Sports
Rangers Target League And Cup Double
Despite their not too impressive start to the 2014/2015 Nigeria Premier League, Enugu Rangers have declared that their target is to clinch a league and cup double this season.
Rangers general manager Paul Ozor told newsmen, ‘The Flying Antelope’ are in pursuit of the 2014/2015 league title and the Federation Cup.
He said the team is relying on the experience and ability of coach Kelechi Emeteole to lift the country’s two major titles.
“You know the coach we have `Caterpillar’ Emeteole has been a Federation Cup specialist and I believe that we will target that and the league title, if not the two,” Ozor said.
“Emeteole has been in the league. He has won trophies and he is a good disciplinarian; I just believe in him.”
However, the top Rangers official said that the players were owed two months’ salaries, but assured that Governor Sullivan Chime will pay up before his exit from office on May 29.
“The only problem we have now is that government is yet to pay the players for two months now, but we are not the only state this is happening to,” he said.
“However, I am with them (players) all the time to motivate them with the little I have, especially now that the subvention is not forthcoming.
“Apart from their two months’ salary, the players are not lacking anything in camp; they are feeding very well and also getting other incentives.
“Part of the motivation is the N300, 000 I gave them when they played Wikki in Bauchi recently.
“Currently, every match they play and win, I pay them their bonuses; there is a stated amount that everybody receives whenever the team wins away or at home.”
Sports
CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance
Sports
Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- 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.”
Sports
FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway
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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