Sports
Resuscitate Nigeria Professional Football League, Dare tasks IMC
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has thrown a challenge on the newly inaugurated Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the National Professional Football League (NPFL) to resuscitate the league and bring it to its past glory.
Director, Press and Public Relations
Mohammed Manga in a statement quoted the Minister to have made the call on Friday in his office in Abuja when he gave audience to the members of the Committee who were there on a visit.
Dare expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the Nigeria Professional Football League which he said was once the pride of the nation.
According to him, “Our professional league which used to be our pride in this country, is sick today and has become a caricature of its old self which needs urgent attention,” stressing further that once a sport lacks competition, that sport is dead.
The Minster explained that football can also become a profitable business in the country, if only the league can be resuscitated.
He added that private investors are always ready to plunge in their resources into football if the governance structure and environment is right and therefore called on the IMC to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the rebirth of the league.
Dare pointed out that President Muhammadu Buhari has put in place the Football Masterplan, which the State Governments are willing to key into and further urged the Committee members to work with the plan and other stakeholders, in order to bring the football league back on its feet.
He assured that government was ready to render necessary support to the IMC towards revitalising the league so as to enable it stand out at international competitions.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, assured that members will bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring the resuscitation of the League.
He stated that the Committee will also partner with relevant stakeholders with a view to achieving their mandate.
***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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