SPORTS
Friendlies: Super Eagles Camp in Antalya Swells to 21 Players
The Super Eagles camp in Antalya has swelled to 21 players ahead of upcoming international friendlies in Turkey.
Six additional players arrived on Wednesday morning, boosting the squad after an initial wave of early arrivals on Tuesday.
Early arrivals include Fisayo Bashiru, Alex Iwobi, Emmanuel Oluwasegun, Yira Sor, Paul Onuachu and Philip Otele.
Others are Semi Ajayi, Moses Simon, Francis Uzoho, Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Also in camp are Frank Onyeka, Adebayo Adeleye, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke.
Raphael Onyedika, Igoh Ogbu, Maduka Okoye, Samuel Chukwueze and Zaidu Sanusi complete the 21-man list in camp.
The team is lodged at the Bellis Deluxe Hotel in Antalya, with training scheduled for 4 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigerian time) on Wednesday (yesterday).
Camp opened at noon on Tuesday with the arrival of coaches and team officials ahead of preparations.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, expressed delight at the growing numbers and positive atmosphere in camp.
“We are impressed with the players’ response and early arrivals. It reflects commitment and readiness for the task ahead.
“We expect a full camp soon, giving the coaches ample time to implement strategies,” Efoghe said.
He emphasised that the technical crew was keen on maximising the limited training sessions to build cohesion before the matches.
“Our priority is to blend the squad quickly and effectively. Every session now is crucial for our preparations,” Efoghe said.
Head Coach Eric Chelle had named Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Iwobi and Lookman, alongside 20 others for the friendlies.
The matches were moved from Amman to Antalya due to security concerns in the Middle East.
Nigeria will face Iran on Friday before taking on Jordan on March 31 in Antalya.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.
English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced yesterday.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently arm-wrestling Arsenal for the Premier League title, will take on Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1, spearheaded by their Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off the “Hong Kong Football Festival” at the city’s futuristic 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium.
The gleaming arena opened a year ago, featuring a roof that can be closed and air-conditioning to combat the fierce summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong.
Chelsea will play Juventus on Wednesday August 5 to round off the mini-tournament.
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