Sports
Port Vale FC of Lugbe Seal Dramatic Penalty Shootout Win in Seasiders Final
Port Vale FC have emerged as champions of the 8th edition of the Seasiders Football Tournament, following a dramatic finale on Sunday at the Seasiders Stadium in Lugbe, Abuja.
The tournament, which spanned nearly two months, reached a thrilling climax as Port Vale edged past the host team, Seasiders FC, with a 3-2 victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Head coach of Port Vale, Lucky Osagbode, credited the team’s success to the relentless effort and discipline shown by both the players and technical staff.
“We knew we had to go the extra mile to win,” Osagbode said. “After a goalless draw with them in the group stage, we expected a tough match. We thank God for this victory—it’s the result of hard work on and off the pitch.”
Port Vale captain Bright Ogbonnaya echoed his coach’s sentiments, expressing pride in the team’s commitment. “All the hard work in training has finally paid off,” he said. “We’re already looking ahead to defending our title in the next edition.”
Despite the heartbreak, Seasiders FC coach Jamiu Hassan and captain Omotayo Lawal showed great sportsmanship in defeat.
“We gave it everything during regulation time, but once it goes to penalties, it becomes a game of luck,” said Coach Jamiu. “Congratulations to Port Vale. We’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
Tournament sponsor representative, Afeez Babalola, applauded the organization and competitive spirit of this year’s edition. He also revealed that plans are underway to expand team participation in the 9th edition, building on the success of this year’s event.
Sports
FCT FA Board Member Urges Grassroots Reform, Hopeful For Super Eagles World Cup Qualification
Legal Practitioner And Administrator Barr Bucknor Threatens To Petition FCT Minister Over Abandoned Stadiums
Despite Nigeria’s precarious position in the race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Barrister Babatunde Burknor, a board member of the FCT Football Association (FA), remains hopeful that the Super Eagles can still secure qualification.
Nigeria currently sits third in their qualification group with 11 points from 8 matches, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa, who both lead with 14 points. Yet Burknor, a seasoned football administrator and grassroots sports advocate, believes all is not lost.
In a recent interview made available to BSN Sports, Burknor said: “Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may appear almost impossible, but that doesn’t mean it is out of reach. The situation is tough, yes, but looking at the quality of players in our squad, I still believe we can make it.”
He added that unexpected results from other group rivals could work in Nigeria’s favour.
“Football is unpredictable. There is still a chance that South Africa, Benin Republic, or Rwanda could drop points. If we win our remaining two games, we still stand a chance. Sometimes football reflects life where the strong may fall while the seemingly weak stand tall.”
Calls for Grassroots Reform in the FCT
Beyond national team concerns, Burknor also used the opportunity to address the state of sports development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to take concrete action to revamp local infrastructure.
“We have deep-rooted problems when it comes to grassroots sports. The major issue is a lack of funding and commitment from those charged with driving development at that level,” he said.
Burknor lamented the disappearance of once-thriving youth competitions like the Chairman’s Cup, Principal’s Cup, and Shell Cup, stating that such events played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
“It’s disheartening that these programs are no longer active. Development is impossible without facilities, yet we lack even basic training grounds.”
The legal luminary revealed that he personally upgraded the sports facility at a government secondary school in his area to serve as a makeshift training centre, due to the absence of a functioning local stadium.
He is currently drafting a petition to Minister Wike, over abandoned stadiums in FCT, urging a comprehensive audit of officials responsible for sports development across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Progress in Gwagwalada Football Development
As Vice Chairman of the Gwagwalada Football Council, Burknor highlighted the success of the Gwagwalada Football League, which has become a model for other Area Councils.
“In just two years, we’ve turned the Gwagwalada Football League into a success story. Several players from the league have already secured contracts in Europe. This shows what can be achieved with vision and consistency.”
Barrister Burknor, emphasized that grassroots football holds the key to Nigeria’s long-term football success and must be taken seriously.
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