Sports

Lukman and Roman net as Mahanaim FC beat Assess FA 2-nil

Published

2 years ago

February 28, 2025

Hot Boys of Mahanaim FC continue to stay hot in the year after another hard fought victory over Assess FA at the FIFA Goal Project inside Package-B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Lukman Adigun opened the scoring in the 25th minute of the match and was joined by Nambou Jean Roman-Emerite late in the second half as the Hot Boys claimed victory.

This victory in the first meeting with Assess FA extends their unbeaten run of nine straight matches since August 2024 when they lost to City FC by 3-1.

Coach Saheed Jimoh made whole some changes to the line up that defeated Sarkin Daji a fought night ago, yet, the result is similar, another 2-nil win over Assess FA.

Starting XI
David Adolphus-(Gk), Ramadan Yusuf (RB) ,Hamisu Salisu(LB), Awala Hamisu(DM) Nura Yahaya(LCB), Jesse Mokele(RCB), Monday Abdul(RW) Haruna Abdullahi(AM) Aliyu Imran(ST) Lukman Adigun(CDM), Gilbert Michael(LW)

     Reserves

Nambou Jean Roman Emerite(ST)
Ikoh Joseph Danjuma(CDM)
Ifechwuku James Chukwuchebe(LW)
Harry Dogmi(RW)
Khilifa Imam(CB)
Emmanuel Elijah(AM)
Samed Adejumo-(DM)
Christopher Edoh(GK)

The match started before 8am, under a cool weather, as the sun was just rising, which set the tone for a good game by both teams.

The Hot Boys created some early chances but couldn’t convert, including a 20th minute penalty miss by Haruna Abdullahi, who saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper as his low shot to the bottom right corner was well parried.

The miss gave the boys more impetus to press high and they were rewarded five minutes later when Lukman Adigun reacted quickest to a lose ball after a miss kick by the goalkeeper; following a press from Gilbert which pressured the goalkeeper to kick onto the path of Lukman who wasted no time directing his shot into the back of the net from 25 yards, to give the Hot Boys a deserved lead.

Assess tried to find an equaliser but their effort was in futility as Mahanaim led into halftime.

The second half was more intense, as both teams tried to score. Mahanaim continued to miss chances while Assess also found themselves inches away from scoring on several occasions. The tone of the game at that point made coach Saheed to send on Ikho Danjuma for Awala Hamisu, Ifechukwu James for Gilbert, Emmanuel Elijah for Lukman and Nambou Roman for Monday in other shore up things and find a security goal.

Moments later, the changes paid off as substitute Nambou Roman created a space after beating his marker, before sending a curling shot from outside the box, that beat the goalkeeper, into the back of the net. There was room for two more changes as Samed Adejumo replaced Haruna while Khalifa Imam also replaced Nura Yahaya.

Despite the victory, Coach Saheed Jimoh insist there is still alot of improvements expected from his team.

10th Match Unbeaten

Meanwhile, in another match at the team’s temporary home ground at Brown Check School, Chikakore, Kubwa, Harry Dogmi was the match winner as the Hot Boys took on Soccer Stars Football Academy- winning 1-0.

Harry was an unused sub in the match against Assess FA earlier in the day, however, that only fired him up to deliver victory for the team in the evening fixture. The win over Soccer Stars FA thus taking Mahanaim’s unbeaten run to 10 straight matches.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

14 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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