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Dominican Republic 2024: Olowookere says girls focused on Burkina Faso, not Senegal

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has assured that the Nigeria U17 girls have their minds firmly trained on Saturday’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against their counterparts from Burkina Faso, and not on the final round of the qualifiers against either of Senegal and Liberia.

“We have one hurdle to cross before the final hurdle, and that is what we are thinking about. Yes, we know it would be either Senegal or Liberia in the final round, but we have to first get past the roadblock mounted by Burkina Faso.

“We threw away a lot of opportunities in the first leg. If we had converted those chances, we would be sleeping easy and thinking this is a formality match, but we did not. On Saturday, we must convert our chances and that can only be done by good presence of mind and focus.”

Olowookere led the Flamingos to third-place finish at the last edition of the global finals in India, and knows only victory on Saturday will propel his girls to a final round fixture that will present the opportunity for a return to the World Cup.

Senegal thrashed Liberia 3-1 in the first leg of their fixture in Dakar and look poised to be the team waiting in that final round.

On Thursday, the Flamingos received motivation from the NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen and the CEO of Enugu Rangers FC, Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, who were both at the team’s training session.

Eguavoen said: “I’m pleased with what I have seen, and I can assure you that I will deliver my monetary gift to you after the match.” On his part, Ezeaku, who also expressed delight with the display of the girls at training, promised the team the sum of one million naira.

Saturday’s encounter at the MKO Abiola National Stadium will commence at 4.30pm. The first leg in Bamako last Saturday ended 1-1.

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Olukismet FC Youngster Popoola Abdulrasaq Joins Top Hungarian Side Kisvarda FC

Highly rated midfielder of Ekiti based NLO 1 side Olukismet FC, Popoola Ridwan Abdulrasaq has joined Hungarian side Kisvarda FC on a five- year deal.

According to a statement from the Ekiti based team which is known for churning out top young talents under the tutelage of renowned youth talents developer, Coach Gabriel Oladeji Atobaje, Popoola has quickly hit the grounds running with some wonderful displays in the games he has played for the promotion seeking side since he started pulling on the red and white of the club.

In his remarks, Coach Atobaje expressed confidence in the abilities of the 18 years old midfielder, who has started turning heads with his performances in the Hungarian league.

“We’re very confident that our boy Popoola would make us proud out there in Hungary.

“This is a very gifted young player with uncanny ability and intelligence and physical strength to dominate the midfield play, even at the highest heights of world football,” the obviously excited Atobaje enthused confidently.

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Joy Unlimited: NBBF Board Members, Stakeholders Hails Musa Kida’s Appointment As Chairman, NNPCL

Encomiums and felicitations have been pouring for the President of Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the new Chairman of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Since the appointment which many experts in the oil and gas industry described as long overdue, but timely, it has been stopless prayers and heartfelt goodwill messages for Kida by all Nigerians and particularly, from his immediate sports constituency, the basketball community.

In a press statement signed and released by veteran sports journalist Felix Awogu, on behalf of the NBBF board members, congratulates Kida on his appointment as the chairman of the board of NNPCL.

It noted that Kida has proven his ability, capability and integrity as a globally renowned expert in the energy, oil and gas industry, with over 40 years’ experience bouyed by high levels of efficient and spectacular achievements.

“It is no gain saying that you’re a great achiever with so much experience and sagacity in administration, and that is glaringly evident in the unprecedented feats your leadership as President of the NBBF has brought to the game of basketball in Nigeria.

“We acknowledge your reputation as a globally renowned expert in the oil industry and like the other good people of this great nation, we have implicit confidence that you shall deliver on the mandate of your new board of the NNPCL.

“The board members of the NBBF, the stakeholders, as well as enthusiast and aficionados of the game, say a big thank you to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on your appointment. And we heartily pray that God in His infinite mercies continue to guard, guide and bless your steps in your new national assignment.

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Mikel Arteta Refuses To Concede Title To Liverpool After Man United Draw

Mikel Arteta has refused to concede the Premier League title race after Arsenal fell 15 points behind Liverpool with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

Declan Rice’s 74th-minute strike cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ opener in first half stoppage time but neither side were able to find a winner in a frantic finale at Old Trafford.

Arsenal still have a game in hand on the leaders but now face a mammoth task in their attempts to secure a first league crown since 2004.

And when asked whether the race was now over, Arteta said: “I don’t want to say that. Today the frustration is that we haven’t won the game. We know the urgency and we are obligated to win every single match if you want to have any chance of doing that. I don’t think it is the right moment to talk about that.”

Rice vowed Arsenal would keep pushing until the final day. “Like the manager said, we’ll keep going until the end of the season,” the England midfielder said.

“Liverpool have been amazing all year. We’re Arsenal. We’ve been hit hard by injuries. We’ll keep going and we’ll be alright.”

Arteta’s frustrations were evident when he left his post-match media obligations with Sky Sports early following a question about the title race.

After answering several questions, Arteta was asked whether he regretted Arsenal not signing a striker in January and replied: “No, it’s not about that” before beginning to walk away.

The interviewer then asked for one more question, which Arteta allowed. But while being asked about the 15-point gap to Liverpool, Arteta walked out of shot.