Kwara United FC will square up against the Niamey-based side in the return leg of the ongoing 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup competition on Sunday, with their nose in front owing to the 3-0 first leg win.

But for Coach Abdulazeez Mohammed, it’s not over, until it’s finally over.

“We will try to go and get qualification in Niamey, because the job is not done yet. We still have crucial 90 minutes ahead of us. We will go there and play to get the ticket to the next stage.

“Our targets are to play and earn a clean sheet, and also qualify. We are going there to attack, and that’s why I told my strikers to ensure that any ball that comes to them counts.

“We got three goals in the first leg, all goals coming in the first half, and I will say it’s normal in African perspective. We are trying to change the mentality of the players, because, we are supposed to get more than three goals in the match.

“In Niamey, my players will need to keep their heads, and play according to our plan and targets. We have trained hard ahead of the battle of Niamey”, he concluded.

The match will hold at the Stade General Senyi Kountche, and the winner over the two legs to play Morrocan side, Berkane, in the next stage.

Alhaji Attahiru Ibrahim who is the SA Sports to Governor Abdulrahman has once again congratulated Kwara United for their 3-0 win over AS Douanes in the first leg of the CAF CC preliminary stage urging them to go for another victory in Niamey.

Kwarans were all happy on Sunday with the performance of Kwara United players against their opponents from Niger in a tie watched by Governor Abdulrahman and his lovely wife.

Unfortunately, Alhaji Attahiru Ibrahim missed his flight to Lagos from Abuja and was unable to be at the stadium even though he watched the match live on Kwara TV live streaming.

In a statement made by the Talba Sanmari of Patigi on Wednesday morning, Attahiru made it clear that he wants Kwara United to reach the Group Stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.

“I was impressed with their game in Lagos and I must commend the players for their fighting spirit and also to enjoin them to shine in the return leg in Niamey,” Attahiru explained to award winning Sports Journalist Ibitoye Shittu.

Since his appointment as the SA Sports, Kwara United players have been enjoying maximum support both physically and financially from Alhaji Attahiru Ibrahim who always give out huge sum of cash gift on match days.

Attahiru is not only concerned about the welfare of Kwara United as the Talba Sanmari of Patigi has touched all sporting associations in Kwara State.

The presidential ambition of the frontrunner in the forthcoming Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Presidential Election, Dr. Christian Emeruwa has received further boost as the Executive Governor of Abia State. Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has thrown the full weight of the state behind the aspirant.

The Governor made the official declaration on Saturday when he received Dr. Emeruwa who hails from Ikwuano-Oboro Local Government Area in Umuahia, Abia state, at the Governor’s Lodge in Aba, the commercial nerve center of Nigeria.

Dr. Ikpeazu who attentively listened to Dr. Emeruwa who briefly presented his strategic plan for Nigeria football, expressed his joy that one of his indigenes has a lofty vision that can transform Nigeria football.

The Governor who has been funding two Nigerian Premier League clubs Enyimba International and Abia Warriors Football Clubs since he came into office seven and half years ago commended Dr. Emeruwa’s bold steps to run for the NFF President post.

An elated Ikpeazu therefore welcomed him to Abia state and assured Dr. Emeruwa of the full support of the people and government of Abia state led by his good self.

He also encouraged Dr. Emeruwa to trudge on, saying that it will be a good thing for an Abia indigene who is a technocrat that understands the game to champion the way the game will be administered in Nigeria.

He said: “I am highly impressed with what I have seen and heard. Above all, it will be a good thing for an Abia indigene who is a serving international football technocrat that understands the game to champion the way the game will be administered in Nigeria”.

“I assure you that you will have the full support of the people and government of Abia state led by my humble self to ensure that you realise your ambition to become the next President of NFF come September 30 in Benin City, Edo state.

The visit to Governor Ikpeazu was part of Dr. Emeruwa’s wide consultations with critical stakeholders in football in Nigeria including state governments that sponsor most of the football clubs playing in various Nigerian football leagues.

Dr. Emeruwa will also during the trip hold strategic meetings with critical stakeholders in the South East before returning to Abuja to continue his engagements with other Election Delegates ahead of the the September 30 NFF Elective Congress in Benin City.

Bayelsa Queens started the game and pressed for the early goal which came when Miracle Joseph curled in a beautiful shot from the left side to put the Prosperity Girls in front on 3 minute, before the first goal Kasali Alake made a faulty back pass in the second minute but for the brilliance and alertness of goalkeeper Ange Bawou in goal for Bayelsa Queens it would have been the opener.

Etim Edidiong got the second goal in the 5 minutes after which it became a ding-dong affairs as both teams tried to score and in the tenth minutes of play captain of Bayelsa Queens FC, Igwe Uzoamaka made another faulty back pass that Joy Igbazenda of Athleta FC having only Bawou to beat played wide.

The first half ended with Bayelsa Queens FC up by two goals to nil.

The Prosperity Girls started the second half the way they finished the first but were unable to get the third goal. But got rewarded on the 65th minutes when Etim Edidiong scored a beautiful goal to make it three nil.

Edidiong Etim scored two more goals in the 77 and 80 minutes to complete the annihilation of Athleta FC.

Bayelsa Queens will take on Ampem Darkoa in matchday two on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Miracle Joseph of Bayelsa Queens FC was named woman of the match.

Earlier, Anpem Darkoa of Ghana defeated USFA of Burkina Faso three nil.

It is no longer a news to the world that Kwara United will be playing continental football this year, but the joy of the announcement remains in the hearts of Kwarans most especially the diehard lovers of the team.

On Sunday, CAF released the names of all teams that will campaign in this year’s competition and the name of Kwara United appeared on the list of those that will feature in the Confederations Cup.

It is a massive achievement for the administration of Governor Abdulrahman considering his huge investment in football and sports since he became Governor which has finally yielded.

In this report, respected and award winning Sports Journalist, Ibitoye Shittu, reviews the investment of Governor Abdulrahman on Kwara United which helped in landing the Continental ticket.

Acquiring NPFL ticket for Kwara United

When Mallam Abdulrahman became the Governor of Kwara, he met the State’s darling team already relegated into the second division of the Nigerian Football.

And in his efforts and desires to make Kwarans happy, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq acquired an NPFL ticket for the Harmony Boys and the team returned to the topflight with fans expressing their happiness.

And ever since Kwara United returned to the topflight, Governor Abdulrahman ensured that the team lacks nothing and always support them financially.

Presenting two new coaster buses

As a way of easing the challenges in the transportation of players to match venues across the nation, Governor Abdulrahman in the last three years has presented two new coaster buses to the team.

Drama and pains of last two seasons

Last two seasons in the NPFL, the expectation of all Kwarans was that Kwara United would play continental football, but the boardroom points given to Rivers United broke the hearts of Kwara United faithfuls.

However, Governor Abdulrahman encouraged the management, coaching crew and players to fight again last term and they eventually finished 4th and picked the Confederations Cup ticket.

It is safe and worthy to say that Governor Abdulrahman has returned Kwara United to the continent after 11 years since the club last played in the competition and he deserves massive accolades.

Furthermore, there are other soldiers of Governor Abdulrahman whose contributions to this latest success for Kwara United cannot be overemphasized.

SA Sports Alhaji Attahiru Ibrahim

Kwarans have been in joyous mood since Attahiru was named as the SA Sports to Governor Abdulrahman considering how he has been helping people in Kwara Sports.

Attahiru in his love for Kwara United and ways of motivating the players will always present cash gift ranging from 200K after each game.

Kumbi Titiloye

Kumbi Titiloye landed the job as Kwara United Chairman based on his wealth of experience in football both in Nigeria and abroad.

The Oro born football administrator made sure that the coaching crew recruited good players which gave Kwara United the continental success.

Abdullahi Biffo

Abdullahi Biffo has recorded his name in gold as the Kwara United coach who returned the team to Continental football. He is also the coach with the highest number of away wins in the League in the history of Kwara United which is 4.

Biffo in his 3-year stint as Kwara United coach also brought stability to the team and he did not lose any home game in the NPFL.

He also took away the fears of relegation from the minds of Kwarans as Kwara United is now a team feared by all other NPFL campaigners.

The players

The players are the primary actors that brought the continental success and they all must be celebrated and appreciated for lifting their heads up despite many troubles they faced before the end of the season.

The Kwara FA

The Kwara State Football Association Chairman Mallam Idris Musa Turaya also played important roles in making sure that there was full compliances to instructions from the LMC and made sure that Kwara United were not banished away from Ilorin.

He also supported the management of Kwara United in many activities towards getting success.

Kwara fans and media

Kwara fans must be appreciated for their 100 percent love and support for Kwara United and also the Kwara SWAN must be praised for their excellent and massive coverage of Kwara United games both home and away.

Nigeria and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala was named 2022 CAF player of the year, making it a record fifth time

Oshoala beat Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout and Zambia’s Grace Banda to claim the historic award.

Asisat Oshoala was ruled out of the ongoing women WAFCON in Morocco after suffering injury in Nigeria’s first game against South Africa.

In the men’s category, Senegal and Bayern Munich star, Sadio Mane has been named the best player for the 2022 CAF Awards in Rabat Morocco.

The Senegal star edged out fellow National team mate Edouard Mendy and former team mate, Mohammed Salah to the award. This is his second CAF player of the year award.

Other winners are:

Women club of the year: Sundowns Ladies FC

Men Club of the year:
Wydad AC (Morocco)

Interclub Player of the Year (WOMEN): Evelyn Badu (Ghana)

Interclub player of the year Men: Mohamed El Shennawy (Egypt)

Women young player of the year: Evelyn Badu (Ghana)

Men Young player of the year: Pape Matar Sarr! (Senegal)

National team of the year: Senegal (MEN)!

Coach of the year( Women): Desire Ellis (South Africa)

Coach of the year(Men): Aliou Cisse (Senegal)

Goal of the year: Pape Ousmane Sakho’s (Senegal)

I am not against Pinnick’s ambition though he has never told me that he is contesting but I have listened to interview where he said he is not contesting,so on the basis of that I am saying the right thing should be done.
there has been so much crisis over the years and that necessitated President Buhari insisting that an election should be held in on or before September with major stakeholders being carried along to forestall any recurrence of what we had in the past’

‘we have done our part as government institution but now it is now left for NFF congress to decide their faith ‘ he concluded

Few weeks after claiming the WAFU B U20 Championship, Nigeria again underscored her undoubted strength in youth football when she swept to the U17 title in the region, as five-time world champions Golden Eaglets edged the Young Stallions of Burkina Faso 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana.

Forward Abubakar Abdullahi had threatened the Burkinabe rear as early as the 8^th minute when his low drive streamed away from goal, but in the 22^nd minute, he rose highest in the box to powerfully nod Emmanuel Michael’s perfect delivery into the net for Nigeria’s first goal.

In the 34^th minute, Abdullahi missed a golden opportunity to make it two for himself and for Nigeria, but he flulled his lines, allowing the Stallions a respite. The miss would knock hard seven minutes later, when Abdulramane Ouedraogo, also with a header, equalized for Burkina Faso.

Two minutes into the second half, Abdullahi got his second and Nigeria’s second, taking the Golden Eaglets to a 2-1 lead. However, 12 minutes later, he should have made it a hat-trick and Nigeria’s third but he lost the opportunity.

That loss could once more have proved costly, as the Stallions broke forward, only to see Nigeria goalkeeper Richard Odoh come up with a magnificent save.

In the 67^th minute, Ebube Okeke rocked the crossbar from 25 yards, but there were to be no more goals and Nigeria collected a second regional diadem at youth level five weeks after the U20 boys defeated neighbours Benin Republic in the final to win the WAFU B competition in Niger Republic.

Nigeria goalkeeper Richard Odoh was selected the Man-of-the-Match. His compatriot Emmanuel Michael won the prize in all three previous matches against Ghana, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire. 

By: Abdulquadir Adedapo

Flying Eagles forward Ibrahim Muhammed Beji has promised not to drop his guard when they take to the field on Tuesday evening in their second game at the ongoing WAFU Zone B U-20 qualifiers in Niger as they bid to reach the semifinals of the competition.

The Maikunkele FC striker grabbed the headlines on Sunday when he scored and produced a man-of-the-match performance for Nigeria in their 2-0 win over eternal rivals Ghana to take supremacy of group B.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s game against Burkina Faso, the Flying Eagles winger promised Nigerians that the team would not be complacent against their opponents as they bid to return smiles to the faces of football lovers back home.

“I am happy for the way we have started here in Niger, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country, and scoring the first goal of the tournament even makes it special for me and my family as well.

“On Wednesday we go again in our second match, we are not in the next round yet so we would approach the game like the first, we want to win and win well to please the fans back home in Nigeria.

Muhammad further went on to praise the Technical crew led by Ladan Bosso stating that the coaches have instilled discipline and the right tactics into every member of the team.

The Flying Eagles need just a point to top group B and advance to the semifinals having defeated the Black Satellite of Ghana 2-0 in their opening game last Sunday.

Seven –time African champions Nigeria have high expectations as they head to Niamey, capital of Niger Republic for this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship taking place in that country, 7^th – 20^th May. Nigeria’s contingent will fly into Niamey on Thursday and the Nigeria Football Federation has arranged two friendly matches in Niamey to put the team in premium shape and readiness for the competition proper.

Head Coach Ladan Bosso has selected a team of 28 players who will compete against Ghana’s Black Satellites and the Young Etalons of Burkina Faso in Group B. Hosts Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire will battle in Group A.

The Flying Eagles will confront familiar foes Ghana in their first match of the competition on Sunday, 8^th May, before they take on Burkina Faso three days later. Both matches hold at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium in Niamey.

Two teams will sail into the semi finals from each group, with the two finalists qualifying to represent the WAFU B zone at the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

Egypt will host the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations while Indonesia will host the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals. All four semi finalists from the tournament in Egypt will qualify to represent Africa in Indonesia.

FLYING EAGLES FOR WAFU B CHAMPIONSHIP:

Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Chijioke Aniagboso (Giant Brillars); Saheed Jimoh (Adoration FC)

Defenders: Opeyemi Omooloyi (Akure City); Abubakar Babaji (Niger Tornadoes); Lekan Oyedele (Remo Stars); Oluwatosin Adegbite (Enyimba FC); Augustine Njoku (Abia Warriors); Chikezie Okolie (Giant Brillars); David Sholumade (Akwa United); Benjamin Frederick (ABS FC)

Midfielders: Anas Hassan (Vandrezzer FC); Daniel Daga (FC One Rocket); Oluwaseyi Falodun (Jossy United); Samson Lawal (Katsina United); Onuche Ogbelu (Fosla Academy); Muhammad Aminu (Gombe United); Muhammad Shehu (Katsina United); Frederick Godwin (City FC)

Forwards: Adams Olubi (FK Zalgris Vilnius, Lithuania); Tolulope Ojo (Remo Stars); Ibrahim Muhammad (Maikunkele FC); Ibrahim Yahaya (Gombe United); Rilwanu Haliru Sarki (Mahanaim FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Adoration FC); Ahmed Abdullahi (HB Academy); Abdullahi Adam (Nasarawa United); Albert Hilary (Plateau United)