Sports

Our Football Talent Hunt Will Discover New National Team Players – Philanthropist Noah Dallaji

Published

3 years ago

June 22, 2021

Eric

By Sola Ojewusi

The African Children’s Talent Discovery Foundation, ACTDF, under its President and founder, Engr. Noah Dallaji, has announced the commencement of a pan-Nigeria football talent hunt and mentoring programme for the year 2021. The event is titled: ACTDF FOOTBALL TALENT DISCOVERY.

The foundation, noted for its many philanthropic ventures that have benefitted thousands of indigent young Nigerians, is using the programme as a reliable springboard for the discovery of fresh footballing talents that would be the future crops of the nation’s football superstars.

At a well attended press conference recently, the organizers, led by Foundation founder, Noah Dallaji, informed journalists from several national and grassroots media outfits that this year’s talent hunt would take place in Bauchi, as maiden host, while thousands of participants would be drawn from all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

The press conference was attended by many of the nation’s soccer heroes including Daniel Amokachi, Tijani Babangida and EMMANUEL Babayaro, all of who expressed their willingness to serve as facilitators and mentors to the prospective talents to be discovered.

In his speech at the press parley, ACTDF founder, Engr. Noah Dallaji, promised to ensure that all participants were given equal opportunities and successful ones assisted to get to the height of their careers. “There are plans to send successful participants abroad to football academies and for trials with major clubs,” Dallaji revealed.

The philanthropist also informed the media that the hunt would take place between June 26 and 28 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi with adequate security guaranteed. “After the Bauchi event, other states of the federation will host subsequent editions,” Dallaji promised.

Meanwhile, the talent hunt’s coordinator and former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro told the parley that arrangements were in top gear to ensure a great, well-attended event expected to be graced by many Nigerian and African soccer greats aincluding Kanu Nwankwo, Austine Eguavon, JJ Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Joseph Yobo, Garba Lawal, El Hadj Diouf from Senegal and Appiah from Ghana amongst others. “The hunt is open to all talented young Nigerians and not just a Bauchi State show,” Babayaro revealed.

According to the organizers, interested participants should visit the ACTDF website for details of participation and rules.

Sports

Man United Engage van Nistelrooy on Interim Basis As Ten Hag Gets the Boot

Published

1 month ago

October 28, 2024

Eric

Manchester United have announced the termination of Erik ten Hag’s contract after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set to take interim charge.

The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, which left United sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

A club statement said: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Sports

Botched Game: CAF Punishes Libya, Awards Three Points, Three Goals to Nigeria

Published

1 month ago

October 26, 2024

Eric

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded three points, and three goals to Nigeria for the missed Libya game.

The development comes after the CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, said a thorough probe was ongoing following the recent controversy surrounding Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

Motsepe had maintained that the continental body would not tolerate any lack of sportsmanship and unfair treatment in African football.

However, in the latest development on Saturday, a statement signed by CAF’s Chairperson of CAF Disciplinary Board, Ousmane Kane said the decision to award Nigeria the points was taken after findings by the disciplinary committee it set up to look into the matter, found Libya guilty of the inhumane treatment meted out to the Nigerian senior men’s football team.

The 5-man disciplinary committee consist of; Mr. Ousmane Kane (Senegal) Chairperson, Ms. Njeri Onyango (Kenya) Vice-Chairperson, Mr. Felix Golbassia (Tchad) Member, Mr. Patrick Shale (Lesotho) Member, and Mr. Norman Arendse (South Africa) Member.

CAF said the disciplinary board decided that; “The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the African, Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, and that the match No.87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).”

Following the conclusion of the board’s findings, CAF also ordered the Libya Football Federation to pay a fine of USD 50,000 within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

The players and officials were stranded for hours at a Libyan airport and denied access to food and the internet as they prepared to honour their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with the Mediterranean Knights.

It took diplomatic efforts and social media callouts for the team to be cleared to finally leave Libya.

With the CAF decision, Nigeria is now poised to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

The Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points better than second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda have five points. Bottom-placed Libya have only one point and are out of the running for qualification.

Victory or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14th November (a Matchday 5 encounter) will land the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, December 2025/January 2026.

Sports

LFF Denies Foul Play Against Super Eagles, Blames Logistic Challenges for Delay

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2024

Eric

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has addressed the circumstances behind the extended delay at Al Abraq International Airport, where the Super Eagles of Nigeria were held hostage for over 15 hours, and attributed the situation to routine air traffic and logistical challenges rather than deliberate foul play.

In a statement on Monday via X, the LFF sought to clarify the events, emphasising that the diversion of the Nigerian team’s flight was not intended as a hostile act.

“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF said.

Meanwhile, in the most recent development, Super Eagles players and officials have been reportedly set to depart from Libya.

This was disclosed by a sports enthusiast, identified as Pooja Media, via his X handle on Monday, according to The Punch report.

He wrote, “Super Eagles players and all officials are boarding to fly out of Libya to Nigeria. Thank God.”

Confirming this, a player, Bruno Onyemaechi, wrote, “Me and Libya, I don wash my hands commot. Nothing concerns me and una again. Thank God I’m going back.”

The team, held at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours, has resolved not to play the match, citing safety concerns.

Nigeria Football Federation director of communications, Ademola Olajire, confirmed that the team would fly back home.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home,” Olajire stated.