Sports
CAFCC: Dadje Sends El Kanemi Home
One of the four Nigerian clubs playing on the continent, El-Kanemi , on Saturday crashed out following a 2-1 defeat in CAF Confederation Cup away at Dadje FC of Benin Republic at General Mathieu Kerekou Stadium in Cotonou.
The win came barely two months after the Benin Republic recorded their first-ever defeat of the Nigerian senior national football team, Super Eagles, in the World Cup qualifying round of matches.
The second leg result was 2-1 thus giving the Beninoise a 3-2 aggregate victory. El Kanemi played out a 1-1 scoreline last week at their adopted home in Ikenne. The Maiduguri side will play no more part on the continent and will now focus on domestic football which will commence next weekend.
Meanwhile, Nigerian football fans are now focused on Rabat in Morocco when NPFL runner-up, Remo Stars of Ikenne, will play AS FAR 9:00 pm Nigerian time today in the return leg of the CAF Champions League.
The Nigeria team carried a slim 2-1 goal advantage into the crucial match and will attempt to do what many Nigerian club sides have not been able to do in that North African city.
The task is heavy, but not mission impossible. Of the five Nigerian clubs that have had confrontations with AS FAR, only the former Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland) ever prevailed.
In the semi-finals of the old-styled Champions League edition of 1988, the Nigerian side won 5-3 on penalties after a 4-4 aggregate score.
Also in the 2009 Champions League,Iwuanyanwu Nationale ousted the Moroccans after winning 3-1 at home and forcing a 1-1 draw in Rabat in the second round of the competition.
Before then, AS FAR eliminated Stationery Stores in the quarter-finals of the 1968 edition. The game went through three legs
Stores won the first leg 1-0 in Lagos but lost the return match in Rabat 2-1. The away goal rule was not in operation at the time.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Tompolo’s Visit To Bayelsa Bothers Coalition … As Stakeholders Want Security Checks
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoMonarchs Task FG On Host Communities’ Welfare ………As PINL Targets 2000 Women For Empowerment
-
Opinion4 days agoDon’t Kill Tam David-West
-
Business4 days ago“W’Bank To Invest $14bn In Agric Transformation
-
News4 days agoNECO Opens UK Exam Centre For Nigerians In Diaspora
-
City Crime4 days ago
RSG Ready For 2030 Digital Transformation
-
Opinion4 days agoA Renewing Optimism For Naira
-
Business4 days agoFG Fixes Uniform Prices for Housing Units Nationwide, Approves N12.5m For 3-bedroom Bungalow ……..Says Move To Enhance Affordability, Ensures Fairness