Kogi United Sends Feeders Coaches to School

As part of its plans to improve the technical capacities of its coaches to meet up with required standard in modern football, management of Kogi United will be sending two of it technical crew to coaching school at Nigeria Institute of Sports. Chairman of Kogi United, Mallam Abdul Sule who disclosed this, noted that the move was part of the club's programs to empower not only the players but also coaches who would in turn, impact their wards. Okala Awala Sabo and Adamu Issa Oluwe will join their other intending applicants for the basic coaching course which will enable them gather more knowledge as the Confluence Boys aim to develop more talents through the youth ranks. "We have decided to pick two of our coaches (Sabo and Oluwe) to NIS to get more knowledge in coaching and in turn teach the players what is needed in football, they have been an excellent jobs with the feeder team with promotion of six players to the main team," Sule said. Technical adviser of the club's feeder team, Suleiman Adamu popularly called Zico thanked the chairman on behalf of the technical crew for the initiative and promised that the coaches would make good use of the opportunity and impact that on players. The likes of Ibrahim Sanni Enesi, Sediq Umar and Anyhony Jegede have been promoted to the main team of Kogi United and have make impressive impact under six months of floating the feeder team.

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Confluence Queen's Skipper boosts team morale

Confluence Queens skipper Tobiloba Susan Olanrewaju is hoping on fans' support to sustain the side in the ongoing Nigeria Women Premier League campaign. The Lokoja based outfit haven't been lucky with results despite playing well in recent times. Equatorial Guinea international Susan however believes the support of the fans is crucial for the side in upcoming matches in the top flight. "We are not happy with our current position in the table. The results recorded doesn't reflect our true performance," Susan told Confluence Queens Media. "But we have now turned our focus to clinch a win on Friday against Taraba Queens." "We know things are difficult with respect to catching up with leaders Rivers Angels but we will keep fighting until the end. "We are only asking the supporters to keep backing us and keep encouraging us so that we can rediscover our form. Confluence Queens are 8th on the NWPL Group B log with 5 points from five games. They are at home to Taraba Queens at the Confluence Stadium this (Friday) afternoon.

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Messi Changes mind about resignation

Indications are rife that the much publicized resignation of Argentine, Lionel Messi, may have been a statement made in the heat of the moment as he may have been set to do a u-turn on that decision. Speaking to a selected reporters in his hotel room, Messi told them of his regret for not picking up the Copa American Trophy, adding that he may have announced his retirement too early. He said his nation may need him more and that it may be difficult for him to turn them down at a time when his services are more crucially needed. According to Messi, “The fact is I don’t think I want to change my mind about retirement, but it is a hard decision, considering that my nation may need me some day and I may not be able to turn them down.” “It is painful because I was desperate to win something for my country, but at 29, I am afraid that time may not be on my side anymore. I really would have loved to win the Copa, but it wasn’t to be.” Some analysts have said that Lionel Messi, who is playing at the top of his game at the moment may have to take time off and rest in order to regain himself following the turbulent season he had in the just concluded La Liga and European football season with his Barcelona Club.

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Kogi Utd coach resigns

In what can be described as a shocking action, Coach of Kogi Utd, Yomi Elijah said he resigned mutually his appointment with the management of Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Kogi United. The former ABS coach on Monday quitted the side plum head coach position citing some personal reasons. Elijah said he quitted the position to allow someone else to come in aimed at uplifting the fortune of the side in the ongoing NNL league season. “I resigned my position as head coach on mutual consent and understanding of the management. “I must confess that the management of Kogi United is wonderful, my sudden departure actually brought tears to their eyes. “I resigned in absolute peace, there was no iota of dispute or problem between me and the management. “I wanted the very best for the side and if my resignation will be reasonable sacrifice to bring the desired success I will be the happiest for it. “I expected the team to be doing well in the league with the kind of efforts I put in but I discovered that the contrary is the case. “We have good and quality players who can actually ruffle feathers and get results but we find it tough winning matches on home ground. “The efforts I put in at Kogi United are child play compared with what I did at ABS. “Yet positive result is far away in coming and I felt instead of staying on and nothing is coming in it makes sense to allow someone else to come in maybe the person’s luck could be a turnaround for the side. “Maybe I’m not lucky enough to uplift the fortune of the side which actually was not really making me happy. “Sincerely, I want the best for the side and my day will be made to hear that the side are winning matches. “Let me equally take my own destiny in my hand to see if it can work well elsewhere,” said Elijah to supersport.com. Kogi United have notched up six points from possible 18 in the six-week old Nigerian second tier league. Source

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GERMANY DUMPS NIGERIA OUT WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

A first half strike from the Werder Bremen midfielder ensured Manu Garba's team crashed out of the 2015 Fifa U20 World Cup in New Zealand

 

Nigeria U20 team lost 1-0 to Germany in the second round of the Fifa U20 World Cup played on Thursday morning at the Christchurch Stadium.

Levin Öztunalı's first half strike was all the European champions needed to silence Manu Garba's men who put up a brave showing in the second half of the encounter.

The game between the team parading the youngest team to the championship (Nigeria) and the oldest team (Germany) lived up to its billing – but inability to convert begging chances was the former’s major undoing.

Joshua Enaholo’s call to duty in the second minute of the encounter was a strong indication that Frank Wormuth’s side were not in the game for a jamboree – as they attacked the Africans massive and in the process won two corner kicks and four free kicks within the space of 12 minutes.

The Flying Eagles were lucky in the fifth minute as Onyinye Ndidi almost scored into his own net after his header narrowly missed the goal post in his attempt to clear Marc Stendera’s corner kick.

However – after 11 minutes got their first chance at goal with Taiwo Awoniyi failing to connect from Saviour Godwin’s low cross after his sizzling run down the left side of the German backline.

In the 19th minute, Germany took the lead. Kingsley Sokari who was under pressure lost the ball to Stendera, passed to Oztunali at the edge of the box to fire a powerful left-footed shot home to the dismay of the west Africans.

Three minutes later, Hany Mukhtar failed to double his side’s lead as his effort was saved from Enaholo who was forced to make four fine saves in the first half.

Mukhtar had another good chance on the hour after some great skill from Oztunali down the right, but he wasn’t able to get any real power behind his shot and Enaholo was out to save briskly.

On resumption of the second half, Manu Garba’s men gushed to action as they sought redemption. They had two free kicks which were cleared by the towering German defenders who never for once gave Awoniyi a breathing space.

Flying Eagles – profiting from the removal of Stendera mounted pressure on Wormuth’s tactically disciplined team, yet could not find the back of the net. The introduction of Isaac Success brought back life to the Nigerian team but that could not save them from bowing out of the competition.

Mali will hope to halt the German Juggernauts when they face in the last eight of the tournament at the Christchurch Stadium.

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Nigeria now 42nd in FIFA ranking

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Kogi qualifies for next round Milo Basketball Championship

Government Boys’ Secondary School, Barnawa, Kaduna State and St Peter’s College, Idah, Kogi State joined Ilupeju Grammar School, Lagos State in the semi-finals of the boys’ category of the ongoing Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship. The event is holding at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos. The Kogi boys lost 45-43 to General Murtala Muhammed College, Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday but went through with the Kaduna boys on point difference after the three teams were tied on one win each. Kaduna lost to Kogi with a two point margin but defeated Adamawa with a seven point margin to finish with a plus–five point difference, while Kogi lost to Adamawa with a two-point margin to finish with a zero point difference and Adamawa’s seven-point loss to Kaduna meant they finished with a minus-five point difference to book a place in one of Friday’s classification matches. The Adamawa coach, Tinism Dickson, said he was okay because they bowed out with grace. “We are happy with our performance in this year’s Milo basketball,” he said. “We were not disgraced because we still won a match and only missed out on points difference. We didn’t really prepare well for this tournament because of the Boko Haram crisis in our state; it affected the boys’ academics and they lost about three terms. “On their return, they had to focus more on academics and I am happy they still made it to the national finals.” In Friday’s semi-finals, Group B leaders, Lagos, will play Group A runners-up, Kogi, while Group A winners, Kaduna, will play Group B runners-up, St Augustine’s Seminary, Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State, who defeated St Joseph’s College, Nyman, Benue State 49-36. Coach Yinka Oyeyemi of Ilupeju said his team is prepared for the game. “I have a good team. We have been working on some of the errors observed in our last two matches. My boys are set to play in the final.”

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Nigeria Vs Hungary preview

Both teams need a victory to confirm their place to the last 16 – a scenario which should ensure excitement at the Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth Nigeria U20 and Hungary U20 will meet in New Plymouth seeking a place in the knockout stages of the Fifa U20 World Cup. Coaches Manu Garba and Bernd Storck want to accompany Brazil, leaders of Group E, and earn their spot amongst the top 16 teams of the tournament. The Flying Eagles were heavily criticized for losing their first game against Brazil and for relying too much on Kelechi Iheanacho’s inspiration. They responded positively and caged North Korea 4-0 in their second game. Coach Garba appears ready to stick with a 4-4-2 formation and is expected to start with the same XI that defeated Korea DPR on Wednesday as he prepares his team for greater challenges in the decisive rounds of the tournament. The Europe who lost 2-1 to Brazil will have to overcome a battling Nigeria side, now on the brink of qualification. Bernd will have to make at least one change to his starting line-up however, as Krisztian Tamas is unavailable due to suspension, following his red card against Brazil. His position will be taken by either Attila Talaber or Donat Zsoter, with the former sitting in pole position to feature from the start. Zaharadeen Bello is a booking away from suspension so will have to be careful, but Nigeria are expected to name the same starting XI that beat An Ye Gun’s team.

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Barcelona claim third Champions League in six years

Barcelona claimed their third Champions League in six years as the brilliance of their attacking trident proved too much for the brave challenge of Juventus in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. In a thrilling spectacle, and with both Barcelona and Juventus attempting to claim a treble after winning domestic league and cup competitions, it was Luis Enrique's side that eventually came out on top. Barcelona started as if they would romp to a comfortable victory when Ivan Rakitic capped the sort of passing move that has become their symbol to put them ahead inside five minutes. Juventus, always a danger after ending notions of an "El Clasico" final by beating Real Madrid in the last four, showed fierce resilience and with veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon defiant, held on for Alvaro Morata to scramble an equaliser before the hour. Redemption time arrived for Suarez, the player who ended last summer's World Cup in disgrace after biting Italy's Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini, in the 68th minute when he showed a predator's touch to pounce after Buffon failed to hold Lionel Messi's shot. Juventus could not mount another recovery and Brazil superstar Neymar wrapped up the win in what he described as the biggest match of his life with the final kick of the game. For all Barcelona's brilliance, built around Neymar, Messi and Suarez, Juventus ran them every inch of a compelling encounter and were left with a hard luck story to tell as they were convinced they should have had a penalty when Paul Pogba tangled with Dani Alves seconds before Suarez scored. In the end, however, Barcelona simply had that extra touch of fantasy that places them above the rest of Europe and Enrique's side can put their names alongside those who brought the giant trophy back to Catalonia as they claimed their fifth triumph in the tournament. As well as Suarez's happier storyline, there were other sub-plots too as Neymar made up for his own World Cup heartbreak last summer, when he was injured before their 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-final. And for 35-year-old Barcelona legend Xavi, he was able to say farewell after a glittering career with another Champions League win before a move to Al Sadd in Qatar. It was the perfect ending as Andres Iniesta handed him the armband.

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Durodola expresses determination to win WBC title

Nigerian boxer Olanrewaju Durodola is determined to clinch the WBC Africa Cruiserweight title coming up later in the year and, in a bid to achieve this dream, has decided to relocate from his base in Atlanta, USA to Nigeria.

Durodola will also seek the support of the Nigerian boxing community and Nigeria as a whole in his quest to become for the WBC Cruiserweight Title.

Speaking to SportingLife, Olanrewaju said he was saddened by the inability of the nation to produce boxing champions despite the abundant talents in the country.

Hear him: “I know Nigerians are anxious because none of our professional boxers has won a world boxing title in any weight class since Samuel Peters won the heavyweight title in March, 2008, and this spurs me on to be the best in my weight class.”

“This is  my target for the year and I know I am going to deliver to the nation a Cruiserweight title. I will win the African title for Nigerians and from there the world title,” he added confidently.

Durodola, 34, who won his last fight last December by a seventh round TKO win over American Joell Geoffrey, has set his focus on the World Boxing Council’s Africa title and will battle a soon-to-be-announced opponent from Ghana. Braimah Kamoko,  popularly known as ‘Bukom Banku’, is rumored to be his opponent in the fight whose winner could in theory move a step closer to a showdown with world Cruiserweight champion Grigory Drozd.

“I’ve waited a long time for a fight like this and I feel that this is finally my chance to shine in front of my compatriots as this is going to be my first professional fight in Nigeria,” the Beijing Olympian said.

“Boxing in Nigeria, amateur and professional, has made giant strides these last few years and I want to contribute my own quota to the success of boxing,” Durodola concluded.

Olarenwaju, who also holds the WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight Title, is currently ranked sixth in the WBC rankings with a fight record of 19 wins (17 KOs) and two losses.

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