Aruna was stopped at the quarter-final stage by the better-ranked Brazilian player.

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, 33, on Monday failed in his bid to get the semi-final of the ongoing WTT Cup Finals at the OCRC Arena in Singapore.

Aruna came up against Brazilian Hugo Calderano in the quarter-final and lost 3-1. Calderano took the first game 11-6, but the Nigerian stormed back to take the second set 11-6. Calderano then upped his game to take the next two games 11-8, 11-4 and stopped the Nigerian’s historic march in Singapore.

Calderano paid Aruna a great complement after the victory, describing the Nigerian as an ‘amazing player’. It was Calderano’s first-ever win over Aruna and he said, “Quadri is an amazing player. He is strong and powerful. I’m just glad to get my first win over him today. I looking forward to some rest before coming back to take on Harimoto.”

Quadri achieved the highest-ever ranking for an African at No.13 with 5,538 points. Fan Zhendong, 24, of China is the world’s No.1 with 12, 645 points.

Calderano set up a semi-final clash against one of table tennis’ rising stars, 18-year-old Tomokazu Harimoto. The fifth-ranked Harimoto defeated Wong Chun Ting 3-1 (11-4, 7-11, 11-6, 13-11).

The prize money for the WTT tournament is $600,000.

The Falconets continued their impressive display from the second round by hammering hosts Congo 4-0 in the first leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup African qualifying third round fixture in Brazzaville on Sunday.

The results put the two–time World Cup silver medalists in a commanding position ahead of the return leg in Nigeria in two weeks time.

Mercy Idoko put the Falconets ahead in the 38th minute before more goals from Flourish Sebastine (47th minute), and a penalty converted by Esther Onyenezide in the 50th minute put Nigeria in a comfortable position.

Five minutes later Deborah Ajibola scored the fourth goal to the Nigerian ladies out of the reach of their hosts.

Chris Danjuma’s girls completely dominated proceedings at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat, and could have been up earlier than the 38th minute when Idoko, who accounted for four of the 11 goals that drowned Central African Republic, put them in front against the hosts.

To reach the third round, the Falconets had thumped their counterparts from Central African Republic 7-0 in their first leg encounter in Douala, before wrapping things up at a stroll in Lagos, with a further four goals to the kitty.

Congo drew 1-1 with Egypt’s U-20 girls in Cairo and then won the return 3-1 in Brazzaville to be eligible for the fixture with the Falconets.

The second leg will hold at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Saturday, December 18.

Musa, Moffi, Sadiq goal drought continue

While a few names grabbed the headlines in Scotland and Turkey, it was a tough weekend for a lot of Nigerian players in Europe as the usual goal rush was missing,

ENGLAND

William Troost-Ekong, Emmanuel Dennis (Watford)

The duo Troost-Ekong and Dennis saw 90 minutes of action for Watford who lost 3-1 to Manchester City on Saturday. The Hornets’ are still without a win against City since 1989.

Raheem Sterling headed the reigning champions ahead after only four minutes before Bernardo Silva scored a brace.

Silva showed excellent skill to beat two defenders and finish well from a tight angle to double City’s lead

He then grabbed his second and City’s third, cutting in from the right side of the penalty area and curling a fine finish past Bachmann.

Cucho Hernandez pulled one back for Watford, following in to convert a rebound after his first strike had hit the foot of the post.

Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)

Wilfred Ndidi played the entire duration as Leicester City suffered their sixth loss of the season in their 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

His compatriot Ademola Lookman featured for 65 minutes coming off for Jamie Vardy while Kelechi Iheanacho made a cameo appearance coming on for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the 86th minute.

The Foxes have recorded just one win in their last six league games as they crash to the 11th position in the league.

Frank Onyeka (Brentford)

Frank Onyeka featured for 21 minutes in Brentford’s 2-2 draw at Leeds United on Sunday. The Nigeria international came on for Shandon Baptiste in the 69th minute of the encounter but despite his efforts, he could do nothing about Patrick Bamford’s 95th-minute equaliser.

The game was Onyeka’s 13th of the season since joining the newcomers in the summer from Danish side FC Midtjylland.

Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise (Crystal Palace)

Super Eagles targets, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, both made cameo appearances in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United on Sunday with both players featuring for six minutes each.

Eze making his second appearance since returning from his long-term Achilles tendon injury came on for Cheikhou Kouyate while Olise replaced Jordan Ayew in the 84 minutes.

Semi Ajayi (West Brom)

Ajayi came on for Gardner-Hickman in the 86th minute as West Brom ended their winless four-game run with a 2-1 victory over Coventry City. It was Ajayi’s 15th league game of the season.

It was his first appearance since November 3 when he featured against Hull City.

 He was an unused substitute for the Baggies in their last five games.

SPAIN

Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)

Chukwueze came on as a substitute in the 71st minute and failed to inspire Villarreal as the Yellow Submarines suffered a 1-0 defeat away at Sevilla on Saturday.

He replaced Yeremi Pino in the defeat.

The defeat extended Villarreal’s winless away record in the LaLiga this season.

ERMANY

Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin)

Awoniyi scored his ninth Bundesliga goal of the season to help Union Berlin beat RB Leipzig 2-1 in the Matchday 14 opener on Friday.

The 24-year-old struck after only six minutes. Timo Baumgartl headed down Julian Ryerson’s cross following a short corner, and the Nigerian reacted quickest to turn in at the far post.

Union really should’ve been 2-0 up minutes later but Awoniyi missed his chance.

ITALY

David Okereke, Tyronne Ebuehi (Venezia)

David Okereke and Tyronne Ebuehi both tasted action for Venezia as they squandered a three-goal lead to lose 4-3 to Hellas Verona in the Italian Serie A on Sunday.

Okereke lasted just seven minutes before pulling a muscle injury which ended his day on a sad note with Dennis Johnsen coming on for the Nigerian striker.

Okereke has scored four goals in 14 league games for the newcomers since joining them on loan from Belgian side, Club Brugge in the summer.

His Compatriot, Ebuehi came on for Pasquale Mazzocchi in the 66th minute but despite the defensive re-enforcement he brought, they could not stop Giovanni Simeonewho grabbed two late goals for the visitors to hand them a memorable win.

Ebuehi has made nine appearances for the Serie side this season.

FRANCE

Terem Moffi (Lorient), Moses Simon (Nantes)

Terem Moffi fired blanks as Lorient suffered a 1-0 loss to Nantes in the French Ligue 1 on Sunday, their eighth loss of the season.

Moffi was in action for 82 minutes but failed to reignite his scoring spark as his goal drought reaches the third month.

The Nigeria international has only been able to find the back of the net twice while providing three assists in 15 games. He was replaced by Adrian Grbic.

His compatriot for the opposing team, Moses Simon, also failed to grab a goal or an assist in 81 minutes on the pitch.

Simon who has scored once and provided six assists for the Canaries came off for Osman Bukari in the 81st minute of the win.

NETHERLANDS

Cyriel Dessers (Feyenoord)

Super-sub Cyriel Dessers was in action for 23 minutes but failed to find the back of the net as Feyenoord thrashed Fortuna Sittard 5-0 in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday.

Dessers who has been in superb form for the club since joining on loan in the summer from Belgian side Genk came on for Cyriel Dessers in the 67th minute but could not add to his already impressive goals tally for the club.

The Nigerian has scored seven goals in 15 appearances for the club in all competitions.

TURKEY

Anthony Nwakaeme (Trabzonspor)

Nwakaeme took his tally to six and made an assist in Trabzonspor’s 2-0 home win against Adana Demirspor, in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday.

The Nigerian scored his side’s opener in the 26th minute before setting up Marek Hamsik for the winner six minutes before the hour mark.

Trabzonspor have now picked up wins in their last eight fixtures.

Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk)

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, was in action for 19 minutes in Fatih Karagumruk’s 3-1 loss to Giresunspor on Sunday.

Musa who scored his first goal after over three months in a Turkish Cup win over Sariyer is still awaiting his first league goal after over three months.

The former Leicester City forward came on for Yann Karamoh in the 71st minute of the encounter.

Aminu Umar (Rizespor)

Aminu Umar was on for the entire duration of the game but could only watch as Fenerbahce blew past Rizespor 4-0 in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.

Umar is yet to find the back of the net in 14 league games for the Turkish side this season.

SCOTLAND

Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers)   

Aribo scored a first-half opener via a deflection in Glasgow Rangers 3-0 win over Dundee United in a Scottish Premier League game on Saturday. The goal was his fifth in the SPL this season.

He was replaced in the 83rd minute for Bacuna.

His compatriot, Calvin Bassey featured for 90 minutes as a center-half while injured Leon Balogun was not listed for the clash.

The win sees Rangers move seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

RUSSIA

Victor Moses (Spartak Moscow) Moses ended his 13-league game goal drought on Saturday when he scored in Spartak Moscow’s 2-1 win over FK Akhmet.

Former scrabble world champion Wellington Jighere says National champion Olatunde Oduwole deserves his victory after both players squared on Sunday in Benin City.

Oduwole beat Jighere 2-1 to cause an upset as he emerged Nigeria’s scrabble king after winning the Champion of Champions championship beating the world No.4 Jighere in a hard-fought final match.

Oduwole claimed the star prize of N500,000 and a giant trophy at the event, which was held at the multi-purpose hall of Prestige Hotel.

Speaking after his victory, Oduwole admitted that it was a tough final game against Jighere but added that he was lucky.

“It was a crunchy final but I had better tiles to decide the game. I was very lucky to have won,” Oduwole told sporting media.

“It’s not easy playing against a world champion. We’ve met on different occasions and it’s anybody who wins that decides the tournament. I could have lost today (Sunday) but I won because I was destined to win and not because I did anything extraordinary.”

However, Jighere disagreed with the champions but said his victory was a deserved one.

“It was a worthy final,” he said

“I think that was him (Oduwole) being humble because he played very well and I don’t think it was about luck because he played really well and he deserved to win. So, I disagree with him that it was about luck.”

On the competition itself, the two-time African Scrabble Championship winner said, “This championship is different from the others because in every other championship we have 21 games to play and naturally the winner emerges at the end of the 21 games but this champion of champions the format was a bit different.”

…minister supports move to nation’s capital

Plans are underway to have the Super Eagles move their home games to Abuja after Dangote Group handed over the rehabilitated Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

Contractors, Aron Nigeria Limited, handed over the rehabilitated stadium to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Friday.

The rehabilitation work was carried out on the main bowl pitch and scoreboard.

Dare had clamoured for the return of the Eagles to Abuja on several occasions, stating the need to have a permanent home stadium.

The Eagles last played at the Abuja stadium in 2012

“It is my wish that the Super Eagles and indeed the national teams of Nigeria, like elsewhere, have a permanent venue to play their matches rather than playing from one place to another,” Dare said last month while speaking to State House correspondents.

“There are great benefits for countries’ national teams to have a particular venue where the players understand very well. I believe very soon the Super Eagles will be playing their matches in Abuja or Lagos if the national stadium is fully ready too.”

In the last 10 years, the Eagles have played their home games at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin and Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

They however made a return to Lagos after 10 years and for the first time for a competitive match in 20 years when they played Lesotho in the 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on March 30.

They ended up playing their remaining World Cup qualifiers and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Lagos.

While the Eagles were hoping to make the Teslim Balogun Stadium their new home, news emerged last week that the Confederation of African Football had banned the stadium from hosting matches.

In a letter dated October 17, which was sent to the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mohammed Sanusi, CAF said the stadium “lacks the CAF criteria and requirements in order to properly host international competitions”.

The letter signed by CAF Development Director Raul Chipenda said the stadium  failed to implement the recommendations addressed to the NFF after the previous inspection.