South Africa forward Thembinkosi Lorch, Says his side can fly past next opponents Nigeria and go all the way to clinch their second Africa Cup of Nations title in Egypt.
Madagascar’s Barea are living the dream in Egypt after they booked a quarter-final spot courtesy a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over two times African champions DR Congo.
Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has returned to training ahead of their quarterfinal clash against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Indomitable Lions of Cameroon head coach, Clarence Seedorf, has tipped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win this year’s African Cup of Nations.
Sunshine Spikers of Ondo and Nigeria Police finished first in the men’s and women’s category at the first phase of the Nigeria Volleyball Division One League held at the indoor sports hall of the University of Ilorin, Kwara state.
Sunshine Spikers of Ondo state pummeled Nigeria Army 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-20) in the men’s match while Nigeria Police Force eased pass Imo state 3-0 (25-9, 25-13, 25-13) in the women’s match on the final day.
The head coach of Sunshine Spikers of Ondo, Adeniyi Adekalu told newsmen that his team was able to overpower the threats from the Nigeria Army.
He said, “Majority of volleyball pundits have predicted against my team but I give glory to God because the tactics I used worked perfectly for us.
“The Nigeria Army team we played came out smoking but we were able to checkmate them and by the time they say our firepower, they had to lay low”.
The National U19 coach revealed that loopholes observed in the final will be corrected before the commencement of the second phase.
Adekalu said, “The secret of my team is hard work; every time we train hard and try to find our loopholes. During our final match with Nigeria Army, I identified some shortcomings and loopholes which we are going to correct.
“The next plan of action is for us to go back home and keep on training hard; we cannot rest on our oars now because many teams want to play Ondo team. You can see that from the start of this tournament, the moment teams want to play Sunshine Spikers, they use all their strength but we know it is a normal thing for them to try upsetting the champion”.
The second phase of the Nigeria Volleyball Division one league will be played in Bauchi by a date yet to be decided by the League Organising Committee of the Federation
Other results of Day 7:
Nigeria Prisons v ABM of Katsina 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-18)
Kada Kings v Offa Volleyball Club 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-22)
Delta Force v Dynamic 3-1 (25-16, 21-25, 25-18, 25-18)
Men standing:
1st Sunshine Spikers- 26 points
2nd Nigeria Army- 24 points
3rd Niger Brass- 19 points
4th Offa Volleyball Club- 18 points
5th Kada Kings- 14 points
6th Nigeria Prisons- 13 points
7th ABM of Katsina- 9 points
8th Dynamic of Anambra- 6 points
9th Delta Force- 6 points
10th Imo state- 0 points
Women standing:
1st Nigeria Police Force- 9 points
2nd Imo state- 6 points
3rd Ok Babes of Ogun- 3 points
4th Zamfara- 0 points
The Nigeria Football Federation has commended top Nigerian dignitaries who were in Alexandria, Egypt on Saturday and cheered the Super Eagles to victory over Cameroon in an interesting AFCON 2019 Round of 16 clash.
Acting President of the NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi listed the top officials and said the Federation is immensely grateful to them not only for their presence but their passion in cheering and believing in the Super Eagles to overcome even when the team fell behind in the game.
“We want to specially thank the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and; Captain Hosea Wells Okunbor, a staunch financier and supporter of the Super Eagles.
“These distinguished personalities not showed up at the Alexandria Stadium; they oozed passion and love for the game of football and for our dear nation. They were so much involved and always believed the Super Eagles would carry the day.”
Three –time champions Nigeria put the Cup holders to the sword with two quick goals in the second half that took the scoreline to 3-2 after the Lions topped the first half 2-1 also with two quick goals late in the half.
Nigeria will take on South Africa in a much –anticipated quarter final duel at the 75,000 –capacity Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday night.
Apart from their presence at the match venue, Captain Hosea Okunbor gifted the Super Eagles with the sum of $20,000 per player, while Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu showered the players with $5,000 each. The President of AITEO Group, NFF’s Optimum Partner, Mr. Benedict Peters weighed in with the sum of $75,000 for the entire team for the three goals scored, at $25,000 per goal as he promised before the match.
These financial gifts are aside the $12,500 per player that the Nigeria Football Federation will pay the players for a place in the last eight.
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