Sports
Clubs Commend Fans Over Naija Super Eight Play-Off
Being part of the forthcoming Naija Super Eight play-off is a privilege the participating clubs are not taking for granted. And to show their gratitude for opportunity to play in the competition, which zonal preliminaries hold from June 23 to 25, the clubs have commended their fans, whose votes earned them slots in the tournament billed for Eket Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State.
One of the participating clubs, Lobi Stars of Makurdi, believe the competition would further prepare them for the soon-to-kickoff 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
In a statement on the club’s official Twitter handle, Lobi Stars, Vice-Chairman and CEO, Dominic Iorfa, dedicated the play-off slot to the club’s fans.
“We dedicate this to the fans because their votes made it for us. Now they can enjoy the excitement with us.
“Moreover, this will serve as a morale booster as we prepare for the Federation Cup quarterfinals. Our players have been exceptional this season and are determined to make the fans and Benue State government, who sponsors Lobi Stars proud,” he wrote.
Commenting on the club’s qualification for Naija Super Eight play-off, Heartland FC’s General Manager, Promise Nwachukwu, in a statement posted on the club’s official Twitter handle, expressed appreciation to the fans for their unwavering support during the hard times.”Our fans have been very supportive even in difficult times. The love, passion and commitment are unprecedented. They travel with the team and they have voted massively for us to participate in this Naija Super Eight. I cannot thank these fans enough,” he said.
Shooting Stars FC (3SC) also credited their fans with a post on its official Twitter handle, which reads: “To our ever supportive and trusted fans and supporters, we have been picked as one of the two clubs from the South West to take part in the play-offs for the Naija Super Eight tourney. We counted on your votes and we are glad your votes made it possible.”
Twelve teams from the six geo-political zones of the country emerged from the voting process, which produced a total of 1,926, 495 valid votes.
Two teams that emerged from each zone will face each other in a knockout match to produce the team that will represent the zone in the main tournament.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoWe Are Elevated Through Plethora Of Projects —- Obagi HCDT Board … As Senator Attributes Success To PIA
-
Business3 days agoNCAA Certifies Elin Group Aircraft Maintenance
-
Sports17 hours ago
CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance
-
Maritime3 days agoCustoms To Scan 200 Containers Per Hour At Apapa Port
-
Rivers3 days ago
ECOWAS Parliament Adopts AI In Lawmaking
-
News3 days agoNIGERIA AT 65: FUBARA HARPS ON UNITY, PEACE
-
Opinion3 days ago184 Days of the Locust in Rivers State
-
News3 days agoFG moves to avert fuel supply crisis, promises stability