SPORTS
LAFA Elections: I Was Ready to Wait for Next 4 Years – Gafar
…Says ’23 on the Radar
By Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
The owner of 36 Lions FC of Lagos state and former member of the Lagos State Football Association (LAFA) Board, Liameed Gafar has disclosed that there was no reason for the re-elected Chairman o the Association Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi to have allowed a contest between them if he had taken into considerations the support he (Akinwunmi) received from him while on the board.
He told DAILY ASSETSports in an exclusive chat at the glasshouse headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday that he was ready to wait for the next four years till the incumbent serves out the four years tenure by 2023.
“I was ready to wait for the next four years till barrister serves out this tenure. There was no reason for him to have allowed me to purchase form in the first place. He did not want to reach a compromise with me because he is already planning to hand over to somebody in 2023 but we are watching.
“Sincerely speaking, I supported his programmes effectively and was loyal to him but unfortunately when I met him to discuss my ambition for 2023 he was not ready to make a promise because he wants Alhaji Tade Azeez to take over from him but we are watching keenly.”
The second tier league football club owner disclosed to DAILY ASSETSports that he has what it takes to take football administration in the state to the next level and maintained that he has contributed immensely to football in the country and still contributing because football is part of his life.
He noted that the contest in the last election was a pointer to what would happen in the next election insisting that he will not joke with the desire to prove to the football loving people of Lagos state who believe in him that he is capable of piloting the affairs of the state’s football and even take it to a greater height.
He maintained that though he was very loyal member on the board he was not running to the Chairman assistance but when he felt it was right for him to discuss with the Chairman on the next election, the chairman disappointed him which was the reason he contested against him in the last election.
“We are not perturbed about the next election and who would be the next chairman. It is not and will not be based on their plan. We are keenly watching and we will not succumb to their antics because we know it all and will certainly resist them.”
Gafar stretched out the election where he almost defeated the incumbent and he is yet to believe that the result of the election was the true reflection of people’s mind.
SPORTS
2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos Smash New Zealand 4-1
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)
SPORTS
Kellyrae Wins BBNaija “No Loose Guard” Season
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)
SPORTS
Lobi Stars Appoint Amokachi as Technical Adviser
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)