The future of Nigerian Athletics is bright - Falilat Ogunkoya Osheku

Isaac Afolabi

Former Olympic medalist Falilat Ogunkoya Osheku has expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria in track and field events.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympics Silver medalist gave the assurance in an interview at the third Athletic Federation of Nigeria AFN Golden League series in Akure, Ondo State.

She charged athletes in the country to make discipline, constant training their watchword to attain enviable heights in international competitions.

Winners of each event were awarded with cash prizes at the one day event which took place at the Federal University of Technology Sports Complex.

Commonwealth Gold medalist Ese Bromen emerge as winner in the Women Long Jump with 6.1 season best, Nicolas Inwebiramen came first in the 100 meters while Amosun Oluwatobiloba won the 100 meter hurdle race.

Some prominent personalties who graced the occasion include former African Long Jump record holder Yusuf Ali, Lawrence Adegbehingbe a commonwealth gold medalist among others

Enyimba ace Rasheed Olabiyi joins Houston Dynamo

Nigerian midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi has been signed by MLS side Houston Dynamo.

The club made this announcement on Thursday.

"We're pleased to welcome Rasheed to the Houston Dynamo," Dynamo vice president/general manager Matt Jordan said in a statement.

"He’s been training with us and has integrated well within our group. We look forward to seeing him continue to grow in our environment and contribute to the success of the team as we begin the second half of our season."

Olabiyi who is a central midfielder spent his entire professional career with Enyimba, one of the largest clubs in Nigeria, after joining the Aba club in 2007.

He won the Nigeria Premier League with the People's Elephant in 2010 as well as three Nigeria FA Cups (2009, 2013, 2014) and two Nigeria Super Cups (2010, 2013). Enyimba also reached the semifinals of the CAF (African) Champions League in 2011.

Siasia confident despite tough All Africa Games Draw

Coach of the U-23 National Team, Samson Siasia has assured Nigerians that his team will perform well despite the oppositions they have been pitched against in the All Africa Games.

Following Thursday's draw held at the CAF headquarters in Egypt which saw the Dream Team drawn in Group B with Ghana, Senegal and Egypt, Siasia, is confident ahead o the ties.

The U-23 boys are currently in Port Harcourt preparing for next weekend's African U-23 Championship final round, first leg qualifier against Congo, expressed surprise that the strongest teams in the tournament, pedigree -wise, ended up in the same pool.

"I can tell you for free that this group B is a tough one, for all the countries in this group can qualify for the semi finals. All I can say for now is that we are not afraid of any of them, and will know what to do when we get to that bridge."

Coach Siasia added that for now, all his concentration is on the African U-23 Championship qualifying fixture home and away to Congo, as that is of immediate importance.

Meanwhile, the Dream Team will on Friday play a friendly game against Nigeria Nation-Wide League club, Go Round FC in Port Harcourt. The encounter kicks off at 4pm.

Source: Thenff.com

Akure to host AFN Golden League

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed Akure, Ondo state capital as the next host of the Golden League series.

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Chairman of Ondo State Athletics Association, Mr Olamide George disclose this in a release in Akure.

Our correspondent Isaac Afolabi reports that the event, would hold at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Sports Complex, on Saturday, and will feature track and field events.

Two top sprinters, Nicholas Imhoaperamhe and Nkem Ezealah, who have been contending for the top sport in the 100 metres dash at the second leg of the AFN Golden League meeting in Abuja in June, would be expected to re-enact their rivalry in Akure.

 Also expected are the likes of Oluwatosin Adeloye, winner of the Women’s 400 metres in Abuja and Margaret Etim of NSCDC.

Olukayode Thomas, the AFN, Head of Media, affirmed that the Akure event had received support from various person and organisations.

Enyimba, Pillars bundled out of federations cup

Defending champions of the federation cup Enyimba and last season premier league champions have been knocked out of the federations cup.

Both teams lost to National League sides Remo Stars and Plateau United respectively in the round of 32 on Wednesday.

The matches ended in a draw after regulation time and were decided on penalty shoot-out.

Here are some other results: Ifeanyi Ubah beat Bayelsa 2-1, Heartland 1-0 Sharks FC, Lobi 1-0 Tornadoes, FC Kukuruku 0-3 Rangers, Prime beat J Atete 3-2 on penalties, Elkanemi Warriors also edged Gateway 4-3 on penalties,  Kwara United 5-3 ABU (Pen), Akwa united 3-1 Peacemakers FC

Dosu advises Stephen Keshi not to take NFF to court

Recently sacked coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi has urged to avoid taking the Nigeria Football Federation to Court of Arbitration.

The former Eagles goalkeeper told Brila FM that he expects Keshi to move on rather than take the creating further problems with may affect his future appointment as Nigerian Coach.

He also enjoins the former Togolese manager to emulate Shuaibu Amodu who has been shown the exit doors we severally but he maintained his cool and has been appointed by different NFF administration.

"If I were Keshi I would move on and not go to court, Dosu said.

" If I have the opportunity of speaking with him I will advise him to move on and think about the future." 
Dosu was a part of the Dream Team that won the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Bonfrere Jo believes Keshi has nothing more to offer Nigeria

Former Super Eagles Handler Johannes Bonfrere, has applauded the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), for sacking coach Stephen keshi stating that he does not have what it takes to lead the team to new height.

The federation terminated Keshi's contract having found out that the former Togo handler applied Ivory Coast job.

Jo, led Nigeria’s U-23 team to gold at the 1996 Olympics, said only a foreign manager can elevate the Eagles.

"I think the NFF need to hire a foreign coach to take charge of the Super Eagles,” he told Completesportsnigeria.com.

"The Super Eagles have failed to make much impact since they won the African Cup of Nations in 2013 and it has to do with the inability of the coaches to take the team to new heights.

"Personally, I don’t think Stephen Keshi has what it takes to take the team beyond where they are now.

"So the decision made by the NFF to sack him was the right one.

"The next task before them now is to carefully look for a capable foreign coach that can help improve the performance of the team."

Lars Lagerback is the last foreign coach to lead Nigeria. He was in charge of the Eagles at the 2010 World Cup.