Sports
Exciting Showdown As Remo Stars Clash With Sporting Lagos In Naija Super 8 Final
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
As tow powerhouse teams battle for glory.
The stage is set for a pulsating showdown in the inaugural Naija Super 8 tournament final, as Remo Stars, the runners-up of the 2023 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), lock horns with Sporting Lagos, a newly promoted NPFL side.
The much-anticipated clash is scheduled to take place on Sunday, promising a spectacle of football prowess and excitement.
Remo Stars booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lobi Stars in the semifinals.
Displaying dominance right from the start, Daniel Ogunmodede’s boys controlled the match and came close to forcing an own goal in the 13th minute.
Lobi Stars’ danger man, Joseph Atule, threatened Remo Stars’ defense but was denied by a spectacular fingertip save from goalkeeper Kayode Bankole.
It was in the 24th minute when Remo Stars broke the deadlock, as Dena Akorli skillfully directed Isaac James’ precise cross into the bottom corner.
Lobi Stars responded with determination, with Atule’s powerful half-volley rattling against the upright in the 31st minute.
Bankole continued to showcase his brilliance, making another crucial save in the 40th minute to preserve Remo Stars’ lead going into halftime.
Just two minutes into the second half, Nduka Junior extended Remo Stars’ advantage with a well-timed header from a corner.
However, Lobi Stars found a lifeline when Nwaeze Boniface committed a handball in the box, leading to a penalty.
Atule made no mistake from the spot, securing his third goal of the tournament in the 62nd minute.
In a post-match interview, Remo Stars’ coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, expressed confidence in his team’s preparations and their pursuit of the championship.
He emphasized their effective defensive play and believed in their ability to clinch the trophy.
“We have analyzed Lobi Stars thoroughly, and we were well-prepared to counter any complacency.
Our boys showcased great control in the match and defended resolutely.
I have every assurance that we will emerge as winners,” said Ogunmodede.
Meanwhile, the battle between Akwa United and Sporting Lagos provided fans with a captivating spectacle.
Uche Collins had a golden opportunity to put Akwa United in the lead during the 20th minute but missed an open goal with his header.
Akwa United had their moments of dominance in the first half, with Cyril Olisema missing a sitter in the 36th minute and Sodiq Rilwan narrowly missing the target from the edge of the penalty box in the 37th minute.
However, they managed to break the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Olisema converted a controversial penalty.
Sporting Lagos emerged from halftime with renewed vigor, pressing for an equalizer.
They squandered a glorious chance when Saturday Okon failed to find the target with an open goal in the 48th minute.
Their persistence eventually paid off in the 54th minute, as Saturday redeemed himself by tapping home from close range after a brilliant cross from Jonathan Aluku.
Aluku then became the match winner in the 70th minute, heading home a cross to complete the remarkable comeback.
Akwa United came close to an equalizer in the 90th minute, but Meshack Dennis failed to convert the chance.
Sporting Lagos’ coach, John Offor, attributed their victory to a tactical adjustment made in the second half, which allowed his team to apply pressure on their opponents.
He also emphasized that his team is not burdened by the pressure to win the tournament, as they have already achieved their objectives for the season.
Offor expressed his team’s intent to enjoy themselves on Sunday and see what unfolds in the final.
The highly anticipated Naija Super 8 final will kick off at 5pm on Sunday, promising an enthralling contest for football enthusiasts.
Alongside the coveted trophy, there is a significant sum of money at stake.
In addition to the N3 million earned for each group and semifinal match, the tournament winner will be awarded a substantial N25 million, while the runner-up will receive N9 million.
The Naija Super 8 tournament is proudly organized by Flykite Productions in collaboration with MultiChoice Nigeria and sponsored by MTN, Hero Lager, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Moniepoint, Pepsi, and Custodian Assurance.
The chances of four key players of the Super Eagles playing in the upcoming friendly game against Ghana at the four-team tournament in England are looking very slim, as revealed by OwnGoalNigeria.com.
The first match of the Super Eagles in the four-team tournament comes up on the 29th of May against the Black Stars of Ghana, a day after the game opener, which will be Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica.
The date of the game is too sudden for four key members of the team, who will at that time still be involved with their clubs, raising the possibility of missing the game and probably the tournament.
The players who may be absent from the game are Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Maduka Okoye, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Osimhen will play his last game of the season on the 1st of June, two days before the Super Eagles’ first game of the tournament, which means he won’t be available until he is released by Galatasaray.
Also, Lookman will play his last club game for the Italian side, Atalanta, on the 25th of May, four days before the start of the tournament, and the earliest he can arrive will be around the 26th or 27th. More so, his club also wants the player to take the summer off and be fit for the next season, as he is presently battling to be at his best due to injuries.
Due to club loyalty, goalkeeper Okoye of Udinese and Chukwueze of AC Milan are also said to be considering not featuring in the tournament.
Tragedy struck in Ilorin, Kwara state capital following a 30-minute rainstorm which occurred on Monday.
An Ilorin-born Taekwondo coach and champion, identified as Musa Ismail, has been killed in a rainstorm at a badminton court in the Lower Niger River Basin Authority, in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
According to eyewitness accounts, a section of the newly renovated Badminton court executed by the former administration collapsed and fell on the coach.
The badminton court was completely destroyed by the 30-minute rainstorm.
Ismail, who was described as an upcoming and amiable badminton coach by some of his trainees, was said to have been crowned as the 2025 MKA Taekwondo Championship held in Ede, Osun state.
He was said to have been married for more than a year and was survived by a child.
Our correspondent gathered that Ismail played and trained at the facility with friends before the incident occurred.
Findings at the agency in Ilorin on Tuesday showed that the court had been sealed with the collapsed section visible from outside the structure.
Employees of the agency were not forthcoming when approached on the development.
Efforts to reach the leadership of the agency on the incident also proved abortive as of press time.
A member of staff, who pleaded anonymity, said that the incident happened on Monday, though the victim was not an employee of the agency.
“The incident is very tragic, it happened unfortunately during the rain on Monday but no one can speak on it except the managing director who is not around now.
“The MD will be in the office tomorrow and if you come, you will be able to speak with him,” the employee said.
Former Super Eagles Striker and Coach, Samson Siasia is set to lead the fitness program, Walkers & Joggers Lifestyle Groove which is set to take center stage at the mainbowl of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja in May.
The event, aimed at promoting regular physical activity for participants to improve the overall well-being will have the Nigerian 1994 Nations cup winner, headlining the event. Alongside the football legend is Dr. Adeline Shuri, a renowned expert in mental health.
According to the organisers of the event, walking and jogging are two of the most accessible and effective ways to improve physical and mental health.
“One of the SYDA mandates is to promote sporting activities while assisting the government in maintaining and upgrading our sports facilities.
“The program is for every fitness enthusiast in the city of Abuja. We are looking to use this event to introduce a healthy lifestyle while making it entertaining for everyone.
This event will promote physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and community engagement,” said Segun Maku, the CEO of SYDA Lounge.
“While Mr. Siasia handles the physical aspect of things, Dr. Shuri will provide valuable insights and guidance on maintaining good mental health, which is essential for overall well-being,” he added.
The Walking and Jogging Initiative is an intiative of the Sports and Youth Development Academy (SYDA) to prioritise physical and mental health, towards creating a healthier, happier, and more productive society.