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States Battle For Medals, As Scrabble Events Hot Up In Asaba 2023 Youth Games

Nine players in the boy’s singles category are still in reach for a podium finish in the scrabble event at the ongoing 7th Nigeria National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba the Delta State capital, South South of Nigeria.

Aliu Abdulqudus of Kwara State who is yet to drop a game after 7 rounds and with fat cumulative points of plus 1122 is leading the group of nine. On Aliu Abdulqudus’s heels are the trio of Pereowei Edide from Bayelsa, Imode Clinton of Delta State and Kwara’s Sufyan Boluwatife, they are on 6 wins each.

Pereowei Edide has 939 cumulative points, Imode Clinton is on 877 while Sufyan Boluwatife has 853 cumulative points.

Onazi Saviour representing Niger State with 5 wins and a plus 775 cumulative points is in the company Ejenakevbe Ese of Edo, Ibrahim-lawal Ahmid of Oyo, Demilade Lawrence from the Gateway State, Ogun and Lagos boy, Akhabue Philip all on 5 wins each but separated by cumulative points.

Bayelsa’s August Shannon and Khalid Olosun of Kwara State chances of finishing in the medal bracket are very faint but not impossible. The duo have a healthy cumulative point but have only 4 wins after 7 rounds of games just like 8 other players in the boys singles category which ends today.

Chukwuemeka Victoria, Nwabuzor Joy and Dada Oluwaferanmi are the front runners in the girls singles category with 6 wins each from a possible 7.

Chukwuemeka Victoria in the colours of Anambra has plus 849 cumulative points, Edo State Nwabuzor Joy is on 813 while Dada Oluwaferanmi from the poorly kitted Ekiti State contingent has gathered 502 cumulative points from her 6 victories.

Michael Cynthia from Anambra, with 5 wins and a draw sit on the fourth spot on the table at the end of Day 1 of competition in the scrabble event.

Four other girls, Kwara’s Balqees Ajao, Abdullahi Hauwa of Plateau State, Bassey Beulah of Akwa Ibom and Kwara’s Olojoku Hadiyah have recorded 5 wins each while Ekeruche Sophia from Lagos State has 4 wins and a draw with 446 cumulative points.

Sakariyau Haleema, Osoba Anjola and Ubanmmayie Catherine as well as seven other girls are in the chasing pack with 4 wins each.

Seventy players from 17 states representing all 6 sporting zones of the federation are competing for honours in 7 categories in the scrabble event of the ongoing 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold to miss Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham, says Slot

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has seen his future become a hot topic over the last few months with the 26-year-old’s contract running out at the end of the season.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Thursday.

Alexander-Arnold requested to be substituted due to a leg strain during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, which kept them atop the Premier League.

Slot revealed that the defender would not be available for the Spurs encounter but was hopeful about his recovery. “He is going to miss tomorrow, and we have to see if he can play on Sunday, but he is not available tomorrow,” Slot said.

He added, “I think you saw he left the pitch with a bit of pain in his leg, so that is why he misses tomorrow. He is already on the pitch with the rehab coach, so let’s see how long it takes.”

Liverpool are currently trailing Tottenham 1-0 in the semi-final tie and will need to overcome that deficit in the second leg.

Despite Alexander-Arnold’s absence, the Reds remain in contention across multiple competitions, sitting six points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League, having qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, and preparing for a fourth-round FA Cup clash against Plymouth Argyle.

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Folashade Ijamilusi joins Liaoning Baiye FC in Chinese Women’s Super League

Super Falcons forward Folashade Ijamilusi has signed a two-year contract with Liaoning Baiye FC in the Chinese Women’s Super League.

Ijamilusi joined the Shenyang City-based club from Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) champions, Edo Queens, where she was a standout performer.

The powerful striker played a key role in Edo Queens’ NWFL title win last season, finishing as the league’s top scorer with eight goals. She also contributed significantly to the club’s successful WAFU-B campaign.

Ijamilusi’s impressive form caught the attention of both domestic and international football fans, especially after she scored a hat-trick for the Super Falcons in a friendly against Algeria’s Green Ladies last year.

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Kenneth Omeruo parts ways with Kasimpasa

Nigerian international Kenneth Omeruo has officially parted company with Turkish Super Lig side Kasimpasa by mutual consent, making him a free agent.

The 31-year-old centre-back has faced a challenging season, struggling with injuries that limited him to just five appearances.

Reports suggest that Omeruo is now considering offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Omeruo initially joined Kasimpasa on loan from Chelsea in 2015, returning for another loan spell in 2017 before completing a permanent move in 2023. Over his two stints, he made 85 appearances, scoring two goals and providing three assists.

As he explores his next career move, the seasoned defender remains a valuable option for teams seeking experience and defensive prowess.