Nigeria Premier League

Roger Federer reveals dream Laver Cup doubles pairing for 2024

Published

12 months ago

September 25, 2023

Roger Federer was a shining star at the 2024 Laver Cup even though he never hit a ball in anger and now he has picked out the two players he would like to see in Team Europe for next year’s competition in Berlin.

Team World clinched a one-sided competition as their star turns Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe won a doubles match against Hubert Hurkacz and Andrey Rublev, sealing a 13-2 win in a match that lacked the drama of previous Laver Cup contests.

Federer’s presence and on-court interview was a highlight of the weekend, but there were some suggestions that the Laver Cup may struggle to maintain its place in tennis without players of his ilk taking part.

With Team Europe lacking star names like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, captain Bjorn Borg has a tough task to field a competitive team against a strong Team World side led by captain John McEnroe.

There may now be some questions over what comes next for the Laver Cup after a one-side contest in Vancouver, with Federer certain to play a central role in what comes next.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has been a key figure in the organisation of the Laver Cup over the first six editions of the event and he confirmed how much the event meant to him as he opted to bring down the curtain on his career at the 2022 edition in London last September.

Speaking after Team World’s dominant win in Vancouver, Federer admitted Team Europe need more of their star names to shine and he suggested he wants to see Djokovic and Alcaraz play on the same team in Berlin next year.

“I think we will have a much better team as Team Europe and I think the energy will come back to our side,” Federer told Eurosport.

“I would like to see Novak coming back into the team and Alcaraz. To have Alcaraz and Novak on the same team, I’d love to see that.

“Sasha Zvereva has been such a big supporter of the Laver Cup so hopefully he can play in Germany.

“Tsitsipas and Rune will be big players for Team Europe if they play and hopefully someone else breaks through and gets a chance to be a pick for for Bjorn Borg.”

Federer went on to admit he misses elements of tennis since his retirement, even though he is enjoying a different pace of life with his wife and four children.

“Secretly, I miss it,” he continued. “I miss seeing the happy faces of people that hopefully I was able to entertain.

“I guess you like to be the centre of attention at times, but on the other hand, it doesn’t matter that I’m not any more.

“It’s good with the way my life is right now. The Tour was good to me. I loved every moment, but I am happy with my life now.”

Federer also defended the event in Vancouver, as he insisted the fans who packed the stands enjoyed the three days of competition.

“I thought it was a success,” he added. “A lot of people came, it was pretty much a sell-out.

“A great stadium, an unbelievable city and no hiccups along the way. I thought it was perfect.

“It’s great to be back and in the tennis family again.

“I watched every match, I was very busy around the event and it has been a lot of fun.

“Now I can’t want to bring tennis back to Germany. We had big events there in the past and I’m looking forward to going there.”

The Laver Cup needs an injection of inspiration after an uninspiring few days in Canada and the return of Europe’s big hitters on German soil a year from now could be the tonic it requires.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

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Nigeria Premier League

Godswil Akpabio United Football Club Births In Akwa Ibom

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Godswil Akpabio United Football Club Births In Akwa Ibom

A new Football Club known as “Godswill Akpabio United Football Club“has birthed in Akwa Ibom State.

The Club is registered with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and is affiliated with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association to participate in the 2024/2025 Nigerian National League.(NNL).

Players and officials of the club will soon be recruited ahead of the season

Leading officials of the team on a courtesy call on the State FA at the Uyo Township Stadium on Monday, the General Manager of the newly formed team, Mr Kufre Inima (Kokoty) said the Godswil Akpabio United Football Club is formed to galvanize unity and love among Akwa Ibom youths as well as expose hidden talents to the National and International lamplight.

While promising to work in synergy with the State FA, Inima said, “our target is to qualify to the NPFL next season”.

Responding, the Chairman of the State FA, Mr Sameul Umoh commended the management of the club for deeming it necessary to identify with the Football body in the state.

Mr Umoh encouraged the team officials to register quality players that will execute the league and promised to support all the teams that are affiliated with the State FA to succeed.

In attendance were members of the Board of the state FA.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

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Nigeria Premier League

Rangers Unveil Nwosu As Youth Team Coach

Published

2 weeks ago

September 3, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Rangers Unveil Nwosu As Youth Team Coach

In its effort to make Rangers International F.C a true professional side and meet up with one of its cardinal strategic plans of community social impact, the management of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ have engaged and unveiled coach Felix Nwosu as the head coach of Rangers Youth Team.

The widely travelled young gaffer put pen to paper, Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at the club’s corporate head office with the mandate to comb the nook and crannies of the state to build a strong team of young talents that can graduate into the main team already with playing culture and philosophy of the club.

Coach Nwosu, who has a CAF C coaching licence, had earlier in his career, handled such clubs as; F.C Talanta of Kenya, Heegan S.C of Somali, Ambassador Youth Club of Enugu, DreamStars Ladies F.C of Lagos, Right2Win S.C of Umuahia, BYT Academicals F.C of Lagos, GreenFoot Ladies of Enugu and Delta Force F.C of Asaba.

Speaking after his contract signing, coach Felix Nwosu, said, “I am happy to be here. Everyone knows that Rangers is a very big club in Africa and beyond and I am so delighted to be part of what is happening and there is already progress in Rangers. I am just here to solidify the great things that has been happening and make sure that I get more things into the team and make sure that the name of the team is sustained.”

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

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Nigeria Premier League

Ebi Egbe Lauds Elegbeleye, Aluo On Improved Fortunes Of Nigerian Football

Published

3 months ago

June 11, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Renowned sports facility construction expert, Ebi Egbe, has expressed his satisfaction with the improved standards of the Nigerian football league, particularly, the NPFL and the NNL, ably led by Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and George Aluo respectively.

According to Egbe, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Monimitchelle Sports Facilities Company, Elegbeleye, has turned the NPFL to an attractive brand and with huge crowds coming back to watch the matches.

“I’m very impressed with what Hon. Elegbeleye is doing with the NPFL. Standards of matches have improved tremendously and importantly, the crowds are coming back to the stadium to watch their favourite teams.”

Egbe was equally effusive in praises for the Chairman of the NNL, George Aluo, who he commended for bringing vitality and improved organisation to the NNL.

“And without a doubt, George Aluo, has improved the organisation and standard of the league. The ongoing NNL Super 8 is a testament to the fact that the league can only get better,” Egbe said.

He went ahead to admonish well placed individuals and corporate organisations to give more supports to the Nigerian local football bodies.