Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has called to camp Remo Stars’ wing-back Ismail Sadiq, Kano Pillars’ forward Zikifilu Rabiu and Enugu Rangers’ attacking midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye among a list of 35 players of Super Eagles B for the 2025 African Nations Championship qualifying fixture against Ghana.

The first leg of the fixture, which is a reminder of the qualification series for the last edition of the competition, which Ghana edged on penalty shootout, is billed for the weekend of 20th – 22nd December, with the return leg a week later.

The winner over two legs will earn a slot at the 8th edition of the competition exclusively reserved for footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic League. The finals will take place across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, 1st – 28th February 2025.

Akwa United’s Wisdom Ndom, Enugu Rangers’ Saviour Isaac, Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors’ Abba Maigari are also invited to the camp that will open in Abuja on Tuesday, 29th October.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Ohisodumeya Osagie (Rivers United); Henry Ozomena (Enyimba FC); Mohammed Galadima (Nasarawa United)

Defenders: Wisdom Ndom (Akwa United); Stephen Mayo (Rivers United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers); Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Yusuf Isa (Bayelsa United); Abba Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Kabiru Mohammed (Kwara United); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Abbas Usman (El-Kanemi Warriors);

Midfielders: Innocent Godwin (Abia Warriors); Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Musa Zayad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers); Eze Ekwutoziam (Enyimba FC); Aimufua Aisosa (Kwara United); Tochukwu Michael (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Assurance (Lobi Stars); Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers); Seth Mayi (Sunshine Stars); Stanley Oganbor (Lobi Stars); Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance); Toyeeb Gidado (Ikorodu City)

Forwards: Samuel Ayorinde (Shooting Stars); Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Abdul Sanusi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Abubakar Adamu (Plateau United); Rabiu Zikifilu (Kano Pillars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Michael Enaruma (Bendel Insurance)

The visioner of the Comptroller General Military and Para-military Wrestling championship, CG Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has gloriously declared open the event.

The five days championship witnessed a colourful opening ceremony with various agencies showcasing an entertaining parade to an already electrified atmosphere and spectators.

Speaking, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi MFR emphasized that the tournament was borne out of the Federation’s desire to take wrestling to the grassroots.

According to the Customs boss, wrestling plays a vital role in how positively Nigerian sports is perceived globally, thus this championship.

“It gives me great honour to celebrate this sporting excellence, especially that of wrestling. The seed for this tournament was sown about a year ago in Yenagoa during our board meeting, where everyone unanimously agreed to begin to build future champions that will represent Nigeria in major international events”

“In that meeting, we also decided that the military and Para-military sectors should be organised to have this tournament, and I’m happy the dream that was nurtured that day has come to fruition.” Adeniyi noted.

“wrestlers and the military share similar attributes like discipline, character, respect for your opponent, team work, strategy and playing the game according to the rules and all these can determine as Military if we win or loss.”

In his earlier remarks, the chairman Local Organizing Committee, Brigadier General Olawale Fawole, expressed gratitude to the Customs boss for the magnanimity to host the national championship for the military and paramilitary.

“I want to state that the brain work behind this championship is of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service. I want to acknowledge his interest and dedication at every stage towards the preparation of this championshipm”

“I want to thank the Nigeria Wrestling Federation board for the trust placed in the LOC and all other stakeholders who collaborated to ensure that today becomes a reality.”

On his part, the Vice President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, who stood in proxy on behalf of the President, extended the Federation’s warmth appreciation to the CG for the sponsorship of the National event.

“On behalf of the President and all the board members of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation I welcome you to this delightful occasion, but before we begin, I want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs for sponsoring this event.”

“We want to thank the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, and head if various agencies represented here today for availing your athletes to participate in this tournament.”

“We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Minister of Sports for all the support he has given to the Wrestling Federation.”

Meanwhile, the ceremony was concluded with some mouthwatering encounters where Okasha Sani (Nigeria Police Force) was beaten by Pakistan Alfred (NSCDC) in the 63kg 10-0 superiority

In a keenly contested 82kg match, Samuel Kure (Customs) beat Chinoso Robinson (Nigeria Police Force) 7-6 to put contagious smiles on the Customs boss.

In the last bout, Musa A (Nigeria Air-force) lost to Tobechukwu Udeh (Nigeria Army) 8-0 Superiority In the 82kg.

Kano Pillars Football Club on Tuesday confirmed that the bus conveying players to Plateau State for their Matchday 5 fixture in the inaugural U-19 Youth League against Plateau United was involved in an accident.

The Sai Masu Gida disclosed this in a series of tweets via their official X account today.

The NPFL club noted that the driver and several players sustained injuries as a result of the accident.

DAILY POST reports that this is coming just less than three days after Kano Pillars’ first-team played a 1-1 draw with Kwara United in the NPFL.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that the Kano Pillars FC U-19 team bus was involved in a road accident earlier today while en route to the New Jos Stadium for their Matchday 5 fixture in the inaugural U-19 Youth League against Plateau United U-19,” Kano Pillars tweeted.

“We extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone affected and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

“Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time.

“Several players and the driver sustained injuries in the unfortunate incident and have been promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention. Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported at this time, and the medical team is closely monitoring the situation.”

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