Sports
NPFL: Eguma Lowers Utd’s Target After Loss In Akure
Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma has now said he will be happy to clinch a ticket to play international football for the Port Harcourt club after they lost 1-0 at Sunshine Stars at the weekend.
“We must work hard and try to win the title or at the very least, get a ticket to represent Nigeria on the continent next season,” Eguma said after the match in Akure.
“It was a good game and we prepared very hard to win as a good result would have helped our position on the log.
“We have lost now and must look ahead because the league is getting tougher now.
The defeat left United in third place on the table with 44 points, three points behind Wikki Tourists and Enugu Rangers who have both played a game more (27 matches as opposed to 26 played by United).
Dele Olorundare produced a moment of magic, four minutes before half time, to shoot Sunshine Stars past Rivers United.
Sunshine Stars started on the front foot and should have scored at least twice in the opening 15 minutes.
Olorundare was however denied by the Rivers United goalkeeper in the seventh and 14th minutes as the hosts looked to gain the early initiative.
United did not have their first real goal attempt until the 21st minute, when the Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo saved unconventionally off an Onyekachi Okafor strike which was hit with venom from the edge of the box.
Sunshine Stars almost took the lead two minutes later through Wilfred Da who somehow managed to miss from six yards after being expertly set up by Joseph Abiodun.
The visitors then proceeded to give away a slew of free kicks to the hosts in quick succession and one of such moments of indiscretion cost them just before half time.
Olorundare showed he could hit a pin head from range when he fired in an unstoppable free kick from 35 yards that left Rotimi shell-shocked with just four minutes left in a frenetic first half.
The two sides traded chances in the opening ten minutes of a tense second half which got off to a flyer.
Obomate Frederick almost drew United level in the 53rd minute with a free kick that hit the side-netting, while Olorundare’s strike from outside the box flew just wide off Rotimi’s right hand post.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in a half lacking in genuine quality as the hosts held out for an extremely vital three points.
The implications of securing maximum points were not lost on the Sunshine Stars coach Solomon Ogbeide, who lavished praise on the vanquished opponents.
“We played a very good side. They are tactically very disciplined but we are also a very good side,” he said.
“They are where they are today on the table not by fluke but proved that they deserve to be there”.
Sunshine Stars move up one place to sixth with 39 points from 25 matches.
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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