Nigeria Premier League

Maguire again aiming to challenge the best at the Women’s Open

Leona Maguire is predicting a wide open race to claim the 2023 AIG Women’s Open crown this week but the Irishwoman is also confident she can put her PGA Championship near-miss earlier this summer to positive use at Walton Heath.

The world number 13, an LPGA Tour winner in 2023 for the second season in succession, secured her best finish in a major when she finished in a tie for fourth at last year’s AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield and she gave herself an excellent chance of improving on that record when she lead the KPMG PGA Championship going into the final round at Baltusrol, New Jersey two months ago.

Yet Maguire closed with a disappointing 74 and finished 11th, four strokes behind champion Ruoning Yin of China.

This week in Surrey the 28-year-old will also face a challenge from in-form Frenchwoman Celine Boutier, who followed up her US Open win at Pebble Beach with victory in her next start at last weekend’s Scottish Open.

But the Cavan golfer is expecting plenty of competition for top spot in this week’s major.

“Celine is probably playing the best golf of anybody in the world right now, which is great to see. It’s obviously a big boost ahead of the Solheim Cup but yeah, I think that’s the great thing with the LPGA right now, there’s so many girls,” Maguire said yesterday.

“There’s 10, 20 girls that have a chance to win this week that on any given day, anybody can beat anybody and I suppose it’s one of those things.

“The favourites are always going to be the favourites. Jin Young, Lydia (Ko), I mean, Georgia (Hall), Charley (Hull) at home obviously, and Ash, (Ashleigh Buhai) I’m sure, will be looking to defend as well. There’s any number of girls that you can pick out this week.”

Nigeria Premier League

Rangers’ Coach Rues Defeat At El-Kanemi, Says My Boys Lost Concentration When It Mattered

Rangers International FC’s coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, attributed his team’s 2-1 defeat to El-Kanemi Warriors FC in Maiduguri on Wednesday to lapses in concentration within his defence.

The NPFL matchday 21 clash saw El-Kanemi secured the win at the El-Kanemi Stadium, Maiduguri.

Ilechukwu, who also serves as an assistant coach for the Nigerian national team, acknowledged his players’ overall performance but highlighted two critical moments of defensive inattentiveness that allowed El-Kanemi to score.

He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on future achievements.

He described the current situation as a temporary setback and reassured fans that Rangers would soon return to winning form while urging his players to remain confident as they prepare for their next game against the high-scoring Ikorodu City.

El-Kanemi’s goals came from Nasiru Salihu, who scored in the 18th and 73rd minutes. Isaac Saviour scored the lone goal for Rangers in the 63rd minute.

Despite Rangers’ efforts to equalize, including the introduction of former World Cup star Michael Uchebo, El-Kanemi’s goalkeeper, Abine George, made crucial saves in extra time to secure the victory.

The win moved El-Kanemi Warriors into 4th place on the league table, while Rangers dropped to 6th.

Rangers will face Ikorodu City, who are currently 5th with the same number of points, at home on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 4:00 pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede reflects on Emo Stars’ win over Abia Warriors

Emo Stars technical adviser Daniel Ogunmodede admitted his side was fortunate to secure a 3-2 victory over Abia Warriors in Ikenne on Wednesday.

Abia Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Ayodele Eziekel and Anthony Ijoma. However, Emo Stars responded with three goals from Olamilekan Adebayo, Jabbar Malik, and Franck Mawuena to clinch the win.

Ogunmodede acknowledged that his team had underestimated their opponents but managed to turn things around. “The game was tense and shocking in the first half on our home ground. Not every time you will be lucky against a great team we played against,” he said in the post-match interview.

“We underestimated the qualities of our opponent, and we were punished for it. But luckily, we identified the problem and readjusted to get the victory.”

Emo Stars will now aim to build on this win as they continue their campaign

Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars eye maximum points in midweek showdown with Ikorodu City

Kano Pillars are determined to secure all three points in their upcoming fixture against Ikorodu City in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The Sai Masu Gida will face Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Wednesday.

Usman Abdallah’s side is upbeat and focused ahead of the match, with the players in high spirits.

“Done and dusted with the shake-ups ahead of our NPFL25 Matchday 21 clash against Ikorodu City this Wednesday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos,” Kano Pillars wrote on X.

“The boys are in high spirits and determined to secure maximum points as we aim to continue our impressive run this season.”

Kano Pillars currently sit in eighth place on the league table with 28 points.