Sports

Senegal Beat Nigeria 6-1 to Win Fifth Beach Soccer AFCON Title

Published

5 years ago

December 15, 2018

Eric

Senegal on Friday beat Nigeria 6-1 to claim their fifth Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations title.

It is their fourth title in five years and it was the second time the Lions have beaten Nigeria to claim the title in two years – following an 8-2 win in the 2016 final in Lagos. Senegal also defeated Nigeria on penalties in the first match of the tournament, which held in Egypt.

Hosts Egypt beat Morocco 3-2 to win the third place match. Both Nigeria and Senegal will represent Africa in the 2019 Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.

According to Beach Soccer Worldwide, Nigeria started on the front foot with record goalscorer Abu Azeez scoring his 104th goal in the colours of the country. But Senegal came back into the game as Mamour Diagne found the space to strike in the equaliser.

Then Lansana Diassy, who had been in good form throughout the tournament, got his name on the score sheet too. He grabbed the lead for Senegal. However, the two sides ended the second period at each other’s throats.

The Supersand Eagles capitulated in the third period – scoring no goal and conceding four to lose their bid for a third continental title.

The Senegalese threw everything they had at the Nigerians and got the desired goals. The boosted offensive began with Babacar Fall, who increased the advantage to two goals with a fierce shot after goalkeeper Paul Dami came off his line.

Then Raoul Mendy held off a defender and swivel to shoot – to make it four to Senegal. Mendy scored again moments later, twisting and turning away from two defenders to drive a low shot past Paul.

AndDiagne ran onto a lay-off to power a first-time shot home to make it six with just a minute to go, the match was out of reach for Nigeria.

Azeez ended the tournament with eight goals but lost the highest goalscorer’s award to Ivory Coast’s Assouan Eric, who finished with nine goals.

Meanwhile, former captain of the team Isiaka Olawale has called for early preparations for the team ahead of the Paraguay 2019 World Cup.

Olawale, who praised the team for their efforts at getting the ticket for the World Cup, said the team could spring a surprise if they prepare adequately for the tournament.

“It is really good to see that the boys gave their all in Egypt and got to the final. They played against teams who have grown very strong in beach soccer and are becoming very difficult for Nigeria to beat,” he said.

“I believe that the set of boys in the team now, have the passion and hunger to succeed and will give a good account of themselves at the World Cup next year. But they need to prepare well for the tournament.

“Beach Soccer is different from normal football and it takes a lot of practice to become very good in it. I believe the team will have learnt from tournament and they will get better before the World Cup begins.”

Sports

IGP Salutes Exceptional Performances of Police Athletes at 2023 African Games

Published

5 days ago

April 11, 2024

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, has commended the exceptional performances of the Police Athletes who distinguished themselves, as Nigeria’s ambassadors at the recently concluded 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.

The IGP notes that their remarkable performances across various sporting events have brought immense pride to the Force and the country at large.

While receiving the athletes, the IGP, who was represented by the Force Director of Sports (FSO), CP Patrick A. Atayero, likened the African Games to a continental Olympics, and harped on the significance of young and talented Police Sports Men and Women showcasing their skills, passion, determination and courage on such a prestigious stage to emerge Medalists. He emphasized that the success of Police Athletes at the 13th African Games which held from 8th to 26th March, 2024, shortly after the 14th Biennial Police Games (Oluyole 2024) that concluded on 2nd March in Ibadan, is a veritable testament to the effectiveness of the sports development initiatives of the Force.

The medalists – Inspr. Aisha Adamu, Sgt. Mohammed Inuwa, Sgt. Emmanuel Bala, Sgt. Matthew Deshi, Corporal Chika Blessing, Corporal Nathaniel Samson, Corporal Victor Ikechukwu, Corporal Eweh Emmanuel, Corporal Collins Obi, Corporal Godwin Sunday, Corporal Emmanuel Ochayi, Corporal Aminu Garba, PC Olayiwola Zainab, PC Mabel David, PC Precious Joel, PC Esther Peter, and Bello Tunde Muiz (Education Officer II), demonstrated exceptional dexterity in Arm wrestling, Athletics, Badminton, Mixed Martial Arts, Swimming and Hockey. These Police Athletes garnered 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 5 Bronze totalling 8 Medals, for Nigeria at the Continental Sports Fiesta.

The Inspector General of Police appreciates all Police Athletes for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to sporting excellence, national unity and development in all spheres in Nigeria. He reiterates that their collective success serves as an inspiration to other Police Officers and fellow aspiring Athletes and inestimable potentials across the nation.

Sports

Super Falcons Draw Goalless with South Africa, Quality for Paris Olympics

Published

6 days ago

April 9, 2024

Eric

Nigeria’s female national football team, Super Falcons have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Nigeria beat South Africa 1-0 on aggregate to reach the Summer Olympics.

Rasheedat Ajibade scored from the spot in the first leg of the qualifiers in Abuja on Friday.

That goal was enough for the Super Falcons to pick one of Africa’s tickets for the women’s football event of the Paris Olympics as the second leg tie ended goaless in South Africa.

The last time Nigeria’s Super Falcons reached the Olympics was 16 years ago.

Sports

UCL Quarter Final: Arsenal Draw Bayern, Madrid to Play Man City

Published

1 month ago

March 15, 2024

Eric

Arsenal have been drawn against FC Bayern Munich while Real Madrid will face defending champions Man City in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The draws are as follows:

Q4: Paris Saint Germain vs FC Barcelona

Q3: Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Q2: Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

Q1: Arsenal vs Bayern Munich

Here’s the

Winners of Q2 vs Winners of Q4

Winners of Q1 vs Winners of Q3

The eight teams that get past the round of 16 will compete in the draw, with all eight teams likely to face each other as there is no seeding for the draw.

Teams from the same country and teams that played against each other in the competition’s group stage will be allowed to meet in the draw going forward. The host team will draw the first ball, while the visiting team will draw the second.

The semifinal and final routes will also be determined here, as has been the tradition since the 2018–2019 campaign. Thus, the eight qualified teams will be aware of the path required to get to the final.

The quarter-finals will be played on April 9 and 10 for the first leg, while the conclusions will come one week later, on the 16th and 17th of the same month.