Sports
UEFA Champions League Trophy arrives
Nigeria
Nigeria has today joined the global football nations that have received the UEFA champions League trophy.
Director Press and Public Relations Mohammed Manga in a statement indicated that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare received the Trophy presented to him by Heineken, in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja.
He quoted the minister to have expressed excitement over the choice of Nigeria for the tour of the Trophy, describing it as the second most important Trophy in football after the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Dare indicated that Nigeria is a football loving nation, that has had a strong attachment to the Champions league over the years.
He stated further that “the tour Ambassador, Clarence Seedorf is one of the most successful players in UEFA Champions League history, as he is the first and currently the only player to have won the UEFA Champions League Trophy with three clubs.”
The Minister who called on Nigerian youth to get themselves involved in sporting activities, assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is ever committed to the development of sports in the country, adding that Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Finidi George, Kanu Nwankwo and Daniel Amokachi represent the golden generation of Nigeria in football till today.
He expressed optimism that Samuel Chukwueze who is the only Nigerian youth left playing in the Champions League today, will hopefully be the next Nigerian after Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu and John Mikel Obi to put his hands on the trophy.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and the Corporate Affairs Manager of Nigerian Breweries, Shade Morgan, while officially presenting the trophy to the Honourable Minister, said that the presentation of the trophy was among other things, aimed at boosting the morale of Nigerian Youth towards sporting activities to make themselves self employed and self reliant so as to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria economy.
Signed
***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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