Sports
NPL: Pillars Keep Pressure On Rangers
Kano Pillars moved level on 58 points with Rangers at the top of the Nigeria Premier League at the last weekend.
Pillars claimed a 2-1 win over Dolphins while Rangers were going down 0-1 to arch rivals 3SC in Ibadan, but the Flying Antelopes keep hold of top spot by virtue of a superior goals difference.
Mustapha Musa put Pillars in front after 34 minutes. Emem Edok found parity for Dolphins three minutes into the second half, before Pillars’ highest goal scorer, Gambo Mohammed secured the points just shy of the hour mark.
Mohammed’s goal takes his tally to 12 for the season.
Pillars and Rangers are now both on 58 points but the Flying Antelopes maintain the top spot on a goal difference.
In the big game of the weekend, Rangers travelled to Ibadan to confront age-long rivals 3SC in front of a full house at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
But they were turned back empty-handed. Moses Ogaga’s goal after 26 minute goal proved sufficient to hand the Oluyole Warriors all three points.
The result caps a remarkable revival for 3SC, moving them within five points of the leaders, in a season where they found themselves contemplating life in the drop zone early in the campaign.
Lobi’s late push for the title gathered pace with a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes, taking them to 57 points, just one point behind Rangers and Pillars, with a game in hand.
A thrilling, if goalless first half was followed by two goals in the second. Goalkeeper John Lawrence put away a penalty 10 minutes after the break, and substitute Blessing Okardi made sure on 72 minutes.
In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists beat Gombe United 3-1 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium.
Wikki were in front as early as three minutes through Bilya Mohammed, but had to wait another 52 minutes for Ikechukwu Ikembri to add the second. Austin Ufoma reduced the arrears for Gombe in the 88th minute, but Wale Amusa snuffed out any hopes of a comeback on the stroke of time.
In Port Harcourt, Sharks advanced their continental ambitions with a 2-0 win over Heartland.
Amakiri George tapped in after good work from Nigeria international Juwon Oshaniwa.
ThankGod Amaefule tucked away a disputed penalty on the hour mark to seal victory.
Sunshine Stars got a shock 2-1 away win at Warri Wolves in a match played behind closed doors.
Goals from Dayo Ojo and Izu Azuka ensured the CAF Champions League campaigners took an unassailable lead.
Gift Atulewa converted a penalty for Warri Wolves, but the home side could not salvage the situation. The win lifts Sunshine to fifth place with 52 points, and a game in hand.
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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