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

By Victor Okoye

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will lock horns with Nigeria in a final showdown of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Abidjan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cote d’Ivoire booked a ticket to the AFCON final after beating DR Congo 1-0 thanks to Sebastien Haller’s goal.

Haller was the matchwinner in Wednesday’s semi-final, superbly flicking in Nicolas Pepe’s cross to break Congolese hearts.

His goal has thus knocked the Leopards out, setting up this fascinating clash in Sunday’s final.

The Borussia Dortmund hitman has established himself in the Elephants after recovering from testicular cancer.

Now, the 29-year-old returns intent on breaking Nigerian hearts.

Haller will spearhead the Cote d’Ivoire attack alongside Pepe as they target a historic triumph.

Victory would spark jubilation in Abidjan given this AFCON is on home soil.

After struggling in their group, the Elephants have momentum despite unconvincing performances.

Against DR Congo, they rode their luck, with Cedric Bakambu having a goal disallowed.

But Haller’s quality shone through as he rifled home to book Cote d’Ivoire’s passage.

The Super Eagles, on their part, had largely made light work of all before them at this year’s AFCON.

But they were forced into a dramatic penalty shootout by a dogged South Africa side in the semi-finals.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning spot-kick to put Nigeria within touching distance of a fourth continental crown and first since 2013.

Though 1992 and 2015 champions Coted’Ivoire have been on quite the journey themselves over recent weeks, but Nigeria will prove a sterner test.

The striker, who is in great form, threatens to inspire Cote d’Ivoire to their first AFCON crown since 2015.

NAN reports that the Stade olympique Alassane-Ouattara d’Ebimpé in Abidjan will host the final on Sunday from 8.00 p.m. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Olayinka Owolewa

Super Eagles and Chippa United FC goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has said that criticism motivates and makes him  stronger to give his best.

Nwabali, who was voted man of the match against South Africa, said this during a post match news conference on  Wednesday in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire.

Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 after a pulsating 120 minutes play to qualify for the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

“It happens in football, if football goes like this, your fans want more from you and they say things like this.

“I just feel like it is a motivation for me to keep working hard,” Nwabali said.

He said that it was like a dream when Peseiro said he was coming to him in South Africa, where he is plying his trade with Chippa United FC.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper thanked his teammates for the support they have given him so far.

He reiterated his commitment to continue to give his best to the Super Eagles and Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Kazeem Akande

Ex-Nigerian International, Celestine Babayaro, has urged the Super Eagles to imbibe team spirit and dedication to win the 2023 AFCON trophy.

Babayaro made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, while reacting to the Eagle’s 4-2 victory against South Africa to qualify for the final.

NAN reports that eagles defeated ‘Bafana Bafana’ of South Africa in a penalty shootout, after a 1-1 draw of the 120 minutes of play including extra time.

According to him, only dedication and playing well can help the eagle win the tournament.

“I really like their mode of play as they show skills and energy during the last two matches, but the team need more dedication and one spirit to win the final match.

“They need to follow the coach’s instructions, add psychology and exhibit more skillful tactics as a team to win the AFCON glory.

“The game was impressive I must confess and I hope the glory is coming to Nigeria,” he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw

The Super Eagles will play Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the tournament. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Super Eagles on Wednesday in Bouake qualified for the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after defeating South Africa in a pulsating semi-final clash.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match played at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake was decided on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of tension soaked encounter.

The match started on a fast pace, with the South Africans dominating play but were pegged back by the resilient Nigerian defence, Marshalled by Captain William Troost-Ekong.

The cagey first half ended goalless in spite of the forays by both teams.

But in the second half Nigeria took the lead after Victor Osimhen was fouled inside the 18 yard box.

Ekong stepped up to put the Eagles one goal up.

However, late in the game substitute Alhassan Yusuf gave away a penalty which Teboho Mokoena converted.

The match was eventually decided on penalties with Nigeria winning 4-2 after a nervy shoot-out.

Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty as Nigeria booked their place in the final to spark wild celebration in the stadium.

Nigeria will now face Cote d’Ivoire in Sunday’s final after the host defeated DR Congo by a lone goal in the second semifinal encounter. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Emmanuel Afonne

Team Nigeria weightlifters, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal and Adijat Adenike Olarinoye on Monday won six medals at the ongoing 2024 Africa Senior Weightlifting Championship in Egypt.

Competing in the 59kg women’s category, Lawal and Adijat dominated the category as they carted away the top prizes on the first day of the championship which also serves as Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier.

Lawal, gold medal winner in Tunisia last year, established her superiority in the category as she once again claimed all the available three gold medals.

She won the first gold with a lift of 95kg in snatch, claimed another gold in clean and jerk with 119kg before winning her third gold medal in total, with 214kg.

Adijat on her part, followed suit on her previous year’s outing as she claimed all the three silver medals with 94kg in snatch, 115kg in clean and jerk and 209kg in total.

Meanwhile, Edidiong Umoafia Joseph will today at noon seek to consolidate Nigeria’s quest for more medals and a place in the Paris Olympics scheduled to begin in July, as he competes in the 73kg men’s category.

Umoafia won a silver and two bronze medals at the Tunisia 2023 edition in spite of him competing with injury.

Nigeria’s participation in the championship will be rounded off on Wednesday when Joy Eze Ogbonne competes in the 71kg women’s category. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will on Monday night fly to Bouake, ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  Semi-final clash with South Africa slated for Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team and officials, will leave Abidjan for Bouake  for the first time since their opening match.

Babafemi Raji, the team’s media officer told NAN that the team will depart by 8.30pm on Monday.

“I can confirm to you that the boys are in high spirit and we are set to leave for Bouake by 8.30pm today (Monday), ahead of the semi-final clash with South Africa on Wednesday,” he said.

NAN reports that the team played all its group matches, Round of 16 and quarter -final matches in Abidjan and this is the first time they will be leaving their “adopted home”.

In continuation of preparation for the epic clash, the team on Sunday trained at their usual Ecole Nationale de la Police playing turf, Abidjan.

Raji told NAN that the Jose Peseiro, the team’s gaffer in company of a player will have the official pre-match news conference on Tuesday by 11am (Nigerian time) in Bouake.

The team will subsequently have their first training session behind closed doors later in the day.

It will be recalled that when Cote d’Ivoire hosted their only previous AFCON in 1984, Nigeria also played their semi-final match in the city of Bouake against Egypt, winning 8-7 on penalties, after a pulsating 2-2 draw.

NAN reports that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will on Wednesday lock horns with perennial rivals Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake.

The match will be a repeat of the 2000 AFCON semi-finals in Lagos, which saw Nigeria defeat South Africa 2-0.

Also in the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, Nigeria again showed superiority by eliminating the Bafana Bafana 2-1 in the quarter -final stage. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Victor Okoye

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will renew their football rivalry with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Feb. 7 at Stade De Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire, at 6.00 p.m. Nigerian time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria and South Africa have met 15 times in competitive football since 1992.

The Super Eagles have won eight of such encounters, while the Bafana Bafana won two, with both teams drawing on five occasions.

The Bafana Bafana secured their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2000.

Nigeria had earlier secured passage to the semi-finals of the AFCON after a hard-fought 1-0 win over giant-killers Angola in Abidjan on Friday.

The Super Eagles were eagerly waiting to face the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between Cape Verde and South Africa for a place in the semi-final.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero as South Africa beat Cape Verde 5-3 on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes to advance to the AFCON semi-finals.

After a tense last eight clash ended 0-0 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Saturday night, Williams remarkably saved four spot-kicks in the shootout to send Bafana Bafana through.

Both sides started brightly in an open first half, but stellar defending and top-class goalkeeping from Williams and Cape Verde’s Vozinha kept the game goalless at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern as the teams traded blows in search of the breakthrough.

However, a combination of desperation and brilliant defending saw numerous chances go begging.

Cape Verde almost stole it in added time when Gelson Tavares pounced on a deep ball only to smash his shot off the bar with Williams getting a hand to it for a 0-0 scoreline after 90 minutes and extra time.

The additional 30 minutes brought more chances, with South Africa’s Fagrie Lakay forcing a superb save from Vozinha.

But the deadlock remained to send the quarter-final into penalties which saw South Africa emerge victorious at the end to dump out Cape Verde from the ongoing 2023 AFCON tournament.

The tourney which began on Jan. 13 in Cote d’Ivoire will end on Feb. 11. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Salif Atojoko

By Victor Okoye

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has applauded the Super Eagles for beating Angola to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria sailed through to the semi-finals after a hard-fought 1-0 win over giant-killers, Angola at Stade Felix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Friday.

This was after a pass by Moses Simon, to Ademola Lookman who slotted the ball calmly beyond goalkeeper Guilherme da Costa to score the only goal for Nigeria in the 41st minute.

The Super Eagles had to work hard for the victory against the Palancas Negras that had exceeded expectations in reaching the last eight.

Akpabio who represented President Bola Tinubu at the crucial encounter, told newsmen after the match that he was excited about the victory, adding that the Super Eagles had indeed shown that they were unstoppable.

“I feel very happy. Nigeria is a very large country with over 250 million people.

“It’s a great day for the country. We have now entered into the semi-finals.

“Angola couldn’t stop us. I think we are unstoppable.

“I paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Parliament of Cote d’Ivoire and I promised him that if Cote d’Ivoire should qualify for the finals, Nigeria will defeat Cote d’Ivoire.

“Then, we will leave the trophy here for them to bring it to Nigeria for us,” he said.

Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment, who was also part of the government delegation to the match, said that with the much needed support and determination, the Super Eagles can go all the way and win the cup.

“I think for us it is a usual thing in Nigeria. When there is this very huge support and determination, Nigerians don’t let Nigeria down.

“Today we have seen it with the very powerful delegation led by the senate president and so we have to support them.

“With what we saw, we are going back to celebrate today,” he said.

Lalong charged Nigerians to be hopeful in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, especially in the area of sports development.

He said that football was also an instrument of peace and unity.

“Football always brings peace. It’s only when you are playing football that you don’t know the difference between who is coming from the South, North West or North Central.

“So, today you can see that all of us are very happy that Nigeria won.

“Let this be the spirit in Nigeria, so that we will have one united country.

“I am sure there is joy now back home. Everybody is very happy; even the different political parties, this is where they meet together; football. So, this victory is for all Nigerians,” he said.

NAN also reports that Nigeria will face the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between Cape Verde and South Africa for a place in the final.

The tournament which began on Jan. 13 in Cote d’Ivoire will end on Feb. 11. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh