The Super Eagles on Tuesday were denied a World Cup ticket to Qatar after a dull 1-1 draw with Ghana at the MKO Abiola stadium in Abuja.

The first leg game in Kumasi had ended 0-0 leaving the Ghanaians to qualify on the away goal rules.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey had put Ghana in front early in the first half before Troost Ekong converted a penalty to level affairs minutes later.

However, the Super Eagles couldn’t find the crucial second goal, breaking the heart of millions of Nigerian football fans.

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Omoyele Sowore has berated a group of former Nigerian internationals for paying a visit to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.

Sowore, in a post on his verified social media accounts, described the retired footballers’ visit to the APC presidential hopeful as one “driven by hunger.”

On Saturday, the ex-Super Eagles players, which included Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Peter Rufai, Tijani Babngida, Mutiu Adepoju, and Taribo West, met with Tinubu at his Lagos home ahead of the novelty football match scheduled for Sunday at Onikan Stadium.

The ex-Super Eagles players will take part in a novelty match to mark Tinubu’s 70th birthday.

“Hunger is a bastard! JJ Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West, and other ex-Super Eagles players paid Tinubu a visit today to endorse him,” wrote Sowore. “I used to think Victor Ikpeba was a smart person! Shame on these ex-soccer Super Eagles players! Imagine sending them to play for Nigeria as a team in the World Cup after they’ve expired?”

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Senegal defeated Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations championship match on Sunday, winning the continental championship for the first time on penalty kicks at Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Neither Senegal nor Egypt — which had previously won the Africa Cup of Nations seven times, the most in the tournament’s history — were able to breakthrough in the first 90 minutes, with Senegal looking in control for most of the game before Egypt gained strength late in the second half.
Egypt’s Marwan Hamdi, top, jumps for the ball with Senegal’s Abdou Diallo during the African Cup of Nations 2022 final soccer match on Sunday, February 6, 2022.
Egypt’s Marwan Hamdi, top, jumps for the ball with Senegal’s Abdou Diallo during the African Cup of Nations 2022 final soccer match on Sunday, February 6, 2022.

The game’s best opportunity at a goal in regulation time came in the early minutes of the match for Senegal. After an Egyptian foul in the penalty box, Liverpool star Sadio Mané’s penalty kick was saved in spectacular fashion by goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal, also known as Gabaski, in the seventh minute.

But after 30 scoreless minutes of extra time, which featured a pair of stellar saves from Gabaski and Senegalese keeper Edouard Mendy, the game went to penalty kicks.
Another clutch save from Mendy set Mané up with a chance at redemption. Mané buried a rocket in the back of the net to give Senegal the championship.

The tournament was completed in the shadow of the deadly stadium crush where at least eight people were killed and 38 injured during the game between Cameroon and Comoros on January 24 outside Olembe Stadium.

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Anthony Joshua claims to have watched and learned from his fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua, who will face Usyk in a rematch in the coming days, also claimed to have recognized his errors.

Last Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, the 31-year-old lost his IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight crowns to the Ukrainian.

Joshua added in an Instagram post on Thursday that he has also analyzed his preparations and told his followers not to be concerned.

“I’ve studied the battle, analyzed my preparations, and identified my mistakes,” he wrote. He wrote, “I’ve learned my lesson.”

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British boxer of Nigerian descent, Anthony Joshua has lost his heavyweight world titles after losing by unanimous decision to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.

The thrilling contest held at the Tottenham Stadium on Saturday night saw Joshua stripped of his WBA, IBF and WBO titles by a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion.

British boxer of Nigerian descent, Anthony Joshua has lost his heavyweight world titles after losing by unanimous decision to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.

The thrilling contest held at the Tottenham Stadium on Saturday night saw Joshua stripped of his WBA, IBF and WBO titles by a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion.

Usyk, who was in tears when the decision was announced following a superb performance, now has four belts at heavyweight having held all belts at cruiserweight.

It was a shock defeat for Joshua, who had clinch 24 wins and just one loss prior to the match, but was outboxed by Usyk as he was nearly knocked out in the last round.

The scores were 117-112, 116-112, 115-113 in Usyk’s favour.

“This means a lot for me. The fight went the way I expected it to go. There were moments when Anthony pushed me hard but it was nothing special,” said the new heavyweight champion, who now has 19 wins from 19 pro fights.

“I had no objective to knock him out because my corner pushed me not to do that. In the beginning, I tried to hit him hard, but then I stuck to my job.

“The only thing I wanted to do with this fight is to give praise to Jesus Christ.

“I have been working so hard since January in preparation for this fight, it took me half a year and I didn’t see my family for so long. I missed seeing them playing.

“I want to go home and be happy with my family and I’m not thinking about the rematch.”

Joshua had been billed to fight fellow Briton Tyson Fury in a unification match that would have seen the winner become the undisputed heavyweight champion, but plans collapsed.

Joshua then opted to face his WBO mandatory challenger, Usyk instead – a fight that appeared easier – but was stunned by the 34-year-old, who, like the Klitscho brothers, has brought heavyweight glory to Ukraine.

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Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News & a professional Physical and Health Education instructor.

Manchester United lost her first premier league today in a match that was supposed to be a walk over. Nobody believed the star-studded red devils could lose to Aston Villa especially with the presence of Ronaldo who had; previous to Aston Villa match, scored three goals in two matches.

Trailing the visitor by a lone goal, the home team got a penalty at the injury time. It was a relief but the chance was blasted when Fernandez fired into the heaven. Taking penalty when you are leading is different from when you are losing. Ronaldo is much more experienced, confident and emotionally stable than Fernandez at crucial moments. CR7 has seen it all.
In a match like this, a player who has more shock absorber should have taken the penalty.

Bruno lost the chance to equalise at Old Trafford because of two tensions. The tension of taking penalty when a goal was most needed and two; tension of wearing arm band as the captain.

Aside the penalty miss, it was also obvious from the match that Greenwood did not connect well with CR7. He was after personal glory. From what played out in the encounter, Pogba was never consistent. He seldoms slowing down the tempo of the game to the detriment of immediate urgency.

Meanwhile, the three people who were responsible for the loss are the coach himself, Bruno, Greenwood. If I were the coach, I would prefer using Ronaldo at the flanks with serious-minded midfielders.

The fighting spirit is waning in Man U. How I wish Rooney was around to team up with Ronaldo! There was no player to coordinate and charge others to put more effort. Ordinarily, that was supposed to be the duty of Maguire who; in my opinion, is not fit into that role.

Anyway, Football is not Mathematics. A team cannot win til eternity. The good thing in sports is the spirit of Sportsmanship.

For Comments:
lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com

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The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, CAF President and other dignatories attended Aisha Buhari Football Competition held between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and their Malian counterpart in Lagos.

This was contained in a statement released by the Governor of Lagos State as quoted thus: “It was a spectacular display of football artistry today as I watched the opening match of the Aisha Buhari Female Invitational Tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan.

“Among international and local dignitaries that watched the game between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and their Malian counterparts were the President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, my darling wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, President of Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr. Patrice Motsepe, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, and other top FIFA officials.

“Lagos as the proud host of the six-nation Tournament will ensure all participating footballers and their officials enjoy their stay and feel the vibrancy of our state”.

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has praised the resounding success recorded by the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) by securing the long-awaited promotion to the elite Nigerian Premier Football League.

He maintained that the promotion is in line with his campaign promise to get the Oluyole Warriors promoted to the elite league within two years of assumption of office, stating that the commitment and patriotism of the players and management are highly commendable.

3SC, on Saturday, defeated Ekiti United FC 6-0 in the final game of the Super Eight, to wrap up the Super Eight League as winners of the Group B Conference.
The team had earlier defeated Bendel Insurance 2-1 and played 1-1 draw with Remo Stars FC to scoop a total of seven points to top Group B.

The Oluyole Warriors will play Niger Tornadoes FC of Niger, which topped Group A of the Super 8 on Sunday, to determine the overall winner of the 2020/21 Nigeria National League.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as praising the doggedness and resilience of the 3SC players and coaching staff, who have presented a golden gift to the people of Oyo State.

“We are sincerely happy to see our darling team, 3SC, back where it belongs: the Nigerian Premier Football League.
“It gladdens my heart that the feat is achieved just a few days after we unveiled the remodelled, world-class Lekan Salami Sport Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the befitting home of the Shooting Stars.
“I rejoice with the government and good people of Oyo State on this wonderful achievement by our darling team and especially the return of good football to Ibadan.

“Surely, the Government of Oyo State will ensure that the players and technical crew are rewarded for bringing us this joyful moment.
“I equally assure that the Government of Oyo State will join hands with all stakeholders to ensure that our people watch interesting games in the classy Lekan Salami Sports complex every week.
“Let me congratulate the players and technical team of the 3SC for bringing back the glory of our football and for giving us this joyful moment to savour.

“As a government, we will do everything possible to reward the players and management of the 3SC for this amazing feat and wonderful achievement, which is in fulfilment of our campaign promise to get the 3SC promoted to the NPFL within two years of assumption of office.

“We will also support the team to reach for greater heights in the not too distant future. As a government, we have made the commitment to transform the sport sector so as to create employment for the teeming youths of the state. This promotion has brought us closer to the realisation of that commitment and we will do everything in our capacity to bring it to fruition,” Makinde said.

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Lekan Badmus is a columnist @Oduduwa News.

The newly-renovated Lekan Salami stadium in Ibadan is a beauty to behold. The transformation is awesome. Without any iota of contradiction, the executive governor of Oyo state; Engineer Seyi Makinde deserves accolades. May God continue to imbue your Excellency with wisdom and other impetus required to steer the sheep of this state. Amen.

Like I once wrote, the state government needs to revive the moribund secondary schools’ sports in the state.

The benefits therein outweigh our apprehension with regards to violence. Apart from the effect sports has on mental, social and emotional states of the students, it is a way of curbing social vices: truancy, thuggery, bullying, and other illicit affairs that are not in tandem with morality and custom.

School children are full of energy. This energies are being diverted to something unproductive; courtesy of their youthful exurberance. With a good program, this energy could be dissipated to something valuable.

Our children are filled with untapped talents and potentials. These talents need to be discovered and nurtured for the development of the students and the state at large.

Truth be told. Many of them would eventually leave academics for vocational and sports. These disciplines could earn them means of livelihood. It would also bring fame.

From schools sports, state and national athletes could be discovered. It would also attract foreign scouts.

The way to go about it is simple. The competition could be handled by the ministry of education and professional Physical and Health Education Teachers. They have the technical know-how. The only area in which the ministry of sports could come in is the use of the facility during the finals.

Funding could be through the government and other companies within the state.

The fear of violence and acrimony could be tamed through a standing rule against mercenaries. If non-students are smuggled into the competition, the objective would be defeated. Mercenaries are easily drafted in a situation where officials of the ministry of sports are engaged in officiating.

Preliminaries could be played at neutral grounds to forestall home advantage, local interference and probable attacks.

On a finality, the state could set aside a week for the program. Matches could be played concurrently at various centers while the entire tournament could be round robin or straight elimination method otherwise known as knockout.

Rejuvenation of schools’ sports is not impossible.

Oyo state is the pacesetters. We lead….others follow.

Comrade Lekan Badmus is also Sports and Education Consultant.

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Former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku, chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and his Edo State counterpart, Governor Godwin Obaseki as well as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, will join the Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, to officially unveil the remodelled Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Thursday (today).

Other notable Nigerians expected at the event are a former Military Administrator of Oyo State during whose regime the Lekan Salami Stadium was initiated, General David Jemibewon (rtd), former governor of the state and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and a former Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the event will feature a novelty match between ex-Shooting Stars players 94/98 set and former Super Eagles players 94/96 set as well as a friendly match between the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and NK Tabor Sezana, a top Slovenian league side.
The statement maintained that Teni, Taye Currency and QDot will perform live at the unveiling ceremony, adding that the remodelled Lekan Salami Stadium is coming to life exactly one year after it was awarded to Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited through the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA).

According to Adisa, the project included the remodelling of the mainbowl, construction of a state-of-the-art media centre and a FIFA-standard studio with equipment, construction of FIFA-standard mixed zone including changing rooms, wet rooms, match officials’ rooms, referees’ rooms, doping control room, youth centre/ball boys’ room, clinic and others.

The new Lekan Salami Stadium is completed with modern floodlights, a remodelled Squash Hall, a new 50 metres by 30 metres multipurpose hall for Basketball, Volleyball, Handball and gymnasium as well as a Centre Court.
Speaking during the award of the project, Governor Makinde had maintained that the remodelling of the stadium is targeted at repositioning the state to attract investments, especially in the lucrative sports sector.

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