Sports
‘We Played Against All Odds In Minna’
Rangers’ Media Director, Foster Chime, has said that the team played against all odds to secure a goalless draw with Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.
Chime told newsmen via telephone in Enugu that the officiating of the match was poor and below standard expected in a Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) match.
He noted that it was clear that the referee awarded an early spot kick (penalty kick) just within five minutes of play to the home team.
“However, God and luck was on our side, the penalty kick was taken but was not successful.
“We also had many other unjustifiable fouls and calls meant to taint the match in favour of the home team.
“However, our boys were not deterred or provoked by the perceived bias of officiating but forced the home team to a goalless draw,’’ he said.
The media director, however, hailed the resilient and doggedness displayed by Rangers’ players.
“Today, I saw in our boys the hunger and desire to win against all odds and perceived disadvantage.
“I must commend them and say with this type of unshaken fighting spirit among our boys, Rangers would be unstoppable,’’ he said.
Chime also called on officials of the League Management Company (LMC) to take time to watch the video clip of the match and assess the poor and unfair officiating against the flying antelopes.
With the goalless draw, Rangers are currently 13th on the NPFL table with 32 points after playing 25 matches.
Rangers International FC, Enugu will play host to Ifeanyi Uba FC, Nnewi on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu (The Cathedral).
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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