World Athletics Awards: Amusan, Fraser-Pryce, others make 2022 Women’s Athlete of the Year nominees

World 100m hurdles champion and record holder, Oluwatobiloba Amusan has been nominated alongside World 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for the Women’s Athlete of the Year award.

The World Athletics has released a list of 10 nominees —selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics— for Women’s World Athlete of the Year.

The nominees for 2022 Women’s World Athlete of the Year are:

Tobi Amusan, NGR
– World 100m hurdles champion
– Diamond League, Commonwealth and African 100m hurdles champion
– Set a world 100m hurdles record of 12.12

Chase Ealey, USA
– World shot put champion and world indoor shot put silver medallist
– Diamond League shot put champion
– Threw a world-leading 20.51m

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, JAM
– World 100m champion, claiming a fifth gold medal in the event
– Diamond League 100m champion
– Ran a world-leading 10.62 among her record seven sub-10.70 100m races of the season

Kimberly Garcia, PER
– World 20km race walk champion to win Peru’s first ever World Athletics Championships medal
– World 35km race walk champion in a South American record to complete a race walk double
– World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships 20km bronze medallist

Shericka Jackson, JAM
– World 200m champion
– Diamond League 200m champion
– Ran a world-leading 21.45 to move to second on the world all-time list

Faith Kipyegon, KEN
– World 1500m champion
– Diamond League 1500m champion
– Ran a world-leading Kenyan record of 3:50.37, just three tenths of a second off the world record

Yaroslava Mahuchikh, UKR
– World indoor high jump champion and world high jump silver medallist
– European high jump champion
– Jumped a world-leading 2.05m, equalling the outdoor national best

Sydney McLaughlin, USA
– World 400m hurdles and 4x400m champion
– Broke the world 400m hurdles record with 51.41 at the US Championships
– Further improved the world record to 50.68 to win the world title

Shaunae Miller-Uibo, BAH
– World 400m champion
– World indoor 400m champion
– NACAC 400m champion

Yulimar Rojas, VEN
– World indoor and outdoor triple jump champion
– Diamond League triple jump champion
– Improved her world record to 15.74m in Belgrade

The winners will be revealed on World Athletics’ social media platforms in early December, after the World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family cast their votes by email, and fans also cast their votes online via the World Athletics social media platforms.

Voting percentage:

• World Athletics Council’s vote – 50%
• World Athletics Family’s votes – 25%
• Fans/Public votes – 25%

Voting closes at midnight on Monday 31 October.

2022 Ereke Reloaded: Mayflower Held Young Stars As Grace FC Disunited Unity FC In Opening Games

The third edition of the Ereke Reloaded football competition kicked off on Tuesday with two games at Obafemi Awolowo Nursery and Primary School field, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

After the opening ceremony, Grace FC And Unity FC opened this year’s edition with a firecracking two-goal thriller with Grace FC finding the grace to disunite Unity FC by 2-0.

In the second game of the day, Mayflower and Young Stars settled for a 1-1 draw in Group A.

Grace FC occupy the top position in Group A with three points ahead of Mayflower and Young Stars both with a point each while Unity FC with no point seats at the bottom of Group A.

The Six-A-Side competition will take place from October 11 to November 2, 2022, at Obafemi Awolowo Nursery and Primary School field, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

The organising committee for the competition includes Okunuga Tola (Chairman Organizing Committee), Sonubi Kunle (Secretary),
Akodu Wasiu, Olusola Omoyemi, Idowu Sofowora, and Akitoye Adeyemi.

16 teams registered for this year’s Ereke Reloaded football competition and were grouped into four groups of A-D consisting of four teams each.

Mayflower FC, Unity FC, Grace FC, Young Stars FC, More Winnings FC, KYC, Sunshine Stars, Form 1 FC, God’s Miracle, Recreation FC, NEPA FC, Lacoco FC, Amazing Spurs, Boluwatife FC, Tezzy FC, and Dynamic FC.

2022 Ereke Reloaded football competition Groups

Group A
1. Mayflower fc
2. Unity fc
3. Grace fc
4. Young stars

Group B
1. More Winnings fc
2. KYC
3. Sunshine stars
4. Form 1 fc

Group C
1. Gods Miracle
2. Recreation fc
3. Nepa fc
4. Lacoco fc

Group D
1. Amazing Spurs
2. Boluwatife fc
3. Tezzy fc
4. Dynamic fc

U17WWC: Germany comes from behind to pluck Flamingos’ wings

The well-drilled Germans scored twice in the second period to scoop all three points.

Donning the old jersey Nigeria’s under-17 women’s national team yesterday succumbed to the European champions’ pressure in a 2-1 tightly contested encounter in their opening match at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Goa, India.

The three-time quarterfinalist started on a bright note when the team top goalscorer Opeyemi Ajakaye hit the woodwork in the 18th minute.

Dah Zossu Alvine was brought down in a dangerous and Miracle Usani put the Flamingos in front from the resulting free kick in the 30th minute.

Goalkeeper Faith Omilana came up with two great saves to preserve Nigeria’s lead as the Flamingos led 1-0 at the break.

With their never die spirit, the German machines found the equalizer from the corner kick through Hamburg forward Svea Stold just four minutes into the second half, before Mara Alber finished a counter-attacking move to put Germany in front in the 61st minute.

The Flamingos will be back on the turf of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday to seek victory against New Zealand.

U17WWC: Flamingos Ready To Soar In India

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup begins in India today October 11, 2022, with 16 countries vying for the top prize. 

The biennial competition for the world’s teenage girl-child was launched in New Zealand in 2008 but did not take place in the year 2020 as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Nigeria’s Flamingos are in Group B alongside the Germans, Chile and New Zealand for the competition, which ends October 30.

The quest to win the gong for the first time begins on Tuesday (today) when the Nigeria U17 women’s national team battle Germany in their first match at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao.

Both countries take to the Pandit Jawaharlal Stadium in Goa as from 8pm India time (4pm Nigeria time) in what is the second match of Group B, at the same time as hosts India take on USA at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in what is the official opening match of the competition.

Earlier, as from 12.30pm Nigeria time, Nigeria’s group B opponents Chile and New Zealand will clash in Goa, while group A teams Morocco and Brazil also battle it out in Bhubaneswar.

Nigeria who were a three-time quarterfinalist (2010, 2012, 2014) have featured in every tournament since 2008, except the 2018 edition staged by Uruguay.

Speaking ahead of today’s cracker against Germany, the head coach of Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere, said his girls were ready to take on their European opponents, despite their favourites tag.

“We have been watching the Germans closely and strategising, we have equal legs on the field of play.”

Morocco and Tanzania are the other countries that will fly Africa’s flag in India.

The U-17 tournament has produced stars like Clàudia Pina, Rasheedat Ajibade, Vera Ihezuo, and a whole lot of others.

Who’s going to be the next star this year!?

LIS International To Roll Out The Red Carpet For Nigeria’s Female Commonwealth Stars

Ladies in Sport (LIS) International has meticulously prepared a special evening tagged “She is Greatness” to celebrate the jaw-dropping achievements of Nigerian female athletes at last month’s Commonwealth Games.

Dignitaries from more than five industries will converge to honour, support and inspire these exceptional women who recently made the country proud.
LIS International has partnered with a few Nigerian fashion designers and with Zaron and Nuban Beauty to provide the athletes with gorgeous looks for the night. The dinner is proudly sponsored by Berrywood Capital.

All of Nigeria’s gold medals in Birmingham were won by women. Nigeria recorded its best outing yet at the Games with women athletes contributing 26 of 35 medals. Out of four of the world records set at Birmingham 2022, two of them were by Nigerian women: Goodness Chiemerie Nwachukwu (Para-athletics) and Alice Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Para powerlifting).

Ese Brume, Eucharia Iyiazi, Adijat Olarinoye and Folashade Lawal also broke Commonwealth Games records, while Odunayo Adekuoroye claimed her third consecutive gold medal at the Games.

In spite of the countless hurdles faced by these athletes, they have always had to face, which in many cases start from their parents frowning on their participation in sport, Nigerian female athletes have consistently found a way to make the country proud on the global stage. Despite a dearth of funding and inadequate administrative process, these women never gave up on their dreams and it has been great to see their dedication and efforts being acknowledged these past weeks.

SHE IS GREATNESS is also aimed at attracting more support to encouraging and growing female engagement in sports at the grassroots level and inspiring the next generation of pace setters and world beaters. The event would feature music, dining, awards, endorsements, and corporate gifts given to the athletes. It will also serve as a launch for brands and individuals to partner with some of these athletes for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics that will take place in France.

2022 Omi-Tuntun Benedict Forum Oyokun Diplomatic Football Championship Is Back And Better

The preparation for the 2022 Omi-tuntun Benedict Forum Oyokun diplomatic football championship gets to the summit as the draws for the group stage took place on Sunday 04/09/2022 at Vhics Diamond Lounge and bar, Ibadan.

All participating teams were represented to catch a glimpse of the interesting draws that saw old rivals drawing each other in the same group.

All the attention will be in Group B, where serial winner PACE SETTER LIBERTY will be playing their Brothers UNITED PROFESSIONALS F.C.

Recall that United professionals ended Pace Setter Liberty’s dominance in this competition last year and put an end to their unbeaten run by eliminating them in the quarterfinals by a lone goal. The two sides will clash again this year but, this time in the group stage.

In another pairing, in Group A, Apata Odo-ona Ambassadors will be looking to redeem their image from last year’s humiliation in the hands of U.I. All Stars.

The Apata Odo-Ona Ambassadors were humbled by five goals to nil last time out with U.I All Stars and this year’s grouping has presented another opportunity to take revenge.

Group C home two newcomers and last year’s third-place winners.

The Groups In Full: 👇🏾👇🏾

GROUP A.
1. WESLEY AMBASSADORS
2. PACE SETTER TRANSPORT F.C
3. APATA ODO-ONA AMBASSADORS
4. U.I. ALL-STARS.

GROUP B.
1. UNITED PROFESSIONALS F.C.
2. STAFF ALL-STARS
3. OYO-ALAAFIN AMBASSADORS
4. PACE SETTER LIBERTY

GROUP C.
   1. URBAN-DAY AMBASSADORS
   2. LOYOLA AMBASSADORS
   3. AKINYELE LIVING LEGENDS.

“We Don’t Need Your Validation” – NWFL Club Owners Association Executive Council to Caretaker Committee

The Executive Council of the NWFL Club Owners Association (NWFLCOA) has expressed profound concerns over the press release issued by the Chairperson, Nigerian Women Football League Caretaker Committee (NWFLCC) Ms Aisha Falode on our body’s election held on Thursday, July 21, 2022 in Lagos.

As an independent body, the NWFLCOA does not need the validation of the NWFLCC to conduct its own elections or affairs.

We are surprised that the Chairperson of the NWFLCC will make public a response to our official correspondence to the NWFL Secretariat public even before receiving our response thereto.

We note that the Chairperson, NWFLCC may be mistaking our elections for elections into the Board of the NWFL where members of our Association are to vote by the NFF Statute of 2010. We wish to reiterate that the NWFLCOA as an independent body has its membership drawn from Clubs that invest in the League, particularly clubs in the NWFL Championship and Premiership.

Since this matter has been brought to public space by the Chairperson, NWFLCC, it is imperative to set the records straight. Upon assumption of office, the leadership of the NWFLCOA by its letter dated 22nd July 2022 informed the NWFL Secretariat that a new Executive Council emerged at an election which was organised by the immediate past Executive Council on the 21st of July 2022. This letter was written in a bid not to do business as usual.

In response to the Association’s letter informing them about the new Executive Council, the Chairperson, NWFLCC Board responded and released the full content of the letter to the media even before receiving our response. The NWFLCOA Executive Council note that the action of the Chairperson of NWFLCC is tantamount to undue interference and meddling with the activities of the Association. NWFLCOA has responded the said letter from the NWFLCC and hereby make the content of its response public so that  concerned stakeholders will know the truth.

“Nothing in the NWFL rules or our constitution or even the official NFF letter appointing you as Chairperson gives you the powers to supervise and monitor our elections or gives you the impetus to cancel our Association’s elections.

“We are shocked that the NWFL which is suppose to be an independent body would rise to condemn a free and fair election conducted by our great Association rather than commend and congratulate the new Executives like most Nigerians have done over the past few days. Please note that the NWFL Board are guided by the NWFL rules and the NFF Statutes, while our great Association is guided by its Constitution.

“We expected that the Chairperson will refer us to the section of the NWFL rules, NFF Statutes, the Constitution of our great Association or even the letter appointing the Board by the NFF where the Board is arrogated the powers to supervise and monitor our elections before it can be valid.” The NWFLCOA response says.

The NWFLCOA Executive Council urge the CCNWFL Board not to delve into the affairs of Club Owners Association for the sake of progress and unity.  The NWFLCOA Executive Council expresss its willingness and readiness to work with the CCNWFL but will resist any form of interference targeted at our collective interest and unity.

Unstoppable Oshoala Breaks African Record At CAF Awards 2022

Despite a season blighted by injuries, Nigeria international Asisat Oshoala fended off competition from Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout Njoya and Zambia’s Grace Chanda to claim the 2022 CAF Women’s Player of the Year.

The 2021/22 season was arguably the best yet for the former Super Falcons captain as she played a key role in her club’s domestic treble charge winning the Spanish Women’s Super Cup, Copa de la Reina, and the Primera Division.

Her goals helped Barcelona to retain their Spanish League title last season, finishing as the league’s joint top scorer having 20 goals in 19 league games with Brazilian Geyse Ferreira, who managed the same number of goals in 27 appearances for Madrid CFF.

The Super Falcons star then became the first Nigerian and first African to win the Women’s Spanish Primera Division Pichichi Award.

The Nigerian international also scored four goals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League to help Barcelona reach the final.

On the international scene, she contributed little as she was ruled out of the qualifier of the women’s nations cup due to injury. She also had to pull out of the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the first game against South Africa due to a reoccurring injury. Therefore, she did not score a single goal for the Super Falcons in the period under review.

However, the 27-year-old has now broken an African record to become the first African to win this prestigious award for a record five times, overtaking Perpetua Nkwocha, Samuel Eto’o, and Yaya Toure who have all claimed the accolade on four occasions.

2022 CAF AWARDS WINNERS: Oshoala Wins A Record-breaking Fifth CAF Award As Senegal Dominate The Night

The recipients of the 2022 CAF Awards were announced on Thursday, as Sadio Mane and Asisat Oshoala scooped the coveted African Player of the Year award at the ceremony hosted in Rabat, Morocco. 

  • Asisat Oshoala surpasses Nkwocha, Toure, and Eto’o as the player with the most POTY awards.
  • Evelyn Badu makes history as the winner of the inaugural inter-club POTY award.
  • Desiree Ellis makes it three wins in a row.
  • Senegal dominates the night with five awards.
  • Sadio Mane makes it back-to-back POTY win.
  • Aliou Cissè’s historic journey continues.

Nigeria and Barcelona talisman Asisat Oshoala has been named the 2022 African Women’s Player of the Year at the CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat on Thursday.

The 27-year-old beat off competition from Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout Njoya of Inter Milan and Zambia’s Grace Chanda of BIIK Kazygurt to claim the prize.

The triumph is her fifth time winning the award after she had been adjudged the best African Female Footballer in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2019.

She becomes the first African –male or female– with a record-breaking fifth award surpassing compatriot Perpetua Nkwocha, Samuel Eto’o, and Yaya Toure who all had four awards each before retiring.

In the men’s category, Sadio Mane beat Mohamed Salah and Eduard Mendy to make it a back-to-back CAF Player of the Year award win.

The Senegalese star had won his first in 2019 when the award was last held before COVID disruption.

Mane had a successful year for both club and country after his winning penalty helped Senegal claim their first Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. He had a fantastic year with Liverpool winning Carabao and the FA Cup and reaching the Champions League final.

Black Princesses star Evelyn Badu scoops two awards at 2022 CAF Awards. Having been nominated for two enviable awards, the sensational Ghana forward was named the 2022 CAF Interclub Player of the Year award for the Women’s category for her fantastic performance for former club Hasaacas Ladies at the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League.

The 19-year-old subsequently picked the CAF Young Women’s Player of the Year for her contribution to the Ghana Women’s U20 team.

South Africa’s Desiree Ellis wins the Women’s Coach Of The Year Award for the third time in a row while Senegal coach, Aliou Cissè who led Teranga Lions to their first-ever AFCON triumph in history deservedly wins Coach of the year for Men as Senegal left with five awards on the night.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

▪  Player of the Year (Women) – Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Barcelona)
▪  Player of the Year (Men) – Sadio Mane (Senegal & Bayern Munich)
▪ Interclub Player of the Year (Women) – Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)
▪ Interclub Player of the Year (Men) – Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt & Al Ahly)
▪Young Player of the Year (Women) – Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)
▪ Young Player of the Year (Men) – Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal & Tottenham Hotspur)
▪ Coach of the Year (Women) – Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
▪ Coach of the Year (Men) – Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
▪ Club of the Year (Women) – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
▪ Club of the Year (Men) – Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
▪ National Team of the Year (Men) – Senegal
Goal of the Year – Pape Ousmane Sakho (Senegal/ Simba FC)

▪ PB: National Team of the Year (Women) winner will be announced after the CAF Women’s AFCON final on Saturday.

AWCON 2022: Chef de Mission, NFF Adds New Title To Falode’s Name

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has officially announced the appointment of NFF board member and the Chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Aisha Falode, as the Chef De Mission/ Leader of Delegation for the Super Falcons trip to Morocco for the 2022 CAF African Women Cup of Nations.

Pinnick, noted that Falode was the Leader of Delegation to the Ghana 2018 Women’s Nations Cup which Nigeria won, and she has been found worthy to help motivate Nigeria to yet another victorious edition of the Women’s Nations Cup especially as the Super Falcons team is going for the tenth title of the Nations Cup.

“She, in her capacity as Leader of Delegation can ask anybody not part of the team to leave the team’s camp. She is the eye of the Nigerian government for the team in Morocco.

“She is going to be with the team from the beginning to the end of the tournament. Of course, you know her antecedent, she was in CAF for 10 years even before I came into CAF. She has been able to rebuild and rebrand the women’s league in  Nigeria, Africa, and indeed in the world as one of the best.

“I believe strongly that in the nearest future, she is going to be rewarded for changing the fortune of women’s football league, by CAF and FIFA., and also for her ability and leadership capacity in the organization and advancement of women’s football in Africa.”

The NFF president noted that the Super Falcons are going to Morocco 2022 as the greatest team in Africa. Germany won the European Cup titles eight times, same as the United States of America winning the continental titles for eight times. It’s only the Super Falcons of Nigeria that has won the continental titles for nine times in the world and the players together with Aisha Falode and the coaches have resolved and determined to win the 10th title at Morocco 2022 AWCON. they are more determined and unstoppable to achieve the tenth title for Nigeria at the Women’s Cup of Nations.

“The Super Falcons are also presented with the advantage as being the only team in Africa that has been to all editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup from 1991 till date. So, as they are battling for the tenth title for Nigeria, they are also going for the ticket to play at the next edition of the Women’s World Cup in Australia.”

Aisha Falode in her response promised to ensure total harmony in the team’s camp as Leader of Delegation, with the aim of encouraging the Super Falcons win their tenth title and also qualify for the World Cup in Australia among other accolades at Morocco 2022.

“We know the major focus of all the teams coming to Morocco is to defeat the Super Falcons of Nigeria even if subsequently they don’t win the cup, because of the dominance of the Nigerian team, but, bad for all the eleven teams competing, we won’t allow them.

“For Nigeria, as defending champions, we are going to Morocco with the trophy and by hard work, dedication, and grace of God, we shall come back with the trophy and the tenth title after playing in Morocco as one family. With this spirit, the team will surely play as one unit, one family, with one love, the chemistry to win all games, and the spirit of Nigeria.”