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Hockey Super League: Kada Queens Retain National Title

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Kada Queens of Kaduna retained their national title in style on Saturday by whipping former champions, Yobe Desert Queens 5-1, in the women’s final of the 2017 Hockey Super League.
Tidesports source gathered that the match was played at the astro-turf pitch at the Abuja National Stadium.
Kada Queens had won all their six matches for 18 points in the seven-team competition to top the table ahead of the Desert Queens, scoring 16 goals and conceding one.
The Damaturu-based Queens had lost 1-2 to the Kada Queens on Sunday in their respective second match, finishing second with 10 points.
They had three wins, one draw and two losses, scoring seven goals and conceding three on the way.
But the Kada Queens made it an easy game for themselves by not allowing their opponents the chance to think of an upset.
They blasted their way to victory to go on to clinch the national title.
Reports say  that both teams will go on to represent Nigeria and play in the Africa Clubs Championships in Egypt in December.
Earlier in the day in the classification match for third and fourth, Plateau Queens of Jos had finished third by beating the Riv Queens of Port Harcourt 2-1.
In the league phase played earlier to qualify for the classification phase, Plateau Queens had also finished third with nine points.
They had two wins, three draws and one loss, after scoring six goals and conceding three, while Riv Queens had two wins, two draws and two losses for eight points.
In the classification match for fifth and sixth, Benue Amazons which finished sixth in the league with five points from one win, two draws and three losses created an upset.
The Makurdi side upstaged Heartland of Owerri to finish fifth, beating them 2-0 after a penalty shootout which followed a 2-2 draw.
Heartland had earlier placed fifth, after finishing two points ahead of the Amazons from two wins, one draw and three losses.
IGP Babes of Kaduna finished seventh and last in the competition, after failing to reach the classification stage following a seventh place placing in the league phase.
They could only get one point from one draw one out of their six matches, losing five after scoring one goal and conceding 12.
It would be recalled  that the competition ended on Saturday after eight days of six matches each.

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CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance 

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Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).
He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players  will  grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.
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Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
 This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.
“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.
“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and  now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.
He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.
” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to  calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.
Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.
“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.
The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.
“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.
Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship 

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A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African 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.”

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FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway 

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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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