Pinnick Challenges Eaglets To Go For Cup

The atmosphere in the Golden Eaglets’ locker room soon after they beat Mexico 4-2 on Thursday at the Estadio Municipal Ester Roa was ecstatic and on hand to share the momentous occasion was NFF President Amaju Pinnick, who sang and danced but was quick to refocus the history-chasing Coach Emmanuel Amuneke-led side.

“Today, you convinced Nigerians you are the best and I want to thank you on behalf of Nigerians especially, President Muhammadu Buhari, for playing your hearts out and truly demonstrating the never-say-die Nigerian spirit,” he said amidst intermittent thunderous ovation.

“I’m extremely happy for Emmanuel (Amuneke) because he, along with other officials, have demonstrated that they are good fathers to you all and I’m glad that I was able to withstand the pressure to sack him when the team failed to win the African Championship trophy in Niger Republic.

“Here in Chile, Emmanuel has shamed all the doubting Thomases but I don’t want you to forget that the most important match is against Mali on Sunday. This is a life -time opportunity for you to write your names in gold and you know how appreciative our country can be to winners and heroes. Sunday is the day to write your names into the history books,” Pinnick noted.

Meanwhile, Coach Amuneke, at the post match conference, stated matter-of-factly that African U-17 champions, Mali who came from
behind to beat Belgium 3-1 in the other semi final match on Thursday, would be a tough nut to crack.

Pinnick challenges Eaglets to go for Cup

History will be made on Sunday with the second all-African FIFA U-17 World Cup final since 1993, when Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1 at Japan ’93, and Amuneke posited: “The Malians are the African champions, and we have to respect them. Aside that, they have also had a great tournament here in Chile. But we are a team that finds a way to play and function no matter the difficulty posed by the opposition.”

The 1994 African Footballer of the Year added: “When Sunday comes, we are going to play Mali and I think it is going to be an interesting match but we want to enjoy this moment because this was a great match against a very strong Mexican team .We thank God, we are going to play the final again on Sunday and this gives us the opportunity to defend the trophy we won in 2013.”

Olopade Elected Vice President International Wheelchair Basketball Africa

The president, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, Bukola Olopade has been elected vice president,International Wheelchair Basketball Africa.

Olopade, the former commissioner for youth and Sport in Ogun State was elected unopposed when his opponent stepped down claiming the positive contribution of the Nigerian representative to the development of the game in Nigeria was responsible for his decision to step down. The election was held In Algeria Thursday during the ongoing 12th edition if the Africa Wheelchair Basketball competition‎.

An elated Olopade while speaking from Algeria by phone having expressed his happiness for the victory said he was willing to help contribute to the growth of the game on the continent and beyond attributed the success of the federation to the grand patron of the federation Sir Victor Ochei, the former Speaker, Delta State house of Assembly for believing in the ability of the board members and for his sponsorship of the annual championship of the federation in the last four years.

Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Olopade further expressed optimism that the female national team at the on going Africa Wheelchair basketball competition will pick the 2016 Olympic tickets having won two of their matches and are likely to play in the final of the competition this weekend.

“I want to expresses appreciation to our grand patron and the National Sport Commission for this feat which is a glory to Nigeria having been elected Vice President, International Wheelchair Basketball Africa and I want to assure that the game will improve beyond the continent”, he said.

Gambia Sends Strong Beach Volleyball Squad To Continental Cup

The Gambia men and women beach volleyball team are up again for the second round of the Continental cup, a qualification competition for Rio Olympic Games. Gambia is paired in Group B along with Ghana, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon and host Cote d’Ivoire for men, while the Women’s grouping will see Gambia faces Senegal – Burkina Faso – Ghana – Congo Brazzaville and Congo RDC.

The qualifiers are scheduled from November 11th to 16th in Ivorian Capital, Abidjan and the Gambia’s participation is fully funded by the Gambia National Olympic Committee under the leadership of Momodou Dibba.

Speaking earlier to Volleyball executives Dibba expressed his satisfaction on the progress made in volleyball and the recent exploits in Zone II. He reaffirmed his board continued support and urged the team to make Gambia proud. I want to see Gambia make it to the Rio Games and I am ready to support in all aspects Dibba concluded.

We are morally and spiritually prepared to meet any task down in Ivory Coast, Coach Ebrima Nyass said: “We are at the highest standard and our recent participation in the 11th All Africa Games has added more confidence and has also generated more experience for us in beach volleyball”.

Nyass said he is comfortable with the grouping and his men had already played against great volleyball nations like Angola, Nigeria, and Mozambique among others so the grouping is not considered to difficult for him. He sounded hopeful of his team creating an upset at the competition.

We are ready to make Gambia proud again, senior player Malick Jammeh said. “we are expecting a positive result in Ivory Coast and I am sure we will make it through to the final stage Jammeh assured”. The Gambian delegation leaves Banjul international Airport on November 9th to Abidjan via Dakar and returns on November 17th.

Gambia Beach Volleyball Team Celebrates success At The Continental Cup Sub Zonal qualifiers

The Delegation:

Players: Sanu Secka (Gamtel/Gamcel), Alieu Barry (GAF), Babucarr Jarra (Old Jeshwang), Malick Jammeh (Old Jeshwang), Sainabou Tambedou ( Gamtel/Gamcel), Amie Gaye (Interior), Fatoumatta Ceesay (Interior), Abie Kujabie (GAF)

Officials: Ebrima Nyass Head Coach, Yunusa Barry Head of Delegation, Muhammed L. Saidykhan Press Officer and Namory Trawally GNOC Rep

Muhammed L. Saidykhan
Press Officer Gambia VB Fed

CAVB web site: http://www.cavb.org
Twitter: CAVB Tweets
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAVBVolleyball
YouTube: CAVB Video
Instagram: CAVB_ volleyball

SWAN @ 50, Ambode Confirms Nov. 26 Date With Lagos SWAN

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed solidarity with Lagos chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, indicating his pleasure ahead his formal investiture as Grand Patron of the association as has been designed to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the body.

Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Fred Edoreh, revealed in a statement that the office of the governor has sent words to confirm the date of the event which shall also feature an honours ceremony for members who have distinguished themselves in the profession and other industries as well in service to sports development, society and humanity.

“I can tell you that we have got words from the office of our governor on the event. His Excellency has confirmed Thursday, November 26 for the investiture and the honours ceremony for our stars and legends. The occasion will also afford us an opportunity to appreciate the patrons, friends and supporters of Lagos SWAN – individuals, institutions and corporate organisations – who have aided us these years to grow. It will be great for us to celebrate the golden jubilee of our association in such a special way.

Akinwunmi Ambode Governor Lagos State photo credit: Akinwunmiambode.com

“It is a red carpet day for sports writing. It is a celebration of excellence and inspiration, a day for all of us in Lagos SWAN to recommit to the profession in pursuit of excellence while also strengthening our partnership with our government and all stakeholders in sports to achieve the vision of using sports as a platform for youth, social and economic development.”

Golden Osimhen Equals World Cup Record

Golden Eaglets’ prolific scorer, Victor Osimhen has equaled the long-standing FIFA U-17 World Cup scoring record of nine goals in a tournament following his goal in the 4-2 defeat of Mexico on Thursday at the Estadio Municipal in Concepción.

The record was previously jointly held by Frenchman Florent Sinama Pongolle and Ivorian Souleymane Coulibaly who were top scorers at the global cadet championship at Trinidad & Tobago 2001 and Mexico 2011 respectively.

At Chile 2015, Osimhen had earlier achieved a rare feat of equaling the seven- goal scoring record earlier achieved by the likes of Nigeria’s Macauley Chrisantus (2007); Spain’s David (1997); Ghana’s Ismael Addo (1999) and Sweden’s Berisha (2013).

FIFA u17 wc 2015 offical mascot

Osimhen, who is Golden Eaglets leading scorer going into Chile 2015 with a remarkable 41 goals in 73 international and domestic matches, opened his Chile 2015 account with a goal in the 2-0 win over the USA on the opening day. He continued with a brace in the 5-1 defeat of host Chile and was also Nigeria’s scorer in the 2-1 loss to Croatia to round off the group phase. He was also in superb form at the commencement of the knockout stage, by grabbing the first hat trick of Chile 2015 in the crushing 6-0 defeat of Australia in Round 16 and he followed up his act with a goal each in the 3-0 and 2-1 win against Brazil and Mexico respectively in the quarter and semi finals.

With the final match yet to be played, Osimhen is now on the threshold of history to break the record of most goals in a single tournament at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Top 3 Scorers Since 1985

1985-China

8-Marcel Witeczek (Germany)

5-William (Brazil)

4-Bella Momoh (Nigeria)

1987-Canada

5-Yuri Nikiforov (Russia)

5-Moussa Traore (Guinea)

4-Sergei Arutyunian (Russia)

4-Philip Osondu (Nigeria)

1989-Scotland

3-Fode Camara (Guinea)

3-Tulipa (Portugal)

3-Khaled Jasem (Bahrain)

1991-Italy

4-Adriano (Brazil)

4-Nii Odartey Lamptey (Ghana)

3-Jorge Toledano (Mexico)

1993-Japan

6-Wilson Oruma (Nigeria)

5-Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)

5-Manuel Neira (Chile)

5-Peter Anosike (Nigeria)

1995-Ecuador

5-Daniel Allsopp (Australia)

5-Mohamed Al Kathiri (Oman)

4-Fernando Gatti (Argentina)

1997-Egypt

7-David (Spain)

5-Hashim Saleh (Oman)

4-Seydou Keita (Mali)

1999-New Zealand

7-Ismael Addo (Ghana)

4-Waleed Rasoul (Qatar)

4-Leonardo (Brazil)

2001- Trinidad & Tobago

9-Florent Sinama Pongolle (France)

5-Femi Opabunmi (Nigeria)

4-Caetano (Brazil)

2003-Finland

5-Cesc Fabregas (Spain)

5-Carlos Hidalgo (Colombia)

5-Manuel Curto (Portugal)

2005-Peru

5-Carlos Vela (Portugal)

4-Nuri Sahin (Turkey)

4-Tevfik Kose (Turkey)

2007-Korea Republic

7-Macauley Chrisantus (Nigeria)

6-Ransford Osei (Ghana)

5-Toni Kroos (Germany)

2009-Nigeria

5-Borja (Spain)

5-Sani Emmanuel (Nigeria)

5-Sebastian Gallegos (Uruguay)

2011-Mexico

9-Souleymane Coulibaly (Cote d’Ivoire)

6-Samed Yesil (Germany)

5-Adryan (Brazil)

2013-UAE

7-Valmir Berisha (Sweden)

6-Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria)

6-Boschilia (Brazil)

Pinnick: I’m Proud Of These Eaglets!

NFF President Amaju Pinnick was in ecstacy on Thursday night after the Golden Eaglets defeated hard–fighting Mexico 4-2 in Concepcion to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

Pinnick barely had time to catch his breath from a long trip that took him from London to Buenos Aires and Santiago before arriving in Concepcion. But he was on time to meet the team at the Diego de Almagro Hotels before they set out to the Estadio Municipal Ester Roa.

“I’m very excited, not only with the result, but the way the boys came fighting back after that early goal by Mexico. I keep saying that we have the potential to be world champions in several areas of endeavour.

“These boys have done Nigeria proud. They will go up against Mali on Sunday with great confidence and discipline, and emerge victorious.”

Mexico hit fast and hard as the Eaglets again chose to sit back and soak the pressure in the opening minutes. Magana struck past the brilliant Akpan Udoh in the 8th minute for Mexico’s opener, drawing the Eaglets out.

Captain Kelechi Nwakali drew Nigeria level with a brilliant free–kick with 10 minutes to the end of first half. But there was still time for Orji Okonkwo to rifle past the Mexican goalie in the 43rd minute for one of the goals of the tournament.

Mexico drew level on the hour mark as defender Diego Cortes sliced through the Nigerian defence as if it were not there. But Osinachi Ebere got on the end of a magnificent pass by Nwakali to restore Nigeria’s lead in the 67th minute, as the goalkeeper helped his close range shot into the net.

Victor Osimhen got his ninth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot after the lively right back John Lazarus was upended in the Mexican box, Osimhen thus equaled the tournament record of nine goals (by Sinima Pongolle of France in 2001 and Soulemany Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire in 2011).

Before the match, Pinnick had again commended the Golden Eaglets for their exemplary conduct at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, as he met Head Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, players and other officials. In attendance also was NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and Assistant Director (Technical) Siji Lagunju.

“Nigerians are happy with all of you because you have represented us well and I’m personally proud of you,” said Pinnick. “I don’t want you to forget that anything you are doing is for our great country, Nigeria.

“Thirty years ago, we won this trophy when President Muhammadu Buhari was the military Head of State and it would be a great thing if we can do it again when he is now the civilian President.”

The NFF President once again heaped encomiums on Coach Amuneke, advising the players to draw inspiration from his leadership quality both on and off the field.

Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Emannuel Amuneke and Amaju Pinnick in Concepcion, Chile

“Your coach has proved that he indeed played for FC Barcelona; that he indeed is a legend of Nigerian football and a worthy African Footballer of the Year for that matter,” he said. “We want you to pay attention to his instructions and know that over 170 Million Nigerians are behind and supporting you.”

He said the occasion was not for talking and the NFF would soon unfold programme and agenda towards keeping these players for future assignments after Chile 2015.

On Sunday in Vina del Mar, Nigeria will be looking for a record extending fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup title, and Osimhen will be looking to set the tournament’s goals record.