Sports
Giwa Increases Sharks’ Woes In Abuja
Shuaibu Ibrahim has in
Abuja scored a brace to hand Giwa Football Club of Jos a vital 2-1 win against Sharks FC of Port Harcourt.
The match was a 2013/2014 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) rescheduled Week 33 match.
The game was rescheduled after Giwa FC was found guilty of failing to control their fans on October 16.
The fans had seen the match officials beaten up and a Sharks player injured at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.
As a result, Giwa FC were ordered to play their next three home matches in Abuja and ordered to pay the sum of N200,000 to the assaulted centre referee, Samuel Akinwale.
In the rescheduled match at the FIFA Goal Project pitch, Sharks FC started the game on the front foot and they created a lot of scoring opportunities.
Salawu Ibrahim could have put Sharks ahead as early as in the 7th minute.
But he squandered the chance, with the Giwa FC goalkeeper, James Aiyeyemi, left stranded and an empty post at his mercy.
Fortune Omoniwari also wasted another lovely goalscoring opportunity in the 15th minute as his shot struck the post with only Aiyeyemi to beat.
Sharks were then left to rue their chances when a lovely cross from the left met Ibrahim of Giwa FC who wasted no time to stab home from close range in the 39th minute.
Omoniwari made up for his earlier miss after he scored through a powerful header for the equaliser, with barely three minutes later.
Ibrahim however got his brace and the winning goal for Giwa FC in the 60th minute with a clever chip which left Sharks FC goalkeeper dumbfounded.
Sharks FC had a rare opportunity to at least get a point from the game in the 90th minute, but it was another wasteful effort from Stowe Thompson.
Aminu Musa, the coach of Giwa FC, however told newsmen that his charges ably deserved their hard-earned victory against Sharks.
“We played as if we were playing on our home ground. Indeed the feeling of playing here today (Wednesday) was like playing home away from home,’’ he said.
The coach said they were looking forward to their next game against Nasarawa United after the League Management Company (LMC) ordered the two clubs to replay the game on Thursday.
“Our boys are not scared of Nasarawa United and by the grace of God we will get the deserved result to secure our continental ticket,’’ he said.
The Head Coach of Sharks FC, Gbenga Ogunbote, on his part said the result was not good for his side’s continental ambitions.
“Sometimes you cannot explain when you lose such a game, but my boys did their best under the condition which they played.
“You are aware that the team had been on strike for about eight days without training due to the non-payment of their allowances.
“This result may not be too good for us, but sometimes the situation cannot be helped,’’ he said.
Sharks are currently placed 11th on the NPFL log with 53 points from 37 matches, while Giwa FC are 9th with 54 points from 36 games.
Sharks FC in one of their Premier League games
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.