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Babatunde, Okechukwu eye double titles in Morocco

Published

6 years ago

May 16, 2019

After knocking Mamelodi Sundown out of the CAF Champions League, Super Eagles players Babatunde Michael and Gabriel Okechukwu have set sights on winning the domestic league title as well as the continental trophy with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca.

Wydad Casablanca dumped out the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns out of the CAF Champions League after losing 3-2 on penalties.

The South Africans lost the match 1-0, which saw the aggregate score locked at 1-1 but three awful penalties from Percy Tau, Yannick Zakri and Bangaly Soumahoro in the shootout sealed their fate.

Wydad are currently leading the Botola Pro league table with 54 points, two points above their bitter rival Raja Casablanca who are on 52 points.

A victory on Friday for Wydad Casablanca against Ittihad Tanger means Wydad will be leading the table with a maximum five points in 28 games and are closing to be the champions of the league.

“We started well, and we are going to end it well.”

“We have been motivated to do double and we are aiming to make it happen. Our determination gave us a victory against the defending champions and we are not going to relent, we want the trophy and we are lifting the double to make the club and the people of Morocco proud of our success.

“Personally, I dream of winning the league title and the CAF Champions League at the beginning of the season, but I think hard work has taking us to this level, it was a tough journey and we must finish it gloriously.”

In the same vein, the former Super Eagles team B player Gabriel Okechukwu anticipating over the potential double title following his move from Ukraine.

“I didn’t start the journey with my team mates but I am dreaming being part of history by winning the league title and CAF Champions league. The league is not over just like the CAF champions league battle is not over, we need to do more and prove to everybody that we are worthy champions. We need to remain focus and keep fighting to make the dream come alive,” said Gabriel

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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