Local News

Blessing Oborodudu Secures African Games slot and Olympic Qualifiers

Published

10 months ago

February 5, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Japan 2020 Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu booked a slot in next month’s African Games in Accra, Ghana.

Blessing wasted no time dispatching her 68kg opponent Tokere Appah of Bayelsa in a pinfall dominant fashion.

Ebi Biogos of Bayelsa and Hannah Reuben of the Nigerian Army also came out victorious in the 72kg and 76kg respectively.

In the male freestyle, Soso Tamarau of Delta and Ashton Mutuwa of Plateau caused an upset in the 97kg and 125kg.

The new American based sensation Ashton Mutuwa upset National champion Progress Benson of Rivers to secure the African Games qualification and Olympic Qualifiers.

Similarly, Harrison Isrsal of Bayelsa dented the hopes of Jackson Oluwafemi of Ondo who is a national champion in the 86kg.

Earlier, in the 65kg Stephen Simon of Bayelsa defeated former national champion Amas Daniel of Bayelsa while Braveman Pere in the 74kg secured qualification to the Games in Accra, Ghana.

In the 57kg Enozumini Simon of Edo joined the winning parade by cementing his slot at the African Games.

An elated president of the Wrestling Federation, Dr. Daniel Igali who spoke to Journalists at the end of the National trials in Yenagoa, applauded the efforts of all the wrestlers for their doggedness and zeal to win.

Daniel Igali who who showered praises on the Technical and officials for hosting a successful event said that despite what he saw, there is still much room for improvement.

He singled out once again adequate preparation for the Nation’s athletes going for the African Games.

In a concluding remarks, Daniel Igali expressed the Wrestling Federation’s deep appreciation to the government of Bayelsa State for the warmth reception and hosting of the National Trials.

“I want to thank the Bayelsa State Government for the support to host this trials for the African Games and Olympic Qualifiers, having said that, I think it was a well contested tournament

There were a couple of young athletes I saw here that got me very excited, every weight class was well contested for that gives me a lot of joy

However, our performance would be determined by how we prepare because I don’t think our athletes are prepared well enough to start thinking of gold so we need to start camping immediately.” Igali stated.

Meanwhile, the African Games is scheduled in the capital city of Accra, Ghana from 8th to 24th March 2024 while the first Olympic Qualifiers for the year runs from 12TH – 20TH
March Alexander, Egypt.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

Champions League: Ayodele Thomas Congratulates Edo Queens On Semi-Finals Ticket

Published

8 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Champions League: Ayodele Thomas Congratulates Edo Queens On Semi-Finals Ticket

One of Nigeria’s foremost female football promoter and investors, Ayodele Thomas, has congratulated the management and team of Nigeria’s representatives at the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions league, Edo Queens, for beating defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1, to qualify for the semi-finals stage of the championship.

In his statement, Thomas, the CEO of TopPro Sports Management Company, described the feats of the Edo Queens, as awesome and inspiring. He noted that while no Nigerian female club has reached this level, the Edo Queens have invariably made a statement that female football in Nigeria, is once again, on the rise.

“I am proud of our girls. Beating the defending champions to qualify for the semi-finals in no mean feat. They are true ambassadors of Nigeria.

“Let me also appreciate the efforts of the Edo State government and the State Sports Commission. They have been instrumental in all the feats achieved so far, by the girls,” Thomas added.

He went ahead to urge the girls to beat their next opponents, TP Mazembe, and go ahead to make history as the first Nigerian female team to win the lucrative CAF Women’s Champions League title.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

Edo Queens Battle TP Mazembe For Champions League Final Place

Published

13 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Edo Queens Battle TP Mazembe For Champions League Final Place

Gritty Nigerian champions Edo Queens will now battle TP Mazembe for a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League final after they literally came from the dead to upstage mighty Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Nigerian champions won Group B with seven points and will Tuesday do battle in the semifinal against TP Mazembe, who finished as runners-up in Group A.

Home team AS FAR of Morocco will take on FC Masar of Egypt in the other semifinal.

Edo Queens were heading home after they conceded the opening goal in the 24th minute to two-time Champions League winners Sundowns, before they scored twice in stoppage.

Emem Essien, who inspired the comeback with the equaliser, was named Player of the Match.

Scorenigeria

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

After Controversial Report, NFF Promise Super Eagles 10% Of Outstanding Monies

Published

14 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

After Controversial Report, NFF Promise Super Eagles 10% Of Outstanding Monies

After a controversial breaking story by ScoreNigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau, has promised the Super Eagles will be paid 10% of their outstanding payments not later than next month.

The Super Eagles expressed their disappointment that they have not been paid allowances and bonuses with some of these monies dating as far back as 2020.

The players said this has caused them to lack the motivation to play for the national team.

This was at a meeting in Abidjan with Gusau.

The NFF boss has now given the team a commitment that due to the poor finances of the NFF, they will receive 10% of these monies in the new month.

However, close watchers have been left stunned by the rationale behind this payment even after the Federal Government of Nigeria paid 17 Billion Naira to the NFF to offset the debts owed the Super Eagles as well as the Flying Eagles, Falconets and the Golden Eaglets that go back several years.