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Emir of Bauchi Commends Iorfa, Says Ex-players Need Support to Administer Football
Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness, Suleiman Adamu (CFR) has commended the commitment of Lobi Stars FC Vice Chairman, Mr. Dominic Iorfa to the advancement of the club and Nigeria football in general.
The Emir, who stated this during a courtesy call on him by the former Nigerian international, said former players like Iorfa deserves encouragement of stakeholders to administer the game in the country.
“When Iorfa stepped away from his position the other time, I felt unhappy because those who had served the country with utmost dedication and commitment deserve every support and encouragement to administer the game in Nigeria,” he said.
the Bauchi monarch who has had over three decades relationship with Iorfa displayed his joy over Lobi Stars’ excellent performance in the current season under the leadership of the former Nigerian footballer.
Emir Adamu prayed for Lobi Stars to pick a continental ticket at the end of the ongoing NPFL Season.
Saying that he was happy to welcome his “very good” friend, Dominic Iorfa, and his delegation to his palace, the Emir noted that the Benue State government took a wise decision to bring him back to rescue Lobi Stars from relegation last season.
Also speaking, Iorfa recalled the good moments he has had with Emir Adamu whom he said had a great passion for the game of football beginning from his active days as an amateur player with Zagbai FC of Bauchi.
He said he was not surprised that even as he is occupying an exalted position, His Royal Highness is still enthusiastic about football and relating closely with people like him who rendered meritorious services to Nigeria in football.
“My cordial relationship with His Royal Highness started right from my days in BCC Lions. As a talented footballer himself, he was one of my ardent fans. Anytime we were in Bauchi for a league match, he was there to support me.
“It is, therefore not surprising to me that despite his high position as a first-class traditional ruler, he has maintained close contact with football. He has so many friends among football stakeholders and I am happy to be one of them. He is indeed a colleague for life.
“It is in view of the above that I deemed it necessary to pay homage on him for my share of royal blessings now that I have another opportunity to be in Bauchi,” the former Super Eagles striker said.
Lobi Stars currently lead in NPFL Group B by having 16 Points in the eight matches played so far. It won five, drawn one and lost only two away matches. Coming behind Lobi Stars is Abia Football Club with 13 points in the eight matches played so far.
The Super Eagles camp in Cairo has grown to 22 players with the arrival of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) international friendly match against Egypt.
News reports that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman and defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel reported to camp earlier on Monday at the Renaissance Hotel, joining a steadily increasing squad.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Igoh Ogbu and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi were also among the latest arrivals to bolster the team.
They linked up with early arrivals Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who had checked in on Sunday.
Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe said that 20 players participated in the team’s first training session held on Monday evening.
“Training went smoothly and the players showed good energy and commitment, which is encouraging at this stage of preparations,” Efoghe said.
Efoghe said that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Alebiosu arrived shortly after training, raising the number of players in camp to 22, with six more expected.
He said as part of preparations, the Super Eagles would play a friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.
“The friendly will help the technical crew assess team shape and readiness ahead of the AFCON challenge,” Efoghe said.
Nigeria, three-time champions, and seven-time winners Egypt will clash at 8 p.m. Egypt time (7 p.m. Nigeria time) in the build-up to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Efoghe confirmed that the team will depart Cairo for Féz on Thursday aboard a chartered flight to continue final preparations.
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title, following victories in 1980, 1994 and 2013, begins on Dec. 23 against Tanzania, under the theme “NAIJA 4 THE WIN.”
The Eagles will also face Tunisia on Dec. 27 and Uganda on Dec. 30 in Group C, with all matches scheduled for the Complexe Sportif de Féz.
Egypt, the only nation to win AFCON three consecutive times, will battle South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B, with matches holding in Agadir.
As anticipation builds for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football has released a list of items prohibited across all tournament stadiums.
According to the guidelines cited on CAF’s website on Monday, the rules are aimed at ensuring fan safety throughout the competition.
Fans attending AFCON 2025 matches in Morocco will be subjected to security screening.
They are advised not to bring prohibited items into stadiums to ensure safety, order and a smooth match-day experience.
Below is the list of items fans are advised to leave at home before entering AFCON stadiums:
Alcoholic beverages, Illegal substances and drugs, Weapons and sharp objects, Fireworks and pyrotechnics, Glass bottles or containers, Flammable materials, Racist, violent or discriminatory banners, Unauthorised political, religious or commercial signs, Drones and animals, Large umbrellas and oversized hats, Professional cameras and recording equipment, Musical instruments and loud horns, Radio-emitting devices (except mobile phones) and Heavy or large bags.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed that the team are still a work in progress following his expensive overhaul of the squad since last season.
The Spanish tactician made this known after the Citizens thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 in Sunday’s Premier League game.
In a chat with the club’s website, Guardiola stated that the team are in a better position than last season.
“Many things we have to improve.
Madrid gave me a lot of things, that still we are not ready, not in mentality but in how to approach certain games. They are young some of the players. But 3-0 here is a big statement for us.“When you win in the past, you believe the past was perfect, always brilliant, always the red carpet.
When we won with 100 points, all the things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today. The resilience was part of that.“There are moments that you struggle. Madrid was not the perfect game, but it was a step. We fought unbelievably to achieve that.
“We are in a better position than last season. We are close in the competitions we are in.”
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