Sports
Flying Eagles Invitee Lawal Eyes Nigerian Glory
Listed in a 40-man Flying Eagles squad by coach Ladan Bosso for screening ahead of next month’s WAFU B U20 Championship taking place in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic, Samson Adeniran Lawal, the enterprising Katsina United midfielder, said nothing is as sweet as being called upon to represent one’s country.
Surely, Lawal can be forgiven for being overreached with joy after he missed representing the country earlier at the national U-17 level in some inexplicable circumstances last year.
“I felt so disheartened when I was rejected for the Golden Eaglets in 2021,” the Ibadan-born midfield grafter told NationSport.
“ I understood the coaching team because I went late for the Under 17 trials which I believed they had already seen many players but it never disturbed my drive and determination because I believed strongly my chance would come again which God has now given me with call up for the U-20 national team.
“I feel elated with the chance to play for Nigeria at the U-20 level because nothing is better than representing your country; I give all the glory to Almighty Allah
“I just want to do my best and show the coaching crew and the whole world my ability and make my family and the whole country proud,” he enthused.
Of course, a golden fish has no hidden place because following the failure to earn a spot with the Golden Eaglets under coach Fatai Amoo, Lawal, an upstart with Ibadan Pro Football Academy was offered a once in a life time chance of playing in the elite Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL) with Katsina United.
“After I left the U-17 trials, I was extremely driven and worked much harder,” he stated.
“ The technical director of Katsina United then invited me for trials and they were convinced of my abilities and signed me for the team there and then.
“Since I joined Katsina United, I have been treated extremely well and this has helped my confidence and elevated my performance as this is the biggest football stage within Nigerian domestic league/
“ The coaches and the senior players have helped me and I have played around 15 matches so far this season.”
Newly signed Katsina United coach Usman Abdallah is indeed full of praises for the youngster, adding he would be one of the future stars if he keeps his work rate and humility.
“ Samson Lawal is one of the young players that I met on my arrival at Katsina United and I’m so much impressed with him,” said the former Enyimba coach who was recently named Super Eagles assistant coach. “He is a very good player and I’m impressed with him; he is a player that would be ready for the NPFL in the next two years.
Sports
NBF eyes Commonwealth Games redemption
The Nigeria Boxing Federation has set its sights on six gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as the body looks to recover from the administrative turmoil that undermined its preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
NBF Vice President Omonlei Imadu told our correspondent, “Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colours. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.
“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. Our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping.”
Diaspora boxer Patricia Mbata, the African Games gold medallist based in the United Kingdom, was among the women’s finalists, while Kenneth Anigboro topped the men’s 90kg class. Other female finalists are Udoette Happiness and Gafar Fathia (51kg), Ajishola Kadijat and Gbadamosi Aishat (57kg), Sodipe Damilola and Ismail Abibat (65kg), Blessing Orakwe (70kg), and James Queen and Odoka Celestina (above 70kg). The male finalists are Ogunremi Michael and Habeeb Qazeem (55kg), Abdulwahab Abdulrahmon and Saliu Ridwan (65kg), Folly Hassan and Nwoha Precious (70kg), Daniel Joshua and Sharafadeen Fawas (80kg), and Anigboro Kenneth and Abiodun Adesoji (90kg).
National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade, who attended Nigeria’s Commonwealth trials, also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me,” he said.
Nigeria’s push for improvement comes after the backdrop of a difficult period for the sport at the last Olympics.
Boxers who competed at Paris 2024 also raised concerns about poor preparation, with Zainab Adeshina stating there was no adequate equipment for training and Ifeanyi Onyekwere describing the build-up as a one-week camp filled with stress.
Nigeria also suffered a 4-3 defeat to Ghana in a Commonwealth Games warm-up friendly in Accra recently, a result Imadu acknowledged as a reminder of the work still required, while noting that the federation was in advanced talks with two other nations over additional preparatory fixtures before the Games.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, where boxing will feature across 14 events — seven men’s and seven women’s categories.
The NBF vice president also commended the board members for their commitment and altruism towards the welfare of the athletes.
“As a federation, we would like to appreciate these board members for their patriotism. This is an attestation of their dedication to the advancement of boxing in the country. As a body, we would continue to encourage the selflessness of our colleagues so we can collectively deliver on our mandate to revamp the squared ropes sports across the board,” he said.
The Yucateco boss further states the NBF’s readiness to deliver medals at the Games in Glasgow.
“Like I said previously, our focus has not shifted. We strongly believe that every boxer on the plane to Scotland must return with a medal for Nigeria, hence we took the lead as the only federation to call its athletes to camp ahead of time. 30 of our boxers have been in camp since April, and the federation has been solely responsible for their welfare since they commenced training,” Imadu added.
At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, nine Nigerian fighters returned with four medals — one silver through Elizabeth Oshoba and bronzes for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
Sports
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Sports
Remo To rebuild After NPFL Relegation
Remo Stars were relegated on Sunday after a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance F.C. in Benin City.
The Sky Blue Stars initially looked on course for survival when experienced striker Victor Mbaoma gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time, but the situation changed dramatically deep into stoppage time when Chijioke Akuneto equalised for Bendel Insurance to secure a 1-1 draw.
The delayed fixture between Kun Khalifat F.C. and Wikki Tourists F.C. later confirmed Remo’s fate, with the newcomers winning 3-1 to preserve their top-flight status and condemn Remo Stars to life in the second division.
In the wake of a season that saw them garner just 47 points from 38 games, only one year after winning the league title, the Sky Blue Stars described the outcome as heartbreaking.
“We understand the disappointment and frustration this season has brought. We did not deliver the performances or consistency required to maintain our place in the division. We take full responsibility for that failure.’’
“To our fans who filled the stands, supported the team online and stood by us even during our darkest moments, thank you. Your loyalty means everything, and we recognise that we owe you much more than what this season produced.
“Our focus now turns towards rebuilding with purpose and determination. Important decisions will be made, and every effort will be directed towards returning this club to where it belongs.”
They became the first defending NPFL champions to suffer relegation since Bayelsa United in the 2009/10 season.
They also became only the fourth reigning league champions to drop into the second tier during a title defence campaign after Stationery Stores in 1993 and Shooting Stars in 1999.
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