Sports
NPL: Pillars Extend Lead On Table
Kano Pillars extended their lead
at the top of the Nigeria league table after playing out a 1-1 draw at FC Taraba on Wednesday.
Pillars now have 44 points from 26 games, three points clear of second-placed Nasarawa United, who were thrashed 3-0 by Crown.
Pillars took the lead in the 45th minute through Adamu Hassan for his 10th goal of the campaign.
The hosts had to wait till stoppage time to draw level through Usman Mohammed.
Rabiu Ali almost scored in the 33rd minute when his powerful shot was saved by Richard Ochaeyi in goal for Taraba.
In Port Harcourt, Chima Akas rescued coach Gbenga Ogunbote-led Sharks with a well-taken free kick goal that beat Super Eagles ace Chigozie Agbim in goal for Gombe United as Sharks scraped a 1-0 home win.
Akwa United deservedly claimed three points at the expense of an unimpressive Enyimba courtesy of a 1-0 home win.
Akwa were in control of the game at the Uyo Township Stadium for the better part, but poor finishing denied them of more than a goal.
Kufre Ebong tapped in a cross from the danger man Ezekiel Bassey in the concluding minutes of the first half for the match winner.
Rangers defeated Dolphins 2-1 to end the six-game unbeaten run of the Port Harcourt outfit also on Wednesday.
Rangers now have 34 points from 26 games, while Dolphins remain on 39 points.
League hotshot Osaguona Ighodaro broke the deadlock and put ’The Flying Antelopes in front in the 20th minute to take his goal to 14 in the league.
In the 63rd minute, Tijani Adamu equalised for Dolphin with a well-taken goal.
Christian Obiozor restored Rangers lead in the 72nd minute, when he fired in a rebound from the Chidi Edeh’s penalty which was saved by Austin Brown in Dolphins goal.
Frank Egharevba scored thrice to compound the woes of Nembe City as Bayelsa United won 3-1 in Benin City.
Bayelsa United now have 33 points from 26 games, while Nembe City remain at the bottom of the table with 24 points from 26 games.
Egharevba broke the deadlock in the concluding minutes of the first half.
He doubled the hosts’ lead in the 58th minute.
Substitute Timi Timi, who came in for Okpose Martins in the 53rd minute, scored Nembe City consolation goal in the 79th minute.
When Nembe City were battling to get an equaliser, Egharevba completed his hat-trick in the concluding minutes of the game to end it 3-1.
Relegation-threatened Crown FC trounced title chasers Nasarawa United 3-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Crown now have 28 points from 26 games, while Nasarawa remain on 41 points from 26 games.
Coach Mohammed Babaganaru-led side went to Ibadan with the hope of compounding the woes of hosts Crown FC, but met the unexpected as Crown were impressive as they look to brighten their chances to survive.
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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