SPORTS
CAF League:Sudan Holds Enyimba to Goalless Draw in Aba
Enyimba International Football Club of Aba were held to a disappointing goalless draw by 10-man Al- Hilal FC of Sudan in Sunday’s CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round first leg clash in Aba.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Peoples’ Elephant were dominant all through the duration of the match, but lacked the cutting edge on the final third.
Enyimba fired an early warning to Al-Hilal FC when Nelson Ogbonnaya planted his headed effort from Stanley Okorom’s free kick into the side netting just five minutes after the start.
The visitors heeded the warning and applied caution in their defensive approach, absorbing all that the hosts threw at them at the end of a one-sided first half.
Enyimba again came close to breaking the deadlock two minutes later when Okorom hit the side netting from a free kick almost on the same spot as the first.
Ghana import, Daniel Darkwa drifted up field and just when he was about getting a clear sight on goal, he was tripped by Abuaagla Named.
Enyimba’s centre-back, Ifeanyi Anaemena added his name to the list of those who missed scoring opportunities when he swept his glorious chance waywardly over the crossbar in the 12th minute.
This was after Onuwa Emeruwa’s sleek touch off Dimgba’s cross from the right.
On the quarter hour mark, Stanley Okorom stung the gloves of goalkeeper Salim Macoola with a rising strike from distance, but the shot stopper did well to push the ball away for a corner.
Five minutes later, Al- Hilal were reduced to 10 men with Nazar Nassr shown a straight red card for violent conduct, after the defender had stepped on Enyimba defender, Daniel Darkwa.
With the numerical advantage, Enyimba patiently worked and waited for the breakthrough as they encamped in their opponent’s territory and continued to pile countless pressure on Al Hilal’s defence.
Obi Damson had his effort parried by the goalkeeper in the 42nd minute and the ball came back gloriously for him, unfortunately his second bite at the cherry went wide off target.
For the first time in the game, the visitors sneaked behind Enyimba’s back line with Barnet Named getting to the byline, but his left foot effort was easily caught off by goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai.
Perhaps, the best chance of the half fell on Dimgba who found his way into the crowded Al-Hilal box.
He twisted and turned all the defenders who virtually got fixed on a spot but his shot towards the far post went wide to the consternation of the packed stands that included governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Both sides went into the break on equal terms.
The restart followed same pattern as the first with Enyimba in absolute control of the game but were unable to break down the visitor’s resolute defence.
Al-Hilal found an opportunity for a counter attack with Mohammed Darac firing a left foot drive that went marginally wide with Afelokhai fully stretched in the 51st minute.
In a frantic move to shore up his attack, coach Usman Abdallah substituted Obi Samson for Bashir Abdulrahman and Martins Usule for Onuwa Emeruwa.
The move almost paid off as Abdulrahman came close to finding the back of the net with a fierce strike from close range, but the goalkeeper reacted brilliantly, pushing the ball for a corner.
With seven minutes remaining on the clock, Stanley Dimgba fired a ferocious shot from the edge of the box but Macoola went down early enough to gather.
Al-Hilal displayed tremendous composure, organisation and confidence as they repelled every Enyimba offensive till the final whistle.
The Peoples’ Elephant will travel to Sudan on September 29, for the return leg. (NAN)
The Nigerian team on Wednesday in the Dominican Republic defeated their New Zealand counterparts 4-1 in their opening match at the 2024 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Report says that, in the match played at the Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, the Flamingos were outstanding in recording their first victory.
Shakirat Moshood opened scoring in the second minute of the game, before Taiwo Adegoke doubled the lead in the 13th minute to give the team a good advantage.
Faridat Abdulwahab scored the third goal in the 28th minute to take the game beyond their opponents by the end of the first half of the match.
The New Zealand girls fought back but they could not convert any of their goal scoring chances before the end of the first half.
On resumption of the second half, the Flamingos continued to dominate the game and Taiwo Afolabi duly scored the fourth goal in the 55th minute.
Hannah Saxon went on to score New Zealand’s only goal in the 60th minute to make the final scores 4-1.
The Flamingos will now in their next game on Saturday face Ecuador, who beat host nation Dominican Republic 2-0 later on Wednesday.
Nigeria will end their Group A campaign on Tuesday when they take on the host nation at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo.
Report says that Nigeria have participated in every edition of the competition, finishing in the semi-finals in the last edition at India in 2022.
That was the closest they have ever got to winning the competition.
Report says that 16 teams from six confederations are participating in the ongoing 2024 edition which began on Wednesday and is expected to end on Nov. 3.(NAN)
Kellyrae of the former Doublekay duo in the Big Brother Naija “No Loose Guard” season has emerged winner of the show.
He was announced winner by host of the show, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, during the grand finale of the show on Sunday night in Lagos.
The winner was presented with N60 million cash prize and a new SUV.
Kellyrae, a 33-year-old professional singer from Delta, who came into the show with his wife, Kassia, is a graduate of Delta State University.
The eight housemates who made it to the finals are Kellyrae, Sooj, Anita, Nelly, Onyeka, Wanni, Victoria and Ozee.
Sooj, the first finalist to be evicted , said “I am thankful for the journey so far, I feel like a winner and a champion regardless of the situation; I am coming for any and everything; I’m taking the world by storm.
”This was followed by Anita, a model, who expressed her desire to be engaged on the international runway.
She said, “I am excited and grateful right now, I wanted to win the prize but I am here till the last day; I am happy. I will be taking my modelling business to the next level.”
Ozee said: “It’s not about the final winner but the fact that I made it to the end. This platform is like a social experiment where I have learnt about myself. I have a lot am working on. Just look out for me, this is just the beginning.”
Nelly, who got auditioned nine times before her final success to the show, said, “I am very happy. I will be growing my restaurant brand. You people should expect something big. I can’t wait to work with all the brands that love me.”
Victoria, the fifth finalist to leave the house, said she would be going back to her business as a travel consultant and would remain open to more collaborations from brands.
For Onyeka, she spoke on her interest in singing, dancing, acting and directing.
The reality television show began July 28 with 28 housemates.
The show witnessed lots of twists, drama, controversies, steeze and romance, as the housemates came in pairs of 14.
The pairs are: Chekas, Zinwe, Mbadiwe twins, WanniXHandi, Aces, Nelita, Double Kay, Shatoria, Radicals, Floruish, Tami, Ndinne, Beta and Streeze.(NAN)
The Board of Lobi Stars FC has appointed former Super Eagles coach, Daniel Amokachi, as the new Technical Adviser of the club.
This is contained in a statement issued by the club’s Head of Media, Mr Emmanuel Uja, on Sunday in Makurdi.
Amokachi’s appointment takes immediate effect, as the club sought to revitalise its strategy and improve performance.
Uja stated that all the backroom staff had been relieved of their duties and instructed to reapply if they wished to continue with the club.
He said that they were directed to hand over all the club’s property in their possessions to the club’s Secretary, immediately.
Uja explained that the club’s former Coach, Eugene Agagbe, had been relieved of his appointment as Chief Coach with immediate effect.
“This decision follows the board’s review of Agagbe’s failure to meet a five-match win target, managing only one victory while losing three,” Uja said. (NAN)
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