Local News

Team Lagos Not Performing Badly At National Para Games – Okunnu

Team Lagos who are participating for the first time in the National Para Games have not been having a bad outing judging from the performance of the athletes at the ongoing championship in Abuja.

This was the submission of Mr. Ola Okunnu, the Director of Technical Department, Lagos State Sports Commission while speaking with reports at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, despite being a first timer, the team still put on stellar performance in most of the sports they participated.

“This is encouraging, and the management of the Sports Commission really applauded the athletes. We have been counting our losses and our gains as well. So far so good, Team Lagos’ outing at the 2nd National Para Games is not all that bad.

“Don’t forget that this is our maiden outing in the para games which enters its second edition this year, and I can tell you that our athletes do us proud.

“As first timer at the games, we see this outing as a learning process for us. We have noted a good number of areas we will improve our preparation on for the next edition,” Okunnu said.

Speaking on the level of organisation on the part of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, which is the organiser of the competition, Okunnu said: “On the part of the organisation of the games, I must say the organisers try their best. The venues have not been far from each other. This is a special games which needs to be treated carefully because of the nature of the athletes. I believe the organisers have been able to see few areas they will improve on ahead of the next games.

Okunnu emphasised that the championship is adding value to sports development in the country. He disclosed that there have been great and beneficial takeaways for the athletes and the sports authority.

“I believe the authority will no doubt use the games to access the standard of these athletes to see their fitness into the country’s pool of talents going into international championship.

“This National Para Games is a win-win situation for both the athletes and the government. The athletes will use this championship as a platform to rob minds with their colleagues across the country, and don’t forget that 2024 is Olympic Games and All Africa Games year. The country will tap a lot in terms of talent discovery from this competition,” Okunnu said.

Local News

Tijani Babangida To Represent PFAN On National Sports Commission Board

In a communique signed and released by Chairman of PFAN Board of Trustees, Comrade Harrison Jalla, the President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), Comrade Tijani Babangida (MON), has been nominated by the PFAN Board of Trustees (BOT) to represent the association on the National Sports Commission (NSC) Board.

This nomination, according to PFAN, aligns with Section 2 of the National Sports Commission (Establishment) Act 2023.

At a meeting held on Saturday, 23rd November 2024, the PFAN BOT, made two significant decisions:

1. Extension of Leadership Tenure: The BOT unanimously agreed to extend the tenure of the Tijani Babangida led Executive Council.

2. NSC Board Representation: Tijani Babangida was chosen as the PFAN representative on the National Sports Commission Board.

These decisions are, however, subject to ratification by the PFAN Congress.

The BOT also advised the PFAN Executive Council, to reach out to aggrieved members and unify the players’ union under one umbrella, in line with the standard practice in other countries.

It also deliberated about the ongoing efforts and legal challenges. The PFAN BOT emphasized that the next critical phase involves securing representation on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board, Congress, and Sub-Committees. These slots, are currently subject to the ongoing case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, which seeks equal and proportional representation.

The BOT also assured stakeholders that representation on the NFF Board, would strictly be based on merit.

Local News

Int’l Friendly: Gusau, Sanusi, Falode To Cheer Super Falcons Against Les Bleues

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, as well as Chairman of the NFF Women’s Football Committee, Ms Aisha Falode and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi will be in the stands to cheer the Super Falcons in Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France in Angers.

The match comes up inside the 18,000 -capacity Stade Raymond Kopa – home ground of Ligue 1 side Angers SCO, and which was opened in 1912 and renovated seven years ago.

Madugu and his charges are set to have the official training session at the match venue on Friday evening, with the Coach robbed of a defender following injury to Turkey-based dependable centre-back Oluwatosin Demehin.

Both teams last clashed nearly five-and-half years ago, when the Super Falcons needed a result to progress to the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals. Hosts France edged the tie by the odd goal, after Wendie Renard’s twice-taken penalty kick with 11 minutes left on the clock. The defeat notwithstanding, the Super Falcons made the Round of 16 as results in another pool weighed in their favour, while France finished top of their group with the maximum nine points from three matches.

On Saturday night, Madugu will have to decide which of England-based Rofiat Imuran and home-girl Sikiratu Isah will pair veteran Osinachi Ohale at the heart of the defence, with Michelle Alozie and returning Ashley Plumptre expected to man the wing-back positions. Madugu may also decide to use another home-girl, Shukurat Oladipo in her accustomed centre-back position.

Portugal-based Christy Ucheibe, England-based Toni Payne and France-based Jennifer Echegini (who scored Nigeria’s only goal at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer) are available in the middle, alongside home-based professionals Adoo Yina and Josephine Mathias.

At the fore, with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade also not in Angers as a result of injury, much will be expected of the Spain-based duo of Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide, with home -girl Mercy Omokwo, as well as Egypt-based Blessing Nkor and France-based Ifeoma Onumonu, also available.

Local News

FULL LIST: Lookman, Troost-Ekong Join Messi, Ronaldo, Haaland, Vinicius On 2024 FIFA Best Player Nominees Roster

Super Eagles duo Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong have earned spots on the prestigious nominees list for the 2024 FIFA Best Player Awards.

The announcement, made early Friday, features only five African players among the elite, with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Zambia’s Barbra Banda, and Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga joining the Nigerian stars in the spotlight.Sports equipment

Banda and Chawinga have been nominated for the Best FIFA Women’s Player award.

Lookman, who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, is shortlisted in the Best Attacker category alongside football giants Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, and Barcelona’s rising sensation Lamine Yamal.

Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong and Hakimi are competing in the Best Defender category against notable names like Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.

This recognition comes as Lookman, Troost-Ekong, and Hakimi also made headlines earlier in the year with nominations for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award. While Troost-Ekong did not progress to the final shortlist, Lookman remains a favourite in African and global football circles.Watch live soccer online

The revamped voting process for FIFA’s awards now gives fans equal weight alongside national team captains, coaches, and media representatives.

Notably, this year marks the introduction of the FIFA Marta Award, celebrating the best goal in women’s football globally, alongside the redefined FIFA Puskás Award, which honours the best goal in men’s football.

Fans can cast their votes on FIFA.com until 10 December 2024, with winners set to be announced in early 2025.

FULL LIST – FIFA THE BEST AWARDS
The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees
Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona
Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais
Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais
Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit

The Best FIFA Men’s Player nominees
Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen
Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)
Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Real Madrid

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach nominees
Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA
Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach nominees
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina
Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain
Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nominees
Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees
Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club

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