MOLATsportgist

CAFCL: Al-Hilal sends Rivers United to the Confederation playoffs round

Rivers United have been eliminated from the CAF Champions League after going down to a 1-0 defeat against Sudanese club Al Hilal at the Suez Canal Stadium on Sunday evening. The Nigeria based side, rued the goal conceded at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium last weekend as they bowed out after a 2-1 aggregate loss to Al Hilal of Sudan.

The Pride of Rivers failed to keep a clean sheet when the Sudanese visited and were effectively kept at bay when they visited the Blue Jewel stadium on Sunday.

Yasser Mazmel scored the only goal in the fourth minute, after the visitor’s defence was caught off guard, with the striker slotting beyond the Nigerian goalkeeper.

The Port Harcourt club isn’t out of continental action as the team gets the consolatory prize of participating in the CAF Confederations Cup play-offs. They now join Enyimba in the playoff round, with the winners of the double-legged match reaching the group stage of the competition.

Rivers United crashed out in the first round of the CAF Champions League last season, and failed to reach the group stage of the Confederation after being paired with Enyimba.

CAFCC: Finidi George wins big in first home game

Enyimba booked a place in the play-off round of the 2021/2022 CAF Confederation Cup after a 4-0 aggregate victory over Dimbars FC of Senegal on Sunday.

The Peoples Elephant capitalized on the 1-0 advantage they got in the first leg of the encounter played at the Stade Fode Wode on October 16.

The second leg played at the Enyimba International Stadium had barely kicked off before Tosin Omoyele put the home side ahead with a quick goal in the 2nd minute before Victor Mboama doubled the lead before halftime.

Samuel Kalu fritzed the icing on the cake in the 90th minute with a well-taken goal to send the eight-time Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions into the final round of the qualifiers.

Enyimba — the only Nigerian side left in the competition — will know their playoffs opponents on Tuesday when the draw takes place in Cairo, Egypt.

In the other game of the day, Bayelsa United were dumped out on Saturday after they lost 4-0 to Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, and bowed out 4-1 on aggregate.

The Bayelsa boys shocked the Tunisians with a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the tie at the Samson Siasia last weekend.

However, they were out of depth in Tunis and lost the return leg 4-0.

The Juventus of the Arabs took the lead in the 11th minute as Chris Kouakou capitalised on horrendous defending to fire past goalkeeper John Shaibu, before Mohamed Ben Ali doubled the advantage six minutes later.

Aymen Harzi then made it three for Giovanni Solinas’s men in the 27th minute before Fares Chawat completed the rout five minutes before the half-time break.

AWCON Qualifier: Super Falcons suffers defeat, qualify for next round ahead of Ghana

African champions Nigeria are through to the second round of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations despite a disappointing 1-0 defeat to west African rivals Ghana in Accra on Sunday.

The Super Falcons fought a tough battle to edge out Ghana’s Black Queens and reach the final round of the qualification series for next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco. A lone goal defeat in Accra on Sunday evening meant the nine-time African champions survived with a 2-1 aggregate win over their hosts.

Princella Adubea in the 47th minute scored the lone goal of the game for Ghana as the Super Falcons were expecting adherence to fair play principle.

Afterwards, captain Asisat Oshoala missed an opportunity to draw Nigeria level. With the strong scent of blood, the Black Queens launched onslaught after onslaught but could not get the goal that would have tied the fixture and make penalty shootout inevitable at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Both teams finished with 10 players after Ghana’s Portia Boakye in the 64th minute was the first to receive her marching order before Umeå IK FF defender, Glory Ogbonna followed suit in the 69th minute by being red-carded for the Nigerian side.

Nigeria has qualified for the final stage of qualification for the 2022 AWCON and will face Ivory Coast in a bid to qualify for the tournament to be hosted by Morocco.

FC Robo Queens are champions of 2021 Flying Officers Cup

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side, FC Robo Queens have emerged as the Champions of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup, Africa’s biggest Women Pre-Season Championship, after earning a 1-0 win over 2019 Champions, Edo Queens in the final game at Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.

The club which is making its debut at the tournament won the keenly contested game deservedly.

The solitary goal of the game came in the 26th minute through Opeyemi Ajakaiye wonderful goal from about 33 yards which was the first goal conceded by Edo Queens in the tournament.

In the second half of the game, Edo Queens searched for the equalizing goal.

FC Robo Queens on the other hand tried to double its lead in the 60th minute but her effort went wide as they hold on to clinch the title.

FC Robo Queens coach, Emmanuel Orobosa Osahon became the third manager to win the Flying Officers Cup after Gabriel Adejor (Edo Queens) and Moses Aduku (Bayelsa Queens).

Earlier on, Osun Babes FC defeated Confluence Queens 9-8 on penalties.
Abisola Abiona missed her spot kick for Osun Babes while the duo of Hauwa Abdullahi and Oliver Jenifer missed their penalties for Confluence Queens.

Osun Babes defender, Kemi Abiodun converted the final penalty kick to win the third place match for the Omoluabi Queens..

Rukayat Shobowale (FC Robo Queens) – Young Player of the Tournament

Adaobi Okah vs Sunshine Queens (Quarter final) – Goal of the Tournament

Obidinma Nkiruka (Edo Queens) – Goalkeeper of the Tournament

Ibinabo Georgewill (Confluence Queens) –
Highest Goal Scorer

Naija Ratels FC – Fair Play Award

Ghana Police FC – Most Entertaining Team

Taiwo Lawal (FC Robo Queens) – Most Valuable Player of the Tournament

AIT, Radio Nigeria to broadcast Flying Officers Cup final live

Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Radio Nigeria Network Service will beam live the final of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup, between Edo Queens and FC Robo Queens, scheduled to hold Sunday, the 24th of October at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.

This was revealed by the Ratels Sports Development Foundation President, Barrister Paul Edeh on Friday evening after the end of the two Semi-final games.

Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), main sponsors of the pre-season championship in build up to the competition partnered with AIT as official broadcast partners for the Flying Officer’s Cup at a meeting held between the management team of the largest privately operated terrestrial television network, led by Anegbe Anthony Akiotu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Group Managing Director (GMD) and Ratels Sports Development Foundation, led by the President Barrister Paul Edeh.

Edo Queens set a record by being the first club to qualify for two finals of the Flying Officers Cup. The ‘Obaseki Ladies’ were champions in 2019 and will be seeking to be Champions again, when they face FC Robo Queens in the final on Sunday.

FC Robo Queens on the other hand are participating at the tournament for the first time and would want to prove a point on sunday too.

Closing ceremony of the competition will start by 1pm, while the kick off for the final match will start by 3pm. Sixteen teams started the journey on the 10th of October.

Raymond Dokpesi at 70: Flying Officers Cup Best XI To Play Novelty Match With AIT Staff

Flying Officers Cup 2021 best eleven will on Saturday, the 23rd of October 2021 play a novelty match with members and staff of Africa Independent Television (AIT) at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja today the 23rd day of October 2021 by 4pm to honour and mark the 70th birthday of broadcast magnet and owner of the first independent Television station in Nigeria, (AIT), High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi.

President Of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh, who are the Organisers of Africa’s biggest Pre-season Championship, the Flying Officers Cup, hinted that the epoch-making event will feature some of the best players at the ongoing Flying Officers Cup, carefully selected by a team of football experts headed by Falconets Assistant Coach, Moses Aduku and Flamingos Head Coach, Olowookeere Bankole.

“This novelty match is to honour and celebrate someone who has contributed immensely to the development of broadcasting in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. It is a token of our appreciation to him and the AIT Sports crew and we are glad that this will go a long way in showing our love and support to the man who has always been there in terms of providing thousands of jobs for Nigerians.”

High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, a Nigerian Media Entrepreneur was born on the 25th of October 1951 in Ibadan and hails from Agenebode, Edo State.

He owns Nigeria largest privately owned terrestrial television network (AIT) with stations in twenty-four out of thirty-six states in Nigeria.

The finals of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup between Edo Queens and FC Robo Queens will be beamed live by AIT on Sunday, 24th October 2021 by 3pm.

Flying Officers Cup: Emem Essien’s late minute strike secures Edo Queens’ final spot to face FC Robo

The stage is set for the final of the 2021 Flying Officers Cup after the conclusion of semi final games on Friday.

FC Robo Queens in the first semi final game defeated Osun Babes 2-0.

The Lagos Land-Ladies dominated the game before eventually finding the breakthrough in the 41st minute courtesy of Onyenezide Esther.

Osun Babes in the second half searched for the equaliser as Bolaji Olamide’s effort in the 63rd minute hit the wood work.

The Omoluabi Queens created some chances in the second half but failed to convert while FC Robo Queens proved to be dangerous on the counter.

Osun Babes had a gilt edge chance to equalise but Alvine Dah Zossu who had only the goalkeeper to beat put her effort wide in the 79th minute.

Two minutes later, FC Robo Queens doubled its lead as Folashade Ijamilusi converted the Lagos based side’s second goal to lift them into the final on Sunday.

The second semi final game was a keenly contested and physical game but Edo Queens had to rely on a late drama to be able to edge Confluence Queens 1-0.

The deciding goal of the game came in the 88th minute as Emem Essien headed in a cross for her fourth goal of the competition to take her to the top of the goal scorers chat.

Edo Queens remain the only team yet to concede a goal at the 2021 Flying Officers Cup while they are unbeaten alongside finalist, FC Robo Queens.

Osun Babes and Confluence Queens will play the third place match on Sunday, October 24 before the final game between FC Robo Queens and Edo Queens.

The kick off for the final game is 3pm, while the third place match will hold by 10 am in the morning at the Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.

The final game will be telecast live on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Radio Nigeria Network Service.

Semi Final Results:

Osun Babes 0-2 FC Robo Queens

Edo Queens 1-0 Confluence Queens

THIRD PLACE

Osun Babes Vs Confluence Queens (10am)

FINAL: Edo Queens 🆚 FC Robo Queens

🗒️ Sunday, 24th October 2021

🕓 3pm

📺 AIT

🏟️ Area 10 Sports Complex, Abuja.

Maureen Mmadu and friends football fiesta

All is set for the weekend of football fiesta with Maureen Mmadu and friends ( EX SUPER FALCONS) in the commercial nerve center of the East, Onitsha, Anambra state.

The city will come alive this weekend with the beautiful game as Ex- Super Falcons gather to support one of their own, Coach Maureen Mmadu.

In the one week of football festival starting from this sunday Ex- Super Falcons will play three matches with three Onitsha based All Stars Football Clubs.

The three matches involving All Stars Onitsha, All Stars Fegge and All Stars 33 will be played on Sunday 24th, Wednesday 27 and Friday 29th October respectively.

While Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium will host two of the matches of 24th and 29th, the match of 27th will be played at Fegge Stadium.

The Soccer bazzar is organized by Maureen Mmadu kiddies Football Camp to increase sensitization and support for female football.

The Maureen Madu Kiddies are preparing for a trip for Denmark where they have been invited to participate in DANA Cup Competition in the first quarter of 2022.

Maureen Madu was born in Onitsha where she started her career with Ado Babes. She intends to give back to society by discovering, mentoring and guiding young talented girls to superstardom.

Giant of Africa falls on latest FIFA Rankings

Super Eagles of Nigeria have fallen by two places on the latest FIFA Coca Cola world rankings released on Thursday, for the month of October.

This is on the back of the Super Eagles’ recent 0-1 defeat in Lagos to Central African Republic. Although the Super Eagles went some way to repairing the damage by winning the return fixture by 2-0 in Douala, Cameroon.

The two games were part of FIFA World Cup qualification game, happening in Qatar. There was also a drop in the Super Eagles’ total accumulated points by one from 12.79 to 14.19.

On the continental table, Nigeria still maintains the fifth position (34 in the world). Senegal occupied the first position in africa. ( 20 in the world), Tunisia second (25 in the world) , Algeria third (30 in the world), Morocco occupies the fourth position in Africa (33 in the world).

Nigeria play Liberia next away on the 11th of November before finishing at home against Cape Verde on November 14th.

UCL: 3 goals in 3 Champions League games for Karim Adeyemi

Karim Adeyemi first two Champions League games were particularly notable, winning four penalties across the two games, including three in one half against Sevilla.

The 19-year-old took just three minutes to get off the mark in Salzburg’s 3-1 win at home to Wolfsburg on Wednesday evening.

All four goals in the UCL match between Salzburg and Wolfsburg were scored by players of Nigerian descent:

🇩🇪🇷🇴🇳🇬 Karim Adeyemi ⚽️
🇩🇪🇳🇬 Lucas Nmecha ⚽️
🇨🇭🇳🇬 Noah Okafor ⚽️⚽️

Adeyemi pounced on some defensive hesitancy to score his third Champions League goal of the campaign to give the Austrians a one goal lead.

Wolfsburg came back into the game with a set piece, after a Maximilian Arnold corner was headed home by Lukas Nmecha of Nigerian descent, which gave the Wolves more confident in the 15th minute.

The double strike by Noah Okafor, another player of Nigerian descent sealed the win for RB Salzburg.

Salzburg before tonight’s game sat on top of Group G on four points after a 1-1 draw away to Sevilla and a 2-1 win at home to French club Lille.

The young striker is being looked at by a number of big clubs across Europe including Liverpool.

Karim Adeyemi speaking to Skysport on the rumours: “I’m very relaxed about it, my focus is here at Salzburg, but of course I feel honoured (by the interest), nothing more. I want to get to the Champions League round of 16 with Salzburg first and then we’ll see what happens”