Who deserves to win CAF 'Youth Player' of the year ?

Three names have been shortlisted to battle for African Youth Player of the year. Two Nigerians and one Morrocan.

The award holder Achraf Hakimi is leading the other two contenders namely, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze. The contestants have been having a run of their lives in their various clubs. 

Victor Osimhen put a goal past Monaco in French League One at the weekend to take his total league goal to ten. This will be the first time a Nigerian player would record a double figure in French League One in a debut season. 

The Super Eagles lanky forward is a member of the Bronze winning AFCON Eagles. He's been on a terrific form having won French League Player of the Month for the month of September at the expense of the likes of Islam Slimani and Nicolas Pallois. 

Nigerians have dominated this category in the past. In 2014, it was  Asisat Oshoala then with Rivers Utd that won it.  Victor Osimhen won it in the following year while Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi scooped the 2016 edition. 

Worthy to mention among the contenders is Samuel Chukwueze, the Villarreal winger has been capped by Nigeria 10 times. The 20 years old pacy forward is a promising talent for the Eagles having scored a goal in his debut AFCON outing. He has 7 goals to his credit in about 34 senior appearance at club level. The New Generation Academy trainee would be looking for his first CAF plaque. 

Achraf Hakimi the award current holder has played twenty six games for his club in this year scoring 8 goals along the line. The Borussia Dortmund right-back is one of the most sought after in Europe. Achraf detroned Patson Daka in 2018 to become the current category award holder.

Gov. Oyetola set to replace partially grassed Osogbo stadium pitch with astro turf

Akanni Seyi

To those familiar with Osogbo Township Stadium located along Ikirun road within the metropolis, it's quite obvious that its infrastructure and facilities are still yet to be completed and are in a state of despair.

According to the stadium's master plan, the fifteen thousand capacity complex supposed to have gallery with seats, a luscious football pitch, athletic track, floodlights, perimeter fence, dressing rooms with convenience spots, mini studio, basketball courts, volleyball courts, hall for indoor activities, administrative buildings, handball courts, lawn tennis courts, training pitches, electronic scoreboard and vast expanse of spaces for automobile parks. 

Major actors and fans have expressed their dissatisfaction about the state of the arena which shows no clear sign of maintenance.

Recall that the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola started the project after cancelling a mouth-watering deal initiated and adopted by the administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. 

The whopping sum of 18.38 billion naira loan was secured by the Okuku born prince, the facility which was aimed at erecting sports complex in Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa, Ife and Ikirun. Aregbesola cancelled the contracts,  leaving only the Osogbo Stadium.

The stadium project was technically abandoned as the harsh economy took toll on the state. The contractor handling the project has since returned to his native country in far away Northern Africa. The moribund state of the facility has accounted for mass exodus of Osun athletes to sister states because of lack of conducive training facilities.

According to the state governor Mr Gboyega Oyetola while delivering his keynote address during the recently concluded Presidential Cup, packaged by African Youth Sports Federation (AYSOF) and hosted by the ministry of sports and youth engagements, Mr governor noted that, "for us in Osun, sport is not only a medal-winning and recreational activity, it is principally an instrument for impacting leadership skills in the youths to enable them to perform their roles as leaders of tomorrow.

"As we harvest the outcomes of our just concluded Economic and Investment Summit, we shall give priority attention to sport as always to build an army of award-winning and responsible youths who will flag the State’s and Nigeria’s flag internationally.

"In furtherance of our commitment to sport, we will soon complete the construction of the Sports stadium to provide a platform for our youths to give expression to their talents and enhance their award-winning prowess." lleri Oluwa as he's fondly called concluded.

Seventeen days after the above statements were made, sources revealed that Mr governor has directed the energetic honorable commissioner for sports and youth engagements, Hon. Yemi Lawal to commence listening to bids in order to fast track the process of the football pitch and other facilities wearing a new look. 

This is no doubt a welcome development as the complex is becoming aliens to hosting tournaments organized by the apex football body in the land. 

Osun athletes are skilled and extremely  super talented. For instance, Taekwondo alone as a sport in the state has accounted for over 64 medals since 2013 till date. If construction of sporting facilities are on the front burner, coupled with effective grassroots programs, then the state would reap from massive social and economic dividends soonest. 

NPFL: Enyimba put Rivers Utd to sword in Aba

Enyimba Football Club have moved within one point of the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League after sealing a 1-0 win over Rivers United in a drab fixture at the Enyimba Stadium this evening.

Victor Mbaoma fired in the only goal with a 24th minute freekick to lift the eight times champions above their neighbours.

Centreback Austin Opara was handed his Enyimba debut and youngster Orok Gabriel made his first league start as Usman Abd'Allah made seven changes to the team that started against San Pedro in the CAF Confederation Cup four days earlier.

Despite playing together for the first time, Orok and Mbaoma formed a sleek partnership to light up the opening stages, with the latter benefitting from the former's tailored pass for the game's first chance, pulling a save from Ospino Egbe.

Mbaoma came close again with a smart effort on the turn, but watched it go slightly over the top.

The goal eventually arrived midway through the half when Mbaoma's well hit freekick from the edge of the box was pushed into the top corner by Egbe.

Mbaoma continued to impress his character on the fixture, trying a similar effort from thirty-five yards, but Egbe stood strong to parry out.

The visitors, largely buoyed by the introductions of Nelson Essor and Fortune Omoniwari, gave a better fight in the second half, but hardly threatened with goalmouth moments.

The half's biggest highlight, meanwhile, came on the hour when Mbaoma's freekick left Stanley Dimgba unchallenged, but the winger fired wide from close range.

Anayo Iwuala came on for the Dimgba while Samson Obi replaced the impressive Orok as Enyimba held strong for their fourth win in the league.

Now one point behind leaders Plateau United, Enyimba will hope for the return of some of their regulars for Sunday's trip to Dakkada FC.