Sports
Manager Wants Hitch free Spires 5-Aside divisional qualifiers
After a highly successful tournament in Ikeja, which produced Wasola FC, Blood & Sand and Amsterdam FA as the qualified teams from the division, the Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament season 2 divisional qualifying train is set for its next stop in Ikorodu.
With eight accredited teams set to battle for the three available slots in the division, hostilities will get on the way by noon on Saturday (today) at Deeonis Football Court, Ota-Ona, Ikorodu.
In the fixtures slated for match-day one, Better Tomorrow ISA will lock horns against Marine Boyz in the opening match, while Diamond FC will file out against New Generation FC in the second game.
Action resumes again on Sunday, May 11. Orion & Leon FC will square up against Opopo Ona-Iwo Mimo FC, while Evagrine FC will hope to secure a win against Oladunjoye FC in the second match of the day.
The program manager of the Spires 5-Aside Tourney, Mr Akin Odunsi, said all arrangements have been completed to ensure a hitch-free tournament in Ikorodu.
We had a splendid event in Ikeja, and we hope to leverage on it as we envisage another successful tournament in the Oga division of Ikorodu.
“The football community in Ikorodu is very impressive and we are working closely with the divisional football association to create a coterie engagement and social interaction around the tournament before, during and after the matches,” Odunsi added.
Aside from securing a spot in the 16-team tournament, the first-placed teams in each of the divisional qualifiers will receive the sum of N500,000, the first runner-up will pocket N300,000, while the third-placed side will get the sum of N100,000 as prize money.
Sixteen teams across the five divisions in Lagos will compete in the 2025 Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tourney. Three teams will qualify from each division, as well as the overall best loser across the board.
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.”
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