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Super Falcons hold off Ireland to qualify for World Cup last 16

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The Super Falcons have qualified for the round of 16 of the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup (WWC).

The Nigerians booked the knockout ticket after a vital goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland at the Suncorp Stadium, Milton, Australia, on Monday.

With four games from the previous two games, Nigeria needed to simply avoid defeat against Ireland to progress to the knockout stage.

Ireland’s elimination from the competition had been confirmed after the 2-1 loss to Canada in their previous game.

Asisat Oshoala returned to starting line-up ahead of Ifeoma Onumonu at the tip of the Falcons’ attack.

Despite their terminated journey at the World Cup, Ireland held sway on the encounter in the early stages.

The first attempt at goal in the game fell to the Irish in the fifth minute after Sinead Farrelly cut the ball back to Katie McCabe at the edge of the Nigerian goal area. The Ireland skipper fizzed a left-footed shot just wide of the post.

The Falcons almost took the lead 10 minutes later, but Oshoala’s effort sailed wide.

The Nigerians had their most significant chance of the game after the halftime break. Toni Payne floated a cross, and Uchenna Kanu met the ball, but Courtney Brosnan, Ireland goalkeeper, teed it onto the underside of the crossbar.

Oshoala drew another chance wide immediately after that, and the Falcons held on for the brickmanship result that secured them a place in the round of 16.

The Nigerians finished second in the group behind Australia, who defeated Canada 4-0 in the group game.

Nigeria would be appearing in a successive Women’s World Cup knockout stage for the first time.

The Falcons are billed to play the winner of Group D — England, Denmark, China and Haiti — on August 7.

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Tijani Babangida, wife hospitalised after road accident, brother dies

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Tijani Babangida, former Super Eagles forward, was involved in a car accident on Thursday that tragically claimed the life of his younger brother, Ibrahim Babangida.

Babangida was part of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic team that won the gold medal and is currently the President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria.

Former teammate, Emmanuel Babayaro, the General Secretary, PFAN, announced the incident in a statement.

“Comrades! Let us be in prayers for our president, Tijani Babangida, who just had a ghastly motor accident along the Kaduna-Zaria Eoad,” Babayaro said.

“Ibrahim Babangida, his younger brother, died on the spot from the accident while Mr President (Babangida) and his family were taken to the hospital.

“May the soul of Ibrahim Babangida Rest In Peace with God, amen,” he announced.

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Adeyemi defeats Adekanla to clinch West Africa boxing title

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Segun Adeyemi has been crowned the West African Boxing Union (WABU) light welterweight champion.

Adeyemi, popularly known as War, defeated compatriot Adeyemi Adekanla via majority decision to claim the regional belt on Wednesday at GOtv Boxing Night 31 held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The victory was Adeyemi’s 11th win in 12 professional fights with just one draw. His opponent was also undefeated before the bout, with 12 wins in 13 professional fights.

In other bouts, the 16-year-old Raheem “Badoo” Animashaun secured a fourth-round technical knockout win over Samuel Moses in their national light welterweight challenge fight.

Badoo’s performance in the fight earned him the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy for the best boxer of the night with N1 million cash prize.

The teenager is the son of Jamiu “Rotor” Animashaun, a former professional boxer who fought in the first two editions of GOtv Boxing Night.

Also, on the night, Adewale “Playboy” Oladeji sealed a unanimous decision win over Afikun “Ijebu” Gbenga in their super welterweight encounter.

Emmanuel “Ability” Abimbola secured a split decision win over Azeez “Latest” Ayobami in a national lightweight challenge fight, while Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan defeated Batholomew “Aboy” Abuchi via technical knockout in their national super featherweight challenge duel.

However, the national flyweight challenge bout between Sikiru “Isho” Ogunyaju and the current national flyweight champion, Sifon “Best” Iwatt, ended in a tie.

Also, the national light welterweight challenge fight between Hammed “Eshe” Ganiyu and Yusuf “Hungry Lion” was declared a no-contest after the latter sustained an injury in the second round from a headbutt by his opponent.

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19 years later, NFF still owes me salary as Eagles coach, says Christian Chukwu

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Christian Chukwu, former Super Eagles captain, says the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) still owes him salary from his time as the country’s male senior national team head coach.

Chukwu, nicknamed “The Chairman”, was head coach of the Eagles between 2002 and 2005.

He led the team to a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.

The manager was relieved of the job in June 2005 during the qualification campaign for the World Cup in Germany.

In a chat with The Athletic Nigeria on Monday, Chukwu said 19 years after his stint with the Eagles, NFF is yet to pay him some of his salary from the period.

The Chairman added that he is not the only indigenous coach owed by the federation, adding that some of the victims are dead now.

“They owe Nigerian coaches. They don’t owe foreign coaches. It is a problem. You take on an indigenous coach who takes a cheap salary, and you owe him,” Chukwu said.

“Is it proper? Are you encouraging him to do his job? I am still being owed up to today. They are still owing me till tomorrow. My files are there with the NFF. There is nothing I can do [to get them to pay me]. The file is there. Go to their office, and you will see how much they owe me. Not only me, other indeginuos coaches are being owed too. Some are late.”

In 2019, Chukwu suffered prostate cancer, which affected his leg. The family had to open a GoFundMe appeal to solicit funds for the Nigeria football legend’s medical treatment.

Femi Otedola, the billionaire businessman, eventually paid $50,000 for Chukwu’s treatment overseas.

Chukwu captained Nigeria to its first AFCON success in 1980. He also led the Enugu Rangers FC team that won the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1977.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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