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Nigerian Youngster Eyes Tennis Stardom At WTA, US Open

Published

1 year ago

September 4, 2023

An under-16 tennis player, basking in the euphoria of her victory at the just concluded Adewale Isa Foundation (AIF) 4th National Junior Tennis Championships, is aiming high already, saying that she is looking forward to making it big in the sport someday.

Khadijat Mohammed was outstanding in her match against her opponent Bright Emmanuel whom she defeated in a straight set of 6-4, 6-3 in the U-16 girl’s final in the game played at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Speaking on her victory, an elated Khadijat, who is looking forward to playing in the WTA, US Open and other Grand Slams in the next three to four years, admitted that it was not an easy final for her, as Bright gave her a run for her money.

She also commended the family of the late Alhaji Adewale Isa for making the championship possible.

“I feel really happy and grateful. I want to say a big thank you to the sponsors (Alhaja Olayinka Adigun and Nurudeen Isa), and a big thank you to my coaches and everybody who supported me.

“It was not an easy final for me because Bright actually gave problems in the early part of the first set and towards the end of the second set. Honestly, she is a really good player and made me work hard for my victory.

“Hopefully, in the next three to four years, I see myself playing in the WTAs, US Open and other Grand Slams,” she said.

Meanwhile, Aina Henry emerged champion in the U-16 boy’s final as he outplayed Awe Damilare in another straight-set 6-2, 6-2.

And for Aina, his victory was made possible by hard work and the hunger to achieve success against the best.

“For sure I’m really excited to have emerged champions in the tournament due to hard work. I was focused and trained regularly for it,” he said.

Speaking at the end of the championship, the daughter of the late Alhaji Isa, Alhaja Olayinka Adigun nee Isa admitted she was overwhelmed with the turnout of participants in this year’s edition and looks forward to a more significant championship next year.

She urged corporate Nigeria to partner with the Adewale Isa Foundation in taking Nigeria’s tennis to the next level.

In the U-14 events, Holzendorff Lerelay beat Benjamin Ndifreke 5-4, 2-4, 10-8 to win the girls title, while Amasiani Chukwudubem lost the boys final to Shamsideen Bello, who won the game by 4-1, 4-2.

For the girls U-12, Nana Roseline outplayed Kwange Emmanuel 5-3,2-4, 10-4, while Michael Joel saw off Ubiebi Peter 4-2, 5-3 to win the boy’s title.

All the finalists were rewarded with different prizes ranging from bags, rackets and other tennis equipment with the champions receiving trophies in addition.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Super Eagles Managerial Candidate Eric Chelle Signs Bumper Deal With Algerian League Side

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Algeria Ligue 1 side, MC Oran, has appointed former Mali coach and Super Eagles coaching candidate Eric Chelle as their new head coach on a multi year contract.

The 46-year-old, a candidate for the Super Eagles coaching job, brings a wealth of experience after leading Mali at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

Chelle’s appointment at MC Oran marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career, and expectations are high as he takes charge of the club for the 2024/2025 season.

As the Super Eagles managerial position continues to linger, Chelle will now switch attentions to his new role.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Mbappe Among Stars Missing From Nations League

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

In a congested soccer season where elite players have aired the idea of going on strike, the Nations League returns this week looking less than a top priority.

France captain Kylian Mbappé opted to stay away, his probable deputy Antoine Griezmann retired from the national team, and Romelu Lukaku asked to work on his fitness at new club Napoli rather than join the Belgium camp.

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco called up four potential debutants to experiment in games in what is the third-tier competition for European teams.

“We will not do it during the important World Cup qualification,” said Tedesco, looking ahead to that important next stage in 2025.

The 2026 World Cup in North America is, however, already now in play for teams targeting that tournament and each has two Nations League games from Thursday through Tuesday.

Results in the next week, and two more games in November, are the last chance to gain a better seeding in the Dec. 13 draw in Zurich for European qualifying groups for the World Cup.

Two teams pushing to raise their FIFA ranking and go into the draw pot of second-seeded teams are Norway and Slovenia.

Europe’s most feared striker and one of its emerging stars are due to meet again on Thursday in Oslo.

Erling Haaland and Benjamin Šeško, once club mates at Salzburg, are the main attractions when Norway hosts Slovenia in their second-tier League B group.

Haaland has 11 goals in 10 games for Manchester City this season plus a winning goal in the Nations League, sealing a 2-1 victory over Austria last month.

Šeško has six in nine games for Leipzig — including three in the Champions League — plus four in two Nations League games. The tall striker got a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Kazakhstan.

Thursday’s game will not be decisive in the group but it will decide who leads at the midway point and is set for promotion to the top tier. The return game in Ljubljana is Nov. 14.

The last time France played a game with neither Mbappé nor Griezmann on the field? November 2016, in a 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast in a friendly.

It will happen again Thursday when France faces Israel in Budapest. The Hungarian capital is the neutral venue chosen since Israel’s conflict with Hamas started one year ago.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Steinhaus-Webb Head Women’s Refereeing at FIFA

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

FIFA has appointed Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb as its new head of women’s refereeing.

Steinhaus-Webb, a German native, takes up the job after holding the same role in the English game.

A former FIFA referee, she enjoyed an influential career that saw her become the first woman to take charge of a final at the Women’s World Cup and the women’s Olympic football tournament, as well as matches in the men’s Bundesliga. Altogether she officiated in nine FIFA competitions between 2008 and 2021.

In her new role, Steinhaus-Webb, who is married to English men’s referee boss Howard Webb, will oversee and drive further development of women’s refereeing at all levels, including across FIFA women’s competitions, in cooperation with FIFA’s member associations and the confederations.

“I’m thrilled to join FIFA and look forward to making a contribution to the steady growth of women’s refereeing,” Steinhaus-Webb said in a statement.

“FIFA has shown a consistent commitment to taking refereeing to the next level as an integral part of the game, and it’s an honour for me to apply my experience and to support female referees across the world.”

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström commented: “FIFA remains committed to promoting the growth of the women’s game, and maximizing on the huge developmental opportunity it holds. Refereeing is of course a key part of that opportunity and bringing figures of the stature and experience of Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb will contribute significantly to this objective. I very much look forward to working with her in the years ahead.”

Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA referees committee, added: “Bibiana’s outstanding experience as a trailblazer of the game, coupled with her thorough understanding of the current challenges facing female referees, will help us massively to develop the next generation of elite female match officials.”