Sports
National Stadium:Firm Expresses Worry Over Inferior Contractors
A stadium facilities construction and maintenance firm, United Logistics, has accused the Federal Ministry of Sports of re-awarding the contract for the installation of the electronics scoreboard and laying of the tartan tracks at the National Stadium, Lagos, to an ‘inferior’ company despite the enormous resources made available for the project by the financier, Premier Lotto.
Recall that the Ministry of Sports was able to convince Premier Lotto to finance the rehabilitation of the National Stadium, Lagos, as part of its adopt-a-facility programme, which also accounted for the renovation of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, by Dangote Group.
While the Abuja National Stadium job has since been delivered by Dangote Group, work on the Lagos arena is expected to be completed this year. However, United Logistics has warned Nigerians that the Lagos job may not live up to expectations due to an alleged abuse of the contractual procedures.
Stating its case in Lagos at the weekend, a United Logistics Director, Tox Osibanjo, affirmed that Kyle Next/Builders Consult is the main contractor, while it was contacted as consultants for technical support for supply and installation of the electronic scoreboard and the running tracks.
He said: “After an official presentation of Mondo tracks to Chief Adebutu Kensington (Baba Ijebu), who in his philanthropic gesture approved procurement of Mondo tracks and stadium electronic scoreboard, the contractors later procured what was different from the agreed tracks and scoreboard from Mondo.
“Mondo tracks and scoreboard were the original items presented at the Public Private Partnership (PPP) meeting in the beginning.
“We criticised the contractor for the unprofessional way it has been handling the entire project, especially, the planting of the natural grass and installation of the Casali track.”
Osibanjo accused the main contractors of trying to shortchange them, hence, the resort to inferior materials, adding: “Their refusal to prepare the sub-base and drainage according IAAF standard led to United Logistics’ refusal to install on a defective asphaltic track and blocked drainage.”
Osibanjo reaffirmed that United Logistics was contracted by the Federal Government to procure tracks for the renovation of the National Stadium, which it perfectly delivered in good condition.
He alleged, however, “we were contacted to prepare our technical team from Italy for pre-inspection of the stadium tracks to begin the final stage of installation of the track and all efforts made by our company for the payment of our balance proved abortive.
“To our surprise, we saw in the national newspapers, the usual government magic that an amateur company had been assigned the contract for the installation of the tracks- that United Logistics supplied.
“I want to reiterate that our company (United Logistics) was contracted to procure and lay the Casali track at the dilapidated National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. We delivered the tracks as specified. So, we were still waiting to get our balance for the purchase done, and then move to the next stage; which is to lay the tracks.”
“The government, instead of paying our balance, bypassed us to give the job to another company. That’s double standard, we just want the sports loving Nigerians to know that such arrangement can’t stand the test of time.”
Also speaking on the issue, Director, Experience Sport Facilities Limited and Mondo representative in West Africa, Oluwole Osaile, questioned the ability of the new contractors to deliver the tartan tracks to specification.
“It’s unprofessional that United Logistics are not allowed to complete the good job that they started. We have a track record together, at least, the tracks of Kaduna Stadium that our company laid since 2009 has stood the test of time in comparison to other tracks across Nigeria that have failed.”
Reacting to the allegations against the Ministry of Sports, Acting Director, Facilities, Okedairo Olatunji, said the complaints were misdirected. According to Olatunji, the renovation of the National Stadium, Lagos, is a product of the ministry’s adopt-a-facility programme, with Premier Lotto as the financier.
“It is not the business of the ministry to query our benefactor on his choice of contractor.
“Premier Lotto, in its magnanimity, is helping Nigeria to restore the National Stadium to its normal state after years of neglect. So, it has the right to employ any company it deems fit for the job.
“We are grateful to Premier Lotto for its gesture,” he said.
Sports
Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues
Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.
However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.
Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.
Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.
Sports
City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road
Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.
The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.
But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.
Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)
Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.
Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).
In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.
West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.
The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.
And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.
Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.
But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.
Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.
Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.
Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.
Sports
PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1
Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.
The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.
PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.
Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.
Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.
Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.
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