By Victor Okoye

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved the German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, to become the Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, indicates that NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said Labbadia’s appointment was with immediate effect.

“The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.

“The appointment is with immediate effect,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 58-year-old gaffer was born in Darmstadt, Germany on Feb. 8, 1966.

Labbadia won two caps for Die Mannschaft in his playing career that took him through clubs such as home-town team Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, and FC Kaiserslautern.

Others include; Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Armenia Bielefeld and Karlsruher SC.

He triumphed in the German Bundesliga with Bayern Munich as a player in 1994.

He coached famous names Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart this decade, and previously, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, among others, and holds a UEFA Pro License.

He is the sixth German, after Karl-Heinz Marotzke (who had two stints between 1970 and 1974), Gottlieb Göller (1981), Manfred Höner (1988-1989), Berti Vogts (2007-2008) and Gernot Rohr (2016-2021) to lead the Super Eagles.

Höner led the Eagles to runner-up position at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified and led Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.

Labbadi’s immediate challenge is to take charge of the three-time African champions for two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic (Sept. 7 in Uyo) and Rwanda (Sept. 10 in Kigali).

Four other matches would conclude the qualifying race following in the months of October and November.

List of fomer Super Eagles Coaches

John Finch (England) – 1949

Daniel Anyiam (Nigeria) – 1954-1956; 1964-1965

Les Courtier (England) – 1956-1960

Moshe Beit Halevi (Israel) – 1960-1961

George Vardar (Hungary) – 1961-1963

Joey Blackwell (England) – 1963 – 1964

József Ember (Hungary) – 1965-1968

Sabino Barinaga (Spain) – 1968-1969

Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina (Nigeria) – 1969-1970

Karl-Heinz Marotzke (Germany) – 1970-1971; 1974

Jorge Penna (Brazil) – 1972-1973

Jelisavčić ‘Father Tiko’ Tihomir (Yugoslavia) – 1974-1978

Otto Glória (Brazil) – 1979-1982

Gottlieb Göller (Germany) – 1981

Adegboye Onigbinde (Nigeria) – 1983-1984; 2002

Chris Udemezue (Nigeria) – 1984-1986

Patrick Ekeji (Nigeria) – 1985

Paul Hamilton (Nigeria) – 1987; 1989

Manfred Höner (Germany) – 1988-1989

Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands) – 1989-1994

Amodu Shaibu (Nigeria) – 1994-1995;1996-1997; 2001-2002; 2008-2010

Johannes Bonfrere (Netherlands) – 1995-1996; 1999-2001

Philippe Troussier (France) – 1997

Monday Sinclair (Nigeria) – 1997-1998

Bora Milutinović (Yugoslavia) – 1998

Thijs Libregts (Netherlands) – 1999

Christian Chukwu (Nigeria) – 2002-2005

Augustine Eguavoen (Nigeria) – 2005-2007; 2010; 2022

Berti Vogts (Germany) – 2007-2008

Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden) – 2010

Samson Siasia (Nigeria) – 2010-2011; 2016

Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) – 2011-2014; 2015

Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria) – 2015-2016

Gernot Rohr (Germany) – 2016-2021

José Peseiro (Portugal) – 2022-2024

Finidi George (Nigeria) – 2024

Bruno Labbadia (Germany) – 2024-?.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Remo Stars Football Club of Ikenne on Sunday at Rabat in Morocco crashed out of the 2024/2025 African Champions League in the competition’s first preliminary round.

The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) runners-up crashed out after losing 2-3 aggregate to Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Remo Stars lost 0-2 on the night at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.

The Nigerian side had won the first leg fixture on Aug. 18 in Ikenne 2-1, but they could not withstand the Moroccans’ offensive blitz in the second leg game.

Two second half goals did the job for the hosts, with Joel Beya who scored their lone goal in Ikenne opening scores in the 53rd minute.

With about 12 minutes left and Remo Stars holding out, a penalty kick was awarded to the home side and El Amine Zouhzouh made no mistake from the spot.

NAN reports that Remo Stars loss meant two of Nigeria’s representatives in club football on the continent have crashed out just one round into their respective competitions.

On Saturday, El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri had been eliminated from the African Confederation Cup competition’s first preliminary round after a 2-3 aggregate loss.

Nigeria now has only one club each in the two continental competitions.

Enyimba International FC of Aba had drawn bye in the opening round into the second preliminary round of the African Confederation Cup competition.

Rangers International FC of Enugu had on Friday advanced into the second preliminary round of the African Champions League competition, after a 2-1 aggregate victory in the opening round.(NAN)

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

By Victor Okoye

David Inalegwu of Henry Seriake Dickson Golf and Country Club, Bayelsa on Sunday won the 16th IBB Junior Open Golf Championship in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day championship teed off on Friday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club (IBBIGCC), Abuja.

More than 146 junior players from across the country gathered at IBBIGCC for the tournament organised by the IBB Lady Golf Section led by Dame Julie Donli.

Inalegwu, who played a total of 223 gross, led over three days, shooting 74, 71, and 78, respectively, over 54 holes to clinch the championship title.

It was indeed a case of third time lucky for the 18-year-old who had finished fourth and as a runner-up in the 14th and 15th editions of the championship.

”It’s quite amazing that I won the tournament after finishing as the runner-up last year. It’s been quite a tough but exciting journey for me as I also finished fourth in 2022.

”So, it was a learning curve for me as I kept improving with each edition of the championship en route to this victory.

”It was not an easy task leading for three days, but I am happy that I emerged the overall winner,” Inalegwu said.

Also, David James grossed 231 to win the Boys 15-18 age category at the expense of Nandom Danjuma of Plateau Golf Academy and Robert Festus.

Destiny Oyero of lkeja Golf Club carded 242 to claim the boys 11-14 years age category, beating Unah Ogoh of Otukpo Golf Academy (245) and Matthew Ayi (242).

Deborah Dung of Plateau Golf Academy grossed 277 to win the girls 15-18 years old category, while Blessing Adah and Beatrice Onoja ensured that Otukpo Golf Academy swept the second and third prizes in the category.

In the girls 11 -14 years category, Josephine Benjamin of IBB International Golf and Country Club emerged winner after posting a total gross score of 225.

Omowonuola Olarenwaju (294) and Jennifer Akatu (313) finished as runner-up and second runner-up, respectively, in the category.

Wilson Izang (122), Abraham Dung (129), and Chinkinan Walshak (131) ensured that Plateau Golf Academy swept the stakes in the Boys 7-10 years category.

Similarly, Damaris Danladi (150), Funmilayo Oyero (160), and Ochanya Omakwu (162) emerged as winners, runners-up, and second runner-up, respectively, in the girl’s category.

The Lady Captain, Donli, said the event, with the theme of consolidating the future of golf in Nigeria, was a huge success in spite of all the challenges.

She also expressed gratitude to the families of the children who participated in the championship and everyone who contributed in one way or the other towards the success of the event.

”We understand perfectly how harsh the economy has been on us, and so we appreciate all of you and your families who sacrificed to ensure that you participated in the championship.

”The stress of registering for the tournament, getting you here and taking you back and other considerations that must have gone into the decision to have you play,” she said.

The Captain of IBBIGCC, Ibrahim Babayo, commended the IBB Ladies Golf Section (LGS), adding that it was a very successful championship.

NAN also reports that a minute of silence was observed for the two young golfers from Ekiti who lost their lives and others who sustained injuries on their way to Abuja for the tournament.

The contingent was involved in a ghastly motor accident around Kabba, Kogi on Wednesday. (NAN)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

By Victor Okoye

Some sports enthusiasts in Abuja have called for the consolidation of golf’s future in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was the main thrust at the 16th edition of the IBB Junior Golf Open at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

No fewer than 146 children are participating in the 16th edition of the IBB Junior Golf Open, which is being organised by the IBB Ladies Golf Section.

The championship, which teed off on Thursday, will end on Sunday.

A cross-section of sports enthusiasts who spoke to NAN on the sidelines of the ceremonial tee-off on Friday, said there was a need to ensure that golf development at the grassroots was sustained.

Sunday Dare, the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said that holding the 16th edition of the grassroots competition and sustaining it for such a long time was very commendable.

“It is such an important landmark. It is the 16th edition, which is very impressive. The key thing for me is ‘junior’ because I often say that the gold is in the child.”

He called on other sporting federations in the country to borrow a leaf from what was being done at the IBB Golf Club and organise more grassroots competitions.

“I think this is very important, and I am very supportive of this event. I hope several other sports in the country can organise junior, senior, amateur, and elite championships.”

Ibrahim Babayo, the Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, said the championship was very dear to the club, adding that the young ones represented the future of the sport.

“If we don’t develop these young talents, then there is no hope for the survival of the game in the country.”

Julie Donli, the Lady Captain of the Club, said the championship was one that involved children from all states of the federation, with no fewer than 146 kids participating.

“This year, we are lucky to have children from nine states and the FCT participate in this championship.”

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Victor Okoye

The President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, says the world class facility of the Golf and Health Signature (GHS) in Abuja would groom Nigerian professionals who would become “Tiger Woods” in future.

Runsewe stated this on the sidelines of a retreat organised by the IBB Ladies Golf Section (LGS) at the GHS in Abuja on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the GHS boasts of one of the best golf training and health facilities in the world.

The NGF boss said the GHS was a unique golfing facility and the first of its kind in the country, adding that it was the only place one could learn how to play golf in less than two weeks.

He said that the facility was a unique one that will change that history line, adding that it boasts of a world class training environment, equipment and provisions required for proper golfing.

“Golf is no longer manual. It is an IT based sport and this is the major reason why most of us don’t play good golf in the country.

“This is because it is all about your body adapting to the tenants and techniques of the game, and once you get that right, it sticks forever.

“Most of us started playing golf between the ages 45 and 50 years when the body is already stiff.

“You can imagine that there is no single Nigerian playing golf in any circuit anywhere in the world

“So, what I want to achieve right here in this facility is to start grooming Nigerian professionals  that will go on to become the Tiger Woods of the future,” he said.

He said that the retreat by the 2024/2025 LGS Executive Committee members was a welcome development and an Initiative that should be sustained.

“I’d like to commend the IBB LGS for being unique, taking the initiative and bringing innovation into the golfing community.

“The retreat is unique and I commend them. That’s why I am giving them all the support for this to be successful.

“Only when Nigerians go abroad do they have this kind of opportunity to organise a retreat for playing golf, but today I am excited it’s happening right in Abuja.

“So for me, it’s a new beginning for us and I commend the organisers and I hope this won’t be the end as we continue to build from strength to strength,” he said.

Dame Julie Donli, the Lady Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja said the retreat was to equip the 2024/2025 LGS executive committee team for the job ahead.

“We are already four months into our one year tenure.This retreat is therefore to equip us and to get us ready for the job.

“We are having different presentations by various experts and resource persons on different topics.

“Some of the topics include, leadership, emotional intelligence, how to deal with and speak to your team members as well as members of the Golf club generally.

“These are skills that are very difficult to imbibe as human beings, but with constant continuous learning, we hope to improve in these areas.

“So, this is indeed a very important segment of our one year tenure and we are here to learn to be better versions of ourselves,” she said.

Donli expressed her gratitude to the NGF president for choosing to host the IBB LGS executive members at his facility.

She said that the facility was a unique one that was equipped with a lot of rich history and artefacts as well as world class training and health equipment.

“Our host today, Otunba Runsewe, has been so gracious and he has done so well by inviting us to his facility for free.

“Everything we are doing here is on a pro bono basis, he hasn’t charged us for anything and he’s got one of the best facilities I have ever come across.

“It’s not so huge but I tell you it has a lot. We’ve been to the indoor golf gallery, the museum, and we’ve seen what a lot of people cannot imagine that we have in this country.

”I didn’t even know that we had what I saw and urge people to come here to see for themselves, so as to understand what I am talking about,” she said.(NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Olawale Alabi

By Olawale Alabi

Purity Akuh, head coach of Nigeria’s female wrestling team, says there is no cause for alarm regarding Team Nigeria’s medal prospects at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two of the five Nigerian female wrestlers are already out of reckoning for a medal at the Games.

But Akuh told NAN on Wednesday in Paris at the Olympic Games Village that the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) had already done all that was necessary for success.

”There is no cause for alarm. So far, we are on course. There is nothing to worry about.

”We did all we needed to do in terms of preparations before the Games,” he said.

NAN reports that Christianah Ogunsanya on Wednesday crashed out of the women’s freestyle 53 kilogramme event of the wrestling competition at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Ogunsanya lost 1-3 to Khulan Batkhuyag of Mongolia in her round of 16 bout at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, making her the team’s second casualty in the competition.

Blessing Oborududu had earlier failed in Nigeria’s opening quest to win medals in the sport at the Games.

She got to the semi-finals though, but then lost in the bronze medal match.

But Akuh said there was going to be moments of happiness and celebrations very soon.

”We will soon be having cause to smile. What we are seeing now is normal in sports, whereby what you prepared for may not be what you will see.

”While we tried as much as possible to take care of all ends, but we cannot say it was going to be a smooth sail all the way.

”Some things will definitely change, and we are now taking care of that to forestall more losses,” the coach said.

He assured that the team’s handlers were already working on ensuring that the remaining members of the wrestling group in Team Nigeria end up with medals.

”Starting from Thursday morning, when Chaimaa Alg Aouissi will face Odunayo Adekuoroye in the women’s freestyle 57kg event at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris, we are going to see something better.

”We are determined, and ready, and we shall succeed,” Akuh said.(NAN)

By Angela Atabo

Dr Charles Osasuwa, Chairman/CEO of Hilltop Global Oil and Gas Solutions International Ltd, has advocated  the use of sports to drive child development in Nigeria.

Osasuwa made the call when the executive committee members of the IBB International Golf and Country Club , Ladies section led by Lady Captain, Julie Okah-Donli, paid him a visit in Abuja on Friday.

He said that his passion for tennis was birthed when he went for a medical checkup and was advised to do exercise to keep fit.

“I have really invested in table tennis, because I believe in human development and I am one of the best when it comes to playing tennis in Nigeria.

“If you do your research, you will know I sponsor table tennis tournaments yearly in this country.

”The next time I am  looking at  doing  it within west Africa where players will come from different African  nations  in Benin,”he said

Osasuwa pledged his commitment to supporting  the  IBB international golf and country club ladies golf session, for the Junior Open starting on Aug.15  to 19  at the Club.

“I pledge my readiness to support the team   in sports development and also join the golfers.

“I want to join the golfers because of the energy, the enthusiasm and the fact that they want to make a difference,” he said.

Earlier,  Okah-Donli, said the aim of the visit was to  intimate the CEO with  activities of the club and seek his  support especially for the  children’s golf day.

She explained that the tournament was one of the pragmatic approaches to golf talent discovery in the country.

Okah-Donli said that the aim was to catch children young and develop them using sports.

“I thought it was right for us to come and invite you as the father of the day for the junior open coming up  at the IBB International Golf and Country Club,  starting on Aug. 15 to Aug. 19.

“The visit came out very positive as expected, and my team and I are very happy with the result of the meeting,“ he said.

Okah-Donli said that the children’s clinic would take off with about 120 children, while 150 children from the ages of to 16 across Nigeria would participate in the Junior open competition.

Also speaking, the Competition Secretary of the club, Ememe Thompson said that the club organises championship programmes annually .

Thompson said that for this year, the club was looking forward to something better than 2023. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Mohammed Baba Busu

President Bola Tinubu’s horse named ‘Renewed Hope’ has won the Hope Renewed 1st Year Anniversary Horse Racing Derby that ended on Saturday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day epochal sports that opened on Thursday was organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN).

NAN also reports that Tinubu’s winning horse emerged victorious in the ‘Division 1 ThoroughBreed’, 10 furlongs or 2,000 metres race.

The horse won a car, a cup and N100,000 prize.

The second position under the division was clinched by a horse named ‘Sarauinya’ and it got N1million.

A horse christened: ‘Holiday Parade’ emerged 3rd clinching N700,000 prize.

Also, the fourth position under the division was clinched by a horse called: ‘Nawal’with a N500,000 prize.

The closing ceremony was graced by the Life Patron of the federation and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Ilyasu Bashar was represented by the Sarkin Borgun Ka’oje, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, Ohinoyi of Ebiraland among others.

The event was successfully coordinated by the President of the federation, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida,the ‘Sarkin Dawakin Nupe.’ (NAN)(www.nannewsngr.com)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Bashir Rabe Mani

The National President, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN), Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, says a world cup for the sport will soon be organised in Nigeria.

Mustapha-Bida told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on the sidelines of the ongoing four-day of maiden edition of the International Horse Racing Derby.

He said the derby would featured contestants from across the globe just like it has been done in Dubai.

The theme of the derby is: ‘Hope Renewed 1st Year Democracy Derby 2nd Edition Under Division System Race’.

The epochal sport meet was organised by the federation as part of the one year anniversary celebration of President Bola Tinubu administration.

Mustapha-Bida, also the ‘Sarkin Dawakin Nupe’, said that horse racing, like other sports, was a key unifying factor in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

According to him, such an event organised at the global stage will bolster the image of the country as well as add tremendous value to the nation’s economy.

On the ongoing derby, he described Kaduna as the hub of horse racing, adding that, “Kaduna is the centre of the North.

“Horse racing has a very strong history in Kaduna from time immemorial from the time of our grandfather, the late Sardaunan Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

“Kaduna has hosted the annual Northern Derby since 1961. It has a lot of lovers of horse racing.

“Kaduna is the centre and the starting point. So, we will revive and sustain this lost glory and feat.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani