By Emmanuel Jonathan

Some football fans in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have called for the strengthening of the Super Eagles team ahead of future competitions.

The fans, who recalled the Eagles performance at the AFCON finals against Cote d’Ivoire, stated this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

NAN reports that the Super Eagles lost 1-2 to their Ivorian counterparts in spite of scoring the first goal of the match.

Ovie Anthony, who blamed the coach, Jose Peseiro for Eagles loss in the finals, said that the players never played like a team.

He blamed the loss on Peseiro’s wrong selection of players for the final match.

“Our players never played like a coordinated team. They seemed not to understand each other in that match and it resulted in their defeat by the Ivorians.

“We are not supposed to lose that match if we had a well-coordinated team that understood each other’s style of play.

“The Ivorians cashed in on our poor coordination to equalise and also score their winning goal,” he said.

He called on the technical crew of the Eagles to intensify efforts to strengthen the team, especially the midfield which is the engine room of every football team.

Benedict Benjamin, a medical doctor and a football enthusiast, said that the Eagles showed some level of capacity which made them to get to the final.

He, however, said that the management of the team should work on the lessons learnt from their loss at the AFCON finals.

Benjamin said that the inability of the Eagles to maintain their lead in the final match, called for strengthening of all departments of the team, for better results.

He said that the technical crew should immediately begin preparations for the 2026 world cup qualifiers, and the 2025 AFCON scheduled for Morocco, to avoid failure.

“There is an adage that when you fail to plan, you have planned to fail. So, now is the right time to begin by strengthening all the departments to ensure a better outing,” he said.

Kingsley Obasohan, who said that there was no need to cry over spilled milk, noted that going forward, the handlers of the team must come up with new ideas to get better results.

He said that it was the duty of the technical crew to initiate strategies and tactics, while the players do the execution in the field of play.

“I think the onus lies on the coach and his crew to come up with different winning tactics and strategies for different matches,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Africa Cup of Nations Runners-up, Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved up by 14 spots to placed 28th in the world in the February FIFA ranking.

In the ranking table published on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday, the team garnered 1,522 points as against the 1,474 points garnered in December 2023.

The upward movement further shoot up the Super Eagles as the third placed team on the continent, behind Morocco and Senegal who have 1663 (12th) and 1620 (17th) points.

However, the newly-crowned African champions Cote d’Ivoire, reaped the rewards of their continental triumph on home soil by being in the 39th place having moved up by 10 spots.

AFCON second runners- up, South Africa climbed 8 spots to 58th, with Egypt (36th), Cameroon (51st) & Ghana (67th) dropping down after their early AFCON 2023 exits.

The Angolan side who were ousted in the last eight (93rd, up 24), are the biggest climbers in the latest installment of the global ranking.

In the points stakes, two-time Asian Cup winners Qatar (37th, up 21) chalk up the biggest tally (92.04 points) after capitalising on home comforts to successfully defend their continental crown.

Elsewhere, Jordan (70th, up 17), who were edged out in the final, make good ground, as do Thailand (101st, up 12), whose journey came to an end at the last-16 stage.

Qatar’s rise sees them enter uncharted territory, with two other teams also recording best-ever rankings.

Senegal (17th, up 3), which suffered shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of the eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire in the AFCON Round of 16, break new ground.

Tajikistan (99th, up 7) mark their maiden Asian Cup campaign by making a first-ever appearance in the top 100.

Other impressive performers are Equatorial Guinea (79th, up 9), South Africa (58th, up 8), Cabo Verde (65th, up 8), Namibia (107th, up 8) and Mali (47th, up 4). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Victor Okoye

Hosts Côte d’Ivoire have emerged winners of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cote d’Ivoire ended the dramatic tournament with an equally dramatic victory over Nigeriaon Sunday night in Abidjan.

The hosts came from behind to win 2-1 after trailing at half-time to a William Troost-Ekong’s powerful header which gave Nigeria the lead in the 38th minute.

The hosts however came back strongly in the second half.

In the packed stadium with over 58,000 Ivorian fans behind the Elephants, Franck Kessie levelled scores in the 62nd minute.

The Ivorians would have the last laugh as Sebastian Haller scored the winning goal in the 81st minute, with a clever toe poke after a dangerous cross into the Eagles’ vital area.

The result meant Cote d’Ivoire grabbed their third AFCON title.

This was after they won for the first time in 1992 and then in 2015.

NAN reports that the hosts had a very special campaign.

Having qualified for the knockout stages only as one of the best representatives of the third position.

They even qualified as the last best losers.

Defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea led to the sacking of coach Jean-Louis Gasset.

Emerse Fae then led Coted’Ivoire to the trophy.

NAN also reports that Nigeria’s stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament award.

Troost-Ekong playing his last AFCON tourney had scored three goals in the tournament, including the beautiful header in the finals and stood as a “rock of Gibraltar” in the Nigerian defence.

Mamelodi Sundowns Goalkeeper and Captain of South Africa, Romwen Williams won the best goal keeper of the tournament.

The top goal scorer award went to Spanish-born Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea, who scored five goals three of which was a hat-trick against the champions, Cote d’Ivoire.

South Africa collected its bronze medals having won the third place match against DR Congo.

Earlier, the AFCON flag was transferred to Morocco which would host the tournament in 2025. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Joseph Edeh

By Olanrewaju Akojede

Kenya’s Bernard Sang on Saturday won the 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon with the time of 2:16:49.

Sang led compatriots, Silas Cheprot, with the time of 2:16:54; and Godffrey Birger, with the time of 2:17:43; who won the second and third place respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it was an all-Kenyan affair once again in the men’s category of the race, where they finished first, second and third respectively.

In the women’s category, Chala Kebene from Ethiopia, came first with a time of 2:41:01.

Kenya’s Ruth Aga returned with the time of 2:41:41 to place second, and Sharon Cherop, from Ethiopia, came third in the time of 2:42:00.

Kenya’s Bernard Sang, who came third at the 2023 Lagos City Marathon (8th Edition) improved on his timing to dust 3,000 other runners to win the 2024 race.

Sang said he had to work harder to win the race having practiced for six months.

“I practised hard to win this race because I needed to be faster, though I was unable to beat my personal best because Lagos is hotter,” he said

Sang also came first at the 42nd Istanbul Marathon, the world’s only intercontinental footrace, in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 49 seconds – short of five minutes in the Lagos race.

Sang, who also pocketed the grand prize of 50,000 dollars, expressed his desire to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The second and third winners in the men’s category also went home with 40,000 dollars and 30,000 dollars respectively.

NAN reports that the 42km race, which began at the National Stadium in Surulere at 6.00 a.m., ended at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island.

The Gold Label marathon, an annual event which was recently upgraded by the World Athletics, aims to be the best marathon in Africa to upgrade to Platinum by its 10th anniversary. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Salif Atojoko

By Olanrewaju Akojede

Mr Bukola Olopade, the Chairman of Nilayo Sports Management Company, owners of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, has commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on his commitment support to sports development in Lagos State.

Olopade gave the commendation on Friday in an interview on the sidelines of the 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon press briefing at Access Bank headquarters, Victoria Island.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the press briefing was organised as part of activities marking the 9th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Olopade said he was grateful to Gov. Sanwo-Olu for his unrelenting support to the world Gold-label race after picking it from the Bronze level.

“We are thankful to Gov. Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State government because the governor has shown that he is a man to beat when it comes to sports development in Nigeria.

“We can see this even from the way he challenged everyone and hosted the Super Eagles of Nigeria before they departed to Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where nobody gave the team a chance.

“Now, the team is successful and we are all enjoying the success today, ” he said.

Olopade said that Sanwo-Olu had been instrumental to the giant strides made by the race so far, especially in moving from one label to the other.

“Looking at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon today, Gov. Sanwo-Olu has been instrumental to its success so far.

”He puts himself to it in spite of the fact that he would have looked away, given that it is a privately owned race.

“Gov. Sanwo-Olu puts all the ingredients that have grown the marathon from bronze label, that he picked it from, to gold label, and now, we are talking about the Platinum label.

“We also want to thank all our sponsors, especially Access Bank, for picking up the race from the scratch till now, ” he said.

Olopade said that the different varieties introduced to the race would help it to become a more perfect race.

NAN reports that the press briefing attracted several dignitaries in the sports circle such as the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Tonobok Okowa.

It also attracted the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and the executives from the World Athletics among others.

NAN reports that more than 88 Gold Label athletes are expected at the 9th edition of the marathon as the United Nations also sent 15 refugee runners to participating in the race.

The top contenders for the race include Kenyan Demis Kipmeto, a former world record holder with the time of 2:02:57.

Also expected are Kelkile Gezahegn of Ethiopia with 2:05:56 and Kiptoo Edwin of Kenya, with 2:06:56, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Oluwole Sogunle

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) on Friday inaugurated a six-man committee to review its constitution which has existed for 23 years.

Inaugurating the committee at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) office in Jahi, Abuja, the NOC President, Habu Gumel, said the review was a fundamental requirement for good governance and best practices within the Olympic Movement Circles.

“The review is in consonance with the principles of the International Olympic Committee Charter, which is constantly reviewed from time to time to keep it updated,” Gumel said.

Gumel, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said that the committee had seven months to deliver on its assignment.

He said that the review and amendment was to ensure that the NOC statutory instrument guided its operations, as well as meeting the demand of emerging trends in sports and the Olympic Movement.

He said that the terms of reference of the committee included to assess the potency or impact of the Nigeria Olympic Committee constitution as currently in force since 2001.

Others include to review the constitution and make recommendations for amendment (s) where necessary, in line with international best practices and the Olympic Movement.

“Your committee is to request major stakeholders in the Olympic Family, especially the National Sport Federations (OLYMPIC SPORTS ONLY) to submit memoranda or their contributions on the proposed amendment of the constitution,”.

Gumel urged the committee to liaise with the NOC secretariat for administrative support in the process of its assignment.

“You are free to give further advice or guidance that is necessary to support the constitution review and amendment process.

“Your committee is to produce and submit a draft copy of the constitution in review to the president of NOC for onward due process transmission to the Executive Committee, Executive Board, the General Assembly and International Olympic Committee, accordingly,” Gumel said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six-member review committee is headed by Hussaini Garun-Gabbas, while Emmanuel Nweri will serve as the secretary.

Other members include Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, Prof. Mariam Suleiman, Emmanuel Agwu and Tunde Kareem.

Responding, Chairman of the committee, Garun-Gabbas pledged that the committee would deliver on its mandate by engaging necessary stakeholders.

Secretary General of NOC, Tunde Popoola, appreciated members of the Constitution Review Committee for the trust and confidence reposed in them over the course of the assignment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Emmanuel Jonathan

The Nigeria National League (NNL) has urged the National Assembly (NASS) to consider putting forward a bill that will address the issues of non-statutory budgetary funding for leagues in the country.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ayo Abdulrahaman, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

“If this can be legislated upon and a law is made to that effect, things will get better for us; from that we can improve on our infrastructure and other sports facilities that are in bad shape,” he said.

He appealed to NASS and President Bola Tinubu-led government to consider the request due to the role football played in the unity of the country.

“It will not be out of place if a segment or a percentage of funds from either TetFund or any other source is remitted for the funding of the activities of leagues in our country.”

“Providing a statutory budgetary sponsorship for the NNL will bring out the best in the league.

“Sports Committee in the House of Representatives and the Senate should help us to do the needful to ensure the NNL in particular and Nigerian leagues in general thrive like other countries,” he added.

The NNL COO said approved government statutory budgetary sponsorship for their leagues existed in other countries and that had informed their sterling performance.

“We are the most important league in the country because we are at the center feeding the Premier League and the Nationwide League One (NLO), with clubs doing well and those not doing well.

“We really need support to be able to address the issues of indemnity and also support clubs that are facing financial challenges.”

He said that the league had yet to secure any sponsorship from any organisation, adding that the only source of income it had was from registration of clubs and little grants.

According to Abdulrahaman, some countries are experiencing economic meltdown, but how it affects Nigeria is different from other countries.

“The indices are different, but I don’t think we can separate a league played in the country from the country’s economy.

“There is no constitutional provision or Act legislated upon for the sponsorship of the Nigeria National League,” he added.

He also appealed to Nigerians and corporate organisations to come to their aid by sponsoring their programmes.

The NNL boss said that the league was open for negotiation with any would-be-sponsors of the league.

He said that the league also needed to partner with television stations in the country to strengthen the league and make it visible.

This, he said would enable the people to be aware of the programmes and problems of the league. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Emmanuel Jonathan

Some football fans in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) spoke with one voice on Wednesday night as they cheered the Super Eagles to victory at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa ended score 1-1 at regulation time and extra time before going into penalty shootout.

It was the Eagles that had the upper hand in the penalties after a 4-2 score.

Some football fans who watched the match at the Capitol Bar in Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, were seen speaking different languages – Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, while cheering the Nigerian team.

They spoke to NAN shortly after the match, and described the encounter as “entertaining”.

One of the fans, Kehinde Alagbada, said he was happy that the Super Eagles won the encounter against all odds.

“This is the happiest day of my life and I am proud to be a Nigerian from the Yoruba tribe,” he said.

Alagbada further said that if only football could unite Nigerians, the sky will be the limit of the country’s success and growth.

He said, “the victory of Super Eagles in the quarterfinal match is symbolic and demonstrates that if truly we can work together, the sky will be our only limit.”

He urged Nigerians to shelve tribalism, nepotism or actions that could cause disunity.

“We are stronger together and anything that will unite Nigerians should be paramount and promoted.”

Also speaking, Ralf Nwoye, another football enthusiast, said that the predictions ahead of the match made everyone tense as many people staked money on the encounter.

“One thing to take home is that for whatever reason, the God of soccer is with Nigerians in this AFCON 2023 and you can see that we won the match against all odds.

Nwoye said that the takeaway in the encounter was that as Nigerian, team work must be taken seriously.

He added, “We need to pull our strengths together no matter where we come from. There should not be discrimination among Nigerians because of their tribe.

“Every Nigerian should imbibe the attitude of team work. The fact that Osimhen and Lookman were substituted with Iheanancho and others, who came in and led the Super Eagles to victory, highlighted the importance of team work.

Hassan Jada, a football fan from the Northern part of the country also described the Super Eagles defeat of Bafana Bafana, as very sweet.

“I have confidence in the ability of the players we have in the Super Eagles, so I have no fear that we will win the AFCON 2023 trophy.

“This victory is a pointer that Nigeria will one day come out its backwardness.”

Maria Khan, a UK citizen based in Nigeria, also spoke to NAN on the outcome of the match, saying that it was a happy moment for Nigerians as the victory was exciting.

She tipped the Super Eagles to win the tournament on Sunday against host country Cote d’Ivoire. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne