Sports
NPFL Super 6: Stalemate On Match-Day Three
The race for the continental spots and the Nigeria Professional Football League title remains dicey after match-day three following draws in potentially deciding games on Wednesday, Tidesports source reports.
In the first game of the day, Sadiq Abubakar drew first blood for Enyimba after 23 minutes with a beautiful left curler, which left Amas Obasogie helpless in Insurance’s goal.
Down but not deterred, the Benin Arsenal only trailed for 14 minutes as mercurial midfielder Divine Nwachukwu headed home Deputy Echeta’s lofted cross inside the box to level matters.
Insurance almost took the lead a minute later, but Ojo Olorunleke parried Adodo Stephen’s effort from the edge of the area to keep the score level at the break.
Momentum swung either way in the second half and it was Insurance who got on the front foot with the most attempts from second half substitute, Osarenkhoe Imade.
The striker forced a save from Olorunleke with a ferocious right-foot shot after cutting in from the left flank. Minutes later, Julius Emiloju and Nwachukwu let fly over the bar from rebounds.
Enyimba, however, saved their firepower for the last four minutes of the game as they also made three attempts at stealing the lead.
Insurance goalkeeper Obasogie made three crucial saves to deny Imo Obot, Somiari Alalibo and Ekene Awazie at the death as the game ended 1-1.
Sunshine thwart Remo’s ambition
Two goals in either half by Samuel Anaekwe and Lucky Gyan settled the score in the southwest derby between Sunshine Stars and Remo Stars as they played out a 1-1 draw in the second game.
Having drawn their first two games, Remo came off the blocks with urgency and scored the opener in the 15th minute courtesy of Anaekwe.
The striker almost made it two moments later, but Sunshine goalie, Mustapha Lawal, denied him from close range after Seun Ogunribide sent in a sweeping cross into the box.
While his teammates struggled to get their rhythm, Mustapha was the busiest of the goalkeepers as he entered full flight again to deny former Sunshine Stars player, Dayo Ojo from scoring with a pile driver.
Sunshine Stars fought back as soon as the game restarted, getting an equaliser in the 46th minute with a header from Gyan.
The rest of the half was played out with intent and caution at either side and the 1-1 draw left Remo with three points from three games, while Sunshine Stars have two points from as many games.
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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