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
We respect Nigeria, but names alone don’t Play Football, says Guinea Bissau Captain Nogueira

Jorge Nogueira, Captain of Guinea Bissau, says his team had a lot of respect for Nigeria, but did not allow the ‘big names’ in the Super Eagles’ squad intimidate them on the pitch.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau on Friday stunned the Super Eagles 1-0 in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Nogueira told newsmen during a post-match conference that in as much as his team respects the Super Eagles, they went into the game with the mentally that names don’t play football.
“First and foremost, I will like to dedicate this victory to the good people of Guinea Bissau.
“We respect all Nigerian players, but the truth is that names don’t play on the pitch.
“So, they (Super Eagles) tried to do everything to break the will and spirit of our team as they created a lot of scoring opportunities, but our defence was up to the task.
“We remained strong, resolute and were optimistic that we could cause an upset here in Abuja,” he said.
The captain added that the quality of the pitch complicated issues for his team as it was very tough to play on and curtail the incessant attacks from the Super Eagles.
NAN reports that the Wild Dogs play hosts to the Super Eagles in the reverse fixture of the qualifiers in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.
Guinea Bissau have Morocco as home venue for now as they do not have a Confederation of African Football (CAF)-approved playing turf.
They currently top Group A of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, with seven points from three matches, while Nigeria with six points, drop to the second position.
The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone are in third position with two points, while Sao Tome and Principe, with one point, sit at the bottom of the log. (NAN)
SPORTS
Amassiani Shows Promise, Qualifies for Two Semi-finals

By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Abuja-based young tennis star, Chukwudubem Amassiani, has emerged a kid on the block, as he swept through his round-robin groups in the Boys 12 and 14s to qualify for two semi-finals in the ongoing CBN Junior Tennis Championship in Lagos.
Amassiani, the 12 and Under champion on the junior circuit was given a chance to play up one age group, a strategy used by the International Tennis Academy, organisers of the tournament, to fast-track the development of the top juniors.
Amassiani will have for his opponent in the Boys 14s semifinals Seyi Ogunsakin who was also given a slot in the 16s but could not make it through the group stage.The winner of that match will play against the winner of the second semifinals between top seed David Edwards, just back from the African Junior Championships in Togo and Sulaimon Samod from the host club.
The Iorlumun sisters Eunice and Mary, who emerged top of their groups have been coincidentally drawn to meet in the semifinals of the Girls 16s. The other semifinal will feature Alice Paul from Ondo and Etioro Bassey from Akwa Ibom.
In the meantime, nine year-old Karina Opuene from Bayelsa has been the attraction of the Girls 12 event as she showed tremendous skill and determination to win two matches in her group – one of which was a decisive 6-0 thrashing of Barakat Ganiyu from Oyo State.
The tournament taking place at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club is scheduled to end on Saturday.
SPORTS
Iorlumun Sisters in Winning Start at CBN Junior Championships

By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Iorlumun sisters, Eunice and Mary, from Benue State, yesterday recorded impressive victories in the opening round robin matches at the CBN Junior Tennis Championship taking place at the prestigious Lagos Lawn Tennis club.
Playing in the Girls 16 event, Eunice, the older of the two, defeated Oyin Samuel from Lagos 6-2 while Mary overcame Alice Paul from Ondo state in a long drawn out one set decider, 6-4.
In other group matches, Wisdom Effiong from Akwa Ibom beat Adepesi Paul from Ekiti 6-2 and Seyi Ogunsakin overpowered Joseph Daniel to ensure they are on track for semifinal places in the Boys 14 event.
Other players who made wining starts were Roseline Nana from Lagos, who defeated Mofunfu Atitola from the host club 6-3, and Barakat Ganiyu from Lagos, who edged Karina Opuene from Bayelsa 6-0 in the Girls 12 event.
The International Tennis Academy organisers of the tournament said the round robin format ensured that players who have come from far and near play a minimum of three matches to deepen their match experience and hasten their progress in the game.The tournament which is featuring singles matches in boys and girls 16s, 14s and 12s is scheduled to end on Saturday with a grand finale starting at 12 noon and open to all-comers.