Sixteen days to the epic confrontation of Ghana and Nigeria in Cape Coast Ghana, Nigeria’s rescue manager, Austin Eguavoen will be talking at a sports session being hosted by former Edo State Sports Commission boss, Godwin Dudu-Orumen at his sports bar, Sportsshaq on Sunday.

According to Dudu-Orumen, sports fans and members of the Nigerian football family are in for exciting moments during the hosting of the Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen, the Nigeria’s premier sports lounge SportsShaq.

Godwin Dudu-Orumen, Sportshaq’s founder and Chief Executive Officer(CEO), said Eguavoen, fondly called Cerezo, was being hosted among many reasons for the sprite, class and purpose he had brought to the Super Eagles since he was appointed Interim Manager of the team in late 2021.

Eguavoen was the on-field captain for the Super Eagles when the team first won the Africa Cup of Nations outside Nigeria’s shores.  

“The Eagles were a shadow of their erstwhile rugged and purposeful selves under the German, Gernort Rohr.

“Their play was listless and uninspiring but that changed with the coming of Eguavoen.

“As we saw at the last Nations Cup, Eguavoen rejuvenated the Eagles imbuing them with the confidence and zeal that the team lacked for years under Rohr”, said Dudu-Orumen, one of Nigeria’s sports administrators and repository of football knowledge, which earned him the moniker, Football Aficionado.

Speaking further on the hosting of Eguavoen, himself a former captain of the Eagles, Dudu-Orumen said the event will attract leading members of the Nigerian sports fraternity including Barrister Seyi Akinwumi. First Vice President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Chief Segun Odegbami, former Chairman of the board of the National Institute of Sports and one-time captain of the Eagles, Dr. Larry Izamoje, one of Nigeria’s most respected journalists and founder of the country’s first sports radio station, Mitchel Obi, President of African Sports Journalists Union(ASJU) and other top journalist s like Tayo Balogun, Gboyega Okegbenro, Godwin Enakhena and former Oyo SWAN Chairman, Station Manager and Head of News LN247 Emenike Agu

He added that in addition to the personalities above, other guests to grace the occasion includes communication industry captains and brand custodians like Gamaliel Ese Onosode, Ehi Braimah, Tony Agenmomen, Igbo Amadi-Obi, Nnanke Harry-Willie, Chidi Okoro; Corporate Executives, Chidi Anadozie, Ohimai Unuigboje, legal luminaries- Chief Charles Umwensuyi-Edosomwan SAN, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, Hrm Babatunde Ogala SAN, Adedapo Tunde-Olowu SAN, Chijioke Okoli SAN, Ikenna Okoli SAN, Biriyai Dambo SAN, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Bayelsa State, Sola Aiyepeku , Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission and Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye former Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The Football Aficionado disclosed that the event, which will commence by 6pm will afford the Super Eagles coach the opportunity to feel the pulse of the many football fans who daily throng Sportshaq to savour the best of football and other sports.

“It promises to be an interesting time this Sunday at Sportshaq. It will be an evening to remember”, Dudu-Orumen said.

Eguavoen himself is looking forward to the event as it will afford him opportunity to connect with football fans in Lagos where for many years he titillated them with his deft marking skills as a defender with the Eagles.

Like a war commander, Nigeria’s rescue coach, Augustine Eguavoen has improved on the arsenal he employed at the last Africa Cup of Nations with the invitation of potent strikers while at the same time, putting in place solid defence.

In his list of 32 players and a reserve army of seven, the often attack-oriented coach this Friday unveiled his army of invaders who will fly to Cape Coast for the first leg of the World Cup play-off.

Headlining the list is Ademola Lookman, the former England junior international who is expected to terrorise the Black Stars from the right wing to complement the dangerous incursions from the left by the ever-reliable Moses Simon.

The Leicester City FC of England forward Ademola Lookman only recently cleared by FIFA to switch international allegiance. He will therefore be a debutant if fielded in any of the two matches.  

Also in the armoury is former U17 World Cup star Akinkunmi Amoo who is officially called for the first time into the Super Eagles’ fold while defender Calvin Bassey and forward Emmanuel Dennis return to the fold of the three –time African champions.

The strike force includes Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo, Sadiq Umar, Emmanuel Dennis and Kelechi Iheanacho.

A glaring absentee is Alex Iwobi ostensibly owing to the red card in the ill-fated Nigeria’s round of 16 match with Tunisia in Garoua.

The other invitees are the usual suspects. On the list are Ahmed Musa, William Ekong and Wifred Ndidi.

Also called up are goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Daniel Akpeyi, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Abdullahi Shehu, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and Samuel Chukwueze.

AFCON 2021 forwards Taiwo Awoniyi and Peter Olayinka, defender Chidozie Awaziem and long-time absentee Ogenyi Onazi are in a seven-man standby list.

The camp opens in Abuja on 21^st March, with a 24 –man final list for the two big games to be released at a later date.

Nigeria take on Ghana in the 20,000 –capacity Cape Coast Sports Stadium as from 7.30pm on Friday 25^th March, with the reverse leg set for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, 29^th March as from 6pm. The winner over two legs will earn one of Africa’s five tickets to the 22^nd FIFA World Cup finals, scheduled for 14^th November – 18^th December this year in Qatar.

FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England); Akinkunmi Amoo (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England); Ademola Lookman (Leicester City, England)

Standby: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Ogenyi Onazi (Al-Adalah FC, Saudi Arabia)

The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has condemned the decision of Rugby Africa to host its continenal championship outside the continent.

In a press release by the  professional body representing the international sports media, with more than 9,500 members worldwide, AIPS frowns at the taking of the championship, the rugby equavalent of soccer’s Africa Cup of Nations, to Paris.

“I believe the decision made by the president of Rugby Africa to host the African qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup in provincial France, rather than keeping it on the African continent is completely wrong, and sends a highly disturbing   message to all Africans, especially the young populace and the continent’s rising  rugby community”, remarked Mitchel Obi, the Nigerian president of Africa’s wing of AIPS.

Continuing, Obi remarks: “People will rightly be asking themselves why the most prestigious rugby tournament on the continent is being moved away and played in Europe, when there are plenty of alternative locations within Africa that are perfectly well-equipped to host it.

“Playing the tournament in France not only deprives African audiences of watching world-class rugby on their doorstep, it also denies local economies of much-needed income from a high-profile event that would have driven the tourism and hospitality industries, and increased international exposure and investment.

“Moreover, it is not even ‘France’ as a whole that is hosting this vital African tournament. No, the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 is to be played in ‘Région Sud’, a region of France that ranks seventh-lowest in terms of population, and is the furthest away from the capital, Paris.

“The games will be played in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille – a city that is the beating heart of France’s football scene, but is hardly known for its love of rugby.

“The signing ceremony announcing the award of the tournament to ‘Région Sud’ was a perfect illustration of how insignificant this tournament is in the minds of the sport’s administrators.

“France’s Minister of Sport was notable by his absence. So too the president of the French Rugby Federation. Instead, the main dignitaries in attendance were the president of ‘Région Sud’ and the mayor of Aix-en-Provence – a town with a population of 143,000 football fans.

“The Rugby Africa Cup has shrunk from a celebration of an entire continent, down to an unfancied provincial event in a distant sphere lacking the colour and charm of a welcoming host.

“At best, it is depressing and patronizing for the players and fans of African rugby. At worst, it is an insult to the whole continent of Africa. It reinforces the stereotypical depictions that Africa still endures in Western media, so it is incredibly disappointing that Rugby Africa’s president – an African himself – has chosen to follow this path.

“The main reason he has given for his decision to host the competition in France rather than Africa seems to center around ‘mediatization’ and visibility – with the argument being that events hosted in Africa are somehow less accessible to international audiences.

“But one only needs to look at some of the events already being hosted in Africa to see that argument is absurd. In fact, the opposite is true. More international sporting events than ever are turning to Africa for hosting duties.

“Even the International Olympic Committee is coming to Africa, with the Youth Olympics Games to be held in Senegal in 2026 – the first time any Olympic competition will hold on the continent.

“Over the next five years Africa will host a wealth of prestigious international sporting events:

• The 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games (Dakar, Senegal, 2026)
• UCI Road Cycling World Championships (Rwanda, 2025)
• Cricket World Cup (South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, 2027)
• Jeux de la Francophonie (Kinshasa, DRC, 2023)
• Africa Cup of Nations (Côte d’Ivoire, 2023)
• Africa Games (Accra, Ghana, 2023)
• African Beach Games (Tunisia, 2023)
• Netball World Cup (South Africa, 2026)
• The 22nd CAA African Senior Athletics Championships (Mauritius, 2022)
• Mediterranean Games (Algeria, 2022)

“Incidentally, 3650 athletes will take part in this year’s Mediterranean Games in Algeria, while fewer than 200 will be on show at the Rugby Africa Cup. So, this is clearly not about scale, logistics or infrastructure.

“Anyone suggesting that Africa is ‘not ready’ or is in some way unsuited to hosting major global sporting events is reinforcing old colonial stereotypes of arrogance and entitlement. It is a laughable thought. The world has moved on and knows the promise which Africa holds as the choice host of events.

“As the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in Africa, we have particular concerns about the ability of African sports journalists to access and effectively cover the Rugby Africa Cup in such a remote location. We have urgently reached out to Rugby Africa and to World Rugby to ask what is being done to help them secure visas, flights, and accommodation.

“As the governing body and the custodians of the game, World Rugby could and should have intervened in Rugby Africa’s decision to host an African tournament on a different continent. By 2050, a quarter of the world’s population will be African, and the sport is growing faster here than it is anywhere else. The future of world rugby is Africa. And it needs protecting – including from the President of Rugby Africa, if need be.

“Sadly the decision to award hosting duties for the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 to a provincial area of France was not and never made with the best interests of African rugby at heart.

“It is sincerely regrettable that the leadership of Rugby Africa made this miserable decision without deserving consultations with key Stakeholders and partners who over the years have stretched themselves to add value to the growth of the game in the continent. Here we are reminded of the lack of a vital reach and consultation with Rugby Africa’s main official sponsor (APO Group) whose Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard is evidently at a loss with a decision entirely without merit and support even for any die-hard enthusiast.

“I earnestly hope such distinguished partners won’t lose their appetite to pad and lift the game inspite of this wrong patch.

“Notably, the entire family of Sports Journalists across Africa and all those who care passionately for the health and growth of Rugby in the continent insist on the need to bring and keep home the Gold Cup where it rightly belongs and finds its shine.

“President Babbou must change gear without delay and forget his provincial French fancies.”

Egyptian businessman and Chelsea season ticket holder Loutfy Mansour has pulled out of the running to buy the Blues from Roman Abramovich.

He is the chief executive officer of Mantrac Group of Nigeria which has outlets in Lagos, Nigeria.

Mansour was linked with taking over the club following the announcement that Abramovich was walking away, although, according to UK publication, Mirror, a consortium led by Swiss billionaire, Hansjorg Wyss  and American Todd Boehly is currently leading the race.

The prospect of that consortium being successful in their bid was given a boost on Friday with the news that billionaire Mansour has pulled out.

A spokesman for the businessman said : “In light of the recent media speculation, we want to make it clear that we are not pursuing a bid for Chelsea Football Club at this time.”

Russian billionaire Abramovich remains fearful of sanctions from the UK government in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine although he continues to deny any links to president Vladmir Putin.

Having initially stated that he was handing over “stewardship and care” of the club to Chelsea’s charitable foundation, Abramavich dramatically released a statement on Wednesday when he confirmed that his 19-year reign at Stamford Bridge was coming to an end.

“The sale of the club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process,” said Abramovich.

“I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and club.

“Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated.

“The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.

Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the club.”

Abramovich is yet to be sanctioned by the government, who did move to restrict Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov – who has previously had ties to Arsenal and more recently Everton – on Thursday.

With 17 days to the anticipated tough World Cup qualifying play-off with Nigeria in Cape Coast, Ghanaian international, Mohammed Salisu has suffered hamstring injury.

According to media report from different sources, Ralph Hassenhutti, the Southampton manager gave that as the reason for the centre-back’s absence from the Saints squad on Wednesday when the team defeated West Ham United 3-1 in the English FA Cup.

Speaking in an interview after the game, Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuttl explained that Mohammed Salisu was absent as well as some other players missed the game because they are nursing various injuries.

“(Shane) Longy I think was a harsh impact in the first-half, that’s why we left him in the dressing room at half-time.

“Kyle (Walker-Peters) had a little bit of problems with his hamstring, this was also the reason why we subbed him. From yesterday’s game that’s it so far.”

“We had also problems with (Mohammed) Salisu, and Moi (Elyounaussi). Moi with his heel, Sali also with his hamstring I think,” the Southampton manager shared.

He added, “This is the reason why they were not available, so a few issues but we will have a rook how they are for the weekend.”

BA is led by Russian Umar Kremlev, but that has not saved boxers from his country being banned from competition following the invasion of Ukraine ©IBA

The International Boxing Association (IBA), led by Russian Umar Kremlev, has followed the recommendations set out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), banning boxers and officials from Russia and Belarus from competition, following the countries’ involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. 

Gazprom, the Russian state-owned energy company, has still been retained by IBA as its general partner, despite the threat of sanctions from Western nations.

Previously, IBA said its Board of Directors would meet to discuss what action would be taken against Russia, who initiated the invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, and Belarus, who allowed the use of its borders for the attack.

“While condemning the breach of the Olympic Truce and the military activities against Ukraine, IBA adopted the IOC recommendation with regard to the participation of boxers and competition officials (including referees and judges) belonging to the IBA’s National Federations of Russia or Belarus,” said the IBA. 

“Accordingly, they shall not be invited or allowed to participate in international boxing competitions.”

The organisation condemned the action of Russia in their statement, but also left the door open for athletes from the countries to compete neutrally “on short notice for organisational or legal reasons”.

Ukrainians boxers received support from IBA following the invasion of their country ©Getty Images

IBA is the third International Federation led by a Russian to have suspended athletes from that country.

It follows the International Sport Shooting Federation, headed by billionaire Vladimir Lisin, and the International Fencing Federation, whose President Alisher Usmanov has temporarily stood aside after being sanctioned by the European Union and United Kingdom for his alleged close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kremlev, the former secretary general of the Boxing Federation of Russia was elected IBA President in December 2020, has vowed to get the organisation restored as the governing body for Olympic boxing after it was suspended by the IOC following several years of corruption and financial problems.

He is due to stand for re-election at the IBA Electoral Congress in Istanbul on May 13 and 14. 

The first major event that Russian boxers will miss is set to be the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Istanbul, due to take place between May 6 and 21.

At the last Championships in Ulan-Ude three years ago, Russia finished top of the medals table with three golds for Ekaterina Paltceva in the light flyweight, Liliya Aetbaeva in the flyweight and Zemfira Magomedalieva in the light heavyweight. 

IBA is led by Russian Umar Kremlev, but that has not saved boxers from his country being banned from competition following the invasion of Ukraine ©IBA

Events in both countries sanctioned by IBA have also been cancelled.

“IBA is completely committed to putting sport at the service of the peaceful development of humanity,” read the statement. 

“Consistent with these commitments, the IBA Board also offered its full support for measures aimed at helping the Ukrainian boxers.”

Ukraine was invaded by Russia on February 24, just four days after the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, leading to condemnation globally, including in the sporting community. 

Russia and Belarus were banned from the Winter Paralympic Games – which opened in the Chinese capital today – after mounting pressure on the International Paralympic Committee from National Paralympic Committees.

Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl have worked together twice before

Ivan Lendl and Andy Murray are getting back together again, with the two due to start work in the United States next month.

They will spend several weeks training after this month’s Miami Masters as Murray prepares for the grass-court season which starts in June.

Murray had already decided to skip the clay court season from April to June.

He won two Wimbledon titles, the 2012 US Open and two Olympic gold medals while working with Lendl.

Murray also became the world number one under the coach

He was distraught when they first split in 2014, having realised the eight-time Grand Slam champion was not prepared to commit to the number of weeks on tour he required.

Lendl returned to the team in 2016: the year Murray won his second Wimbledon title and finished the year as the world number one.

The partnership formally ended in November of the following year, with Murray unable to play much because of his serious hip injury, which later required two operations.

Murray also plans to appoint an additional coach, who will travel with him and work closely with Lendl.

The 34-year-old world number 84 has been without a permanent coach since his five and-a-half year spell with Jamie Delgado came to an end late last year.

He has since had trial periods with Johanna Konta’s former coach Esteban Carril and the German Jan de Witt.

Another of Murray’s former coaches Dani Vallverdu has offered his assistance in recent weeks, but he is committed to Stan Wawrinka, who is due to return to the tour in April.

Murray said last month in Dubai that he needs a consistent message on the practice court, and hinted that despite all of his experience he really misses a coach.

After reaching the final of the Sydney International in January, Murray has lost in the second round of the four tournaments he has played. After an excellent five set win over Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of the Australian Open, he was beaten in straight sets by Taro Daniel.

Murray has complained about how poor he has been mentally in recent weeks, something which Lendl – as another former world number one – was able to help him with significantly in their earlier time together.

Lendl spent just under a year working with Alex Zverev after his second spell with Murray, but has not been coaching on tour since that partnership came to an end in July 2019.

Murray has a wildcard for this month’s Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Miami, and will then have two months to train and prepare for the grass-court season.

Lendl will not be in Indian Wells, but is likely to be offering advice remotely, and could potentially appear in Miami as he lives nearby.

In June and July it looks likely Lendl will once again be by Murray’s side on the grass courts at The Queen’s Club and Wimbledon.