Sports
NPFL: Rivers Utd Looks To Stun Plateau In Jos
As hostilities resume today in Day 2 of the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, Rivers United FC’s Coach, Stanley Eguma says his team is sure of picking a point in Jos.
The 2016/2017 champions, Plateau United would play host to Rivers United to re-enact a rivalry that is turning out to be one of the NPFLs most compelling fixtures.
Both sides opened their respective accounts with victories over El-Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United at the weekend, to make their upcoming fixture a must win for either side.
Champions, Plateau United claimed a stunning 1-0 win over Nasarawa United in Lafia, while Rivers United also won by a lone goal at home to El-Kanemi Warriors.
Plateau United will, however, against all odds be the favourite to pick the three points at home against the backdrop of their home support from teeming fans and status as defending champions.
The “Peace Boys’’ look very promising on current form ahead of their maiden outing in the CAF Champions League.
Raphael Ayagwa scored the winner in Lafia last Sunday and would be seeking to impress against their Port Harcourt-based opponents.
But in spite of the intimidating nature of the upcoming showdown against the Kennedy Boboye tutored side, Coach Eguma was, however, not scared of the likely outcome of the match.
“Plateau United has started well and they also did well last season. They have made good recruitments, but we are already on track with our opening day victory over El Kanemi Warriors.
“My players are happy and I know they will also want to be happy on the trip back to Port Harcourt from Jos.
“Everyone here is determined to go to Jos to get the points. I will not be on the boastful side because I know that the league is just beginning.
“I am assuring the fans that we will not let them down as we will be going there to get victory but if we can only get a draw, it is also acceptable,’’ Eguma said.
Apart from Samuel Akinbinu who suffered a shoulder injury against El Kanemi Warriors, Eguma told decalre that he had almost a full squad to work with in the Jos showdown.
“Prince Aggrey impressed on Match Day 1 fixtures on Sunday against El Kanemi and will be favoured to start his second game in as many matches.
“Ochowechi Salefu debuted on Sunday and has been included yet again in the United’s Match Day squad.
Only Denmark, ranked 21st globally, sits higher among nations that failed to qualify for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
England and Chelsea legend John Terry was among those to voice his disappointment, describing Nigeria as a significant loss to a tournament that features 48 nations for the first time.
“Nigeria will be a big miss. This is a World Cup for participants who haven’t had the opportunity to play in the tournament. I would have loved to see a top team like Nigeria there because they’ve got some great individuals. They’re a great nation,” Terry said during a virtual roundtable session organised by SuperSport.
“I think they are a big miss because Nigeria probably would have gone further in the competition, but unfortunately, one side’s loss is another’s gain,” the former England captain added.
Eric Chelle’s side finished second in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers behind South Africa, who secured automatic qualification. Nigeria kept their hopes alive with a playoff semi-final victory over Gabon before falling to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in the decisive playoff final — their second successive absence from the World Cup after also missing the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The Nigeria Football Federation later challenged DR Congo’s qualification, alleging the use of ineligible players during the campaign, but the appeal was dismissed.
Despite missing the World Cup, the Super Eagles remain Africa’s 3rd highest-ranked team behind Morocco, who sit seventh in the world, and Senegal. Algeria and Egypt complete the continent’s top five.
Defending champions Argentina enter the tournament as the world’s top-ranked side, ahead of Spain, France, England and Portugal. Brazil are sixth, followed by Morocco, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be released on July 20, a day after the World Cup final.
Chima Akachukwu and Miracle Akhigbe are among the 16 notable stars picked by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for the forthcoming Namibia Tour, where the YellowGreens will compete in a T20 and 50-Over Tri-Series, featuring hosts Namibia and Hong Kong China.
Both players make their way back into the YellowGreens fold after periods away from the side and will be eager to contribute their experience and quality as Nigeria pursues success in Namibia.
The NCF said yesterday that the squad, which departs Nigeria today, forms part of the national team’s continued preparations for future international assignments as the YellowGreens seek to build on recent performances and strengthen their standing on the global stage.
Leading the squad is Captain Sulaimon Runsewe, who will spearhead Nigeria’s campaign against two formidable opponents in what promises to be a highly competitive series.
The selected squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talents, providing the technical crew an opportunity to assess player development and team combinations in both the T20 and 50-over formats.
The team will be led on tour by Coaches Leke Oyede and Tamuno John, who will oversee preparations and match operations during the opening phase of the series.
Joining the squad later in Namibia will be the newly appointed Head Coach and High Performance Manager, Stephen Magongo, whose arrival marks another significant step in the Federation’s commitment to strengthening the national team structure and enhancing player development pathways.
Supporting the coaching staff are Team Analyst Jamal Okechukwu, Strength and Conditioning Coach Seye Olympio, and Team Physiotherapist Timothy Adesomowo, forming a well-rounded technical crew focused on maximising player performance and welfare throughout the tour.
The NCF views the Namibia Tri-Series as an important platform for the continued growth of the national team, offering valuable international exposure and competitive match experience against quality opposition. The series will provide the players and technical crew with another opportunity to evaluate progress, fine-tune strategies, and build momentum ahead of future international competitions.
The YellowGreens will face Namibia and Hong Kong China in both T20 and 50-over contests, with the matches expected to test the team’s adaptability, discipline, and resilience in challenging conditions.
Blessing Otu on Monday overcame hard-fighting Kelvin Bebe- Emmanuella in two sets of 6-1, 6-3 to qualify for the second round of the women’s singles of the ongoing 47th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Championship, held at the Tennis Courts of the package “B” of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking after the round of 32 game, Otu, who will be 19 years old in September, said she capitalised on her opponent’s weaknesses to gain victory, having studied her game very well.
“Bebe is a very good and tough player. But I studied her game and did the job well.
“Although she tried to come back in the second set, I punctured all her tricks to win the match and move on. I wish I could continue like this in the rest of my games,” she said.
Another member of the Otu family, John Out, was also victorious as he defeated Mohammed Abdusalam 2-1 (6-2, 6-7, 6-1) in the men’s singles category to advance into the round of 32.
But the third Otu in the game, Thomas, was not that lucky as he lost by 6-0, 7-5 in two straight sets to Danjuma Isaac.
In other matches, Michael Emmanuel defeated Ibrahim Aminu to advance, while Drimiya Mevi outclassed Seyi Ogunsakin by beating him 2-1 (6-7, 6-3, 6-1). Action continues tomorrow when other top players, including the men’s singles top seed, Abua Cannice, join the chase for honours.
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