With Warri Wolves drawn to play AC Leopard of Congo in the last match before the group stage and with the first leg away from home, the Managing Director of the team, Davidson Owumi has said they are sure of making it to the group stage.
Owumi who spoke immediately after the draws which was conducted by CAF General Secretary, Hicham El Amrani said the God that started the good work will not abandon them at this stage, moreover they will work hard to see that they do not disappoint the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who has been the driving force behind the team.
Davidson Owumi, MD Warri Wolves photo crdit qedng
According to Owumi, the team is ready to face anybody on the continent and hopefully, they will overcome.
On his part, Coach Aigbogun said they prepared for any of the teams and the most important thing is for the boys to play well.
He said he will have to find out now how they play and that the first leg away will afford them an opportunity to prepare well and get a good result.
The first leg comes up in Congo the weekend of 15, 16 and 17th of this month while the second leg comes up in Warri City Stadium on the 7th of june, 2015.
Warri Wolves on Friday in Kinshasha defeated Etanchetie 1-0 in the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup cracker.
Warri Wolves scored a last minute (88TH) goal through Oghenekaro Etebo in Congo, thus the match ended 1-0 in favour of Warri Wolves who have now qualified for the last round on 3-1 aggregate. The goal came in injury time when it looked like the game would end 0-0.
The President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick has congratulated the team and dedicated the victory to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who responded on time to see that team travelled out. The team will return to Nigeria on Monday.
The Managing Director of Warri Wolves, Davidson Owumi has praised the sports loving Governor of Delta State for coming to the teams rescue by bailing them out after providing funds for the team to travel to Congo.
Apart from making available fund for the trip to Congo, the Governor equally released money to offset part of the salary being owned the players and that really gladdened the heart of the players who have vowed to play their hearts out in Congo on Friday as they confront Entancheite in the second leg which ended 2-1 in their favour two weeks ago in Warri.
According to Owumi, the Governor deserves kudos for coming to bail the team out at this time otherwise, the story would have been different.
“We are very grateful to the Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for bailing us out by given us fund for the trip and he also made available money to pay part of the salarys. This has gone a long way to motivate the boys and one can see the way they are behaving now. I pray that we qualify so we can dedicate the victory to the Governor once again.” said Owumi.
Gov Uduaghan addressing Warri Wolves players before the match vs MK Etancheite. photo credit Moses Etu Media Manager Warri Wolves
It would be recalled that before the first leg in Warri, the Governor visited the team and motivated them and promised to pay whatever that is accruing to the players this week.
Meanwhile, the team which left Nigeria on Wednesday afternoon via Asky Airline through Lome arrived Kinshasha around 8pm and have since settled down.
The Captain of Warri Wolves, Azubuike Egwuekwe has dedicated their slim victory over MK Etancheite from D.R.Congo to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who motivated them before the first leg and assured him that the team will qualify for the next round which is the group stage.
According to Azubuike, even though people tend to say that it is over, the players have seen their opponents and know what to do in the second leg which comes up next week.
He said some of their key players did not play in the first leg including himself and the second leg would be a different ball game.
“We dedicated our victory to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who came to talk to us before the match. It could have been worse and we thank him for all he has done for the team. We hope to overcome the team from Congo even though a lot of people have given up but we know what to do having played them here.
Gov Uduaghan addressing Warri Wolves players before the match vs MK Etancheite. photo credit Moses Etu Media Manager Warri Wolves
On the performance of the team since its inception, we have not done badly because we have rubbed shoulders with the best in the land within a short time. There are teams who have been on ground for the past 30 years or more but here we are, within 8 years, we have qualified for the continent four times, played FA Cup final once and if you mention four teams in this country, you must mention Warri Wolves.
We know we can do better and we are working towards that. Our players are all over the world, doing well.” said Egwuekwe .
The Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged the Management and players of Warri Wolves to win Saturday’s CAF Confederation Cup, second round first leg with MC MK Football Club of D.R.Congo with enough goals to make the second leg a mere formality.
Dr Uduaghan who is visiting the team for the first time in eight years declared to the surprise of the players that he has fulfilled the financial obligations to the team for last season and wondered why they are still complaining.
Dr Uduaghan further said the one of this season is delayed because the budget was passed late and assured that all their entitlements would be met next week.
Dr Uduaghan who was accompanied to the Warri City Stadium on Friday morning by the new Delta Football Association Chairman, Austin Jay Jay Okocha.
Speaking on behalf of his teammates the Captain of the team, Azubuike Egwuekwe told the Governor that they are ready to play but they have some financial challenges he however assured the Governor of victory in Saturday’s match.
Dr Uduaghan said: ” I ve decided to come and see you all before the match on Saturday. I was told you are having some financial challenges but I can tell you that I have fulfilled all financial obligations for last season. As for this season, the budget was passed late but we shall go and get money to pay next week. You did not win any trophy for me even though I promised you cars. I would have loved to have a trophy to show for what I did for this team.”
Before the Governor departed, the Media Manager of the Club, Etu Moses apologised to Dr Uduaghan for not winning the FA Cup in 2013 despite the promise to give them cars and thanked him for the visit which he believed would serve as a morale booster to the team.
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
The organizers of the Nigeria Spots Award (NSA), Unmissable Incentives Limited has commended the Nigeria Track and Field Queen, Blessing Okagbare for winning the 100m gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and setting a new game record of 10.85 seconds.
Okagbare, who won the Track and Field Star and Sports Woman of the Year awards at the 2013 edition of the Nigeria Sports Awards, has been in fantastic form this year with an outstanding performance at the IAAF Diamond League and other competitions preceding the Commonwealth Games.
According to the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu, Blessing Okagbare has justified her place in history and also justified winning the Track and Field Star and the Sport Woman of the Year awards last year. She has also justified the investment of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan led Delta State Government.
“We at Nigerian Sports Award are very proud to be associated with Blessing, we are proud of her achievement and with this achievement, Blessing has lent credence to the credibility of Nigerian sports Award” he said.
Kayode Idowu also commended the unrelentless effort of Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for the scholarship and immense support for Blessing which has brought her this far.
He noted that with this incredible achievement by Blessing, the organizers of the Nigerian Sports Award has also vindicated on the Sports Governor of the Year award bestowed on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in the 2013 edition of the Award.
He then urged Blessing to continue to give her best to win more gold medals in her other event at the Games while charging other Nigerian Athletes at the Commonwealth Games to put in their best in their respective games to win more medals for the country.
L-R-Mrs Bunmi Oke, President AAAN,Kola Oyeyemi,And Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (Winner, Sport Governor of the year).
Nigerian Sports Award Hails Blessing Okagbare for Diamond League Triumph
Unmissables Incentives Limited – organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award has commended Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare for her outstanding performance at the ongoing Shanghai Diamond League.
Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare who is also the reigning fastest woman in Africa displayed an excellent performance at the event setting new records and winning the Women’s Long Jump and 200 metres events.
Blessing Okagbare won the Sportswoman of the Year and the Track & Field Star of the Year awards at the 2013 edition of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award for her exploits and excellent performance in the world of sport.
According to the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu, Nigerian Sports Award is very proud of the achievement of Blessing Okagbare at the Shanghai Diamond League dominating the track and field event with two Gold medals in Long Jump and 200 metres race.
‘’On behalf of the Award Panel and all sports loving Nigerians, we want to congratulate our own Blessing Okagbare, the winner of the Sportswoman of the Year at the 2013 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award for making Nigeria and indeed Africa proud in the Diamond League and for setting a new record’’ He said.
Idowu noted that Okagbare’s feat at the Diamond League has justified the two awards she bagged at the 2013 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award and another testimonial for the awards.
He also commended Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who coincidentally won the Sports Governor of the Year in 2013 for the unflinching support of the Delta State Government to Okagbare who hails from the state by sponsoring her trips and training and also supporting her education.
Idowu used the medium to restate that nomination is on for 2014 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award. He then call on Nigerians sports enthusiasts to visit the official website for the award i.e. http://www.nigeriansportsaward.com to nominate their sports personalities for the different categories.
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