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Nasarawa United Appoints New Technical Adviser

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Nasarawa United Football Club has officially unveiled Coach Mangut Mbwas Ayuba as its new Technical Adviser on a two-year contract, ahead of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

The announcement, made on Wednesday during a brief ceremony at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in Lafia, marks a new chapter for the Solid Miners as they look to build on their performance from last season.

Mbwas takes over from Coach Salisu Yusuf, who parted ways with the club by mutual agreement and has since taken up a new coaching role in the Republic of Benin. Yusuf was credited with helping Nasarawa United avoid relegation during the just-concluded season.

A seasoned tactician, the 47-year-old Mbwas hails from Plateau State and brings a wealth of experience, having managed top-tier clubs such as Heartland FC of Owerri, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, and Enugu Rangers. He holds a CAF B coaching licence and recently led Plateau United to a 7th-place finish in the NPFL.

Club Chairman, Mr Solomon Babanjah, expressed confidence in the new coach’s ability to take the club to greater heights.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Mangut Mbwas, who is one of the finest coaches in the country, into the Nasarawa United family,” Babanjah stated. “His appointment marks the beginning of a fresh chapter as we aim for improved performance and possibly a continental ticket this season. His coaching philosophy aligns with the club’s long-term vision.”

Babanjah also extended appreciation to Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, for his continued support to the team. He thanked Deputy Governor Dr Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, for their steadfast contributions to the growth of football in the state.

Also speaking, Coach Mangut Mbwas expressed delight over the appointment and promised to justify the confidence reposed in him.

“I am aware that many qualified coaches applied for this job, so I feel privileged to be chosen,” Mbwas said. “We have strategic plans in place, and we intend to act differently this season to achieve the desired results. The support from government and stakeholders gives me assurance that success is within reach.”

He added that his goal is to return Nasarawa United to continental football and hinted at fortifying the team with a few exceptional players to improve competitiveness.

Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, described the appointment as timely and strategic.

“Our club is making history today with the unveiling of a technically sound and globally experienced coach,” he said. “We did our research before presenting his name to our sports-loving Governor, who gave his approval.”

The commissioner assured Coach Mbwas of the ministry’s full support, emphasising that the government had already provided necessary logistics, including accommodation and an official vehicle.

“We will not interfere with your technical duties,” Kwanta noted. “You have the liberty to recruit players from anywhere in the world to improve the squad.”

Others present at the unveiling ceremony included the Director of Sports, Mallam Ubah Musa; Chairman of Nasarawa State Football Association, Mr Salisu Galadima; Board Members of Nasarawa United FC; members of the club’s coaching crew; and representatives of the supporters’ club.

Nasarawa United is currently participating in the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-Season Cup in Lafia. The team is set to begin their 2025/26 NPFL campaign with an away fixture against Niger Tornadoes on Sunday, August 24, in Minna—Coach Mbwas’s first official test in charge of the Solid Miners.

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Amusan places third in Diamond League opener

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World record holder Tobi Amusan finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles as the 2026 Diamond League season opened in Shanghai on Saturday, Tidesports source reports.

The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.

Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.

Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.

Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.

The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.

Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.

Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.

Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.

“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”

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Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will face Senegal in a double-header international friendly during the June FIFA women’s international window as the African champions step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Tidesports source reports. 

The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.

The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.

“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.

“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”

The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.

With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.

The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.

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Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye

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The organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have announced the appointment of Dr Adebukola Bojuwoye as the head of the medical unit for the 11th edition of the prestigious event, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.

As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.

His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.

In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.

It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.

Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.

Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.

We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.

Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.

It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.

The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.

The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.

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