SPORTS
First Lady to Host Super Falcons Ahead of FIFA WWC
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, alongside top government functionaries will attend the send forth dinner of the Super Falcons ahead of the team’s departure for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The FIFA Women World Cup is scheduled to take place over a period of one month, starting from July 20 to Aug.
20.In a statement by Ademola Olajire, Head of Communications of the NFF on Thursday, noted that the dinner, organised by the country’s football body will hold on Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
“We are expecting the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ismaila Abubakar as well as other top sports officials.
“A good number of the team as well as technical and administrative officials are expected alongside the rank and file of the NFF led by the President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi.
“The event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel will also attract corporate chieftains, members of the diplomatic corps and a range of football stakeholders.
“On Sunday, the nine-time African champions will depart the shores of Nigeria for a 15-day camping programme in Australia, before they enter into camp for the tournament beginning from July 20 to Aug. 20,” Olajire noted.
Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Canada, at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, on July 21 before clashes Australia and Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31 respectively, at the Lang Park in Brisbane.
Australia and New Zealand 2023 will be the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, as it welcomes 32 teams – same number as featured in the men’s finals in Qatar last year.
It is also the first to be hosted by two countries, and the first-ever FIFA senior competition to be hosted by two countries in two different confederations: Australia in the Asian confederation while New Zealand in Oceania.
Nigeria’s captain Onome Ebi will be one of the oldest players at the tournament, at 40, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair.
The three women will be featuring in their sixth FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.
According to the NFF, 24 hours before the Send-Forth at the Transcorp Hilton, the Australian High Commission, will host the Falcons to a dinner, courtesy of the Ag. High Commissioner, Her Excellency Leanne Johnston.
Super Falcons are in the Group ‘B’ alongside Australia, Canada and Republic of Ireland.
Nigeria has previously played the Canadian and Australian women’s national teams at the FIFA World Cup.
The Canadians have been unable to defeat Nigeria at the World Cup, drawing 3-3 in 1995 and losing 1-0 in 2011.
Nigeria’s meeting with Australia at the FIFA World Cup in 2015 ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of the Australians. (NAN)
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)