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Organizers Seek Support for AMAC Football Coaches’ Unity Cup

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As the 2025 Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Football Coaches Unity Cup reaches the semifinal stage in Abuja, organizers are calling for increased support from stakeholders.

Chairman of the tournament, Kenny Owojori, in an interview on Wednesday, expressed optimism over the teams` performances in the tournament, stressing funding as a major challenge.

“As a grassroots tournament, we rely on registration fees to fund the event.

“We are reaching out to individuals, non-governmental organizations, Civil Society Organizations and multinational companies for support, recognizing the importance of nurturing young talents.

“We also call on the National Sports Commission (NSC) and private organisations to sustain and accelerate the tournament.

“By partnering with sponsors, we can provide better resources for the teams, offer more opportunities for young players and grow the tournament’s reach and impact.

“We are hopeful that with increased support, future editions can attract bigger sponsors and make a greater difference in the lives of these talented young athletes,” he said.

He said the organisers are open to exploring opportunities for support and better expertise to harness young potential and ambitions.

“CSOs can potentially provide support, resources or advocacy for the tournament and its participants.

“Individual support can make a significant difference in promoting the tournament and nurturing this young talent.

“Philanthropists can help provide financial support, resources or mentorship to help young athletes and promote the tournament,” he said.

He said that the NSC will explore potential areas of collaboration or support, which may include coaching and training programmes, and sports infrastructural development.

“They can also help with funding and sponsorship, promoting grassroots sports teams.

“The NSC’s involvement can help amplify the impact and reach of the events,” he said.

He said the tournament was also counting on support from the NSC to collaborate on the grassroots initiative, which aligns with their objectives.

“We have reached out to the commission’s chairman, Shehu Dikko, and are hopeful for a potential visit to witness our efforts firsthand.

”This partnership could bring valuable resources and recognition to our tournament.

He noted that in spite of the challenges, the tournament has showcased talented young players, and they hoped for increased support to sustain and grow the event.

“The tournament has reached the semifinals, but funding constraints persist,” he added.

The News Boys Football Club of Abuja on Monday defeated hard-fighting G-Medix Football Academy (FA) 3-1, to claim one of the final tickets at the ongoing Unity Cup 2025 in Abuja.

 Gwarinpa United FC will lock horns with One Touch FC on Thursday at 3p.m in the second semi-final match of the competition.

Twenty-three teams are participating in the sixth Unity Cup, which began on June 3 to 28 in Abuja.

SPORTS

2028 Olympic Games Qualifier: Super Falcons to Discover Opponents Today

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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.

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SPORTS

U-17 WWCQ: Flamingos Step Up Preparation for Guinea Clash

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Nigeria’s Flamingos will take on Lakeside Queens in a friendly match in Ikenne on Thursday as they intensify preparations for their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Guinea.

It will be the Flamingos’ first friendly since arriving in Ikenne for the final phase of their preparations for the qualifying fixtures.

Akeem Busari’s side played five friendly matches in Abuja before travelling to Ikenne.

They secured four victories and one draw from their five friendly games.

The team is expected to play more friendly games before taking on the Guineans.

Guinea will host the first leg in Conakry on Sunday, May 24.

The reverse fixture is scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, a week later.

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SPORTS

Four NBA Stars Open to D’Tigers Call-up

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Nigeria’s ambition to assemble a formidable basketball squad ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics has received a major boost after four National Basketball Association (NBA)players reportedly expressed their willingness to represent D’Tigers following the appointment of David Fizdale as head coach.

Fizdale, a former NBA head coach with the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks, recently worked as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns between 2023 and 2025 before taking charge of Nigeria’s men’s national team.

Basketball journalist and scout Coach Hova revealed that Aaron Nesmith has already committed to representing Nigeria in the next international basketball window.

Confirming the development, he wrote on X, “Sources close to me have confirmed that Aaron Nesmith has committed to representing the D’Tigers in the upcoming international basketball window.”

The Indiana Pacers forward was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft before joining Indiana in 2022.

Hova also disclosed that Desmond Bane had begun processing his international switch to Nigeria ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

“Desmond Bane is committed and already processing his switch to represent D’Tigers ahead of the 2028 Olympics,” he stated.

According to the Hova, Bane has also been instrumental in encouraging other Nigerian-heritage NBA players to join the national team project, including Nesmith.

Bane himself publicly declared his interest this year in representing Nigeria during an interview in January 2026.

The Orlando Magic guard explained that he wanted to help gather top Nigerian-eligible players for a serious Olympic challenge.

“We just need to get all the Nigerians together for the Olympics coming up in the next couple years and make something happen,” Bane said.

He also admitted that he had already spoken with other players about joining D’Tigers.

“I’d talk to Aaron Nesmith,” he said.

“Me and Gabe Vincent also talked about it a little bit. We need to do it.”

Meanwhile, journalist Kehinde Bamidele further reported that Onyeka Okongwu remains interested in representing Nigeria under Fizdale.

According to him, “Okongwu remains interested in representing D’Tigers of Nigeria under new head coach David Fizdale.”

The Atlanta Hawks centre previously missed out on a potential invitation due to short notice, but talks are said to be ongoing ahead of the July international window.

Bamidele also reported that Ayo Dosunmu has yet to make a final commitment to Nigeria, although the new coaching crew are keen to convince him.

“Ayo Dosunmu is yet to commit to D’Tigers of Nigeria,” Bamidele wrote.

“Fizdale understands that one of his early priorities will be convincing the Wolves guard to represent Nigeria.”

The guard previously represented the United States at the youth level, winning gold at the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Championship, meaning any switch could involve additional clearance procedures.

Fizdale has already made clear that qualifying Nigeria for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics remains his biggest ambition as D’Tigers coach.

After his appointment by the Nigeria Basketball Federation on Saturday, Fizdale told ESPN that leading Nigeria to the Olympics in his hometown would represent a career-defining achievement.

Nigeria have previously featured at the Olympic Games in London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 but are still chasing their first basketball medal on the global stage.

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