Sports
Kada Stars Consolidate Top Spot In Hockey League
Kada Stars of Kaduna last Wednesday consolidated on their top position at the ongoing National Hockey Super League in Abuja as they held defending champions Niger Flickers to a 1-1 draw.
Tidesports source reports that the league which flicked off on August 25 at the Asro-turf pitch of Package B National Stadium is expected to end tomorrow.
The Star game of match day five saw the defending champions, Niger Flickers come into the game desperately needing a win to stake their claim as top spot contenders, while Kada Stars looked to consolidate their lead as table toppers.
The Kaduna boys who could have slipped off from the top position had they lost to the defending champions opened the scoring in the 50th minute of the clash.
This was through a lovely field goal scored by Kelvin Linus after an intense 49 minutes of battle against the defending champions.
The three-time champions who lost to Stallions of Lagos by a lone goal on Tuesday however got a much needed late equalizer through Aliyu Idris in the 54th minute.
The goal ensured that the spoils were shared as Niger Flickers did not suffer back-to-back loses for the first time in the league.
The draw meant that Kada Stars consolidated on their position at the top of the log with just two games to the classification games.
In other games played last Wednesday, Yobe Desert Rollers beat Delta Force 2-1 thanks to goals from Bala Husseni and Adamu Sadiq.
Yobe Desert Rollers opened the scoring in the 9th minute through Husseni but Bernard Wilson powered Delta Force back in the 28th minute of the game.
The Yobe club side however got the winning goal through Sadiq in the 54th minute.
Sikiru Salawu scored all three goals in Stallions’ 3-2 scrappy win against IGP Flickers.
Salawu scored his first-two goals in the 15th and 32nd minutes before Awasa Augustine pulled one back in the 35th minute from a well converted penalty corner.
Salawu completed his hat-trick when he stepped up to convert a penalty stroke awarded after Ezekiel Faluyi was brought down by IGP Flickers goalie.
Bala Emmanuel reduced the deficit in the 51st minute to ensure the game ended with supporters of both teams on the edge of their seats.
The Stallions however looked like a shadow of the side that put up an excellent performance against defending champions Niger Flickers on match day four as they were unimpressive against IGP Flickers.
In the last game of the day, Police Machine beat 3-2 Nasarawa Flickers.
With just two precise passes, Police Machine went in front as Tosin Adekeye scooped a ball from 50 yards out which found Mohammed Inuwa who drove in and finished with aplomb.
Two minutes after he scored his first goal, Mohammed Inuwa scored his second in the 16 minutes but Nasarawa Flickers pulled one back in the 19th minute through Usman Mustapha.
Inuwa completed his hat-trick when he scored again in the 37th minute from a penalty corner.
Nasarawa Flickers refused to go down without a fight as they reduced the deficit in 56th minute through Godwin Sunday from a penalty corner.
Tidesports source also reports that the win catapulted Police Machine into the second position on the eight team log with 11 points, two behind table toppers Kada Stars.
Defending champions, Niger Flickers are third with 10 points, while Stallions are fourth with nine points.
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,”
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.
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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