Sports

Matchmakers Vows To Hold Credible Pitch Awards …As Voting Begins, Dec 1

Published

10 months ago

November 25, 2022

Matchmakers Consult President, Shina Phillips, whose outfit organises the yearly Nigeria Pitch Awards, has pledged that the 2023 edition will live up to its billing as the country’s number one football awards.
Voting for the 2023 edition will start on December 1 and end on January 16, while the awards will hold in March, next year. At an event organised to unveil the voting process and other features of the awards in Lagos last Tuesday, Phillips said the organisers share a common goal with every Nigerian, which is working towards making the country a great footballing nation.
“As organisers of this prestigious football award, we remain committed to our core principles of credibility, transparency and integrity. From inception, we set out by adopting a voting system that is transparent.
“Our voters, who are sports editors and journalists across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, our partners, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and SIAO Partners, have remained committed to the success of the Nigeria Pitch Awards,” he said.
Philips, who took time to appreciate the media for their support in the last eighth editions of the awards, also congratulated the newly elected NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau, saying, “over the years, he has been a passionate supporter of football in Nigeria and his contributions to the growth of our football, especially at the grassroots level, have not been in doubt
“He is a consummate administrator and team-player. We, therefore, unreservedly express our confidence in his ability to deliver on his mandate and move our football forward.”

Sports

Race For Zenith Bank B’Ball League Top Four Resumes

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2023

The Tide

The battle for the final two slots for the 2023 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League will begin at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, with MFM Women Basketball Club and Bayelsa Blue Whales looking to secure one of the two slots.
Two teams; Nigerian Customs and Air Warriors secured two slots from the Savannah Conference and now, the Atlantic Conference teams will battle to win the two other slots to complete the Top Four for Final Phase.
The Second Phase of the Atlantic Conference was postponed due to the recently concluded National Youth Games and with the arrival of all teams, hostilities began yesterday with Bayelsa Whales and MFM taking on Dolphins and Sunshine Angels, respectively.
MFM, who finished second in the last edition will have to be at their best as they are currently third on the table coming from the First Phase where they won three games while losing two while Bayelsa Whales on the other hand are second with four wins and a loss against undefeated First Bank who is poised to finish top of the table.
First Bank will hope to continue their impressive form when they meet IGP Queens who are also hoping to create an upset and get a slot to be in Lagos for the finals scheduled later in October.

Sports

NRFF President Hails ValueJet’s Contribution to Rugby Development

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2023

The Tide

President of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, NRFF, Dr Ademola Are has hailed the impact of ValueJet’s to rugby development and sports generally in the country.
Dr Are who was speaking on the sideline of the just concluded National Youth Games in Asaba, where Delta State emerged winners in both the male and female events of rugby, said ValueJet’s contributions to sports development could not be overlooked..
“We can’t over emphasize the impact of ValueJet in Nigeria rugby because they came at a time we needed them the most and all thanks to the president of the company, Kunle Soname who went the extra mile to ensure that Nigeria senior men national team, the Black Stallions participated at Africa Sevens Olympic qualifier in Harare, Zimbabwe.
“Despite not being the most popular sport in the country, he saw the potentials in rugby when others were hesitating, just like he has for other businesses of his with his canny business acumen.

Sports

Peseiro Congratulates Rivers Utd

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2023

The Tide

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has congratulated Rivers United following their victory over Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso which ensured their qualification to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Rivers United defeated their visitors 2-0 in the second leg of the second preliminary round of CAF Confederation Cup at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday night.
Rivers United missed two penalties in the game before Alex Oyowah scored the opener in the 89th minute. Oyowah completed his brace in the 10th minute of added time after converting a penalty to end the score 2-0.
The first leg of the encounter ended 0-0 two weeks ago at the Stade Muncipal Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire, giving the Pride of Rivers a 2-0 aggregate win and a group stage ticket.
Peseiro hailed the former Nigeria league champions on his personal X handle following their achievement.
“Congratulations to Rivers United on making it to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. Best of luck in the competition!,” he wrote.
Rivers United reached the quarter-final stage of the CAF Confederation Cup last season before being eliminated by Young Africans of Tanzania.
Up next for Stanley Eguma led side is their first Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL game of the season against Niger Tornadoes slated for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Sunday.