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Super Falcons lift WAFU Cup, return to Nigeria Sunday

Published

6 years ago

May 18, 2019

Super Falcons lift WAFU Cup, return to Nigeria Sunday

Nigeria swept to glory in the 2019 WAFU Women’s Cup tournament in Abidjan on Sunday as the Super Falcons edged host nation Cote d’Ivoire 5-4 after penalty shootoutin an interesting final match at the Stade Robert Champroux.

The Ivorians took the lead in the 43^rd minute of the encounter when Spain –based Ange Koko N’Guessan, who also scored for the Dame Elephantes against Mali in the semi final, beat goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie with a marvelous free –kick.

Afterwards, the African champions created several chances without making hay. It was left to leggy forward Uchenna Kanu, the USA –based student, to draw Nigeria level in the fourth minute of added time in the second half.

In the penalty shoot-out, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Maryam Ibrahim, Alice Ogebe, Joy Bokiri and captain Evelyn Nwabuoku made no mistake from the spot, while the Ivorians lost one of their kicks.

The Falcons had also won their semi final match against Ghana after penalty shoot-out, 4-2. On the whole, the African champions scored 23 goals in the tournament, conceding only two. They thrashed Burkina Faso 5-1, victimized Niger Republic 15-0, defeated Mali 2-0 and defeated Ghana on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

The Nigeria delegation will fly into Abuja on Sunday afternoon.

Former junior international Uchenna Kanu finished the tournament with nine goals, and alongside goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie, Alaba Jonathan and Christy Ohiaeriaku, defenders Evelyn Nwabuoku and Chidinma Okeke, midfielder Amarachi Okoronkwo and forward Alice Ogebe, will fly to Austria on Monday evening for Nigeria’s pre-World Cup final camp, with technical and administrative staff

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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