Sports
Paris 2024: Falcons’ camp open for Operation Bang Banyana in Abuja
Nigeria’s Super Falcons opened yesterday for the African final qualifying fixture for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
The two teams, arguably the best women football squads on the African continent, are at each other’s jugular for one of the two tickets from Africa for Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football, with the first leg taking place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium Abuja on Friday. The return is scheduled for the Loftus Versfeld Arena in Pretoria five days later.
Captain and chief motivator Rasheedat Ajibade, whose savvy, skill and sapience helped the Falcons to the Round of 16 at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Down Under, will be joined in the roost by home-based goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku and defender Jumoke Alani (drafted in following injury to Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre) as early birds.
Young defender Shukurat Oladipo, veteran goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, Japan-based Chidinma Okeke and Spain-based forward Gift Monday are expected in camp early today. The rest of the squad will be in tomorrow though USA-based African queen Asisat Oshoala is not expected until Thursday.
South Africa’s delegation, including 24 players, will land in Abuja this evening.
The Super Falcons are extra-motivated for this fixture, having not beaten the Banyana in regulation time for many years now, and having watched as the South Africans carted away the Women Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Morocco last year after the Banyana edged them 2-1 in a group phase match.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria still call the shots at that level though, with nine of 12 titles contested so far, and with a squad brimming with youth and experience, and the bounce of having been Africa’s best performer at the last World Cup finals – unbeaten in regulation time until their exit via penalty shootout defeat to England.
Sports
Remo Stars win Nigerian champions for the first time
The club will now represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League along with this season’s eventual runners-up, while the third-placed team will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup
Remo Stars made history on Sunday having won the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title for the first time in their history.
The Sky Blue Stars defeated Niger Tornadoes courtesy of a late goal by Adebayo Olamilekan, becoming the first privately-owned club since Udoji United in 1996 to be crowned champions.
They achieved the feat on the 59th birthday of their owner, Kunle Soname, a businessman with interests ranging from aviation to the gaming industry.
They have now amassed an unassailable 68 points from 35 matches, 10 points clear of their closest rivals Rivers United, with three rounds of matches remaining this season.
They had finished as runners-up in the league in the past two seasons.Founded 15 years ago as FC Dender in Nigeria’s commercial hub of Lagos, the club moved to neighbouring Ogun State and rebranded as Remo Stars in 2011.
The club will now represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League along with this season’s eventual runners-up, while the third-placed team will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Sports
Man City sink Forest to reach third successive FA Cup final
City can look forward to a showdown with Palace at Wembley on May 17 after the Eagles won 3-0 against
Manchester City will face Crystal Palace in their third successive FA Cup final after cruising to a 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest at Wembley on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side took an early lead through Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol’s second-half goal sealed a comfortable semi-final success.
City can look forward to a showdown with Palace at Wembley on May 17 after the Eagles won 3-0 against
Aston Villa in the other semi-final on Saturday.Their 14th FA Cup final appearance gives City a chance to win the competition for the eighth time and the third since Guardiola arrived in 2016.
City lost to Manchester United in last season’s FA Cup final after beating their cross-town rivals in the 2023 showpiece.
Guardiola is hoping to salvage a turbulent season by lifting the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League via a top-five finish in the Premier League. City, who sit fourth in the league with four games left, will go into the final as favorites after thrashing Palace 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium earlier in April.
Liverpool have been crowned Premier League champions with their 5-1 win against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side needed a minimum of one point to secure the title and match Manchester United’s record of 20 league crowns, and strikes from Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, as well as a Destiny Udogie own goal, sealed the deal.
“This is the most beautiful club in the world. We deserve this. We are going to enjoy the next couple of weeks and take it in,” captain Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports after the game.“I was desperate to win it for (the fans) and all the fans around the world, and for us as well.”
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