Sports
NPFL Invitee Determined To Prove Point In S’Eagles
Abia Warriors defender, Adekunle Adeleke, has revealed that his aim in the Nigeria national team squad is to prove there are quality players in the Nigerian Professional Football League.
The defender is one of the three home-based players invited for the Super Eagles’ 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month.
The three-time African champions will take on the Republic of Benin on March 27 before slugging it out against Lesotho three days later in Lagos.
Adeleke has set himself a target of representing the home-based players well in the national team in order to open doors of opportunities for them.
“Definitely, we are going to give a good account of ourselves and try to do our best to show that there are good and quality players in the league,” Adeleke told newsmen.
The defender is optimistic of Nigeria’s victory against their West African neighbours and warned his side to be battle-ready for the encounter.
“No team is small and I believe we have the quality and good players to win Benin Republic,” he continued.
Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, had been reluctant to hand home-based players chances in the national team in the past.
The German tactician claimed his best payers are based abroad and also revealed the home-based stars were not patient before leaving for Europe.
“We cannot find all the time players in the local league who are better than the other ones,” Rohr said.
“The criterion for us, the first criterion is the quality of the players. Everybody knows, not only in Nigeria, that the best players are in Europe or somewhere else in professional leagues. That is the fact.
“I invited already more than 23 or 24 local players since I have been in charge of the Super Eagles but we invite them and then immediately they are going to Europe. It is wonderful for them but maybe not for us.”
Nigeria currently leads Group L table with eight points and victory over the Republic of Benin or Lesotho will seal their place at the AFCON tournament in Cameroon.
The Super Eagles finished third at the 2019 edition of the tournament behind winners, Algeria and Senegal.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoEkpo, , Mshelbila Elected Gas Exporting Countries Forum Chiefs
-
News3 days agoTinubu commissions seven new projects at Unilorin
-
Nation3 days agoOgoni Cleanup Programme, Enabling Pathways To Development Of Ogoni – Zabbey
-
Business3 days agoNAICOM Tasks New NCRIB President On Innovation, Professionalism
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Tompolo’s Visit To Bayelsa Bothers Coalition … As Stakeholders Want Security Checks
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoMonarchs Task FG On Host Communities’ Welfare ………As PINL Targets 2000 Women For Empowerment
-
Opinion3 days agoDon’t Kill Tam David-West
-
Business3 days ago“W’Bank To Invest $14bn In Agric Transformation