SPORTS
SWAN says Media Deserves Better Working Conditions at 20th NSF
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has advised Nigeria’s sports authorities to always consider and treat the media as a key player in the development and promotion of sports.
SWAN, in the communique of its National Convention held in Benin on Thursday, decried the media working conditions at the ongoing festival and said they hampered its members’ work.
The convention was held on the sidelines of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020”.
The Association, an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), noted the deplorable condition of the festival’s Media Centre and said it could have been better.
The convention, presided over by the SWAN National President, Ahmed Aigbona, urged the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to always insist on the provision of required facilities.
“It is important to ensure the required facilities are provided for the games as it relates to the media, because sports is a media event and the media is needed for both its development and promotion,” the communique added.
The Convention however commended the Edo government for its determination and efforts in ensuring that the 20th NSF is taking place in spite of the challenges it had encountered.
It particularly praised the state government for the excellent sports facilities put in place, and urged for more support for it to sustain the momentum of sports development in the state.
SWAN also applauded the Federal Government for its quick intervention in the financial crisis which was almost marring the NSF.
NAN reports that the 2021 National Convention had National Executive Council members, Chairmen and Secretaries of various state chapters and several association elders in attendance.
The Convention is a requirement of the SWAN Statutes and it is held at the venue of every NSF, with all available sports writers expected to attend.
Its communique was signed by Abdulwaheed Adubi, Lucky Isibor and Mike Oboh, the association’s Secretary-General.(NAN)
SPORTS
Results of Match Day 2 Fixtures in 2024/2025 NPFL
Following are the results of Match Day 1 fixtures in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), played on Sunday and dates of the remaining fixtures:
Akwa United FC 1-1 Abia Warriors FC
Bayelsa United FC 1-1 Kano Pillars FC
Katsina United FC 1-1 Bendel Insurance FC
Niger Tornadoes FC 0-0 Nasarawa United FC
Shooting Stars FC 1-1 Plateau United FC
El Kanemi Warriors Vs Kwara United FC (postponed )
The following Match Day two fixtures
Would be played on Sept.
25:Ikorodu City FC Vs Enugu Rangers international FC
Enyimba international FC Vs Lobi stars FC .
(NAN)SPORTS
Match Day 1 Remaining Results in 2024/2025 NPFL
Following are the results of remaining Match Day one fixtures played on Sunday in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL)Heartland FC 1-3 Enyimba international FCKwara United FC 1-2 Niger Tornadoes FCBendel Insurance FC 0-0 Rivers United FCPlateau United FC 1-0 Katsina United FCKano Pillars FC 3-0 Ikorodu City FCSunshine Stars FC 3-0 Bayelsa United FCAbia Warriors FC 0-2 Remo Stars FCNasarawa United FC 1-1 Shooting Stars FC.
(NAN)SPORTS
Morocco 2025: Super Eagles can Beat any Team, Eguavoen Boasts
The interim coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, said his team can beat any team with the quality of players in the team.
Eguavoen stated this after his team spanked the Cheetahs of Benin Republic 4-0 in the 2025 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom on Saturday.
“We have quality players to beat any team but we respect team anyway.
Any coach can come in and do the same job with the Super Eagles.“It is a mindset, we have the potential and how you perceived your opponent, given the information about them and then go out and do the job,“he said.
Equavoen attributed the victory to the formation adopted by the technical crew, adding that any formation could be used to ensure that the team was successful.
“We can decide to use any system. It is something we discussed and I slept over it. I know with the caliber of players that we have, we can decide to play any formation.
“Football is about you win, lose and draw, I don’t believe we have a poor result,” he said.
He, however, said that the former Super Eagles coach didn’t do a good job but it has to do with believe, what is at stake and what you want to achieve.
“Psychologically as a group, we are agreed, where we are and where we are going to be. We will definitely achieve it,” Equavoen said.
He commended the performance of the defence , describing it as superb, adding that the team had been training together for one week.
The coach said that asking six players to warm up for the second half was to buy time, adding that there was no need to rush to change.
He said the Cheetahs of Benin Republic were a good team, adding that they came with a good game plan.
Report says that Eguavoen was appointed interim coach after the deal between the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) and coach Bruno Labbadia failed.
NFF explained in a statement that it failed due to the stringent regulations of German tax authorities.(NAN)