Sports
Michael Joel Hat-Trick Sparks Phoenix Rout as Plateau Shine on Matchday 2 of Nigeria Amputee Football Championship
Just like Victor Osimhen’s heroics for the Super Eagles, Michael Joel emerged the star of the day for Phoenix FC of Lagos, firing a stunning hat-trick in their 4–0 demolition of Niger State FC at the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Amputee Football Championship.
Joel opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a composed finish, before Greema Mohammed doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute. The in-form forward then struck twice more — in the 37th and 45th minutes — to complete his hat-trick and seal an emphatic win for Phoenix FC as they launched their campaign in style.
In the day’s second encounter, Plateau State FC bounced back from their opening-day defeat to Kano Pillars with a commanding 3–0 victory over Kaduna State FC, who continue to struggle in this year’s competition. Goals from John Hyacinth, Idris Sulaiman, and Abdullahi Mohammed sealed the statement win, leaving fans thrilled by the team’s fluid attacking play.
Phoenix FC later returned for their second match of the day, edging Abba Gida Gida FC of Kano 1–0 to secure a place in the semi-finals.
With the group stage now concluded, the semi-final fixtures are set as follows:
Kano Pillars vs Niger State FC – 12:30 p.m.
Phoenix FC vs Plateau State FC – 1:30 p.m.
The winners will clash in the grand finale on Friday to determine the champions of the 2025 Nigeria Amputee Football Championship.
Sports
AACT 2026: South Africa Lead as Nigeria Fifth After Day One
Joel Ajayi
The ongoing All Africa Challenge Trophy, AACT, currently ongoing in the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja enters Day 2 today. At the end of Day 1, South Africa took an early lead with 154 strokes.
Kenya occupied second position with 158 strokes, while Tanzania placed third with 160 strokes after the opening round of the continental women’s golf championship.
Uganda finished fourth with 163 strokes, while Host Nigeria occupied fifth position with 166 strokes.
Zambia followed in sixth position with 167 strokes, ahead of Botswana, which returned 170 strokes to place seventh.
Ghana finished eighth with 172 strokes, while Zimbabwe and Tunisia occupied ninth and 10th positions with 174 and 176 strokes, respectively.
In the individual standings, South Africa’s Isabella Ferreira emerged as the Day One leader with four strokes over par (+4).
Ferreira, who expressed satisfaction with her opening-round performance, said she was encouraged by her start but remained focused on maintaining consistency.
“I’m happy with how I started the championship. The course demands concentration and patience, and I will continue to take each hole as it comes,” she said.
Kenya’s Kanana Muthomi followed closely in second position with five strokes over par (+5), while Uganda’s Keisha Kagoro occupied third position with six strokes over par (+6).
Kagoro said she was delighted with her start and determined to build on the performance.
“It is encouraging to begin the championship this way. I know the competition is strong, but I will stay focused, trust my game and work towards an even better performance,” she said.
South Africa’s Lourenda Steyn also returned six strokes over par to share third position with Kagoro.
Botswana’s Loapi Chokwe occupied fifth position with seven strokes over par (+7), while Tanzania’s Neema Olomi and Madina Iddy were tied on eight strokes over par (+8).
Kenya’s Bianca Ngecu and Kellie Gachaga returned nine strokes over par (+9) apiece.
Nigeria’s Juliana Ehinomhen finished among the leading 10 players, returning 10 strokes over par (+10) to occupy joint 10th position.
However, the Nigerian team will be seeking to improve its standing in the remaining rounds as competition intensifies among the participating countries. No fewer than 20 countries are participating in the championship, which features three rounds of 18 holes each, culminating in 54 holes.
It will be recalled that Nigeria’s First Lady and Grand Patron of AACT 2026, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, performed the ceremonial tee-off on Tuesday, November 3, signalling the commencement of the continental championship.
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