Nigeria’s U-20 Women National Team star, Courtney Dike, has explained why she rejected bonus payments at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.
The Oklahoma State University student wrote in a mail: “I would like to respond to what I have been reading on the internet about rejecting bonuses.
Courtney Dike, photo credit fifa.com
“I am delighted to play for Nigeria whenever called upon. I knew before leaving for the U-20 World Cup that I would not accept any bonuses. Acceptance of prize money is against NCAA regulations (the division 1 collegiate governing body) here in the US, so that is the main reason for rejecting it.
“Knowing this beforehand, I still chose to represent the country because I believed the experience would be more valuable than the money, and I was right.”
The 2014 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award has entered the voting phase as the top three nominees for each of the different categories of the award have emerged. The list of the top three nominees for all the categories of the award was unveiled at a Press conference on Thursday by the organisers of the Award.
Addressing the media, the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu noted that the panel received overwhelming nominations for the 2014 editions of the award from members of the public adding that it was a tough job for the collating to select the top 3 nominees for each category.
According to Idowu, Nigeria’s golden girl, Blessing Okagbare and Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama top the nomination chat as both of them were nominated in two categories.
Blessing Okagbare who won double Gold medals at the just concluded Commonwealth Games was nominated for the Track & Field Star of the Year and SportsWoman of the Year Awards while Vincent Enyeama was nominated for the Sportsman of the Year and Footballer of the Year Awards.
Asisat Oshoala, who won the Golden Boot and Ball at the just concluded Women U-20 world Cup, is nominated alongside Desire Oparanozie and Dike Courtney for the Footballer of the Year (Women) category.
Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Eminike, Ogenyi Onazi are nominated for the Footballer of the Year (Male)
Aruna Quadri At The Nigeria Sports Awards 2013
In the Ball Sports category, high flying Table Tennis player Aruna Quadri, who won the award last year, is nominated alongside another sensational table tennis player: Segun Totiola and Onaolapo Ojo while Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume are the only two nominated for the track and field award.
Coach of the Falconets, Peter Dedevoh, Manu Garba and Stephen Keshi are the three nominees for the Coach of the Year Award.
For the Team of the Year Award The Falconet, Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets are the nominees.
Vincent Enyeama, Ogenyi Onazi and Osaze Odewinge are the three nominees for the Sportsman of the Year while Blessing Okagbare, Asisat Osoala and Courtney Dike are to slug it out for the Sportswoman of the Year Award.
L-R-Mrs Bunmi Oke, President AAAN,Kola Oyeyemi,And Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (Winner, Sport Governor of the year).
The three Governors; Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State who were nominated for the Sports Governor of the Year Award last year still emerged the nominees for the 2014 edition.
For Boxing Star of the Year Award, Ekpo Isaac, Efe Ajagba and Efetobor Akpochi are the top nominees.
Wrestler duo of Aminat Adeniyi and Odunayo Adekuroye were nominated with Teakwando Star- Chika Chukwumerije for the Combat Sports Star of the Year Award.
In the Discovery of the Year category Asisat Oshoala battles Ese Brume and Courtney Dike for the honour while Maryam Usman and Oluwatoyin Adesanmi were nominated for the Weightlifting award of the Year.
Nominees for other categories include Aminu Maigari, Solomon Ogba and Waheed Enitan Oshodi (Administrator of the Year), Green Springs School, Lekki, Toybat international school, Lagos and ST Barnabas, Ilorin (School Sports Award) while Esther Oyeama, Loveline Obiji, and AbdulAzeez Ibrahim made the shortlist for the Special Sports Person of the Year Award.
In his own remarks at the Press conference, the Chairman of the Award Panel, Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo stated that public voting is open for the Sportsman and Sportswoman categories while other category winners would be decided by the panel.
Isiguzo explained that voting will be via SMS at the cost of N50 per SMS and for participants to vote, they would be required to text the abbreviation of the category to 33140.
For instance, the public will text SMOTY and SWOTY to 33140 Plus the name of their Favourite nominated sportsman or sportswoman award of the year respectively.
He announced that voting will commence on Thursday the 18th of September, 2014 and end on the 2nd November, 2014
Nigeria U-20 Women Team the Falconets are in Montreal ahead of their final match against Germany.
The Falconets qualified for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after beating Democratic Republic of Korea 6-2 in their Semi final match played on wednesday in Moncton.
The team left Moncton thursday for Montreal where the finals will take place.
The Nigerian delegation are currently staying at Sheraton Hotels Montreal.
All players are in good condition with no reported injuries.
They team has got two training sessions scheduled for today as part of preparations for the final game vs Germany.
The Falconet of Nigeria defeated Korea Republic 2-1, England 2-1 and drew 1-1 with Mexico. in the group stages. Before thrashing New Zealand 4-1 in the quarter finals to proceed to the semi finals where the Nigerians edged out Democratic Peoples Republic of korea 6-2 to advance to the finals.
Nigeria and Germany met four years ago in Germany and they lost 2-0 to the Germans.
The final match of this 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada comes up on sunday by 7pm thats 12 mid-night in Nigeria.
Falconets head coach Peter Dedevbo has assured Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm as the team get set to tackle Korea DPR in the semi finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on wednesday at the Moncton Stadium.
Nigeria qualified for the round of four after a thrilling 4-1 Victory over New Zealand in the quarter finals played on sunday.
Dedevbo says the team is preparing hard to face the Koreans.
“The higher you go in football, the harder it becomes, i don’t want to leave any stone unturned in the match against Korea. Am very much aware that the Koreans are fast on the counter and thats is why the girls were not given a day off.
We have to perfect our posesion and control as well as make sure we get an early goal which will unsettle them”
On the tactics to adopt, the gaffer says the first minutes of the match will determine the tactics to be employed.
“I don’t want to disclose my strategies, the game will determine how we play, but i want to tell Nigerians that ,the team is confident and ready to take on any team”.
The Team captain says the players are not looking to underrate their opponents.
“All we need is to study their style of play, discover their plans and then move in with our tactics. We have watched their video clips and i know we shall send them parking”.
Uchechi Sunday on her part notes that the Falconets are a strong side who are not ready to bow to any team.
“We cannot allow Korea to edge us out . We defeated Korea Republic in the first round and this Korea will go same way.
I promise more goals for my team and i will play with my team mates to achieve victory, for my best is yet to come and what better place to showcase my skills than against the Koreans”.
The team has also concluded to as a matter of urgency to engage in fasting as is the tradition before every match.
The Falconets have been to the semi finals twice. the first time was in 2010 when they proceeded to the finals before loosing out to Germany, while second time was in 2012 where they finished 3rd.
The Semi-Final match between Nigeria and Korea DPR comes up on wednesday by 9pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria U-20 Women Team the Falconets, have beaten their opponents from England 2-1 in their world cup last round match to set up a quarter final duel with New Zealand.
The Falconets top their Group C of the FIFA Women’s Under 20 World cup in Canada, with seven points.
The Nigerian Ladies drew their first group game 1-1 against Mexico, then went on to win Korea Republic by 2-1.
Nigeria’s goals in the match versus the English ladies came through Loveth Ayinla in the 24th minutes and Asisat oshoala who scored the decisive goal through a penalty kick.
The English side had earlier opened scoring four minutes into the match through Parris Nikita.
This spurred the Falconets to put up fearless approach which eventually yielded the first goal.
And the first half ended all square.
The second half saw the Nigerian girls fighting hard in an attempt to win the game after the break, but this only resulted in referee Qin Liang awarding a penalty in favour of England.
The Nigerian team and supporters at the Commonwealth Stadium Edmonton were surprised, but when the kick went over the bar, a collective groan rose up in the stadium.
Referee Qin Liang later awarded Nigeria a penalty in the 54th minute, which was converted by Asisat Oshoala, this kick turned out to be the fatal blow that sent England parking and Nigeria celebrating.
Falconets React:
Loveth Ayinla, Yetunde Adeboyejo and Courtney Dike say the mistakes in the game served as a momentum builder.
“We are very happy to have beaten England, we will intensify our training as we set our eyes on the trophy.
When they scored first we felt bad, but later we played as a team like one that has not conceded a goal, and it paid off”.
Head coach, Peter Dedevbo speaks:
Peter Dedevbo, Coach Nigeria Womens Under 20 team. photo credit FIFA
“The girls played their best in the match, am so happy and i must commended them. At first i was like what is happening, but knowing my team’s performance i knew they will come from behind to win. What lies ahead now is the quarter finals and i will continue to focus on goal scoring “.
Leader of delegation: chief Felix Anyansi Agwu says the Federation is happy with the team.
“The NFF has provided the team with all that is needed to make them comfortable. We shall continue to support you. They have made Nigeria proud”.
Nigerians in Edmonton later treated the team to diner where there was so much to eat.
The Falconets will take on New Zealand in the quarter final at Moncton on sunday 17th by 5pm, 9pm Nigerian time.
This is the third time the Nigerian team as played against the English side with the two previous meetings ending in a draw and today’s game ended in favour of the Nigerians
With the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup on, the Falconets have ensured that they leave no stone unturned thereby ensuring a remarkable outing at the mundial.
Nigeria is one of Africa’s representative at the tournament.
Having made six previous appearances at the FIFA women’s world cup, the Nigerian team is determined to put on a brillant performance.
The mood at the camp is that of anxiety, all prayers are doing fine, And there are No injury worries. But the players are anxious to know who will wear the Nigerian colour for the first match.
Peter Dedevbo, Coach Nigeria Womens Under 20 team. photo credit FIFA
Peter Dedevbo coach of the team in his latest interview said that he remains confident with the caliber of players at his disposal noting that he has assembled the best legs that can take on any team in Canada.
“I have assembled some of the best players in the country, they are smart and experience. Bringing players from the U 17 team that went to Costa Rica and others from Super Falcons. has brought competion to the team.
He said the team had played a couple of friendly matches as bill up to the tournament .
“Am aware of the previous records of the team, amm confident this time around that my target is to bring home the trophy”.
Speaking on Falconets first match against Mexico, the former Flamingo coach, said the players are physically and mentally ready for the match.
“Am confident with the level of training we have had, mark my words the team will make Nigeria proud”.
Ahead of their first match against Mexico, team captain,Patience Okaeme said the team will ensureit does its best to get victory which she said will boost the psyche of the players.
“We owe it to ourselves to make Nigeria proud by winning not only our first match but all our matches”.
Sarah Nnodim and Courtney Dike say they players are going into the game as a team and will play as a team to ensure victory.
” We are happy the team is not built around any particular player, that unity will give us the needed victory. We urge Nigerians to pray for a good outing for the team”.
The Nigeria/Mexico match comes up on wedesday 6th August by 8pm ,12 midnight in Nigeria. The Match will be played at Moncton Stadium.
Head Coach, Peter Dedevbo has released his final list of 21 players for this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals, including Super Falcons’ ace Asisat Oshoala and former U-17 stars Patience Okaeme, Halimatu Ayinde, Jiroro Idike, Uchenna Kanu and Yetunde Adeboyejo.
There are three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six strikers in the squad that Dedevbo believes will stun the world in Canada.
Dedevbo, who steered the U-17 girls, Flamingoes, to the quarter finals at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010 and in Azerbaijan in 2012, has also included US –based college star Courtney Dike, younger sister of Super Eagles’ forward Bright Dike.
The tall and spritely forward from Oklahoma State University is the only overseas –based player in the squad.
The team will depart for Moncton, Canada through Frankfurt in two batches aboard Lufthansa Airlines flight on Thursday and Friday, from Abuja.
Nigeria has featured in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, since the inaugural edition, also in Canada, in 2002. The Falconets reached the Final in Germany four years ago and also made the semi finals in Japan in 2012. This year, Dedevbo’s maidens will clash with Mexico, Korea Republic and England in Group C, with the first two games coming up in Moncton before they travel to Edmonton to slug it out with England.
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