Rivers United’s Yaovi Douhadji Gets Togo Call Up Versus Tunisia

Rivers United defender, Yaovi Douhadji has been included in the Togo squad for the country’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double header against Tunisia this month.

Douhadji was named in the 25-man squad made public by the head coach of the Hawks, Tom Saintfiet on Tuesday.

The big defender has played twice for United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season (against Enyimba and Mountain of Fire and Miracles FC) and is now in line to make his international debut.

“I am very happy to get this chance to play for my country. It is the dream of every footballer to defend the colours of his country.

“This is the first time I will be playing for my country and the games against the Tunisians will be big matches.

“I thank the coach for his faith in me and I promise not to let him down,” the defender told Rivers United media.

Togo’s Hawks will meet the Carthage Eagles in the first of the two Afcon 2017 qualifiers between March 23-26 at the Stade Olympique de Radès, Radès with the reverse fixture taking place at Stade de Kégué, Lomé between March 26-29 .

The Hawks are currently in first place in Group A of 2017 Afcon qualifying with maximum points after two games.

ACC Zone-3: FIBA Africa Fix Qualifiers For November 5 to 11 In Cotonou

The 2015 Africa Champions Cup Zone-3 qualifier has been fixed for November 5 through 12 at the Stade L’Amite, Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The eight countries in the zone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria and Togo are expected to present two teams in the men and women categories.

According to the president of the zone, Sam Ahmedu, “teams are expected to arrive Cotonou on November 4 and depart on the 12th.

The qualifier is a prelude to the final round slated for Angola between November 27th and December 19th 2015.

Col. Sam Ahmedu FIBA Africa Zone-3 President

Zone-1 qualifier holds between November 3rd and November 7th in Tunisia, Cape Verde will stage the men’s qualifiers in Zone-2 from October 28th through 31st.

Zone-4 qualifiers for men and women clubs is scheduled for November 7 through 15th in Congo.

Zone-5 qualifiers have already been decided in Rwanda with Gezira basketball club of Egypt qualifying for the final round in the men’s category while Berco Stars of Burundi and KCCA of Uganda have qualified in the women’s category.

Zone-7 has also produced its qualifiers with ASCUT and SEBAM both of Madagascar booking their places for the final round while Zone-6 qualifiers will be decided in Angola between 29th October and 5th November.

Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Enters Nigerian Sports Awards Race

In accordance with directive of the organisers of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Awards, the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation has called on all sports loving Nigerians and sports enthusiasts to nominate the federation as the Ball Sport of the year and also Administrator of the year for 2014/2015.

According to the President of the Federation ‘Sir Fom Edward Pam’ being nominated and winning the 2015 award will be “an icing on an already sweet and creamy cake” considering the lofty achievements recorded by the federation despite the poor level of support from the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Sports.

It would be recalled that in 2014, the federation under Sir Edward Fom Pam mobilized and masterminded the Nigeria’s Rugby senior national team qualification for the Commonwealth games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Despite the heartbreak from the Nigerian Olympics Committee and then Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye who decided that Rugby was not going to be represented at the fiesta, they were undeterred as they rallied back from this heartbreak to travel to Togo for the All African games and pre-Olympics qualifiers where they booked their tickets to these events with little or no support from government.

The NRFF is one of the few federations in the country with a regular league season which is divided into 4 regions for easier administrative purposes; The NRFF is also focused on grassroot development thereby giving home based players the opportunity to excel in the sport.

The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation as also engaged the service of a foreign coach (Fabian Juries) and this as boosted the growth of Rugby. The fast pace of the sport is manifest in Nigeria’s rating and ranking by World Rugby (the international ruling body) The NRFF also possesses a technical department that is fully automated and is equipped with a second to none Data base, the federation in conjunction with Rugby Africa (the continental ruling body) organized a weeklong training for coaches and referees in Nigeria while grassroots programs have also been initiated in schools in their quest to take the sport to the nooks and crannies of the country.

To nominate NRFF as the Ball Sport of the year and Administrator of the year in Nigeria for 2014/2015 calendar year, log on to http://nigeriansportsaward.com/nominations

Adebayor Dropped From Spurs Squad

Emmanuel Adebayor’s woes both on and off the pitch are not about to end as the Togo born strikers’s name is not on Tottenham Hotspurs roster for the Premier League or Europa League.

It is Believed that Spurs Manager Mauricio Pochettino had declared the gangling forward surplus to requirements hence his being linked with a move away from white Hart Lane.

Adebayor has had some challenges of the field also which saw the Togo Ace take to Facebook to clear the air on certain issue he had with members of his extended family.

Emmanuel Adebayor
photo credit: Rory
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

Planned moves away from Tottenham Hotspurs didn’t materialise and pundits where especially surprised when the transfer window closed with Adebayor not moving away from White Hart lane either on loan or permanently.

The failure of Spurs to get the season long Target Saido Berahinho has not in any way softened the management stance as regards declaring Emmanuel Adebayor “surplus to requirement” and his situation is now even compounded by the Club’s refusal to register him for the Barclays English Premier League and the Europa League.

CAT/ ITF Championship Quadre leads Team Nigeria to Morocco…

….as U16 team departs for Benin and Togo tourneys

Emerging tennis sensation, Oyinlomo Quadre will shoulder Team Nigeria’s hope for a memorable outing at the 2015 ITF Junior Championship in Morocco, serving off Monday morning. Timipre Maxwell and Mathew Abamu (both 11) complete the team.

According to the Nigeria Tennis Federation President, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, the trio departed the Lagos airport in the early hours of Saturday aboard Air Morocco and arrived the North African nation in the evening of the same day.

Engr. Sani Ndanusa, President Nigeria Tennis Federation

Quadre, 12, is the most experienced of the trio who were invited for the tournament after their impressive performance at the ITF West and Central African Circuit in Lome, Togo, early this year.

“I’m looking forward to make Nigeria proud by doing very well in Morocco,” she said hours before her departure for the tournament which is attracting over 60 players from over 20 African Countries.

Quadre, who is the best player in West Africa following her double triumph in Togo, will face stiff competition top players from other regions.

On her part, Maxwell, who is based in Port Harcourt, has equally geared up her game as she emerged as the Most Valuable Player at the CBN Junior tournament in Lagos in May while Abamu has been identified as one of the country’s star prospect.

Meanwhile, another set of Nigerian team are scheduled to depart on Monday for the ITF/ West and Central African U16 Junior Championship slated for Benin and Togo from September 1- 20.

Angel Mcleod, Adetayo Adetunji, Martins Abamu, Sylvester Emmanuel and Sunday Emmanuel will fly Nigeria’s flag at the tournament under the watch of Coach Mohammed Ubale.

FIBA Africa Zone 3 3X3 Tour: Team Nigeria Wins Gold In Men, Women & U18 Girls As Liberia Win U18 Boys Category.

Most valuable player of the tournament Stanley Gumut powered Nigeria to victory in the final of the inaugural FIBA Africa Zone 3 3×3 Tour at the national Stadium in Lagos with 9 points and 6 rebounds as Nigeria beat a stiff opposition from Cote d’ivoire to win 17-13.

Stanley Gumut expressed Joy winning the championship: “I fell great really, it always feels great to be a champion”.

Yahaya Abdul also came up big in the final minutes scoring 3 of his 5 points Azuoma Dike added 3 points to outwit the Ivorian team who lead 9-7 and tied the game 13-13 with less than 2 minutes left. Adje Anouh scored 5 points while Codlibal Abdoul added 4 points in the loss for the Ivorians.

“This is a great competition and i hope the organisers will continue because it early helps basketball in Africa”. Codibal said.

Team Nigeria took home $2000 alongside medals and trophies for victory in the final game while Cote d’ivoire went home with $1000 including medals and Ghana who beat Togo in the 3rd place game beat Togo 18-14 won $500 for their effort.

FIBA Zone 3, 3×3 Photo by DStv

In the U18 category Liberia emerged champion having conquered Nigeria in the Semi finals before edging past Cote d’ivoire 14-12. The Nigerian Boys couldn’t shake off the semi final disappointment as they once again fell to Togo 8-11 in the 3rd place playoffs.

Nigeria Senior Female Team, winner of FIBA Zone 3, 3×3 tournament with their trophy. Photo by DStv

Senior Men Final
Nigeria 17-13 Cote d’ivoire

3rd Place Playoffs
Ghana 14-18 Togo

1st Nigeria- $2000
2nd Cote d’ivoire – $1000
3rd Togo – $500

MVP- Stanley Gumut.

FIBA Zone 3, 3×3 Photo by DStv.

Senior Women Final
Nigeria 21-9 Togo
Benin 13-7 Ghana

1st Nigeria- $1000
2nd Togo – $750
3rd Benin – $300

MVP -Chioma Udeaja

U18 Boys
Finals
Liberia 14 – 12 Cote d’ivoire

3rd Place
Nigeria 8-11 Togo

FIBA Zone 3, 3×3 Photo by DStv.

U18 Girls
Final
Nigeria 11-3 Benin

only 3 countries participated in the category.
Nigeria, Benin and Togo.

There were also cash rewards for the Slam Dunk champion,3 Points shootout champions for the 4 categories.

Oluwafemi Adefeso

photo credit: Akinkunmi Farinto

Nigeria begins campaign At ITTF WJC In Egypt

From Monday June the 8th at the 6th October Sports Hall in Cairo, Nigeria will join 13 others countries including host – Egypt in competing for honours at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior Circuit (WJC) tagged Egypt Junior and Cadet Open.

The tournament will serve off with the team event in the junior and cadet divisions and to emphasis the quality of Nigeria, the West African giant has been listed among the top seeded teams of the competition.

14 events in junior, cadet and mini cadet will be contested for by 138 players from Nigeria, Algeria, Botswana, India, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Romania, Slovakia, Togo, Tunisia and host – Egypt.

National junior champion, Tosin Esther Oribamishe

Meanwhile, organisers of the championship hope to treat players to an exciting time.

According to President, Egypt Table Tennis Federation (ETTF), Alaa Meshref, a lot of things have been lined up for teams.

“The unique thing is that all African and Arab competitors of Egypt are coming this year. It will be an Afro-Arab festival for the youngsters in table tennis. This will provide these countries with a clear vision of where each one stands relative to their rivals. We will provide touristic half day and full day excursions through Sheraton Dreamland with GER special prices to any number of persons on any day,” he said.

Nigeria’s Black Stallions departs for Togo

The delegation of Senior rugby national team in the wee hours of friday departed the shores of Nigeria for the much talked about All African games and pre Olympics qualifiers holding in Togo on the 6th of this month.

The 16 man delegation with 12 players, 3 officials and Team Doctor was led by Vice President and Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Federation, Fasimoye Olatunji.

Speaking before departure, captain of the side, Azeez Oladipo assured Nigerians that the boys have learnt their lessons from last year’s experiences in Zimbabwe and Botswana where the inexperience of some of the players proved too costly at the critical stages of the competitions.

“With the technical input of South African rugby legend, Fabian Juries, the massive support of the National sports commission, the Nigeria Rugby Football federation and prayers of over 160 million Nigerians, the team is ready to gallop to the All African games”

Nigeria National Rugby The Black Stallions photo credit Afolabi Oni

Meanwhile, Vice President of the federation, Fasimoye Olatunji said the boys have been given adequate preparation to excel at the one day tournament.

“With the way I am seeing these boys, they are raring to go and join other federations who have booked their tickets to the fast approaching games in Congo”

“They have given the federation their word that they will represent the country well out there”

“All we need is the support of our teeming supporters, we promise not to let them down.”

The team has been drawn to play Morocco and Mali in the group stage.

Black Stallions Coach, Fabian Juries Tips Team For Automatic Qualification.

Head coach of the Nigerian Rugby Team, Fabian Juries has expressed his gratitude to The NRFF for re appointing him to take charge of the team. Juries expressed belief that the Black Stallions can book their place at the fast approaching All Africa Games in Congo Brazaville.

Speaking after their second training session on Saturday at the main bowl of the National Stadium in Lagos, the South African rugby legend says it’s good to be back in Nigeria and working with the players as they prepare for the one day tournament in Togo which is also the 2016 pre-Olympics qualifiers.

The players were made to go through a fitness routine to evaluate their level of fitness.

Black Stallions 7s prop Hafis Ayinla breaks away for a try against Zimbabwe #CAR7s

“We did a bit of fitness, just to evaluate their level of fitness, some were ok while some are lagging, so we still need to work on that.”

Reacting to his return to coaching the Black Stallions, Juries said knowing few of the players has given him an insight into their mentality and that will help him in bringing out the best in the team.

The no-nonsense tactician hinted that some of the players in the camp may be dropped for replacement as some of the players have not performed to his expectation. However, he expresses optimism that players can still up their game since they have a week to work together and lay claim to a national team jersey.

Nigeria Women Claim Gold At Beach Volleyball AAG Qualifiers

2015 All Africa games- Beach Volleyball Women zone 3

Nigeria Women’s Beach Volleyball team claimed the gold medal of Zone 3 qualifiers for All Africa Games “AAG” held in Cotonou , Benin May 1 to 4, 2015.

The Nigerian team will be accompanied by Niger, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire who were the top 4 teams in the qualifier to the finals of 2015 All Africa Games to be held in Congo Brazzaville September 4-19.

Ghana, Nigeria, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire qualified from the same zone at Men’s category.

The tournament showed the participation of 7 teams divided into 2 pools. Pool A included Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso and Pool B comprised Nigeria, Niger, Ghana and Togo.

Each Pool played a round robin format where Benin and Cote d’Ivoire qualified to the semifinal from Pool A. Nigeria and Niger qualified from Pool B as the semifinalists already confirmed their tickets to All Africa Games finals.

In the semifinal Niger beat Benin 2-0 (21-19, 21-10) and Nigeria overwhelmed Benin 2-0 (21-13, 21-13).

Nigerian women continued their superior performance to beat Niger in the final 2-0 (21-11, 21-14), while Benin captured the bronze medal after they overcame Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 (21-13, 21-14).

Now Nigeria, Niger, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire women will accompany Algeria, Tunisia (Pool A), Senegal and Guinea (Pool B) to the finals of AAG in Congo Brazzaville.

The finals of All Africa Games will be hosted by Congo Brazzaville in September 4-19 and will feature the top 24 teams in Africa where the top 2 in Zones 1 and 7 and the top 4 from the other zones (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) capture their tickets to the second ever beach volleyball competition at the peak sports event in Africa.

Results

Pool A : Benin – Cote d’Ivoire – Burkina Faso
Match No. 3 BUR vs. CIV – 0:2 (0:21, 0:21)
Match No. 6 BEN vs. BUR – 2:0 (21:0, 21:0)
Match No. 9 CIV vs. BEN – 0:2 (17:21, 16:21)

Pool B: Nigeria – Niger – Ghana – Togo
Match No. 1 GHA vs. TOG – 2:0 (21:15, 21:18)
Match No. 2. NIG vs. NGR – 1:2 (16:21, 21:18, 12:15)
Match No. 4 TOG vs. NGR – 0:2 (17:21, 17:21)
Match No. 5 NIG vs. GHA – 2:0 (21:15, 21:14)
Match No. 7 NIG vs. TOG – 2:1 (21:19, 12:21, 15:08)
Match No. 8 NGR vs.GHA – 2:0 (21:13, 21:16)

Semi Final:
Match No. 10 BEN vs. NIG – 0:2 (19:21, 10:21)
Match No. 11 NGR vs. CIV – 2:0 (21:13, 21:13)

3rd /4th place:
Match No. 12 BEN vs. CIV – 2:0 (21:13, 21:14)

Final:
Match No. 13 NIG vs. NGR – 0:2 (11:21, 14:21)

Final Ranking
1. BENIN
4. COTE D’IVOIRE

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Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Reveals Sevens Squad For All Africa Games & Pre-Olympics Qualifiers

The NRFF has named the squad to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup Sevens North Tournament to be held in Lome, Togo on the 6th of June, 2015. The squad, which is coached and led by South African Sevens Rugby Legend Fabian Juries, will feature a plethora of talent.

“The team features eight changes from the side that went to The Africa Cup 7s in Zimbabwe last year, with the inclusion of three foreign based players.

“In this Black Stallions squad, I think we have an extremely talented group of players with the right mix of experience and youth. I’m looking forward to seeing what the team can produce in Togo. The foreign based players will make a big difference. Dajuma has blistering pace and will be vital to the team, Ike will bring something new to this squad as well and Temi Okenla is an experienced playmaker. We will not lack pace at all as we still have our wing man; Christian Ogar and Isaac Sani will bring in his power play onto the squad.” Said Fasimoye Olatunji who is Technical Director and NRFF Vice President.

They will all Stallions will be in camp from May the 27th – June 3rd and train hard together for the task ahead.

The team also includes captain; Azeez Ladipo and young understudy fly half from Jos RFC; Alfred Oche.

Black Stallions 7s coach and ex Springbok player; Fabian Juries is the 4th highest point scorer in world 7-a-side rugby.

Black Stallions 7s team

The Complete Black Stallions Of Nigeria 7s Squad:

Azeez Olanrewaju (Nigeria Police RFC- Lagos)

Onor Jatto (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Ayinla Hafis (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Obi Wilson (Barewa RFC – Kano)

Ike Onwukanjo (UB RFC- USA)

Isaac Sani (Cowrie RFC)

Nuhu Ibrahim (Barewa RFC- Kano)

Danjuma Mshiela (Richmond RFC – UK)

Azeez Ladipo (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Temitope Okenla (Gravesend RFC- UK)

Christian Ogar (Cowrie RFC- Lagos)

Alfred Oche (Jos RFC- Plateau)

Ghana, Nigeria, Benin And Cote D’ivoire Through To Beach Volleyball AAG Finals

2015 All Africa games- Beach VB Men zone 3

Ghana, Nigeria, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire Men’s Beach Volleyball teams claimed the 4 tickets of Zone 3 to 2015 All Africa Games finals after they gained the top 4 position at the zonal qualifiers held in Cotonou , Benin May 1 to 4, 2015.

The tournament that showed the participation of 7 teams divided into 2 pools, featured gold medals for Ghana who won the final against Nigeria 2-0 (21-16, 21-18).

The participating teams were divided into Pool A which included Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso and Pool B Nigeria, Niger, Ghana and Togo.

Cote d’Ivoire men’s team

Each Pool played a round robin format where Benin and Cote d’Ivoire qualified to the semifinal from Pool A. Nigeria and Ghana qualified from Pool B as the semifinslist already confrimed their tickets to All Africa Games finals.

In the semifinal Ghana beat Benin 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) and Nigeria overwhelmed Cot d’Ivoire 2-0 (21-18, 21-12).

Now Ghana, Nigeria, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire joined the already qualified Tunisia, Algeria (Zone 1), Sierra Leone, Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Conakry (Zone2).

The finals of All Africa Games will be hosted by Congo Brazzaville in September 4-19 and will feature the top 24 teams in Africa where the top 2 in Zones 1 and 7 and the top 4 from the other zones (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) capture their tickets to the second ever beach volleyball competition at the peak sports event in Africa.

Results

Pool A : Benin – Cote d’Ivoire – Burkina
Match No. 3 CIV vs. BUR – 2:0 (21:19, 21:10)
Match No. 6 BEN vs. BUR – 2:0 (21:14, 21:12)
Match No. 9 CIV vs. BEN – 0:2 (10:21, 11:21)

Pool B : Nigeria – Niger -Ghana – Togo
Match No. 1 GHA vs. TOG – 2:0 (21:16, 21:16)
Match No. 2. NIG vs. NGR – 0:2 (13:21, 11:21)
Match No. 4 TOG vs. NGR – 0:2 (13:21, 15:21)
Match No. 5 GHA vs. NIG – 2:0 (21:19, 21:20)
Match No. 7 NIG vs. TOG – 2:1 (19:21, 21:15, 15:08)
Match No. 8 NGR vs. GHA – 2:0 (21:0, 21:0)

Semi Final :
Match No. 10 BEN vs. GHA – 0:2 (14:21, 14:21)
Match No. 11 NGR vs. CIV – 2:0 (21:18, 21:12)

3rd and 4th Place :
Match No. 12 BEN vs. CIV – 2:0 (21:13, 21:16)

Final :
Match No. 13 GHA vs. NGR – 2:0 (21:16, 21:18)

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