The Ideal News

 Super Eagles Training Continues Today as Team Trained With New FIFA Ball  Super Eagles Training Continues Today as Team Trained With New FIFA Ball By Olusola Hammed The Super Eagles of Nigeria will this morning at the Eko Hotels and Suites continue their preparational training ahead 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifier coming up this weekend. According to the media officer of the team, Babafemi Raji the team will have their first-morning session by 9:00 am this morning. Babafemi also noted that the team for the first time yesterday used the new FIFA ball during the evening training session. Meanwhile, below are the full list of players in camp. THE FULL LIST Goalkeepers: *Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); *Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); *Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands) Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); *Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); *Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); *William Ekong (Watford FC, England); *Olaoluwa...

 Qatar2022: I have Always Focused on What I can Affect and Control - Akpeyi Qatar2022: I have Always Focused on What I can Affect and Control - Akpeyi By Akin Bolarinwa  Super Eagles and Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi stated that his mission is to help Nigeria qualify for the next world cup. Akpeyi who was Nigeria’s best shot-stopper award winner at the inaugural Ballers Awards is grateful to God for another invitation to represent the nation.  "I am always available for selection anytime my attention is needed, I am thankful to God and I will continue to do my best for my country".   " You know me, I have always focus on what I can affect and control, I try to stay focus and work harder in my lane to become better and stay in the game as long as I would love to without distractions". In an exclusive interview with www.ckdmedia.ng, the former under 20 and 23 goalkeepers stated that the coaches know best for selecting him always for national d...

 Super Eagles Were not Thrown Out of Eko Hotel Gym ........As the Number of Players in Camp Increased to 24 Super Eagles Were not Thrown Out of Eko Hotel Gym ........As the Number of Players in Camp Increased to 24 Contrary to reports making the rounds, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were not thrown out of the gym at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos where they are camped. According to the Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Babafemi Raji who was present at the gym session, it was a minor misunderstanding between an assistant manager at the hotel and his members of staff on the usage of the gym facilities. Adding that some team officials had to get involved as the manager's action caused a huge distraction to the team's training. "We were scheduled to train just within the hotel with the gym session coming first then the outdoor volley session next. However, just as we wrapped up the gym session, one of the hotel managers came in to inspect and while the team trained at a se...

Flying Officers Cup 2021: Nigeria Women Football League Gives Official Backing Flying Officers Cup 2021: Nigeria Women Football League Gives Official Backing The Nigerian Women Football League (NWFL) has officially thrown it's weight behind the third edition of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa, the Flying Officers Cup, which will hold from the 10th to the 24th of October 2021. In an official endorsement letter signed by the Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O) of the Organisation, Mrs Dupe Shabi, the Apex Women League body stated that the NWFL has given it's backing to this year's edition of the tournament and would give it's general support to make the competition a success.  Ratels Sports Development Foundation have shown great commitment to the activities and development of Women's Football in Nigeria and have been sole sponsor of the Flying Officers Cup since 2019. In the final of the 2020 Edition between Nasarawa Amazons and Bayelsa Queen...

 NNL All-Stars are Amapro Football Championship Champions NNL All-Stars are Amapro Football Championship Champions NNL All-Stars have been crowned champions of the 6th edition of the Amapro Football Championship after they defeated Abraysports 4-2 on penalties. The full-time score stood at 1-1 even as both teams tried to outwit themselves while trying to take their chances during the game.  Abraysports had the better of the match as they dominated play creating several scoring chances in the first stanza. Obadun Abdulrasheed jumped highest in the area to nod home the opener for Ilorin-based Abraysports in 30 minutes. Ibrahim Hameed curled the ball beyond the wall and it rested at the back of the net for NNL All Stars' leveler.  All-Stars dominated play in the second half and should have won it but the Abraysports defense was solid keeping their lines. Both teams then had to decide their fate via penalties after the referee signaled the end of the game. The end result saw ...

 NNL All Stars, Abraysports in Amapro Football Championship final NNL All Stars, Abraysports in Amapro Football Championship final NNL All Stars will face Abraysports in the final of the 6th edition of the Amapro Football Championship. The Ladi Ojokojo led team edged Da Faria 4-3 on penalties after regulation was 1-1, while Abraysports humbled William Falla 3-1. Samson Isiaka put the Lagos based team ahead with a cool finish in the 3rd minute of the game. All Stars came from behind to cancel Da Faria lead as Sodiq Alamoyo slotted into the bottom corner on 25 minutes. The second half was even for both teams as they displayed best of football artistry to the amusement of the Ilorin fans. NNL All Stars shot stopper, Muyiwa Majolagbe turned hero of the afternoon as he stopped two spot kicks from Da Faria as his team scored four of their spot kicks. Coach of NNL All Stars Ladi Ojokojo was full of praise to his boys who whethered the storm against the dangerous Da Faria side. "We knew h...

 FCT FA Pledges Maximum Support For Flying Officers Cup   FCT FA Pledges Maximum Support For Flying Officers Cup Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Football Association Chairman, Mouktar Mohammed has said that the FCT Football body will give the Organisers of the upcoming Flying Officers Cup the full supports needed to make it bigger than the last two editions.  Adam Mouktar Mohammed made the pledge when he welcomed the President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh, to his office on Friday, with the Ratels Boss presenting him with Naija Ratels FC Souvenirs.   The seasoned Football Administrator who has aided the growth of football in the Federal Capital with his numerous initiatives since resuming office as Chairman, further expressed satisfaction at the quality of preparation going on ahead of the biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa, noting that the Association will surely play a pivotal role to ensure huge succ...

 Flying Officers Cup Will Give Hasaacas Ladies Perfect Preparation for TotalEnergies CAFWCL- Basigi Flying Officers Cup Will Give Hasaacas Ladies Perfect Preparation for TotalEnergies CAFWCL- Basigi Hasaacas Ladies Head Coach, Yusif Basigi believes the Flying Officers Cup Will give his side the perfect preparation ahead of their TotalEnergies CAF Women Champions League Campaign in Egypt later this year The CAFWCL (WAFU 'B') Champions will battle for supremacy with some of the top teams in Nigeria when the Flying Officers Cup kick-start on October 10th at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The Ladies from Takoradi would go into the Pre-season Championship, hoping to continue from where they stopped, having won three trophies, The League title, The Ghanaian Women F.A Cup and the CAFWCL WAFU 'B' Qualifiers Cup in Ivory coast some weeks ago. The experienced Gaffer, who is, also the Head Coach of the Ghanaian Women U-20 Side, the Black Princesses said he is confident that h...

 NPFL: Our Team is Intact, Says Nasarawa United Boss, Danladi NPFL: Our Team is Intact, Says Nasarawa United Boss, Danladi The Management of Nasarawa United FC, Lafia, has revealed that the North-central clubside which performed excellently well in the just concluded 2020/2021 NPFL season is very much intact ahead of the new Season.  Speaking with Journalists at Oro town in kwara State when he led a delegation of the club Owners Association of Nigeria to the burial ceremony of the father of kwara United FC boss, Malam kumbi Titiloye, late Pa Micheal Titiloye, Chairman of Nasarawa United FC, Barr. Isaac Danladi said his club has started regrouping for the new season with virtually all his team players on the ground.  He allayed the fears of some fans and supporters of the club who were afraid of the possible raid on the key players of the Solid Miners by some big clubs in the CAF continental championships. "Our team is intact, no cause for alarm because we are already reg...

 Volleyball: Nigeria Lost to India at U19 World Championship Volleyball: Nigeria Lost to India at U19 World Championship Two times African Champion, Nigeria lost to India 3-1 (17-25, 25-23, 25-21, 26-24) in their opening match at the ongoing 2021 FIVB U19 Boys Volleyball World Volleyball Championship in Iran on Tuesday. According to statistics, Nigeria's Opposite Hitter, Abdulquadri Jaiyeola was Nigeria's best scorer with 15 points followed by Opposite Hitter, Michael Abari with 14 points. In the match skills, Nigeria had 52 digs, 94 reception, and 133 sets. The African Champion had 57 attacks, 13 blocks, 32 opponent errors, and 87 points in total. The Head Coach of the Nigeria U19 Boys team, Sani Mohammed said the team will focus on how to beat Poland in their next match on Wednesday (Today). Mohammed said his team will learn from the defeat against India and focus on correcting mistakes observed against India. He said, "The match against India was a very painful loss. We...

 World Athletics U20 Championships: Dare, Farouk, 2 Other Ministers Host Triumphant Nigerian Contingent World Athletics U20 Championships: Dare, Farouk, 2 Other Ministers Host Triumphant Nigerian Contingent Youth and Sports Development Minister, Sunday Dare along with three of his colleagues in the Federal Executive Council has hosted the triumphant Team Nigeria contingent to the just concluded World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya. Dare, alongside Hajia Sadiya Farouk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Women Affairs, and Emeka Nwajiuba, the Minister of State for Education held a reception for the history-making contingent at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja shortly after they returned to the country on Tuesday. At the brief ceremony, Sports Minister Sunday Dare praised the team for the unprecedented feat of finishing third(out of 116 countries)on the medals table as well as recording...

 Rite Foods Unveiled as Headline Sponsor for 10KM Great Abeokuta Race Rite Foods Unveiled as Headline Sponsor for 10KM Great Abeokuta Race Nilayo Sports Management Limited, the organizers of Great Abeokuta 10KM Race has announced Rite Foods Limited as the headline sponsor of the race. Mr. Bukola Olopade, the Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited said: “We are delighted to announce Rite Foods Limited as Headline sponsor of the second edition of Great Abeokuta 10KM Race. This partnership also perfectly coincides with the concept of this edition of the Great Abeokuta 10 KM Race which is run ran solely by Nigerians. “All runners will have the ultimate dollar prize to contest for.  This event will mark itself in history as Nilayo Sports willorganizingsing a road race without foreign runners for the very first time. “We felt that is important to push the Nigerian narrative, that is why we also themed this year’s race: "Naija, race the for the homeland," it is...

 2021 Amapro Championship Day 1 Wrap: Abraysports, NPFL All Stars, Mokwa Secure Morale Boosting Results 2021 Amapro Championship Day 1 Wrap: Abraysports, NPFL All Stars, Mokwa Secure Morale Boosting Results It was an enthralling moment in the matches played on day one of the 2021 Amapro Football Championship at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin on MoAll-Stars annual competition, which is created to integrate professionals with amateur players and also to discover talents started on an entertaining note with 9 goals scored on the first day. The first game of the day saw Mokwa FA claim a 2-1 win over a strong-willed Olanshile Football Academy.  Yunusa Isah opened the scoring in the 11th minute from a well taken spot kick, before Olansile responded quickly with a fine goal from Fakunle Abayomi in the 19th minute.  Liman Musa put Mokwa FA back in front in the 32nd minute. The Niger boys closed shop and spot-kick three points. Meanwhile, in the second game of the day, Abraysport...

 Modena, Local Scouts Converge for Amapro Football Tournament   Modena, Local Scouts Converge for Amapro Football Tournament Local and International football scouts have converged in Ilorin for the Amparo Football Tournament organized by Freestyle Sports to select talented footballers for international opportunities. The tournament started on Monday 23rd August at Kwara Stadium Complex. Speaking at the Press Conference, the Coordinator of the competition Shogo Shodunnke said that the tournament is also an opportunity at empowering the youths. "This football competition amongst the teams will be a unique concept which will be centered on discovering talented footballers," the Freestyle CEO said. "The tournament will be used as a means to empower the youths as they show the stuff in them. "Teams will have an opportunity to ensure that their players are scouted," he said. Modena scout Diego Failla and UK-based Intermediary Benedict Eni were present at the Press ...

 Flying Officers Cup 2021: Organisers Shift Date In Solidarity For Women's Football Development Flying Officers Cup 2021: Organisers Shift Date In Solidarity For Women's Football Development The Planning Committee of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup has announced the postponement of the third edition of the Biggest Women Football Pre-season Championship in Africa, to show solidarity for the Betsy Obaseki Cup which will come up from the 24th of September to the 3rd of October in Benin City. Originally scheduled to hold from the 22nd of September to the 1st of October in Abuja, the Flying Officers Cup has now been rescheduled to hold from 10-24th of October 2021 amid concerns of clash in date with the maiden edition of the Betsy Obaseki  Tournament in Edo.  President, Ratels Sports Development Foundation, Barrister Paul Edeh expressed his regret over the announcement of the new date but thought it is necessary to move the prestigious competition to a later date in the spirit of...

 Aisha Buhari Cup: Abruka Queens Boss Praises LOC Colourful Draw Ceremony Aisha Buhari Cup: Abruka Queens Boss Praises LOC Colourful Draw Ceremony Kwara-based female football development outfit, Abruka Queens has praised the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the forthcoming Aisha Buhari Cup for staging a befitting draw, ahead of the commencement of the Six-Nation Tournament. A glamorous draw ceremony during the week in Lagos heralded the much–anticipated Dr. Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament, which the City of Lagos will host from 13th - 21st September. Football enthusiasts, including captains of industry, top officials of Lagos State Sports Commission, top acts of the Local Organizing Committee, Super Falcons’ player and Super Falcons’ Assistant Coach, women’s football financiers and enthusiasts, and  representatives of the media witnessed the epoch-making event at the Australia Hall of the Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island. The draw ceremony was...

 Aisha Buhari Cup: LOC Inspects Mobolaji Johnson Arena Aisha Buhari Cup: LOC Inspects Mobolaji Johnson Arena Members of the Local Organizing Committee for the Dr. Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament (Aisha Buhari Cup) were at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Friday morning to check out the facility and ascertain the pace of work at the venue. During a courtesy call to his office a fortnight ago, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State assured the LOC members that work would proceed apace at the facility to ensure its readiness to host matches of the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Cup. He also assured that renovation work at the Agege Stadium would be done with rapidity. At the Draw Ceremony on Wednesday, the organizers announced that the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, which is the site of the old Onikan Stadium, would serve as Venue A of the tournament, while Agege Stadium would be Venue B.  On Friday, the LOC members, including Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman); Ms. Aisha...

 Flying Officers Cup 2021: Ghanaian Champion Hasaacas Ladies, Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons,10 Others Confirmed their Participation Flying Officers Cup 2021: Ghanaian Champion Hasaacas Ladies, Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons,10 Others Confirmed their Participation WAFU B TotalEnergies CAF WCL qualifiers Champions, Hasaacas Ladies of Ghana, NWFL Premiership Champions, Rivers Angels, AITEO Cup winners, Bayelsa Queens, 2020 Flying Officers Cup Finalist, Nasarawa Amazons and Ten other top Women Football sides across Africa have committed to participate in the third edition of the biggest Women Pre-season Tournament in Africa, the Flying Officer's Cup. It is expected to light up the FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. The Tournament which is dedicated to honouring the memory and lifetime of late pacesetter, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile whose unfortunate death occurred in 2020 has continued to impact the women's football sphere in Nigeria and prepare teams for t...

 Nilayo Sports Explain Modalities For 2021 King's Cup Golf Tournament Nilayo Sports Explain Modalities For 2021 King's Cup Golf Tournament Bayo Adegboyega The Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Hon. Bukola Olopade says all is set for the second edition of the King's Cup Golf tournament scheduled for October 10, 2021, at the Abeokuta Golf Club. The former Commissioner for youth and sports in the Gateway state at a Press conference held on Tuesday, August 17 in Abeokuta confirmed that one hundred and fifty golfers will represent  Ake, Gbagura, Owu and Osile kingdoms, all from Egba land, it brings an increase to the number of participating teams as just Owu and Ake took part in the first edition. He showered praises on Rites Foods Limited for supporting the Cultural heritage tournament adding that nothing else unifies the world better than sports.  He said, "Rites Foods Limited is always quick to support us in our various Competitions, the Ijebu ...

 Dare to Ofoku and Brume: Keep Your Heads Up Dare to Ofoku and Brume: Keep Your Heads Up The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has sent words of encouragement to the duo of Praise Ofoku and Godson Brume who fell short of podium places in the finals of their events at the ongoing World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya. Both promising Team Nigeria hopefuls had posted impressive times in the build-up to Thursday's final of their events(100m women and men), only to fall short of expectations. Ofoku finished fourth in the women's final, failing to recover from a slow start while Brume finished in the last place. But Sports Minister Sunday Dare would rather pick some positives from both athletes' outings, urging them not to drop their heads and shoulders. "Nobody wants to lose in a final or fail to finish on the podium especially after working and preparing so hard. I know Ofoku and Brume are so unhappy with themselves right now bu...

 Aisha Buhari Cup: Hajia Alaya Commends First Lady, Falode Aisha Buhari Cup: Hajia Alaya Commends First Lady, Falode The Chairperson of the Women Football Development Committee of the Kwara State Football Association, Hajia Segilola Alaya, has applauded the initiative behind the introduction of the Aisha Buhari Cup, describing it as an additional platform for women empowerment in sports. Alaya, who is also a Zonal Coordinator of Female Football Interest Group (FFIG) in Kwara state commended the Local Organizing Committee of the Six-team Invitational Tournament scheduled to hold in Lagos from September 13 to 21. She praised the efforts of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC),  led by the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi and Aisha Falode (Director of Organization) towards staging a befitting championship. Alaya, noted that, Aisha Falode as the Chairperson, Nigeria Women Football League, introduced great innovations  to ...

 Aisha Buhari Cup: Barrister Paul Edeh Optimistic LOC Will Deliver Colourful Event Aisha Buhari Cup: Barrister Paul Edeh Optimistic LOC Will Deliver Colourful Event The President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh has strongly commended the work of the Local Organizing Committee of the upcoming 6 - nation African Women Championship (Aisha Buhari Cup) billed to take place between 13th and 21st of September 2021 in Lagos. The legal Luminary said he is full of confidence that the LOC, headed by NFF First Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, and Aisha Falode (Director Of Organisation) have all it takes to give Nigerians and Africans a fantastic tournament.  The Chairman Of the NWFL Premiership side, Naija Ratels made this ringing endorsement of the Local Organizing Committee during an interview with The journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, hours after the official draws of the tournament.  "From the standpoint of organization, a high level ...

 Athletes From Over 200 Countries Arrived in Nairobi for the Championship, Which Begins Today Athletes From Over 200 Countries Arrived in Nairobi for the Championship, Which Begins Today The Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi is hosting athletes from over 200 countries for the championship which begins today with the final of the 4×400m mixed relay event with Team Nigeria fielding Bamidele Ajayi, Johnson Chidira (men), Oke Opeyemi, and Ofili Favour (women) in the race, this will run till August 22.    Team Nigeria will begin its chase for medals this morning with the duo of Godson Brume and Ashe Oghenetejiri Favour joining the contest for qualification tickets in the men’s 100m event. In the women’s 100m event, Team Nigeria’s duo of Tima Godbless and Ofoku Praise will contest for qualification to the next round.    Also today, U.S.-based Nigerian junior sprinter, Dubem Amena, and Bamidele Ajayi, will compete in the 400m heat event for men, just as Oke Opeyemi and Imaobon...

 2023 Election: OUK Presidency can Secure Nigeria's  and Africa's First WC Trophy 2023 Election: OUK Presidency can Secure Nigeria's and Africa's First WC Trophy Nigeria’s hope and aspirations of winning the coveted World Cup trophy will become a reality sooner than later only if former Abia State Governor and current senator representing Abia North district at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Orji Uzor Kalu, becomes the country’s president in 2023. Nigeria is due to conduct a general election in 2023 to elect new leaders including the country’s president to oversee their affairs at national and regional levels. As the election date draws closer with each passing day, Nigerian Journalists who spoke on the background of the endorsement of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for the 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria by the former military head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida IBB said should the Abia State-born sports administrator and politician decides to contest ...

 Aisha Buhari Invitational Tourney: Draw Ceremony Holds on Wednesday, to be Live on NTA ..... As Falcons’ star Thumps Up First Lady Aisha Buhari Invitational Tourney: Draw Ceremony Holds on Wednesday, to be Live on NTA ..... As Falcons’ star Nigeria’s National Broadcaster, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) will broadcast live, Wednesday’s Draw Ceremony of the Dr. Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament (Aisha Buhari Cup), the Local Organizing Committee announced on Tuesday evening. Marketing Consultant for the tournament, Mr. Taye Ige, who is also President of HotSports Media Group, flew into the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Tuesday to seal the deal, following a meeting with the Director-General of the station, Alhaji Yakubu Ibn Mohammed. Chairman of the LOC, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, said: “This is an interesting development. We are excited by this and it will surely complement the efforts we have put up to ensure the first-grade ceremony on Wednesday.” The cere...

 Total Energies AFCON Draw: Gyan and Zokora have High Hopes for Their Countries Total Energies AFCON Draw: Gyan and Zokora have High Hopes for Their Countries By Olusola Hammed Special guests of the draw for the 33rd edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021, Ghanaian and Ivorian Legends Asamoah Gyan and Didier Zokora talked to CAFOnline.com. The two former internationals, happy to be in Yaoundé for the ceremony, are eager to know the composition of the groups for the final tournament.  Didier Zokora, the most capped player in the Côte d’Ivoire team, is eager to experience the event. “I wish my country had a fairly understanding hen. All the qualified countries are great nations. We have to avoid the top teams and after the rest, we can manage," the former Elephants’ midfielder, better known as "Maestro Zokora" told cafonline.com The pretext of this draw allows him to meet other legends of African football such as Asamoah Gyan. The Ghanaian, who t...

 Total Energies AFCON Draw: Hope, Fear and Skepticism Grips Cameroon Fans Total Energies AFCON Draw: Hope, Fear and Skepticism Grips Cameroon Fans By Olusola Hammed The time for calculations and predictions on the probable opponents of the national team has begun in Cameroon. Teams like Egypt and Ghana are feared for the group stage. Who will be the future opponents of the Indomitable Lions in the group stage of the next TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021? A few hours before the draw scheduled for 17 August 2021, the question raises predictions. Some people believe that the success of the Indomitable Lions will go through a "good draw" next Tuesday. "Given the last performances of our team in the AFCON qualifiers, namely a defeat and a draw against Cape Verde, I keep my fingers crossed that we do not meet such teams, which we often refer to second-zone teams”, apprehends Abdoul Nasser Toupendi, a supporter of the Indomitable Lions. The fear of the so-call...

 Practical Ways to Promote Grassroot Football and Development in Nigeria Practical Ways to Promote Grassroot Football and Development in Nigeria By Daniel Kakwi Just like in any other business, good management of football is best when it’s being well managed from the bottom.  First, the government and private sector  MUST be interested, to get the best out of our league, there has to be some serious investment. Not only in players but coaches. Incentives and benefits. Facilities, playgrounds, well-organized tournaments.  Most coaches today depend on a long hope of the 15 years old in their camp to sign in Europe. Some coaches are waiting for a 12-year-old boy to sign. And genuinely, that is their only hope.  The same applies to academy owners. They have a team of 22-30 players knowing well fully that only 7-10 are good enough and only 3-5 from that number is determined to play. Don’t forget, only one or two of that number will be lucky to sign, and again, if you...

 We Won't Disappoint Nigeria - Paralympics Athletes Assures Sports Minister We Won't Disappoint Nigeria - Paralympics Athletes Assures Sports Minister By Akin Bolarinwa  Team Nigeria Paralympics athletes have assured the honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Sunday Dare of a colourful and impressive outing in Japan. Team Nigeria Paralympics Captain, Lucy Ejike reckon that the Paralympics athletes are more motivated to have a great podium finish at the games. "We have been training seriously to make sure we meet up with the standard we set at previous games". Lucy Ejike affirmed that all is well within the camp of the athletes and there is no cause for alarm.    "Everything is going on well, the sports minister has always been in touch with the team, he treats us specially and we thank him for all he has done". Looking at the prospects of retaining some world records during the games, Lucy opined that, the athletes will do their best to create more world a...

 Qatar 2022 WC: Pascal Confident of Nigeria's Qualification Qatar 2022 WC: Pascal Confident of Nigeria's Qualification By Akin Bolarinwa  Ex international, Patrick Pascal is optimistic that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will qualify for the 2020 world cup in Qatar.  The soft-spoken former Shooting Stars Fc player said the Super Eagles of Nigeria have the personnel to book the world cup ticket ahead of other teams in the group.  "We are rich in attack and our players are solid too, so we will do our best to play to our strength". Pascal who is also the Team Coordinator of the Super Eagles admitted that the coach of the team may have a selection headache due to the arrays of stars in the team. "We are blessed with talented players and we keep having them, some of them are playing for top leagues all over the world, so it is going to be very interesting to name the first eleven". Patrick Pascal who is the Chairman of Bauchi state Football Association thinks the S...