Sports
Sustain Momentum In Qualifers, NFF Tells Falcons
Basketball players in action
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has urged the Super Falcons to sustain their winning momentum by beating the She- Amavubis of Rwanda again when they visit on Saturday in Kaduna.
This is contained in a statement by the team’s Media Officer, Gracious Akujobi, quoting NFF’s Director of Technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme, who visited the national senior women football team.
The Falcons are billed to host the Rwandese in a final round second leg match in the 2014 African Women Championship (AWC) qualifiers this weekend.
The match is billed for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, with the Nigerian side holding a 4-1 advantage from the first leg game the Rwandese hosted in Gisenyi on May 24.
Ikpeme told the team at their training session at the FIFA Goal Project pitch of the Abuja National Stadium they should confirm their superiority by beating the She- Amavubis again.
“I came to congratulate you girls for defeating Rwanda in their own backyard, but I want you to sustain the tempo and the winning mentality by finishing what you started in Rwanda.
“Although playing in front of your fans can bring pressure on you, you just have to make sure that at the same time, you did not disappoint them,’’ he said.
The Super Falcons need to avoid a heavy loss to the She-Amavubis to qualify for the AWC scheduled to hold in Namibia.
The 2014 AWC, which is the ninth edition, is scheduled for October 11 to Oct. 25
Meanwhile, the ýcountry’s U-20 women national team, Falconets, are set to depart Abuja for Accra, Ghana, for an international friendly against the Black Princess.
The team’s media Officer, Elizabeth Kah, said in a statement that the team would leave for Ghana today.
The statement said the Falconets would play two matches on Friday and Sunday while in Ghana.
It said that the friendly games were part of the team’s preparation for the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup.ý
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is billed for August 5 to Aug. 24 in Canada.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
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