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Volleyball: Nigeria to face Egypt in U17 Nations C’Ship Opener today

By
Tosh Micheal
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Nigeria will take on Egypt in their opening match at the 2023 Girl’s U-17 African Nations Volleyball Championship in Abuja on Saturday.

The encounter is billed for today (December 2) by 4pm at the indoor sports hall of Moshood Abiola Stadium (Package B) in Abuja.

Only three countries which includes host Nigeria, Egypt and Cameroon will be participating in the tournament after two countries pulled out due to logistics.

The head coach of Nigeria U17 Girls’ team, Sunday Akapson told newsmen that his players will give their best during the championship.

The FIVB Level 1 coach said, “These are new crop of players who are ready to make the nation proud at the U17 Championship. This is an opportunity to expose the players to international tournaments and we are hopeful of making a positive impact.

“I am enjoining lovers of the game of volleyball to rally round the team and support us when we take on Egypt today”.

Meanwhile, Former Vice President of the Confederation of African Volleyball, Engineer Habu Gumel said countries on the continent have to make age grade championships their priority if we stand any chances of competing with other continents.

Engineer Gumel said, “I wanted to see a lot of African teams here in Nigeria for the African U17 Girl’s Championship but they could not come due to financial issues. Nevertheless, the CAVB under the leadership of Madam Bouchra Hajij is doing her best and this issue will be discussed at the next board of administration meeting to find ways to ensure African countries participate in other age groups.

“It is our collective duty to ensure we develop volleyball in Africa in order to match other continents”.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod attributed the low turnout of teams to logistics issues faced by other Sub Saharan countries.

He said, “12 African countries indicated to participate at the 2023 Girl’s U17 African Nations Volleyball Championship but 6 registered. Algeria and Tunisia could not make it due to logistics; that is why we have three teams in this championship.

The U17 Boy’s championship will be taking place in Libya and some of these North African countries will be in attendance”.
Egypt will face Cameroon on Sunday (Dec 3rd) in the second match of the ongoing U17 Girl’s Championship.

NPFL: Ovoke Confident Of Victory Over Akwa United In Eket

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

Kwara United’s playmaker Bernard Ovoke is confident the Harmony Boys can get maximum points against Akwa United in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

Both sides will clash on Saturday, December 2nd 2023 for their Nigeria premier football league (NPFL) matchday eleven tie at the Eket Township Stadium, in Akwa Ibom State.

Ovoke who has been instrumental to the club’s run in the league this season have featured in five games and have provided two assists.

The former Rivers United and Plateau United’s playmaker believed they have what it takes to beat Akwa United in Eket on Saturday.

Bernard Ovoke speaking with WWW.OWOSPORT.COM.NG from the team’s camp in Eket said, “We are prepared, we know what is at stake, this is a marathon race and every point counts and come Saturday I am certain we will come out with the win.

Akwa United are a big team, they won the league recently so it’s not going to be an easy game but we are motivated. We got a good win at home against Gombe United last weekend so we want to build on that.

Our target is to win the league and as well qualify for the continent and with the quality we have I think it is achievable” He added.

Kwara United sits 9th on the log standing with 13 points while Akwa United are at the moment swimming in the relegation waters having had a poor start to league season which has seen them with just 10 points from 10 games which placed them 18th on the log.

NWFL: Our target is to reclaim the league title and qualify for the continent – Itimi

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

Bayelsa Queens forward, Itimi Mercy said t hard work and team work will ensure the team has a smooth sail as they hope to reclaim their Nigeria Women’s premier league title.

The forward said the club’s target is to win the league and return to the continent.

Speaking with OWOSPORTS.COM from Yenagoa, her team’s base, Itimi said “We want to win the reclaim the NWFL title this season and qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions league. We hope to get there, and by God’s Grace we would”.

“We have been working together as a team and we are working extra hard to put our best into meeting our targets this season. We have a plan and we will follow it to the end of the league season.”

Bayelsa Queens are currently placed second in Group B of the 2023/2024 Nigeria women football league table.

Itimi Mercy has scored one goal so far this season netting in their season opener against Sunshine Queens.

Akpororo Hails Quality Of NLO Cup

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

Nigeria’s top rated Stand-up Comedian, Bowoto Jephthah Tanimola, popularly known as Akpororo on stage, has hailed the quality of the NLO Cup and top notch organization of the tournament by the Nationwide League One.

It was a hitch-free tourney as eight grassroot teams displayed the best of NLO brand of football to the delight of fans who trooped to the Uyo Township Stadium to catch a daily glimpse of the football moments in the NLO Cup, sponsored by telecommunications giant MTN and FirstCentral Credit Bureau.

At the end, a total of 35 goals were scored during the group phase in Uyo, with Palm Syrup qualifying to the final.

Akpororo, who owns and captains his team, Roro FC in the Nigerian 3rd division, couldn’t spur his club beyond the Group phase of the NLO Cup, as they were knocked out of the competition at the Uyo Centre.

He led his team to a win, draws and loss. But despite the victory over Palm Syrup FC in their final group game, Roro FC failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the competition at the Uyo Centre.

Akpororo told NLO Media Channel after the victory over Palm Syrup, who are in the final after going past Kun Kalifah FC 6-5 in a nail biting penalty shootout.

“The NLO Cup has been cool tourney and another learning curve for RORO FC but I know with time, we will get to the level we have set for ourselves.

“Most importantly, I give credit to the NLO Secretariat for the initiative behind the NLO Cup, has we had some of the best teams in division in Kano and Uyo.

“I want to commend the NLO for the energy they have put in so far managing the nation’s third-tier league, and making it a good brand that has attracted top sponsors. Surely, if the NLO continues with this kind of energy level, they will surpass their targets.

“For me (Akpororo), I love the beautiful game football, and since I didn’t have the chance to play, I chose to have a team -RORO FC and I play for my team.

“I played all our matches in the grassroot to get this far, NLO and my ultimate dream for my club is to feature in the Nigerian Premier Football League.”

New Boy Buchi Scores on Debute As Warri Wolves defeat Solution Fc 2-0

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

Dedicate Goal to Mum on Birthday……

New Boy Buchi Wehere who came into the Sunday evening encounter as a second half substitute opened the scoring for Warri Wolves FC in the 76th Minute.

The lanky forward connected to a defence splitting pass from christain Izuchukwu to
calm spectators who had hitherto sat at the edges of their seats waiting for the moment.

Buchi in a post match interview said he is excited to have been on the scoreboard in his debute for Warri Wolves.

He appreciated his team mates for a great job noting that collectively they will always give their best to the Fans and work towards getting the goal for the Season.

“It’s nice being in Warri Wolves. This is my first game and I am happy I scored in my first game. I appreciate my team mates for the team spirit.”

The Former Bendel Insurance Player however dedicated his goal to his Mum.

“I dedicate the goal to my Mum whose birthday is Monday November 27. I Scored this goal for her”

He says he has a target to score at least 6 goals for the Season.

Next for the Seasiders is an away game against Osun United.

Warri Wolves Media

Niger United, Safety Babes Crowned Champions Of Ardova Handball Premier League 2023

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

Niger United and Safety Babes were crowned champions of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023 in Lagos on Saturday in Lagos.

Niger United, who are the 2018 champion, led the male category league right from the first phase in Benin City, Edo State and held on to the lead to win the premier league. Their match against second placed Tojemarine Academy, a dead rubber, saw them winning 31-26 in the presence of special dignitaries such as the Chairman, Prudent Group, Alhaji Abdulwasiu Sowami and the Ardova PLC team as well as the President of the Bèninoise Handball Federation Mr. Sidikou Karimou amongst others at the NIS Indoor Sports Hall.

Niger United finish with 61 points while Tojemarine Academy are second with 56 points and Safety Shooters are third with 53 points following their 25-17 victory over Correction Boys.

Kano Pillars who were the defending champion defeated Seasider Boys of Lagos 35-32 to finish fourth with 49 points in a season that they will forget in a hurry. They were not on the podium for the first time since the league started in 2018.

Bendel Dynamos are relegated alongside Police Machine after losing 25-20 to De Defenders. A victory for them and a win by Rima Strikers over Benue Buffaloes would have seen the Benin City based team escape relegation but Benue Buffaloes defeated Rima Strikers and Bendel Dynamos also lost their match.

Relegated Police Machine lost to Confluence Stars 35-26.

In the female category, Safety Babes went through the season unbeaten after winning their final match against Rima Queens 39-31 which earned them 53 points as they retained their title and were crowned champion of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023.

The only other team that went through the season unbeaten was Adorable Angels of Ilorin in the 2020 season.

Defender Babes finished second with 46 points after winning Delta Queens 32-23 while Plateau Peacocks finished on the podium in for the first time since 2019 as they finished third on the log with 46 points.

The relegted teams are Bayelsa Queens who finished 9th with 24 points and Benue Queens last with 23 points.

Final Day Results

MALE

1) Benue Buffaloes–Rima Strikers 25–19.
2) Kano Pillars–Lagos Seasiders 35–32.
3) Confluence Stars–Police Machine 35–26.
4) Bendel Dynamos–D:Defenders 20–25.
5) Correction Boys–Safety Shooters 17–25.
Niger United–Tojemarine Academy 31–26.

FEMALE

Defender Babes–Delta Queens 32–23.
Rima Queens–Safety Babes 31–39.

League Winners (Male Category)

  1. Niger United
  2. Tojemarine Academy
  3. Safety Shooters

Relegated Teams

  1. Bendel Dynamos
  2. Police Machine

League Winners (Female Category)

  1. Safety Babes
  2. Defender Babes
  3. Plateau Peacocks

Relegated Teams

  1. Bayelsa Queens
  2. Benue Queens

Volleyball: Offa VC, CNS Spikers Emerge Winner of 2023 Premier League

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

Offa Volleyball Club and Chief of Naval Staff have emerged champions of the 20223 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

Offa VC beat Nigeria Security And Civil Defense (NSCDC) 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 25-17) in their match on the final day in a keenly contested men’s match while CNS female team came from behind to beat Nigeria Security And Civil Defense NSCDC team 3-1 (18-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-17) in final league match played at the indoor hall of Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Earlier in the third position, the COAS Spiker Female team claimed 3rd position after beating Kwara United 3-0 (25-7, 25-8, 25-21) in the final Phase of Nigeria Volleyball Premier League on Saturday in Abuja.

CNS Spikers won the 2022 National Division 1 Volleyball League unbeaten and have been crowned champions of the 2023 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League.

Speaking after the match, the coordinator of CNS Spikers volleyball team, Commodore Mohammed Muye expressed delight in the victory of the team in her first attempt at the premier league title.

Commodore Muye revealed that CNS Spikers had the intention of shocking premier league teams immediately they qualified from the National Division 1 Volleyball League.

He said, “The team came from the National Division 1 Volleyball League to win the 2023 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League and I am happy our dream became a reality; the girls did it.

“We are grateful to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla for his support for the team, he is the brain behind this success.

“Now that CNS Spikers women’s team have won the league, we have the ticket to represent the country at the continental championship next year,” he said

Meanwhile, the Patron of CNS Spikers, Commodore Aliyu Pindar (RTD) commended the players for their relentless spirit and coming from a set down to win.

Pindar said, “It gives me great joy that a club less than three years have emerged champions of the women’s volleyball premier league. If you look at the crop of players paraded by CNS Spikers, they are young players who have trained together.

“I want to commend the Chief of Naval Staff for supporting the teams. The world should watch out for the men’s team as they play in next year’s Nigeria Volleyball Premier League”.

After the back to back victory, the head Coach of Offa Volleyball Club, Suleiman Ajeigbe dedicated the trophy to the members of the Offa community in Kwara State for their total support and the good people in the Harmony State.

He applauded the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his support in ensuring the team remains in the topflight league.

Ajeigbe appealed to philanthropists in the state as well as private organisations to support the club ahead of next year’s African Club Championship.

Volleyball: Brig Gen Bello applauds COAS Spikers performance at Premier League

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

In a momentous celebration of sporting excellence, at just concluded Final Phase of the 2023 Nigeria Volleyball Premier League at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Package B in Abuja, the Director of Physical Training in the Nigeria Army, Brigadier General Abdulrahman Bello has commended the Nigeria Army Teams (COAS Spiker) for excelling not only in Volleyball team but in all sports competitions.

The COAS Spiker Female team came third in the final Phase of Nigeria Volleyball Premier League on Saturday in Abuja.

Speaking shortly after the women’s team claimed 3rd position after beats Kwara United 3-0 (25-7, 25-8, 25-21) Brigadier General Bello with deep admiration for the sport-women, attributed their success to the good training, concentration, motivation and an unyielding spirit of determination that have consistently propelled them to be the best representatives for the Army teams.

According to him, “We are happy that we came third, and at the same time you can see the gap, our team gave their opponents, all these is due to the good training and resources giving to the team by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in order to ensure we training and at same time to improve on our capacity.

“The secret is concentration, motivation the morale of the players is high now and all of them have fit into the Chief of Army Staff command philosophy, that is why you see transformation going on everywhere at the same time athletes too know the vision, so everybody want us to achieve our aim.

“We are not doing well in volleyball alone, two months ago in handball our team came 2nd and 3rd both in Male and female team.

“The Nigeria Army Taekwondo team came overall first among about 33 teams. That is just the beginning and by God’s grace in 2024 you will see that we are going to move more than expected because our aim is to start feeding national teams.”

Brig Gen Bello revealed that the Chief of Army Staff has provided the Physical Training department with enough support to attend various National Championships.

He said, “Since the Chief of Army Staff was appointed, the Nigerian Army has not missed any national championships in the country. Our athletes have excelled in athletics, badminton, taekwondo, shooting, wrestling, judo and many more sports.

“The Chief of Army Staff approved the hosting of the Nigerian Army Interformation Combat Sports Competition where new athletes were discovered to represent the Armed Forces. The only way we can appreciate his efforts is to continue winning and topping combat sports in Nigeria.

“I am proud to announce that 10 Army wrestlers will be representing the country at the World Season Wrestling Championship in Azerbaijan and the athletes depart the country on Sunday. The athletes were in camp for a month and the Chief of Army Staff has charged the athletes to be good ambassadors of the country.

Kennedy Boboye Replaces Christian Obi As Heartland Technical Adviser

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

Nigeria Premier league club Heartland FC have announced the appointment of former Akwa United gaffer Kennedy Boboye as their new Technical Adviser, Owosports.com.ng reports.

Kennedy Boboye who led Akwa United to their first ever NPFL league crown in 2021 will take over from Coach Christian Obi who was relieved of his duty with the club having struggled for form with the Owerri based club languishing at the bottom of the league table.

“OFFICIAL! 🔴

We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with two-time NPFL winning coach Kennedy Boboye

He takes charge of the club’s technical team with immediate effect on a 1-year deal with an option of a renewal #BoboyeInOwerri” The club announced via their social media accounts.

Kennedy Boboye comes with a huge resume having won the Nigeria league title twice with Akwa United and Plateau United.

He has also had stints with Sunshine Stars, Remo Stars and Abia Warriors in the Nigeria premier league.

The Gambia, Ghana In Lagos For West African Scrabble Championship

By
Tosh Micheal
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0

Two amongst the four countries expected to grace the sub region Championship, The Gambia and Ghana touched at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, South West, Nigeria in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Ghanaian contingent led by an Executive Committee member of the World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) who also doubles as the President of Scrabble Association of Ghana, Haruna Adamu, moved straight to Novatel Hotel, Lekki venue of the championship.

Similarly, The Gambians who landed in Lagos on the wings of Air Peace are already acclimatizing with the weather and Nigeria’s local dishes.

The Chairman of the Accommodation and Venue Sub Committee of the Championship, Bright Idahosa, said, Novatel Hotel, Lekki was chosen because of its serine and luxurious setting coupled with it’s first class services.

“We want our players and our visitors from the West Coast to feel at home and enjoy the very best of Nigerian hospitality while here. The Hall for the competition is spacious and tournament friendly.” Idahosa said.

Members of Team Nigeria that are camping at the Wood Peckers Garden in Yaba will be moving into the championship hotel on Wednesday.

The much anticipated West African Scrabble Championship (WASC) will begin Thursday,June 22 holding in Lagos, South West, Nigeria.

According to the Wood Peckers Garden Hotel manager, Mr. Abdul Fatai, he gave the assurance of offering quality service to the players ahead of the championship billed to start Thursday, June 22 2023.

He gave a hint of the preparedness of the players, saying that since their arrival, the players have been in utmost readiness to give the top most display for the board games.

Among the West African countries, the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) has named a 21 man strong team for the forthcoming West African Scrabble Championship (WASC)

The team list is headed by the winner of the PANASA President’s Cup, Godwin Victor.

Others in the list include former World Champion and two time African King, Wellington Jighere, leads the list of the super heavyweight wordsmith in the 21 man contingent that also includes the current African Scrabble supremo Enoch Nwali.

Four other African Champions also made the roaster. They’re Nsikak Etim of Shell Scrabble Club of Port Harcourt, Moses Peter of Uyo SC, Rex Ogbakpa of Sapele SC and two time African King Dennis Ikekeregor also from Sapele SC.

The defending champion Eta Karo leads the three players from Warri Scrabble Club in Team Nigeria. Emmanuel Umujose and Godwin Victor is the other Warri Scrabble Club member that will be representing Nigeria at the championship.

Team Nigeria is repeleted with young and talented wordsmith Doko Oluwatimilehin a final year pharmacy student of the University of Lagos and a key member of the all conquering Hurricane SC. Doko narrowly missed the top prize at the end of MGI Grand Slam tournament in Lagos last month.

12,000 dollars has been set aside as prize money for the individual and team events of the championship and the prize money pool of the individual category is for the top ten and top three for the team event.

The Technical Director of the second edition of the West Africa Scrabble Championship (WASC), John Curtis who doubles as the Chairman of the Sub Committee Technical and Tournament Logistics, says the West Africa Championship is a 28 games competition. 1 random, 22 lagged and 5 king of the hill pairings.

Eta Karo of Nigeria is the defending champion in the individual category while Nigeria holds the team event diadem won in Accra, the Ghanaian capital last year.

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