Sports
Administrator Blames Shoddy Preparation For Nigeria’s Poor Olympic Outing
An astute football administrator in the State Mr. Williams Mapuibi Inko has attributed the cause of Nigerian contingents’ dismal performance at the just concluded Paris 2024 Olympics Games to poor preparations from the authorities concerned.
Baring his mind to our reporter via telephone conversation recently, Mapuibi Inko maintained that there was no magic Nigeria athletes would have performed that would have guaranteed her a medal from the event, considering her poor level of preparation to the event competing against notable World Sports beaters on Parade.
“Honestly, the Nigerian athletes had hardly had enough and regular track and field event preparation before the championship, coupled with poor organization among the overbloated officials who were only interested in what they would gain as individuals from the two weeks outing”
On whether it will be ideal to sack the Sports Minister John Enoh, following the woeful out of the Nigerian athletes at the concluded Olympic games, the Outspoken Mapuibi Inko, who is the President of Diobu International All Stars Sports Club says he has some little reservation for now.
“Perhaps, I will subscribe that some professional and seasoned Sports administrator should be engaged to work with the Sports Minister so that different good ideas would be brought together to prosecute another major competitive event to guarantee better result of winning laurels at the end of the day”, he submitted.
In a different development, Mapuibi Inko has encouraged members of the Diobu All Stars International Sports Club to affirm faith and continue to imbibe the spirt of oneness with a view to strengthening the team for effective outings.
“Speaking to our reporter after taking a critical assessment of the club so far, Mapuibi Inko stated that it was a clear fact that Diobu International All Stars is on the right path of progress, having seen the vision of the Club towards ensuring that it’s dreams of hitting it big in the comity of other All-Stars Football Club in near future is actualized”
He further, posited that the Club which had been the cynosure of all eyes in Diobu axis is making frantic effort to acquire all necessary sporting facilities, ranging from Jersey, footballs etc. to enhance their routine football trainings at St Andrews School Field, Mile one Diobu, Port Harcourt.
“Besides, we are also training very assiduously to ensure that we are physically fit and capable to engage in any competitive matches within and outside the state”
“Again, we are equally looking forward to establishing a good working relationship with the Basic Senior Secondary School management Board as to intimate them more of our vision and readiness towards encouraging grassroots sport development in Post-Secondary Schools in Rivers State, aimed at catching them young”
The amiable Diobu International All Stars Sports Club boss, however, expressed happiness with the current improved numerical strength of the team, which according to him, is in line with the good ideal and vision of the Club right from its formation stage.
Sports
Enekwechi wins Orlen Cup in season opener
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Sports
Simba open Nwabali talks
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Sports
Falconets, Senegalese Lionesses arrive Ibadan for qualifier
Oyo State is set to return to the continental football spotlight as it prepares to host Nigeria’s Falconets in a crucial 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal’s Lioness of Teranga.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government said the state was selected for the fixture following its successful hosting of a previous Falconets’ qualifier, further underlining its growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
In a statement on Monday Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, confirmed that preparations were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free match. She said the choice of Oyo State as host was a reflection of confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure, organisational competence and security architecture.
She recalled the emphatic victory recorded by the Falconets against Rwanda at the same venue last year, describing the match as a testament to the state’s readiness to stage major sporting events.
“The successful hosting of the Falconets against Rwanda showcased Oyo State’s world-class facilities and our capacity to organise international fixtures that meet global standards,” Adegoke said. “The Lekan Salami Stadium has continued to serve as a fortress for our national teams, and we are confident the Falconets will once again make the nation proud.”
Adegoke also disclosed that the Falconets are expected to arrive in Ibadan today ahead of the qualifier, to allow ample time for acclimatisation and final preparations. She added that the team would enjoy full logistical support from the state throughout their stay.
The Falconets, who reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Japan 14 years ago, will go into the last round of the qualifying series if they win this encounter, to confront the winner of the Guinea-Bissau/Malawi fixture, for one of Africa’s four tickets at the final tournament.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland, from September 5 to 27, 2026.
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