Sports
MFM FC Targets Continental Ticket
Celebrating their 2-1 defeat of Rangers International FC of Enugu on Friday in a match played under floodlight, Lagos-based MFM FC players say they are aiming at a continental ticket after the season.
The players told newsmen in Lagos that the club would aim at finishing in the top four in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
That, according to them, will make their dream of securing a ticket to play in any of the African Football Confederation (CAF) Championships come through.
The players spoke on the sidelines of the rescheduled Match Day 6 of the NPFL between MFM and Rangers International at their soccer temple, Agege Township Stadium.
Tidesports gathered that MFM’s defeat was courtesy of a wonder goal from Sikiru Olatunbosun in the 26th minute and Stephen Odey’s brilliant strike in the 65th minute.
Rangers’ goal came from Bobby Clement in the 81st minute after a momentary loss of concentration by MFM players.
On their expectations of the season, Olatunbosun said that the team had resolved to play in a continental championship next season.
“Our target is the top four because we want to play in a continental competition. We don’t want what happened last season to repeat. We will try to win all our home matches.
“We will not allow any team to look down on us this season, we will try our best. For me, I have a personal target, last season, I scored seven goals, but this season, I want to score more.
“I have three goals already and I am looking forward to score more,’’ he said.
Teenage striker, Odey, said playing Rangers was a tough task due to their current form but added that the team was happy to surpass last season’s achievement.
“It was a tough game because Rangers are the defending champions of the league and they are also playing in a continental championship. Picking up a win against them means much to the team.
“We want to play in the continent, so all the points are important to us. Last season, we are unable to beat them, but we are able to do that this time around.
“We have been accused of not beating any top club at home but we have shown that we can do that this season judging from our last two matches against Kano Pillars and Rangers.
“This is our season and our fans should expect better performances from us. The fans should rally round us in both home and away matches,’’ he said.
Odey, who won the NPFL Player of the Month for his stellar performances, said he dedicated the award to the team and fans of the club.
Tidesports also gathered that it was MFM’s first win over the Ima Amamakpabo boys. The win earned the team second place on the NPFL log with 16 points and a game in hand.
The Olukoya Boys have played eight matches, with 5 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
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
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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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