RANGERS INTERNATIONAL BEGIN FAN BASE CENSUS

Nigeria professional football league champions Rangers international of Enugu have flagged of census of its fan base across the country and beyond.  The exercise  is not only aimed at identifying real fans of the coal city based club but also enable the club serve its fans and well wishers better.  The flying Antelopes suffered 32 years trophy drought but ultimately broke the jinx this year clinching the league in style to earn a ticket to represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions league alongside Rivers United.  The online exercise expects fans to state thier names, age,sex location, email address and phone number. It is further gathered that a more interactive relationship is being planned between the club and its fans with the fans at liberty to suggest from time to time what they think the club is doing right and wrong all aimed at improvement for the better.
The coach Imama Amapakabo tutored side has continued to shape up ahead of the new premier league season even as the coach has declared that the team will do everything possible to put up a good show in the continent.
"We are equal to the task and are determined to make an impact in the Champions league,"he enthused
Rangers dished out the call for fan census Wednesday using the club's twitter handle‏@RangersIntFC submitting
"we encourage all our fans to fill our fan survey to help us serve you better"

BATTLE OF YAOUNDE; DIFFERENT STROKES FOR FALCONS, LIONESS

Super Falcons of Nigeria will today at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium take on the Lioness of Cameroon in their quest for 8th continental title.  The match which promises to be full of fireworks is like different strokes for both teams. While Falcons who already have seven trophies in the kitty are aiming to win for the 8th time, the Cameroonians will be playing, praying and hoping to win the
trophy for the first time. The two teams are no strange bed fellows as they have met 10 times with the Falcons winning seven times
while the Lioness have won only once at the last edition in Equatorial Guinea.  There have been two draw encounters in 2004 and 2008 respectively. That lone goal victory over Falcons in 2012 remains the biggest win for the Cameroonians while the Nigerians have 6-0 demolition of their opponents as the biggest win recorded in 1998.  Records however may not matter today as the hosts are desperate
to lift the trophy that has been elusive and will be coming out in full force with a view to clipping the wings of Falcons whose dominance women football in the continent cannot be dismissed with the wave of the left hand.  The Falcons will not only be playing against the 11 players on the pitch, but will have to contend with a vociferous home fans who have come from across the nooks and
cranny of Cameroon just to cheer their own to victory. The country's President Paul Biya and his wife are expected to grace occasion which no doubt will be an added charge on the Cameroonians to fight to the finish for title.
The Falcons no doubt have the experience haven featured and won most of the championships but on this occasion they will need to go the extra mile to be able to carry the day.  One of the things they must do is to put the ball on the ground. A close look at the matches leading to the final reveal that the Cameroonians are physical and are good in aerial ball. The falcons must be more accurate
in their passes.  There is no doubt that the pressure will be on Assisat Oshoala who has so far scored six goals in the competition.  She has been identified as the tormentor in chief and information coming out from the technical bench of Cameroon is for them to cut off supply to Oshoala and make Falcons ineffective, Coach Florence Omagbemi and his technical crew interestingly are veterans of the game and must look for away disarming their opponents. The Falcons have done it before, and they can do it again, Go Falcons Go!

AMIESIMAKA DECRIES FADING GLAMOUR OF FA CUP

Former international Adokiye Amiesimaka has challenged the football federation in the country to do something about the disappearing glamour of the federation cup.
Finals of the oldest cup in the country he recalls in a recent media chart,  used to be a carnival of some sort but has in  recent times  become a mere ritual devoid of color. Many who hitherto followed the FA Cup with passion no longer enjoy the fun as even presentation to eventual winners during
the finals has become shambolic."The glamour is completely gone and that is rather unfortunate.  The football federation just has do everything to bring back the glamour, even the presentation of trophy no longer carries with it the fun that the FA cup is known for," he said

Thea former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Rivers State challenged sports administrators in the country to aspire to improve the system they met on ground rather than lowering the standard.  On the chances of clubs flying the nation's flag on the continent, the former Rangers international ace said there is no alternative to good preparations   as pushovers no longer exist in the round leather game. "Playing in the continent is not a tea party and preparation cannot be taken for granted, you just have to prepare well to stand a chance," said the former Sharks chairman
Interestingly his former club Rangers international will be flying the nation's fly this season in the champions league alongside Rivers United while Wikki Tourist and Federation Cup winners FC Ifeanyi Ubah will battle for honors in the Confederation Cup

Tokyo 2020: TAEKWONDO WILL SPRING SURPRISE- ASHIRU

President of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation George Ashiru has expressed optimism that Nigeria will present a formidable team capable of springing a surprise at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

The country according to him has never lacked the potentials but the funds to take the athletes to the desired level.

Ashiru who regretted that economic recession in the country has affected sports seriously, said the Taekwondo Federation  have had to draw a priority list to determine events to attend and those to shun due to financial constraints, he however expressed hope that corporate bodies will identify to some extent with the game in spite of the crushing economic realities.

"The federation for now has been paying more attention to athletes in the 18-19 age brackets some of who are already ranked and are competing, these are the ones we would have to work on ahead of the Olympics, "he said

In what could pass for general assessment of the game so far in the country, Ashiru said 30 years of taekwondo in the country has been worth it as it remains one of the fastest growing sports in the country and  gave Korean Embassy in Nigeria a pat on the back for boosting the game through the annual Korean Ambassador's championship

"The first board of the game was inaugurated in 1986 and it has been steady growth since then, taekwondo is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and we believe that it can only get better,” he enthused

WATFORD HIT LEICESTER 2-1. MUSA PLAYS FOR 12 MINS.IGHALO MISSING

Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa was in action for just 12 minutes as Premier league defending champions Leicester City failed in their bid to earn away point Saturday.

Musa just back from international break where he contributed in no small measure to Eagles defeat of Algeria in the World Cup qualifiers, was ushered in 12 minutes to the end of match with the visitors already 2-1 down. Compatriot Odion Ighalo was however an unused substitute for Watford. Etienne Capoue had shot the homers into the lead in the first minute of the match with teammate and Argentine import Roberto Pereyra increasing the tally 11 minutes later. Leicester's consolation goal came in the 15th minute thanks to a penalty converted by Algerian international Riyad Mahrez who incidentally scored Algeria's only goal in 3-1 loss to Nigeria November 12 at the Nest of Champions.

Musa who came in as replacement for homeboy Marc Albrighton could not remedy the situation but ensured that Leicester maintained their 58 to 48 possession ratio to the end.  

The result left Leicester in 14th position on 12 points only two above the relegation zone, as their poor away run continued with a fifth defeat in six games.

It was however double delight for Nigerian international  Victor Anichebe as he grabbed two goals in 22 minutes to ensure Sunderland 3-0 win over visiting Hull City.  Teammate Jermaine Defoe had grabbed the first goal in the 34th minute before Anichebe took over finding the net in the 62^nd and 84^th minutes respectively.

EAGLES PERFORMANCE THRILLS IBB

Former President General Ibrahim Babangida could not hold his joy Saturday as Super Eagles flogged Desert Warriors of Algeria 3-1 to earn their second victory of the World Cup qualifiers.
He did not only give the entire team a pat on the back for the impressive run but also singled out Chelsea duo
Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel who scored 25th , 42nd and 90th minute goals for Nigeria respectively. The Minna born General went ahead to urge his followers on twitter to retweet his submission as a mark of love for the Nigerian team who by their  performance have consolidated on leadership of the group  with six points and five goals in the kitty ."I am really proud of the super Eagles. RETWEET if you also do. Mikel and Moses" he enthused
The encouter drew creme dela creme of the society including senate President Bukola Saraki to the nest of
Champions. Also on hand to cheer the Eagles to victory was the former Akwa Ibom State Governor Senator Godswill Akpabio who incidentally built the venue
One of the thrilling highlights was the moment Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi re-enacted the trade mark of his nephew and former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha, flipping the ball above the heads of two Algerian players to the admiration of fans.
An equally satisfied former international Jonathan Akpoborie later summed up his feeling "Very good victory for Nigeria today," he said

BATTLE OF UYO: kANU CANVASSES SUPPORT FOR EAGLES

Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has urged Nigerians to turn out in large numbers to support the Eagles as they file out against Algeria on Saturday.

The former Arsenal and Portsmouth ace opined that the Gernot Rohr tutored side has prepared adequately for the Uyo showdown, adding that all that is needed now is for soccer loving Nigerians to play the role of the 12th player.

The two time African footballer of the year did not bother to predict possible score line of the match which the Algerians have equally dubbed a must win, but declared that only three points will be good enough.

""Come on let us all support our dear Eagles against Algeria.3 points is all we want and our boys are ready and all the need is our support, “he submitted Friday.

Meanwhile business especially sales of souvenirs has picked up in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital ahead of the tie billed for 5pm today.  A number of soccer fans who spoke to Sportinglife on telephone revealed that  dealers in T-shirts, flags and caps have been making brisk business even as others have taken to betting with predictions ranging from 1-0, 3-2 3-1 to 3-0 all in favour of Eagles.

NO ALTERNATIVE TO ATHLETE MOTIVATION-OGUNKOYA

Atlanta 96 Silver medalist Falilat Ogunkoya, says Nigeria must improve on motivation of athletes if she is to occupy a place of pride in the global sports arena.

She made the submission ahead of this year's Nigeria Sports Award billed for December 2 in Lagos. Holding such periodic events to recognize athletes who have done themselves and the nation proud according to her will not only give the established athletes sense of satisfaction, but will fire positive desire among aspiring ones. 

"The importance of motivation in the ultimate performance of an athlete cannot be over emphasized. An athlete that is appreciated is more likely to put in everything to make the nation proud and I think we can begin to take that seriously," she said

Ogunkoya who ruled the African Championships between 1988 and 1998 clinching four Gold medals in the 200 and 400meter events respectively, opined that Nigeria has the potentials to make huge impact even at the Olympics, adding however that it would take a change of attitude.

"There is nothing stopping us from surpassing whatever we may have achieved at the Olympics, all it takes is a change of attitude

BATTLE OF UYO: WINNING ONLY OPTION-OWOLABI

 

Ahead of Saturday's world cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo, former international Felix Owolabi has charged Super Eagles to focus solely on resounding victory, insisting that settling for less is not an option
The odds according to him favour the Eagles who must build on the advantage they have to avoid last minute permutations that has become the norm in recent times.
While calling for maximum support for the team, Owoblow' said after shooting into the lead in the group, Eagles must not drop the baton but maintain the tempo all the way.
""This is a must win match. We won our first match and the Algerians drew theirs which is an advantage but we must not dwell on that advantage, rather we should aim at another resounding victory to further boost our chances to Russia 2018,"he said
Amidst reports of growing injuries in the Algerian camp, the former veteran of the Nigerian premier league advised the Gernot Rohr tutored side not to take anything for granted as the visitors are formidable and will not be cheap despite reported injuries.
A win for the Eagles in Uyo will see the side garner six points in two matches.  Algerians go into the match with only one point in the kitty same with indomitable Lions of Cameroon while Zambia will be seeking their first point when they face Cameroon in their second match same day.