Sports
NSF: 14,000 Athletes to slug it out for medals
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has indicated that about 14000 Youth Athletes from the 36 States of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja will be competing in over 30 different sports, including football, basketball, wrestling among others as Delta 2022 finally kicks off
Dare who made disclosure in his office in Abuja on Monday expressed optimism that at the end of the competition, new sets of athletes will emerge that will compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
Director of Press and Public Relations Mohammed Manga in a Statement quoted the minimizer to have said,
“I am optimistic that at the end of the competition, budding talents will emerge and the country will witness more podium performances through them in subsequent global competitions”, he said
He commended the Delta State Government for its dogged determination towards ensuring the reality of Delta 2022 and also for providing our teeming Youth with the opportunity to showcase their sporting talents.
While stressing that the Games will also help in strengthening the unity of Nigerians, Dare called on participating States to go all out for medals.
He therefore called on all sports loving Nigerians to create time to grace the festival, saying that the National Sports Festival is the “Nigerian Olympics”.
The Chairman, Main Organising Committee (MOC) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar said that Delta 2022 provides an avenue for Uniting Nigerians.
He stated further that the Festival will also inspire the next generation towards developing their sporting potentials, in line with the theme, “Uniting Nigerians, inspiring the next Generations”.
The Secretary, MOC and Director, National Sports Festival and Para Sports Department of the Ministry, Mr Peter Nelson, assured that Athletes and Officials from the 36 States of the Federation, including the FCT have commenced movement to Asaba, Venue of the Sports Festival.
***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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