SPORTS
We’re not Financially Motivated to Contest for NPFL Title – Gombe United’s Coach
Aliyu Zubairu, the Technical Coach of Gombe United Football Club, has decried the poor financial motivation for his team in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Zubairu, was speaking during a post match conference, after his team’s mid-week game against Abia Warriors of Umuahia, at the Pantami stadium, Gombe on Wednesday.
The coach said his team was not well motivated financially to contest for the NPFL title.
“I don’t think we are bargaining for contention in the league; this is not the way it goes.
“Everybody knows the financial challenge of this team; any team that wants to contest, this is not the way it goes,” he said.
Zubairu said that his team had been going through a lot of hard times financially.
“I commend my management for going the extra mile to raise finances for the team to travel.
“If not, things are not rosy; no single match bonus has been paid as I speak with you; last season match bonuses are outstanding.
“There is nothing motivating the team; out of over 20 match bonuses only one or two has been paid,’’ he stated.
Zubairu however, said in spite of the club’s poor financial position, his team would continue to put up good fight in the league.
On the match, he stated that the performance of his team was good but stated that his team was still having issues with clinical finishing in the 18-yard box.
He said that though goals-scoring was a process which his team had been working to improve and “by the time the boys get it right, it will stabilize the team.’’
He added that the absence of fans at the stadium might have affected the goals-scoring performance of his team, stressing that the game was different without fans cheering and motivating them.
The technical coach said that the tactical and physical nature of the visiting team also made the game difficult for his side, hence the lone goal.
Ezinwo Ernest, Assistant Coach of Abia Warriors said he was not impressed with the result even though his team dominated the match, “but because of one thing or the other’’ they could not get the desired result.
NAN reports that substitute Williams Ukeme scored Gombe United’s lone goal of the game in the 70th minute. (NAN)
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will find out their opponents for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers this week.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the draw for the African qualifying series will take place on Wednesday at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will be streamed live on CAF TV.
A total of 35 national teams, including Super Falcons will participate in the qualifiers, which will be played over five rounds.
The other countries are; Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea.
Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the other countries that will take part in the qualifiers.
Two teams will earn Africa’s slots at the women’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Super Falcons and Copper Queens of Zambia represented the continent at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) monthly tournament returns on Saturday, celebrating founder Wale Edun’s 70th birthday marked on Monday, April 20.
“This special edition honours our founder’s enduring legacy,” said Mr David Mohamed, LBHF Director, in a statement issued on Thursday.
The tournament will be held at Agege Stadium in Lagos State.
Founded in 2010 by Edun, LBHF is widely regarded as Nigeria’s and Africa’s longest-running amateur boxing tournament.
Until Tuesday, Edun was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, before resigning his post on health grounds.
“The initiative provides a platform for young boxers to train and gain exposure,” Mohamed said, noting its role in grassroots boxing development.
As a non-profit organisation, LBHF has nurtured talents who have achieved national and international success.
“This edition doubles as a tribute to Edun, whose vision has shaped many boxing careers,” Mohamed added.
Action begins with Fatade Juwon facing Abiodun Yusuf in the men’s 50kg category.
Tajudeen Yekini will then confront Adele Faruq in the 55kg division.
In the men’s 60kg category, Tajudeen Rasheed meets Ogunleye Aliazeem, while Mosuru Adedeji battles Innocent Prosper.
Exhibition bouts will feature Princess Adeola against Zainab Ibrahim in the women’s 28kg category, and Adeseye Kalid versus Saliu Razak in the men’s 34kg division.
The sole women’s main-card clash will see Oluwatoyin Amirat face Aminashaun Raheemo in the 48kg division.
Wahab Ramadan will meet Lawal Opeyemi in the men’s 70kg bout, before Makinde Mohamed faces Ibadiaro Idris in the 75kg category.
The event concludes with Lawal Mohammed against Oluwapo Oluwaseun in the men’s 80kg title bout.
Over the years, LBHF has developed talents like Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, producing fighters who have represented Nigeria with distinction.
“This celebration reinforces our mission to sustain boxing as a pathway for young Nigerians,” Mohamed said.
English and Italian football giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus will square up for pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong in August, the clubs announced yesterday.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, currently arm-wrestling Arsenal for the Premier League title, will take on Inter Milan on Saturday, August 1, spearheaded by their Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland.
The match will kick off the “Hong Kong Football Festival” at the city’s futuristic 50,000-seat Kai Tak stadium.
The gleaming arena opened a year ago, featuring a roof that can be closed and air-conditioning to combat the fierce summer heat and humidity in Hong Kong.
Chelsea will play Juventus on Wednesday August 5 to round off the mini-tournament.
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