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November 25, 2019

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 IFMSPORTS

Ndidi, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Oshoala nominated for CAF awards

The Confederation of African Football has shortlisted Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo, Victor Osimhen, and Wilfred Ndidi for its 2019 Men Footballer of the Year award.

The trio were nominated alongside Mohammed Salah of Egypt, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and 24 others in a list released by CAF on Sunday.

In the Women’s Player of the Year category, three-time winner, Asisat Oshoala, and fellow compatriot, Uchenna Kanu were nominated.

Also, Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chidinma Nnadozie, who was impressive at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, secured a spot in the list alongside six others.

Nigeria’s forward, Samuel Chukwueze, and Osimhen were shortlisted for African Youth Player of the Year.

Former Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby was nominated for Women’s Coach of the Year as was Eagles coach Gernot Rohr in the men’s category.

Nigeria will battle Algeria, Madagascar, Senegal and Tunisia in the African Men’s National Team of the Year category.

Nigeria were also nominated for African Women’s National Team of the Year alongside Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia.

Meanwhile, no team and player from the Nigeria Professional Football League were nominated in the 2019 Interclubs POTY and African Interclubs Player of the Year awards.

November 25, 2019

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 IFMSPORTS

NNL: Oyo, Osun celebrate teams’ victories

Crown FC of Ogbomosho and Osun United have received commendations over their victories in the 2019/2020 Nigeria National League opening games.

The Ogbomoso side defeated visiting Bayelsa United 3-1 to begin the season while Osun beat Ekiti United 1-0.

Reacting, the Oyo State commissioner for Youth and Sports Developemnt, Mr Seun Fakorede, charged the management and staff of the team to ensure they maintain the tempo.

He expressed the state government’s readiness to do everything to ensure the club and Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan gain promotion to the elite division.

He said, “I am happy with Crown’s performance in the league opener. It is cheering. They should not relax. This is just the beginning. We have started well with our two clubs by releasing funds early enough to prosecute the league. We would do everything necessary for them.

“We will be glad to have the two clubs in the elites’ division next season. I know it has not happened in the history of Oyo but it is doable. Some states have two representatives in the Nigeria Professional Football League.”

Also, the coach of Osun United, Bright Omokaro, commended his players for their hard work against their neighbours.

“It is still a team in the making because the players didn’t play my style of game due to some reasons. However, we are happy with the victory, though it’s narrow but we shall work on the lapses before our next game,” he added.

November 25, 2019

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 IFMSPORTS

Wilder: I am the hardest-hitting puncher in boxing history

Deontay Wilder has described himself as the “hardest hitter in boxing” after his seventh-round knockout of Luis Ortiz in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The Cuban had dominated the first six rounds, but was knocked to the floor by a stunning right hand from Wilder, 34.

He retained the WBC world heavyweight title with his 42nd win from 43 fights, 41 of those by knockout.

“I think I earned my respect to say I’m the hardest-hitting puncher in boxing history. Period,” said the American.

“I do what I do time and time again. I give people great fights and great knockouts.”

Wilder has produced 10 successful defences of his WBC belt, which he has held since January 2015.

The only fight he has not won in his career was the draw with Tyson Fury in Los Angeles in December 2018. Even then, he still put Fury on the canvas in the ninth and the final round.

But the Alabama boxer feels his achievements deserve more recognition.

A rematch with Fury is slated for 22 February and the Briton’s trainer Ben Davison was ringside in Las Vegas on Saturday to see Wilder’s win.

Responding to Wilder’s victory, Fury tweeted: “Wilder has nothing more than a punchers chance vs me, I’m gonna school [him] even more than the first fight.”

November 25, 2019

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 IFMSPORTS

Chukwueze ends La Liga goal drought in Villarreal defeat

Nigerian international, Samuel Chukwueze ended his six-game goal drought in La Liga with a goal in Villarreal’s 3-1 loss to Celta Vigo.

Chukwueze, who last scored a league goal on September 27 against Real Betis, cancelled out Pione Sisto’s opener in the 59th minute after he was played through on goal by Xavi Quintilla.

The effort increased the 20-year-old’s tally to three goals after 13 league outings in the Spanish top-flight this term.

His equalizer was not enough for Villarreal to grab their first win since October 25 as Iago Aspas’ brace condemned them to defeat.

Chukwueze was in action from start to finish alongside Cameroon’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa while Karl Toko Ekambi was on parade for 77 minutes.

Villarreal dropped to 12th on the table with 18 points after 14 matches while Celta Vigo is placed 18th with 12 points.

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Author: IFMSPORTS

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