SPORTS
Naija Super 8: Lobi Stars Beat Akwa United, Reach Semis
Lobi Stars FC yesterday defeated Akwa United FC, 2-0, in their last Group B encounter at the ongoing Naija Super 8 Football competition at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.
The victory made Lobi Stars topped their group and qualified for the semi-final as group winners.
The Makurdi side topped the group with seven points from three matches, while Akwa United finished second with six points.
Lobi Stars started the game knowing that a draw would be enough to qualify, while Akwa United had already booked a semi-final slot with two wins from two matches.
Fifteen minutes into the game, a cross from the right side found its way to Joseph Atule, who was left unmarked in the six yard box.
The winger chested the ball into an open net to give Lobi Stars the lead.
The winger doubled Lobi Stars’ lead eight minutes later after he was put through on goal to slot past the goalkeeper.
Atule’s movement proved difficult to handle for the Akwa United defence and he almost bagged a first half hat-trick when his left-footed shot narrowly missed the top corner.
Gift Elkanah produced a good save to deny Lobi Stars a third goal in the 42nd minute.
In spite of having less of the possession, Lobi Stars continued to fashion the best chances in the match.
Elkenah again denied the Makurdi side in the 55th minute with a fingertip save to parry Okoromi David’s looping shot over the bar.
In his post-match interview, Lobi Stars Coach, Bala Abubakar, said his team would be ready for any opponent in the semi-final.
“Lobi Stars is still a work in progress. We have changed the mentality of the players and our performance in this tournament shows we are on track.
“What Lobi Stars need is to have a style, character, adequate preparation for matches and winning mentality.
“That is why you are seeing a different Lobi Stars in this tournament. We will be ready to face any team that qualifies for the semi-finals,” Abubakar said.
After losing top spot in the group, Akwa United Coach, Fatai Osho, said the objective was to give room for other players to perform.
“We were torn between qualifying as group leaders or achieving our objective of giving players room to showcase what they can do.
“Now everybody in the team has played. The semi-finals will not be a tea party.
“It will be a lot of work and we will do our best,” Osho said
In the other group match, Rivers United beat Yobe Desert Stars 1-0 to take third spot in the group.
Kazie Enyinnaya scored the winning goal in the 25 minute of the match.
Rivers United finished the match with 10 men after one of their players received a red card in the 87th minute.
The other semi-final slot will be decided today when Sporting Lagos and Katsina United face each other in the final Group A match, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Katsina United currently sit atop the table on goal difference with four points from two games.
Sporting Lagos are second with four points from two matches.
Remo Stars are third with four points from three matches, while Enyimba was eliminated from the competition after losing two of their three matches.
Naija Super 8 is organised by Flykite Productions in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsored by MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi and Custodian Assurance. (NAN)
Nasarawa United Football Club of Lafia on Saturday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 1-0 in a pulsating North Central derby.
The matchday 16 fixture of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premiere Football League (NPFL) was played at the Lafia Township Stadium, Nasarawa State capital.
The Makurdi side had adopted the Lafia Township Stadium as their home ground for the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
The only goal of the match was scored by Qamar Adegoke in the 12th minute of the match to give all three points to the Lafia side.
Adegoke’s goal, who joined the Lafia team recently, was his second in four matches.
The Nasarawa attacker capitalised on a defensive error by the opponent’s backline and hit the back of the net to give Nasarawa United the advantage.
In a post-match interview, Kabir Dogo, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, hailed his players for taking all three points.
He explained that his team had improved by scoring five goals in their last three matches and expressed optimism that they would do better in subsequent games.
“We had a problem in the area of goal scoring in the past, but this has changed in our last three games,” he said.
With the win, Nasarawa United climbed to 14th on the NPFL table, while Lobi Stars remain on 17th position. (NAN)
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) is organising a two-day National Coaching Seminar, with the theme: “Leadership and Management Skills”.
The event will take place from Dec. 17 to Dec. 18, at the Additional Sports and Entertainment (ASEP) Pro Limited, in Mowe, Ogun State.
The seminar will enhance the capabilities of Nigerian table tennis coaches, with a particular emphasis on female coaches, aligning with the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) Initiative.
A statement issued by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, on Tuesday, said that the seminar was part of the one-week sports and leadership boot camp titled “Awaken the Giant, She Can 4.
0,” proudly supported by NTTF.“This seminar will also represent the third stage of the 2024 “My Gender, My Strength” programme, which has table tennis star Abosede Akinsete, as a beneficiary.
“NTTF President,Tikon Ishaku, Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, and other board members are dedicated to initiatives that support the development of coaches.
“Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, ITTF Executive Vice President, and President of ITTF-Africa, reaffirms his commitment to empowering women in sports, in line with the GEDI Initiative.
He explained that the seminar would feature people, who would speak on leadership and management skills, to enhance the abilities of coaches to identify and develop talents, as well as encourage the development of high-performance table tennis players capable of competing globally. (NAN)
Rivers United Football Club of Port Harcourt on Sunday returned to the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) summit as strong rivals Remo Stars FC faltered on Match Day 13.
Report says that Rivers United beat visiting Abia Warriors of Umuahia 1-0 after an Ndifreke Effiong 58th minute goal from the penalty kick spot.
Effiong’s goal in the match at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium helped them to move to 25 points from 13 matches, after seven wins, four draws and two losses.
Former leaders Remo Stars dropped to second with 23 points from 13 matches after seven wins, two draws and four losses, following a 0-2 loss to hosts Katsina United.
Plateau United of Jos beat visiting Nasarawa United of Lafia 2-0 to bolster their position.
Shooting Stars Sports Club also struggled to a 1-0 win over visiting Bayelsa United of Yenago.
A 15th minute goal by Anthony Okachi at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan gave them the win.
El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri had on Saturday beaten Akwa United of Uyo 1-0 to move into third place on the table with 22 points from 13 games.
Enyimba International of Aba remained in fourth place with 20 points from 12 matches, with their week 13 game against Sunshine Stars of Akure on hold.
Rangers International of Enugu are in fifth place with 20 points also, after a goalless draw with hosts Heartland FC ain Owerri on Saturday.
Bendel Insurance of Benin had also beaten Kwara United of Ilorin 3-1, while Lobi Stars of Makurdi drew 2-2 with visiting Kano Pillars in Lafia.
NAN reports that the league will enter Match Day 14 on Wednesday.(NAN)
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