Written By Unknown on Monday, 16 September 2013 | 01:04
Enyimba International of Aba yesterday won the 68th edition of the Federation Cup final held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
It was a dramatic final, full of suspense and action. Warri Wolves led twice but Enyimba came back twice and eventually won the deciding penalty shoot-out 5-4.
Written By Unknown on Friday, 13 September 2013 | 14:31
The Guardian
September 12, 2012
President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday tasked the National Sports Commission (NSC) and other sports stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria wins as many gold medals as possible at the 2016 Olympic Games, scheduled for Rio, Brazil. Speaking while hosting Nigeria’s silver medalist at the recently-concluded International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships held in Moscow, Russia, Blessing Okagbare, and her handler, Coach Daniel Esebinimo, as well as Felix, Blessing’s brother at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Blessing Okagbare The Guardian
September 12, 2012
President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday tasked the National Sports Commission (NSC) and other sports stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria wins as many gold medals as possible at the 2016 Olympic Games, scheduled for Rio, Brazil.
Speaking while hosting Nigeria’s silver medalist at the recently-concluded International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships held in Moscow, Russia, Blessing Okagbare, and her handler, Coach Daniel Esebinimo, as well as Felix, Blessing’s brother at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja. The President said Nigerian youths should be empowered to represent the country honourably in international competitions.
Jonathan said: “Nigeria has been known as a sporting nation, but sometimes we slide back. But we are lucky that we are building up today. I believe that with young ladies and men like Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria will get back to where we belong and even go further.”
In addition to the monetary reward of N3 million for Okagbare and N3.5 million for her coach, the President directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, to also ensure that the athlete and her coach were properly given national honours when the time comes as a mark of appreciation for doing the nation proud.
The President believed that Okagbare and her coach had made the country proud in the period that the country was experiencing medals drought, which had characterised the country’s outing in recent times. He cited the 2012 London Olympics, where Nigeria failed to secure any medal for the country.
“Today is a day that we are all celebrating this young lady, Blessing Okagbare… we are celebrating success, we are celebrating education, we are celebrating patriotism. This is to formerly congratulate Blessing Okagbare and other young men and women like her who have been working very hard to make this country proud.
Also speaking at the event, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who accompanied Okagbare to the Villa, disclosed she was discovered from the grassroots, noting that he was happy that the efforts had paid off culminating in her competing and representing Nigeria at the international arena.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) aspirant for Delta Central Senatorial seat, Ighoyota Amori, has concluded plans to stage a red carpet reception for Okagbare and some junior athletes, who were part of Team Nigeria’s success at the just concluded Africa Championship in Mauritius.
Speaking with The Guardian Wednesday, Amori said the feat recorded by Okagbare in Moscow and the junior athletes in Mauritius must not go unnoticed, adding: “They have made the Urhobos, Deltans and Nigerians proud and they deserve honour from us.”
Written By Unknown on Saturday, 7 September 2013 | 16:19
The Super Eagles of Nigeria Saturday evening defeated the Flames of Malawi 2-0 at the U J Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River state, in the 2014 World Cup qualification tie. Goals from Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses saw Eagles humbled their Malawian counterpart to qualify for the next stage. More after sometimes
Written By Unknown on Friday, 16 August 2013 | 09:06
Ronald Gjoka, 19, ran onto the pitch in the 67th minuteto embrace his idol, only to be arrested by local police and taken to jail for trespassing and disorderly conduct. Gjoka spent the night in prison before he was allowed to leave the day after, yet he has stressed that the moment was worththe punishment. "Honestly, first thing was look straight, find Cristiano and don't look back. Just go," Gjoka told Local10. "I decided to add a little knee slide on it just for a little celebration. I think Ronaldo always does that celebration so I thought that he would find it funny, and he did, he gave it a littlelaugh. "But after that, I gave him a big hug, told him you're one of my biggest idols, always followed you and I said, 'Please, Ronaldo, don't let the cops take me,' and that's when Ronaldo gave me a very big hug. "I got the opportunity to talk to Ronaldo. It was a unique opportunity and I had to take it. It was worth the detention." What a loyal fan to his Idol,
Written By Unknown on Thursday, 15 August 2013 | 02:38
The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has sent a detailed security plan for the 2014 World Cup qualifying match between Super Eagles and Flames of Malawi in Calabar to FIFA.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the request for the security guarantee from FIFA was against the backdrop of Malawi Football Association’s request for change of venue.
The World Cup qualifying match scheduled for the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, on September 7, is the last Group F match to qualify for the final round of the qualifiers.
“Anti-bomb squad would be deployed to sweep and maintain all hotels and training pitches; - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/nigeria-vs-malawi-nfa-assures-fifa-of-adequate-security/#sthash.rUavDYvs.dpuf
“Anti-bomb squad would be deployed to sweep and maintain all hotels and training pitches
Written By Unknown on Wednesday, 14 August 2013 | 04:42
Mikel Obi after the Wednesday's friendly match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Bafana Bafana pulls out. Nigerian international and Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has pulled out of Wednesday’s match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban due to a stomach bug. Super Eagles head Coach Stephen Keshi revealed that Mikel will not be part of this year’s Nelson Mandela challenge due to the stomach infection.
Written By Unknown on Saturday, 10 August 2013 | 19:33
Nigerian’s hopeful have risen high at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, as Blessing Okagbare yesterday put herself in a good position to land the women long jump gold after she recorded the second best jump in the qualifying rounds.
Written By Unknown on Wednesday, 7 August 2013 | 05:40
From the Report Reaching us, Manchester City’s Serbian center-back Matija Nastasic will be sidelined for four to six weeks.
This means the 20-year-old will miss the first month of the upcoming new season, which will start with a home match where City hosts Newcastle United on August 19.
Nastasic was stretchered off with an ankle injury during a pre-season game against Sunderland in Hong Kong last month.
England international Joleon Lescott is likely to replace Nastasic.
