Sports

AFCON: Nigerian Governors Dole Out N200m On Super Eagles

Nigerian Governors under the umbrella of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) have doled out N200 million to the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of their Semi Final clash against South Africa.

The Minister of Sports, Sen. John Owan Enoh on Wednesday made this known in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Diana-Mary Nsan.

The Minister commended Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chairman of the Forum, including all members for the swift response, after he raised the need to motivate the team ahead of their semifinal clash.

Enoh confirmed that the N200m has already been redeemed to the players by the Forum.

“I want to thank the Progressive Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Uzodimma of Imo for galvanising and redeeming the sum of N200 million to the Super Eagles.

“The Super Eagles have shown immense commitment and tenacity through every match, this shows that they are on the path to conquer the continent again and bring home the coveted Cup of Nations.

“Therefore, we must rally support for them because upon their shoulders lie the enormous responsibility to make Nigeria our great Nation proud,” Enoh said.

Nigeria will on Wednesday (today) take on perennial rivals, Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake by 6 pm (Nigerian time) at the on-going 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

The match will be a repeat of the 2000 AFCON semi-finals in Lagos, which saw Nigeria defeat South Africa 2-0.

Also in the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, Nigeria again showed superiority by eliminating the Bafana Bafana 2-1 in the quarter -final stage.

Sports

CAF President conveys condolences to the victims of Guinea stadium tragedy

The Confédération of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has conveyed condolences to the victims of the Guinea stadium tragedy.

According to a press release by CAF, Dr. Motsepe is deeply saddened by the stadium stampede that claimed the lives of over 50 football fans and left others injured during a football match at the Stade du 3 Avril in N’Zérékoré.

The tragedy occurred during a friendly football tournament between the city of N’Zérékoré and the city of Labe.

CAF President Dr Motsepe conveys his and CAF’s deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the Fédération Guinéenne de Football (FGF) Leadership and the people of Guinea.

Dr Motsepe also wished a speedy recovery to the injured football fans.
(Sports village square)

Sports

Leicester city coach Steve Cooper sacked

Leicester City have sacked Steve Cooper after a run of two wins in 12 Premier League matches.

Assistant Manager Alan Tate and First Team Coach and Analyst Steve Rands have also been released by the club.

The statement from the club reads: “Steve, Alan and Steve depart with our thanks for their contribution during their time with the Club and with our best wishes for the future

Men’s First Team training will be overseen by First Team Coach Ben Dawson, supported by coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes, as the Club begins the process of appointing a new manager, which we hope to conclude as soon as possible.”

Leicester City currently sit 16th in the table and a point adrift of safety.

The club dropped the hammer on Steve Cooper after their defeat against Chelsea on Saturday

Sports

Bayern Munich Apologise To PSG For Offensive Banners

Bayern Munich apologised to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday for the presence of banners with offensive messages aimed at the French club’s president Nasser al-Khelaifi during their Champions League clash.

PSG visited Bayern’s Allianz Arena on Tuesday and a section of the home support unveiled a banner with a profanity aimed at the “plutocratic Al-Khelaifi”.

A separate banner with a picture of Al-Khelaifi’s head crossed out was also displayed, as well as two banners reading “Minister, club owner, TV rights holder, UEFA EXCO member & ECA chairman all in one”.

Some Bayern fans also reportedly sang insulting chants about the French club itself after the match, which the hosts won 1-0.

“FC Bayern would like to apologise when its opponents and their representatives in its stadium feel personally attacked in this manner and tone and are offended as a result,” read a statement on Bayern’s website.

“The club would like to make it clear that these banners were not authorised by FC Bayern and do not reflect its stance.”

“They are not in keeping with the good and long-standing relationship between the two clubs. The tone of these banners also goes against the style of FC Bayern and the respectful relationship the club has with its international partners,” the Bavarian club added.

Al-Khelaifi became president of PSG in 2011, following the acquisition of the club by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).

The 51-year-old has also been the president of the European Club Association since April 2021, and was reelected in September of last year on a four-year mandate.

In addition, Al-Khelaifi is the chair of beIN Media Group, which holds distribution rights for various football competitions, including France’s Ligue 1 and Germany’s Bundesliga.

QSI is a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) — the country’s sovereign wealth fund which has assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

AFP