Sports
Nigeria Has Players That Can Beat Any Team — Ezeno
Nigeria has abundance of talents with capacity to beat any team across the world if the sports authorities could select players on merit above other considerations.
G.O.C Ezeno made the assertion when his team, G.O.C Ezeno FC, was forced to a 2-2 draw in their match against FC Ifeanyi Ubah Feeders at the FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi, yesterday.
Ezeno said managers of Nigerian football should go back to the grassroots and tap from the potential world football stars scattered across the country.
The team was selected from the six teams taking part in the G.O.C Ezeno football competition for Aguata South Constituency which is in the semifinal stage.
“I am impressed with the display by brilliant talents here, these boys have just trained for three days but see the way they played against a professional side.
“Nigeria has the players that can beat any team in the world, the problem is that merit is not placed first in the selection of players, even from our local scene, the best selection can win us the World Cup,’’ he said.
He said that in addition to the understanding he has with FC Ifeanyi Ubah, he was holding talks with Heartland FC of Owerri and Rangers International of Enugu.
Ezeno said his desire was to see that youths from his constituency got the best support possible to enable them realise their highest potential in their chosen endeavours.
The coach of the team, Austin Onokpise, said the friendly match was a huge opportunity for him to assess and work on his young team for future engagements.
Onokpise, however, said that for the game to grow in Nigeria and be comparable to any league in the football world, administrators and match referees must come clean.
He said his team was better, adding that the first goal by FC Ifeanyi Ubah Feeders which made them to draw level was demoraliser for his enterprising side.
“It was a great match, my boys were good, they scored the first goal and our opponents equalised with a controversial goal, it was a clear off side but the referee awarded it to them.
“The 2-2 result is good for a team that has trained for just three days, but we are looking ahead to our next matches,’’ he said.
Tidesports source reports that Uga will play Umuchu, while Achina will lock horns with Mkpologu in the second semi-finals matches of the G.O.C Ezeno which will come up on September 19.
Sports
European Giants Circle For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
Sports
Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
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