Two-goal heroine Uchenna Kanu in actionin the Burundi match

The original 12-team field has narrowed to eight as the Women Africa Cup of Nations gets to the quarter final stage.

Nigeria will face old foes, Cameroon with the ticket for the World Cup also at stake as all four semi finalists will go the Women’s World Cup.

The match comes up on Wednesday. Interestingly, the fixture has recorded the highest head-to head encounter more than matches in the history of Nigeria’s ninth title win in eleventh participation of the now biennial women football on the continent.

On record, the neighbouring countries have met 12 times with Nigeria won 10 times drew one and lost one time to the emerging power house in African football.

Nigeria got the better on the Cameroonian in the maiden edition of the tournament in 1991 when Super Falcons won 2-0 and 4-0 over two legs to book a slot in the FIFA Women Football tournament in China.

Both sides the not meet again until 1998 when Nigeria hosted the tournament in Ijebu-Ode and Kaduna and Falcons recorded 6-0 win against Cameroon at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium where the two semi-final matches were played.

Nigeria won 3-0 again in the group phase in South Africa in 2000 and four years later in the Rainbow nation both side played out 2-2 draw in the group phase and qualify into the knockout stage.

But the Central African nation were not lucky in 2006 as Nigeria secured 5-0 win in the semi-final clash with Perpetual Nkwocha scored a hat-trick and two years later, both teams played 1-1 score-line in third placed match but Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties.

Nigeria secured 5-1 win against Cameroon in 2010 in semi-final clash and Nkwocha recorded another hat-trick  in South Africa and two years later in Equatorial Guinea, both teams met twice with Nigeria won the group phase match 2-1 but lost the third placed match to Cameroon by a lone goal scored by Gaelle Enganamoiut.

But 2014 in Namibia, Nigeria bounced back to winning way with a 2-0 victory Just Falcons won by a lone goal in 2016 edition hosted by Cameroon with only goal scored by Desire Oparanozie.

At the last edition in Ghana, both teams played out a goalless semi final clash but Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties and went ahead to win the cup against South Africa in the final match.

The quarter final fixtures

Wednesday 13th 

Zambia Vs Senegal  6 PM 

Morocco Vs Botswana- 9PM 

Thursday 14th 

Cameroon Vs Nigeria -6 PM 

South Africa Vs Tunisia -9PM

“I’m going to win Wimbledon,” Jabeur said in January, and on her Twitter page, the 27-year-old Tunisian describes herself as a dreamer.

That dream almost became a reality on Saturday, July 9 in the United Kingdom but she lost in three sets to Elena Rybakina, who won her first Grand Slam title.

Jabeur made history on Wimbledon Centre Court on Saturday when she became the first African woman to get to a Grand Slam final.

But the final hurdle proved insurmountable as Rybakina came back from a set down to down the Tunisian 3-6 6-2 6-2 in one hour and 48 minutes.

Jabeur must have snaffled some stardust from seven-time Wimbledon winner Serena Williams, after playing doubles with Ms Williams on the eve of Wimbledon as she defeated all opponents on the way to achieving a first Grand Slam final appearance.

At the presentation ceremony, she said she hopes to continue to inspire young African children to dream and she hopes “they are listening”.

“I will also like to wish Eid Mubarak to all Muslims around the world,” Jabeur added.

Jabeur took the first set in 31 minutes but Rybakina took control of the second set immediately breaking Jabeur and racing into a 5-1 lead before taking the second set 6-2.

Rybakina again broke Jabeur in the first game of the third set and never relinquished control on the way to winning the set and the match 6-2 in 37 minutes.

English Premier League side Southampton confirmed Super Eagles midfielder Joseph Ayodele Aribo   as their newest signing on Saturday.

Aribo, 25, penned a four-year contract with the Saints in an initial £6 million deal that could rise to £10 million, plus add-ons.

He joins the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi, new signing Taiwo Awoniyi, and other Super Eagles players in England.

The 25-year-old Nigerian had a productive spell with his former side Rangers, which he joined in 2019 from Charlton Athletic. He scored 26 goals in 149 appearances at Ibrox during his three-year spell.

Aribo helped Rangers grab a first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years in 2021, won the Scottish Cup, and was a runner-up in last season’s UEFA Europa League where he scored in the final.

Southampton’s head coach, Ralph Hasenhüttl, believes the Nigerian star will replicate his high-flying performance for the English side.

Aribo described the EPL as the best league that he has always dreamt of playing in. The midfielder said it is a childhood dream come true.

“It’s an amazing club with a lot of history here, and it’s a good plan for what’s to come next. I’m really excited about the journey.

“The Premier League is the best league in the world. I’ve been watching it since I was a young boy. It’s always been a goal for me to play here and show what I can do on this stage.

“It’s an amazing feeling, a dream come true. This is where I’ve wanted to be since I was a child growing up playing, so to say that I’m here now is really exciting.”

“Joe [Aribo] is a player with many qualities to his game, and we are very excited to welcome him to the squad in time for the pre-season trip to Austria.

“We believe Joe [Aribo] can bring energy and creativity to our side. Feeling comfortable in so many different positions is very helpful for a manager and shows he has a high level of football intelligence, with the ability to take on new information quickly.

“He has played a lot of games already in his career, at a very high level, and his performances in the Europa League prove he has the quality to play in the Premier League. This is a big ambition for him, and he is hungry to show everybody he can do it.”

The Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN) has picked 35 cyclists to represent Nigeria at the second Africa Cup Track Cycling Championship held from July 14 to July 17 in Abuja.

CFN’s Technical Director, Bashir Mohammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they picked the cyclists from the elite and junior teams camped in Abuja.

”They have been undergoing intensive training for over four months at the velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said the team of cyclists would take part in several events at the championship.

NAN reports the Nigerian team will compete in events at both the junior and elite levels in the male and female categories.

The 35 cyclists will be divided into two teams of 17 for the juniors and 18 for the elite.

The 17 cyclists in the juniors category comprise 11 males and six females, while the 18 cyclists in the elite category have 10 males and eight females.

“We are set for the championship and it is good that it is taking place in our country where we will compete in all the 11 medal events,” the official said, assuring that the CFN has prepared the 35 cyclists well for the competition.

Mr Mohammed also disclosed that cyclists from 20 countries, including Nigeria, were expected to participate in the competition.

The countries include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Republic of Benin, Guinea, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Algeria, Togo, Rwanda, and Tunisia.

NAN reports that the federation had earlier conducted a national trial from June 8 to June 12, where 139 cyclists took part and CFN picked 52 cyclists for closed camping.

Nigeria hosted the championship’s first edition in July 2019 in Abuja, and nine countries took part.

With a contingent of 21 cyclists of both female and male categories, Nigeria won 51 medals comprising 21 gold, 18 silver, and 12 bronze to emerge champions.

Egypt finished second with eight gold, seven silver, and seven bronze medals, while Morocco was third with four gold and three silver medals.

Burkina finished fourth with three silver, and five bronze; Burundi came in fifth with two bronze, while Ghana finished sixth with a bronze medal.

Tenth title-seeking Super Falcons of Nigeria are back to their previous high-goal tally victories as they emphatically beat hapless Burundi 4-0 in their last group match of the on-going Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The victory now pitches them against Cameroon to produce another cracker. The winner of the quarter final match gets a World Cup ticket.

The Group C comprising of South Africa, Nigeria, Botswana and Burundi initially appears to be heading to a photo-finish logjam as scorelines at the other match of South Africa was almost going unpredictably into a stalemate.

Had Botswana scored, even against the run of play, three teams in the group would – South Africa, Nigeria and Botswana – would have ended with six points each.

Goal difference would have been the determinant as head-to-head would not have broken the logjam had Botswana beaten South Africa by at least 1-0.

Nigeria then would have topped on account of goal difference of five. But the possible deadlock was broken in the 80^th minute when substitute player, Nthabiseng Majiya scored.

Nigeria had opened their account on a cautious note and got the opening goal via penalty kick in the 25^th minute.

In the course  of the penalty kick incident, Burundi’s first choice goalkeeper, Jeanine Irakoze. was injured and had to be substituted after the opening goal.

Substitute goalkeeper, Amissa Inarunkundo conceded two goals in quick succession from Peace Efih and Uchenna Kanu before half time to give Nigeria a 3-0 lead.

Kanu made it four immediately after the commencement of the second half to put the outcome of the tie beyond doubt. 

For the first time since its formation 12 years ago, Remo Stars will be hoping for their best ever moment next Sunday on home soil as they attempt to not only have their best ever finish in Nigeria football league, but also have a continental ticket as the icing on the cake for a rewarding football season.

They will be hosting Niger Tornadoes and if they win, as they firmly have their destiny in their own hands without having to look out for results elsewhere, they will be going continental next season. The CAF Confederation Cup ticket will be theirs.

These are the results of the precious away 1-0 win they picked in Akure in a ‘Star War’ with Sunshine Stars.

The win means they have consolidated their grip on the third place position they are fiercely contesting with Kwara United who also made a mince meat of the already relegated MFM with a mouth-watering 3-0 win.

Kwara United will be facing the relegated Heartland of Owerri. They will be hopeful of winning and will also wish Remo Stars drop points to overtake the team that is the rave of the moment.

Great thanks to Dayo Ojo’s 59^th minute goal in the away duel with Sunshine Stars. The goal has given oxygen to Remo Stars’ aspirations. The club only regained promotion into the elite league at the end of last season and in the past, had hardly spent two seasons in the NPFL.

With the curtain falling on the NPFL season on Sunday, the venues of attention will likely be Ikenne and Owerri which are the battle ground for the CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

Heartland got their woes compounded when they lost away to Niger Tornadoes. It was a loss that granted their entry visa into relegation.

Enyimba, hitherto a third place contender have dropped out after a shocking 0-2 away loss to struggling Dakkada. But Katsina United still battling to avert a drop gained from a 2-0 win against confirmed second placed Plateau United on the NPFL log.

All the Results

Kwara Utd 3-0 MFM

Tornadoes 2-1 Heartland

Sunshine Stars 0-1 Remo Stars

Enyimba 0-2 Dakkada

Katsina Utd 2-0 Plateau Utd

Lobi 3-2 Wikki

Akwa Utd 2-2 Abia Warriors

Gombe Utd 1-0 Rangers

3SC 3-2 Rivers Utd

Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Kano Pillars

ll England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 10, 2022 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning the men’s singles final against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.

Novak Djokovic stayed serene amid a frenzied atmosphere to tame fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios in an engrossing final on Sunday, lifting a seventh Wimbledon trophy and taking his Grand Slam title count to 21.

Rallying from a set down, Djokovic exhibited ice-cool nerves in sweltering conditions to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) for his fourth consecutive trophy at the grasscourt major to close in on Rafa Nadal’s record 22 Grand Slam titles.

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By lifting the Challenge Cup once again, Djokovic drew level with his childhood idol Pete Sampras in the all-time winners list and is now just one shy of Swiss Roger Federer’s record eight Wimbledon titles.

After finishing 2021 one win short of a rare calendar-year Grand Slam, Djokovic’s season has not panned out exactly as he would have envisaged after being deported from Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open and losing to Nadal in the French Open quarter-finals.

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“Certainly this year has not been the same like last years,” he said. “It has started the way it has started and it has affected me definitely in the first several months of the year.

“I was not feeling great generally. I mean, mentally, emotionally, I was not in a good place.”

The Serbian’s refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19 could prevent him from entering the United States to compete at the year’s final Grand Slam in New York, but the air of uncertainty had no bearing on his love affair with the lawns at the All England Club.

Djokovic said he had no plans to get vaccinated and only hoped the entry restrictions will be eased for him to play at Flushing Meadows next month.

After completing victory in just over three hours, Djokovic raised his arms to the sky and after shaking hands with Kyrgios, he bent down to pluck some grass from the famous old court and tasted it before running up to his player’s box to kickstart the celebrations.

“It always has been and always will be the most special tournament in my heart, the one that motivated me, inspired me to start playing tennis in a small mountain resort in Serbia where my parents used to run a restaurant,” said an emotional Djokovic, who was also celebrating his eighth wedding anniversary with wife Jelena on Sunday.

“Every single time it gets more meaningful and more special, so I’m very blessed and very thankful to be standing here with the trophy.”

UNSEEDED OPPONENT

Competing in a men’s record 32nd major final on a sun-bathed Centre Court, the 35-year-old was facing an unseeded opponent who had never previously been beyond the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam.

In their only two meetings — both in 2017 — Djokovic did not win a set, failed to break the Kyrgios serve and had only a single break point opportunity.

Five years later, it was another sublime serving performance from the Australian during the early stages.

A couple of well-disguised drop shots from Kyrgios helped him set up two break points in the fifth game and a double fault from Djokovic brought up the first break of serve, which was enough for Kyrgios to take the set.

A focused Kyrgios, however, did not forget to entertain when he could. There was an underarm serve and he hit a return on the half volley between his legs to delight the crowd.

No-one, however, expected it to be an easy straight-sets match with Djokovic having not lost at the All England Club since retiring injured from his 2017 quarter-final against Czech Tomas Berdych.

Djokovic’s delivery went up a gear in the second set and the Serb slowly but surely started demonstrating why he is considered the best returner in the sport.

Once the level of the Kyrgios serve dropped in the second set, Djokovic was ready to pounce.

AUSTRALIAN FUMING

With Djokovic serving to level the match at one set apiece, however, Kyrgios raised his game to set up four break points, only for the top seed to save them all and convert his first set point to leave the Australian fuming.

Kyrgios poured out his frustrations in a lengthy rant aimed at his box and the Australian maverick was his usual hot-headed self during the third set as Djokovic started playing pristine tennis.

He was broken from 40-love up in the ninth game and continued swearing and screaming, earning himself a code violation for obscene language.

The drama across the net, however, did not have any impact on Djokovic’s focus.

After holding serve to win the third set he calmly collected his bag and left the court, leaving his opponent sitting on his chair and shaking his head in frustration.

After both players failed to create a break point in the fourth set, Djokovic dominated the tiebreaker and sealed the Championship on his third match point for his 28th straight Wimbledon win when Kyrgios found the net on a return.

“He’s a bit of God, I’m not gonna lie,” Kyrgios said. “He’s just really composed. It’s weird, I felt like he didn’t do anything amazing today.”