Sports
Ahead of FIFA World Cup: First lady Remi Tinubu to host Super Falcons
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, alongside top government functionaries, will attend the send-forth dinner of the Super Falcons ahead of the team’s departure for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place over a period of one month, starting from July 20 to August 20.
In a statement on Thursday, Head of Communications of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, noted that the dinner, organised by the country’s football body, will be held on Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
“We are expecting the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ismaila Abubakar, as well as other top sports officials.
“A good number of the team as well as technical and administrative officials are expected alongside the rank and file of the NFF led by the President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi.
“The event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel will also attract corporate chieftains, members of the diplomatic corps, and a range of football stakeholders.
“On Sunday, the nine-time African champions will depart the shores of Nigeria for a 15-day camping programme in Australia, before they enter into camp for the tournament beginning from July 20 to Aug. 20,” Olajire noted.
Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Canada, at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, on July 21 before clashing with Australia and the Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31, respectively, at Lang Park in Brisbane.
NAN reports that Australia and New Zealand 2023 will be the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, as it welcomes 32 teams—the same number as featured in the men’s finals in Qatar last year.
It is also the first to be hosted by two countries as well as the first-ever FIFA senior competition to be hosted by two nations in two different confederations: Australia in the Asian confederation and New Zealand in Oceania.
Nigeria’s captain, Onome Ebi, will be one of the oldest players at the tournament, at 40, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair.
The three women will be featured in their sixth FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.
According to the NFF, 24 hours before the Send-Forth at the Transcorp Hilton, the Australian High Commission will host the Falcons to a dinner, courtesy of the Ag. High Commissioner, Her Excellency Leanne Johnston.
NAN reports that the Super Falcons are in Group ‘B’ alongside Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland.
Nigeria has previously played the Canadian and Australian women’s national teams at the FIFA World Cup.
The Canadians have been unable to defeat Nigeria at the World Cup, drawing 3-3 in 1995 and losing 1-0 in 2011.
Nigeria’s meeting with Australia at the FIFA World Cup in 2015 ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of the Australians.
(NAN)
Sports
Club World Cup: All Round of 16 fixtures revealed [Full list]
Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Miami, in what has been dubbed the Lionel Messi Derby, while Flamengo square up against Bayern Munich.
The 16 teams remaining in the 2025 Club World Cup to compete for the trophy have been confirmed.
This follows the conclusion of the Group H games in the early hours of Friday.
Real Madrid defeated Salzburg 3-0, with goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Gonzalo Garcia.
The result saw Xabi Alonso’s men finish in top spot and they will face Juventus in the last 16.
Al Hilal beat Pachuca 2-1 and will take on Manchester City.
In other fixtures confirmed prior, Inter Milan face Fluminense and Monterrey are up against Borussia Dortmund.
Benfica play Chelsea on Saturday, while Palmeiras will clash with Botafogo in an all-Brazilian affair.
Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Miami, in what has been dubbed the Lionel Messi Derby, while Flamengo square up against Bayern Munich.
(The Sun)
Sports
Nigerians Set for June 28 Olympic Day Celebrations
The celebration will feature a variety of non-competitive sporting activities such as jogging and walking, designed to encourage calorie burning, muscle toning, and overall wellbeing.
Seventeen Nigerian states have confirmed their participation in the 2025 Olympic Day celebrations.
The event will take place across the country on June 28.
The annual event, which promotes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, has gained momentum in recent years, with organisers expanding activities to encourage wider public participation.
This year, states including Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Taraba, Enugu, Delta, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Kogi, Gombe, Osun, Imo and Lagos, home to the secretariat of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, will host a series of community-based events aimed at promoting health and fitness.
The celebration will feature a variety of non-competitive sporting activities such as jogging and walking, designed to encourage calorie burning, muscle toning, and overall wellbeing.
Sports
Amuneke Urges FG: Give rest of ‘94 Eagles their houses
Amuneke’s comments come as the Federal Government continues to fulfil its three-decade-old promise of house allocations to members of the 1994 Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
Former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke has called on the Federal Government to expedite the distribution of houses to the remaining members of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, confirming that he received his allocation long ago.
“They should hand over to the others now. Let them do it.”
Amuneke’s comments come as the Federal Government continues to fulfil its three-decade-old promise of house allocations to members of the 1994 Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
The government recently presented an allocation letter for a house in Abuja to former striker Efan Ekoku, who was represented at the brief ceremony by his niece, Lisa Jenifer Nwagbogun.
The Director and Head of Department, Public Building and Housing Development, Pemi Temitope, presented the letter on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
He described the move as part of the government’s commitment to rewarding the patriotic service of the team, which brought honour to the nation three decades ago.
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