After a pulsating ninety minutes of football, Dolphins scored one goal, took the game to penalty shoot outs and won 5-3 to edge past Leones Vegetarianos FC in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.
Dolphins lost the 1st leg 1-0, and started the return leg the same way they did in Malabo by missing glaring chances.
As early as the 2nd minute Ifeanyi Egwim found space in the Vegetarianos area but his cross went way of mark and an overlapping Ayobami Asekunowo could not connect.
In the 16th minute it was the turn of Victor Alegbe to miss as some good passing moves by Dolphins completely split the Vegetarianos defence open but Alegbe who had just the post in front of him with goalkeeper Yannick out of the way blasted wide.
Fredor for the visitors had his chance to get a crucial away goal for his side in the 27th minute when they had a free kick after Jonathan Zikiye had fouled his man but his free header went wide after Sunday Rotimi had been beaten.
Players of Leones Vegetarianos rue their loss
However, it was Emeka Atuloma who turned hero of the day a minute later as he curled a free kick from about 25 yards to put Dolphins 1-0 up and tie the game on aggregate.
On the hour mark, Stanley Eguma took off Ifeanyi Egwim for Omoh Johnson and then Isiaka Olawale replaced Chidiebere Okolie who had missed a chance just a minute before he was substituted.
Christian Pyagbara freed him and with just the goalkeeper facing him after beating the offside trap, he blasted wide.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Victor Alegbe shook off his marker and tried a shot that was spilled by the goalkeeper but Pyagbara failed to bury the rebound.
In the ensuing penalty shootouts, Tijani Adamu, Emeka Atuloma, Victor Ezuruike, Chigozie Ihunda and Christian Pyagbara all scored while Yumby Nicanor, Pendah and Esoto Ada scored for Leones but Sunday Rotimi saved Guy Yannace’s kick.
Dolphins players led by Onyekachi Akakem and Sunday Rotimi celebrate the shootout win
Start list
22. Sunday Rotimi, 6. Ayobami Asekunowo, 26. Jonathan Zikye, 8. Emeka Atuloma, 30. Victor Ezuruike, 5. Joseph Douhadji, 3. Chidiebere Okolie, 13. IFeanyi Egwim, 9. Christian Pyagbara, 20. Tijani Adamu, 10. Victor Alegbe
REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2014/2015 – Round 8
Another Glorious Day In Gothenburg For Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl
For the second year in a row, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB reigned supreme at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Western European League qualifier in Gothenburg, Sweden today. In 2014 the pair scored 81.350 to pin the host nation’s Patrik Kittel and Toy Story into runner-up spot. But in today’s second-last leg of the 2014/2015 series, Kittel had to settle for fourth behind The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Voice, while Germany ruled the roost with Isabell Werth filling second spot with El Santo behind her fellow-countrywoman in pole position.
Her score of 81.650 was not von Bredow-Werndl’s personal best this season, but she was more than happy with it. Gothenburg’s Scandinavium Arena has never been for the faint-hearted as it is a tight fit to get the Dressage arena inside it, and the acoustics create a wall of sound. Many of the riders were much happier with how their horses went today compared to yesterday’s Grand Prix in which von Bredow-Werndl also came out on top.
Halfway point
Following some late withdrawals, a total of 11 horse-and-rider combinations lined out at this Reem Acra qualifier and it was Jennie Larsson and the 11-year-old Zircoon Spring Flower who led the way at the halfway point with a mark of 72.600. Denmark’s Lone Bang Larsen was her nearest rival when posting 72.525 with the 16-year-old Fitou whose ears were happily pricked throughout his test.
The final five however really raised the game, led by Kittel and Toy Story who demonstrated clockwork piaffe and passage and a floating extended trot to earn 77.050 to take the lead. Isabell Werth and El Santo swept that aside however with a brilliant performance. The horse she calls “Ernie” was in flying form as he swung to his musical score, and few other riders could have contained the energy and enthusiasm this gelding showed today. Werth always throws her heart and soul into every test, and Ernie responded by giving her his all for a new leading mark of 79.900.
Gal’s Glock’s Voice showed some lovely work but found it hard to settle, and when this pair posted a mark of 78.100 it seemed very possible that Werth might come out on top. But, when Sweden’s Paulinda Friberg and di Lapponia T posted 76.925, von Bredow-Werndl sealed it when forging ahead with the biggest mark of the day.
Complete agreement
The judges were in complete agreement about the performance of the elegant 14-year-old son of Gribaldi who has enjoyed a superb run of form over the winter months. A win at Kaposvar in Hungary, where they scored a hat-trick in the Grand Prix, Special and Freestyle, kick-started their march, and that was followed by runner-up spot on home ground at Stuttgart and third-place finishes at both Olympia in London (GBR) and in Amsterdam (NED).
“It’s super, I’m so happy, it’s hard to find the words, I want to go out and do it again!” said 29-year-old von Bredow-Werndl afterwards. “There were many good competitors here, and in the Grand Prix and Freestyle a lot depends on your communication with your horse and your daily relationship. My horse was completely with me. This was my best ride, we were really consistent, and when your horse is like that you can ask for a little more. He always wants to do a good job, and I’m also excited because I feel we have some more potential to improve!” she added.
Werth was also more than pleased with her result. “My horse was full of power today but we also had good collection and no mistakes. It was much better than yesterday, and now I feel really ready for Las Vegas!”
It seems she is on the way to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final as she lies third on the Western European league leaderboard, and German strength is clearly evident as her colleague, Fabienne Lutkemeier, lies one place ahead of her while von Bredow-Werndl has a big lead with just one last leg left to run.
Two-time series champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival NOP, won the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League at Lyon, France. (FEI/Pierre Costabadie)
Reservations
Asked if she had any reservations about taking Unee BB to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final in Las Vegas in six weeks’ time, von Bredow-Werndl replied, “No, definitely not! I want to take him, he’s never flown before but he’s a very cool boy!” And as for her plans over the coming weeks she explained, “he’s done enough for now, we will do a clinic for the national team, that will be a good warm-up for him because he likes to go somewhere once a month. He’s very eager to drive somewhere and he’s not happy when he’s left at home for long!” she explained.
Apparently Unee BB is an intrepid traveller. “He’s pretty unusual I suppose” she said with a laugh, “travelling actually relaxes him! After Amsterdam (in January) he went in the lorry and didn’t get home until 2.30 in the morning, but he was so fresh when we arrived back that I could have ridden him all over again!” she said. “I’ve never been to Las Vegas, so I’m really excited and I know BB will like it because he’s a real showman!” she concluded.
For further information on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 qualifier at Gothenburg, Sweden, check out website http://www.gothenburghorseshow.com
The ninth and last qualifying leg of the Western European League will take place at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands on Saturday 14 March 2015. For details of the Dutch fixture visit website http://www.indoorbrabant.com
Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB made it a back-to-back double when, for the second year running, they came out on top at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ qualifier in Gothenburg, Sweden today. (FEI/Roland Thunholm)
Result:
1, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 81.650;
2, El Santo (Isabell Werth) GER 79.900;
3, Glock’s Voice (Edward Gal) NED 78.100;
4, Toy Story (Patrik Kittel) SWE 77.050;
5, di Lapponia T (Paulinda Friberg) SWE 76.925;
6, Zircoon Spring Flower (Jennie Larsson) SWE 72.600;
7, Fitou L (Lone Bang Larsen) DEN 72.525;
8, Fleetwood (Malin Hamilton) SWE 72.025;
9, Goerklintgaards Fanero (Lena Leschly Aamann) DEN 71.250;
10, Ferdi (Maria van Essen) SWE 71.075;
11, Paridon Magi (Caroline Darcourt) SWE 69.950.
Facts and Figures:
The Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden played host to the second-last leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League.
11 horse-and-rider combinations from four countries – Denmark, Germany, Sweden and The Netherlands – lined out.
The winner was Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Unee BB, and it was a back-to-back double for the pair who also won the Reem Acra qualifier at this fixture 12 months ago.
The result has further boosted von Bredow-Werndl’s lead on the Western European League leaderboard. Following today’s competition, she has racked up a total of 74 points, leaving her a full 10 points clear of her nearest rival and fellow-countrywoman Fabienne Lutkemeier while Germany’s Isabell Werth, who was runner-up today with El Santo, lies third on the league table.
The Ground Jury for today’s competition consisted of: At E, Maria Schwennesen AUS; At H, Isobel Wessels GBR; At C, Annette Fransen Iacobaeus SWE; At M, Katrina Wuest GER; At B, Magnus Ringmark SWE.
The last qualifier of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League will take place in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands on Saturday 14 March.
The Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final will be held in Las Vegas, USA from 15 to 19 April.
Quotes:
Edward Gal NED: “I was very happy with Voice, he was better than yesterday but next time I hope we get some 10s!”
Annette Fransen Iacobaeus, Ground Jury member: “We have seen some very good dressage today, especially in the second group, there was a big lift in the scores there. The horses were definitely more relaxed than they were yesterday.”
Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 – Standings after round 8 at Gothenburg SWE:
1. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER – 74
2. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER – 64
3. Isabell Werth GER – 62
4. Danielle Heijkoop NED – 60
5. Edward Gal NED – 55
5. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – 55
7. Agnete Kirk Thinggaard DEN – 49
8. Ulla Salzbeger GER – 48
9. Sonke Rothenberger GER – 47
10. Adelinde Cornelissen NED – 37
10. Morgan Barbancon Mestre ESP – 37
12. Malin Hamilton SWE – 36
12. Patrik Kittel SWE – 36
12. Terhi Stegars FIN – 36
12. Paulinda Friberg SWE – 36
Warri Wolves On Saturday Evening Confirmed Their Readiness To Make To Make An Impact In The Caf Confederation Cup When They Thrashed Visiting Racing Bobo Dioulasso By Three Goals To Nothing.
National U-23 Player Oghenekaro Etebo Opened The Flood Gate of Goals In The 31St Minute And The First Half Ended On That Note.
Warri Wolves team before their first leg match against Racing De Bobo FC photo credit Moses Etu
Osadiaye Joseph Increased The Tally In The 62nd Minute With A Beatiful Goal While Omoforman Freedom Netted The Third Goal In The 71St Minute In The Match Watched By Coach Samson Siasia And Newly appointed Delta State Football Chairman Austin Jay Jay Okocha Who Sat With Nff President, Amaju Pinnick.
Wolves had earlier won the first leg away from home when Abu Azeez scored in the 84th minute to give the Nigerian side a vital away victory.
Warri Wolves Will Now Meet The Winner of the match Between Cote’dor Of Seychelles And Dedebit Of Ethiopia.
The Nigeria Football Federation has condemned, in strong terms, the attack on Premier League club, Sharks FC of Port Harcourt Head Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, allegedly by fans of the club.
1st Vice President of the NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who is also chairman of the NFF Organizing Committee, frowned at the attack and stated unambiguously that the Federation would investigate the incident.
Gbenga Ogunbote, Coach Sharks fc
“This is barbaric. I saw the photographs on television and it was very bad. Why I attack a Coach for any reason? We will get to the root of this matter and those found to be culpable will face severe sanctions.”
Officials said on Friday evening that Ogunbote, who took Sunshine Stars FC to the semi finals of the CAF Confederation Cup a few years ago, was attacked by armed persons believed to be fans of Sharks FC, alledgely for dropping some players who are indigenes of Rivers State from the team.
He is presently receiving treatment in a hospital in Port Harcourt.
Dolphins coach, Stanley Eguma has made just one addition to the match day squad from the one that played in Malabo against Leones Vegetarianos two weeks ago.
Hope Fiberesima who missed the game has been included for the return leg.
Christian Pyagbara who left camp nine days ago to join up with the National U20 team has also returned and makes the match day squad.
Victor Ezuruike tries to stop an Enyimba player in the League last season
MATCH PREVIEW
In Malabo two weeks ago, it was a game of two halves.
Dolphins controlled the first half and had four clear chances to score. Isiaka Olawale, Ifeanyi Egwim, Christian Pyagbara and Tijani Adamu all missed while facing the goalkeeper when it would have been easier to score.
The home side got two chances in the second half and scored one.
Dolphins before now had never played against Leones Vegetarianos but have come up against two clubs from Equatorial Guinea.
In 2005 in the CAF Champions League first round, Dolphins lost 1-0 in Malabo to Renascimiento FC and won 3-0 in Port Harcourt.
In 2012, also in the CAF Champions League, Dolphins beat Sony Ela Nguema 3-0 in Malabo and 3-1 in Port Harcourt.
MATCH FACTS
How they played in first leg
Start list
22. Sunday Rotimi, 6. Ayobami Asekunowo, 26. Jonathan Zikye, 8. Emeka Atuloma, 30. Victor Ezuruike, 5. Joseph Douhadji, 7. Isiaka Olawale, 13. IFeanyi Egwim, 9. Christian Pyagbara, 20. Tijani Adamu, 10. Victor Alegbe
Subs
Omo Johnson replaced Christian Pyagbara, Chigozie Ihunda came in for Victor Alegbe and Ifeanyi Egwim was taken off for Chidiebere Okolie.
Egypt overpowered Morocco 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-) in the 2015 Men’s U21 African Nations Championship opening match held at Eastern Company Hall in Cairo, Egypt on Friday.
CAVB President Dr Amr Elwani opened the competition in presence of Egyptian Volleyball Federation President Foad Abdelsalam, Eastern Company President Nabil Abdelnaim, Control Committee President Camelo Antao and Referee Delegate Majeed Djirad.
Algeria men U19 team
Egypt dominated the match early through their disciplined defence and attacks specially through the opposite Saad Mohsen and the outside hitter Ahmed Diaa. Morocco team had several troubles in reception that couldn’t allow them to come back in the first and second sets. The third set showed improvement of attacking activity for the Moroccan team, but they couldn’t withstand the Egyptian comeback as they went to straight sets victory.
Algeria plays Morocco in the competition day 2 seeking a dream of World Championship ticket.
The winner and runner up of these finals book their tickets to the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship in Tijuana and Mexicali, Mexico from September 7 -20, 2015.
Elwani with Morocco team
Results
No Date Teams Set Result per set (points) Total Points Time Audience
1 27-Feb MAR-EGY 3-0 25-13 25-20 25-19 75-52 1:17 400
2 28-Feb ALG-MAR
3 1-Mar ALG-EGY
Nigeria’s Oche Odoh has missed out in this weekend’s Johannesburg Open after he blew his pre-qualifying chance with a woeful 82 ten over par on Tuesday.
“I had a hectic schedule from the Di-Data event upper week and arrived Jo’burg 1AM early in the morning. We were all fatigued” he explains why he would not be teeing off this weekend when the final round tees-off at the Kesington Golf Club.
The current Nigeria third ranked player said he jettisoned all the opportunities back home, because he believes featuring in Sunshine Tour hold more promise for him.
“This is a co-sanctioned event with the European Tour and it only means it will be tough to break into, most players here are in the world top 100 or thereabout and everyone wants to better their rating”
He said that the pre-qualification on its own it already a tough passage for affiliate players to the Sunshine Tour that he is, but says he has little or no chance to bigger ticket events outside of the pre-qualifiers for now.
“It’s a tough passage to bigger events but that is the only opening we have for now”, he added. Only ten players made it to the finals of the Johannesburg Open out of 108 players that “pre-qued” at the Glendower Golf Club on Tuesday.
The last of the big ticket Co-Sanctioned event is the African open at the Fish River Sun Country Club at the Eastern cape on March 3rd 2015.
“I think I should have acclimatized and be better prepared ahead of the African Open next week”
Tony Onwu, the erstwhile vice-captain of the golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938 has been named captain. He was returned un-opposed at the Annual General Meeting concluded Wednesday February 25, 2015.
Onwu replaced Ted Iwere whose tenure also expired at the AGM. And he has promised to drive the club’s development agenda with his new team.
“It is a great honour to be saddled with the leadership of the club and I make quick to say that I am aware of the how passionate members are towards the development of the section; and that is what I will pursue vigorously with my team”.
As the vice-captain, Onwu led the team that staged the Nigeria Cup Golf Championship in September 2014 and believes that experience more than set him up for the golfing year he would be leading.
“Although the two roles are not per se comparable, being vice-captain keeps you on the committee and tests your team building skills to run an effective executive team, which I believe is a great tradition” he said.
As the captain of the club Onwu says his immediate challenge is to keep the golf course is perfect shape, and upgrade some aspect of the facility that has been a source of concern to the members of the section.
“The AGM left us with a good feel of the concern of the members of the section, especially on specific aspects of the course. It is clear that everyone yearns for a great course and a better managed section and we will do our best to meet those demands.”
Immediate Past Captain of the golf section, Ted Iwere says that the level of passion of the members of the section is very encouraging and that informs the level of probity into details of the executive’s activity.
Iwere added that, “Tony (Onwu) is an experienced manager and he brings a whole new perspective to the management of the club which I believe will drive the golf section to a new level. He worked with my team and I can say he is a very dedicated golfer”
Egypt upset their North African neighbours 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-11) in the 2015 Women’s U20 African Nations Championship opening here at Eastern Company Hall in Cairo, Egypt on Friday.
The Egyptian girls didn’t let the Algerians to enter the match at any time as they put a pressure upon their opponents with the spike service specially from Aya Ahmed and Nada Meawad. Egypt also overwhelmed the net action through their dominance in blocking due to the efficiency of Mariam Metwally and Hend Farag.
Egyptwomen’s team in action
After Egypt won the first set 25-17, they started to use the spike service as a weapon to disturb the Algerian reception. They succeeded to win the second set with a wider point deficit 25-13 using the strong attacks from Sarah Hanafy and Mariam. The third set was one side with the after the opposite Aya Ahmed used her spike service to win 25-11 easily and the match 3-0.
The favourites Kenyan team will meet Algeria in the competition day 2 on Saturday seeking a world Championships ticket.
The winner and runner up of these finals book their tickets to the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship in Limassol & Kato Polemidia, Cyprus from June 30 to July 12.
One look at Ronda Rousey in glossy Hollywood magazines and it will be difficult to believe that this lady has the capacity to break a man’s leg in four different places with little fuss.
The 28-year-old UFC star is one of Mix Martial Arts biggest stars and she currently stands undefeated since making her debut. In fact, only one of her fights has gone beyond the first round as she is reputed for disposing her opponents with a few minutes.
UFC Star Ronda Rousey in action
In a recent interview, UFC president, Dana White who had earlier vowed to keep women away from the world of MMA stated that he had initial doubt about Rousey’s abilities but admits that she has shown greater technical qualities than most men.
“The thing that’s scary is, Ronda’s still learning. Every time Ronda comes out, she looks better. She came in here as a judo fighter. Well, now she’s becoming a well-rounded fighter,” White said.
“She’s changing the way we look at women. And she’s changing the way women look at themselves, definitely little girls.
When we were growing up, you were told, ‘You little girls play over here and boys play over here.’ Ronda Rousey smashes that whole thing,” he added.
Ronda Rousey
The fighting beauty has featured in two movies that will be released later this year and she was also the lead female star in the Expendables 3. However, Rousey insists are priority is first to be a fighter.
“I always prioritize fighting first. Everything comes from fighting. The only reason Hollywood is interested in me at all is because I fight and I win. So I have to protect that,” Rousey said.
British Lionhearts lost for the first time at home this season in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) as Mexico Guerreros clinched an impressed 3-2 victory in London.
This result sees Mexico jump above Britain in the Group A table, and the Lionhearts have now lost five of their seven fixtures this season, while the Guerreros claim their first away success of the campaign.
Mexico’s ranked Light welterweight (64 kg) Raúl Curiel García opened the evening at York Hall with an impressive victory over 2-2 Sam Maxwell to claim his third win of the season
The Guerreros quickly went 2-0 up at Light flyweight (49 kg) when 3-1 Joselito Velázquez Altamirano continued his excellent form by widely outpointing British debutant Harvey Horn.
Irish Heavyweight (91 kg) Gary Sweeney then won his first WSB contest, and the match for his Mexican Franchise by outpointing Romania’s 0-3 Ionut-Mirel Jitaru.
WSB, Mexico Guerreros defeat British Lionhearts in London
2-1 Bantamweight (56 kg) Qais Ashfaq claimed a victory back for the Lionhearts with an entertaining victory over Brian González which could prove valuable at the end of the group stages.
Middleweight (75 kg) Anthony Fowler earned his third successive win at Middleweight (75 kg) in the last fight of the night with a split decision win against Mexico’s 1-3 Misael Uriel Rodríguez Oliva.
Next week, British Lionhearts travel to China Dragons, while Mexico Guerreros host Ukraine Otamans.
Following the first meeting of the new FEI Executive Board, chaired by recently elected President Ingmar De Vos, Secretary General Sabrina Zeender has removed the two remaining international Endurance events scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in March 2015 from the FEI calendar in an emergency measure to protect horse welfare and to preserve the integrity of the FEI rules and regulations at FEI events.
Ingmar De Vos, FEI President (Liz Gregg/FEI)
The move follows a mandate from the FEI Bureau to the Executive Board to urgently investigate horse welfare issues and non-compliance with FEI rules and regulations in the UAE. The Executive Board will now finalise its recommendations to the Bureau.
“We have made this our top priority and will make our conclusions as speedily as possible so that the recommendations can be presented to the Bureau for urgent consideration”, the FEI President said after the meeting, which was held at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).
The Executive Board meeting was attended by the FEI President, 1st Vice President and Chair of the Jumping Committee John Madden (USA), 2nd Vice President and Chair of FEI Regional Group VII HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN), Chair of the Dressage Committee Frank Kemperman (NED), Chair of the Athletes’ Committee Maria Gretzer (SWE), and FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender (SUI). Luiz Roberto Giugni (BRA), Chair of FEI Regional Group VI, was unable to attend due to meetings in Brazil on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
FEI Endurance Forum
The Endurance Rules were strengthened last year specifically to protect and promote horse welfare following recommendations from the Endurance Strategic Planning Group. The widely supported measures include additional dope testing, injury surveillance and reporting, athlete penalties for equine injuries, and extended rest periods. Other measures increase the responsibility and accountability of riders, trainers and officials, as well as steps to address any conflicts of interest.
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