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
LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Salifu Usman Receives SWAN Fellowship In Recognition Of Sports Development Efforts
Salifu Abubakar Usman, Group Sports Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, has been honoured with the Fellow of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) award, in recognition of his exceptional support for the association, professional journalism, and his significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
The esteemed accolade was presented during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, held in Abuja, marking 60 years of excellence in sports journalism across the nation.
Upon receiving the award, Salifu expressed profound gratitude, describing the honour as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to further his lifelong dedication to sports reporting, promotion, and growth.
“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration for me and my family, and I believe it will encourage me further in sports reporting and sports development in Nigeria,” he stated.
Salifu highlighted that this recognition serves as a morale boost following decades of hard work and impactful contributions within Nigeria’s sports community and beyond.
The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration attracted prominent figures from sports administration, the media, and government sectors to celebrate individuals and organisations whose efforts have significantly advanced sports development and journalism in Nigeria.
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