Sports
2022 Commonwealth Games: Team Nigeria is Fit and Ready Says Sports Minister
As British High Commissioner Hosts Team to Farewell Reception
Sports Minister Sunday Dare is optimistic Team Nigeria will be very competitive at the 2022 Commonwealth Games starting in Birmingham, United Kingdom next week.
The Minister said Nigerian athletes are fit and ready for the Games because the past few months have sharpened and toughened them for the challenges ahead.
Speaking during a farewell dinner organised for Team Nigeria by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing at her residence in Abuja on Thursday, Dare assured that Nigeria will excel in Birmingham.
His words: “The last few months have toughened our athletes. As I speak now, some of them are in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America for the World Athletics Championships. Before now, some were in Mauritius for the African Senior Athletics Championships.
“By being part of these competitions, I can say that Team Nigeria is fit and ready. We will compete with determination and fairly. As a Ministry, we have tried to provide resources as much as we can afford for our athletes to be well prepared and we are sure of great success.”
In her welcome address, the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing expressed delight at the opportunity to host Team Nigeria to a farewell reception, extending special appreciation to the Sports Minister Sunday Dare and the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) Engineer Habu Gumel for making it happen.
According to her, “I know the Team Nigeria athletes will do this nation proud. I know they have worked extremely hard, put in so many hours of training and competing to represent Nigeria.
“Do not forget those sacrifices you have made, and use that memory, that muscle memory, that energy to pull through your most challenging moments. In the end it is only you who can give your best.”
Describing Birmingham, the venue of the Commonwealth Games, as a modern and bustling metropolis and one of the most diverse cities as well as being a truly multicultural destination, Laing revealed that it has thousands of members of the Nigerian diaspora living there so African and Nigerian delicacies would be within reach, adding in the pidgin language that “I know say una go do well. Make una carry plenty medals come o!”
In his own remarks, the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC) Engineer Habu Gumel charged the Nigerian athletes to be good ambassadors.
He thanked Catriona Laing for hosting the team and expressed confidence in the ability of Birmingham to host the rest of the Commonwealth successfully.
Nigeria will be competing in nine sports at the Games. The sports are; Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Para Athletics, Para Powerlifting and Para Table Tennis.
Sports
Nigerian Goalkeeper James Honoured with Spot in Finland’s Team of the Season
Ibrahim Lawal
Nigeria’s Super Eagles goalkeeper Samuel Friday James has earned recognition among the best-performing players in Finland following his impressive displays for SJK Akatemia in the 2026 season.
The 20-year-old shot-stopper ranks second among the league’s selected best-performing XI, with an average rating of 7.61, according to statistics published by Totori News.
James’ performances have stood out despite the challenging campaign faced by his club, with his consistency between the posts making him one of the bright spots in the team.
The former Mavlon FC goalkeeper has recorded four clean sheets in Finland’s Ykkösliiga this season, while his shot-stopping ability has further underlined his growing reputation in European football.
According to available season statistics from FootyStats, James has made 20 league appearances, playing 1,800 minutes. He has conceded 32 goals and made 75 saves from 109 shots faced, giving him a save percentage of approximately 68.8 per cent.
His four clean sheets account for 20 per cent of his league appearances, demonstrating his ability to keep opponents at bay despite the defensive challenges confronting his team.
James has also shown composure and resilience in difficult matches, including his recent international outing for Nigeria against Russia, where he made his senior Super Eagles appearance in the 3-3 friendly draw on October 6.
Standing at 1.95 metres, the young goalkeeper possesses the physical attributes required for the modern game, combining his reach with quick reactions and an increasingly valuable experience of European football.
His rise has been particularly encouraging following his move from Lagos-based Mavlon FC to Finland in 2025. Since then, he has continued to develop through regular competitive football and has attracted attention for his performances.
James’ latest statistical recognition of 7.55 rating in the team of the season adds to his growing profile as Nigeria continues to assess goalkeeping options for the future.
At 20, the goalkeeper will be hoping to build on his progress in Finland and establish himself as a regular contender for the Super Eagles, while continuing to improve his performances at club level.
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