Sports
Aliu Okays Okagbare, Amusan, Brume For Medals
Retired sprinter and Athens 2004 Olympics bronze medalist, Deji Aliu, says the trio, Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume have what it takes to win medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which starts on Friday.
Aliu, who is now a coach, told newsmen that the three athletes have proven that they could compete favourably with the best in their events.
“I don’t want to put pressure on anybody, but I am counting on Blessing, she has been superb this year and I’m expecting a lot from her. I pray she is injury-free because that is one thing an athlete has to pray against. So, I’m expecting something spectacular from her, I know she is ready and she is capable,” Aliu said.
“I’m also expecting something from Tobi Amusan, she has been fantastic over the years and I think she has come of age. She has everything at her disposal, so I also have a podium expectation from her, the same thing with Ese Brume, she has also come of age, so a podium finish.”
Aliu added that the basketball teams and the wrestlers were Nigeria’s other hope of winning medals.
“I have been following the basketball teams and my expectations for them are high, I am expecting a podium finish from them. We also have good wrestlers and I think they will do well. They are in very good hands, the president, and the coaches are doing a very good job, so I expect them to give a very good account of themselves as well,” he added.
Kelechi Iheanacho has said he is disappointed after Leicester City failed to survive the drop to the Championship.
Going into the ultimate day of the league, Southampton were already relegated, leaving Leeds United, Leicester and Everton the remaining teams to battle it out for survival.
Though the Foxes claimed a 2-1 win over West Ham United in the final game of the 2022/23 season, it was not enough to keep them in the topflight as fellow strugglers Everton also managed a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, a vital victory enough to keep the Toffees in the Premier League ahead of the Foxes.
Reacting to their drop, Ihenacho said it was a hard one to take but expressed conviction they will get back up.
“I don’t even know how I feel right now. I’m so disappointed. I don’t know what to say. I just need to thank the football club, the fans, everyone who has supported us from the start to now.” he told LCFC “I know it’s a hard one to take but if life kicks you, you just need to stand up and keep going. Whatever it is, we just keep going, stay strong, and hopefully we get back up.
“Nobody’s really happy at this time. It’s a bad time for the club and everyone. We need to take it on the chin and move on. It’s really not what we want but we can’t go back now. We have to move forward.”
Iheanacho also noted the unflagging support of the fans, recalling how they stood by them even at the end when all hopes were bleak.
He said: “The fans were really amazing, even at the end, they were clapping us and showing us support.
Former Super Eagles goal king, Julius Aghahowa, has said that the return of the fighting spirit to the Super Eagles’ attack is imperative if the senior national male football team must return to winning ways.
Speaking with news men in Lagos, at the unveiling of the 12 teams for the maiden Naija Super Eight, Aghahowa stated that the team as presently constituted lacked the fighting spirit that it was known for in the 1990s and 2000s.
“The Super Eagles of today have great players, but something is missing. That fighting spirit in the attack is no longer there, and there is an urgent need for the team to have it back again to return to winning ways,” he said.
Asked if Coach Jose Peseiro has what it takes to return the team to its glory days Aghahowa said: That question should be directed to the Nigeria Football Federation. But for me, I think the Super Eagles need a coach, who will be on the ground in Nigeria. Move around league venues to scout for talented players, who are hungry to win, and who will sharpen the team’s attack.”
Other former internationals at the occasion were Ike Shorunmi, Tijani Babangida, Jonathan Akpoborie, Victor Ezeji, and Mutiu Adepoju.
Napoli and Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has expressed delight at the national honour conferred on him at the weekend by the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari approved the conferment of the 2023 special national awards on 340 Nigerians and friends of the country in various categories.
Osimhen, who was one of the recipients of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) honour thanked the government and Nigerians in general for identifying with his successes.
“Today, I feel so blessed and grateful as I announce that I have been awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) award by the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Osimhen wrote in a lengthy post on his Twitter Page.
Incidentally, the National honour conferred on Osimhen coincided with his 100th appearance for Napoli and the 24-year-old also marked the auspicious moment with two goals for the already-crowned Serie A champions.
Osimhen, with 25 league goals, is on course to be crowned the Serie A top scorer this season; a feat never achieved by an African player.
“Today also marked my 100th game for Napoli and I was fortunate to score 2 goals for my club, it is an amazing moment and feeling for me to be able to achieve this feat for this great club,” Osimhen continued.
He added: “This MFR recognition also means a lot to me, as it symbolizes the appreciation and support of the great Nigerian people for the dedication and hard work they have always put into their careers to make Nigeria Proud.
“My deepest gratitude goes to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for recognising me at such a national level, and I am so humbled and grateful. I am proud to be a Nigerian and represent Her.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for their continuous efforts in promoting and developing sports in our country. Their support has contributed to the growth of myself and every other athlete in the country.”
Osimhen also reserved special praise for his family members whom he described as a pillar of support for his career while also thanking his fans for believing in him and propelling him to great heights.
“To my amazing family, who have been my rock and source of inspiration throughout my journey, I am forever indebted to your love and support. I love you all and this award is as much yours as it is mine.
“And to my fans and supporters, both in Nigeria and around the world, you all are super amazing and I am so grateful for all you do for me. Your constant support, well wishes and cheers have uplifted me in moments of triumph and provided solace during challenging times.
“I am immensely honoured to achieve this feat for Napoli and I’m also honoured to receive this MFR award, and I consider it a responsibility to continue striving for excellence, more records and making meaningful contributions to people’s lives with the sport I love.
Thank you, everyone” he concluded.
Apart from Osimhen, a couple of other individuals that are in the sports circles also received various national awards.
They include the immediate past president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR.
Football legend, Austin Okocha, was conferred with the honour of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) while basketballer Ejike Ugboaja like Osimhen was also conferred with the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).