SPORTS
Plateau PDP, APC Governorship Candidates Promise Sports Uplift
Mr Caleb Mutfwang, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in Plateau says he will complete work on the Jos Township Stadium abandoned more than 32 years ago if elected in 2023.
He also promised to make sports a big business in the state if given the mandate.
Mutfwang made the pledges on Sunday at the finals of the Diye, Dadinkowa Zaramaganda (DDZ) All Stars 2022 football tournament.
The governorship said he would ensure the right investment in sports so as to productively engage the youths.
According to him, sports is money spinning venture that can empower youths and generate huge revenues for the state.
“The Zaria Road Ultra-modern Stadium will be my priority because it has every sports facility ranging from football to volleyball.
“The foundation for the stadium was about 32 years and the last PDP administration is the administration that took it to the level that it is today.
“By the grace of God, if PDP comes into power, we intend to complete what we started.
“Apart from the revenue aspect, sports will provide an avenue for the abundant talents on the Plateau to thrive and help in our efforts to unite the people and promote peace and peaceful co-existence,’’ he said.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Mr Pam Botmang, said the incoming APC administration would give special attention to youths in the state.
Botmang encouraged youths to avoid behaviours or habits that could damage their future.
The deputy governorship candidate said that next administration would dedicate 10 per cent of the state’s internally generated revenue for vulnerable groups which youths were part of.
He said that apart from other empowerment initiatives, the funds would be used for the promotion of sports.
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr Gideon Danderemg, Chairman, Jos South Local Government, commended the organisers for putting together the tournament which he said had further united the people of the area.
Dandereng who was represented by Mr Simon Dunkat, Leader, Jos South Legislative Arm, promised to continue to prioritise sporting activities in the area.
The tournament usually holds during the summer break of European football leagues, especially the English Premier League to unite Plateau people and to also assist the young.
The organisers paid the National Common Entrance Examination fees of 15 pupils of RCM Primary School where the competition held, the Chairman, DDZ All Stars 2022 Tournament, Chief Isaac Ejiga said
Teams that participated in the competition adopted the names of Nigeria Professional Football Leagues sides.
Akwa United emerged overall winner by beating Kwara United 2-0 while Rivers United finished third.
This year’s tournament was the sixth in the series. (NAN)
SPORTS
Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Hand Mali First Win in 49 Years
The Super Eagles were given a reality check by Mali’s Les Aigles as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat in a friendly game in Marrakech, Morocco on Tuesday.
Reports says that the rare win by the Malians against Nigeria was their first in 49 years.
Goals by El Bilal Toure and Kamory Doumbia sealed the win for Mali.
The last time Mali defeated the Super Eagles was on Sept.
5, 1975, also in a friendly which ended 4-1.Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Eagles were unbeaten in eight straight fixtures against the Malians, recording five wins and three draws.
Interim coach, Finidi George, gave starting shirts to Jamilu Collins, Raphael Onyedika, and Kenneth Omeruo.
The trio replaced Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka and Benjamin Tanimu, who all featured in the 2-1 win against Ghana on Friday.
The Malians dominated the early stages of the game and almost took the lead less than five minutes into the game, but were denied by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
The breakthrough for Mali eventually came in the 14th minute as El Bilal Toure capitalised on a defensive error by Nigeria to score.
The Eagles were forced into a first half change as Moses Simon went off injured in 34th minute and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.
The early part of the second half saw the Super Eagles start brightly but the Malian defence held firm.
Despite starting the half on a positive note, it was Mali who almost doubled their lead but the Eagles defence intercepted a dangerous cross from the left.
Dessers was presented an opportunity in the 65th minute as he was sent through on goal but blasted his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat.
Iheanacho had a chance of his own barely a minute later, but took a low shot which was parried away for a corner.
With 12 minutes left, the Eagles won a freekick in a decent position but Iheanacho’s floated attempt was again cleared away by the keeper.
Mali then doubled their lead in the 87th minute thanks to Kamory Doumbia who raced into the Eagles’ 18 yard box and fired past Nwabali to earn his side a well deserved win.
Up next for the Super Eagles is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June against South Africa who held Algeria to a 3-3 draw at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Tuesday. (NAN)
SPORTS
Wrestling : 4 Nigerian Wrestlers Secure Olympic Qualification in Egypt
Four Nigerian Wrestlers on Saturday qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics in their various events at the ongoing African championships and Olympics qualifiers in Alexandria, Egypt.
Reports says that the wrestlers will now join Odunayo Adekuoroye, who secured qualification in 2023 after winning a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg category at the World Championships in Belgrade.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalist Blessing Oburududu booked a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a 2-0 pinfall victory over Uilau Tarkong of Palau in the 68kg.
World Military Champion, Hannah Reuben Pipped Amy Youin of Cote D’Ivoire 6-0 in the 76kg category to secure Olympics slot in Paris .
Esther Kolawole joined the list of Nigerian athletes going to Paris for the Olympics after overcoming Angelina Rodrigues of Cape Verde 10-0.
African Games champion, Christiana Ogunsanya in the 53kg category overpowered Egyptian Shaimaa Mohamed 10-0 to secure qualification.
However, Mercy Genesis narrowly missed out on Paris Olympics in this window after a 5-7 defeat to Nada
Mohamed of Egypt in the 50kg weight class.
Reports says that five female wrestlers will represent the country in the Paris 2024 Olympics .
NAN reports that Nigerian male freestyle wrestlers will hope to join their female counterparts on Sunday when they take to the mat.
Sunday will be the final day of this window’s qualifiers.
NAN reports that the remaining Olympic slots will be decided on May 9 to 12 at the 2024 World Qualification Tournament in Istanbul, Turkey.
NAN reports that the African championships and Olympic qualifiers which started on Monday in Alexandria, Egypt is expected to end Sunday.(NAN)
SPORTS
Flying Eagles Crash Out of African Games
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been knocked out of the men’s football event of the 2023 African Games in Ghana after a 3-2 defeat by Senegal.
Reports says that the Flying Eagles took an early lead in the second minute through Charles Agada in the match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.
Idrissa Traore, however, equalised for Senegal in the 21st minute when his low shot beat the time in the encounter.
Chibuzor Izuogu put Nigeria back into the game when he equalised to make it 2-2 through a brilliant free kick.
Pape Diouf converted from the spot for the winning goal to send Senegal to the semi finals.
The Flying Eagles ended their campaign with only one victory against South Sudan, losing their opening match 2-1 to Uganda and 3-2 to Senegal.
Nigeria finished third in the group behind Uganda and Senegal, with South Sudan coming fourth.
After the match, Bosso said he was disappointed at the result and blamed poor preparation for the performance.
“I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament.
” I didn’t have enough time to scout for players and what I did was to watch few games in Uyo and other places .That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze,” Bosso said.
Nigeria won the men’s football silver at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019 after a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in the final.(NAN)