Local News

African Handball: Inexperience Cost Nigeria’s Game Against Angola – Coach

Nigeria’s quest for a continental glory in handball started on a poor note as they lost their first match of the ongoing 26th African Men’s Handball Championship in Cairo, the Egyptian seat of power.

The Golden Arrows as the Nigeria team is fondly called went down to Angola 26-24 on Wednesday.

The head coach of Nigeria men’s team, Rafiu Salami said the Golden Arrows of Nigeria lost to Angola due to the inexperience and hurriedness in the last two minutes.

Salami said the players gave a good account of themselves both in the defence and attack.

He said, “I must confess to you that the players did well; the only thing that cost us the match was our inexperience and hurriedness. The boys defensively put up a good fight, offensiveness was good but I think it shows that the Angolans were more experienced. The boys lost some crucial goals towards the end of the game.”

Next for Nigeria, is the confrontation against ten time African champions Tunisia.

The France based gaffer said, “Tunisia is a very much stronger side, we will put a good fight against Tunisia and let us see how the game will turn out. The disappointment is in everybody’s mind but the coaching crew is cheering the players up because in two days’ time, Nigeria will face Tunisia”.

He revealed that Nigeria still stands a chance of making it to the next round despite its loss.

Meanwhile , Rwanda lost its first game at the championships to Cape Verde 52-27.

Rwanda is only making her debut at the continental handball competition where it was pooled in Group D alongside DR Congo, Zambia, and Cape Verde.

During Wednesday’s game, Cape Verde dominated Rwanda, winning the first half 24 to 13, before returning to finish the job in the second half and walk away with a 52-27 victory.

Rwanda’s top-scorers in the Cape Verde game include Emmanuel Kubwimana, Yves Kayijamahe, and Samuel Mbesutunguwe with four goals each, while Jean Paul Muhawenayo and Elyse Muhumure added three each.

Rwanda will play its second match with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, January 19. Cape Verde will face Zambia in its next match.

Rwanda is targeting to reach the knock-out stages of the competition at least.

Host Egypt made a powerful start to their African Championship campaign with a commanding 33-15 victory over Guinea in the opening game of the competition.

The Pharaohs showcased their superiority throughout the match, leaving their opponents unable to compete with the team that finished fourth in the 2020 Olympics.

In the first half, Egypt took a commanding 18-7 lead before ultimately winning the game with a remarkable 18-goal difference.

Currently, Egypt sit atop the group with two points, tied with Cameroon, who defeated Congo 25-21 earlier in the day.

Next, Egypt will face Congo on Friday as they aim to continue their winning form.

Holding from January 17-27, the tournament is organised by the African Handball Confederation (CAHB), bringing together top handball playing nations in Africa.

The 26th edition of the CAHB African Men’s Championship serves as a qualification event not only for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games but also for the 2025 World Men’s Handball Championship.

Local News

6th JOF Kids Cup Kicks Off In Lagos

The much awaited 6th edition of the annual Under-13 JOF Kids Soccer competition kicked off on Sunday, 16th February 2025 at the Union Bank Sports Club playground on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos with 64 neighborhood football clubs and academies taking part in the tournament.

This is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility programs of the sponsor company, JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous manufacturing and supply chain services organisation, which took special interest in the development of talents of the Nigerian youths. The U-13 JOF Kids Cup this year promises to be more glamorous, judging from the display of the kids during the kick-off match between Shaker Boys from Oshodi and Omonia Babes of Oto Awori.

Though Shakers Boys won the grudge tie by a lone goal, it was obvious that Omonia Babes put up a display on the pitch to send a message to opponents in the course of the first round of the competition that they are not pushovers.

Chairman Organising Committee of the tournament, Samuel Omolola disclosed that the first round will be keenly contested across three centres, Union Bank playground in Surulere, Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute-Metta and Lekki playground in Eti-Osa, adding that matches are scheduled to be played on weekends to give the children opportunity of concentrating on their studies during the week. Omolola commended the sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited, for the support since the first edition. He assured everyone that Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association will continue to organize a tournament of high football standards that will motivate the kid footballers.

Mr. Adeyinka Adetunji, the Director, Strategic Support Services, who represented the Chairman/CEO of JOF Nigeria Limited played the ceremonial kick-off. Adetunji advised the footballers to enjoy themselves on the pitch while displaying their God-given talents.

Other registered participating teams in the 6th edition of the tournament are, Small Tiger of Epe, Rufy Academy of Badagry, Puma Boys of Ojo, Latoyam Boys of Aguda, United Boys of Ogijo, Alaro Babes of Apapa, Yinka Babes of Badagry, Barca of Mainland, Adeomo Boys of Okoko, Junior Arsenal of Alimosho, Kola Babes of Ipaja, Miracle FC of Ijesha, Young Stars of Lagos Island, Warrior FC of Agege, Bariga United of Bariga, HB Utility of Ilupeju, Oron Academy of Oyingbo, Edet Academy of Aguda, Oloto Babes of Otto, ADC Academy of Ogba, Ajegunle Boys of Ajegunle, Idimu Bombers of Idimu, Tom boys of Orile, Oworo United of Oworo, Tobi Boys of Ojodu, Rock FC of Ojodu, Ultimate Villa of Ikorodu, Royal FC of Iwaya, Stricker Academy of Oko-Oba, Dollar Boys of Ifako, Landa Boys of Okoko, Demilade Boys of Ayobo, MRS Academy of Imota, Global FC of Mushin, Fagbems Boys of Ikeja, Alaba United of Alaba, Oluyole FC of Ayobo, Ikosi babes of Ketu, St. Michael of Alimosho, B. Unit of Surulere, Amazon Boys of Ikoyi, Abey Boys of Ajah, Afun Academy of Maryland, Kamin Boys of Oyingbo, Zamadek of Lagos Island, Chelsea Boys of Ketu, Ajiran Boys of Ajiran, Okota Academy of Okota, Ola’s Babes of Somolu, Greater Tomorrow of Lagos Island, Strong Dove of Orile, Adamu Academy of Idi-Araba, Glory FC of Ikotun, Mafe Ace of Ijegun, Botife Ace of Abule-Egba, Solution Boys of Apapa, Dopemu United of Dopemu, United Star of Mafoluku, Musiner FC of Mushin, Ultimate Stars of Apapa, Young Boys of Ojo, Abu Babes of Igando and Aket Babes of Iddo.

Local News

Nigerian Player Drags Super Eagles Coach Chelle To His Club

FK Rabotnichki star defender, Sodiq Anthony Rasheed is making the right headline in Southeastern Europe, distinguishing himself as the best productive player in the Macedonian top Football League.

The experienced 24-year-old has consistently maintained top form that ranked him as the best player in the league. His versatility on the pitch is what many Macedonian pundits have described as genius.

His club, Rabotnichki are currently in the 1st position with the same 37 points with the 2nd and 3rd positions. Thanks to the efficiency of Rasheed who has scored two vital goals so far and made himself a solid rock at the defence line of the team.

Speaking on his explosive form, he said: “I am enjoying every bit of my career in the league, my major focus is to remain consistent and help my team to win the title this season. I have been encouraged to do more and I am not going to let my current performance affect my main focus.”.

Rasheed exceptional and superlative performance is sending a message to the newly hired Super Eagles coach to take a stop at the Macedonia league as he is currently moving around to shop for new players.

“I am not going to be too desperate, I almost had a chance under the former foreign coach, and maybe this time around I can be invited to the national team to prove my experience can count at the defence line. My target for 2025 is to win the Macedonia league and take big advantage of Super Eagles camp and I hope this comes to pass.”

Rasheed has become the rave of the moment in the Macedonian top league following the superlative display that saw him nominated for several Macedonian 1. MFL Team of the Week player.

Local News

Play For Super Eagles – Chelle In Contact With 29 Year Old Newcastle United Forward

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is not leaving any stone unturned in his bid to ensure that the senior national team of Nigeria progress to the 2026 World Cup.Nigerian football apparel, as reported by OwnGoalNigeria.

The coach made a tour last week to see players of the team ahead of the world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively. He is expected to submit his provisional list of players for the world cup qualifiers to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) later this week.

He is also planning ahead of both games, and we can exclusively reveal that he has made contact with Newcastle United forward Jacob Murphy who is eligible for the senior national team of Nigeria.

Chelle had a chat with the 29 year old to gauge his interest in switching to Nigeria due to his Nigerian descent. Details of how the discussion went wasn’t made available to us as at the time of this report.

Murphy who has represented England at various level is of Irish descent through his mother and he is of Nigerian origin through his father. He is yet to be capped by any of the above nation at senior level.