Sports
Biffo Blames Slim Players For Poor Finishing
Katsina United’s head coach Abullahi Biffo says the poor conversion rate of his strikers is to be faulted for their slim 1-0 win over Heartland FC in their Matchday 13 game of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Sunday.
A well-taken penalty in the third minute of play converted by Lukman Muhammed gave Katsina United all three points, but Biffo believes it could have been more if his players had taken their chances in the game.
Katsina United failed to score despite creating numerous chances especially after Heartland were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Abiodun Thompson for two bookable offences in the second half.
“My boys were not on top of their game in terms of goalscoring. We had chances to kill this game off right from the first half but we didn’t make use of them. Normally we convert such chances. It’s just one of those days,” Biffo said.
Heartland was unfortunate to concede an early penalty when Odeh Uche handled a cross from Tasiu Lawal in his bid to clear the danger with Eric Dufegha waiting to pounce for Katsina United in the box.
Although goalkeeper, Opubo Japhet guessed the right way, the power in the strike from Lukman Muhammed took the ball away from him. Heartland almost responded immediately but Fuad Ekelojuoti failed to utilise a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Dami Paul.
Ekelojuoti hit his effort straight at the goalkeeper after a through-ball from Thompson sliced open the defence of the home side, leaving him through on goal with the goalkeeper at his mercy in the final action of the first half.
Heartland started the second half with intent to draw level but their course was made worse when Thompson got himself sent off for dissent, after vehemently protesting a call that went against him five minutes after the restart.
The striker was ruled to have handled the ball by the referee while trying to cushion a pass on his chest, he protested the call claiming he was pushed from behind by the defender marking him. His protest earned him another booking after his first caution in the first half.
His dismissal killed the momentum which Heartland started in the half, and Katsina United seized the initiative to pile more pressure in search of a second goal, but Opubo was up to whatever was thrown at his goal.
Opubo and the defence line of ýHeartland were brave when they had to, as they were not scared of putting their body on the line to frustrate the home side from extending their lead.
Heartland head coach Ramson Madu praised his players for raising their game beyond the level they performed in their last away game against MFM FC, despite playing with ten men for majority of the second half.
“Many people will understand ýwhen you lose a game due to an early penalty and a red card in the early minutes of the second half. My players raised their game, and their performance is better than our last away game against MFM FC,” coach Madu said.
“We played with ten players for a very long time and we didn’t concede another goal. The positives from this game are many, and we will work on the grey areas we noticed during the game.”
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
-
Editorial4 days agoDomesticate FG’s Exit Benefit Scheme
-
News3 days agoRSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
-
News4 days agoDHQ Confirms Deaths Of Terrorists, Soldiers In Borno Attack
-
News4 days agoTinubu Commissions Bayelsa Gas Turbine, Other Projects Today
-
Business4 days ago
Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs
-
Sports4 days ago
Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON
-
Nation3 days ago
Rumuji Youth Leader Condemns Protest, Disowns Alleged Government Empowerment Claim
-
Nation4 days agoHaniel Jack Foundation Awards Five Rivers Indigenes Scholarship