Sports
Green Falcons complete Ghana double ahead World Rugby Series
After a humbling 40-0 defeat in the first game on Tuesday, the Ghanaians were more resilient on Saturday and were delighted to keep the scoreline more respectable.
Nigeria got off the blocks as quickly as possible with a couple of tries in the opening stages, as the Ghanaians trailed 12-2 at halftime.
Ghana showed more intent in the second half and halved the deficit to 16-8.
The friendly encounter became more intense with some hits and fists between the players, but that was doused by a Nigerian try, Faustina Akeje, who took Nigeria’s tries to 20.
The Green Falcons added one more try to end the game at 24-8.
General Manager of the NRLA, Isah Lawal, said the results of the friendly games will reflect in the team’s tactics ahead of the World Series.
“We wanted to make this game more structured and more constructed, and them being able to score this time, we don’t see it as a negative, but now we know the areas to tighten up and make sure we are sharp at the tournament,” he said.
Chairman of the Nigeria Rugby League Association, Abiodun Cole, expressed confidence in the team’s ability ahead of the World Series.
“We have fantastic guys in Alaro City behind us, and we also have a lot of support from ex-players who are home and abroad. The team’s strategy involves combining local players with those based abroad to create a formidable squad.
“With faith in their abilities and God’s guidance, the team is looking forward to putting up a good show in Canada.”
The friendly matches offered the Green Falcons the opportunity to fine-tune their tactics ahead of a more significant test, their participation in the inaugural Rugby League World Series in Canada later this month.
Nigeria will compete against Ireland, Fiji, and hosts Canada for the final qualification spot at the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
ON finals, which will be staged in Morocco.
Benin Republic’s interim coach Abdoulaye Ouzérou has released the list of players who will represent the Cheetah Queens as they battle the reigning African champions for a place in the final qualifying round.
Ouzérou’s squad features a mix of experienced players and emerging talents drawn from both local and foreign clubs.
According to the Benin Football Federation, the team has been in camp for over a week, focusing on tactical discipline and physical conditioning to face the star-studded Nigerian side.
The Super Falcons are the defending champions after defeating Morocco in the last edition’s final, and will be aiming to continue their dominance on the continent.
Nigeria is expected to announce its final squad in the coming days, with head coach Justine Madugu likely to retain most of the players who featured in the last international window.
The two-legged encounter promises to be intense, as Benin seeks to pull off a major upset against one of Africa’s most successful women’s teams.
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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