Category: Sports

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan-Enoh has urged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to start their qualifying campaign strong, to pick a ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the U.S, Mexico and Canada.

The minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja, ahead of the team’s opening home game against Lesotho on Thursday in Uyo, in the qualifying series.

The Eagles will thereafter lock horns with Zimbabwe on Sunday in match day two of the doubleheader qualifiers.

He stressed the need for the team to be ruthless, and avoid taking the same route that led to the heart breaking non-qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“The memory of losing out during the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.

“The team should avoid leaving their fate to permutations. We should bring out our best to pick the first six points in front of us,” he said.

Owan-Enoh expressed confidence in the team’s ability and highlighted the immense pride the nation holds for the Super Eagles

He urged the technical crew and the players to put their best foot forward in the two crucial games.

“I have complete faith in our talented squad. The Super Eagles have a rich history of success, and we believe they are fully capable of securing two wins in the upcoming matches.

“This is not just a football game; it is a representation of the spirit and resilience of the Nigerian people. I encourage our players to give their all on the field and make the nation proud,” he charged.

The minister also commended the coaching crew led by Jose peseiro and support personnel for their dedication and hard work in preparing the team.

“As the Minister of Sports Development, I want to assure the full support of the government.

“We will continue to invest in sports infrastructure, training facilities, and programs that nurture the talent of our young athletes,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles, three-time AFCON Champions will open their campaign against Lesotho in Uyo on Thursday, then face Zimbabwe away on Sunday.

NAN

 

 

The organizers of Nigeria’s longest-running football awards brand, Nigeria Pitch Awards, have commenced in earnest, preparations for the hosting of the 10th edition of the awards.

The Awards which made its debut in 2013 in Calabar, capital of Cross River State, has honoured hundreds of Nigerian footballers across 16 categories in the last decade.

Mr. Shina Philips, the President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, stated in Abuja on Monday that the Nigeria Pitch Awards had been consistent as a platform for recognizing and rewarding talent, industry and patriotism among footballers and other officials.

“The awards platform has created opportunities for footballers, football administrators, managers/coaches, referees, journalists and other critical stakeholders to get recognition and honour for their talent, hardwork and commitment to the development of the beautiful game.

“Since the maiden edition in 2013, we have given out over 170 awards to deserving players and officials at award ceremonies held in Calabar, Kaduna, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Lagos and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.”

 

Philips enthused about the diligence and sincerity that have imbued the Pitch Awards with its good name over the past 10 years: “We have laid down a voting system founded on our core principles of integrity, transparency and honesty. Despite the dearth of sponsors, we have continued to weather the storm in order to sustain our commitment to the ideals and principles behind the awards.”

 

The Nigeria Pitch Awards is an annual event which rewards the nation’s best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward, manager and Nigeria’s overall best men and women footballers. Other categories include the State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, Football-Friendly Governor, Sam Okwaraji Award for Commitment to Nigeria Football, Corporate Sponsor of Football Award and Football Journalist of the Year Awards for the best Print, TV, Radio and Online journalists.

 

Activities for the 10th edition of the Awards will kick off with a media parley on Monday, 13th November and Wednesday, 6th December in Lagos and Abuja respectively. Voting is scheduled to begin on 4th December 2023 and end on 12 January 2024. The 10th Award Ceremony will hold in March 2024.

 

PHOTO: Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun (right), with Super Eagles’ forward and King of the Pitch 2022 award winner Victor Osimhen (second right), AIG Aishatu Abubakar-Baju (second left) and Super Eagles’ head coach Jose Peseiro at last year’s Nigeria Pitch Awards’ ceremony in Abuja. (Flowerbudnews)

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, draw has been conducted

 

The draw was conducted at the brand-new Parc des Expositions, Abidjan, on Thursday.

 

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are placed in Group A alongside the host nation Ivory Coast.

The AFCON defending champions Senegal are in Group C alongside Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia.

 

The tournament will take place in January, 2024.

 

Here is the full draw:

Group A

Ivory Coast

Nigeria

Equatorial Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Group B

Egypt

Ghana

Cape Verde

Mozambique

 

Group C

Senegal

Cameroon

Guinea

Gambia

 

Group D

Algeria

Burkina Faso

Mauritania

Angola

Group E

Tunisia

Mali

South Africa

Namibia

 

Group F

Morocco

DR Congo

Zambia

Tanzania

By Olanrewaju Akojede

Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, has weighed-in on the controversy surrounding the Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, over the Tik Tok saga in Italy.

Okocha offered the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a forum of Veteran Clubs World Championship (VCWC) presentation in Lagos on Friday.

NAN reports that two controversial TikTok videos were recently posted on social media platforms by Napoli FC purportedly mocking the Nigerian striker over his penalty miss against Bologna.

Although it seems the clouds are settling over the matter with Napoli FC deleting the posts and offering some explanations on the controversial post, Okocha rose in defense of Osimhen advising him to weigh his options.

He also commended Osimhen for the strength he had shown by not letting the controversy to affect him and continuing with his business and productivity.

“The future is for Osimhen to decide, but I don’t think that his decision to leave Napoli FC should be based on the Tik Tok post alone; he should weigh his options.

“Osimhen should know what is best for him, whether to continue in Napoli or elsewhere seek a new challenge. I don’t think he should narrow his decision to a Tik Tok post,” he said.

Okocha further stated that as an accomplished footballer, nothing bothered him on what people thought he did not achieve during his active football career.

“I don’t I have any regrets about my career. I have surpassed everyone’s target, I never knew that I would get to the height which I got to; but I don’t want to be carried away or sound greedy.

“Yea, I would have achieved some other things, but some things are not meant to be. If I look at my general contributions to football, I have no regret at all,” he said.

On Nigeria’s participation at the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire, Okocha said Nigeria had what was required to be champions once again.

“Nigeria is not short of talents and we can never be short of talents. We have what it takes to do well at the 2024 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire.

“We also have what it takes to do well in any competition; so it is the same with the Nations Cup.

“I will love to see the Super Eagles do well, I believe that we have the right players and tools,” he said.

NAN

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Morocco hosts for the 2025 AFCON, while a joint bid from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania got the nod for the 2027 AFCON.

NAN reports that Morocco won the hosting right by garnering 22 votes, after Algeria, Zambia and a joint bid by Nigeria/Benin Republic withdrew before the voting.

At their voting  at the Cairo Marriott Hotel in Egypt on Wednesday, the Executive Committee of CAF announced the North Africans and East Africans as hosts for the 2025, 2027 editions respectively

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a joint bid by Nigeria and Benin Republic to host the 2025 or 2027 AFCON did not make the cut.

Nigeria hosted the competition in 1980 and co-hosted with Ghana in 2000.

NAN reports that Morocco won the hosting right by garnering 22 votes, after Algeria, Zambia withdrew before the voting.

CAF also unveiled the joint bid from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, as the winning bid for 2027 fiesta, after second round of voting.

Morocco will be hosting the AFCON for the second time, after it hosted in 1988 while Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be hosting for the first time.

NAN

Suspended Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales said Sunday he will resign from his post because of the scandal caused by his kiss on the lips of a Women’s World Cup player.

 

“I’m going to (resign), yes, because I cannot continue my work,” said Rubiales in an interview with television show “Piers Morgan Uncensored”.

Family and friends) say to me ‘Luis, you need to focus on your dignity and continue your life. If not you are going to damage people you love and the sport you love’.”

 

Rubiales, 46, sparked a worldwide backlash after forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony following Spain’s World Cup triumph in Sydney on August 20.

The chief was suspended by FIFA provisionally for 90 days, while Spanish public prosecutors filed a lawsuit against him for sexual assault and coercion earlier this week.

Hermoso, 33, had filed a complaint at the National Court on Tuesday, formally accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.

In an open letter published by Rubiales on Sunday night, he said he had informed the federation he was also stepping down as a vice-president of European football governing body UEFA.

“After the swift suspension carried out by FIFA, plus the rest of the procedures opened against me, it is evident that I will not be able to return to my position,” said Rubiales in the letter.

“Insisting on waiting and clinging to it is not going to contribute to anything positive, neither for the federation nor for Spanish football.

“Among other things, because there are powers that be that will prevent my return.

Rubiales, who insists the kiss was consensual, said he did not want Spanish football to be hurt by “such a disproportionate campaign” against him.

“I have faith in the truth and I will do everything in my power so that it prevails.”

 

Rubiales said his departure would contribute “stability” to the 2030 men’s World Cup bid in which Spain are involved.

 

The chief’s mother Angeles Bejar went on a hunger strike in protest against the treatment of her son, locking herself in a church on August 28.

 

However two days later she was taken to hospital because she was feeling unwell.

My daughters, my family and the people who love me have suffered from the effects of excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods,” added Rubiales in his letter.

 

“But it is also true that on the street, more and more every day, the truth is prevailing.”

 

– Strike –

Over 80 players went on strike from the women’s side in protest after Rubiales’ fierce defensive speech following the incident, in which he railed against “false feminism”.

 

They said they would not return until the leadership of the RFEF (Spanish football federation) was changed — controversial women’s coach Jorge Vilda was sacked on Tuesday.

 

The RFEF also apologised for the “totally unacceptable behaviour” of Rubiales.

Vilda’s former assistant Montserrat Tome is the new coach — it is the first time a woman has led the team.

 

Spain’s women’s team are due to play Nations League qualifying matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26 respectively.

 

Meanwhile Spanish prosecutors’ lawsuit against Rubiales will be analysed by a National Court judge.

 

If the judge accepts the request, a magistrate will be assigned to head an investigation which will end either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or be dismissed.

 

Under Spanish law, sexual assault includes a wide array of crimes from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different penalties.

The punishment for a non-consensual kiss can range from a fine to four years in prison.

 

Hermoso, who plays for Mexican club Pachuca, has said the unwanted kiss had left her feeling “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault”, with a statement on social media describing it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part”.

 

She has also accused Rubiales of pressuring her to speak out in his defence immediately after the scandal over the kiss erupted, which prosecutors said could be considered a crime of coercion.