Sports
‘MyPlayers Deserve Victory’
One of Super Eagles continental engagements
Hosts Shooting Stars
Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan on Wednesday lost 1-2 to Warri Wolves Football Club in a 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 16 fixture.
The Tidesports reports that the tension-soaked match ended in a disappointment for the home fans.
The team, after a 0-6 loss to hosts Kano Pillars in week 13, had drawn 2-2 at home with Plateau United FC of Jos in week 14.
But they had then gone on to draw 1-1 with hosts Rangers International FC last Sunday, and this had raised the fans’ hopes of an improved performance and a good result.
However, hope soon turned into disappointment after Warri Wolves scored through King Osanga and John Odumegwu in the 22nd and 64th minutes.
3SC’s Najeem Olukokun reduced the tally in the 79th minute, and there were hopes of a redemption through a penalty kick towards the end of the encounter, but Olukokun lost it.
Coach Ardsluis Dutch of Warri Wolves described the encounter as a great one, adding that his players got the good result they deserved.
He however said Nigerian football was not where it was supposed to be, even though the kind of talents he had seen in Nigeria could not be found elsewhere.
“Nigerian football needs a direction and that is the reason why I am here,’’ the coach said.
In his comments, coach Kadiri Ikhana of 3SC admitted that his players did not perform well in the encounter, saying the players had just returned from Enugu.
Ikhana, who told newsmen that he had just returned from the sick bed, bemoaned the way the welfare of the players was being handled.
“In my 22 years of practice, I have never seen a team like this before, where players would not be paid salaries.
“Welfare is very important. Imagine a man playing so hard to earn a living and thinking about how to feed his family and pay children’s school fees. Such was very bad for a motivation,’’ he said
Ikhana however expressed the hope that the situation could be rescued with the intervention of the state government.
That the coach had consistently bemoaned the non-payment of the players’ five months salaries, saying such was not good as a motivation for better performance.
Tidesports also reports that the match was watched by Michael Adeyemo, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, some other members of the Assembly, and Soji Eniade, the State Head of Service.
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.”