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Another Ex-International, Kenneth Ilodigwe Dies

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

 

It was double tragedy for Nigerian football on Thursday. Shortly after the death of Paul Hamilton, another former international footballer, Kenneth Ilodigwe of Enugu Rangers, also passed on.

Family sources informed Sports Village Square, via whatsapp message of the death of the midfielder, whose goal against Mighty Jets of Jos, sealed the Challenge Cup victory for Enugu Rangers in 1974 final.

Kenneth Ilodigwe, popularly called “Kendo”, reportedly passed on at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu after a protracted illness.

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He left Enugu Rangers in the mid 1970s for academic pursuit in the US. Some years back, he was diagnosed with malignant prostate cancer at the Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia in the US and needed about $65,000 for the operation.

Early Friday morning, a message from a family member reads: “We just received the sad news that Kenneth Ilodigwe (Kendo) passed away today 3/30/17 at UNTH Enugu, after a brief illness.

“Kenneth was from Awka, Anambra State. He was one of the finest footballers to come out of Africa, a veteran Enugu Rangers FC striker and also a former Clemson University soccer star.

“He will be fondly remembered by Nigerian soccer fans worldwide. May his Soul Rest in Peace. Please keep his family in your prayers. Funeral arrangements would be announced later.”

Ilodigwe who was in and out of the then national team, Green Eagles, in the 1970s before venturing to the US, came into limelight after winning the Manuwa/Adebajo Cup with the then East Central State Academicals in 1971.

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In the final match, East Central State Academicals beat Kwara Academicals 1-0. He went on to win the National League consecutively with the famous Rangers of Enugu in 1974, 75 and 76.
He was also in the East Central team that won the football gold medal at the 1973 edition of the National Sports Festival in Lagos.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Sundowns get the better of Ulsan in battle of the outsiders

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC forward Lebo Mothiba (35) passes the ball during the second half against Ulsan HD during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD had targeted their Group F opener as their best chance to get a win on the board at the Club World Cup, with Brazil’s Fluminense and German side Borussia Dortmund expected to advance from Group F.

South Africa’s Sundowns took all three points with a 1-0 win over the South Koreans and went top of the group after Fluminense drew 0-0 with Dortmund.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

African and Asian teams are not expected to make much of an impact at the new-look 32-team Club World Cup so points are like gold dust for the likes of the Sundowns and Ulsan.

KEY QUOTES

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Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns coach: “We prepared tactically and strategically very well, and then we found a commitment between everybody. I think it was clear we made a very wonderful first half. It was important that we could keep the pace and not stray from the game plan in the second half, so that we could score a second goal that for little details or little centimetres, we could not do.”

Kim Pan-gon, Ulsan HD head coach: “We had targeted this game to win because we understand the other two teams in the group, Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund, are favourites. Our players gave their best efforts in this game and we’re very proud of their efforts. Now we need to recover quickly for the next game.”

-Reuters

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Mexico readies for historic third World Cup as Azteca Stadium tensions grow

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With a year until Mexico makes history as the first three-time World Cup host, the dream of a spectacular showcase is colliding with the practical challenges of modernising the iconic Azteca Stadium for global soccer’s premier event.

Beneath the imposing silhouette of Mexico’s football cathedral – where Pele dazzled with Brazil in 1970 and Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ propelled Argentina to glory in 1986 – construction crews tackle the formidable task of bringing one of the sport’s most storied venues into the 21st century.

The stakes are magnified as the ‘Santa Ursula colossus’ will host the tournament’s opening match, a global spectacle that will focus the world’s attention on Mexico from day one.

Renovations will expand the stadium’s capacity from 87,000 to 90,000, with upgrades centred on meeting FIFA standards through new changing rooms, enhanced hospitality zones, revamped VIP areas and additional seating in spaces previously occupied by boxes and lounges.

While government officials and football administrators envisioned the project as a symbol of national pride, the renovation process has eroded trust between developers, local residents and other stakeholders.

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Stadium administrators announced in February that they had secured a 2.1 billion peso ($110.19 million) credit line from local financial group Banorte – along with a controversial new name: Estadio Banorte.

FIFA regulations mean the stadium will be referred to as “Estadio Ciudad de Mexico” during the World Cup, yet the rebranding has sparked a fierce backlash from some fans, who view it as sacrificing football heritage for commercial interests.

HARSH REALITY

The backlash over the stadium’s new name represents only one facet of the mounting tensions. Box and suite holders – some with relationships spanning decades – have threatened legal action after FIFA announced it would commandeer their seats during the tournament, overriding established contracts.

One member of the Mexican Association of Box Holders has already filed a legal challenge to defend access rights.

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Beyond the stadium walls, frustration runs equally deep. Residents of Santa Ursula and surrounding neighbourhoods fear that promised infrastructure improvements like pedestrian bridges and transit lines will fail to address fundamental issues including inadequate lighting, water shortages and persistent traffic congestion.

“We’re not the stadium’s backyard,” one local resident told Expansion Politica. “But we’re always treated that way.”

By contrast, Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico’s other two host cities, face fewer obstacles.

Guadalajara’s 48,000-seat stadium, opened in 2010, has already hosted major events including the 2011 Pan American Games, while Monterrey’s 53,500-capacity venue, inaugurated in 2015, needs only minor upgrades – primarily new turf and a pitch ventilation system.

“We’ll install a system to ventilate and oxygenate the pitch before replacing the grass,” said Alejandro Hutt, Monterrey’s Host City Manager. “That will be an important legacy from the World Cup and beyond.”

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As construction continues, Javier Aguirre’s Mexico squad are building towards a crucial summer, with a Gold Cup title defence ahead and friendly matches against Turkey this week, followed by Japan and South Korea in September.

After failing to advance beyond the group stage at Qatar 2022 – their worst World Cup performance since 1978 – Mexican fans crave more than just a well organised tournament. They want to see Mexico break the ‘fifth-game‘ curse and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the last time they were World Cup hosts.

-Reuters

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Queens and Angels depart from the President Federation Cup

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All contenders are now known for this year’s President Federation Cup grand finale, following Saturday’s elimination of Edo Queens and Ibom Angels in the women’s semi-finals.

Multiple-winners Rivers Angels saw off the stiff challenge of Ibom Angels of Uyo 1-0 in Aba, while Nasarawa Amazons bumped Edo Queens 2-0 in Ayingba.

Cup holders Rivers Angels, who have won the competition nine times, will have their hands full against 2005 and 2019 champions Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia.

In the men’s competition, Abakaliki FC of Ebonyi are getting set to tackle Kwara United FC in the final.

Results of Semi Finals (Women)

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  • Rivers Angels (Rivers) 1-0 Ibom Angels (Akwa Ibom)
  • Edo Queens (Edo) 0-2 Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa)

Results of Semi-Finals (Men)

  • Abakaliki FC (Ebonyi) 0-0 Ikorodu City (Lagos) – Abakaliki FC win 5-4 on penalties
  • Kwara United (Kwara) 1-0 Rangers Int’l (Enugu)

WOMEN’S FINAL

  • Rivers Angels vs Nasarawa Amazons

MEN’S FINAL

  • Abakaliki FC VS Kwara United   

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