SPORTS
Nigeria Keep 100 Per Cent Group D Record with Victory over Guinea-Bissau
Nigeria wrapped up their Group D campaign at the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Wednesday night.
The result, secured by second-half goals from Umar Sadiq and William Troost-Ekong, sees the Super Eagles top the group with a full haul of three wins (the only team in the competition to do so) and underline their status as one of the outright favourites for the title.
The African Wild Dogs, meanwhile, finished bottom of the log and have been eliminated from the Afcon.
With top spot assured before the match even kicked off, Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen opted to make several changes to his starting XI, resting the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi and Joe Aribo.
They enjoyed most of the possession early on, but Guinea-Bissau had the first real threat on goal.The African Wild Dogs saw striker Mama Balde brush past defender Semi Ajayi on 10 minutes and almost latch onto a loose ball in the penalty area, but Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho came off his line and bravely smothered the ball at the attacker’s feet.
The Super Eagles should have claimed the lead on 15 minutes through Ajayi, who rose highest to get on the end of Kelechi Nwakali’s free kick delivery, but the centre-back failed to keep his header down with the goal gaping.
Ten minutes later Nigeria cut open their opponent’s defence and Umar Sadiq almost succeeded in rounding goalkeeper Maurice Gomis, but he was unable to get a shot away under pressure from two recovering defenders.
Guinea-Bissau gradually found some attacking rhythm and created some pressure in the dying minutes of the first half, notably threatening through Jorginho just before the break, with the forward striking a volley through a crowd of players and just wide of Uzuho’s left-hand upright.
Nigeria were the dominant force after the restart and claimed a deserved lead on 56 minutes. Wilfred Ndidi put Kelechi Iheanacho into space and the forward provided a beautiful low cross with the outside of his left foot which curved away from the grasp of Gomis but allowed Sadiq an easy finish at the far post for 1-0.
Guinea-Bissau nearly levelled the game a short while later through Fali Cande, whose shot direct from a free kick took a deflection off the wall and flashed just wide of the target.
Nigeria claimed a second goal on 75 minutes when a sensational solo effort from substitute Moses Simon rebounded off the underside of the crossbar and was turned home at close range by William Troost-Ekong. The defender’s celebrations were initially cut short by the offside flag, but a VAR review overturned the decision and saw the Super Eagles go 2-0 up.
Guinea-Bissau had a couple of half-chances to reduce the deficit in what remained of the game, but ultimately Nigeria were able to hold out for a comfortable victory that maintains their momentum heading into the business end of the tournament.
Nigeria, as Group D winners, will face a third-placed team from Group B, E or F in their round of 16 clash, set for Garoua on Sunday 23 January.
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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