Sports
Drama, Upsets, and Farewells Light Up Fourth Week Of All Stars Veterans Invitational Tournament
Matchday 4 of the All Stars Invitational Veterans Tournament exploded with shocks, comebacks, and high-stakes drama, as the battle for automatic qualification spots reached fever pitch. It was a day where underdogs bit back, favourites stumbled, and hopes rose and crashed in spectacular fashion.
All Stars International bounced back in style after their previous draw and a win, edging Nurudeen FC 3-2 in a pulsating contest. With NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, fondly called Dikkodinho, pulling the strings in midfield, the star-studded side showed grit and class to grab a much-needed win and keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.
Like Minds All Stars also revived their campaign, edging All Stars UATH 1-0 courtesy of a calm finish by Okam Okam, while Zee Michael’s hopes of progressing were dashed following a narrow 1-0 loss to Karu All Stars, with Akin Ropo netting the match-winner.
In one of the most thrilling encounters of the day, Nyanya All Stars and Lugbe All Stars served up a classic. Needing a win, both sides fought tooth and nail. After Nyanya took an early lead, Lugbe responded with two quick goals within 15 minutes, flipping the script and igniting dreams of qualification. But in a stunning second-half turnaround, Nyanya rose like a phoenix, scoring twice to seal a remarkable 3-2 comeback and shatter Lugbe’s hopes of advancing.
Before the match between Apo Fitness Club and New Karu, the tournament paused to honour the late goalkeeping legend Peter Rufai, with a solemn one-minute silence observed in his memory.
On the pitch, Apo Fitness found themselves on edge—a win, draw, and loss left their qualification hanging in the balance. A tense 1-1 draw against New Karu added to their uncertainty, forcing them to rely on other results to determine their fate.
As for Ocean XI, their campaign came to an end after a series of draws left them short of the mark, signaling an early exit and a chance to regroup for the next edition.
With one matchday left, the All Stars Invitational Veterans Tournament is shaping up to be a story of bold comebacks, broken dreams, and unforgettable moments. As the dust settles on a pulsating Matchday 4, the battle lines are drawn, and the final group stage drama promises even more fireworks.
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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