BUHARI TO REWARD 85 EAGLETS 30 YEARS AFTER

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday assured the
Golden Eaglets team that won the maiden FIFA
Under-17 World Cup in China in 1985 that his
administration would fulfil the promises he made to
them 30 years ago.
Buhari, who was Head of State, had promised the
team houses and scholarships during a reception in
honour of the players at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, in
celebration of the victory.

Nduka Ugbade, who was the captain of the team, was
the only player in the China ’85 FIFA Under-17 World
Cup squad that progressed to win a major title for
Nigeria at the senior level. The former Spain-based
defender won the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations.
He assisted Manu Garba to guide the Golden Eaglets
to the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup triumph.
Baldwin Bazuaye and Jonathan Akpoborie also
graduated to the Super Eagles. Bazuaye was in the
squad that won silver at the Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of
Nations. Akpoborie won bronze at the Senegal ’92
Africa Cup of Nations.
But the likes of Hilary Adiki, Fatai Atere, Binebi Numan,
Joseph Babtunde, Salisu Nakande, Victor Igbinoba,
Tonworinmi Duere, Lucky Agbonsevbafe, Bella Momoh,
Chukwuma Nwoha, Sani Adamu and Dele Abubakar
failed to progress in their careers. Defender Kingsley
Aikhionbare died in the United Kingdom.
Sebastine Brodericks-Imasuen was the head coach
while Christian Chukwu was his assistant.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on
Media and Publicity Garba Shehu said in a statement
on Tuesday that the President was not happy that his
directive to state governments to reward the Eaglets in
1985 was not complied with.
“It is a pity that those promises were never fulfilled. It
is unfortunate that our players, who did us proud on
the world stage, went unrewarded for their efforts,
despite a presidential directive to the state
administrators that they should be honoured in their
home states,” the statement quoted Buhari as saying.
The statement said the Federal Government fulfilled
its own commitment by sponsoring the players to
Mexico to watch the 1986 World Cup.
He added that the promises of houses and
scholarships and naming of streets after each player
were supposed to have been taken care of by the
states.
The statement noted that shortly after the promises
were made, Buhari was overthrown and that despite
repeated pleas made to succeeding governments by
the players and their officials, some of the promises
were not fulfilled.
“I apologise for whatever embarrassment and
disillusionment in your country these raised and then
dashed hopes may have caused you. My government
will do all within its power to remedy the situation,”
the statement quoted the President as saying.

Please vote for Nigerian Star, Asisat Oshoala Nominated For BBC Women's Player Of The Year Award

Nigerian Star, Asisat Oshoala Nominated For BBC Women's Player Of The Year Award.

Our very own football prodigy, Asisat Oshoala who currently plays for Liverpool FC, has been nominated
Where other BBC Women's Footballer of the Year nominees have a long line of achievements behind them, Asisat Oshoala who has two prestigious titles of the CAF Female Player of the year & CAF Youth Player of the year, is just beginning a promising career.
by the BBC for the first edition of the Women's Footballer Of The Year award.
To Vote For Her
Voting is open now and closes on 11 May at 10:00 BST.
Fans can vote online through the BBC website or by SMS.
To vote online, & chose Asisat.
click here
To vote for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2015 by SMS, text the number of the player you wish to vote for to +44 7786 20 20 04. Text for Asisat Oshoala. 5
Asisat was named along with Brazil's Marta, Spain's Veronica Boquete, Nadine Kessler of Germany and Kim Little of Scotland in the inaugural BBC Woman Footballer of the Year award billed to be announced on May 26 after a poll from listeners from across the globe.

NIGERIAN BORN HARUNA QUADRI WINS WORLD BEST TABLE TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

The 25 years Oyo state born Haruna Quadri, said he is the happiest man in Dubai yesterday in an interview with channels television via skpe, this happiness can't is expected has he was voted the best Table Tennis player in the world, beating most of the Asian players that usually dominate the sport in time past. Haruna Quadri is a grass root table tennis player that started his professional career in Union bank sport club in Lagos, Nigeria. Moreover, he has also represented Nigeria in the 2012 summer Olympics in London and he was in the 2014 Table tennis world cup where he reached quarter final in the men's single. He was in tears of joy yesterday in Armani hostel in the United Arab Emirate Dubai (U.A.E) as Haruna Quadri which is the world number 30 on the ranking of the International Table Tennis Federation (I.T.T.F) was giving a standing innovation ahead of the world number one Xu xin and his compatriot Fan Zhendong from China has the Nigerian was announced has the best player in the world in the sport. Haruna Quadri was also voted the best Tennis star player of the year in the second edition of the award which is usually given to the player that has brought the sport to the lime light in the year in review. In the female category, the world cup winner and world number one chinese, Ding Ning won the women table tennis world player of the year beating her compatriot and a Singaporean to the coveted award All the nominee of the award were all present as they were all dressed in their finest suites in the night of glitz and glamour.

AFCON 2015: Eagles soar higher in Congo

Nigeria’s Super Eagles did what was expected of them in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification tie in Pointe Noire as they beat the Red Devils of Congo 2-0 to put one leg in the 2015 tournament now to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea. The second half of the charged encounter produced all the drama, with Vincent Enyeama saving a penalty to keep the Eagles in the game, while returnee Uche Ikechukwu and Aaron Samuel made it count when it mattered most for Nigeria. The Eagles now need to win against already qualified South Africa Wednesday at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Congolese came out strong hoping to deliver an early low blow to the Eagles. Thierry Bifouma tested Enyeama, but the Lille of France shot-stopper was not in the mood to concede any goal. On the other hand Uche also made his presence felt, his delicate chip was saved by Massa Chancel in goal for Congo. Emanuel Emenike took his turn to ask questions of the Congolese defence; Chancel was on hand to thwart the move. From then on both sides battled to control the midfield and it was John Obi Mikel that dictated the pace. Keshi introduced Sone Aluko and that ignited some urgency in the Eagles attack. In the 58th minute Mikel put Emenike through on goal, but he was brought down in the box by the Congolese keeper. Uche did not make any mistake from the spot when he was called to duty. Shortly afterwards Congo got a penalty of their own, but Enyeama denied Bifouma and that signaled the beginning of the end for the Red Devils. China-based Aaron Samuel seized the day for the Eagles in the 85th minute after he connected well to a pass from Gbolahon Salami and fired to the top left corner. And there was mayhem at the Ominisports Stadium as the fans resorted to throwing missiles into the pitch. The game was temporarily stopped by the referee. However, by the time the game resumed the hosts had already resigned to fate - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/afcon-2015-eagles-soar-congo/#sthash.PN4d5g9r.dpuf

Nigeria back to winning ways

Defending champions Nigeria beat Congo Brazzaville 2-0 on Saturday to revive their bid to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as South Africa and Cameroon ensured their presence in the finals. South Africa beat Sudan 2-1 in their first outing since the slaying of captain Senzo Meyiwa to top Group A, while Cameroon edged past DR Congo 1-0 to claim Group D. Zambia pipped hosts Mozambique 1-0 in Maputo to qualify in Group F with table toppers Cape Verde Islands. Burkina Faso and Gabon qualified from Group C. Burkina Faso beat Lesotho 1-0 in Maseru and Gabon held home team Angola to a goalless draw in Luanda. On Friday, Tunisia held Botswana to a goalless draw to also advance to the finals. Second-half goals by Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel against Congo in Pointe-Noire boosted Nigeria’s prospects of making it to Equatorial Guinea, who stepped in as hosts on Friday in place of barred Morocco. Nigeria now have to beat group leaders South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday to ensure automatic qualification behind Bafana Bafana regardless of Congo’s result in Sudan also on Wednesday. Villarreal striker Uche celebrated his long-awaited return to the Super Eagles in style when in the 59th minute he tucked away a penalty after Congo goalkeeper Massa fouled goal-bound Emmanuel Emenike. Congo failed to draw level in the 65th minute, when Vincent Enyeama saved a penalty taken by Thievy Bifouma after Godfrey Oboabona handled a goal-bound shot inside his box. South Africa secured their ticket against Sudan in Durban to record 11 points from five matches, meaning they will now not be under pressure when they visit Nigeria on Wednesday. Ajax midfielder Thulani Serero scored his first international goal for South Africa in the 38th minute, when he slotted home a cut-back from inside the box to give Bafana Bafana the lead. Tokelo Rantie then doubled Bafana Bafana’s advantage in the 53rd minute, when he dribbled his way past his markers before stabbing home past the Sudan goalkeeper. Sudan pulled a goal back through Al Hilal forward Salah Ibrahim in the 77th minute from close range. Cameroon won Group D courtesy of a 71st match winner by Vincent Aboubakar against DR Congo in Yaounde. In Kampala, Uganda pipped Black Stars of Ghana 1-0 after both teams played a 1-1 draw in Kumasi three months ago. Uganda match winner was Savio Kabugo, who fired the Cranes ahead after just 10 minutes. But Uganda face a daunting trip to Morocco in midweek when they battle bottom team Guinea in a final game and Ghana host Togo. Malawi revived their hopes of qualifying for the Nations Cup after they beat Mali 2-0 at the Kamuzu Banda Stadium in Blantyre. Second-half goals by Robert Ngambi and Kanyenda earned Malawi only their second win in the qualifying series. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/nigeria-back-cup-reckoning-s-africa-qualify/#sthash.bIxmYYh2.hGrLWhmw.dpuf

Wenger apologises for ‘regrettable’ touchline clash with Mourinho

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has apologised for his touchline clash with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho during the 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge. Wenger and Mourinho were involved in a touchline spat during the London derby which saw the Frenchman shove the Portuguese, as well as the pair exchange choice words. The 64-year-old Frenchman initially defended his actions in the aftermath of the game and claimed he had ‘nothing to apologise for’, but he has taken to French TV to reveal he ‘regrets’ the incident. Wenger, speaking to Telefoot yesterday, said: ‘They gave too much importance to this story. In hindsight I think I should not have reacted at all, it’s not a way to behave on a football field. ‘I always regret any signs of violence and I apologise, but that’s part of games where everything is manic – and then we have quite a substantial past. ‘Did Mourinho provoke me? That is how I felt. I did not enter Chelsea’s technical area.’ Interestingly, Mourinho also spoke to the same French TV station about the already infamous incident. But the Chelsea boss refused to add further fuel to the fire by giving his opinion on the clash. ‘Wenger will explain what he wants to explain,’ Mourinho said. ‘I will not say more. I have no words to explain what everybody else saw in those images.’ The apology from Arsenal boss Wenger comes despite his insistence he had done nothing wrong on the touchline at Stamford Bridge. Speaking immediately after the game, Wenger said: ‘I don’t regret it, what is there to regret? ‘I want to go from A to B and someone (Mourinho) confronted me before I got to B without any sign of a welcome.’