Sports
Ganduje Appeals To Nigerians To Pray For Eagles
Ahead of today’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) cracker between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Palancas Negras of Angola at Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has called on Nigerians to rally support and pray for the victory of the Eagles.
He made the call yesterday, when he received members of the Amb. Moses Ebahor-led Local Organising Committee (LOC) of APC National Chairman Football Cup 2024 for Youth competition at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.
Expressing confidence in Super Eagles, Ganduje who said he has been monitoring the performance of the Super Eagles with keen interest, noted that the national squad has the wherewithal to emerge winners of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
He said: “Coincidentally since I am the grand patron of the supporters club, I am using my position to tell you that since the beginning of this Africa Cup nation, there is no match that I have not watched. I can tell you who is who in the team and also inform you tomorrow by 6 p.m Nigeria is playing against Angola.
“We know our defence is very strong because we have only conceded one goal. What we require is the middle, our forward is also fantastic.
“We will continue to pray so that we win our match against Angola tomorrow and then we move to the semi-final and in the semi-final I know the coast is clear already.”
He commended the organisers of the APC National Chairman Cup 2024 for Youths, describing the tournament as well thought out, adding that the competition aligned with the manifesto of the APC.
Ganduje said: “No doubt what you are doing in consonance with APC constitution. The backbone of any party is the youths and what you intend to do is for the youths.
“We are seriously planning to establish a youth wing secretariat, we have a women’s wing and a wing for the physically challenged. In each of these, we are trying to establish a secretariat so that activities will be put together to promote the party and manifesto of our party.
Sports
Nigeria To Host 2026 Golf AACT
Nigeria has won the bid to host the next edition of the prestigious All Africa Challenge Trophy in 2026.
The AACT is a biennial continental ladies’ golf championship in Africa that had its inaugural edition in May 1992 in Zimbabwe.
Nigeria hosted the AACT in 1996 at the Ikoyi Club 1938, while in 2010, the AACT was played at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, in Abuja.
This would be the third time Nigeria will be hosting the championship.
Interestingly, the West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy (a regional version of the championship) was held for the first time in Nigeria at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estates and Resort, Lagos, in 2023.
Evelyn Oyome, the President of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, who was the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the championship’s 16th edition in Morocco, said Nigeria emerged winner amongst the 20 countries that took part in the bidding process.
“Nigeria had earlier hosted the West, Central Africa Challenge Trophy in October last year at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort in Lagos, showcasing its outstanding golfing facilities, with no fewer than 10 countries participating.
“So, hosting that championship successfully last year gave us the edge amongst so many other countries that also bidded and winning was a huge victory for Nigeria,” she said.
Oyome revealed that the Federal Capital Territory would be the host city for the AACT 2026 edition, with no fewer than 30 countries expected to participate in the championship.
Sports
Musa, Shehu Ineligible For CHAN – Ilechukwu
Super Eagles B co-handler Fidelis Ilechukwu has revealed that Kano Pillars duo Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi were initially listed in the 30-man squad for the 2024 CHAN qualifiers double header clash against Ghana, but were dropped over their ineligibility.
Musa and Shehu, who made sensational returns to Kano Pillars this season, were conspicuously missing when the Nigeria Football Federation revealed the names of 30 Nigeria Premier Football League stars for the assignment.
The CHAN Eagles are currently camping in Ikenne, Ogun State. They will play the first leg of their encounter in Accra on Sunday, December 22 before returning to Uyo for the return leg on Saturday, December 28.
“I was told he (Musa) didn’t meet up with the conditions of playing in the CHAN tournament or qualifiers,” Ilechukwu told our correspondent.
“Ahmed Musa was on our list, there is no way we wouldn’t have included him in the list with his performances in the league but they told us to replace him due to eligibility.
When asked if the same applied to Shehu, the coach replied in the affirmative.
According to CAF regulations, only footballers playing in their country of birth are eligible.
While the above rule favours both Musa and Shehu, their participation was perhaps made difficult by another CAF regulation which says, “Only players with a permanent contract registered in a local club affiliated to their national association are eligible to participate in the African Nations Championship” – as both players are in the NPFL under the Elite Player Scheme.
According to section 9.91 of the NPFL Framework and Rules, “There shall be an Elite Player Scheme wherein each Club shall be allowed to register a maximum of two players who in the opinion of the NPFL will add value to the league.”
Sports
Nigeria Women Football League Set For Annual General Assembly
The Federal Capital Territory is set to host the 2024 Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
In a statement released yesterday, the Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, confirmed that all arrangements have been finalised for the AGA, which will take place at Fabino by Toprank Hotels, Abuja.
The AGA meeting promises to be a significant gathering in charting a way forward for the women’s football rising agenda and the women’s football leagues in Nigeria.
Key stakeholders, including board members and representatives of Premiership and Championship clubs, will review the successes and challenges of the outgone 2023/2024 season.
Notably, Edo Queens emerged champions of the NWFL Premiership for the first time, while Honey Badgers and Ibom Angels secured promotion to the Premiership from the NWFL Championship.
The AGM will also focus on sustaining the league’s growing credibility and improving operations while setting the calendar and start date for the 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership and Championship campaigns.
This pivotal meeting aims to further strengthen women’s football in Nigeria and lay the groundwork for the league’s continued growth.
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