AWCON 2018: Ghana stripped of hosting right

Ghana has been stripped of the right to host the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) after a decision by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).


With just three months before the start of the competition CAF has been left unimpressed with the progress work at venues for the competition which led to the decision to axe Ghana.

CAF Presdient Ahmad Ahmad has revealed that they are talking to some countries to take over as hosts of the two-week competition.

A new host will be announced next month during the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Egypt.

Africa's governing body CAF took the decision after the country's disastrous preparation for the competition left the the Egypt-based body with no option.

The eight-team tournament is scheduled to take place between 17 November to 1 December 2018 but the dodgy pace of preparation look to have led to the decision.

A high powered government delegation led by the Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah visited CAF President in Madagascar two weeks ago in a bid to assuage the fear of the governing body but it looks the meeting made no impact.

A Caf inspection team visited Ghana last month and found that one of the two venues (Cape Coast and Accra) penciled to host the event - is not ready to stage the event.

SoccernetGh

THREE YEARS UNDERWAY: IS GERNOT ROHR BUILDING OR ASSEMBLING EAGLES ?

By Sunday Agunbiade



The announcement of Coach Gernet Rohr in the year 2016 as the Technical Adviser of Nigerian Super Eagles was welcomed by all and sundry with most sports loving Nigerians expecting the Franco German to bring European touch to the Nigerian Super Eagles particularly at the World stage.Still rhything in a mindset that Nigeria are trailing Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana in Mundia, the expectations were extremely high to change the tide for the populace.


Sincerely, Rohr had a good jolly ride en route to Mundia with unbeaten record in a group that had Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia even though the results were achieved within two to three days assemblage of mostly foreign players.


Kudos should be given to the NFF who made every provision available for a successful camping for the team in Austria. But, disappointingly ,the build up matches to the Mundia against Congo, England, Czech Republic and Serbia after a month camping could not justify the money spinning camping. It's no longer a news that the friendly matches were too horrible for the blind to see. You could imagine the Eagles under Rohr lacked cohesion, transition, understanding and no clear pattern from one match to another which obviously translated into the real terrible showing at the global stage.


Well, I think Coach Gernot Rohr should have a rethink on his over dependence on foreign based players. The poor football display couple with the below par result we had in Russia under his tutelage has caused many people to lose confidence in his style of coaching than the indigenous coaches. In record, Nigeria has never made any impact depending on foreign based players in any competition.


Let's go down the memory lane, Coach Westernhof looked inward in 1989 and built our home based players along with their foreign counterparts to stardom in Tunisia and USA '94. In fact, we all enjoyed great football artistry in this era under Westernhof


Not only that, Coach Stephen Keshi of blessed memory used home based players to fight Jerseys with the over hyped foreign based players in 2013 and won Nation's Cup in South Africa. We didn't only win AFCON but we also entered second round in Brazil 2014 World Cup losing narrowly on a disallowed goal against France. (we all knew the goal was clean and would have qualified us to the quarter finals in Mundia)


Frankly speaking, any coach who cannot go down to NPFL venues to genuinely pick three to four players and nurture them to stardom would be regarded as lazy and does not have any business in Nigeria not even in Africa as a whole.


Coach, I think if after two years, you cannot lay hands on two to three home based players you discovered and build to the World stage, you would be a disservice to the nation. (even Coach Onigbinde discovered Eyeama within three months, Haba)


Results are there in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegalese national teams with their home based players shocking the world.


Presently, our leagues are on break and I think you still have enough time to do the needful when the League resumes on September 2nd for genuine scouting. If I may ask, in your assessment, do you want us to tell Mallam Shehu Dikko to scrap NPFL and NNL if you think our league does not worth celebrating for national team call?


 #15M monthly salary is enough to bring smiles into the faces of over 180 million Nigerians and until you justify your pay, we will not keep quiet. Remember that we are not paying you to bring sorrow or sorry to the populace.

Rohr names Onazi, Musa, Omeruo, 21 others for Seychelles

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has released a list of 24 Nigeria senior players who will do battle for the three points in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles in Victoria on Friday, 7th September.



At a world press conference in Lagos on Friday, Rohr, flanked by NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi and Executive Board Member Aisha Falode, unveiled a list of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards. He also put four other players, including former U17 World Cup –winning captain Musa Muhammed, on standby.






Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)



Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)



Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Kelechi Nwakali (FC Porto, Portugal); Joel Obi (AC Chievo Verona, Italy)



Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone FC, Italy); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France)



Standby: Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria); Musa Muhammed (HNK Gorica, Croatia); Blessing Eleke (FC Luzern, Switzerland)   

Ogunjobi Cup; teams battle for final slots

Civil Defense Football Club of Oshogbo will face Graceland Football Club of Otan Ayegbaju in the Under 18 category of the ongoing third edition of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi Cup semi-finals while Odukunle Football Club of Ikirun have been paired with Fehinty FC of Ido Osun.



The semifinalists secured their places in the last four via penalty shoot out at the Oshogbo Township Stadium.



In the first quarter final, Civil Defense beat Zakariyau FC of Ikirun, 4-3 on penalty after full time ended 0-0. Graceland go past Crest Field FC of Erin-Osun 3-2 via a penalty shoot-out after a goalless full time score.



Odukunle FC edged out the defending champion, Igbona Warriors FC of Oshogbo, 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the full time score ended 1-1. Fehinty completed the semi finalists as they cruised past Excel FC in a entertaining, and magnificent version.



Meanwhile, in the Under 15 category, City Roller FC, Oyeyemi FC, Golden Boys and Awolu FC have all booked a place in the semi finals.



Golden Boys shall engage Awolu FC, while City Roller FC and Oyeyemi FC will battle for a place in the final.



However, in the Under 13 category, the best four teams have emerged from the group stage. Each group comprises of five (5) teams.



Group B runner's up Odulami FA shall trade tackle with Group A table topper Zakariyau FC, while Group A runner's up Sharp Striker shall aim to dump off Group B finest, Golden Boys FC in order to book a place in final.



All semi final fixtures will be played at Oshogbo Township Stadium on Thursday August 23, and Friday August 24, 2018.



The finals for the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 18 of the tourneys third edition will be decided on Saturday September 1, 2018.




#OgunjobiCup18 Semi Final Fixtures

Thursday August 23, 2018

#U13
Odulami FA vs Zakariyau FC 12:00 NOON

#U15
Oyeyemi FC vs Young City 1:30pm

#U18
Osun Civil Defense vs Graceland FC Otan 3:00pm



Friday August 24, 2018

#U13
Sharp Striker Vs Golden Boys 12NOON

#U15
Golden Boys FC vs Awolu FC lfon 2:00pm

#U18
Odukunle FC lkirun Vs
Fehinty FC Osogbo 3:00pm

Breaking: Osinbajo, Dalung in closed-door meeting

Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo , is currently meeting behind closed doors  with the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung.

The acting president and the sports minister went in for the meeting shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.

The reason for the meeting was not yet known at press time but it might not be unconnected with the threat by world football ruling body to sanction Nigeria over government interference.

Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), had earlier met with the acting president before commencement of the FEC.

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) on Tuesday threatened to suspend the Nigeria and Ghana football federations over government interference.

Nigeria will face the wrath of world football’s governing body unless “the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offices are not handed back to the legitimate NFF executive committee under President Amaju Melvin Pinnick”, a FIFA statement warned.

NAN

France 2018: Ajibade's last gap effort sends Nigeria into quarter finals

Stand –in Captain Rasheedat Ajibade was the heroine as the Nigeria U20 girls weaved their way into the 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup quarter finals following a 1-1 draw with their Chinese counterparts in Dinan/Léhon on Monday evening.



The Falconets’ top scorer in the African qualifying series tapped in at the near post in a last –gasp effort from a cross by Aishat Bello, to break Chinese hearts and shoot Africa’s most successful women’s football team at the World Cup level to their seventh berth in the knockout stages in nine editions of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.



Zhang Linyan gave China the breakthrough they needed with a 41st minute goal, and they were on their way to the last eight until Ajibade’s strike which ensured the Falconets finished Group D in second place on goals balance from the Asians, though on same number of points (four). Germany finished top of the pool with maximum nine points.



The Falconets will now take on Spain in the tournament quarter finals.



General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, praised the ladies for their effort: “The Falconets deserve commendation for the way they fought all the way to the end and got the important goal. The NFF is proud of their dedication, discipline and commitment, and we believe they have what it takes to overcome Spain in the quarter finals.”

Ogunjobi Cup U-18 Quarter finalists emerge

The on-going Under 18 Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi Football Tournament is living up to expectations as defending champions Igbona Warriors FC and seven other teams have progressed to the quarter final stage of the competition which will be decided on Saturday 18th August, 2018.                                         





Zakariyau FC, Fehinty FC, Civil Defence FC, and Excel FC have all booked their places in the quarter-finals of the much talk about grassroots tournament in the State of Osun.




The quarter final fixtures indicated that Igbona Warriors of Oshogbo will trade tackle Odukunle FC of Ikirun, while Zakariyau FC of Ikirun will lock horn against Civil Defence of Oshogbo.





In other fixtures, Crest Field FC of Erin Osun will engage Graceland FC of Otan Ayegbaju, while Excel FC of Oshogbo will confront Fehinty FC of Ido Osun, with all matches scheduled for Oshogbo Township Stadium.





However, the finals for the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 18 of the tourney third edition earlier scheduled to take place on Tuesday August 21, as been rescheduled for Saturday September 1, 2018.




The tournament finals was announced to be postponed by Chief Ogunjobi's, media aide Tunde Shamsudeen, stating that August 21 clashes with Muslims Eid El Kabir Sallah celebration.

NBBF part ways with Sam Vincent

The leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation has ended its relationship with the Head Coach of the Senior Women’s Basketball team, Sam Vincent.

The decision was taken after extensive consultations and assessment of the team’s progress in camp ahead of the 2018 FIBA Women World Cup in Tenerife, Spain.

In a letter signed by the NBBF President, Engineer Musa Kida, the decision was taken in the best interest of all parties involved and the long term interest of the D’Tigress.

NBBF stated that considering the numerous conflicting commitments of the 55 year old coach which has continued to affect his duties as the coach of the team, the latest decision became pertinent.

The letter stated in part that, “The NBBF has been monitoring the situation in Atlanta closely and we are not satisfied with a lot of things. You left the National Women's Team Camp in Atlanta since Friday 27th July, 2018, without permission from anybody and you have continuously remained absent.”

Following investigations, the 2017 Afrobasket winning coach was found guilty of abandoning the team due to other conflicting professional engagements within the United States of America where the team is currently camped.

In view of the importance of giving the team the best of preparation for the World Cup as to make a mark in Spain, the NBBF decided it needed a coach who will spend more time in camp preparing the team.

“Be informed that you are hereby relieved of your appointment as our National Women's Coach, to allow you concentrate better on your other activities,” the letter stated.

NBBF however thanked Sam Vincent for qualifying the team for the World Cup by winning the 2017 Afribasket Championship in Atlanta and wished him all the best in his future endeavors.

The board has promised to compensate him for the services rendered while with the team.

In the meantime, D’Tigress assistant coach, Peter Ahmedu will take charge of team’s preparation for the World Cup to be assisted by Sola Shomala until a new coach is appointed.

Asaba 2018: Tobi Amusan Wins Nigeria’s First Gold Medal

Oluwatobiloba Amusan has emerged the new 100mH African Champion after breezing past the field to win the women’s 100m Hurdles at the ongoing African Senior Athletes Championships in Asaba.

The 21-year-old clocked a time of 12.86s to win Team Nigeria’s first medal at the Championships – her third medal for Nigeria only this year.

Earlier in the day, Amusan did not disappoint as she raced top her heat in 13.18s to secure a spot in the final.

It was an easy one for the Commonwealth Games Champion, as her South African opponent Rickenette Steenkamp, who came second, finished the same time she clocked in her heat.

2017 NCAA Champion can boost of four Gold medals for Nigeria in the hurdles event since she came to limelight in 2015 – dominated in the 2015 African Junior Championships and African Games in Brazzaville, as well as the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia