Sports
Jamilu Steals Victory From Abia Warriors In 1-1 Draw With Adamawa Utd
Abia Warriors were denied maximum points on the road after a second-half goal by substitute, Danjuma Jamilu levelled scores in Gombe on MatchDay 16 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Obioma Chukwuemeka had scored for the visitors seven minutes after the restart.
Coach Zakka Bala of Adamawa United made four changes from the side that lost 1-0 at Enugu Rangers during the weekend, Surajo Lukman, Abba Haruna, Stanley Nnanna, and Sadiq Lawan started ahead of Etete Okon, Mbai Aminu, Ibekwe Emmanuel and Michael Burate, respectively.
Five changes to the starting eleven were made by Abia Warriors gaffer, Imama Amapakabo, from the side that thrashed former Champions, Kano Pillars, in Okigwe.
Njoku Augustine, Adeleke Adekunle, Omemmiri Anthony, Hammed Yakub and Mustapha Jibril were favoured ahead of Innocent Gabriel, Makson Ojobu, Samuel Christian, Paul Samson and Fatai Abdullahi.
The visitors were the first side to produce an attempt against at goal as early as the seventh minute of the encounter, when lively winger Mustapha Jibril made a fine run, dribbling past two markers before sending his individual effort just inches away from goal.
Adamawa United responded via their forward, Stanley Nnanna, after 13 minutes, but the striker failed to hit the back of the net, sending his effort just wide from goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke.
It was a to and fro affair in terms of producing attempts by the two opponents during the first half.
Abia’s Playmaker, Okemmiri Anthony, almost put the visitors ahead in the 25th minute, but his strike was brilliantly halted by Achimugu Friday, who dived to his right to produce the save.
The promising performances from both goalkeepers ,Achimugu Friday and Ojo Olorunleke, forced the game to end in stalemate ahead of the restart, with Oluronleke denying Sale Muhammed’s goal-bound shot inside the box.
On the opposite side, Achimugu brilliantly halted Obioma Chukwuekema’s point-blank header moments before the end of the first half.
But Achimugu could not stop the forward in the second half as he volleyed home easily from a Mustapha Jibril’s assist.
It was his 4th goal of the season so far. Coach Zakka Bello’s substitution in the 63rd minute paid off as the substitute, Danjuma Jamilu, guided a long-range delivery from Emmanuel Ogbuagu inside the box before finishing past onrushing Ojo Olorunleke for the equaliser, just four minutes after replacing Muhammed Jiya.
Abia Warriors came close to snatching the maximum points just one minute to the end of the three additional minutes when substitute Archibong Arit reacted first with a thunderous effort from a rebound on the edge of the box.
It was to the joy of Adamawa United’s bench that Achimugu did the needful to ensure a share of spoils ahead of their MatchDay 17 away to Kwara United in Ilorin.
Abia Warriors will welcome Katsina United in Okigwe in the same fixtures on Sunday 21st March 2021.
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.
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