Eaglets edge Ghana 3-1 on penalties, qualified for 2019 U17 AFCON

Nigeria rode majestically back to the Africa U17 Cup of Nations after the Golden Eaglets defeated Ghana’s Black Starlets 3-1 on penalties (following 1-1 in regulation time) in the final of the CAF U17 WAFU B Qualifying Tournament in Niamey on Saturday.

A pulsating encounter at the Stade General Seyni Kountche saw the Starlets shoot into the lead in the 54th minute, but the Eaglets equalized minutes later when Akinkunmi Amoo finished brilliantly, sending the Nigerians in the stands into ecstasy.
                                                             
Both teams tried hard but failed to get the winner in the regulation time, and the game had to go into penalties. Samson Tijani, Muhammad Ibrahim and David Ishaya scored for Nigeria, and even though goalscorer Amoo missed, the Eaglets were winners as the Ghanaians fluffed a kick and Nigeria’s goalkeeper John Amah saved another of their kicks. There was no need for the final kicks as the Eaglets were by then, unassailable.

Victory was confirmation of Nigeria’s edge over Ghana in cadet football, with Nigeria posting five world titles to Ghana’s two, and was also somewhat sweet revenge for Ghana’s victory in the final of the maiden edition of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Mali 23 years ago.

Before the final, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick had promised the Eaglets training tours of Qatar and Jordan before their participation in the Africa U17 Cup of Nations taking place in Tanzania early next year should they emerge champions and qualify.

At the end, the organizers chose Nigeria’s Samson Tijani as Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, while the nimble –footed Olakunle Olusegun was top scorer with four goals.

The Golden Eaglets’ delegation will return to Nigeria on Sunday. 

NYG: Osun flows over Abia, Kwara in Taekwondo event

by Tajudeen Ahmad


As usual, Team Osun have emerged the overall winner of the Taekwondo event of the ongoing 4th edition of National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The team won 1 gold 2 silver at the event beyond the reach of other states who were all crawling behind the State of Omoluabi.

At the Senior Female - 62kg, Ayomide Osunkorede clinched a gold medal, dispatching Benita Ebere from Delta State in the final.

In another female senior -52kg, Okikiola AbdulHakeem narrowly lost to Uzoamaka Chidiebere in the final to win the silver medal while Lateef Adegoke also repeated the same feat at the Junior Male -55kg as he surrendered to Ayobami Akiode from Kwara State in the final.

In the Junior Male -65kg, Osun did not have any representative and the category was won by Nosa Ehrundomo of FCT, defeating Abia's Eze Emmanuel.

Abia State thus came second on the log with 1 each of gold, silver and bronze while Kwara State and FCT finished distant 3rd and 4th with a gold medal each.

Speaking with OSBC correspondent in Ilorin Tajudeen Ahmad on the development, Osun Taekwondo head coach, Edward Ikekua lauded the state government's passion for sport development which is the powerpoint of medal haul at the event on annual basis.

He also promised not to relent in training more athletes that will bring glory to the state at the forthcoming National Festival in Abuja later this year.

"I thank God, I thank the support of the Governor, Sports Council and the people of Osun. This is just a tip of the iceberg and more should be expected at the National Festival."

"We solicit for more assistance from the government and private individuals in the state in the areas of training facilities for us to do more", remarked Coach Ikekua.

Pitching tent with tougher oppositions, our delight - Okeji

Seyi Joshua 

A saying goes thus, if you want to be the best, beat the best. So is the word of one time Gateway United pacy winger Victor Okeji. 

Aftermath of United's demolition of Stationary Stores, in one of the Nigeria National League games decided in Osogbo, Okeji talked about raising the bar in order to compete and excel at the top.

"The win against Minda FC in Benin was the turning point for us because our confidence is back, and we are match fit, that moment was definitely a defining moment for us."

Recalled that goals from, team captain Hakeem Olalere 'Kebu', Hammed Rasheed and 'Omoluabi Giants' new capture, Chucks Okorie secured the needed points for the homers, swimming off the relegation zone. 

"Osun United would be a 'Hornet's nest' for our oppositions henceforth because we are not comfortable where we are right now and our opponents must be ready to fight.

"Testing our resolve against bigger teams with positive mindset would help us to achieve needed results, we have done it before and we are set out to do it again.

"Our next two games would be away from home and we know how important those games mean to us. Unlucky Stores left Osogbo more than wounded, we expect them to wholly fight back but approaching such game with positive character would brew positive outcome." The lanky winger stated. 

Okeji sounds a note of warning to their counterpart in the Aiteo Cup round of thirty two (32) Katsina United. 'Chanji Boys' qualified after walking over their opponent in the previous round, he however admits that it must be one game at a time.

"Our next game is away to Stores on Saturday and that's our focus for now. Though, Katsina United is blessed with gifted talents coupled with astute coach but when we get to the bridge, we shall cross over to determine the authentic United." He concluded.

NYG: Osun now third on medals table, latest gold won in Taekwondo

A female taekwondo athlete representing the state of Omoluabi, Ayomide Osunkoremide produced a scintillating performance to win another gold medal in the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin.

In a tension-soaked event which ended late night, Ayomide confidently defeated Benita Ebere from Delta State, who had earlier beaten her in the group stage.

However, a foot and hand injury suffered by Lateef Adegoke in the semi-finals prevented him from adding to the medal haul of Osun contingents as he surrendered the gold medal to his Kwara State colleague, Akiode Ayobami in the final.

In the same vein, Okwuel Godtime bagged a gold medal for the state in the male category of 50m breaststroke swimming event while in the 100m backstroke girls, Adinebo Ijeoma finished 3rd with a bronze medal.

OSBC Sports correspondent at the University of Ilorin, venue of the game, Tajudeen Ahmad reports that State of Osun occupied 3rd position on the medal table behind Bayelsa and Delta States as at the time of filing in this report.

The state has won 5 gold (3 in weightlifting, 1 each from Taekwondo and Swimming), 4 silver (3 in female weightlifting event and 1 in Taekwondo), 3 bronze (1 in each of Ayo Olopon, swimming and weightlifting.

The state contingents are also through to the quarter-finals in the Table Tennis, Boxing, Cycling, swimming, Ayo Olopon mixed double and the semi-finals of volleyball among other events.

NWPL: Osun Babes, Sunshine Queens share spoils

Osun Babes failed to make the most of their superiority as they were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at the Osogbo City Stadium on wednesday evening.



The Omoluabi Queens had the majority of the possession and chances in the wednesday afternoon's early kick-off, but failed to make their dominance count as they missed the chance to add the maximum three points to the eight points on ground.


It was a strong start from the host, but Anjor Mary's first touch let her down from six yards on a marvellous Koku Damilola's cross-field pass.


The attack kept pumping in from the Omoluabi Queens as Akinwande Habibat went on a remarkable run from midfield, shaking off several rough tackles from the Owena Mermaids midfielders until the referee finally awarded a free kick, from which Anjor Mary skimmed near the post.


Yakubu Aminat and Innocent Patricia had attempts from distance for Sunshine Queens, but failed to find the frame of the goal. In another swift attack, Lola Phillips failed to make most of a smart Imuran Rofiat slide-rule pass, firing straight at Obia Christiana in goal for the Omoluabi Queens.


Just before the halftime, Koku Damilola failed to open her goalscoring account as she received a well tailored pass from Aluba Ogba, only to lose the ball after failing to control in time.


The second half saw the Omoluabi Queens start slowly. Sunshine Queens controlling possession and creating opportunities with Yakubu Aminat and Lola Phillips taking control of play. Yakubu appeared confident and willing on the ball tormenting Iloduba Sarah and Abiodun Adedayo with her great runs from the right side.


The away side remained dangerous on the counter, as Patricia Innocent controlled a cross from the right, wisely turned to Yakubu in a better position, whose strike was superbly saved by Obia Christiana.


Bashir made a double change at the break , introducing Fajobi Yetunde and Agams Nkechi for Kemi Abiodun and Aluba Ogba, which immediately fired up  for yet another attack.


Fajobi's low cross from the right seemed ineffective enough , but Anjor reached back her heel to flick it upwards hitting the crossbar from about nine yards. It was an astonishing feat.


The game ended goalless and Osun Babes will definitely be disappointed with this result based on how the game went, but probably would have loved to have taken the three maximum points in the end.


 The Omoluabi Queens will now travel to Lafia on wednesday to face defending champion Nasarawa Amazons, while Sunshine Queens will welcome Pelican Stars in Akure.