With the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations under a threat of Covid-19, the Nigeria Football Federation may have put a protective cover over its players. The NFF has made the possession of COVID-19 vaccination cards mandatory for journalists wishing to cover the Super Eagles training session at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The pronouncement, that was conveyed in an invitation by the team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, on Monday, and which comes into effect same day, has received bashing from reporters who consider it as impromptu.

The statement urged journalists to, in addition to a valid means of identification and masks, present their COVID-19 vaccination cards or a recent negative PCR test result in the past 72 hours, in strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols before they will be allowed to access the stadium’s gate.

“We appreciate you for positively projecting our darling team, the Super Eagles.

“There will be full media access to the team’s training today from 5pm. Training venue is the Moshood Abiola Stadium, FCT Abuja. There will also be 15 minutes access to all players and officials after the training.

“In strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, everyone will present their COVID-19 vaccination cards or PCR Test result (72hrs maximum) at the gate,” the statement said.

The Super Eagles, who will be campaigning at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon from January 9, will open their account against Egypt in Group D in Garoua on January 11.

Returnee into the elite Nigerian league, Remo Stars of Ikenne maintain their good form as they rallied from a goal down to hold Dakkada 1-1 in Uyo on Sunday as the Nigeria Professional Football League entered its fourth match day.

They are the only away side with a goal as fellow stars, the Sunshine Stars who are the only other undefeated away team, held Rivers United to a goalless draw.

Home side, Dakkada shot into the lead in the 12^th minute through Muritala Lawal. It was a significant incident. It was the first goal that Remo Stars conceded this season.

 It came after Remo Stars had played 282 minutes of regulation time. But the Remo Boys still maintained their unbeaten run after four matches as Samuel Anakwe rallied back to draw level for the side in the 42^nd minute.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers United got more than they bargained for as the initial punching bag of the league held on tenaciously to a goalless draw.

In Enugu, Rangers, the only Nigerian clubside never to have been relegated since national league of 1972, were truly at home, battering visiting Niger Tornadoes 4-0.

The visitor had held on stoutly to a goalless first half before Agu Kenechukwu’s 58^th minute penalty kick goal opened a floodgate.

He doubled the lead in the 70^th minute before Shedrack Asiegbu made it three in the 73^rd minute.

Just a minute to regulation time, Christian Nnaji scored the fourth goal. Rivals, Kano Pillars beat Enyimba 2-0 . Rabiu Ali opened scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute of added time of the first half.

In the 60^th minute Kokoete Udo made it 2-0 for Kano Pillars. In a game of the Uniteds, Nasarawa United  also beat Akwa United 2-0. Tochukwu Udeh opened scoring in the 53^rd minute while Silas Nwankwo added the second in 83^rd minute.

Heartland of Owerri again proved poor travelers as they were beaten 3-0 by Plateau United, the same scoreline they had in their away loss to Remo Stars in matchday 2.

Jesse Akila shot Plateau United ahead in the 17^th minute. Izuchukwu Chimezie made it two in the 47^th minute before Mohammed Zulkilu put in the their goal in the 73^rd minute.

It was another 3-0 result as Wikki Tourists fully utilized their home advantage in their duel with MFM. The 3-0 means that MFM have the worst goal difference so far this season. They are in negative of six goals.

They conceded the first goal when Nelson Abiam found the net in the seventh minute. A minute of added time in the first half saw Isah Usman putting in the second goal. Fiften minutes into the second half Ibrahim Sale made it three.

Three other matches are slated for Monday as Shooting Stars host Katsina United while Lobi Stars will be away to Gombe United. The last match pitches Abia Warriors against visiting Kwara United.

Results

• Kano Pillars 2-0 Enyimba
• Rivers United 0-0 Sunshine Stars
• Rangers 4-0 Niger Tornadoes
• Wikki Tourists 3-0 MFM
• Plateau United 3-0 Heartland
• Dakkada 1-1 Remo Stars
• Nasarawa United 2-0 Akwa United

African champions Algeria have hit out at fellow finalists Gambia after the cancellation of a planned friendly between the two countries ahead of next weekend’s kick off of the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

A tersely worded statement from the Algerian Football Federation accused Gambia of calling off the game, scheduled for Saturday in Doha, Qatar, for spurious reasons and said it would demand financial compensation.

But the Gambia Football Federation said 16 of their 28-man squad players were unavailable, including all of their goalkeepers.

“Because we do not have a goalkeeper, we are forced to call off our matches against Algeria and Syria,” Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet said.

“We have had so many unpredictable situations making it very difficult to prepare for the Cup of Nations that we’re not happy with, but no one is blamed.”

He did not give reasons for the players’ absence but there have been COVID-19 infections among all African teams preparing in the Middle East ahead of the tournament in Cameroon, while other Gambian players have weekend club commitments in Europe.

Algeria’s statement suggested Gambia could have made more of an effort to fly in reserve goalkeepers so that the warm-up match could go ahead.

“The Gambian side decided unilaterally and a few hours before the match to cancel the game on the pretext that they were missing a goalkeeper!” said the federation.

“The Algerian Football Federation deplores this attitude which shows a great lack of professionalism and respect towards those who have put everything in place for the success of this preparation match.”

Algeria said they too had problems with two goalkeepers unavailable on Saturday but had flown in a back-up for the match.

“Also, the offhand reaction of the Gambia coach, who did not hesitate to make announcement even before the official cancellation decision was made, is also an inelegant act,” the Algerian federation continued.

“The Algerian Football Federation will assert its rights with regard to the costs incurred, just as it will take the necessary steps to denounce the derogatory attitude of the Gambian side.”

Algeria will play a friendly against Ghana in Qatar on Wednesday before heading to Cameroon to defend their crown.

Their first game at the tournament is a Group E clash against Sierra Leone on Jan. 11.

Gambia, in their first appearance at the finals, begin their Group F campaign against Mauritania on Jan. 12.

Coach Chris Danjuma has called up 26 players to the camp of the Nigeria’s U20 Girls, Falconets ahead of this month’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying cracker against Cameroon’s U20 Girls, Junior Lionesses.

The list includes defender and captain Oluwatosin Demehin, goalkeeper Omini Monle, midfielders Basirat Amoo and Esther Onyenezide, and forwards Flourish Sebastine, Mercy Idoko and Precious Vincent.

A 15-goal haul in their last three matches has taken the two-time World Cup finalists to the penultimate round of the African qualifying series for this year’s finals, which will hold in Costa Rica. The Falconets hammered their Central African Republic counterparts 7-0 away and 4-0 at home in the second round, before a 4-0 bashing of hosts Congo in Brazzaville. The Congolese opted not to travel to Nigeria for the reverse tie.

Cameroon will host the first leg of the penultimate round in Douala on Sunday, 23^rd January, with the return leg to hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos a fortnight later.

The winner will have a date with the winner of the fixture Senegal/Morocco for a slot at the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Costa Rica in August.

All the invited players have been directed to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye in Abuja on Wednesday, 5^th January 2022 with their training kits and covid19 vaccination cards.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS

Goalkeepers: Chidinma Nkiruka (Edo Queens); Nelly Ekeh (Sunshine Queens); Inyene Etim (Abia Angels); Omini Monle (Bayelsa Queens)

Defenders: Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Motunrayo Ezekiel (Naija Ratels); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels); Omowunmi Oshobukola (Edo Queens); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Naija Ratels); Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Confluence Queens); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels)

Midfielders: Basirat Amoo (Nasarawa Amazons); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Yina Adoo (Nasarawa Amazons); Anuoluwapo Yusuf (Bayelsa Queens); Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards: Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Mercy Idoko (Nasarawa Amazons); Flourish Sebastine (Edo Queens); Taiwo Lawal (FC Robo Queens); Precious Vincent (Bayelsa Queens); Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels); Chiamaka Okwachukwu (Royal Queens); Amarachi Onyenekwe (Nasarawa Amazons)

The Federal Government has named a high powered delegation to lead the Nigerian contingent to the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament starting in Cameroon next Sunday, January 9, 2022.

The delegation will be led by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, the Deputy Senate president, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba and Honourable Olumide Osoba are also in the delegation.

Some other members include the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of  Agriculture, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, Ministers of State for Finance, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, Agriculture, Mustapha Baba Shehuri and Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, the Special Adviser to Mr President on Sports, Daniel Amokachi as well as a representative of the Department of State Security(DSS).

Others expected to be part of a special  delegation are Sunday Asefun, the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS), Mr Allen Onyeama, Chairman of Airpeace, Mr Bisi Adebutu, Executive Director, Premier Lotto, Mr Emmanuel Orhiaki, Executive Director Marketing, Nigeria Breweries, Mr Karl Toriola, Managing Director, MTN and Mr Alfred Olajide, the Managing Director of Coca-cola.

The delegation is expected to leave for Cameroon on Monday , the 10th of January, 2022 ahead of Nigeria’s first game on the 11th of January.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in Group D alongside Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau. The group games will be played in Garoua. Nigeria’s first game will be against Egypt on Tuesday, the 11th of January, 2022.

Sierra Leone coach John Keister says he received death threats prior to naming his squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on Sunday in Cameroon.

The 51-year-old received two threats – regarding the inclusion of certain players – a day before announcing his 28-man squad and reported them to police in the west African country.

“I think it’s very, very sad that it has to come to this,” Manchester-born Keister told Sport Africa.

“Whatever walk of life you are in, nobody deserves that.”

Keister added: “I don’t think it should get to that point where my life is being threatened because people feel players should be in [the squad] – and if they are not, this is what they are going to do.”

Keister featured for several British clubs, including Walsall and non-league Margate, during his playing career and was capped by Sierra Leone between 1997 and 2003.

He is in his second spell as national coach and has led the Leone Stars, ranked 108th in the world, to the tournament finals for the first time since 1996.

“We have come a long way [so] there’s no reason for [the death threats],” added Keister.

“I’ve got family, I look after these boys and I have a job to do. It gets me angry and for me, where I have come from and my background, I feel there is something I need to do about it.

“Regardless of the job, I need to do something about it.”

His squad, including one-time England defender Steven Caulker and former Middlesbrough striker Kei Kamara, 37, will face holders Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea in Group E at the Nations Cup.

Another intriguing year for golf is promised in 2022, a year expected to mark another comeback from Tiger Woods, a landmark Open Championship and the appointment of two new Ryder Cup captains.

There is much to anticipate, including the emergence of potential new superstars, the women’s game breaking new ground and political power-plays to fend off disrupters who want to smash the status quo.

Here’s what we can expect in 2022, including my predictions for the majors…

Return of the Tiger

Apart from his hit and giggle appearance with son Charlie at the PNC Championship in Florida last month, 2021 was a barren year for Tiger Woods, who recently turned 46.

Woods spent most of it recovering from a February car crash which almost resulted in the loss of his right leg. His Orlando return surprised many and while young Charlie stole the show, the outing proved the 15-time major champion can still play.

Realistically, though, it may be a while before we see him compete again at the highest level. Woods would love to play the tournament he promotes, The Genesis Invitational at Riviera in February, but that may prove too soon.

Likewise for another favourite stop at Bay Hill in March and would undulating Augusta prove too physically demanding in April?

I would be most tempted to back his return at The Open at St Andrews in July. The Old Course terrain should be forgiving enough and where better to come back than the home of golf where Woods has won two of his three Open titles?

Landmark Opens

Regardless, that week will be exceptional as golf celebrates the 150th Open. The oldest and most historic of the majors has come a long way since eight men first teed off in Prestwick and Willie Park won the Challenge Belt back in 1860.

The Open is one of the world’s biggest sporting events and there will be an air of celebration when Collin Morikawa embarks on the defence of the title he won on his Open debut last summer.

There is likely to be a mini champions challenge event on the eve of the main competition. At the very least we can expect to see Woods appear in that.

A couple of weeks later, the AIG Women’s Open will be played at Muirfield for the first time. Many a female golfer will tell you the sport still has a long way to go on the path of equality.

In 2017, Muirfield needed to change its male-only membership policy and staging the biggest women’s golf event in the UK there could be another significant step. Expect plenty of focus on Anna Nordqvist’s title defence come August.

Europe’s captaincy dilemma

There is no Ryder Cup this year but both Europe and the United States will be keen to appoint captains sooner rather than later.

With favourite Lee Westwood having taken himself out of the running to lead Europe in next year’s match in Italy, one of his former partners, Luke Donald, is the most likely candidate to succeed Padraig Harrington.

Others in the frame include 2016 Open champion Henrik Stenson and another Swede, Robert Karlsson. He is highly regarded for his analytical skills and has been a vice-captain in the past two matches.

Francesco Molinari has strong credentials for an Italian job while Graeme McDowell is another future captain but more likely for Adare Manor in 2027.

Is it too soon for Ian Poulter? Observers also wonder whether Europe might break with recent convention and offer the job to a successful former skipper such as Thomas Bjorn, who led the continent to success in Paris in 2018.

After the USA’s record 19-9 win at Whistling Straits, Zach Johnson is favourite to succeed Steve Stricker to lead their quest for a first away win this century, but a certain Mr Woods may also be interested.

Europe could make their choice as early as this month at the tour stop in Abu Dhabi. Regardless, the Middle East will prove increasingly important ground in golfing geo-politics.

Money, money, money

Much attention surrounds Greg Norman’s bid to revolutionise the professional game, aided by a back pocket wad of Saudi Arabian cash to shake the status quo.

Permissions have already been grudgingly granted by the PGA Tour to allow some of their biggest stars to compete without sanction in February’s Saudi International, which is now an Asian Tour event.

But the spectre of a Saudi funded rebel super league still remains and we can expect the established circuits on both sides of the Atlantic to try to find more imaginative ways to keep top players happy.

Announcing a lucrative post FedEx Cup series with guaranteed millions and potentially a team element is not beyond the realms of possibility.

The PGA and DP World (formerly European) Tours have already acted with this July’s rebranded Genesis Scottish Open counting on both circuits. Expect plenty of big name US stars to be part of the field at Renaissance Club the week before The Open.

The distance debate

Golf will continue to wrestle with this issue with the R&A and USGA courting top tours and manufacturers to find agreement on how to restrict the lengths that golf balls travel.

Potentially, local rules will be approved more frequently for elite golf. Some will see it as bifurcation by stealth to ensure ancient links such as the Old Course at St Andrews remain relevant for decades to come.

Ones to watch

I’m expecting American Sam Burns to become a household name in 2022. Only Jon Rahm, Morikawa and Viktor Hovland picked up more world ranking points than the largely unheralded Burns last year.

Hovland looks ready to challenge for a first major, while a resurgent Thomas Pieters, Irishman Seamus Power (up 357 places to 72 in the world) and Denmark’s Hojgaard twins, Nicolai and Rasmus, are on track for big seasons this year.

After her major breakthrough in 2021, I’m interested to see whether the exciting Patty Tavatanakit can maintain the progress that has taken the Thai to the fringes of the women’s top 10.

Nelly Korda and Jin Young Ko are formidable pacesetters, while Irish Solheim Cup hero Leona Maguire has climbed from 177 to a career high 40th in the past 12 months. She has attributes to put herself among the very best in the world this year.

Andy Murray suffered a losing start to 2022 as he was beaten by world number 76 Facundo Bagnis in the first round of the Melbourne Summer Series.

The Briton, 34, produced an error-strewn display as he lost 6-3 5-7 6-3 to the Argentine.

Murray slammed his racket into his bench in frustration during the deciding set.

Bagnis broke the Scot in the fifth game of the set before serving out to take the match.

Murray came into the tournament with confidence, having reached the final of an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi in December, losing the decider to world number five Andrey Rublev.

But he struggled with a poor ball toss and a disappointing second-serve percentage against an opponent who has never gone past the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.

It leaves the three-time Grand Slam winner with plenty of work to do before this month’s Australian Open. Murray has accepted a wildcard for the tournament and will be appearing two years on from what, at the time, looked set to be his final match in the event as he prepared for hip surgery.

Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the men’s event in Melbourne because of asthma.

The 26-year-old played only 15 matches in 2021, winning seven of them and has not been in action since late September because of knee issues, slipping to 93rd in the rankings.

He was set to take on Slovakian Alex Molcan but will now begin his 2022 season at next week’s Sydney Tennis Classic.

GB beaten by Canada in ATP Cup

Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury were beaten by Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger Aliassime, as Canada defeated Great Britain 2-1 in their ATP Cup Group C tie.

The doubles rubber was decisive after the two singles matches, in which Dan Evans beat world number 14 Shapovalov 6-4 6-4 and Cameron Norrie lost out to Auger Aliassime 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.

British duo Murray and Salisbury lost a tight first set but were beaten comfortably in the second, losing 6-4 6-1 in one hour and 10 minutes.

Great Britain, Canada, USA and Germany have all won one and lost one before the final day of the group stage. The winners of each of the four groups go through to the semi-finals.