Sports
Handball Premier League: Plateau Draws Edo
Plateau Peacocks female handball club of Jos yesterday drew 18-18 with Edo Dynamos of Benin at the ongoing Prudent Energy Handball Premier League in Abuja.
Tidesports source reports that both teams gave a good account of themselves from the beginning till the end of the game.
They were locked at 6-6 by the end of the first half, but both sides scored 12 goals each in the second half.
Speaking on their performance, coach Aaron Okojie of Edo Dynamos said his team played against a tough team as the Plateau Peacocks were the league’s defending champions.
“They are alongside our team, one of the two best teams in the female category, and we gave them a tough time because my players were not ready to lose their first match in the league.
“Our opponents gave their best, but they were unable to defeat us.
“We will now rest and get prepared for our next game tomorrow against Desert Queens of Katsina, which must end with a win in our favour,” he said.
On his part, the coach of Plateau Peacocks, Yussuf Abdukareem, said his players performed well but could not defeat their opponents.
“Everybody came here fully prepared for this competition. If we cannot win our first match, that means the competition has transcended to a greater level.
“However, we will work hard to win our remaining games because we came here to defend our title. We are playing against the Defenders Babes tomorrow (Wednesday) and we must beat them,” he said.
Tidesports source reports that in the first game of the competition which got underway yesterday, Imo Grasshoppers of Owerri beat Owena Queens of Akure 39-11 in the female competition.
Twelve male and 10 female teams are participating in the first phase of the second edition of Prudent Energy Handball Premier League being organised by the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN).
The competition, holding at the Velodrome of the Abuja National Stadium in Abuja, will hold daily till May 25, except on May 20 when all clubs would have a free day.
Eleven matches will be played daily till Saturday, while Sunday will have eight matches, Monday nine matches and May 22, six matches.
May 23 to May 25 will also have 11 matches daily.
Matches will begin at 7 a.m. and end after 11 p.m., with the daily schedule having a break between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
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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