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