Sports
Commonwealth Games: Yusuf Ali gets appointment to lead Nigeria
The Federal Government has appointed ex-Team Nigeria Captain and national long jump record holder Yusuf Ali as the Coordinator of Team Nigeria to the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
United Kingdom, scheduled to hold from July 28 to August 8, 2022
The appointment of Ali who is also the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, was announced by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare on Friday in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Director Press and Public Relations Mohammed Manga quoted the minister to have described the choice of Ali as being borne out of his past record of competence and knowledge of the game of sports.
Dare noted that the Commonwealth gold medalist, with an unbroken record of 8.39m leap will work in collaboration with the Ministry, the Federations and the athletes so as to ensure the victory of Team Nigeria in the games.
Dare who expressed the optimism that the Commonwealth Games will give Nigeria another opportunity to rewrite the experience of the Olympic Games, added that the Ministry has put everything in place within the limited resource to ensure that the athletes make the country proud at the games.
He stated further that Team Nigeria will be participating in 9 sports having dropped from 21 games due to funding and time constraints.
“I urge you to take cognizance of the time constraints and quickly draw up your plan noting that athletes that fail to comply with laid down rules will be denied the ticket to the forthcoming Commonwealth games”, the Minister said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar described the choice of Yusuf Ali as timely and well deserved due to his pedigree as a sports administrator who will bring his wealth of experience to bear in ensuring that the objective is achieved.
The Permanent Secretary who urged the Team Nigeria Coordinator not to disappoint the nation, added, ‘’our hope is that the confidence reposed in you will not be taken for granted, and that you will instill discipline in the team so that our athletes can be good ambassadors of the nation throughout the duration of the games”.
Responding, the two consecutive Olympic Games Captain, Yusuf Ali assured that he will work with all the Federations for successful outing at the games.
He commended the Honourable Minister and President Muhammadu Buhari administration in particular for the opportunity granted him to serve in that capacity, adding that he will bring his wealth of experience
to bear and ensure that Nigeria’s gold medals surpass the last games in 2018.
***Urges Super Eagles To Go For Gold
By Friday Idachaba Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has applauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their Wednesday night triumph over Bafana Bafana of South Africa and qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ododo who gave the applaud in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah on Thursday in Lokoja commended the Super Eagles for their display of resilience and the “Can-do Spirit” of Nigerians.
He said that the Eagles in the thrilling semi final encounter held their nerves throughout the game and the emotionally charged penalty shootout won by the Super Eagles 4:2.
The Governor noted that the build up to the game demonstrated the undiluted passion by which Nigerians are known to rally in defence of their country in difficult times.
Ododo equally urged all Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles to soar in their quest to bring home the coveted continental trophy.
“This win by the Super Eagles proves that Nigeria has what it takes to bounce back from its temporary setbacks as a nation.
“We are inspired as a country and we must all support the Super Eagles to bring home the trophy as they go against the Ivory Coast in the Final this weekend”, Governor Ododo said.
The Governor also urged all Nigerians to pray fervently for the Super Eagles to clinch the Nations Cup adding that the team needed the support of all Nigerians to bring home the trophy. (Ends)
The Nigerian National Team, Super Eagles has defeated South African Bafana Bafana on penalties at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake, Ivory Coast to advanced to the final of the African Cup of Nations
Kelechi Ihenacho scored the winning penalty for Super Eagles as Nigeria displaced the South African team from the final of Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 67th minute through a penalty after Osimhen made his mark.
South Africa star player Mokoena equalised in the 90th minute sending the game to extra time, the extra time ended in a stalemate, and the game advanced to penalties.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved two penalties, while Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty to send the Eagles to the final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated Angola in the quart final duel with Angola to advance to semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Lookman’s first half goal
Moses Simon’s perceptive pass gave Lookman the rear chance to score his third goal of the knockout stage
With the victory over Angola the Super Eagles have been tipped to be the new tournament favourites however their opponents with confident had created occasional scare.
This is the first time Nigeria have won four consecutive matches at a single Afcon edition without conceding a goal.
Having scored two goals against Cameroon in the last 16 as his first ever Afcon goals, Lookman has become the fourth Nigerian to score at least three goals in the knockout rounds of a single Afcon tournament, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).
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