The clamour of Soccer loving Nigerians for a return of the Super Eagles to play its matches in Lagos, would soon become a reality. According to Prince Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant on Sports to Lagos State Governor, the state government, through the state sports commission have embarked upon massive renovations and constructions of […]
via We’ll bring Super Eagles back to Lagos – Prince Adeboye — finixsportsblog
The Lagos Derby between Ikorodu United and MFM FC ended in a scoreless draw at the Onikan Stadium on Sunday.
The first half of the match was a cagey affair with both sides not posing much of a threat in the final third. The first half ended with a massive talking point when Monsuru Bashiru was sent off in added time.
The MFM defender was sent off after collecting a second yellow card for contesting the decision to book goalkeeper Abayomi Folarin for time wasting.
The second half started with 10-man MFM FC dictating the pace of the game and could have scored in the 57th minute when Musa Newman’s shot was inches wide of the post.
As the second half progressed, Ikorodu United got into the game and started creating chances but MFM shot stopper Abayomi Folarin was up to the task making two beautiful saves to keep his team in the match.
MFM FC coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said after the match the red card made him change his strategy in the second half but “Thank God at the end of the day, we pick a point here”
The Ikorodu United coach Benson Edenma on the other hand said he wasn’t “satisfied” with the result. Edenma revealed he used five strikers in the match so his team could scored and said he will have to work on his attacking department since none of his strikers could get a goal in the derby.
The draw leaves Benson Edenma’s men in 13th position on the league table while MFM FC who now have 10 points from five matches are in 3rd position.
Ikorodu United Starting XI: Adamu Azeez, Rafiu Monsuru, Nnedum Francis, Moshood Kabiru, Edjebare Lucky, Mbah Obiko, Agbane Dandy, Onuwa Ebeye, Ebiye Moses, Balogun Kabir, Egbune Harrison
MFM FC Starting XI: Abayomi Folarin, Stanley Okorom, Julius Emiloju, Shola Brossa, Okpara Chukwumah, Monsuru Bashiru ,Irumekhai Atu , Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Newman Musa, Onuwa Chukwuka, Olatubosun Sikiru
Other Game Week 5 results:
Rivers United 1-0 Nasarawa United
Sunshine Stars 1-1 FC Ifeanyiubah
El-Kanemi 2-0 Enyimba
Heartland 1-0 Lobi Stars
Kano Pillars 3-2 Akwa United
Plateau United 1-1 Abia Warriors
Warri Wolves 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Shooting Stars 2-1 Giwa FC
Enugu Rangers 1-0 Wikki Tourist
Nigerian Premier League new boys Ikorodu United recorded their first victory of the season when they defeated high-flying Lobi Stars 1-0 at the Onikan Stadium on Sunday.
The only goal of the match came in the 11th minute when a cross from Egbune Harrison was converted by Balogun Kabir.
Edema Benson’s men now have four points from their first two matches and they are in eight position on the Premier League table while Lobi Stars drop to fifth position on the table.
Speaking after the Game, Ikorodu United Coach Edema Benson praised his wards for putting up a good display, Benson expressed his joy at securing the 3 points on offer after playing a 1-1 draw against Abia Warriors in their first NPFL game last week.
On his own part Lobi Stars Technical Adviser Godwin Uwua took the defeat in good faith but pointed out that his team’s game play was affected by the “small size of the Onikan pitch” and the grass surface because his team is accustomed to training and playing on artificial turfs.
Lobi Stars will host El-Kanemi Warriors in their next league fixture on Wednesday while Ikorodu United will travel to Aba to play league champions Enyimba.
Ikorodu United Starting XI: Adamu Azeez Audu, Monsuru Rafiu, Onajite Tuomeru, Nnedum Francis, Moshood Kabiru, Mbah Obiko, Merenini Junior, Ebeye Onuwa, Egbune Harrison, Moses Ebiye, Balogun Kabir.
Coach: Edema Benson
Assistant Coach: Okechukwu Emechete
Lobi Stars Starting XI: Okiemute Odah, Solomon Kwambe, Nasiru Shehu, Aguda John, Agbaji Anthony, Gwaza Iorfam, Sunday Alimi, Eduwo Kingsley, Tony Okpotu, Ayagwa Raphael, Sunday Ekieche
Technical Adviser: Godwin Uwua
Match Officials:
Referee: John Charles
Assistant Referees: Ezenwankwo Obiora and Matador Ogunta
Fourth official: Deji Winjobi
NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE – WEEK 3 RESULTS
Shooting Stars 3-0 MFM FC
Ikorodu United 1-0 Lobi Stars
Enugu Rangers 2-1 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2-1 Wikki Tourists
Plateau United 2-1 Warri Wolves
Heartland FC 0-1 Abia Warriors
Rivers United 2-0 FC Ifeanyi Uba
Independence 7s title favorites, Western Province has announced a 12-man squad for the international invitational 7s tournament to be held at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos on Friday and Saturday 23rd -24th October 2015.
According to the letter sent to the organizers of the annual event, the team is made up of 12 players and 3 officials for the tournament sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd.
The team will be flying to Lagos on Thursday, 22nd of October following their third place finish at the Safari 7s two weeks ago.
Bassingthwaighte Josh, Johnson Earl Aldrin, Roux Danie, Kriel Jason, Wilson Dale Tiaan, Muller Frederick Jacobus, Taylor Anthony, Bartels Iewan Le Roy, Naude Dewald Donald, Booysen Joel Kelly, Roberts Cheslyn Dean and Johnson Niyaas have all been included in the team from South Africa while Petersen Richard Charles, Joubert Marthinus Godfrey and Kagan David are the 3 officials that will lead the team to Nigeria.
The eagerly-awaited two-day competition brings together rugby clubs from Kenya, UK, South Africa, Ghana and Benin Republic while last year champion, Cowrie RFC will be leading 9 other Nigerian clubs to the 2015 edition.
The tournament which is in its 7th year is a celebration of Nigerian Independence and a 7 a-side version of the game where each half is played for 7minutes.
Sixteen teams divided into 4 groups will be participating at this year’s tournament sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd.
The 2 day tournament will witness each team play an average of three matches daily in a fun atmosphere conducive for the family where the teams will be jostling for the cup, plate, bowl and shield trophies respectively.
The President of the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation, Sir. Edward Fom Pam says the fast approaching CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Company Ltd sporsored Independence Rugby Sevens invitational tournament organised by the Friends of Rugby in conjunction with the federation will positively impact on the standard of the home based players.
“We have our Independence Sevens coming up, slated for October and a lot of international clubs are coming to beef up the competition.”
“Like the Western Province and other clubs coming from UK and across Africa, you know that it will beef up the intensity of your home grown players”
He believes the tournament which will be held between the 23rd and 24th of October at the Onikan stadium featuring foreign clubs like Accra Sharks from Ghana, Western Province of South Africa, Parakou RFC of Republic of Benin, UR7s of Kenya, Panthers International and Merlins Invitational both from the UK will definitely stretch the home based players to the limit and bring out the best in them..
According to the technical committee of the federation, the tournament will be used by the national team handlers to select players to camp ahead of the 2016 Olympics qualifiers coming up in Johannesburg in November.
“We are mixing our grassroots players with our foreign exports also known as Nigerian Exiles ahead of the Olympics qualifiers”.
Defending Champions Cowrie RFC will lead other Nigerian club sides- Barewa RFC, Kaduna RFC, Sabon Geri RFC, Jos RFC, Racing RFC, Police Machines, Gosar RFC, South South 7s and South East 7s to the 2 day competition.
The Nigerian Rugby Football Federation in conjunction with Friends of Rugby have finally announced Friday, 23rd and Saturday, 24th of October as dates for this year’s International Independence Rugby Sevens taking place at the Onikan stadium, Lagos.
According to information made available by the tournament manager, Fasimoye Olatunji, this decision was made after majority of the foreign teams complained about the original date stressing that traveling immediately after the tournament may not be good enough.
Accra Sharks from Ghana, Western Province of South Africa, Parakou RFC of Republic of Benin, UR7s of Kenya, Panthers International and Merlins Invitational both from the UK are all expected to arrive on Thursday 22nd with all visas related issues already sorted out.
Last year’s winner, Cowrie RFC will lead clubs like Barewa RFC, Kaduna RFC, Sabon Geri RFC, Jos RFC, Racing RFC, Police Machines, Gosar RFC, South South 7s and South East 7s to repel foreign invasion in their quest to retain the title in Nigeria.
Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Ayodele Agbesanwa has commenced the inspection tour of sports facilities under the Commission with Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and Onikan Stadium, Onikan.
Mr. Agbesanwa at the Onikan Stadium said that with the directive issued to the stadiums managers to open up these facilities for communities use, it was necessary to ensure that these facilities are in good shape and well maintained so as to serve the purposes for which they were meant for.
At Onikan Stadium, the Director General had a meeting with some of the tenants on the property and directed that they should ensure clean, healthy and attractive environment as the current environment is not acceptable. He reiterated that he would enforce the State environmental Law against them if they do not comply immediately.
Agbesanwa issued A warning to all the illegal occupants at Onikan Stadium to vacate the premises immediately or face the full wrath of the law for non-compliance. He directed the facility manager of Onikan to ensure that all directives and instructions are followed to the letter. While opining that, Onikan Stadium that has a memorable history should be brought back to its former glory days especially now that it would serve as home ground to one of the two Lagos Clubs that have gained promotion into the GLO Premier League.
While at the Rowe Park Sports Centre,Yaba, the Director General disclosed that the Swimming Pool there will soon be given a facelift for the training of the State Athletes.
He further said that an area have also been created at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba for a Gym for Lagos State Athletes and also for public use. He added that the Multi-Purpose Sports Facilities at the Centre is open to members of the communities for sporting activities, most especially schools for grassroots sports development.
Mr. Agbesanwa however enjoined both Public and Private Schools that are interested in using these sports facilities not to hesitate in approaching the Facility Manager for enquiries.
Organizers of the Independence Sevens Rugby Tournament have postponed the event by two weekends. The tournament will now hold on October 24th – 25th 2015 at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.
“We believe this will give the foreign teams ample time to sort all pending visa issues and everyone will be availed the opportunity to participate and make this tournament a memorable one” says tournament manager; Mr Fasimoye Olatunji.
The tournament is held annually to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary. The tournament started in 2009, organized by “Friends of Rugby” and has since grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in West Africa.
The 2013 edition had a wider International participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana giving the tournament the much needed International flavour. However, The 2014 tournament had in attendance the Executive Governor of Lagos State who handed over the trophy to eventual winners; Cowrie RFC.
This year’s edition promises to be bigger and better as we welcome The DHL Western Province 7s team from South Africa plus more club sides from Europe and West Africa.
Organisers of Independence International 7s Tournament have begun planning ahead for the event. The Independence Rugby 7s tournament is held annually to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary. The tournament will be staged again at the Onikan stadium on the 9th and 10th of October 2015. The two day tournament which started in the year 2009 has since grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in West Africa. Its 2013 edition had a wider International participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana adding the much needed International flavour. However, clubs from every zone in Nigeria competed extremely well last year and we witnessed an electrifying final year between Cowrie RFC and Barewa RFC of Kano. Cowrie RFC beat Barewa RFC 27-14 to emerge 2014 champions.
“The 2015 edition promises to be bigger and better, eleven local and five international teams will battle for this year’s trophy, We have received expression of interest from Ultimate Rugby 7s team from the Uk, Blitzboks 7s from South Africa, Accra Sharks of Ghana and two more foreign teams. This tournament is potentially a major tourist attraction and we are putting all structures in place for a great tournament”. Says Tournament coordinator; Olatunji Fasimoye
Fasimoye also stressed that last year’s finalists, Cowrie RFC and Barewa RFC have automatic spots if they express interests this year but other local teams across the country will have to go through a “playoff” for a spot in the tournament due to increasing number of foreign team’s participation as it was done last year. Modalities of Playoffs will be announced shortly.
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side, Sevens, 7s or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by World Rugby, the body responsible for rugby union worldwide. The game originated in Melrose where the Melrose Sevens tournament is still played annually. The game in an Olympic sport and is popular at all levels, with amateur and club tournaments generally held in the summer months. Sevens is one of the most well distributed forms of rugby, and is popular in parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Lagos State has the potential and capacity to be the next sports and tourism destination with careful planning with the sustainability of the current approach to sports in the State. These are the words of Bolaji Yusuf, Facility Manager of Onikan and Campos Memorial Mini Stadium, Lagos.
Yusuf stated that sports in the state have gone through lots of transformation in the last 8 years through various developmental Programmes which has led to remarkable progress exemplified by the discovery and nurturing of so many talented youths.
He submitted that if this can be sustained with continuous monitoring and evaluation in the coming years, Lagos can continue to provide leadership in Sport development.
Yusuf who is also a member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Beach and Futsal committee said that with proper usage of the existing facilities and provision of more of such across the state is capable of becoming a catalyst to economic and social development.
“Let us look at Beach soccer for example, if Lagos has a standard beach soccer stadium in either Badagry or Elegushi-Ikate area, who says Lagos cannot host the rest of Africa or even the World in beach soccer? At least we have seen that potential with Copa Lagos; meaning that Lagos can tap into the economic benefits of hosting such event. And don’t forget that the beach environment is always synonymous with tourism, so we will be attracting more attention to our beaches, while developing our sporting potentials in one swoop”. Yusuf noted.
Speaking on provision of facilities, He said Lagos should go the next step to developing sporting facilities in its schools to encourage more students participation in sports, giving room for a large pool of talents, while at the same time keep the Youth in school.
In the build up to the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) elections later this month, the election for the Divisional Football Associations of the Lagos State Football Association was successfully concluded at the head quarters of the Lagos football house Onikan Stadium, Lagos on Tuesday. After the submission of forms and a successful screening exercise was concluded on Monday, February 9 th 2015.
The Four divisions of the State FA retained status quo at both Chairman and board level as Hon. Dr. S.A Akin Aina, chairman Badagry Division Football Association and board members, Prince Kosoko Bashir Adesegun and Ekhator Anthony Egbinosun retained their seats unopposed.
It was the same situation in the Epe Division Football Association as both chairman and board members were returned to office unopposed. Osinaike Olusegun Olawale and Ashiru Jimoh Olasumbo and Warri Charles Benaibi were elected as chairman and board members respectively.
The Ikeja Division Football Association election was not any different from the previous two division election held prior to theirs as Taiwo Alagbe Radio retained his chairmanship post unopposed as did his board members Laloko Adewale and Duroshola Olajuwon Adenike.
The Lagos Division was also the return of Prince Ifalade Oyekan as the Chairman while Mr Remmy Awosanya and Mr Onwuegbuzie were both returned unopposed as members of the board.
The Ikorodu Division Football Association election ended proceedings for the day just like the way the election started as the 2 man board led by Chairman Sonibare Lukman Abdul and renowned referee Jelili Ogunmuyiwa retained their seats.
The dress rehearsal for the February 24 LSFA election was deemed successful by all parties, as the various boards have since been inaugurated. Screening for the State FA board and chairmanship seat will start on Wednesday 12th February, names of approved candidates will be forwarded to the General Assembly from the 17th to 23rd February after all appeals might have been successfully resolved from 13th- 16th of this month.
Femi Adefeso
Tournament manager of the Independence Rugby 7’s Championship ‘Fasimoye Olatunji’ as affirmed that despite the withdrawal of international teams, the tournament promises to be of top standard, 13 teams from all over the regions in Nigeria will be competing for Cup, Plate and bowl silverware.
The tournament which will be staged at the Onikan Stadium Lagos on the 31st October and 1st November 2014 from 10am – 6pm on both days will feature defending champions,
Police Machine and last year’s runner up Cowrie RFC.
Other teams are:
Hawkster Athletics,
Racing RFC,
Gosah RFC,
Covenant University RFC,
Royal Stallions RFC,
South-South RFC,
Abia Buffalos RFC,
Zaria RFC,
Barewa RFC,
Plateau Tigers and Abuja RFC.
The tournament promises to be a fun filled one and entry into the venue is free. Fasimoye as has called on all rugby fans and the general public to come out en-mass to support and enjoy the tournament.
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