Sports
Go Round FC Continues Promotion Chase In NNL
Go Round FC at the weekend maintained their stronghold on 2nd place on the Nigeria National League Southern Conference log with a 2-0 win over Ikorodu United.
It was George Vincent that broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when he jabbed home from close range a Shadrach Asiegbu cross.
George Vincent and Shadrach Asiegbu were guilty of profligacy in the first half accounting for a couple of missed scoring chances.
Ikorodu United had a penalty shout turned down by the referee early in the 2nd half as they attacked off the counter.
In the 61st minute, Ikorodu United coach, Theo De Jong took off Moughara Dede for Osondu Benjamin to try and rescue something from the game and then Ngozi Elechi of Go Round FC took off George Vincent for Ufere Chinedu in the 73rd minute.
Two minutes later, another change for the visitors saw Adodo Stephen replace Sodiq Rilwan.
Shadrach Asiegbu thought he had won a penalty for his side when he was muscled off the ball in the penalty area but the referee waived for play to go on.
With 5 minutes left to play, Addulah Fatai was taken off for Anyanwu Stephen as the visitors, maybe wanted to keep the scoreline low.
Shadrach Asiegbu was brought down in the penalty area in the 86th minute and the referee called a penalty for Go Round FC.
Before the penalty kick was taken, Ezekiel Bassey was sent off for a 2nd bookable offence then Chile Azu stepped up to take the kick, putting the ball behind Richard Ocheayi but injuring his thigh in the process.
At 2-0, Ngozi Elechi took off injured Chile Azu for Chris Kpekpe and Go Round FC held on to win 2-0.
Theo De Jong said after the game that a lot of his players could not reach the level they were a few weeks ago and this contributed to the loss.
“We played one of our worst games in the league. We had a good last two months. Good games, but this was not good enough.
“The players did not raise their level, what they can play,” De Jong said.
Ngozi Elechi praised his players for a job well done saying it was one of the best games his side had played this season.
“It was a deserved victory. My boys played well, the marking, closing down and all. I am glad the way they played. I was disappointed in some areas as they could not take their goal scoring opportunities, but the most important thing here is just the three points,” Elechi said.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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