Local News

Teams Battle For N1, 850,000 In JOF U-13 Cup Finals

All roads lead to the Sports Centre of the University of Lagos in Akoka, Yaba, Lagos as the final ceremony of the 5th edition of JOF U-13 Cup Football Championship holds on Sunday.

The journey of the 5th edition, which started on Sunday 11 February, 2024 with a kicked off at Union Bank playground in Surulere with 64 team, as against 32 in the 2023 edition, will be climaxed on 12 May at UNILAG Sports Centre with the final clash between Zamadek Football Academy and HB Utility Football Academy

In its bid to further incentivising participation and encourage the dedication by the players, as well as rewarding talent, the sponsor of JOF U-13 football competition, JOF Nigeria Limited, has jacked up the prize monies to be given to the winners and the three other runners up teams of the fifth edition.

Last year, a packaged prize money of N1,500,000 was doled out, but this year, the sponsor at a media briefing on Thursday in Lagos announced a total prize of N1, 850,000 which will be given out during the closing ceremony scheduled for University of Lagos Sports Centre in Akoka, Yaba, Lagos on Sunday 12 May 2024.

The winners will go home with the sum of N750,000, first runners get N500,000, second and third runners up will pocket N350,000 and N250, 000 respectively.

Individual prizes of N25,000 each will also be given to the Highest Goalscorer, Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper.

Director of Strategic Support Services, JOF Nigeria Limited, Adeyinka Adetunji said that, though the players are still very young to be spoilt with monetary rewards, the need to encourage and motivate them, and to send a strong message that their God-given talent can bring fortune to them if they are serious with what are doing, prompted the increased monetary packages for the players.

He recalled how the sponsor company took JOF All Stars team of 30 players on playing tour of Lagos, Oyo and Ogun State last year’s November and the enthusiasm that followed after the exercise.

“The JOF U-13 Football Tournament has emerged as a catalyst for social cohesion and community engagement for our youths. Through the power of Sports, we have witnessed first-hand JOF All Stars who played PSI of Ibadan and Remo Stars of Ikenne, Ogun State with the sole and of further exposing the boys to top players from the tournament.

“We put them in a week-long camp where we encouraged them to bond together under one roof and exposed them to leadership training program.

“We will still have another set of All Stars team this year after the final. The plan is to expose these youngsters to life outside football.

“The camping and the tour were good exposure for the players. This is a testimony to the fact that we are taken the annual JOF U-13 Football Tournament beyond football with a focus to development these players,” Olatunji said.

Olatunji commended the support the tournament has been receiving from the sporting media since the first edition in 2020. This, he said, is unprecedented; and like Oliver Twist; he asked for more.

He also appreciated the support from some brands which believe in the vision of the tournament.

“This year as usual, we are expecting some brands presence from Milo, Maltina, Indomie, JOF salt, Custodian Insurance, First Bank and others during the final ceremony,” he said.

Secretary of Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association, Abubakre Ishola said the organization is out to provide a platform for the kids to develop their talent, build character and instil passion for the game in them.

“We would like to express our profound gratitude to our sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited for their unwavering support and commitment to youth soccer development in Lagos State for the past four years.

“Without the dedication of Dr Olusegun Olugboyegun to our course, event like this would not have been possible. Sir, we are truly grateful for your magnanimous support,” he 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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