Connect with us

Sports

Bayelsa Queens Win Flying Officer’s Cup

Published

on

Bayelsa Queens Football Club has emerged winners of the Flying Officer’s pre-season Cup tournament.
The event was formerly known as the Naija Ratels Pre-Season tournament but renamed the Flying Officer’s Cup in honour of Late Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.
The Yenagoa-based team defeated Nasarawa Amazons by a lone goal in the finals of the tournament held at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment, Asokoro on Sunday with eight teams participating.
A 16th minute goal by Barakat Olaiya was enough to separate both sides.
Coach of the team, Moses Aduku, said he was not satisfied with the team’s performance.
“Yes, we won but am not satisfied with the level of play. The team didn’t play as I expected.
“We still have a lot of work to do and this pre-season has exposed a lot of loopholes which we have to work on before the Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) begins, on December 9,” Aduku said.
On his part, coach of Nasarawa Amazons, Christopher Danjuma, said he only wanted his team to participate.
“I am not really bothered about the team winning the trophy or not. I am just glad that we have a platform to play after so many months of staying at home due to COVID-19.
“We are here to expose our errors and go back to the drawing board ahead of the league season,” Danjuma said.
Meanwhile, organiser of the event, Paul Edeh, who is also founder of Ratels Sports Development Foundation, said the tournament was organised to support the NWFL in the development of female football.
“This is about one of the best Pre-Season tournaments in Africa, in terms of organisation and more.
“The girls have been able to showcase their talents and prepare well ahead of the new season. Also, we decided to do this to immortalise Arotile.
“We were looking for a female figure in Nigeria who has contributed to the development of this country and she stood out,” he said.
Also, Chairperson of the NWFL, Aisha Falode, while lauding the efforts of Edeh, called for more sponsorship to help promote female football.
AkintundeArotile, late Tolulope’s father, who was also in attendance, said he was happy with the initiative.
“This is a huge honour for our family. Tolulope was always doing her best for her peers and girls below her age.
“She would have loved to be part of such a platform but we are happy on her behalf and we can say that you all are living her dream,” he said.
Teams that participated in the tournament were Honey Badgers and NaijaRatels FC, both based in Makurdi, as well as Edo Queens, Confluence Queens of Lokoja,  Kaduna Queens and Royal Queens of Warri.

Continue Reading

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop  Baseball 

Published

on

Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.
The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.
Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.
” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the  State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.
” This  programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the  programme”,  Inyengiyikabo stated.
Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.
He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was  indication the game was popular in Nigeria.
” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.
“The  few days we have stayed  Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.
Kiadum Edookor
 

 

Continue Reading

Sports

CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

Published

on

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials,  depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo. 

 

The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.

 

This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.

 

He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm. 

 

According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.

 

“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.

 

 

Continue Reading

Sports

FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

Published

on

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending