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Thrills, Frills As Clubs Renew Hostilities In NPFL

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As the much expected 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) finally kicked off on January 13, it was not short of the thrills and frills that accompany the opening matches as the much expected drama ensued.
The 2017/2018 NPFL opening match was opened with a rekindled Northern rivalry of league returnee, Kastina United and Kano Pillars.
Kano Pillars are regarded as old powerhouse of the league as they have a rich history having been four-time winners in 2007/2008, 2011/2012, 2013/2014.
The match, however, as expected brought to the fore the resilience of Kano Pillars to grind a result out of the Mohammadu Dikko Stadium in Kastina.
The Changi Boys would not also like to let the home fans down by protecting their ego and maintaining decent result.
At the end, the game ended 2-2 with a 33rd minute stunning goal from Junior Lokossa first goal of the season for the NPFL and the Sai Masu Gida side.
Although Kano Pillars were made to play the rest of the league with 10 men after one of the players, Dennis, was sent off.
Kastina United then took the opportunity to equalise on the dead of the half time. At the start of the second half, Ibrahim Alhassan put Kano Pillars ahead again in the 60th minute.
The parity was, however, restored again at the dead of the added minutes through a penalty converted by Ashadi to ensure that the home side earned a share of the spoil.
It was noted that the match witnessed two penalties awarded to the home side. The first was confidently saved by Muhammed Hassaini in the 83rd minute.
The first match of the league was almost marred by a reported violence as the home team supporters were not happy with the result of the game.
The rest games played on Sunday witnessed the return of the expected fireworks as some of the high flying teams last season ensured a continuation from where they stopped.
The inspiring result was recorded on Sunday as the 2016/2017 NPFL winners, Plateau United FC of Jos, took off in a blistering start by recording an away victory at Nasarawa United’s fortress.
The Peace Boys were able to defeat the home team 1-0 courtesy of a lone strike by Raphael Ayagwa.
Speaking after the game, Plateau United’s gaffer, Kennedy Boboye, said that it won’t be out of place for the team to successfully defend the title they won last season.
However, in order to realise this, the team still has a long way to hit as about 34 matches ahead will determine who wears the NPFL crown.
Also, another big result came from the Ilorin centre as goals from Eric Frimpong and Ibrahim Babawo of Niger Tornadoes stunned the homers, Kwara United.
The Harmony Boys, the Nigeria National League (NNL) returnee were spanked by their neighbours 2-0; the result was also the heaviest home defeat among the first games of the season.

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Amusan places third in Diamond League opener

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World record holder Tobi Amusan finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles as the 2026 Diamond League season opened in Shanghai on Saturday, Tidesports source reports.

The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.

Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.

Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.

Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.

The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.

Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.

Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.

Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.

“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”

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Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face Senegal in a double-header international friendly during the June FIFA women’s international window as the African champions step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Tidesports source reports. 

The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.

The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.

“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.

“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”

The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.

With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.

The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.

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Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye

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The organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have announced the appointment of Dr Adebukola Bojuwoye as the head of the medical unit for the 11th edition of the prestigious event, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.

As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.

His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.

In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.

It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.

Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.

Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.

We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.

Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.

It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.

The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.

The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.

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