OWOSPORTS

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Monday evening in Ijebu-Ode, emerged the winner of the maiden Governor Dapo Abiodun Pre Season Tournament. The Ibadan soccer lords, overcame a struggling start to the tourney, held at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, to pick the trophy, after a hard earned 1-0 win over hard fighting Delta Force. Taiwo Muritala's fourth minute goal, was all the Oluyole Warriors needed, to emerge the maiden champions of the tournament. The right back lashed to a rebound to fire home, leaving goalkeeper Luqman Orire stranded and that goal turned out to be the decider. Although chances to add to rhe tally were wasted by the Stars, Delta Force showed they were also good for rhe trophy as they tried to draw level, especially in the second half but the Waheed Omololu led backline of 3SC refused to cave in. Thirteen teams (six NPFL and seven NNL) clubs, took part in the one week pre season  soccer fiesta. At the sound of the final whistle, travell

Super Eagles B Head Coach, Imama Amapakabo, still pained by the 2-1 loss to Togo on Sunday, is hopeful that the greater goal of building a quality U23 side for Nigeria would not be lost. Nigeria lost to Togo in Thies, Senegal in their first match of the 2019 WAFU Cup billed to end October 13. It was a second loss for the mixed team of senior and junior players within a week. Amapakabo said in Thies on Sunday night that much as they had desired to win the major trophy in Senegal, he is determined to ensure that the bigger plan of developing a squad of quality players is achieved. “We lost the game against Togo but the team showed the capacity to win. As you may not know, this is largely our U23 team needing exposure. “When players at that level play a competition like this they are bound to make mistakes. The first half was not up to the level we desired because there were some errors but we returned in the second half a lot much better creating many scoring chanc

Nigeria’s senior women, Super Falcons continue the pursuit of a ticket to the women’s football tournament of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when they fly to Abidjan, capital city of Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday, ahead of a second round, first leg clash with their Ivorian counterparts on Thursday. The nine-time African champions and 3-0 winners on aggregate over Algeria in the first round will travel aboard Air Cote d’Ivoire, and arrive in Abidjan in the evening early enough to have a walk-out. They will have the official training session at the match venue on Wednesday. Acting Head Coach Chris Danjuma has selected seven overseas-based and 11 home-based professionals for the clash, with new captain and FC Barcelona ace Asisat Oshoala leading the 18 –woman playing body. There are also defenders Chidinma Okeke and Osinachi Ohale, midfielders Ngozi Okobi and Chinaza Uchendu and forwards Francisca Ordega and Rasheedat Ajibade from overseas. Goalkeepers Tochukwu Oluehi and Chiamaka Nna

Enyimba Football Club have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League following a 0-1 loss to Al Hilal at the Al Hilal Stadium on Sunday evening. Mohammed Musa's 48th minute strike became the decisive goal of the qualifying round tie after the first leg in Aba a fortnight ago ended goalless. Enyimba were forced into an early substitution on an extremely noisy night in Omdurman when Stanley Okorom was stretchered off with a knock and replaced by Emmanuel James within the quarter hour. Despite Hilal's energetic start, the game's first real opening did not come until midway through the half when Ifeanyi Anaemena's infringement handed the hosts a freekick at the edge of the box, which was eventually fired wide; before Atahir Mohammed attempted acrobatically from the box to pull a true save from Kayode. Enyimba, at the other end, began to threaten and Guera's low drive from the right was parried out by Salim Magoola before James drew another sav

Heartland FC of Owerri Head Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has assured the Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha that the team can win a silverware or a continental ticket. Camara gave the assurance as he poured encomiums on HIS Excellency after the Naze Millionaires took delivery of a brand new Totota Coaster bus from the state government.  "Am delighted as this gesture is a massive boost for the team as Governor Ihedioha has kept to his promise, that welfare of the players, coaches and other staffers is top priority. "The man hours lost on long trips, risk and fatigue as experienced by players owing to the bad road network in the country is one reason why  teams can't pick points on the road. "As the Head Coach what more can I ask for than a better welfare for my players as they are the key actors. "With this gesture, its now a huge task on the team to reciprocate by winning games and cap the season with a continental ticket. "It is possible wit

Former Super Eagles gaffer, Samson Siasia has informed that his focus now is to appeal the life ban  imposed on him by Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA). The news came few hours after his 80-year-old mother, Beauty Ogere Siasia who was kidnapped on July 15 by  gunmen in   Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa state was released today (Sunday) after spending more than 75 days in captivity. The Super Eagles legend while expressing his delight on the development said: “Received a call from my wife this (Sunday) morning that my mom and others have been released. I am grateful to Nigerians for their prayers and to everyone that had a hand directly or indirectly in their release. “My mom is fine but she has to go for medical checkup. I can now shift focus to the FIFA issue”. It will be recalled that the world’s football ruling body issued a life ban to the 52-year-old former Nigerian international for breaching the 2009 edition of the FIFA Code of

Five –time world champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria began their campiagn at the UEFA/CAF U17 Tournament by condemning Turkey, host nation to two unreplied goals scored by Olakunle Olusegun and Divine Nwachukwu in each half of the game. It was an explosive encounter from the blast of the whistle as Turkey tried to unsettle their Nigerian counterparts at the early stage of the game, but the Eaglets stood firm and thereafter asserted their presence by their smooth brand of football which yielded fruit when Olakunle Olusegun found the back of the net in the 10th minute. The goal gave the Eaglets confidence as they dominanted posssesion with scintillating passes and continous bombardment of their opponents' vital area for more goals, but the scoreline remained 1-0 at the break. Turkey tried to fight back on resumption but met a strong resistance in the defence of the Eaglets and just as it happened in the first half, the Nigerian teenagers enforced their superior qual

Amapakabo: Big task ahead, but not over yet Sparrow Hawks of Togo hit the Super Eagles 4-1 in Lome on Sunday in a first leg, second round qualifying match of the 2020 African Nations Championship scheduled for Cameroon. Sunusi Ibrahim gave Nigeria the lead in the 8th minute before the Togolese trio of Richard Nane (16' and 67'); Tchakei Marouf (75'); and Agoro Ashraf (90+2') completed the comeback for the hosts. Head Coach Imama Amapakabo who arrived at the match venue on a confident note is optimistic that the result of the match at Stade de Kegue would not determine which team qualifies. He made it clear to the media that his team never underrated the Togolese, but admitted that there is a huge job to be done in the return leg. “No, we never underrated our opponents. That would have been a foolish thing to do in football. The truth is that we fielded mainly a young team that could not really live up to expectations technically compared to

The Turkey Technical Centre in Istanbul will witness some interesting football when five –time world champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria file out against their counterparts from Turkey, host nation of the UEFA/CAF U17 International Tournament, on Sunday. Eaglets and their officials arrived in Istanbul on Friday and had their first training session at the Turkey Technical Centre on Saturday morning before the officials proceeded to attend a technical meeting of all the eight participating teams at the tournament. Speaking after the technical meeting, Manu Garba, Head Coach of the team insisted that the tournament is a perfect opportunity to test the readiness of the players for the task ahead at the FIFA U17 World Cup starting next month in Brazil. "I am very optimistic that the tournament will come good for the players to stand the test of time in Brazil. Playing Turkey will definitely be a strong test for the team." Manu told  thenff.com Angola will

The Nigerian Football Federation is delighted to announce it has agreed a multi-year partnership with top Italian football club, AS Roma, The partnership, which was unveiled  on Friday in Abuja, will see the NFF and Roma collaborate  together on and off the pitch, with one long term objective being for the club to help further grow and improve all levels of football in Nigeria.  Under the terms of the understanding, the two parties will share football, business and media expertise, with Roma offering the NFF technical and operational support and advice in the areas of youth coaching, player development, football administration and digital media best practices.  In return, the NFF will also collaborate with the AS Roma in their projects and development Initiatives in Nigeria. In the coming months, senior NFF officials will travel to the Italian capital to observe Roma’s  award-winning youth academy. As technical advisors in player development, Roma will work with the N

Salawu, a combative midfielder who recently signed for Atlanta SC in the USA gave the hint in a chat with OwoSports. "The two African legends I get my inspiration from, as my foot work skills is after Okocha while my physical play is from the Ghana Black Stars skipper," said Salawu. Speaking on life in his USA based team, "Its a new experience for me. "Though it’s my first month here in Atlanta SC but the President of the club in our first meeting established himself as an uncle figure to me which makes me want to give my all to the club. "Meanwhile my target is to win because no one remembers a loser and continue to grow as a professional in this beautiful game of football." Salawu was born in Lagos  to Ghanaian parents and have played in Ghana, Denmark , Turkey and Central America.

Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Togo, His Excellency Joseph Olusola Iji on Friday made a passionate  win-the-match  plea to the Home-based Senior National Team, Super Eagles B who arrived in Lome, Togo by mid-day of the same day.  The Eagles will take on the Sparrow Hawks of Togo on Sunday in a first leg, second round qualifying match of the 2020 African Nations Championship billed for Cameroon.  Ambassador Iji who addressed the team at their La Concorde Hotel abode on arrival, said a win would surely make the return game a lot easier for the Eagles and for Nigeria.  He said, "I am so happy to receive you and our sincere wish here is for you to go all out for a win. I'm sure that would make the second leg less burdensome. We plead that you do our country proud and as you know, Nigerians have faith in you to do the needful.  "Please do it right as that would make His Excellency, Mr. President happy; make the Sports Minister happy and myse

Cup holders Nigeria will defend their Africa U23 Cup of Nations title in Egypt in November after the Olympic Eagles secured a robust 5-0 win over their Sudanese counterpart in the final qualifying leg at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Tuesday evening. A brace by Ndifreke Effiong and one each by Taiwo Awoniyi, Sunday Faleye and Sunusi Ibrahim ensured a 5-1 aggregate win for the 1996 Olympic champions, and they became the fourth team after hosts Egypt, Zambia and South Africa to earn berths in the final scheduled for 8 th  – 22 nd  November. A delighted President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick immediately showered praises on the His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for the present administration’s continued support and encouragement of the NFF and the National Teams, while giving kudos to the nation’s number one citizen’s personal keen interest in the teams. Pinnick also lauded the contributions of Governor Ifeanyi Ok

Okpe Emmanuel Alexander, Football Intermediaries Association of Nigeria (FIAN) Welfare Officer says the body can curb football frauds in the country. This he made known with sports reporters at the Royal Championship Scouting programme which kicked off in Lagos on Tuesday. According to Okpe, "Ignorance is bliss. Football fraudsters are all over the World  and it's a manace we can't put a total stop to but we can curb it in our own little way by educating our grassroot players and coaches. "Imagine while the 2018 World Cup was on, some innocent players were been duped to having trials in Russia. How was this possible. "Coaches, players who are the major prey on their part need to wise asking questions from these agents or see geniue  evidence that they are registered members of FIAN before they give money or put pen to any contract paper. "Another way to curb it, is by organising seminars for coaches and players. Though tough as some are difficu

Florentina of Italy scout, Eugenio Ascari has informed that the future of football in Nigeria is bright going by the quality he saw in the Royal Championship Scouting programme. The 4-day football scouting event which is in conjunction with Royal Cup of Lagos kicked  off Tuesday at the Lagacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere-Lagos with eight Academy teams.   "Positive progress for the football in Nigeria as there's no league in the World you don't find a Nigerian player doing well. So it developing fast. "I saw some young players, but the physical and technical abilities is key for European football. "So I hope before the end of the exercise I should see the exceptional ones that will be invited to Italy for trials." His colleague, former coach of German Bundesliga side, Kaiserslautern, Mr. Good now a scout for Young Boys of Switzerland also expressed delight with what he saw on Tuesday after he said: "There a

Cup holders Nigeria has all to play for to earn a slot in the finals of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Egypt in November, as they take the pitch at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Tuesday trailing Sudan by a lone goal. A goal seconds to the end of the first half in Omdurman on Thursday left the Olympic Eagles nursing a deficit, and Head Coach Imama Amapakabo has said there would be no pulling punches from kick off on Tuesday. “We were unlucky to lose the first leg game, but there is no need crying over spilt milk. Tuesday is here and the battle must be won. We are the defending champions and we must be in Egypt to defend our title.” The Olympic Eagles have been training in Asaba since arriving in the Delta State capital on Sunday, and have been strengthened by the arrival of former FIFA U17 World Cup –winning captain Kelechi Nwakali. Nwakali will string things in midfield with captain Azubuike Okechukwu, with Blessing Muyiwa, Sunusi Ibrahi