Connect with us

SPORTS

Rivers United FC Eyes NPFL Title

Published

on

Share


Rivers United are confident that they can challenge for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title with support from their front-of-shirt partner, Eunisell.

According to the Rivers United General Manager Okey Kpalukwu, the Port Harcourt-based club is in the running to win the league title this season and they have put every measure in place to keep their players on their toes despite an enforced break by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic across the World.

“We are not hoping for anything less because we also want to be champions.

But all of that will be determined on the pitch. Although we are praying to win the league, we will also put in our efforts and do what is necessary to make it easier for us to actualize our ambition.
So we are not planning less, we are planning to win the league like every other team at the top of the standings,” said Kpalukwu.

He also spoke on their thriving partnership with Eunisell, describing it as “one of a kind.” He commended Eunisell for backing the club through thick and thin, adding that the chemical and specialty fluid organization’s contribution to the club cannot go unnoticed.

“Our partnership with Eunisell is one of a kind. This is something most clubs are looking forward to having and that is why we must commend Eunisell for this partnership they have kept over the years with us. They have never failed us and they have always shown a huge presence. This has given the players some kind of boost as well. The partnership also points to the fact that we are looking for ways of new streams of income away from what the state government has given to us.”

“At the same time, the relationship has been a balanced one. Rivers United played in the continent in the past with Eunisell as the front-of-the-shirt sponsor and registered Eunisell as one of our shirt sponsors with CAF which helped us use our branded jerseys on the continent. Now the Rivers people are aware of Eunisell’s contribution to the club which has saved us costs. We are grateful to them,” Kpalukwu said.

Rivers United Technical Manager and Head Coach, Stanley Eguma also made the declaration that they want to win the title and finishing second was not part of their ambition.

He explained that players and coaches have been holding meetings via social media platforms to keep team bonding.”We want to win the league title.

Everybody that is associated with Rivers United FC knows we cannot afford to play second fiddle. The objective is to win the league title and we will not derail.”It has been hard. I have been using technology. We use Zoom and WhatsApp for team meetings. The players have also been doing their personal training. I have told all of them that the league can resume at any moment because no one knows when the COVID-19 will end. So we are keeping ourselves prepared,” Eguma said.

Captain of the club, Festus Austine, further reiterated their strong desire to win the title and would rather focus on the challenge instead of worry about the other contenders.”The target is to win the trophy this season. Every one of us understands what we need to do to achieve that. Our target is to win the NPFL trophy. We (the players) have a (WhatsApp) platform where we regularly remind ourselves what we want to achieve this season.”We are gunning for the league trophy and we are not relenting. I also appreciate the players who know what they want. And for the teams around us on the log, they have their respective destinies in their hands. We at Rivers United have resolved that we are gunning for the league trophy and we will get it right,” the Rivers United defender said.Eunisell Limited Group Managing Director, Chika Ikenga, has also urged the Rivers United contingent to stay within touching distance of the title race and stay on their toes despite the pandemic.”So far, Rivers United have done very well. They are currently second on the table. Right now, I urge everyone at the club to stay within the guidelines of the health authorities, as we look forward to the league restarting. We are also urging them to give the title chase their best shot because we have faith in them, and that is why we are proud to be associated with the club,” said Ikenga.

With 13 match weeks to go, Rivers United are currently in second place with 45 points after 25 matches.


SPORTS

Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Hand Mali First Win in 49 Years

Published

on

Share

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)

Continue Reading

SPORTS

Wrestling : 4 Nigerian Wrestlers Secure Olympic Qualification in Egypt

Published

on

Share

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)

Continue Reading

SPORTS

Flying Eagles Crash Out of  African Games

Published

on

Share

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)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS54 mins ago

TCN Restores Grid After System Disturbance

ShareThe Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN ) has successfully restored the national grid following a system disturbance that occurred at...

Uncategorized6 hours ago

Passionate Awareness Campaign Ignites Hope and Empowerment Across Abuja Schools and Communities

SharePassionate Awareness Campaign Ignites Hope and Empowerment Across Abuja Schools and Communities In a resounding call to action, a dynamic...

NEWS9 hours ago

AfDB Signs $75m Loan Agreement to Boost Indorama’s Fertilizer Production, Export Capacity

Share The African Development Bank (AfDB), has signed a 75 million dollar loan agreement with Nigeria’s Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and...

NEWS9 hours ago

NSCDC Arrests 3 Suspects with 1,625 Litres of Adulterated Diesel

Share The Anambra Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects with 1,625 litres...

NEWS10 hours ago

Good Friday: Catholic Bishop urges Leaders, Nigerians to Emulate Christ’s Sacrifice

Share As Christians celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel...

Foreign News10 hours ago

Earthquake Shakes Western Greece

Share A strong earthquake has shaken western Greece on Friday morning, but no casualties reported. The Greek Geodynamic Institute in...

NEWS10 hours ago

Tinubu’s Refusal to Celebrate 72nd Birthday Mark of Good, Great Leadership – Aide

ShareMr Tunde Rahman, a Senior Presidential Aide to President Bola Tinubu, says the President’s refusal to celebrate his 72nd  birthday...

dailyasset-greetings dailyasset-greetings
NEWS10 hours ago

New Banks’ Minimum Capital Requirement will Enable Long-term Loans, Says ex-ANAN President

ShareA financial expert, Dr Samuel Nzekwe, says the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new minimum capital requirement for Nigerian banks...

NEWS18 hours ago

Board Sanctions 118 Immigration, Civil Defence Officers

ShareThe Board of NSCDC, Fire Service, Correctional, and Immigration Service, has approved the sanction of 118 personnel for various offences....

NEWS18 hours ago

NSCDC Inaugurates Female Strike Force to Secure FCT Schools

Share The FCT Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Olusola Odumosu, has inaugurated the corps Female...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc