Sports
Tinubu celebrates Osimhen, Oshoala’s CAF Award wins, says ‘it’s a source of pride’
President Bola Tinubu has praised the trio of Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie over their triumphs at the 2023 CAF awards.
On Monday, Victor Osimhen was crowned the 2023 CAF men’s ‘Player of the Year.’
The Napoli striker became the first Nigerian to win the prize since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Also, Asisat Oshoala won a record-extending sixth CAF women’s Player of the Year, while Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the inaugural gong for the women’s goalkeeper of the year.
Reacting to the feats in a post on X account on Tuesday, Tinubu described the trio as “sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent”.
He added that their continental recognitions “strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us.”
“I congratulate Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award, the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of The Year for the sixth time, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women’s National Team of the Year at the CAF Awards 2023,” the post reads.
“I commend the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent. Watching the great ambassadors of Nigeria stand atop the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us.
“I commend Victor and Asisat for not forgetting their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for acknowledging the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers. I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams.”
In addition, Michelle Alozie and Osinachi Ohale made the CAF women’s best XI, while the Super Falcons of Nigeria won the women’s national team of the year.
Sports
Adeyemi defeats Adekanla to clinch West Africa boxing title
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.
Sports
19 years later, NFF still owes me salary as Eagles coach, says Christian Chukwu
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.
Sports
Nnadozie wins best goalkeeper of the season award in France
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Super Falcons of Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, has been voted the season’s best goalkeeper in the French Division 1 Feminine League.
The 23-year-old was announced the award winner on Monday night. She received the individual accolade following a stellar season in which she garnered a reputation as a penalty expert, saving seven spot-kicks in the league and Champions League, the highest in Europe this season.
Notre gardienne @Nadoziechiamaka est élue 𝐌𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 🥇✨
— Paris FC Féminines (@PFC_feminines) April 29, 2024
🔵⚪️ #CertifiéParis #TrophéesD1Arkema pic.twitter.com/mMOzaG7jxk
Her penalty-saving heroics saw her lead Paris FC to shoot-out wins over giants Arsenal and Wolfsburg in the Women’s Champions League. She also guided the Paris-based club to the semi-final stage of the competition where they were knocked out by rivals Lyon.
Speaking at the event, the 2023 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year winner said she is “very happy” to have won the award.
On his part, Pierre Ferracci, president of the club, praised the Nigerian goalkeeper.
“It’s very pleasing, because she deserves it and she achieved an exceptional Champions League and not only on penalties. She is adorable. It is deserved. We know that she will be courted this summer but we will try to keep her,” Ferracci added.
Paris FC are third in the League with 42 points, eight points behind Paris, their local rivals, and a further 11 points away from Lyon, the league leaders.
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