Sports
Mbah congratulates Rangers over 2023/24 NPFL title
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah has congratulated the Rangers International Football Club of Enugu on their winning of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, title with a game to spare following their 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance Football Club at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, on Sunday.
A 33rd-minute goal by Kenechukwu Agu and 65th-minute goal by Chidiebere Nwobodo handed the Fidelis Ilechukwu-tutored lads their eighth league title and their second since 2016, as their closest rivals, Remo Stars and Enyimba Football Club lost their match-day 37 fixtures 1-2 each against Sunshine Stars and Sporting Lagos, accordingly. This left the Flying Antelopes with an insurmountable 67-point lead with a game to go.
Reacting to the development, Governor Mbah said Rangers title win and the display on the pitch were clear exciting reenactment of the greatness Enugu State was known for, also restating his government’s plans to commit more resources towards sports development in the state.
“I can tell you that we are very excited. The Government and the people of Enugu State are very excited. What we have witnessed here this evening is the renactment of the greatness that Enugu is known for. So, we have again witnessed that greatness here today.
“Part of what I said to the players before the match started was that they had the weight of history on their shoulders because they were walking the path where legends had walked and that it was incumbent on them to deliver; and I’m so excited again that this has happened.
“Indeed, our tomorrow is here. It is again part of connecting the dots; connecting the dots in the sports sector. As you already know, we want to be the number one in everything we do. So we have zero tolerance for failure or mediocrity and our work ethic is impeccable.
“Therefore, that also shows in what these young players did in the pitch. You could see them working extremely hard and I’m so excited because it feels like any world-class football tournament.
“You can see that what happened here shows that you don’t wish success into existence. Success requires painstaking planning and hardwork. And that is essentially what you have seen here today.
“We are going to continue on that trajectory, making sure that we have a superb reward system, we motivate our players and they go out there and bring back the trophy,” the elated governor stated.
On sports infrastructure, he said, “Of course, you would attest to the fact that getting our pitch back in shape immediately we assumed office to enable Rangers to play their home matches here at The Cathedral was a huge motivation for the players.
“But I want to assure Ndi Enugu that they have not seen anything yet. As you are aware, our goal is a total turnaround of the sports industry in the state, and that includes the sports infrastructure – building world-class facilities and upgrading existing ones to world-class also.”
Meanwhile, the Governor also presented the Club Player of the Match prize to Chidiebere Nwobodo of Rangers International Football Club.
>
Sports
I Failed In Front of the World Four Years Ago — Lookman’s Touching Speech After Winning CAF Award
Super Eagles star, Ademola Lookman had delivered a touching speech after winning the 2024 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
According to him, he learned from his failure four years ago which made him a better player.
He said: “Just over four years ago I failed in front of the world. Fast forward four years, I’m the best player in Africa,” Lookman said after receiving the award.
“I want to say to the young children and people watching this: don’t let your failures weigh you down that they break your wings. Matter of fact, turn your pain into your power and continue to fight.
“Firstly. I want to thank the Almighty God for everything he has been doing in my life, and everything he has been blessing me with.
“I want to thank the president, I want to thank all my teammates- club and country. I want to thank them for all their support and love that they gave me.”
“This award today is a blessing to me, to my family, to my nation, and to be recognized as the best player in Africa. It’s something incredible and I’m extremely proud of.”
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie emerged as some of the standout winners at the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Lookman, who plays for Atalanta, clinched the prestigious CAF Men’s Player of the Year title, beating contenders such as Simon Adingra, Achraf Hakimi, Ronwen Williams, and Serhou Guirassy.
South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dominated the night, bagging both the Men’s Interclub Player of the Year and the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year awards.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, known for her stellar performances, was named Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Full List of CAF Awards 2024 Winners
CAF Men’s Player of the Year: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Sanaa Mssoudy
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Women’s Club of the Year: TP Mazembe
Men’s Club of the Year: Al Ahly FC
Men’s National Team of the Year: Ivory Coast
Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria
Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Camara
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria)
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Women’s Coach of the Year: Lamia Boumehdi
Men’s Coach of the Year: Emerse Faé
Goal of the Year: Mabululu (Angola)
Brazil legend Ronaldo has confirmed he wants to become president of the country’s football governing body to address a “deep crisis” the sport is facing nationally.
“I have hundreds of motivations, but I think the biggest of them is really to restore international respect to Brazilian football,” he said in an interview on Monday with the Globoesporte website.
Ronaldo said he wanted to be an “alternative for significant change” as candidate for the job of running the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
“O Fenomeno” (“The Phenomenon”), as the 48-year-old became known over the course of his 1993-2011 career, said he wants to use the CBF presidency to help Brazil’s national team to regain its glory as five-time world champions.
“The Selecao has to recover its prestige. I’ll do everything so that the players understand the historic importance of playing for the national team,” he said.
Ronaldo scored both goals when Brazil beat Germany in the 2002 World Cup final in Japan, and was twice winner of the Ballon d’Or.
To lodge his CBF candidacy, he needs the support of Brazilian regional clubs and federations.
To get those, he promised to travel “all around Brazil” and share the “incredible plans” he has for the sport.
The date of the next CBF election has not yet been set, but should happen between March 2025 and March 2026, according to Brazilian media.
‘Much deeper problem’
Current CBF chief Ednaldo Rodrigues has been criticized for slotting in temporary coaches for the national team after Tite’s 2022 exit while waiting for Carlo Ancelotti to arrive — something that did not happen when the Italian decided late last year to extend his contract as manager of Real Madrid.
Currently coached by Dorival Junior, the Selecao are fifth in South America qualifying for the 2026 World Cup tournament, seven points behind leaders Argentina.
“My problem is not Ednaldo. The problem is much deeper. My goal is to bring the people closer to the Selecao. Today, the people are indifferent when the Selecao plays,” Ronaldo told Globoesporte.
“I am an alternative of significant change for Brazilian football, which is going through a deep crisis,” he said.
Ronaldo, a former star for Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, already has leadership experience.
In 2018, he took majority control of Spain’s Real Valladolid, and in 2021 did the same for Cruzeiro, the Brazilian club where he started his career.
He sold his Cruzeiro stake in April this year.
In his interview, Ronaldo said he was in talks to “very soon” sell his Valladolid stake to avoid “any obstacle” to his CBF candidacy.
AFP
Tinubu expresses sadness over Ibadan stamped victims, demands probe
How soldiers damaged my house for doing my job – ECTDA Chair, Hon. Uche Anya
Ooni’s Ex- Wife, Naomi, 7 Others, In Trouble As 35 Kids Killed In Oyo Stampede
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News22 hours agoReps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
-
News22 hours agoReps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
-
News15 hours agoLawmaker laments over 2023, 2024, 2025 budget running in one circle
-
News15 hours agoVideo: Tinubu Arrives Lagos, Meets Old ‘Friend’ Papa Ajasco
-
News22 hours agoNigeria Needs Comprehensive Reforms To Expand Its Tax Base – Speaker Abbas
-
Sports15 hours agoI Failed In Front of the World Four Years Ago — Lookman’s Touching Speech After Winning CAF Award
-
Economy15 hours agoUK inflation rises further ahead of Bank of England rates decision
-
News15 hours agoLagos Mosque Takes Down ‘Jesus Christ is Not God’ Banner After Backlash