GRASOF SET FOR MAIDEN AKWA IBOM STATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS TALENT DISCOVERY ,ANNOUNCES JANUARY 27TH AS KICK OFF DATE

Grassroots Sports Federation of Nigeria has announced that plans have been concluded for the maiden edition of Akwa Ibom State football talent discovery for public primary schools across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom.

Addressing sports journalists in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital, the National President of Grassroots sports federation of Nigeria, Comrade John Ekpenyong said the programme is aimed at discovering and harnessing gifted football players within ages 10-12 years in public schools.

Comrade Ekpenyong while explaining the talent hunt will be targeting at fifty young underprivileged pupils for a football academy in Uyo starting in the next academic session appealed to sports officers in the 31 local government areas to be objective in ensuring that only the best of their pupils are presented for selection.

The talent discovery programme is slated to run from January 27th 2025 to 13th February 2025 at designated centers across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State with an opening ceremony holding at the Uyo township stadium.

It would be recalled that Grassroot Sports federation in conjunction with ALGON BOYS FC secured KMK Global Resources organise the just concluded  scouting program in Uyo where her foreign partners from Turkey, Finland, Norway and Malta had a successful event.

SUPER EAGLES BEAT GHANA 3-1 TO QUALIFY FOR 2025 CHAN

Nigeria's Super Eagles Team B have qualified for the 2024 African Nations Championship following a 3-1 victory over the Black Galaxies of Ghana in Uyo.

The Nigerian team surged into a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half, with goals from Sodiq Ismail, Nduka Junior, and Saviour Isaac in a five-minute burst that left their Ghanaian opponents reeling.

Ghana managed to pull one back midway through the second half, but it was not enough to turn the tide as they were defeated 3-1 on aggregate by Nigeria.

The 2024 CHAN tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 1st to 28th February, 2025.

Nigeria has previously earned a silver and a bronze medal in the history of the tournament.

EGUMA APPOINTED ENYIMBA NEW COACH AFTER YEMI SACK

Enyimba Football Club of Aba have officially appointed Coach Stanley Eguma as their new Technical Adviser, following the departure of Coach Olanrewaju Yemi Daniel. 

Eguma, who previously guided Rivers United to the Nigeria Premier League title in 2022, was dismissed earlier this year. 

His appointment comes after a difficult spell for Enyimba, who have struggled to find form under Coach Yemi Daniel. 

The team’s recent performances saw them go nine matches without a win across all competitions, leading to Daniel's dismissal.

Enyimba currently sits 11th in the Nigeria Premier League standings with three outstanding games. They are also at the bottom of their CAF Confederation Cup group.

BOXING ASSOCIATION SENT FORTH RETIRED HEAD COACH , GEORGE OFFIONG

 

The Akwa Ibom State Boxing Association has sent forth her retired head coach, Coach George Edet OFFIONG with cash gifts as a show of appreciation 

Speaking during the sent forth ceremony at the Uyo township stadium, the vice chairman of the Association, Hon. Chief Effiong Edet Effiong said the sent forth ceremony in honour of the retired state boxing head coach was necessitated by the dynamics coach George brought into boxing in Akwa Ibom state during his service as head coach from 2011 to 2014.

Chief Effiong while thanking the Association for the noble Idea, explained that the gesture was a way of showing gratitude to the retired coach and rekindling the spirit of love , unity amongst the coaches, athletes and the Association members for better productivity in 2025.

"We as an Association decided to celebrate you for successfully serving the state for thirty five years and retiring in good health with a lot of medals recorded both at the Youth Games, National Sports Festival, continental and inter-continental championships.

" We will be calling on you from time to time as we prepare for competitions to assist us with your experience as we pray for more fruitful years in good health for you".

Also, an Olympian who is now the head of boxing in Akwa Ibom State, Coach Effiong Asuquo applauded his retired colleague for working hard to ensure that Akwa Ibom state remains a hurb of boxing in Nigeria through the discovery of young boxers and impactful outings in all competitions.

Reflecting on the experience gathered while working with coach George Offiong, coach Asuquo pledged to work harder to improve on the solid foundation he has meet as the new boxing head coach in Akwa Ibom State.

Responding, retired coach George Offiong appreciated the Association, the coaches and the athletes for finding him worthy to be the first head coach to be honoured and celebrated after retirement from service.

Coach Offiong in an emotion laden voice offered prayers of Blessings to the new head coach, the Association and the boxers assuring the Association of better productivity in 2025 and beyond.

Coaches, Athletes and Sports stakeholders from other sports were present and all poured encomiums on the retired head coach

Ogun 2024 National Sports Festival Rescheduled For May 2025

Joint Technical Committee for the 22nd National Sports Festival, Ogun 2024, has approved a shift in the Games' dates from January 2025 to May 2025.

According to a communiqué released after the meeting, the Gateway Games will now be held from 16th to 30th May, 2025. 

Furthermore, the zonal eliminations for team sports are set to take place from 23rd to 28th February, 2025.

This adjustment is aimed at aligning the Games with the evolving direction of sports in the country and providing additional time to implement recommendations made during the technical meeting.

COACH IME UKO APPOINTED AKWA UNITED ACTING TECHNICAL ADVISER

The Management of Akwa United Football Club can confirm the resignation of its former head coach Muhammed Babaganaru following the team's 1-1 draw with Bendel Insurance on Monday night.

The coach resigned from his position as head coach with Akwa United at the bottom of the league table after 16 rounds of matches.

In his reaction after accepting the coach's resignation chairman of the club Elder Paul Bassey said "In football tradition around the world, when results are not forthcoming it's the coaches that pay for the poor run of form irrespective of their output, past antecedents. Babaganaru is a good coach who has worked with many clubs in this country and won trophies but it didn't just work out for him as planned this season.

"He joined us last season and contributed immensely helping us to beat the drop, we can't forget that and we commend him. I can say that our results and position on the log this season is not a true reflection of the work he has done with the team.

"Akwa United is a team with rich history and pedigree, so struggling in the relegation zone is unacceptable and we cannot continue in that direction. 

"Coach Muhammed Babaganaru is a core professional, we will miss him. His resignation may not be the only solution to our problem, we are not happy with the performance of our players and we have started planning to strengthen the team when the mid-season transfer window opens in January.

"Babaganaru knows how it works and he has tendered his resignation and we have accepted it in good faith while wishing him well in all his future endeavours.

“ A gentleman to the core, hardworking, humble and a team player. It was a pleasure working with him”

"At the moment, the team's psychologist Coach Ime Uko will act as the Technical Adviser while the assistant coaches led by coach Umar Abdullahi are in charge of the team until a substantive head coach is named"

Akwa United, league champions in 2021 and two-time winners of the FA Cup are in the drop zone on the log with 16 points from sixteen games comprising four victories, four draws with eight loses.

BABAGANARU QUIT AS AKWA UNITED COACH AMID POOR RESULT

Akwa United’s head coach, Mohammed Babaganaru, has resigned from his position following a 1-1 draw against Bendel Insurance in Uyo on Monday.

Babaganaru, who joined Akwa United towards the end of the previous season, played a key role in helping the team avoid relegation. 

However, this season has not gone as expected, with the club currently sitting in 19th place, tied with bottom-ranked Lobi Stars, both teams having accumulated 16 points from 16 matches.

The team’s poor start to the season includes 4 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses.

Babaganaru had previously managed Gombe United, leading them to relegation before joining Akwa United in March 2024, following the departure of former head coach Fatai Osho.

ENYIMBA VS ZAMALEK: TICKETS GOES ON SALE FOR 500 &1000 NAIRA AS FA WELCOME TEAMS TO UYO

Nigeria only representative in the CAF CONFEDERATION CUP, Enyimba International of Aba had pegged the ticket for their match against zamalek of Egypt at 500 and 1000 naira for regular and very Important personals.

This was made public when the Akwa Ibom State Football Association welcomed Enyimba FC in Uyo the Akwa Ibom state capital where they will be playing their second group stage match of the 2024 CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

After a 2-0 defeat to Al Masry of Egypt in the opening matchday of the group stage, Enyimba FC will be aiming to secure all three points to boost their chances of advancing in the competition with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association pledging unwavering support for the team as they strive for success on the continental stage.

Mr. Samuel Umoh, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, expressed confidence in Enyimba FC's ability to bounce back from their setback in Egypt in Uyo as he assured the team of the state’s usual maximum support and wished them the best of luck in their upcoming matches.

"We are excited to welcome Enyimba FC to Uyo for this important match. As always, Akwa Ibom is a proud host, and we are committed to ensuring that the team feels supported and motivated to achieve success. The people of Akwa Ibom and all football fans are behind Enyimba FC as they represent Nigeria on the continental stage. We wish them all the best as they face Zamalek SC on Sunday".

With the he match is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 PM, the Akwa Ibom State Football Association is appealing to fans to come out in large numbers, to cheer  Enyimba FC to victory hinting that that their support is vital in helping the club secure a vital victory in their quest of continuing their pursuit of glory in the CAF Confederation Cup.

"We urge all football lovers to turn out in large numbers to support Enyimba FC, this is an opportunity for us to show our unity and pride as we cheer our team to victory. Together, we can help Enyimba fly Nigeria’s flag high."

Tickets will be sold on matchday at 500 and 1000 naira for the regular and VIP stands, respectively, at designated outlets and around the stadium vicinity.

EGRUAVOEN INVITES RABIU ALI, 29 OTHERS TO CAMP AHEAD OF GHANA CHAN MATCH

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has invited a total of 30 players to camp as the Nigeria Football Federation activates its commitment to ensuring the qualification of the Super Eagles B for next year’s African Nations Championship finals.

 

The 8th edition of the continental championship – reserved exclusively for footballers plying their trade with clubs in their country’s domestic Leagues and possessing standard contracts – is scheduled to run the length of February 2025 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

 

Kano Pillars’ evergreen midfielder, Rabiu Ali, who has scored eight goals this season, is among the players called, alongside Remo Stars’ goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Rivers United defender Steven Mayo, and Abia Warriors’ exciting forward Sunday Megwo.

 

There are also Enyimba FC goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, Remo Stars’ wing-back Ismail Sadiq, Enugu Rangers’ midfield ace Kazeem Ogunleye and Nasarawa United forward Anas Yusuf.

 

Victor Collins, the Nasarawa United defender called up for last month’s 2025 AFCON qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda, and Plateau United’s Adamu Abubakar, are also called up.

 

All the invited players have been instructed to arrive at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State on Wednesday, 4th December 2024, where the team will train ahead of the first leg of the qualification fixture against Ghana’s Black Stars B, billed for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 22nd December. The second leg will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 28th December.

 

Ghana stopped Nigeria from reaching the Africa Nations Championship finals in 2009 and 2023. In the qualifiers for the inaugural edition hosted by Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria took a 2-0 first-half lead in the opening leg in Accra, only to concede three goals in the second half. The return leg in Calabar ended 0-0. In the qualifiers for the last edition hosted by Algeria, Ghana won 2-0 at home and lost 0-2 in Abuja, but prevailed after a penalty shootout at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.

 

30 PLAYERS FOR SUPER EAGLES B CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO

 

Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United)

 

Defenders: Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City); Imo Obot (Enyimba FC); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Mayo (Rivers United)

 

Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International)

 

Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United); Osy Martins (Lobi Stars); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Samuel Ogunleye (3SC); Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars); Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance); Ngbemena Ikechukwu (Heartland FC); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors); Umar Al-Amin Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors); Adams Aminu Sani (Kano Pillars)