Sports
NPL: Pillars Extend Lead On Table
Kano Pillars extended their lead
at the top of the Nigeria league table after playing out a 1-1 draw at FC Taraba on Wednesday.
Pillars now have 44 points from 26 games, three points clear of second-placed Nasarawa United, who were thrashed 3-0 by Crown.
Pillars took the lead in the 45th minute through Adamu Hassan for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The hosts had to wait till stoppage time to draw level through Usman Mohammed.
Rabiu Ali almost scored in the 33rd minute when his powerful shot was saved by Richard Ochaeyi in goal for Taraba.
In Port Harcourt, Chima Akas rescued coach Gbenga Ogunbote-led Sharks with a well-taken free kick goal that beat Super Eagles ace Chigozie Agbim in goal for Gombe United as Sharks scraped a 1-0 home win.
Akwa United deservedly claimed three points at the expense of an unimpressive Enyimba courtesy of a 1-0 home win.
Akwa were in control of the game at the Uyo Township Stadium for the better part, but poor finishing denied them of more than a goal.
Kufre Ebong tapped in a cross from the danger man Ezekiel Bassey in the concluding minutes of the first half for the match winner.
Rangers defeated Dolphins 2-1 to end the six-game unbeaten run of the Port Harcourt outfit also on Wednesday.
Rangers now have 34 points from 26 games, while Dolphins remain on 39 points.
League hotshot Osaguona Ighodaro broke the deadlock and put ’The Flying Antelopes in front in the 20th minute to take his goal to 14 in the league.
In the 63rd minute, Tijani Adamu equalised for Dolphin with a well-taken goal.
Christian Obiozor restored Rangers lead in the 72nd minute, when he fired in a rebound from the Chidi Edeh’s penalty which was saved by Austin Brown in Dolphins goal.
Frank Egharevba scored thrice to compound the woes of Nembe City as Bayelsa United won 3-1 in Benin City.
Bayelsa United now have 33 points from 26 games, while Nembe City remain at the bottom of the table with 24 points from 26 games.
Egharevba broke the deadlock in the concluding minutes of the first half.
He doubled the hosts’ lead in the 58th minute.
Substitute Timi Timi, who came in for Okpose Martins in the 53rd minute, scored Nembe City consolation goal in the 79th minute.
When Nembe City were battling to get an equaliser, Egharevba completed his hat-trick in the concluding minutes of the game to end it 3-1.
Relegation-threatened Crown FC trounced title chasers Nasarawa United 3-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Crown now have 28 points from 26 games, while Nasarawa remain on 41 points from 26 games.
Coach Mohammed Babaganaru-led side went to Ibadan with the hope of compounding the woes of hosts Crown FC, but met the unexpected as Crown were impressive as they look to brighten their chances to survive.
Sports
FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Sports
Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions
Sports
Niger Delta Games: Sports Facilities In Edo Excites Ikpokpo
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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