Sports
Golden Eaglets Dazzle At Pepsi Tourney
The coach of Liberty Professional FC of Ghana, George Lamptey, has declared that the Golden Eaglets’ soccer artistry so far at the ongoing Pepsi Academy Football International Tournament in Abeokuta is enough to give them victory.
The Ghanaian coach, who described the U-17 players as “young beautiful players”, urged the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to ensure that the players were kept together and groomed into the U-20 national team.
“I have not seen any team that can match the boys’ (Eaglets) performance in this tournament and I must say kudos to their coach.
“Even though they are small in stature, they have been able to do what the big ones cannot do. I see them as tomorrow’s team for Nigeria,” he told newsmen in Abeokuta yesterday.
Lamptey, a pioneer player of Abiola Babes FC Abeokuta, said that if the boys were given the deserved attention and training, they would boost the country’s football.
On Monday, the Eaglets defeated the Liberty Professionals 1-0 in a match described by spectators as interesting. Aliu Aliu scored the only goal of the match in the 10th minute.
The Eaglets had in their Group B opening match on Sunday defeated Pepsi Football Academy II 3-2.
Eaglets coach Danladi Nasidi, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and attributed their victory to sheer determination.
He added that his boys won because they played to instruction and promised that their next match would be an “outright win”.
“They won the match because they were determined. The Ghanaians are older and bigger and more exposed but we won because we were determined,” he said.
In Group A, Riverlane FC of Enugu drew 2-2 with Pepsi Football Academy I with Seka Paul scoring an own goal in the 18th minute.
Earlier, Sia One FC of Abuja defeated Dimension de Formation of Benin 3-1 with Onoriode Esejabor, opening scoring for Sia One.
Sesugh Dennis scored a brace in the 40th and 59th minute to put the match beyond the Republic of Benin side. PFA I and BRF of Lagos drew 1-1 with Ajidahun Adebayo scoring in the 70th minute, while Ikechukwu Nwankwo of BRF equalised in the 55th minute.
The competition continued yesterday with an official opening ceremony of the tourney at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta and the Abeokuta Grammar School pitch.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
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