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Nigeria Premier League

Weightlifting: Debutant Ruth Ayodele Wins Surprised Three Medals For Nigeria At IWF Tourney

Nigerian weightlifter Ruth Ayodele on Sunday won three medals in the women’s 64kg category at the recently concluded IWF World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

She won two silver medals and a bronze medal by lifting 100kg in the free kick, 122kg in the free kick and a total of 222kg.

Ruth Ayodele from Nigeria, making her debut at the age of 23, then delayed the medal ceremony because nobody could find her.

Eventually, she made her way down from the seats to the right of the platform, where she had watched the action, to declare: “That was so exciting – I never thought I would win a medal.”

Asked why Ayodele had been such a late starter, Nigeria’s head coach Ojadi Aduche said: “She was in the team some years ago, then things happened in her life and she took a break from the sport.

“She is very strong and I recalled her to the team recently.”

This was the second impressive performance of the week by a Nigerian, after Rafiatu Lawal’s big jump up the rankings at 59kg, and there could be more to come from Joy Eze at 71kg, Aduche said.

Meanwhile, Colombia’s Mosquera Llamosa won three gold medals by lifting 101 kg in the clear race, 122 kg in the clear and jerk and 223 kg overall, while Korea’s Minkyung Park won a silver medal and two bronze medals in the women’s 64 kg category.

In the women’s 59kg, 2022 Commonwealth gold medalist Rafiatu Lawal finished sixth position lifting 100kg in the Snatch event, 125kg in the Clean and Jerk as well and 225kg in the Total, while Adijat Olarinoye placed 15th position with a lift of 95kg in the Snatch event, 120kg in the Clean and Jerk as well as 215kg in the Total. Far below their best

Edidiong Umoafia with a lift of 140kg in the Snatch event, 170kg in the Clean and Jerk as well as 310kg in the Total finished in the 18th position in the men’s 73kg category.

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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.

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Nigeria Premier League

Ogunmodede reflects on Emo Stars’ win over Abia Warriors

Ogunmodede

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

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Nigeria Premier League

Kano Pillars eye maximum points in midweek showdown with Ikorodu City

Kano Pillars

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.

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