Sports
Karu, Gwagwalada, Likeminds All Stars, and Apo Fitness Club Complete Quarter-Final Line-Up
Joel Ajayi
The battle lines are drawn as the final four quarter-finalists have emerged in the ongoing Abuja All Stars Veterans Invitational Tournament, wrapping up a Round of 16 stage filled with shocks, grit, and unforgettable drama.
Karu All Stars punched their ticket with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a fearless MC Steve side — a team that simply refuses to die quietly in any competition. From the first whistle, MC Steve went for the jugular, testing Karu’s pedigree in the tournament. But in the end, Karu’s experience saw them through, dousing their opponents’ fire.
Apo Fitness Club also booked their spot after weathering a late storm from Nurudeen FC. Leading 2-1, Apo’s backline was under siege for the final 20 minutes, but they held firm, clinging on to their slender lead until the final whistle.
Over in Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada All Stars had to dig deep against a spirited Zeemichael FC — a side barely four months old but brimming with fight. The game ended 1-1 in regulation before Gwagwalada held their nerve to win 3-0 on penalties.
The most ruthless display of the round came from Likeminds All Stars of Kuje, who dismantled Games Village FC in a one-sided 4-0 demolition, underlining the gulf in class between the two sides.
Quarter-Final Fixtures – August 16, 2025
All Stars Stars New Karu vs Lugbe All Stars
USF vs Ex-Professional FC (Defending Champions)
Karu All Stars vs Likeminds All Stars (Kuje)
Gwagwalada All Stars vs Apo Fitness Club
The stage is set for a thrilling knockout phase as veterans chase glory and bragging rights in Abuja’s most competitive veterans’ football showpiece.
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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