Sports
Rangers Still In Hunt For Federation Cup Honours
An 80th-minute strike from mercurial attacking midfielder, Chidiebere Nwobodo ensured that the chase for a seventh championship triumph of the oldest club competition in the country is kept alive by the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C after a dominant display over Doma United F.C in a quarter-final, Federation Cup 2023 encounter.
The encounter which took place inside the Akure Township Stadium saw coach Abdul Maikaba tutored side taking command of the match from the blast of the referee’s whistle signaling the start of hostilities with the trio of Austin Onyemaechi, Shedrack Asiegbu, and Chidiebere Nwobodo showing dominance in the middle of the pack.
Opportunities came and went for the Enugu side as the backline of the ‘Savanah Tigers’ soaked in all the pressures while goalkeeper, Osayi Kingdom was alert to keep out three great chances on 18, 34, and 44 minutes as their arrow man in attack, Charles Chibuike was practically policed by the duo of Uche John and Ebuka Anthony to perfection.
After ending the first stanza on a high, the players returned much determined to carry the day as they continued to search for the game’s opening goal which failed to come until the last ten minutes of the match when Nwobodo in his devastating form connected home a Philp Clement’s inch-perfect cross that hit the upright before nestling in the net with Osayi rooted to a spot.
The introduction of Samuel Pam, Chukwudi Nwaodu, Obinna Idika, and Kingsley Maduforo by the coaching crew at some stages of the contest, to a very large extent, helped in putting the visitors on the back foot for the most part of the second half to help Rangers pick a Semi-final ticket, the first since its last triumph in the now famous, ‘Asaba Miracle’ in 2018 and will have to navigate past the ‘Tin City’ side, Plateau United that defeated Kwara United 1-0 at a venue and date yet to be announced by the organizers, NFF.
An elated coach Abdul Maikaba said in a post-match chat, “It was a good game against a determined and difficult opponent but we stuck to our game plan which gave us the desired victory and a ticket to the semi-finals of the competition. We shall continue to build on the newfound form of the team and work towards being crowned the Federation Cup champions for this year. We are prepared to face any side and fear no foe but respect every team.”
Sports
CAFCC: Enyimba International In Pot 3 For Draws
African soccer governing body has released the pots for the qualified teams for the group stage of the Confederation Cup, Tidesports sources reports.
Enyimba International is among the 16 qualified teams for the group stage of the competition.
The People’s Elephant was placed in pot 3 alongside ASJaaraf, CS Constantine; Bravos Do Maquils, Lunda Suliat, Orapa United, Black Bulls, and Stellenbosch. Pot 1 consists of Zamalek, RS Berkane, Simba SC, and USM Algers while Pot 2 has ASEC Mimosa, Stade Malien, Al Masry, and CS Sfaxien.
Sports
AFCON 2025 Qualifiers : Super Eagles Host Libya, Oct 11
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will host the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday three encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday, October 11.
The two teams will clash in a matchday four encounter at the Tripoli International Stadium four days later.
The Super Eagles started their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 home win against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The three-time African champions were held to 0-0 draw by the Amavubi of Rwanda in their second group game.The West Africans occupy top spot in Group D with four points from two games.
Libya are bottom of the group after amassing one point from two games.
Only the top teams in each group will advance to the tournament proper in Morocco beginning in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Libya has opted to host Group D leaders Nigeria at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Matchday 4 encounter. The facility is located in the city of Benina, some 19 kilometres outside the country’s second city, Benghazi.
Known previously as Hugo Chávez Stadium, the stadium is a 10,000-capacity facility with an artificial turf.
Both countries will do a Matchday 3 battle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before the clash in the city at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, 15th October.
While the match in Uyo will kick off at 5pm, the battle in Benina will commence at 8pm Nigeria time.
Libya remain bottom of Group D after two rounds of matches, following a 1-1 at home to Rwanda (a game that was played at the Tripoli International Stadium) and a 1-2 loss to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan.
Nigeria tops the pool with four points, after a 3-0 spanking of Benin Republic in Uyo on Matchday 1 and a scoreless draw with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Matchday 2.
Sports
NYG: Kano Athletes Protest Over Allowances In Asaba
Kano State athletes, who participated in the concluded 8th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, last Friday called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to address the issue of their poor camp allowances.
The athletes, speaking anonymously, expressed dissatisfaction with the daily allowance they received, claiming it was significantly lower than that of their counterparts from neighbouring Northwestern states.
“We were given less than N20,000 for ten days, while athletes from Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara received N50,000. Jigawa athletes were paid the highest, receiving N80,000,” one of the athletes said.
Despite the disparity in allowances, the athletes secured five gold, three silver, and one bronze in the competition.
They urged the governor to intervene and resolve the issue.
Also, the athletes commended the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, for supporting other athletes representing the state in sports like football and basketball and hoped for similar support.
The objective of the National Youth Games, initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, is to promote unity, peace, and understanding among youths while addressing issues of restiveness and unemployment across the country.
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