SPORTS
Kaduna Sporting Facilities Excites Niger Commissioner, to Seek Replication
The Niger state Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Hon. Emmanuel Umar has expressed his delight at the ongoing construction of facilities at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, saying that state would seek to replicate such facilities.Umar, who was spotted at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, while taking a look at the tartan tracks, football field at the main bowl and other facilities, said his state would seek to replicate the facilities in Kaduna, and even possibly surpass them.
“I am here in Kaduna to see some of the sporting facilities and see how we can replicate and where possible surpass what is here in Niger State.” I am impressed by the ongoing construction and remodeling of the world-class sporting facilities in Kaduna State”, Umar told newsmen.He explained that the state Governor, Alhaji Sani Bello had mandated his ministry to take sports to greater heights, beyond mere participation in competitions, to become a thriving business for the state’s youth.“Niger is known for so many sports, like hockey, handball, basketball, football and many others, that are thriving in the state. Previous administrations ignored sports, but the coming on board of Gov. Sani Bello has made a difference.“We are not seeing sports as just games, but as big business, through which several youth can be empowered and earn a living,” he said.On the State’s performance at the last National Sports Festival (NSF), Edo 2020, held earlier this year, Umar said the state didn’t do badly, though there was still room for improvement.“In the last NSF, our outing on the medals table was 12 medals, we dominated wrestling, we got three gold medals in the sport. His Excellency has tasked us to start preparing for the next NSF,” he said.Ahead of the 2021 National Youth Games (NYG), in October, the commissioner said that Niger had already started preparing and would shock other states.“For NYG, I met with my team a few days ago, we are preparing and will commence camping soon, we will shock you guys,” he declared.On Niger Tornadoes, the state-owned football club, the commissioner said plans were on to pull it out of the woods, back to its prominence in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).“At a point, Niger Tornadoes were relegated. We are correcting the problems and would bounce back soon, and just as everyone is cheering Akwa United for a brilliant outing that led to their picking the league title, soon same would be said of Tornadoes,” he added. (NAN)
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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