Underdogs Triumph In Fed Cup

The 2015 Federation Cup round of 64 has again delivered some big upsets that we have become accustomed to seeing at this tournament. While teams like Nembe City and Christ Ambassador had expressed strong confidence going into the round of 64, they were left to reel out complaints after recording defeats.

J. Atete FC, who feature in the Nigeria National League (NNL), delivered on their pre-match bragging by beating in-form NPFL table toppers, Sunshine Stars, 3-1. Federation Cup champions, Enyimba, walked over Nasarawa Feeders who didn't show up at the Osogbo centre. Kano Pillars also walked over Zara in Gusau.

Former NPFL side, Plateau United got a lone goal over 3SC of Ibadan in Aba while non-league side Kukuruku Dragons hit the headline with a famous 2-2 draw with another inform NPFL side Giwa FC and won 5-4 on penalties. Bayelsa United kept their noisy neighbours quiet with a commanding 3-0 win over Nembe City while Lobi Stars of Makurdi who are yet to record a win in the NPFL after eight weeks pounded Junior Spotlight of Katsina 4-1 and both NPFL sides, Wikki Tourist FC and Abia Warriors recorded wins as well.

 

Below are the results of Federation Cup day-one matches:

 

ABU Workers 1-1 Ajiroba. Pen. 4-2

Lobi Stars 4-1Junior Spotlight 

Enyimba 3-0 Nasarawa Feeders (walk over) 

J.Atete 3-1 Sunshine Stars 

Nembe City 0-3 Bayelsa Utd 

Kano Pillars 3-0 Zara (Walk over) 

Prime FC 2-1 Christ Ambassador 

Akwa Starlet 1-2 Kwara United 

Remo Stars 5-2 Cardinal

Doma 0-2 Jalingo

Idah Utd 1-3 Spotlight

3SC 0-1 Plateau Utd 

BJ Foundation 3-1 Kurmi Market

Kukuruku Dragons 2-2 Giwa. Pen- 5-4

FC Abuja 0-2 Wikki Tourists 

El-Kanemi Babes 0-1 Abia Warriors

Clubs Owners Sends Condolence Message To Bosso

The Association of Nigeria Premier League Cl‎ubs Chairmen and Managers (Club Owners) have sent a message of condolence to the family of the Head coach of Abia Warriors, Ladan Bosso, over the death of his beloved wife.

Club owners expressed shock over the sad incident which it described as a big loss to the entire family of the former Wikki Tourists coach as well as his friends and associates in the football family.

The Association in statement signed by the Ag. Chairman Barr. Isaac Danladi commiserated with the Bosso family and the management of Abia Warriors FC over the loss which befell the young coach.

The club owners prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Bosso ‎and for God to grant the families and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Association added that it would soon send a strong delegation ‎to visit Minna to condole with the family of the deceased.

Writers Challenged To Promote Domestic Leagues

 

The Nigeria Sporting Media under the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) have been challenged to give adequate reportage of the local leagues and other sporting events in the country in order to promote sports in Nigeria. 

 

A member of the National Executive committee of SWAN, Alloy Chukwuemeka, made the call while addressing the newly elected executives and members of SWAN at a get together for the new Exco held in Enugu Wednesday.

Chukwuemeka, who is also the General Manager of NNL side ABS FC Ilorin, said the responsibility to give adequate coverage and promote the local League’s resides heavily with sports writers in Nigeria, just as he urged them to rise up to the challenges posed by the celebration of the foreign leagues by Nigerian fans against the local game.

The Ag. Secretary of the Club Owners in Nigeria added that the Nigerian sporting media owe it as a duty to reverse the trend and get fans to return to stadia and embrace the Nigerian leagues. Writers were called to make use of all the available information dissemination purposes, including social media, to woo the fans.

The SWAN head of Information and Strategy said further that plans are underway by the leadership of the National executive committee of SWAN to visit the new Chairman of the League Management Company LMC Mallam Shehu Dikko and his NNL counterpart Chief Emeka Inyama as well as the Nationwide and Female Leagues to open a new partnership on how best to ensure adequate promotion of the leagues.

Chukwuemeka congratulated the new executive of Enugu SWAN and charged them to be proactive, transparent and to initiate programmes to uplift the Association not only in Enugu state but the entire south-East region.

Responding, the newly elected chairman of Enugu SWAN, Mr. Nobert Okolie, on behalf of his executive committee and members thanked the visiting National officer for being in their midst and assured that his administration would carry every member along and also ensure that the state branch became more vibrant in its activities.

Oshoala: I Feel No Pressure

Asisat Oshoala has insisted, in no unclear terms, that she will not be under any sort of pressure when the World Cup gets underway in Canada in June.

Aguero Strike Claims Three Points For Man City

 

English Premier League

Result: Tottenham 0-1 Man City

 

Date: 3 May 2015

Venue: White Hart Lane

Manchester City only required a single strike from Sergio Aguearo to claim all three points at Tottenham in their Premier League clash on Sunday.

 

Spurs almost made the perfect start as they came within inches of taking the lead only three minutes into the game. Chadli broke down the left wing and earned a corner kick for his side. Lamela whipped in the corner but Dier's glanced header went just wide.

 

A mere minute later the hosts were yet again threatening to score the opening goal. Harry Kane powered past the City defenders before unleashing a powerful low shot that went narrowly wide of the left-hand post.

 

However, despite Tottenham's flashy start to the game it was the visitors who drew first blood in the 29th minute. David Silva provided the pin-point pass that released Sergio Aguero who smashed home his finish into the roof of the net.

 

City had their tails up around the 70-minute mark and came close to doubling their advantage when Kolarov rifled a thunderous strike at Hugo Lloris. However, the Spurs keeper was up to the task and pushed the ball over the bar.

 

With six minutes left before stoppage time, Joe Hart was called upon to make a good save low and to his left when Paulinho's strike threatened to level matters following some great build-up play between the Brazilian and Soldado.

Chelsea Beat Palace To Secure EPL Title

English Premier League Report: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace 3 May 2015

English Premier League

Result: Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace

Date: 3 May 2015

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea put in a workmanlike performance against Crystal Palace on Sunday to earn a 1-0 victory and clinch the English Premier League title.

 

The hosts made a nervy start to the clash but were given a good opportunity in the 24th minute when a mistake by Palace keeper Julian Speroni resulted in the loose ball falling at Nemanja Matic's feet following a set-piece. The midfielder had a tight angle to shoot from at the near post and sent his effort into a wall of bodies instead of playing it back for Didier Drogba who was in space on the edge of the area.

 

In the 44th minute the Blues had the opening they were waiting for. Willian and Eden Hazard played a one-two on the edge of the box before the Belgian darted into the area where he was tripped by McArthur, resulting in a penalty for the hosts.

 

Hazard's penalty was uncharacteristically poor and was easily saved by Speroni, but the keeper could only parry it back towards the PFA Player of the Year who nodded it home to save his blushes and give Chelsea the crucial breakthrough.

 

Branislav Ivanovic came close to securing the league title in the 56th minute when he opted to smash a shot at goal from 30 yards, but it flew just wide of the far post.

 

At the other end of the pitch Puncheon almost netted what would have been a sensational equaliser. A long ball forward was headed down by Murray, allowing Puncheon to pounce on it, blasting a half-volley from 30 yards that beat Thibault Courtois but only just missed wide.

 

In the last few minutes of the clash Blues boss Jose Mourinho shut up shop as he brought on the imposing figure of Kurt Zouma to replace Willian and ensure that the three points were collected and the Premier League title secured with the 1-0 win.

"After Cristiano & Messi, Hazard Will Be Next"

Jose Mourinho Hails Eden Hazard As The Third Best Player In The World

Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, believes only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are currently better than Eden Hazard.

The Belgian winger recently received the PFA Player of the Year award, following some impressive displays for the Blues this season, which most likely end up as a title-winning campaign.

"After Cristiano and Messi, Hazard will be next. I don't see anyone else," Mourinho told the Sun.

"You can see the potential, the evolution and the way he's been holding on to his profile as a person.

"The world still hasn't reached him. He's still a humble kid, a team player, nice and with a family life.

"But I also believe that, behind phenomenal players like Ronaldo and Messi, there's something close to an organised campaign.'

Mourinho took a shot at English football, adding that Hazard would be lauded in another country.

"It's a 24-year-old boy, who plays in a country where there isn't a culture of the best player of the world," he added.

"If he was in another country, they would grab him, put him next to Ronaldo and Messi, wait for them to be 33, 34 and 31, 32, and Hazard would be next."