Danjuma Babes Set To Storm Nigerian Football

“The President of Lagos based side, Danjuma Babes has expressed his desires to take Nigerian football by the storm.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos at the unveiling of his team’s kits for the forthcoming season, Alhaji Awwal Danjuma, stated his readiness to change the narrative of Nigerian football with innovative and top notch best global practices.

” We are aware that of the administrative and financial challenges bedevilling our football. And we’ve therefore gathered seasoned and resourceful technical crew and administrators to help us achieve our goals,” Danjuma said.

He further explained that he has acquired top of the range training facilities to put his team in stead to take Nigerian football to greater heights.

” We are poised to make a strong statement of our intentions to take over the Nigerian football scene, beginning with our exploits in Lagos,” he enthused.

” We understand that football is capital intensive. And it is also big business. However, the need to use it to positively impact on the society remains a strong driving force,” the successful businessman and sports philanthropist added.

Akeem Busari

Overseas–Based Pros Storm Super Falcons’ Camp

Overseas–based professionals invited by Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Thomas Dennerby, for next month’s 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ghana have been swarming into the team camp at the Jubilee Chalets and Resort, Epe in Lagos State.

Super Falcons

As at Wednesday morning, 15 home –based and nine overseas –based professionals trained under the watchful eyes of Dennerby and his assistants, as the team prepares to defend its continental crown.

Charity Adule, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Osinachi Ohale, Josephine Chukwunonye, Rita Chikwelu, Ogonna Chukwudi, Ebere Orji, Chinaza Uchendu and Faith Michael were at the morning training session, while Ngozi Okobi and Halimat Ayinde came into the country on Wednesday morning.

The Super Falcons will on Thursday test strength against Dominion Hotspur FC, a boys’ team based in Lagos, in its first friendly match since opening camp two weeks ago.

Nigeria is drawn to play South Africa, Kenya and Zambia in Group B of the 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations, with Cape Coast as venue, starting with an opening encounter against the Banyana Banyana on Sunday, 18th November.

DISCIPLINES CONFIRMED FOR 2019 IAAF DIAMOND LEAGUE

The IAAF Diamond League has announced the distribution of diamond disciplines for the 2019 season.

Diamond disciplines per meeting (PDF)
Meetings for each diamond discipline (PDF)
Road to the final infographic – men (PDF)
Road to the final infographic – women (PDF)

The 10th season of the series, which will once again commence in Doha, Qatar on 3 May, the city that will host the IAAF World Championships in September, is comprised of the 14 best track and field invitational meetings in the world.

The meetings form the top tier of the IAAF’s global one-day meeting competition structure and are spread across Asia, Europe, Africa and North America with US$8 million in prize money on offer across the series.

The series showcases 32 event disciplines which are distributed among the 14 meetings. Athletes earn points in the first 12 meetings to qualify for the finals where, as in a championship, the performance of athletes in the final alone will determine who the champion will be and the prize money won.

At the two final meetings, held in Zurich on Thursday 29 August and Brussels on Friday 6 September, $100,000 will be at stake in each of the 32 Diamond disciplines, including $50,000 for each winner plus the coveted Diamond Trophy.

© Organisers

2019 IAAF Diamond League calendar:

3 May – Doha, QAT
18 May – Shanghai, CHN
2 Jun – Stockholm, SWE
6 Jun – Rome, ITA
13 Jun – Oslo, NOR
16 Jun – Rabat, MAR
30 Jun – Eugene, USA
5 Jul – Lausanne, SUI
12 Jul – Monaco, MON
20-21 Jul – London, GBR
18 Aug – Birmingham, GBR
24 Aug – Paris, FRA
29 Aug – Zurich, SUI
6 Sep – Brussels, BEL

Nigeria’s Super Falcons Tackle Dominion Hotspur In Friendly

The Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, will on Thursday test strength against Dominion Hotspur FC, a boys’ team based in Lagos, in its first friendly match ahead of next month’s 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations.

Head Coach Thomas Dennerby sanctioned the friendly, as the eighth –time African champions began the second phase of camping on Monday at the magnificent Jubilee Chalets and Resort, Epe in Lagos.

Already, Dennerby has been able to welcome a couple of the 19 overseas –based professionals invited to the camp, which gradually moves into intensive stage during the week with a final list expected before the team jets out of the country.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the NFF Women Football Committee and a ranking Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Hulayat Ayo Omidiran visited the team camp on Monday and charged the girls to prepare well and hard for the challenge of defending their continental crown.

Super Falcons
photo credit: @thenff

The Falcons are drawn to play South Africa, Kenya and Zambia in Group B of the 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations, with Cape Coast as venue, starting with an opening encounter against the Banyana Banyana on Sunday, 18th November.

Nigeria emerged champions of the biennial continental houseparty in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2016, defeating hosts Cameroon 1-0 in the final of the last edition in December 2016.

Mexico wins their first-ever World Cup in Baseball, Social Media reacts

The Under-23 Men’s National Baseball Team of Mexico captured the nation’s first-ever official baseball world championship Sunday night, defeating favourite and previously unbeaten Japan in the Final of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup® 2018, before more than 7,000 fans at Estadio Edgar Renteria in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup — the year’s top national team/international baseball competition — was broadcast live in Mexico by Claro Sports.

WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup

Social media exploded across Mexican society, with celebrities, artists, writers, musicians, politicians, major news networks, journalists, athletes and clubs from other sports, and fans liking, retweeting and/or sending celebratory tweets in response to the Mexican U-23 National Baseball Team’s historic 2-1, 10-inning victory in Barranquilla.

Mexico’s most important media outlets, including Diario Record, El Universal, ESPN Mx, Medio Tiempo, Multimedios Deportes, Televisa, and Univision, pushed news of the country’s historic win to millions of their social media followers and subscribers.

Mexican billionaire Alfredo Harp Helu tweeted, “Mexico world champions in baseball, the U-23 [National Team] defeated Japan in the final, 2-1 in 10 innings.”

Liga MX football club Tigres UANL tweeted, “We will always be proud to see Mexicans succeed and more if they are world champions.”

Footballers from the Liga MX Women also liked and/or retweeted WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup content following Mexico’s win.

Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) CEO Javier Salinas and LMB clubs praised the team and players on their historic result. The Mexican U-23 National Team under the Mexican Baseball Federation (FEMEBE) was formed by players in LMB, the country’s top-tier professional baseball league.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari and Barranquilla mayor Alejandro Char were both in attendance for the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup Final and tweeted their congratulations.

Among the many notable tweets, likes and retweets were those from Mexico’s National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE), popular sports journalist Ines Sainz, WWE’s Sin Cara and AC Omonia footballer and Olympic gold medallist Jorge “Chatón” Enriquez.

According to Twitter analytics, WBSC generated a 1,593.5% increase in social media impressions and a 1,795.0% increase in profile visits during the U-23 Baseball World Cup (reporting period 17-29 October).

The announcement of the final game result is also one of WBSC’s most popular posts on Facebook, having generated over 10,000 shares and 48,517 likes across all shares (at the time of writing).

It is anticipated that baseball will continue to rise in terms of popularity and talent in Mexico, with president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pledging to promote the sport in the country. Mexico is currently ranked sixth in the WBSC Baseball World Rankings.

Nigeria Football Transfer Window To Close December 20

The current registration period (otherwise known as transfer window) in Nigeria football, which opened on October 20 will close on December 20, according to Nasiru Jibril, Manager of the NFF’s Transfer Matching System.

“The window for transfer of players opened on October 20, and it will close on December. That is the first window for the 2018/2019 Season. There will be a second window, as from 30th January 2019 until 28th February 2019.

“It is only within these periods that players can be registered/transferred locally, and from other countries to Nigeria. However, players are free to move from Nigeria to other countries as long as the windows in those countries are open,” Jibril told thenff.com on Tuesday.

However, the former Nigeria international told thenff.com that there are exceptions to the rule.

“Internationally, exception is granted to professional players who are out of contract before the window must have closed or before the window opens for registration.

“Locally, exception is granted by the League Management Company to players who have featured for any of the National Teams, with no less than five caps. These players can be transferred/registered at any point in time on a special request.”

PORTUGAL AND SLOVAKIA JOIN LINE-UP FOR 2019 DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS QUALIFIERS

The ITF and Kosmos Tennis announced today that Portugal and Slovakia complete the line-up for the 2019 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Qualifiers to be held on 1-2 February.

Portugal and Slovakia are the two remaining nations to qualify from the Europe/Africa region based on the Davis Cup Nations Ranking of Monday 29 October following the 2018 Europe/Africa Zone Group I play-offs.

In the play-offs, Portugal defeated South Africa 4-0 on 19-20 October, and Slovakia defeated Belarus 3-1 on 26-27 October.

The draw to determine the opponents for Portugal and Slovakia in the 2019 Qualifiers will be held at the ITF offices in London on Tuesday 30 October at 09:30 GMT. The two nations will be drawn against Canada and Kazakhstan, whose opponents were still to be confirmed at the draw for the 2019 Qualifiers on 26 September.

Based on previous meetings between the two nations, Canada would be away to Portugal or Slovakia, while Kazakhstan would be at home against Portugal or Slovakia.

The full draw is as follows:

2019 Qualifiers (1-2 February)
Brazil (c) v Belgium (s)
Uzbekistan (c) v Serbia (s)
Australia (c) (s) v Bosnia/Herzegovina
India (c) v Italy (s)
Germany (c) (s) v Hungary
Switzerland (c) (s) v Russia
Kazakhstan (s) v Europe/Africa Nation TBC
Czech Republic (c) (s) v Netherlands
Colombia (c) v Sweden (s)
Austria (c) (s) v Chile
Canada (s) v Europe/Africa Nation TBC
China, P.R. (c) v Japan (s)

(s) denotes seeded nation
(c) denotes choice of ground

The 12 winning nations in the Qualifiers will compete in the 2019 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas finals at La Caja Magica in Madrid on 18-24 November. They will join the four countries that reached the semifinals this year (France, Croatia, United States and Spain), and two wildcards: Argentina and Great Britain.

WCON 2018: Dennerby Trims Number Of Players In Camp

Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Thomas Dennerby has cut the number of home–based professionals in camp for the 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals holding in Ghana. The team has been training at the impressive Jubilee Chalets & Resort Epe, Lagos.

The Swede, who graciously allowed the players to feature for their respective clubs in the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) at the weekend recalled a handful of those he feels can give the invited overseas-based professional players good fight for places in the final squad as Nigeria aim to retain her continental title and claim the trophy for the ninth time in 11 championships.

Super Falcons with Coach Thomas Dennerby

Among those retained in camp for the second phase camping which will commence immediately are four goalkeepers– Toochukwu Oluehi, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Christy Ohiaeriaku and Onyinyechukwu Okeke.

Others are Anam Imo, Rasheedat Ajibade, Peace Efih, Glory Ogbonna, Chioma Wogu, Alice Ogebe, Amarachi Okoronkwo and Chidinma Okeke. Also retained are Ugochi Emenayo, Sarah Nnodim and Nneka Julius.

Nasarawa Amazons defender, Christy Ucheibe was sent home from the camp on account of copping a long –term kneel injury.

Rohr invites Musa, Omeruo, 21 Others For South Africa, Uganda…Onyekuru, 4 Others On Standby

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has called up stand–in Captain Ahmed Musa and 22 other players for next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg. The same group will prosecute the friendly encounter against the Cranes of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba three days later.

Former U17 World Cup – winning forward Victor Osimhen returns after a long time out, with another U17 World Cup winning forward Samuel Chukwueze earning a first call.

Super Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr
photo credit: @TheNFF

Midfielder Mikel Agu, who played some part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and home –based defender Adeleye Olamilekan Aniyikaye are also called; otherwise the Franco –German tactician has kept faith with the group that decimated Libya’s Mediterranean Knights over two legs earlier this month.

Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who is ineligible for the match after bagging yellow cards in the away matches against Seychelles and Libya, has been left out.

Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa are among three goalkeepers; Olaoluwa Aina, William Ekong, Leone Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo are included among eight defenders; Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu are listed among three midfielders and; Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo, Samuel Kalu and Alex Iwobi are among nine forwards. Henry Onyekuru and Junior Lokosa are listed among five standby players.

Nigeria, top of the Group E of the series with nine points battle eight –pointer and second –placed South Africa at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on Saturday, 17th November in one of the Matchday 5 fixtures.

Victory in the top-of-the-table encounter will automatically send the Eagles to the finals in Cameroon, with the second ticket in Group E to be down to a fierce call between the Bafana and the Knights.

The Super Eagles will fly from Johannesburg to Asaba on 18th November for the friendly with the Cranes on 20th November.

All the invited players are expected to report direct in Asaba on Monday, 12th November.

during the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup match between Nigeria v Iceland on the 22nd June 2018 at Volgograd Arena ,Russia

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Elche FC, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC IfeanyiUbah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)

Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)

Standby: Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars FC); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba FC); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC)

2018 WORLD ROWING AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The 2018 World Rowing Award finalists have been decided.

Public nomination drew over 1000 submissions for this year’s awards. The public nominations then went to World Rowing’s expert nominations panel and individual judging panels before the finalists were decided by the FISA Executive Committee.

Joining the World Rowing Awards for 2018 is the Sustainability Award. This award acknowledges those who endeavour to safeguard the environment in which rowing takes place and help their local environment.

Finalists for the 2018 World Rowing Awards

Women’s Crew of the Year

Caileigh Filmer, Hillary Janssens, Canada, Women’s pair
Sanita Puspure, Ireland, Women’s single sculls
Agnieszka Kobus-Zawojska, Marta Wieliczko, Maria Springwald, Katarzyna Zillmann, Poland, Women’s quadruple sculls

Men’s Crew of the Year

Joshua Hicks, Spencer Turrin, Jack Hargreaves, Alexander Hill, Australia, Men’s four
Jason Osborne, Germany, Lightweight men’s single sculls
Johannes Weissenfeld, Felix Wimberger, Maximilian Planer, Torben Johannesen, Jakob Schneider, Malte Jakschik, Richard Schmidt, Hannes Ocik, Martin Sauer (coxswain), Germany, Men’s eight
Paul O’Donovan, Gary O’Donovan, Ireland, Lightweight men’s double sculls
Para-rowing Crew of the Year

Perle Bouge, France, Para PR2 women’s single sculls
Ellen Buttrick, Grace Clough, Oliver Stanhope, Daniel Brown, Erin Wysocki-Jones (coxswain), Great Britain, Para PR3 mixed coxed four
Annika van der Meer, Corne de Koning, Netherlands, Para PR2 mixed double sculls

Coach of the Year

Uwe Bender, Germany, Men’s eight
Dominic Casey, Ireland, Men’s pair, lightweight men’s and women’s double sculls, lightweight men’s quadruple sculls
Jan Klerks, Netherlands, Para-rowing team
Laurel Korholz, United States, Women’s four, women’s single sculls

2018 Sustainability Award

“Pushing for a Clean Sweep”, National Schools Regatta, Great Britain
“Partnership with Waikato Water Authority”, Rowing NZ, New Zealand
“Love Where you Row”, Alan Robinson/Schuylkill Navy, United States
The winners will be announced on Friday 23 November 2018 at the World Rowing Awards dinner in Berlin, Germany. This will be held during the 2018 World Rowing Sports Medicine, Science and Coaches Conference, and 2018 FISA National Federations Conference.