  now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.
He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.
” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to  calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.
Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.
“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.
The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.
“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.
Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship 

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A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

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.”

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FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway 

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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.

 

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