By Babatunde Ogunrinde

Harrison Jalla, the Chairman, Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to look inwards in choosing  the head  coach for the Super Eagles.

Jalla, who said this while addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos,  said  it was time an indigenous coach took over as the  head coach of the Super Eagles.

He said that the NFF had engaged foreign coaches for more than eight years without substantial results to show for it.

“With more than five unproductive years with Gernot Rohr and almost two years of Jose Paseiro, with Coach Austine Eguavoen making a brief stint in-between.

“It is time to engage our indigenous coaches with the same  terms and conditions given to Gernot Rohr and Jose Paseiro.

“Any attempt to treat indigenous coaches differently will be resisted,” Jalla said.

“The performance of indigenous coaches in the last three editions of AFCON is a clear indicator that African coaches are better than their European counterparts.

“Nigeria must take a cue from Morocco, Senegal and Cote d`Ivoire  who won the three last editions of the AFCON with indigenous coaches,” he said.

He said that the last two foreign coaches, Rohr and  Paseiro left no legacy other than destroying the Super Eagles traditional pattern of free flow football.

“None of these foreign coaches could attain Coach Stephen Keshi ’s 2013 AFCON record.

Jalla urged  the NFF to invest in the development of  indigenous coaches from the annual technical grants from FIFA and CAF for the benefit of our football.

According to Jalla, the nucleus of the team that won the 2013 AFCON are home based players.

“We have a legion of ex-internationals that are qualified to handle the Super Eagles, Emmanuel Amuneke, Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George, Emeka Ezeugo among others.

“Nigeria was once at the 5th position in FIFA rankings, but clueless football administrators have pulled us to where we are today by recycling visionless leaders.

“The time to break that monopoly is now and it will certainly happen in a matter of weeks,”he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

BAO/GOM/JPE

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

By Aderonke Ojo

Nigeria’s Under-20 women football team, the Falconets, on Monday defeated their Senegalese counterparts 4-0 in the second Group B game at he ongoing 13th African Games in Ghana.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Falconets have booked their place in the semi-finals of the All Africa Games women’s title after putting four goals past Senegal in the match played at Cape Coast Stadium.

The goals from Loveth Edeh, Motunrayo Ezekiel, Chioma Olise and an own goal were enough for the Nigerian ladies to move ahead of their Senegales counterparts.

Falconets took the lead in the 14th minute through Edeh.

The Senegalese fought back but they were unable to penetrate the solid Nigerian defence.

Five minutes into the second half, Nigeria doubled their lead through Ezekiel, as she capitalised on an opportunity, swiftly advancing towards the Senegalese goal area and finding the back of the net.

A minute later, the pressure from the Nigerian forwards forced the Senegalese to commit a blunder, which saw Aiche Kalas score an own goal, who inadvertently put the ball in her own net.

Nigeria added another goal through forward Oliseh, netting the fourth in the 81st minute.

With the win, the Falconets have now secured a place in the semi-finals of the African Games women’s football tournament having secured six points from two games without conceding a goal.

NAN reports that the Christopher Danjuma-led girls went into the game in all confidence having defeated Morocco 2-0 in their first match on March 8.

Nigeria are the Defending champions, and are in Group B alongside Morocco, Senegal and Cameroon.

While hosts Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda are in Group A.

NAN reports that Falconets won the gold medal in the women’s football event of the 12th African Games that took place in Rabat, Morocco in 2019.

The 13th African Games which started on March 8, will end on March 23 in Ghana across three cities of Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

By Georgina Adegbie

Team Nigeria recorded a clean sweep of gold medals on Sunday at the ongoing African Games in Ghana, after six female wrestlers won in their various categories.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mercy Genesis kick-started the gold medal rush; winning Nigeria’s first wrestling gold medal in the 50kg category

It was an atmosphere of joy and excitement for Nigeria after sweeping all six gold medals at the female wrestling events.

Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu led by exemple as captain of Nigerian Wrestlers to defeat Blandine Nyeh Ngiri of Cameroon 14-4

Multiple world medalist Odunayo Adekuoroye followed Blessing’s footsteps by beating Zineb Hassoune of Morocco with pinfall.

Commonwealth champion and multiple African champion Mercy Genesis did not disappoint as she dispatched her Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Nada of Egypt 7-0.

African Games debutant Ogunsanya Christiana produced a dominant display in the 53kg to outclass her opponent Nogona Bakayoko of Cote D’Ivoire 11-0.

Hannah Reuben added more celebration to the already agog atmosphere after she defeated Amy Youin of Core d’Ivoire

The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, while reacting, said the victory was as a result of hard work and dedication.

Igali gave kudos to the female wrestlers for complimenting their efforts in training with the incredible show at the female event.

“I thank the Lord for the victory today because we’ve been training but in all of this I’m so excited for these girls, they deserve it.” Igali said.

The president also thanked the Governor of Bayelsa, Douye Diri, for always supporting the athletes.

“His support enabled us to shine like we did today,” he added.

NAN reports that Wrestling event continues on Monday as men freestyle wrestlers take to the mat.

In a similar development, Nigeria’s Anioluwapo Opeyori, the African Badminton champion, also won a gold and a silver medal in the Badminton event on Sunday.

The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh shortly after the events, congratulated the athletes and coaches for their impressive performance.

He encouraged the athletes to stay focused on winning, while assuring them of Federal Government’s commitment to the development of sports in all ramifications. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh and Emmanuel Afonne

By Victor Okoye

Africa’s highest ranked table-tennis player, Aruna Quadri on Wednesday won a second medal for Nigeria at the ongoing 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.

This was after the 35-year-old Quadri fell 4-3 to Egypt’s Omar Assar in the final of the men’s table tennis singles event.

The contest between the two rivals lived up to expectations as they thrilled the audience with breathtaking skills.

Assar took the first set 11-8, while Quadri who is currently the world number 14 ranked player, bounced back to claim the second and third 11-2, 11-2.

The Egyptian clinched the fourth set 11-7 before Aruna won the fifth set 11-9.

Assar then won the last two sets 11-9, 11-0 to claim the gold medal.

Offiong Edem won Nigeria’s first medal on Tuesday when she clinched the bronze medal in the women’s singles event.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/ Joseph Edeh

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

A resilient Abia Warriors on Monday defeated Kano Pillars by a lone goal at home in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match.

The NPFL week 23 fixture played at the Sani Abacha stadium was watched by a massive crowd.

Abia midfielder, Daniel Ijeh scored the in the 79th minute with a long range shot.

After the goal, Kano Pillars continued to press for an equaliser but missed numerous chances.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in spite of efforts by the home side to equalise, the visitors held their ground until the end of the match.

Speaking after the match, Abia Warriors coach, Bethel Orji, commended his players for the feat.

”We played against a difficult side with good players and coach, Maikaba. Pillars are no pushovers,” he said.

He also commended his players for their fighting spirit.

Also speaking, coach Abdu Maikaba blamed the lose to poor officiating by the centre referee.

”I am not satisfied with the officiating today because the referee gave Abia the corner kick that led to the goal,” he said.

He, however, commended his team for their efforts, adding that he would work on his team’s lapses in the game.

NAN reports that Abia’s goal scorer, Daniel Ijeh, was voted Man-of-the- Match by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kano Chapter. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk on Sunday said he was immensely proud of the young side who had to fill in for so many of his injured teammates.

Van Dijk scored a late winner against Chelsea to help his side lift the English League Cup on Sunday at the Wembley Stadium in London.

Liverpool were without key players such as Mohammed Salah, Diogo Jota and goalkeeper Alisson for the final.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp fielded a largely second-string team, as the match went into extra time after a goalless 90 minutes.

“It’s emotional, it’s everything, I’m so proud of the boys,” van Dijk told reporters on the pitch as the red half of the Wembley fans celebrated.

“All the young boys playing their part in what we achieved today, it’s incredible. On to more.”

After a lively end-to-end contest in which both sides enjoyed a string of chances, Van Dijk rose to head the winner with two minutes of extra time remaining.

“You should always savour the good moments and this is one of them.

“You should never take these things for granted,” the Netherlands defender said. (Reuters/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Angela Atabo

Mr Magaji Zachariah, Principal of the Federal Government Boys College, Abuja, has called for the use of sports to promote national unity and peace in Nigeria.

Zachariah made the call during the maiden edition of the school’s inter-house athletics competition, on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the school is determined to provide students with education, social and physical life through sports.

“As a nation you will agree with me that in Nigeria, it is in sports that we speak with one voice.

“Sports is a bonding factor that cannot be wished away. It has a transformative power that unites and inspires people.

“In the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations, the whole country was united as we cheered on our great Super Eagles irrespective of tribe and religion.

“Therefore, it will not be an overstatement to say that it is only sports that Nigerians speak with one voice, “he said.

Zachariah said that the vision of the college is to encourage sporting activities to cash into the various dividends it offers to the students and the nation.

He said that the school has achieved some feats in sporting activities within and outside the Federal Capital.

The principal said it will continue to create platforms for the students to discover and nurture hidden talents.

He said that the school would create room for students to remain active and develop their mental agility.

Zachariah encouraged all participants to give their best to the inter-house sports and embrace the true spirit of sportsmanship.

“Remember success is not measured solely by winning, but by the determination and growth you exhibit throughout the journey.

“So let today’s experience be filled with joy and celebration, regardless of the outcome.

“Sports make us strong and above all teaches us to accept defeat which inspires determination to do better tomorrow,” he said.

He commended the zeal and sacrifice of the teachers, school administrators and parents for the success of the school’s first inter-house sports since its establishment in 2000.

Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, Director Senior Secondary Education Department, CT, said that sports contribute to the development of society.

Abdulkadir said that sports promote healthy living, inculcates the spirit of sportsmanship, and affords individuals the opportunity to show-case hidden talents.

“Sports help to bring people together to foster peace, unity, understanding and international cooperation.

“It helps children, youths and adults alike to develop physical skills apart from exercising and making new friends,” she said.

Abdulkadir reiterated the commitment of the government to addressing the challenges of inadequate sports facilities and lack of equipment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that young athletes in the school and other invited guests displayed their supremacy in track and field events.

The athletes competed in the name of their houses.

They comprised Independent, National, Republic and Unity houses.

At the conclusion of the competition, Republic House (Yellow) was the overall winner of the competition.

Independence House (Blue) came   second while Unity House (Green) came third followed by the National House (Red) in fourth position.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the winner emerged based on the number of events it won. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh