Human Angle

Footballer Slumps, Dies during Match in Osun

By Web News 450

By Mojisola Oladele 

A 29-year-old footballer, Adewale Adeyemi, playing for the Ilesa West Local Government Area football team, tragically passed away after collapsing during a football competition in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent findings revealed that the incident occurred Yesterday ( Thursday) during the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final at Ataoja School of Science, where Adewale suddenly slumped on the pitch.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola in a statement made available to newsmen, disclosed that Adewale collapsed on the pitch during the match and was immediately rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

The Statement reads “Today, 16/01/2025, while the Adeleke Memorial Cup Final match was going on at Ataoja School of Science, one Adeyemi Adewale, ‘M’, 29 years, a player from Ilesa West Football Team, slumped on the pitch.

“He was rushed to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by the doctor.” The Statement adds.

One of his relatives, who preferred to be anonymous said, the ugly incident coincided with the birthday of the late footballer.

Meanwhile, The remains of the deceased had been deposited at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital morgue in Osogbo.

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Sport

Screening Commences for Female Footballers in Oyo

By Web News 552

By Olumide Ogunbiyi

Oyo State Government says it plans to commence the screening of female footballers across the state.

Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke stated this at a meeting with newsmen in Ibadan.

Adegoke explained that trials will take place in 6 different zones across the state with the Oyo zone and Ogbomosho zone kicking off on the 6th of February at the Durbar Stadium Oyo from 9 am to 11 am and Soun Township Stadium Ogbomosho from 1 pm to 3 pm.”

7th of February will see the Kisi zone trial at Kisi Township Stadium, with the exercise being held in Saki Township Stadium, Iseyin Stadium the same day.

Ibarapa zone, which covers Igboora and Eruwa will hold its trials on the 8th of February at Methodist Grammar School.

In Ibadan, on the 7th of February, the exercise will be held for participants from both secondary and tertiary schools at Ikolaba High School Ibadan.

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Sport

Novelty Match: Radio Nigeria Ibadan, Pensioners FM Slug it Out 2 All

By Web News 548

By Oluwakayode Banjo

Radio Nigeria Ibadan football team this morning played a 2-2 draw with Pensioners FM in a novelty match.

The match, played at the Olubadan stadium, Iyaganku, Ibadan, was part of activities marking the 4th anniversary of Pensioners FM Ibadan.

The Pensioners team scored the first goal of the game as the first half ended in their favour.

However, few minutes into the second half, Radio Nigeria equalized to make it 1-1.

Pensioners FM took the lead again few minutes later, before Radio Nigeria scored their second goal of the game in the dying minutes to make the final score 2-2.

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Foreign

Football Nails Dangerous Fugitive Evading Justice for 11 Years

By Web News 301

One of Italy’s most dangerous fugitives has been caught in Greece after a photo of him cheering on his football team gave away his whereabouts.

Vincenzo La Porta, 60, is thought to have close ties to the Camorra organised crime gang in Naples.

He has been on the run for 11 years – but earlier this year was spotted in a photo of fans celebrating in Greece.

The Naples Carabinieri police said: “What betrayed him was his passion for football and for the Napoli.”

Officers said the photos were taken after Napoli won its first Italian championship in over three decades earlier this year.

“With the championship victory, La Porta couldn’t resist celebrating,” police said.

La Porta has already been convicted in absentia in Italy for criminal association, tax evasion and fraud.

Police finally arrested him on Friday while he was riding his moped on the Greek island of Corfu and he is now currently in a jail awaiting extradition to Italy.

If he is extradited to Italy, he is due serve a prison sentence of 14 years and four months.

La Porta’s lawyer told AP news agency: “He has started a new family in Greece… He has a nine-year-old boy and is working as a cook to get by. He suffers from heart ailments. If he’s extradited, he and his family will be ruined.”

The authorities were relentless in their pursuit of La Porta, tracking his financial and online movements closely and “waited for him to make a misstep”.

Back in May, La Porta could not contain his excitement when Napoli won its first Serie A title after 33 years.

The police spotted him in a photo outside a Corfu restaurant among Napoli fans donning a baseball cap and waving the team’s sky blue and white colours.

The investigators knew they had their man and followed him to Greece.

With a little help from their Greek colleagues, they arrested him on Friday, the Greek police said.

In January, this year, an Italian mafia boss who was on the run for decades was arrested after a Google Maps sighting.

BBC/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Sport

Twelve Teams Trade Tackles for MKO Abiola Cup

By Web News 1003

By Olusegun Folarin

Twelve teams from the six geo-political zones of the country will converge on Ogun State for the National Under -18 Boys Football Competition tagged ” MKO Abiola Cup” 

The Chairman, Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, Ogun State Chapter, Alhaji Waheed Lawal made this known in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Abeokuta.

Alhaji Lawal, who noted that the competition had suffered a setback due to lack of funds and sponsorship, explained that arrangements had been concluded to stage the fifth edition of the tournament.

He pointed out that the competition was to honour the first Pillar of Sports in Africa, late Chief M.K.O Abiola for his contributions to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria and outside the shores of the country.

Alhaji Lawal said the competition to be played at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode would take place between 20th and 26th August while the final would be held at the MKO Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

He said there would be a friendly match between All Stars Football Club, Abeokuta and Ogun State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, for the posthumous birthday of the late Philanthropist.

Also, a Football psychologist, Coach Adeyemi Kehinde said National teams’ coaches would be on ground to select players for the various national teams.

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Sport

20th Anniversary: Paramount FM Wins Novelty Match

By Web News 483

By Olusegun Folarin

The football team of Paramount FM, Abeokuta, has defeated their counterpart from Continental Suites by three goals to two in a novelty match, as part of the events lined up to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the station.

The encounter played at the Fun Turf behind MKO stadium, Kuto Abeokuta witnessed brilliant displays of both teams throughout the game.

Afolabi Sobande of Engineering Department got two goals and one assist in the game, which earned him Man of the match, despite losing a penalty in the encounter, while Jude David of Programmes Department increased the goal to three.

In a post match conference, head coach of the team, Ayo Omotosho expressed satisfaction with the performance of his players, describing their opponent from Continental suites as a good side.

Also, The General Manager, Paramount FM Abeokuta, Mr Akinyinka Akintola, who performed the official kick-off, commended the players for making the station proud  and appreciated the management of Continental Suites for their support at all times.

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Sport

Football Returns to Ukraine amid Ongoing War

By Web News 501

In the midst of Russia’s ongoing invasion, Ukraine has commenced its new football season to boost morale around the country.

Shakhtar Donetsk drew 0-0 with Metalist 1925 at the Olympics stadium in Kyiv, In the Ukrainian Premier League’s first match.

In an emotional pre-match ceremony, the players of both teams and the referees entered the pitch wrapped in Ukrainian flags and with a banner that read “We are of the same courage”, Reuters says.

As a show of support for Ukraine, Shakhtar players wore T-shirts with, “Donetsk. Ukraine will win” inscribed over their jerseys, while the players of the Kharkiv club wore similar T-shirts with the inscription “Kharkiv. Ukraine will win.”

Instead of wearing jerseys bearing the logo of its sponsors, the Metalist 1925 played the match in jerseys with the emblem of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

A minute of silence in memory of the Ukrainians who died as a result of the Russian invasion was observed before the first symbolic kick of the ball was made by a Ukrainian soldier.

Some passers-by outside the stadium in Kyiv including Maksym Scherbyna, a fan of Dynamo Kyiv said “the resumption of football was very important. we show that war can’t stop us”.

“Our country needs football very much. It unites people very much”, another fan, Denys Lazarenko said.

Ukrainian football was suspended following Russia’s invasion which began on February 24. Many clubs will play their home games away from their own cities, but largely in the safer western or central regions.

Oluwaseyi Ajibade/Adetutu Adetule

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Sport

Radio Nigeria Ibadan Kids Football Challenge Final Group Games Concluded

By Web News 1073

Final group games have been concluded at the Radio Nigeria Ibadan Kids Football Challenge.


The weeping Boys in group C Ladigbolu Secondary School have failed to record any point and a goal, had the opportunity to change that narrative when they faced Fiditi Grammer School who prior to the game where in third place with a point from two games.

Ladigbolu Secondary School (Orange ) Fiditi Grammer School (Yellow)


The first half of the encounter ended goaless, on resumption of the second half Victor Olaofe of Fiditi Grammer School from outside the 18 yard box hit the ball perfectly to score a goal of the tournament contender, and in the dying minute of the secomd half Fiditi Grammer School were awarded a penalty after Ladigbolu defender handled the ball in his own box, captain of Fiditi, Joshua Olanipekun stepped up picked his spot and managed to hit the bar to the dissapointment of the teaming fans at the venue.


The only goal by Victor Olaofe was enough to give Fiditi Grammer thier first victory of the tournament.


In the other group C encounter which was the match of the group between table toppers SPED Secondary School and Second placed Ilora Community High School, going into the match SPED toping group C with 6 points required a draw to qualify for the finals of the zone, while second placed Ilora Community High School needed nothing short of a victory to be in the finals.

L-R Ilora Community Higher School (Black),SPED Secondary School (White )


Ilora Community came out of the blocks flying taking the game to SPED whose defence could not curtial the pressure eventually conceeding in the opening minutes of the game thanks to brilliant strike by Ojo Mohammed of Ilora.


The second half, all efforts by SPED to get that much needed equaliser proved abortive as Ilora snatched the victory and a place in the finals of the zone, at full time it was SPED Secondary school 0-1 Ilora Community High School.


Similar to group C the first match day 3 in group D was a dead rubber encounter as Community High school Fiditi filed out against rock bottom Al-Aadin Unique College who are yet to record a goal and any point in the tournament.

L-R Al-Aadin Unique College (Blue), Community High School Fiditi


Community High School Fiditi got an early lead through Kehinde Oyediji who headed the ball past Al-Aadin goal keeper to record the only goal of the match as the second half of the match produced no goal.


The last match of Day 3 saw host Oliveth Baptist coming into the game on the back of two wins against Second place Oba Adeyemi High School with a draw and a win.

L-R Oliveth Baptist High School(Blue), Oba Adeyemi High School


Host Oliveth needed just a draw to get to the finals of the zone while anything short of a victory will see Oba Adeyemi bow out at the group stage.


With the support of the very vocal home fans Oliveth Baptist where determined not to allow Oba Adeyemi steal their thunder on thier home turf, it was an end to end encounter with both side defending in numbers the first half ended goaless, on resumption of the second half Oliveth Baptist stuck to thier game plan and held on till the final whistle.


The match ended goaless and that scoreline was enough to see Oliveth Baptist High School through to the Oyo Zone final against Ilora Community High School.


The Oyo Zone final will be played on Saturday the 15th of January 2022 at the Oliveth Baptist High School football Pitch.


The winner of the Oyo Zone Final between Oliveth Baptist High and Ilora Community High School will take on the Winner of the Ibadan zone Brightsville College for the opportunity to become champions of the maiden edition of the Radio Nigeria Ibadan Kids Football Challenge.

Ojeakhe Ozoya

Sport

Radio Nigeria Kids Football Challenge Day Two Updates

By Web News 1321

Match day two of the Radio Nigeria Kids football challenge taking place at Oliveth Baptist high school recorded three victories, a draw with a total of seventeen goals scored so far.


Day two fixtures started with group C encounter between Ladigbolu Secondary School and Ilora Community High School.

L-R Ladigbolu Secondary School, Match officials, Ilora Community High School


After losing by seven goals to SPED secondary school Ladigbolu came into the game with Ilora community high school defensively conscious, but with forays of attack from Ilora the defensive line of Ladigbolu collapsed in the second half and at full time it was Ilora Community High one Ladigbolu nil.


The second match played in group C saw high scoring SPED and Fiditi Grammer School who are yet to record a goal in the tournament square off, and at the end of hostilities between the two sides SPED defeated Fiditi Grammer school by a lone goal.

Fiditi Grammar School (yellow), SPED Secondary School (White)


Current standings in group C sees SPED toping with six points in second place is Ilora Community High School with four points, Fiditi Grammer School are in third place with a point while Ladigbolu Secondary School occupies the last position with no point and goal recorded yet.


In Group D Community High School Fiditi where hoping to bounce back from their opening day loss by 2 un-replied goals to host school Oliveth Baptist High, as they locked horns with Oba Adeyemi who came into the game on the back of a win in the opening encounter against Al-Aadin Unique College.

L-R Community High School Fiditi, Match officials, Oba Adeyemi High School


The encounter was a feisty one at the blast of the final whistle it was Community High School Fidity 2-2 Oba Adeyemi High School.
The last game of match Day two saw host Oliveth Baptist High School Grinding out a slim 1-0 victory against Al-Aadin Unique College.

L-R Al-Aadin Unique College , Match officials, Olivet Baptist High School


With the win Oliveth Baptist High school currently sit at the summit of group D with six points, Oba Adeyemi High School find themselves in second place with four points, Community High school Fiditi are placed third with a point from two games played while Al-Aadin are currently rock bottom in group D with no point.


Hostilities resumes tomorrow Friday the 14th of January 2022 in group C as bottom placed Ladigbolu will be playing for pride when they take top the field of play against third placed Fiditi Grammer school, and in the battle of supremacy in group C, table toppers SPED Secondary School will take on Second placed Ilora Community High school who will be looking to snatch qualification from SPED for a spot in the Oyo zone final showdown.


While in group D it will be all to play for nothing to lose as third placed Community High school Fiditi file out against Bottom of the table Al-Aadin Unique College.


The last match of Day 3 which has been characterised by pundits and fans as the match of the day, will be the clash between host and table toppers Oliveth Baptist High school and Second Placed Oba Adeyemi High School.


After completion of group games winner of each group will play each other in the Oyo zone final of the championship which will take place on Saturday the 15th of January at the Oliveth Baptist High School Football Pitch.


Ojeakhe Ozoya

Sport

About 30 Compounds To Battle For Ibadan Community Cup

By Web News 652

The ancient city of Ibadan metropolis will once again be set aglow as the Ibadan Community Cup football competition is set to take a centre stage.

A release made available to newsmen by the Media Coordinator of the tournament, Sunday Agunbiade and signed by the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Coach Kayode Ogunleye says that some of the registered Compounds are, Kubu Compound Ojaba, Alu Sekere compound, popoyemoja and Akinlawon Compound Eleta.

Others are, Ajiwedogun Compound, Ololu Compound,Ode Aje, Foko Community, Aroro Arulogun, Oganla Community

The release notes that the closing date for registration has been extended to the 5th of next month to accommodate more Compounds, Agboole.

Irepodun Alaja Community, Moniya won the first edition via a penalty shoot-out,10-9, against Olodo Community World Wide, Olodo, Ibadan.

Olaolu Fawole 

Sport

FRCN Inaugurates Committee On Kids Football Challenge

By Web News 619

The committee on the maiden edition of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Ibadan Zonal station Kids Football Challenge among Secondary Schools in Oyo state has been inaugurated.

While performing the inauguration held at studio One of the Corporation, Acting Zonal Director, FRCN Ibadan, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi enjoined the members of the committee to work as a team to ensure a successful tournament.

Mrs Owoyemi said the competition was initiated to discover football talents.

She urged the committee to carry all stakeholders along in the plans for the competition and put into consideration COVID 19 protocols.Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, and Assistant Director Marketing, FRCN Ibadan, Mr. Wale Afinjuomo said that the kids football challenge would be held for under thirteen children in junior secondary schools in Oyo state.

Mr. Afinjuomo added that the competition would be organised in accordance with FIFA rules guiding football

Olaolu Fawole

Sport

Egba Football Championship Kicks off in March

By Web News 809

Official draw for the third Egba Youth Football Championship has been held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital with a call on stakeholders to key into the vision towards building strong and virile communities in the state.

The competition which has Six Hundred and Forty participants from thirty two communities in Ogun State will kick off on 5th March, 2021 at the Muda Lawal Stadium, Asero Abeokuta.

The team leader of the Championship, Mr. Olalekan Shoyinka explained that the competition was borne out of the need to give community boys a healthy and fairly competitive environment that would assist them to grow in sports, especially football.

Mr. Shoyinka, who described sports as crucial to securing the communities and curb societal menace, said the organizers would continue to leverage on the success of the competition to impact positively on the communities.

Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council, Mrs Iyabode Rotimi encouraged the participating teams to be professional and exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Mrs Rotimi gave the assurance that the sports council would give necessary support to the organizers towards the success of the Championship.

Also, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mr. Hammed Abodurin restated the commitment of the corps to support initiatives that would promote peace among various communities in the state.

The official draw ceremony also witnessed presentation of awards to notable members of the society for their contributions to the development of sports at the grassroots level.

The thirty two teams were drawn into eight groups and each group consists of four teams.

Olusegun Folarin

Sport

Foreign League preference: Experts Blame Domestic League Structure

By Web News 1056 Post a comment

During football seasons, viewing centers across the country experience large turnout of football loving Nigerians who cannot wait to watch their favourite foreign clubs lock horns with one another.

In this report, Radio Nigeria Speaks with the Chairman of OYAH Sports FC of Suleja, Osman Sillah, and a sports journalist and analyst, Sunday Agunbiade on the way out for preference of foreign leagues over Nigeria’s football league.

Olaolu Fawole

Sport

NNL Spells Out Medical Conditions For Participation In New Season

By Web News 723

Ahead of the 2020/2021 Season of the Nigeria National League, NNL, and in a renewed effort to ensure that lives of players and officials are adequately protected, the NNL has reeled out strong medical dictates to safeguard the fitness of the dramatis personnel on and off the pitch of play.

According to NNL Chief Operating Officer, Mr Emmanuel Adesanya, this has become imperative considering recent incidences of death recorded on the field of play and the prevailing COVID-19 global pandemic.

“The Medical conditions are very clear in the rule books governing Association Football, it is a crusade that will ensure adequate medical facilities are provided at all times by clubs in our League” he said.

Mr Adesanya reiterated the provisions of the NNL rule book on the need for every club to have medical professionals which should comprise: A medical Doctor, Nurse, Physiotherapist and a masseur for their matches.

2. Clubs are to carry out medical examination on all contracted players and coaches and have medical records of which shall be made available for inspection by authorized representatives of the league body.

3. Making available players medical record to other clubs during transfer and negotiation of a player by the club holding such a player.

4. Clubs are to maintain a medical insurance scheme approved by the NNL.

5. Compulsory first aid medical services at every match venue, with clubs and their State Football Associations providing stretchers and ambulances well equipped with basic medical gadgets.

6. Clubs will present certificate of medical fitness of all players and coaching cabinet, such certificate must be endorsed by a doctor with his contact details from a reputable and designated government-owned medical centre in their state.

It is worthy to note that the NNL is working to synergize with reputable government approved medical centre to ensure absolute compliance by the clubs.

Mr. Adesanya however, warned that non-compliance by clubs will not be treated kids gloves.

Olaolu Fawole

Sport

Football Fracas Results in Death

By Web News 1473

A footballer, Shuaib Isola has allegedly been killed by his team mate on the football pitch in Iwo, Osun state.

The incident occurred at St. Mary Grammar School, Iwo, when an altercation reportedly ensued on the pitch which led to fighting between the supporters of the two teams.

Isola who was a member in one of the teams tried to defend the interest of his colleagues when one Ahmed Lateef, allegedly hit him with a charm which made him fall unconsciously on the spot. 

One of the spectators who did not want to be mentioned told Radio Nigeria that Isola was rushed to General hospital in Iwo where he was confirmed dead. 

A source close to the family also told Radio Nigeria that the deceased just concluded his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC and returned home.

When contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident and added that the suspect, Ahmed Lateef had been arrested. 

Adenitan Akinola

News Analysis

Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Sports

By Web News 1049

As the spread of Covid-19, also known as Coronavirus pandemic escalates across the world, a number of sports organisations have altered their schedules in response to the pandemic.

Indeed, in the past few weeks, the inevitable impact of the coronavirus on the sports industry has landed with a stunning blow. 

While most sports associations have suspended their nation’s leagues, some clubs were compelled to play without spectators.

In the longer term, summer events like the UEFA’s euro 2020 and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as well as the Paralympics have been postponed till next year.

Also, the bi-annual Nigerian National Sports Festival, NSF, billed for Edo State was postponed indefinitely, few days to its commencement. 

According to the World Health Organisation, W.H.O., over five hundred thousand worldwide cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed, while over fourteen thousand people have died so far.

Among the dead are two Spanish sports journalists.

A fifty-nine year old José María Candela, who worked for Radio Nacional De España (RNE) and Seventy-Eight year old director general, Motorpoint Networks Editores, Tomás Díaz-Valdés, both died of Covid-19 last Friday.

Few sportsmen have tested positive, while many of them are currently in self-isolation.

Sports events are no longer a simple diversion to brighten up midweek nights and weekends, but a dangerous public space.

For the first time since World War two, the billion dollars industry is suspended, affecting athletes, clubs, leagues, tournaments, organizations and thousands of people whose livelihood depends on sports, including sports journalists. 

No doubt, sports as a unifying factor, has suffered greatly due to the outbreak of Covid-19 and if this lingers on, it could result in job cuts.

Sports businesses would be affected due to the lockdown, many sports organisations might not be able to pay salaries of staff, while many stakeholders in the world of sports will likely be confronted with issues relating to contracts, insurance, employment, health and safety, sales, and operations.  

Also, the livelihood of thousands of sports journalists has gone as most sports media outfits could not meet their financial obligations, of course, they are not alone.

Though initial statements from leagues and national associations have set early next month as a target for resumption, however, health experts forecast the pandemic raging for a further three or even four months.

Sports’ suspension due to the Covid-19 outbreak may also mean a last full-stop for many sports publications, tipping even more colleagues into the abyss.

While it is commendable that some sportsmen are contributing to the financial kitty in the fight against Covid-19, it is imperative to know that the preservation of human lives is the most important thing right now.

Olaolu Fawole

Sport

NFF Denies Owning Rohr, Clarifies Dennerby’s Situation

By Web News 720

The Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, says it is not owing any of the Coaches in its employ any salary.

This is contained in a statement it issued on Twitter via has its handle @thenff.

The Football body also cleared the air concerning Super Falcons coach, Thomas Dennerby.

Full Statement

“The NFF wishes to put records straight with regards to a claim in the social media on Friday, 11th October 2019 that the football house is owing Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, three months’ salary.

As we speak, Mr. Rohr is only being owed salary for the month of September 2019, which is being processed.

As for Mr. Thomas Dennerby, we have received his resignation letter and of course, he has his right to resign from a job.

We want to put it on record that no Head Coach in the history of the Super Falcons has been afforded the level and readiness of support that has been provided Mr. Dennerby by this Board.

Perhaps, one of the reasons he left was because we did not accede to his request to bring in more expatriate coaches and an indigenous coach who does not have the required license.

If we had agreed to his request for more expatriate coaches, that would have left our indigenous coaches presently with the team in the lurch.”

Maxwell Oyekunle