Sports
PRE-SEASON TOURNAMENT: BAYELSA UNITED WINS FIRST GAME, AS MARE APSON’S GOAL LIFTS AKWA UNITED TOP OF GROUP A
The ongoing Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Football Tournament in Yenagoa, capital city of Bayelsa State, on Wednesday produced another exciting moments in Group A, leading to a make or mar ties on the final group games scheduled for Friday, 16th.
Disappointed from their first game against Sunshine Stars of Akure where they lost by a lone goal, one of the host teams, Bayelsa United pulled out sterling performance to win two goals to one against hard-fighting and determined Abia Warriors.
Technical Adviser of the Prosperity Boys Ladan Bosso made several changes from the team that feature in the first group game, and the lads didn’t hesitate to announce their presence, winning a penalty as early as the third minute, whuch was beautifully converted by Bassey John.
With two minutes left, Ezekiel Ayodele took a bold run into the danger area, and after creating space for himself, shot a beautiful curve to the left corner beyond the reach of the goalkeeper to draw level in the first half.
Several scoring chances where created by both teams, especially from Abia Warriors as they battled hard to find another goal, but it was Bayelsa United’s winger, Rabiu Abdullahi who got the second goal with eight minutes left, leading to the first victory for the Ladan Bosso-tutored side.
The second game in Group A between Sunshine Stars of Akure against Akwa United saw the Owena Whales lost one goal to nil.
Sunshine Stars rued many scoring chances in the first half of the prosperity tournament at Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, however, succumbed to the only goal in the 54th minute. A counterattack play came the way of Mare Apson, and what was needed was a simple tap into the net.
Akwa United Coach, Baba Ganaru said he was proud of his boys, however the team was still a work in progress, adding that the last game will also experience some changes for other players to prove their worth.
Kenedy Boboye, Coach of Sunshine Stars, expressed displeasure in his players for their inability to convert their chances .
Sunshine Stars will on Friday trade tackles with Abia Warriors while Bayelsa United will confront Akwa United in a battle for top spot tie.
Sports
FIFA MA Course: Gusau, FIFA instructors harp on hard work, integrity and fraternity
The two-week FIFA Member Associations Course for physical and technical instructors, and Young Talents came to a close in Abuja on Thursday with FIFA Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed publicly declaring his confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s budding arbiters to reach unprecedented heights in the vocation globally.
The physical and technical instructors’ course was activated between 9th – 13th June, while the Young Talents programme lasted between Sunday, 15th – Thursday, 19th June 2025.
President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), who also doubles as President of WAFU B, told the young talents to endeavour to put all they have learnt during the course into practice, as the Federation is in the process of elevating more of the young talents to take on higher responsibilities, such as handling matches of the Nigeria Premier Football League.
“I am happy that now, we have a total of 86 young talents in our refereeing pool. This deeply gladdens my heart. Last year, we had 40 people undertake this course, and this year, we have 46. Let me reveal to you that 10 of those young talents from last year have been elevated to the NPFL, and none of them was found wanting throughout the season.
“Their record of performance gives great hope to yourselves, and also shows that the NFF is right in our commitment to the young talents. However, in order to keep improving, I charge you to always find ways to fraternize, collaborate in all aspects, and bond together to jointly and severally enhance your capacities.”
Mohamed, who is from Somalia, said: “I am very satisfied with the group that we worked with over the past one week – the young talents. Their level of assimilation is very high and I see them going places in the work of refereeing. Please always have integrity at the back of your mind in whatever you do.
“We know Nigeria is everywhere, qualifying for all major tournaments and winning trophies and putting up podium performances here and there. But it will also be good to have Nigerian referees not only in the AFCON but also at the FIFA World Cup. Having worked with these young ones for the past one week, I can tell you with assurance that the future of Nigerian refereeing is in very good hands.”
President of NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu thanked FIFA and the NFF for the success of the programme, and asserted that the growing confidence in Nigerian referees at home and abroad can be traced to the support that the referees continue to get from the NFF for their capacity-enhancing programmes, and the intentionality of the NFF President.
FIFA Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi from Tunisia was also present at the closing ceremony, as well as Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Cecilia Ugbuji, Emmanuel Imiere, Stella Emoji and Promise Uwaeme.
There were also President of the NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu; Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Madam Faith Irabor; deputy chairman Rafiu Umar Gusau; members of the committee, Kabiyesi James Odeniran, Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, Dr Bello Mohammed, Abraham Zakowi, Waziri Abba Gawe and secretary, Mohammed Ameenu; NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire and; Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Isah Ladan Bosso.
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