Beach Volleyball: Nigeria teams win gold at Zone 3 U21 Championship

 

Nigeria have emerged champions of the just concluded Zone 3 U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in the Boys’ and Girls’ category on Sunday.

Nigeria defeated host, Benin Republic I 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) in the boys’ final while Nigeria pummeled the first team of Benin Republic 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) in the Girls’ category.

The duo of Emenike Ezike and Emmanuel Udah represented Nigeria in the boys’ event while Happy Wushiland and Esther Mbah wore the colours of the country in the girls’ event.

An elated Emmanuel Udah said he is looking forward to other international outings after winning his first international medal in 2022.

Udah said, “I want to thank God for the victory in Benin Republic and the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod for ensuring the teams participated in Zone 3 despite the late invitation given to the country. It was a good outing and it feels great to win the first international trophy in 2022 for the country. We are looking forward to subsequent competitions and the teams will not let the country down.”

The head coach of Nigeria Beach Volleyball Team, John Iwerima applauded the Chairman of Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission, Engineer Musa Nimrod for always creating the platform for junior players to showcase their God given talents.

Iwerima said, “My sincere appreciation goes to Almighty God for doing this great thing for us and to the President of NVBF, Engineer Musa Nimrod for supporting us. He has always provided the platform for us to showcase the talent at the junior level.

“It projects a bright future for Nigeria as we prepare for other international engagements like the commonwealth games qualifiers and other international tours that come up later in the year. This is a rehearsal for greater things to come for volleyball, especially beach volleyball; thank you all for your constant prayers for the success of the teams.”

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod lauded the players and the coaching crew for landing the federation her first international gold medals.

He said, “This victory indicates that it is going to be a successful outing for Nigeria in 2022. The Nigeria Beach Volleyball Commission are excited about this development and it is our belief that the indoor will also bring glory to the country.”

In the semifinals, Nigeria beat Ghana 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) in the boys’ category while Nigeria defeated Benin Republic II 2-0 (21-12, 21-15) in the girls’ category.

Nigeria U21 team secures Beach Volleyball semifinals

 

Nigeria U21 teams have qualified for the semifinals of the ongoing Zone 3 U21 Beach Volleyball Championship in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The duo of Emenike Ezike and Emmanuel Udah (Nigeria boys), schooled Benin Republic 2-0 (21-4, 21-6) in their first match before taking Niger Republic to the cleaners 2-0 (21-11, 21-19) in their second match on Friday.

The Nigeria girls team, Happy Wushiland and Esther Mbah did not waste time to dispatch Benin Republic 2-0 (21-10, 21-9) in their first match and won their second match convincingly against Ghana 2-0 (21-14, 21-8).

The coach of Nigeria U21 beach volleyball team, John Iwerima expressed satisfaction over the performances of the team at the championship.

Iwerima said the players exhibited a high level of technicalities in each of their matches.

He said, “I am happy over the performances of each of the players; they are hungry for wins and have shown to the world that they want to win the championship.

“If you look at the matches, you will see that players did not give their opponent chances to express themselves. The players showed a high level of technicality in their two matches. I strongly believe that if these players are given more playing time together, we will have a formidable beach volleyball junior team.”

Speaking from Cotonou, the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod praised the team for making Nigeria proud in the group stages.

The Secretary General of Confederation of Africa Volleyball (CAVB) Zone 3 said, “I watched the team play and I must confess that they have shown much promise. We are not going to put pressure on the team and the coaches; I believe that they will emerge victorious.”

The Nigeria boys and girls team will face Liberia in their last group stage matches on Saturday.

36 Lion hits ASAC Foot for six in friendly

36 Lion hammered ASAC Foot 6-0 in their 8th match of the Benin Republic Tour at the Stadium Rene Pleven on Friday.

It was another opportunity for the boys to showcase their talent and they didn't disappoint.

The Young Lions showed no mercy as they demolished the Academy boys in ruthless manner.

Forward Abubakar Taheer bagged a hat-trick while Hassan Olubode, Dauda Usman and Azuka Alatan combined for the other three goals.

Azeez Oseni, Moses Usor and Osas Edonsonwan were among those who provided assists in the massacre.

Abubakar registered a quick fire hat trick as the first half ended 3-0 in favour Lions.

At resumption of the second stanza, the busy Olubode was on song before Usman and Alatan  putting the icing on the cake.

Meanwhile, the fearless Lions also played out a 1-1 draw with ASOS FC in continuation of the tour as they impressed as usual.

It would be recalled that 36 Lion have won two, drawn six and lost just one during the friendlies in Benin Republic.

36 Lion, Ayema FC share spoils in a tune up duel

 

36 Lion were held to a goalless draw by Benin Republic top-tier side Ayema FC in a friendly match played on Saturday.

The game which took place at the Seme Krake Stadium saw plenty goalmouth action with both teams settling for a draw.

It was the clash of Lions as five players of Ayema were developed by 36 Lion before moving back to Benin Republic to join the top tier side in the country of their origin. 

The two captains Azeez Oseni (Flying Eagles) and Ishola Olaitan (Benin senior team) were also familiar with one another which made the encounter an all attacking football match. 

Youthful mistakes were made by both teams but the goalkeepers were in brilliant forms. 

Each player covered minimum of 10 kilometers in the game. There was never a dull moment at Seme Krake Stadium today. 

It was a good game for 36 Lion who faced a side that finished in the Benin Republic Premier League last season.

36 Lion share spoils with Coton Sports in friendly

36 Lion displayed impressive performance to draw 1-1 with Coton Sports in Ouidah on Wednesday afternoon.

Azeez Oseni, Eniye Hitler, Moses Usor, Michael Oyekola and Opeyemi Oluwafemi were utilised at the middle of the park by the technical crew of 36 Lion.

On matchday, the enterprising Usor opened the scoring after poking the ball home on 24 minutes.

The Lagos-based side held on till the whistle was blown for halftime. 36 Lion controlled large portions of the game.

With Coton Sports slowly settling into the game, they managed to push the Lagos-based team into their shelf on several occasions before finally breaching the defense of the Lions to draw level.

Although both teams will flourish in their attempt to find the winning goal, neither side had the luck and hence was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at the end of the 90 minutes.

The game forms part of 36 Lion's 10-day training camp in Benin Republic.

36 Lions edge past Djeffa in Cotonou

A gallant 36 Lion boys earned a 1-0 win over Beninoise premiership side Djeffa FC  in their fourth outing of the 2021 Benin Republic Tour on Tuesday morning.

36 Lion Fc made a bright start to the game, putting their opponents under immense pressure in the first 30 minute of the match.

After 35 minutes, both sides adopted a cautious approach to end the first half, the two teams created several scoring opportunities but staunch defenders from either side refuse to bulge, and first half ended goalless.

The second stanza of the game commenced with similar tempo like the first stanza, but the Lions were more crafty and attacking minded.

Lions enjoyed free flow attacking runs as usual from the duo of Azeez Oseni and Moses Usor.

The Lions captain Azeez Oseni registered his goal at 62nd minute via spot kick (penalty), after two defenders  sandwiched him in the box. 

It was however a topsy-turvy game in the last fifteen minute for both teams, as the centre referee sound­ed the final whistle to end the game 1-0 at regulation time.

Speaking immediately after the victory, 36 Lion gaffer Akinrele Francis shower praise on his players. "Djeffa FC are a good side and for us to beat them, I told my players before the match to raise their game beyond 100% which they perfect well. 

We have a good team and I'm confident of my players that we can achieve better things in this training tour," he said.

Abidoye Babatunde Blackcoin

36 Lion Media officer 

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Dynamo halts 36 Lion's 14-year unbeaten run

A gallant 36 Lion team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Dynamo Football Club in their second outing of the Benin Republic Tour on Friday afternoon.

The Lions arrived Abomey around 11am, four hours drive from Cotonou on Thursday for the encounter.

They had a feel of the Stade Municipal de Bohicon before facing Dynamo.

It was a keenly contested battle that led to the end of 36 Lion's 14-year unbeaten run in Benin Republic.

The hosts bagged the opener in the first stanza of the game.

Moses Usor and Chika Odom came close to scoring for 36 Lion but they were unlucky.

Lion improved their performance in the second half by having more of the possession but failed to convert scoring chances.

"It was really painful to be defeated after playing so well against Dynamo. We can't question ourselves but look forward to our next game," Odom told the Media on Friday.

"The playing tour has really helped us and we hope to continue improving with each match.

The Lagos based side will rest on Saturday ahead of another warm up a day later.

36 Lion set to prey on Dynamo in Abomey

 

36 Lion have landed in Abomey ahead of their next game against Dynamo FC 

The team kick started their training tour of Benin Republic with a 1-1 draw against AS Cotonou on Wednesday morning.

The boys had a recovery session before jetting off to Abomey for their next assignment.

The team arrived Abomey at 11am from the city of Cotonou on Thursday.

Secretary General and Vice President of Dynamo FC gave the Lions a superb reception and treated them like Kings with Pounded Yam done naturally with Mortar and Pestle while they watched amusingly. 

The Lions had a feel of the Stade Municipal de Bohicon where their second match of the tour will be played on Friday. Kickoff is 4pm.

It would be recalled that 36 Lion have produced the likes of Junior Ajayi, Imoh Ezekiel, Sadiq Atanda, Yira Sor, Sodiq Popoola, Yusuf Lawal, Samson Akinyoola amongst others.

AS Cotonou hold 36 Lion in warm up

36 Lion were held to a 1-1 draw by AS Cotonou in the tour of Benin Republic as the highly-anticipated game with AS Cotonou ended in a stalemate on Wednesday morning.

The two clubs based locked horns at Stade René Pleven d'Akpakpa aiming for a win in the friendly.

Following a bright start from both sides in the first half, fans were treated to exciting football as 36 Lion and AS Cotonou opened up play and went on successive attacks.

The roaring Lions drew the curtain raiser on the stroke of halftime through Joe Oloko. The forward latched on a delicious pass from Azeez Oseni to score.

With 36 Lion led by Nigeria youth international Oseni resuming the second half to give it their all, they should have doubled the lead. 

AS Cotonou grabbed the equalizer in the 79th minute via penalty.

The determined Lions were unable to find a winner thereafter which left Oseni and his team-mates disappointed.

“I think we deserved more, but you have to show more also on the pitch,“ the attacking midfielder told the Media post-match.

Speaking about his form so far, he added: “I think I’m good, I’m good. The team, we all good. Training well, we arrived here very focused as always and like I said I always give my best on the pitch and give my heart to help my team-mates. So we need to keep it up, we keep improving and I wanted to win today – that’s why I’m disappointed with the result.”

36 Lion to open training tour with fierce battle against AS Cotonou

36 Lion late Tuesday trained at the Stade René Pleven d'Akpakpa ahead of the their opening game against AS Cotonou.

The Lions who landed in Cotonou on Tuesday from their training camp in Lagos, were very confident during the shape up activities, ahead of the tie which is their first game of the Tour Of Benin Republic.

"We had a feel of the pitch and trained very well. The boys are ready to impress here in Cotonou," CEO of 36 Lion Liameed Gafar told the Media.

"Our first game of the tour is against AS Cotonou on Wednesday morning, we are looking forward to it," he added.

36 Lion will also face five other Benin Republic Premier League teams at the training tour.

The Lions will cover about 400 Kilometers inside Benin Republic, from Port Novo to Cotonou, from Bohicon to Ouidah and Abomey with determination to conquer and win it all.

CAF lauds Nigeria Sports Minister's initiative of Principal Cup

 

The Confederation of African Football shower alot of praise on the Minister of Youth and Sports Nigeria, Mr. Sunday Dare over the rebirth of Principal Cup in Nigeria. In the CAF Pan African Schools Football Championships meeting held at Benin Republic where the Media Aide to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Kola Daniel represented the Minister, after the speech of Mr. Kola Daniel giving a recap of the Principal Cup, how schools participated in the last edition and the present edition coming up this year

The Confederation of African Football Secretary, Mr. Veron was full of praise of the Rebirth of the Principal's Cup in Nigeria, how the Principal Cup in Nigeria can as well bring their representatives towards the Pan African Schools Football Championships. The winner of Principal Cup in  Nigeria will now be representing Nigeria in Pan African Schools Football Championships that was initiated by the CAF President Patrice Motsepe. 

The Essence of Pan African Schools Football Championships is to encourage youth football, to develop the game at the grassroot and that is why Patrice Motsepe brought together Pan African Schools Football Championships.

A meeting that was held and fruitful where countries like Benin Republic, Ivory Coast, Togo, and host of others were all in attendance sharing their experiences about school games.

2018 CHAN Qualifiers: Yusuf picks Ezenwa, Odey, 18 others to tackle Squirrels

Coach Salisu Yusuf has opted for goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Orji Kalu and Osas Okoro, midfielders Alhassan Ibrahim and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, forwards Stephen Odey and Ifeanyi George, and 13 other players for Sunday’s 2018 African Nations Championship qualifying match away to Benin Republic.