Sports
PH To Host Super Falcons, Dream Team Matches
Rivers State capital, Port
Harcourt has been chosen by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to host the first leg tie of the 2016 Olympic Games qualifying fixture between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea which will come up on July 18, and the Africa Under -23 championship final round first leg match between Nigerian’s U-23 team, Dream Team VI and their Congolese counterparts on July 19,2015.
Already, Tidesports has learnt that in a bid to ensure successful hosting of the national teams, the Rivers State govenernment is scheduled to inaugurate teams matches in the city.
The 11-man committee has former Commissioner for Sports, Hon Boma Iyaye as chairman and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports as Secretary.
Members of the committee include Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka (MON), ex-player, Albert Chinwo, ex-internationals, Mercy Akide-Udoh and Eddy Mark. Others include, Nigeria Football Federation Chairman, Rivers SWAN Chairman, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, and representatives of the police and State Security Services, respectively.
Following the withdrawal of Mali in the second round the Super Falcons now have two rounds of qualifying fixture to prosecute before qualification.
Qualification will see them in the Women’s Football Tournament of next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Nigerian girls have played at three previous Olympics – 2000,2004 and 2008.
The winner of the Dream Team / Congo fixture qualifiers for the African U-23 Championship coming up in Senegal in December.
The best three of the eight participating teams will be eligible to represent Africa at the Men’s Football Tournament of next year’s Olympic.
The fourth-placed team in Senegal will play-off against a team from Asia. Meanwhile, the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi has said that henceforth, the federation would decides international match venues well in advance. “This is in order to afford host cities enough time to work on the facilities to be used for such matches”, the General Secretary was quoted saying.
In line with the new policy, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna will host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Pharaohs of Egypt.
The (NFF) said the match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, 2016.
It however said officials have also confirmed that work would be undertaken on the stadium’s pitch, and a couple of other areas which need to be improved before the match.
Nigeria and Egypt share top spot on the Group G table of the qualifiers, with the Pharaohs ahead on a one-goal advantage.
They had whipped Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 3-0 in Cairo in penultimate weekend’s opening matches, a day after the Super Eagles beat Chad 2-0 in Kaduna.
The Eagles’ next match in the series is away to Tanzania in the first week of September, before the visit to the Pharaohs two weeks later.
Egypt has missed all last three AFCON finals, including the 2013 finals which Nigeria won in South Africa.
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
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,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
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.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
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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