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Super Eagles pip Burundi 1 – 0 in Afcon Opener – Re-enacts Confidence in Fans

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Super Eagles pip Burundi 1 0 in Afcon Opener …Re-enacts Confidence in Fans
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By Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja

Nigeria’s most reliable striker presently, Odion Ighalo came off the bench to score the only goal of an engaging duel at the Alexandria Stadium to put the Super Eagles on the list of teams that got off to a winning start at the 32nd African Cup of Nations and gave the Super Eagles the three points and took an early lead in Group B ahead of the second match of the pool between Guinea and Madagascar.

Though the three time African Champions controlled possession in the early phases, the Burundians were the ones with the very clear likelihoods. However, Onuachu put two headers past the Burundian goalpost in the 7th and 13th minute, but a minute later; Cedric Amissi came close to getting the Itamba in front when he latched onto a well-placed pass and stung Akpeyi’s palms with a ferocious, close range shot.

Onuachu’s tame shot in the 27th minute was held by the Burundian goalie, and a minute later, Samuel Chukwueze wasted a clear chance in the box.

Gael Bigirimana, Abdoul Fiston, Amissi and Said Berahino were a thorn in the flesh of the Nigerian rearguard but failed to get the ball past Akpeyi.

In the second half, Ahmed Musa’s introduction for captain Mikel Obi quickened Nigeria’s pace and race towards goal. But nothing was delivered until Ighalo converted a clever pass by Ola Aina to put to an end the ambition of the Itamba to record a first Afcon point against Nigeria.

Football loving Nigerians back home have welcome the Super Eagles victory in the opening game with excitement saying that the victory has given them confidence that their darling team will certainly compete for the trophy. 

Super Falcons eliminated from World Cup

African champions Nigeria were eliminated from the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals on Saturday after a three-goal defeat to two-time champions Germany in the Round of 16 in Grenoble.

Despite starting brightly and showing much endeavour, pace and physical strength, the Falcons could not get breach the Germans’ defence, and Alexander Popp got Germany in front in the 20th minute by sneaking in-between Nigerian defenders to nod home from a corner kick.

Seven minutes later, possession and more purposeful play told as Germany earned a penalty kick, which Daebritz converted smartly to make it 2-0.

In the 37th minute, Ngozi Okobi rocked the crossbar from a free-kick, and in added time of the first period, Nigeria had an appeal for a penalty kick turned down as a German defender blocked Uchenna Kanu’s shot with her arm.

Five minutes into the second period, Nigeria should have scored. Substitute Rasheedat Ajibade’s blistering run carved open the German defence but skipper Desire Oparanozie was late to get herself to the right spot to connect her telling pass.

The Falcons continued to work hard but in the 82nd minute, it was all over after Halimatu Ayinde’s erring backpass was capitalized on by Lea Schueller to make it three for Germany. 

SPORTS

Kogi State Handball: Stakeholders Calls for Leadership Reform

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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Handball stakeholders in Kogi State have called for a comprehensive leadership reform within the state’s handball association to restore the sport’s prominence.

Addressing journalists after a visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Aridaojo Anyebe in his office in Lokoja on Tuesday, the stakeholders outlined the achievements and setbacks of Kogi State handball since its inception in 1991, pointing the need for immediate change to revive the state’s handball culture.

They noted that Kogi State’s handball history includes significant accomplishments from winning national underage tournaments in the 1990s to representing Nigeria in international competitions.

Kogi’s under-15 boys’ team won gold in Italy in 1995, while local teams performed well in various national championships uptile 2019.

However, the stakeholders noted a decline in participation and development initiatives, which they attribute to issues within the association’s leadership.

They revealed that since 2020, Kogi’s Confluence Stars, the state’s premier league team, has struggled to participate in the league due to financial constraints and a lack of support.

This situation according to them has led some players to seek opportunities with teams in other states, undermining team cohesion and player morale.

Additionally, the once-thriving Confluence Queens female team, which participated in national tournaments until 2020, has since disbanded”

Stakeholders attribute much of the sport’s recent decline to the leadership of Jibril Saidu, the current chairman of Kogi State Handball Association. They allege that Saidu’s decision to withdraw sponsorship, along with personal conflicts, has prevented Kogi from participating in critical national events. This includes the under-12 and under-15 championships held in Sokoto over the past five years, where Kogi teams were notably absent.

In response to these challenges, the stakeholders called for the dissolution of the current board, citing a lack of effective leadership and commitment to the state’s handball development.

They propose the formation of a new board that will prioritize regional representation, involvement from former players, and individuals with strong sponsorship capabilities.

The stakeholders also endorsed Okpanachi Mark Ogah as the next chairman, describing him as a capable leader who they believe can restore Kogi State’s handball legacy within two years.

Speaking during the visit, His Royal Highness, Oba Luke Oludoyi from Isanlu who is one of the handball Stakeholders appealed to the Commissioner to give them necessary support in making handball sporting activities in the state a laudable venture for the overall growth of the State Sports Sector.

On his part, Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah said he is ready to further the ideals of the stakeholders and rebirth a new and active handball sport in Kogi State.

He assured that if given the mandate, the Kogi State handball team will take its rightful place again as champion.

Responding, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Monday Anyebe, noted that Kogi State Government is committed to ensuring that the sports sector in the state continues to receive the necessary support towards enhancing sporting activities in the state.

The Commissioner said under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo all sporting activities will be given adequate attention and Support.

He called on members of the handball stakeholders in the state to be united and continue to promote the activities of the handball sport in the state.

Also Present during the visit includes the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of sports, Jibo Haruna Muhammed, the Director Kogi State Sports Council, Onipe Obakachi and other Directors of the Ministry.

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SPORTS

Botched AFCON Qualifier: CAF Fines Libya $50,000, Awards Nigeria 3 Points

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has slammed Libya with a 50,000 dollars and also awarded Nigeria, three points from the botched Matchday 4 encounter of the 2025 AFCON qualification series.

The match earlier scheduled to be played by Libya and Nigeria in Benina on Oct.

15 was cancelled.

This was after Nigeria’s delegation to the qualifier slated to hold in Benghazi on Tuesday, were left stranded for over 20 hours on Sunday.

This was following the diversion of their plane from Benghazi to Al Abaq airport, a three-hour drive away from their original destination in Benghazi; where the team were held hostage without food, water or internet services.

A statement by CAF Disciplinary Board in its ruling on Saturday, signed by the chairman, Ousmane Kane, said the Disciplinary Board ruled met and decided as follows:

“The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The match No. 87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October in Benghazi) declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).

“The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000.

“The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

“All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” the statement said.

The implication is that Nigeria is now poised to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

With the decision, the Eagles  now have 10 points from four matches, four points better than second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda have five points.

Bottom-placed Libya have only one point and are out of the running for qualification.

Victory or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Nov. 14 (a Matchday 5 encounter) will land the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, December 2025/January 2026.(NAN)

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Scrappy Arsenal Edge 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk

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Arsenal needed an own goal to seal a scrappy 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday as they made it two wins out of three in the Champions League.

The win is is coming after the blow of their first domestic league defeat of the season at the weekend.

The hosts missed a penalty in the second half and squandered a number of decent chances, but the reality was they never found top gear and had to withstand some late pressure from their Ukrainian opponents.

Arsenal, who were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, made a fast start with Brazilians Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus both having good opportunities before a fortunate opener in the 29th minute.

A low shot from Martinelli rebounded off the post and off the back of Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Arsenal would have doubled their advantage before halftime were it not for Shakhtar captain Mykola Matviyenko who hooked the ball off the line to prevent a diving Kai Havertz nodding in.

Leandro Trossard also missed a second-half penalty awarded by VAR following a handball in the box.

“We had four big, big chances (in the first half). We should have converted them and put the game to bed,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters after the game.

The second half was difficult he added. “We looked tired and lacked sharpness with and without the ball.”

Shakhtar, who are yet to win in the Champions League this season, put more pressure on Arsenal after the interval.

The Ukrainian side went close to equalising, when substitute Pedrinho had a long-range effort superbly saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya in stoppage time.

“I think we deserved an equaliser” Shakhtar coach Marino Pusic told reporters. “We were chasing for an equaliser till the end of the game… we did our best”.

Victory lifts Arsenal provisionally into the top four of the new 36-team league phase before Wednesday’s fixtures with their next match away at Inter Milan.

Shakhtar will seek to bounce back in their next match at home to Swiss side Young Boys.(Reuters/NAN)

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