Sports
Dare describes domestic leagues, as pillars of Nigeria’s Football Development
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has described domestic football clubs as the fulcrum of Nigeria’s domestic leagues, stating they represent the pillars of Nigeria’s Football development.
He spoke while receiving the Club Owners Association led by its chairman, Barr. Isaac Danladi, at his Moshood Abiola Stadium office, Abuja.
The Minister reiterated the assertion that the country will continue to parade a weak national team it the domestic leagues lack a definitive governance structure of licensing and enforcement, poor financial controls and inconsistent standards
The Minister lauded the club owners for the work being done for the development of football across the country, acknowledging the Ministry’s awareness of the challenges faced by the clubs and their owners.
“We are aware of the efforts made by the NFF and the League Management Company (LMC) to address some of these challenges, but we are not satisfied with the efforts that have been made.
“The problems, the challenges, have been out there in the open, but we have not seen a commensurate effort and commitment to bring about a league that is virile, profitable, and that fits our reputation as a football loving nation.
“As the Ministry that has the mandate to superintend sports development and set general direction, in terms of policy and initiatives for sports development of which football is major, we have passed our concerns to the necessary administrators.
“We have had time to sit with them, we’ve had exchange of correspondence and we believe that concerted efforts can bring about the change,” the Minister said.
Dare expressed optimism that with the presentation of the Football Masterplan Report to the President last week, requisite reforms will soon kick-off to ensure that Nigerian football and its administration attains the enviable standard where rules are adhered to, and governance structures follow international best practices.
“The opportunity of this courtesy call is important to pass an important message, to re-echo what the President said. Having been briefed, he understands our domestic league is weak, he appreciates the problems and the challenges and he has promised to support, not just the Ministry, but also the administrators and the club owners. So we expect the 10-year Football Masterplan Report will serve as a roadmap,” the Minister concluded.
In his remarks, Barr. Danladi applauded Dare’s giant strides in the sports sector over the past 3 years, asserting that the reforms and innovations brought to bear, were instrumental to Nigeria’s scintillating performance in World Athletics Championship in Oregon, and record-breaking feat at the just concluded Commonwealth games in Birmingham.
Danladi whilst commending the Minister for the 10-year Football Development Masterplan Report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari last week, expressed optimism that with the anticipated implementation of the report, club owners will play prominent roles in the development of the nation’s football inclusive of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as members of its Congress.
***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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