The Ideal News

  School Sports Foundation Osun Governor's Cup| Quarter-Finals Takes Shape As Ede Grammar School, Ansar-Udeen Grammar School, Ejigbo Others Qualify. Eight teams have successfully secured their places in the Quarter-Finals of the ongoing School Sports Foundation Osun Governor's Cup after some nail-biting last preliminary round of games.  Oyeniran Peter scored twice, to help Ataoja School of Science Osogbo, defeat Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo 4-2, picking the quarter-finals slot from the Osogbo Conference, while Modakeke Islamic Grammar School, lost narrowly, after losing 1-0 against Ife Anglican Grammar School. At the Ilesa Conference, Iperindo Community High School defeated Ijebu Ijesa Grammar School 4-2 via penalties, after both teams played goalless during regulation time.  Ede Conference, saw Ansar Udeen Society Grammar School get victory over Ede Muslim Grammar School after both side sorted their differences through the spot kick. The full-time was 1-1, b...

  By Akeem Busari  It is a few weeks until the kick-off of the second edition of the annual Jagaban Football Cup, organized by 36 Lion Investment Limited, and football stakeholders and enthusiasts of the game, have been salivating about the expected thrills and feels during the tournament.  Speaking on the tournament, Coach Dominic Etim of Akwa Ibom-based Stars Football Academy, said he is eagerly looking forward to the tournament, which would feature eight of the best grassroots football teams in Lagos State.  "I witnessed the first edition and it was pure excitement for all football enthusiasts. And I can't wait for this year’s edition to begin. I also wish the organisers of the tournament could extend the invitation to other states, so we can also expose our players to such top-quality tournaments," he added.  A former footballer Samuel Ibeh, who once played for Nigerdock FC, in the Nigerian National League, commended the organizers of the Jagaban Football Cu...

  The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has appointed Mr Abdulrazg Ahmed from Libya as the Referee for the 2023/2024 CAF Confederation Cup Group C matchday 5 tie between Academica Petroleos Clube do Lobito(Angola) and Rivers United FC(Nigeria). The "Os Estudantes" will host the "Pride of Nigeria" on Sunday, February 25 at the Luanda-Estadio 11 de November. Kickoff time is 5 pm (local time) and 5 pm (Nigeria time). He will be assisted by compatriots Attia M Essa Amsaaed (Assistant Referee 1) and Alayat Mohammed Munji (Assistant Referee 2), while Elmabrouk Muhammad will serve as the fourth official. The match will be commissioned by Fernando Alexandre Massave from Mozambique

  Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo on Monday hosted Super Eagles' goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke in Lokoja to make the state proud at the just concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament held in Ivory Coast. Olorunleke was one of the goalkeepers who represented Nigeria at the tournament where they settled for a Silver medal haven lost 2-1 in the final to the host nation, Ivory Coast. Olorunleke who hails from Bunu in Kabba-Bunu LGA of Kogi State was received by Governor Ododo along with two other Kogites in the Super Eagles; Mr. Achor Enebi who's the Team Manager and Mr. Adejoh Francis Musa who is the Chief Security Officer of the team.  The Kogi Governor congratulated the trio for making history with the team and hoisted the flag of the state higher at the tournament.  He pronounced the donation of a plot of land in the state capital just as he made undisclosed cash donations to the trio with an assurance to support them in their future activities. ...

  The 2nd edition of the Jagaban Cup powered by 36 Lion Investment, Diamond Sports Management Limited, IFMM and Lagos Enigma Group will be held March 26-29, 2024.  The tournament will host European scouts at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos for 3 days. Eight teams would feature to showcase their skills to foreign scouts with their eye on being invited to Europe for trials. The previous tournament which took place in Lagos was very successful with scouts from Belgium, Turkey, Slovakia, Azerbaijan and the  Czech Republic in attendance. The outcome was the invitation of several players to trials abroad and the signing of deals. Sochi wing-back Solomon Agbalaka played in the first edition of the tournament. Chief Organizer, Hajj Gafar Liameed briefed the Media on Tuesday night: "The scouts were happy with the standard that they saw in 2022 and believe there are many untapped potentials in Nigeria." "Clubs have expressed their readiness to play the competition because of the o...

  Ahead of the proposed wheelchair basketball league, successful officials at the National Workshop will be selected, according to the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria. The Secretary General of WBFN, Aminu Sikiru disclosed the arrival of officials for the National Technical Workshop which will commence on Tuesday, (February 20th) at the indoor sports hall of Kwara State Sports Complex in Ilorin. Sikiru revealed that the technicalities of the game will be handled by the Technical Director of WBFN, Tunde Popoola. He said, “The national workshop has a lot of benefits and one of them is to upgrade some of our officials. The Federation will also use the opportunity to select officials ahead of the proposed 2024 BetKing Wheelchair Basketball National League in April. “Wheelchair Basketball is one of the popular sports in Africa and my vision is to ensure we are ranked number one in Africa. One of the ways we can accomplish that is through a stable league and attendance at the ...

  Nigeria Women Under 17 National Team Head Coach (Flamingos), Bankole Olowookere has been recognized for his contribution to the development of the girl child through football, by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) on Friday.   The National student body noted that the recognition was bestowed on him because of his various achievements, consistency and contributions to Women's football in Nigeria and beyond. Olowookere, a CAF-Licensed Coach, over the years has helped discover great women footballers across the country and nurtured them to greatness. The Ekiti-born Football Tactician won numerous titles as a grassroots Coach in Lagos, before venturing into the NWFL Premiership with DreamStar Ladies and Naija Ratels.  The highly resourceful Manager, helped DreamStar retain Premiership status, before joining Abuja-based team, Naija Ratels, where he won the NWFL Championship and gained promotion to the Premiership, before qualifying the team to the S...

  Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi has shown delight in Super Eagles' big leap in the new FIFA World Ranking.  The Nigerian National team moved from the 42nd position to 28th position in the new FIFA Men's World Ranking released on Thursday after an impressive performance at the just concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d'Ivoire where the team came second, clinching the silver medal.  Sanusi who was speaking, during a live interview session on Television Continental (TVC) Sports Desk, noted that the Super Eagles' improvement can be attributed to the huge sacrifice and plans made by the Football Federation and the massive support received by the Presidency and Nigerians as a whole.  "I want to use this opportunity to thank all Nigerians, the President and the Sports Minister, without them, we would have been able to achieve all we did at the African Cup Of Nations, "  " We went to Cote'voire not to jus...

  Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Honorable Wemi Jones has again re-emphasized the desire of the Kogi State Government to develop a school child in all ramifications including engaging them in sporting activities. Hon. Jones stated this on Friday when he received Ojo Olorunleke MON one of the members of Nigeria's Super Eagles team who finished second at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament held in Cote d'Ivoire. The amiable Commissioner who expressed delight to receive the goalkeeper along with his family and friends noted Olorunleke's feat with the Super Eagles was a reassurance for the government to do more in school sports. He disclosed that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will continue to encourage a child to grow with quality in all positive areas of life endeavours.  While appreciating Olorunleke for his humility and dedication, Hon. Jones promised that the ministry would be ready to collaborate wi...

  It's a new dawn in Osun football as the ecosystem is experiencing a thrilling turnaround. As SmartCity Osun State Football League finally kicked off in style amidst glitz and glamour, the much-talked-about opening is worth its hype. Soccer fans thronged Osogbo Township Stadium with excitement as early as 10 am on Tuesday, 13th February 2024, to witness soccer artistry as the league finally kickstarts. The opening fixtures set up high-flying Elebuibon Boys and ambitious Hommydays FA in a classical clash as the two sides battled veraciously under a calm atmosphere. Dominant Elebuibon Boys ran riots in the first half courtesy of a brace from Jayeola Tolu in under four minutes, as Alex Ossai reduced the deficit for Hommydays just before the break. Upon resumption, Holidays forward Joseph Gideon capitalised on the opponents' defensive mishap to level the scores (2-2), as the scoreline remained unchanged till regulation time. The second match witnessed a five-goal thriller as it...

   The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi clarified the issues surrounding the match bonuses of the Nigerian national team players after their victory over Angola in the ongoing 2023 AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire. Dr. Sanusi began by expressing gratitude to the federal government of Nigeria for its unprecedented support. He commended the government for not only approving funds for competitions but also clearing some of the backlogs, not just for the Super Eagles, but for other Nigerian national teams as well. He continued by acknowledging the efforts of the Minister of Sports in ensuring the timely release of funds. Dr Sanusi mentioned that the players had already received their daily allowances and qualification bonuses, which amounted to $30,000 each. The qualification bonus was chosen over a winning bonus, reflecting the team's focus on securing qualification for the next round. Dr Sanusi assured the press that the NFF had paid the mone...

    OSOGBO, Nigeria, February 2, 2024: SmartCity PLC, an investment and infrastructure development company and Osun Football Association today announced that the tech-focused company will become the Lead Partner of Osun States Apex Tournament and the league shall be known as SmartCity Osun State Football League.   SmartCity Osun State Football League promises to deliver huge followership across the state and massive viewership across the planet via social media and web platforms.   The FA broadcast partner, Blackdrum TV will ensure live coverage of major matches both on the Web and cable television networks.   The Osun FAs data Partner, Ixzdore will ensure that the League maintains players', clubs', and matches' historical and live data. From the data, we will generate statistics and analytics useful for player and club ratings that will help in player transfers and facilitate proper trickle-down of transfer payments. The raw and analytical data will also be ava...

  Experienced Nigerian Goalkeeper Ruth Sunday has sealed a move to Saudi Arabian Club, Golden Eagles, Riyadh, for the remainder of the season.  Golden Eagles, a club in the first division of the Saudi's Women League acquired the services of the former Sunshine Queens and Confluence Queens safe hands for a short term, with the option of extending. The Nigerian Goalkeeper is expected to bring her wealth of talents to play in the Asian team, having gathered enough experience, playing in the NWFL Premiership and Equatorial Guinea side, Malabo King, where she kept in the CAF Women Champions League for two consecutive seasons. A brave and excellent communicator between the sticks, Ruth Sunday is also known for her agility and ability to play with her feet.