Nigerian Football
AGHAHOWA HAILS THE SUN’S WORLD CUP SEMINAR
BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.
The only Nigerian scorer at the 2002 World Cup, Julius Aghahowa has joined the increasing football enthusiasts who are applauding The Sun Publishing Limited’s initiative of organizing a seminar to boost the morale of the Nigerian national team as the clock ticks down to the team’s opening duel with Croatia.
The landmark seminar which is already drawing the attention of the best of football technocrats in the country is slated for May 22 in Port Harcourt.
It is planned to kick-start the farewell match the Super Eagles will play against Congo before departing for Europe to continue the build-up for the country’s sixth World Cup appearance.
Aghahowa, a member of the third squad of the Super Eagles to feature in the World Cup averred that results of the previous Nigerian appearances could have been better if brainstorming seminars like the one being organized by The Sun had taken place.
The theme of the seminar is “That Super Eagles May Excel in Russia and Beyond”.
Aghahowa remarked: “I’m not surprised this is coming from the stable of The Sun Newspapers. It’s a laudable idea which all well-meaning and football loving Nigerians should support.
“I also hope other corporate bodies could emulate the newspaper outfit and provide the team with all the supports they needed to soar at the World Cup. So I commend the organisers of the seminar for the help being lent our team,”
The striker also saluted the doggedness of the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation and Super Eagles’ handler Gernot Rohr in the team’s build up to the World Cup.
“We are yet to excel beyond the second round stage of the FIFA World Cup. I see this present team breaking the jinx. The team is filled with young talented footballers that are willing to make name.
“Let be sincere with ourselves, Rohr and the present NFF board are currently working hard. All we need do is to keep supporting them with prayer and well wishes.
“Once again, I am giving a very big kudos to The Sun for bringing this nice Idea. This shows the paper has a very good management board who have the ability of thinking deep to lunch an event like this.
“I wish them well as they all jet out to Port Harcourt with the aim of doing a big favour for our national team,” he concluded.
Nigerian Football
Rivers fail to find their course
BY MITCHEL OBI
It is over and another defeat for the Pride of Rivers on the road, going down to a 67th minute goal by Sunshine Stars Yusuf.
It was a goal the boys from Akure desperately needed to ease off the breeze from the relegation waters.
And now they can smile, sharing the same 39 points with Bayelsa United and hoping to go clear when the full league resumes on May 25, the international day of football as declared by the United Nations.
Rivers United can now settle for their next rescheduled match against Abia Warriors on Wednesday May 15 before returning home to face stubborn Niger Tornadoes May 18. Indeed, it has been a miserable southwest run for Rivers Utd, picking only a point in three games and fluffing away the opportunity to challenge effectively for another continental ticket this season. Consolation may come in their chase for the President Federation Cup in which they have a contend again with the same Niger Tornadoes in the round of 32. That game happening on May 22 will see foot faithfuls in Auchi coming out in their numbers to watch two premier league clubs after almost a decade.
The Sunshine Stars versus Rivers United game in Akure was live on StarTimes, committed to broadcast all the rescheduled premier league games this month and continue their four match weekly schedule when the league fully returns.
Nigerian Football
NFF commiserates as former Super Eagles right winger, Babangida is hit with another tragedy
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, NFF Executive Committee member Timothy Heman Magaji and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi on Sunday paid a condolence visit to former Nigeria international forward and President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Tijani Babangida, who was involved in a ghastly auto crash along the Kaduna – Zaria Road on Thursday.
The unfortunate crash claimed the life of Tijani’s younger brother, Ibrahim – a member of the 1993 FIFA U17 World Cup -winning Golden Eaglets, on the spot. Tijani’s infant son, Fadil reportedly passed on Friday night during surgery, while his wife, Maryam is said to have successfully undergone facial surgery.
In the delegation also were NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen; Member of the NPFL Board, Jude Anyadufu; former Nigeria international and Chairman, Bauchi State Football Association, Pascal Patrick; former Nigeria international goalkeeper Emmanuel Babayaro; former Nigeria international, Austin Popo; prominent football stakeholder, Abubakar Danfulani and; former Nigeria international and special assistant to NFF President, Mallam Nasiru Jibril.
The delegation met Tijani Babangida at a hospital in Abuja to which he was transferred from ABUTH, and commiserated with the former World Cup star on the deaths of his brother and son, while praying for quick recovery for himself and his dear wife, who is still under intensive care at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.
Nigerian Football
Flying Eagles 1983 set awards full scholarship to son of their skipper, Late Ali Jeje
In a poignant tribute to the enduring legacy of their late captain, Ali Jeje, the 1983 set of the Nigeria.
In a signed statement, vice captain of the team, Paul Okoku recalled the late Ali Jeje’s leadership was the cornerstone of the Flying Eagles’ journey to become the first Nigerian team to the FIFA under 20 World Cup, in Mexico.
According to Okoku, who resides with his family in USA, “1983 was the first time a Nigerian flag was raised and flown on the world football stage, in admiration of the world gathering for a pride of a nation, the players were the pride of the nation, Nigeria and the continent of Africa.
“The raising of the Nigerian flag was a proud moment, symbolizing the nation’s admiration for its players who embodied the pride of Nigeria”, added Paul Okoku, who pointed out that “despite facing significant adversities, Ali Jeje’s unwavering dedication to the team and the sport left an indelible mark on the annals of Nigerian football history”.
Okoku noted that in recognition of the late Ali Jeje’s unparalleled contributions and the enduring legacy he left behind, the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, has resolved to support Abdul Rahman’s educational aspirations through a scholarship.
“Furthermore, on behalf of the Esteemed Solidarity Flying Eagles Team, 1983 set, and as the vice captain of the history-making squad, I salute you, my fellow teammates, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our team members who generously supported this initiative financially and in kind who deserve our genuine appreciation for their integral role in the scholarship scheme:
“Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Otti Amaechi, Paul Okoku, Femi Olukanni, Segun Olukanni, Dehinde Akinlotan, Taju Disu, Dahiru Sadi, Tarila Okorowanta, Manu Garba, Alphonsus Akhahon, Sunday Edema Benson, Yemi Adebanjo, Samson Siasia, Patrick Udoh, Muyiwa Manny Motajo, Humphrey Edobor, Bright Benson, Wahab Adesina, Wilfred Agbonabare, Christopher Anigala, Yisa Sofoluwe, Raymond King, Mike Igbeka and Tarfa Kpako”.
Reflecting on the profound impact of this initiative, Paul Okoku expressed deep gratitude to his former teammates for their unwavering support and commitment, stressing that ” our collective action exemplified the essence of true teamwork and underscored the power of unity in honoring the cherished memory of our beloved Captain, Ali Jeje.
Abdul Rahman Jeje’s heartfelt appreciation for the opportunity to further his education serves as a poignant testament to the transformative impact of this scholarship on his future. With profound humility, he extends his heartfelt gratitude to the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, for illuminating the path to a brighter future and honoring his father’s enduring legacy.
“Incidentally that was also the first FIFA tournament attended by a Nigerian national team, when the Flying Eagles qualified after beating Guinea over two legs and he was the centre referee in the Group B match between Poland and the United States in Pueblo as well as the game between Brazil and Holland at the Jalisco Stadium, Guadalajara.”
“At the tournament, two other African referees – Bernard Grah of Cote D’Ivoire and Mohammed Larache of Morocco – were sent home after the Group games while Okubule was among the 12 retained to proceed with the remaining matches.
“As the Flying Eagles, 1983 set, continue to honor our illustrious legacy and invest in the next generation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Abdul Rahman’s educational journey”
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