Sports
Nigeria Can Raise Six National Teams – Hart
The President of Goldashe United Football Club of Port Harcourt, Mr. Fubara Kingsley Hart has said that prospects exist for Nigeria to raise six formidable national football teams that could compete favourably against the leading soccer nations of the world.
Reacting to last week’s international friendly against Venezuela in which the Eagles ran away with a 3-1 win, the Goldashe administrator praised the boys for beating the South Americans but noted that friendlies and qualifiers differed from what transpired at the finals proper.
He charged Coach Stephen Keshi to seriously work on the weaknesses of the boys while also strategising on the strong points.
On the chances of Eagle making it to the 2016 World Cup in Rio Dejenairo, Brazil, Fubara Kingsley Hart said any debate on the issue was uncalled for.
“I think Nigeria currently parades a team that has the capacity and capability to beat any team any day,” he declared, stating that what was of paramount importance now was to have a good outing in South Africa and possibly winning the Nations Cup.
Mr. Fubara Kingsley Hart said: “The Super Eagles have improved tremendously and with the renewed confidence in some of the players like the Chelsea duo of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, I see a team that will do well in South Africa.”
The Goldashe chief also charged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) not to lose sleep over Super Eagles World Cup qualification tasks but to do thorough research and put their house in order.
He argued that Nigeria’s problem was not the absence of good footballers but the inability to fish out the abundant talents which are scattered all over the world.
“We should take maximum advantage of our huge population and do thorough combing to fish out the abundance of soccer talents within and abroad.
“Rivers State alone is capable of producing a squad for the national team, not to talk of the South-South, South-East and the rest of the six geo-political zones.
“Properly harnessed, each of the zones can raise a formidable national team that can represent Nigeria in the World Cup,” he stated.
Taking a retrospective look at the country’s paralympians which excelled above their ‘able’ counterparts at the last London meet, Mr. Fubara Kingsley Hart described the athletes as ‘heroes’ and carpeted the NSC for paying little or no attention to other sports other than football.
“The feat achieved by these paralympians serve as lesson that Nigeria should not cast all her eggs in one basket. Now that our ‘disable’ athletes has brought us glory by removing the shame inflicted on us by the ‘able’ athletes, let’s go back to the drawing board and overhaul the entire sports sector.
“We have good swimmers and canoe paddlers in the Niger Delta. We have great horse riders among the Fulani in the north. With the right training, equipment and exposure to international competitions, Nigeria can produce athletes that can make impact come Rio 2016,” the amiable Goldashe boss said.
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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