Sport

CAF Officer Dies in Nigerian Stadium During World Cup Qualifier

By Web News 595

A CAF official, Dr. Joseph Kabungo has lost his life following the violence that erupted after the Ghana versus Nigeria World Cup Qualifier in Abuja on Tuesday night.

Dr. Kabungo was CAF’s Doping Officer for the second leg of the World Cup play-off between the West African rivals.

The Black Stars of Ghana drew 1-1 with the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Moshood Abiola stadium to qualify for the tournament in Qatar.

Report says his family, the Zambia FA and the government of Zambia have been duly informed.

The Zambian FA, through the federation President Andrew Kamanga, eulogized the 2012 AFCON winner with Zambia as a dedicated and widely loved member of Zambia’s football community but noted that it was still early to make conclusions on the exact cause of death.

“We take note that it is too early to dwell into the nitty-gritty of the cause of his death but will wait for the full report from CAF and FIFA on what exactly transpired.He was a dedicated and widely loved member of our football community and his impact was vast, having also been part of the 2012 AFCON winning team”.

“His death is a huge loss as Dr Kabungo was a friend and confidant to many generations of players and their families.” FAZ president Andrew Kamanga added.

Olaolu Fawole

Sport

Super Eagles Vs Black Stars: FG Declares Half Working Day For Civil Servants

By Web News 831

The Federal government has directed all offices to close by 1pm, on Tuesday, March 29.

A circular issued by Permanent Secretary (Service Welfare Office) Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe, for Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, says this is to mobilise Nigerians for the 2nd leg World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Nigeria at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

The circular notes that there is need to ensure massive support for the Nigerian Team and consequently all offices will be closed by 1 O clock in the afternoon on Tuesday.

The Circular

It calls on Permanent Secretaries to give the circular wide publicity to achieve the desired result.

Olaolu Fawole

Sport

Black Stars Arrive Abuja Ahead of Nigeria clash

By Web News 651

The Black Stars of Ghana have arrived Abuja for tomorrow’s second leg World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The match will be played at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.

Ghana was held to a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi last Friday, in the first leg.

Black Stars at Arrival in Abuja

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation have jointly purchased 20,000 tickets to be given to fans to watch the SuperEagles Youth and Sports Development Minister, Mr Sunday Dare announced this after a meeting of the organizing committee.

“We will buy 20,000 of the tickets and give to fans at designated centres on Monday and Tuesday morning. We want to ensure maximum support for the Super Eagles by filling up the stands.

Also speaking, NFF 2nd Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko added that both the Ministry and the NFF believe that the full house will ginger the Super Eagles to earn a seventh FIFA World Cup finals ticket tomorrow. “It is a very big match and we need the maximum support for our team.

The players have expressed a desire for full house, just as the Ghanaians had in Kumasi. We want to thank the Ministry for initiating this move.

Wrt up/Olaolu Fawole

Sport

Qatar 2022: We’ll sacrifice everything against Black Stars – Musa 

By Web News 484

Ghana and Nigeria share a fierce football rivalry which is set to be revisited, with the Black Stars and Super Eagles locked in a battle for one of five tickets to Qatar later this year.

Super Eagles winger, Ahmed Musa has assured Nigerians that the team will give out their best in order to overcome the Black Stars of Ghana in Friday’s 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Musa, who joined the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja ahead of the blockbuster clash, stated this in the team’s official Instagram account on Tuesday.

Musa wants the Super Eagles to get a good result against Otto Addo’s side in Ghana before the second leg in Nigeria.

“We have to give all that we have in the first game to see what we can have before we come back home,” Musa was quoted by Super Eagles’ official Instagram account as saying.

“And by the grace of God, we will do all our best to see what we can do over there.”

Ghana will host the 1st leg at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Friday, March 25, before travelling to Abuja Stadium for the 2nd leg on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

The winner of the encounter will pick one of the five tickets for Africa at the world showpiece in Qatar.

Complete Sports

Sport

Sports Minister Charges Super Eagles as World Cup Qualifiers Begin

By Web News 670

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare was a dinner guest of the Super Eagles on Thursday, the eve of the opening game of their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Nigeria will face Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Friday hoping for another successful qualifying run to the world’s biggest football stage, the FIFA Senior World Cup Finals.

Dare praised the players and the coaches for the successes  of the recent past and urged them to kick start this latest campaign with undiminished commitment.

“I sincerely want to appreciate all of you. The technical crew, players and the support staff. You have made us proud in the past and I want to urge you to continue with same zeal and vigour.

“You have demonstrated professionalism and an understanding of what it means to don the green and white jersey of Nigeria. We will be rooting for you to get this qualifying campaign off to a good start and then follow things up with successes in your subsequent matches. We want to be in Qatar 2022 as a participating nation not spectators. I trust you to make it happen for Nigeria and Nigerians.”

The Sports Minister also heaped encomiums on the Nigeria Football Federation for their efforts at self funding and seeking private sector support for their programmes.

“Government cannot do it alone. We need collaborations and partnerships with the private sector. These are the resources needed to keep our players and coaches comfortable so they can focus on getting us good results on the pitch.The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will make the environment conducive for the Nigeria Football Federation to make this sort of breakthrough and progress,” Dare said.

Sport

Coronavirus: Euro 2020 Postponed Until Next Year

By Web News 795

The tournament, due to be played across Europe in 12 different countries, would be an obvious risk for the spread of coronavirus.

Euro 2020 is being postponed for a year due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to Norway’s football association.

In a tweet, the Norwegian FA said: “UEFA has decided that the European Championship is postponed to 2021. It will be played from 11 June to 11 July next year. More information coming.”

UEFA, European football’s governing body, is holding an emergency meeting via a video conference call with its 55 affiliated national football federations and representatives of clubs, leagues and players on Tuesday.

The 24-team tournament, due to be played across Europe in 12 different countries, including England, would be an obvious risk for the spread of coronavirus.

UEFA itself has moved into lockdown because of coronavirus, with only business-critical staff working from its headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, from Monday evening onwards.

The move, though unconfirmed, follows the suspension of football in all five of Europe’s top domestic leagues – England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany, along with the Champions League, Europa League and World Cup qualifiers.

The International Olympic Committee is also meeting today.

Culled from Sky News