SPORTS
WACOT Sponsors Kebbi Beach Soccer Club to Turkey
The WACOT Rice Limited (WACOT) has sponsored the Kebbi Beach Soccer Club for a tournament in Turkey.The Chairman of the company, Alhaji Faruk Gumel, revealed this at the presentation of the Nigerian Beach Soccer League’s trophy won by the Kebbi team to Gov. Atiku Bagudu in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
He said that the team had been making the state and the company proud in the Nigerian and African Championships. “As part of our community support, youth empowerment and social development initiatives, we have been working and supporting this group of individuals to ply their trade. “Thankfully, they have made us proud by doing it very well; and we recently agreed to support the team to Turkey in order to play in a championship, and we have already made the funds available and they should be travelling in the next two weeks, by the grace of God,” Gumel said.In his remarks, Gov. Bagudu, congratulated the team who, he said, had demonstrated what was possible in a few years.“It was amazing to see a state’s team without an apparent beach pond, but representing us in far away Turkey.“But, all these wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the enthusiastic population and the state Ministry of Youth and Sports.“Her Excellency, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu has made it a personal project, by ensuring that the team gets the necessary support and assistance.“WACOT has engaged in corporate social responsibility in different ways in the state; they are now supporting African competitiveness in supporting a team that, by the grace of God, will do Nigeria and Africa proud,” he said.The governor thanked the company and commended the team for their sacrifice and dedication, while urging them to do more to ensure they emerged victorious in the tournament.Earlier, the Secretary of the soccer team, Alhaji Abdullahi Yahaya, explained that the team won the league trophy in in August, after defeating Kaduna, Lagos, Edo and Kwara beach soccer teams.“Our project is just six years old now but we have achieved success being the number one club in Africa and 49th in the world just within six years,” he said.Yahaya thanked the company, the governor and Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu for their support to the team while assuring that the team would do as was expected of them. (NAN)
The Super Eagles camp in Cairo has grown to 22 players with the arrival of Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) international friendly match against Egypt.
News reports that Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman and defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel reported to camp earlier on Monday at the Renaissance Hotel, joining a steadily increasing squad.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defender Igoh Ogbu and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi were also among the latest arrivals to bolster the team.
They linked up with early arrivals Francis Uzoho, Stanley Nwabali, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who had checked in on Sunday.
Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe said that 20 players participated in the team’s first training session held on Monday evening.
“Training went smoothly and the players showed good energy and commitment, which is encouraging at this stage of preparations,” Efoghe said.
Efoghe said that Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika and Alebiosu arrived shortly after training, raising the number of players in camp to 22, with six more expected.
He said as part of preparations, the Super Eagles would play a friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.
“The friendly will help the technical crew assess team shape and readiness ahead of the AFCON challenge,” Efoghe said.
Nigeria, three-time champions, and seven-time winners Egypt will clash at 8 p.m. Egypt time (7 p.m. Nigeria time) in the build-up to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Efoghe confirmed that the team will depart Cairo for Féz on Thursday aboard a chartered flight to continue final preparations.
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title, following victories in 1980, 1994 and 2013, begins on Dec. 23 against Tanzania, under the theme “NAIJA 4 THE WIN.”
The Eagles will also face Tunisia on Dec. 27 and Uganda on Dec. 30 in Group C, with all matches scheduled for the Complexe Sportif de Féz.
Egypt, the only nation to win AFCON three consecutive times, will battle South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B, with matches holding in Agadir.
As anticipation builds for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, set to kick off on December 21 in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football has released a list of items prohibited across all tournament stadiums.
According to the guidelines cited on CAF’s website on Monday, the rules are aimed at ensuring fan safety throughout the competition.
Fans attending AFCON 2025 matches in Morocco will be subjected to security screening.
They are advised not to bring prohibited items into stadiums to ensure safety, order and a smooth match-day experience.
Below is the list of items fans are advised to leave at home before entering AFCON stadiums:
Alcoholic beverages, Illegal substances and drugs, Weapons and sharp objects, Fireworks and pyrotechnics, Glass bottles or containers, Flammable materials, Racist, violent or discriminatory banners, Unauthorised political, religious or commercial signs, Drones and animals, Large umbrellas and oversized hats, Professional cameras and recording equipment, Musical instruments and loud horns, Radio-emitting devices (except mobile phones) and Heavy or large bags.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed that the team are still a work in progress following his expensive overhaul of the squad since last season.
The Spanish tactician made this known after the Citizens thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 in Sunday’s Premier League game.
In a chat with the club’s website, Guardiola stated that the team are in a better position than last season.
“Many things we have to improve.
Madrid gave me a lot of things, that still we are not ready, not in mentality but in how to approach certain games. They are young some of the players. But 3-0 here is a big statement for us.“When you win in the past, you believe the past was perfect, always brilliant, always the red carpet.
When we won with 100 points, all the things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today. The resilience was part of that.“There are moments that you struggle. Madrid was not the perfect game, but it was a step. We fought unbelievably to achieve that.
“We are in a better position than last season. We are close in the competitions we are in.”
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