Sportsmaster

           South Africa midfielder:Mokoena The South African Football Association has said it will lodge a formal appeal against the three-point deduction and fine sanctioned against it by FIFA, for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho in March. South Africa, who were leading the qualifying Group C, which also has the Benin Republic and Nigeria, were docked three points on Monday by FIFA. FIFA awarded Lesotho a 3-0 win in the Group C qualifier that took place on March 21. Bafana initially won the match 2-0, but fielded Mokoena, who was supposed to be suspended, having picked up two yellow cards previously in the group stages. The ruling will see their six-point gap ahead of Nigeria cut to three points, while the Benin Republic will also go top on goal difference. As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome, noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without r...

  The flying eagles of Nigeria kick started their campaign at the ongoing FIFA U- world cup on a losing note  This followed their one nil defeat suffered in the hands of Norway in their opening match at Chile  Norway captain Ramus Holten scored the only goal of the match on the eighth minute via a penalty when he sent flying eagles goal keeper Ebenezer Harcourt  the wrong way from the spot to blast home  Flying eagles captain Daniel Bamayi had handled the ball in  Nigeria's essential area and the referee ruled for a penalty after video assist review. The Vikings of Norway almost doubled the lead on the 32nd minutes of play  when their striker failed to capitalize on a goal keeping error to head home after the Nigeria goal keeper Harcourt was beaten with a cross to the disbelief of their fans  On resumption of play into the second stanza, the flying eagles tutored by Aliyu Zubair pressed forward for a  much needed equalizer but erratic shootin...

             Group table in group C The Super eagles of Nigeria are back in contention for the FIFA world cup ticket in group C of the qualifiers after the world football governing body deducted three points from bafana bafana of South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena   The midfielder had copped two yellow cards which made him ineligible but the South African head coach Hugo Broos went ahead to field him in the world cup qualifying match against Lesotho  in the month of March  By fielding Mokoena, South African football association was found to have breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the World Cup 2026 preliminary competition regulations. FIFA confirmed that South Africa must forfeit the fixture by a score of 3-0 in favour of Lesotho.  Safa has also been ordered to pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (£9,000), while Mokoena has been issued with a warning. However with thi...

               Late  Igenewari George Some football stakeholders, family and friends of former junior international, Late Igenewari George, are calling on the relevant authorities to investigate the cause of his death, thirty years afters the ugly incident that took the life of the young talented footballer . Igenewari was shot and killed after an FA Cup match between Rangers International and Stationary Stores in September 1995. T Till date, it still remains a mystery how it happened. The eldest brother of the Late midfielder, Perekebina George, came out with this  after a novelty football match put together by Hon. Appollos Idasefiema and friends of the Ex-U17 International. The match was played on Saturday, September 27th, at the Sharks Football Club Stadium in Port Harcourt as part of activities to mark the 30-year remembrance of Igenewari George.  Before his demise, Igenewari was a player of Rangers International of Enugu and w...

  Rivers united coach Finidi George  Rivers United booked a place in the second qualifying round of the CAF Champions League after a 1-0 win over Les Aigles of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Sunday. [9/29, 11:55 AM] Barry Leema: Finidi George’s side dominated the opening exchanges but had to wait until late in the first half to score the winning goal. Stephen Manyo fired home from inside the box on the stroke of half-time. Rivers United advanced to the second round 1-0 on aggregate. The Port Harcourt club will face Mozambican champions Black Bulls in the next round. Nigeria’s other representative in the competition, Remo Stars, will take on Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa With  the huge investment and support given the team by the Rivers state government  Porthacourt football fans expects Rivers united to go far in the tournament and possibly win the competition that has eluded Nigeria for two decades after E...

                 Flying eagles  The flying eagles of Nigeria will today Kick start their campaign at the FIFA U-20 world cup against Norway in Chile  The Coach Aliyu Zubair  tutored side will be looking forward to recording their first win in the tournament so as to  begin their campaign on a flying note  The Flying eagles who have been two time runners in the tourney both in 1989 and 2005 will be aiming to break the jinx of the nearly success syndrome that has bedevilled the nation in her previous outing and win the tournament for the first time   Ghana is the only African country that has won the tournament  and Nigeria regarded as the Giant of Africa wants to use their 14th appearance in the competition to become the second African country to win the title  The Seventh time  African champions will also want to erase the memory of a disastrous outing by the flying eagles set of  Chile...

                        Sunday Olapade.  Sunday Olapade wins Emerald invitational golf tournament  Nigeria professional golfer Sunday Olapade is the winner of the Emerald invitational golf tournament held in Lagos at the weekend  The Nigeria pro put up a sterling performance to  cart home the sum of five million ,eight thousand naira at the Lakowe lake golf club in Lagos  The season golf professional also smiled home with the sum of  2.5 million naira given to him by arm holding company as bonus champion in the tournament that also featured professional golfers from Ghana  Speaking to our correspondent moments after the presentation of Prizes , tournament director of professional golfers Association of Nigeria Johnbull Dangofa commended the sponsors for the support given to the PGAN by sponsoring championships that will keep the sport on stream among the pros in Nigeria and other parts of Afri...

  Registration has commenced for the 2025 edition of  Ahoada East chairman's cup football tournament. Organizer of the tournament Richard Elvis  asked interested participants to pick their forms as the tournament will kick off next month Richard Elvis maintained that the tournament will be competed  among clubs sides in Ahoada East local government area  Those interested in purchasing the form can call   08035665647

          Captain, golf section, PH club 1928         Timson Okah           The captain , golf section of Porthacourt club  1928 Timson Okay says the 2025 edition of the Port Harcourt amateur open golf championship scheduled for the month of October, is proud to announce the involvement of their  esteemed sponsors and partners: Winorac Engineering and Technical Services as well as Chaiborne Global Services. Captain , Porthacourt club golf section. Timson Okah said the sponsors have  registered their commitment towards this year's tournament and   have assured all  participants that they will continue to show support and prioritize golf activities whenever they are  called to do so. The Captain of Portharcourt Club 1928,  Golf Section  Timson Okah in a statement signed by the competition Ordinance Emeji described  the   partnership as a welcome development, sa...

 Usmane Dembele won the Balon dor for France and not his nation of origin, Mali. But Africans are laying claim to his feat and success , that he is one of their own No doubt, Usmane Dembele, the Paris saint German forward is a player of African decent like most his compatriots in the French national team otherwise called the les blues. But had Dembele who is now the toast of world football born and raised in his country of Origin Mali, may be he wouldn't have been able to attain his full potential in the   round leather game . The poser now is ,why are most African countries not conducive for talents with great potential to excel in their area of endeavors without having a godfather at the corridors of power who pulls the strings for him or her to actualized their dream of playing football to greater heights  It's shocking and appalling that no African country has been able to win the world cup since the inception of the global soccer fiesta in 1966. Despite the enor...

                Hon Solomon Abuba Ochoma The Ahoada East chairman's cup is set to kick off next month as preparation has commenced in earnest   to ensure the tournament witnessed a huge success  . In a statement  signed by organiser of the competition Chief  Richard Elvis Ihua and       made available to sportsmaster disclosed that the tournament will be  competed among club sides in Ahoada East local government area The Ahoada East chairman's cup is sponsored by the council boss of the LGA Honourable Solomon  Abuba Ochoma The tournament promises to be exciting and will be funfare as it will be used as a medium to unearth the hidden football talents abound in the area The competition which comes up annually has helped to shapen the careers of talented footballers in Ahoada East and Orashi region as it serves as a catalyst to fast track grassroots football development following the export of fo...

CEO , LAJsports: Lookman Ajibose  Tennis coaches in Porthacourt and  other parts of Rivers state will have the opportunity to  know how to utilize the business aspect of tennis and make coaching more profitable  This followed plans by  a sports promoting and fitness company  , LAJsports to organize the first ever tennis coaches business conferences in the garden city of Porthacourt. The Chief executive officer  of LAJ sports , Lookman Ajibose who made this known in a press statement said the event is being organized in  partnership with the Police tennis club. The ITF and PTR certified coach said the program will offer tennis  coaches the knowledge on how to secure sponsorship deals , branding, client management as well as pricing and academy growth. Lookman Ajibose who is the secretary of Police tennis club in Porthacourt noted that Nigeria  tennis coaches are  among the hardworking professionals in sport but struggle to earn a sus...

 DR Tony Philmoore  The game of golf is a very lucrative sport that most professional golfers abroad have turned into a goldmine., especially in the western society. Whereas in Nigeria,the sport was very active among the amateur golfers who  occasionally organized amateur opens and earmarked a paltry sums  for the pros to compete for as prize money. In fact, the Situation with  Nigeria professional golfers became so bad that they would hardly play any major open golf championship that would enable them earn a decent income from the swing sport Interestingly, the country is blessed with lots of young talented golfers that if given the needed support would bring international honour to the nation through the game of golf  Sadly though lack of adequate sponsorship kept the sport in the doldrums and killed the aspirations of young pros with the dream of becoming the next Tigerwoods  However, while their foreign counterparts in the western world were busy...

Professional golfers across the shores of Nigeria and beyond will storm the Lakowe lakes  golf club at Lekki , Lagos state to compete for honours in the Emerald invitational golf tournament . In a statement made known to sportsmaster by the tournament director of professional golfers Association Johnbull Dangofa  disclosed that the tournament will tee off on the 26th of  September at the Lakowe  lakes golf club The statement added that the professional golfers will be competing for the sum of 32million naira Tournament director Johnbull Dangofa and Executive director,PGAN DR Tony Philmoore  According to Johnbull Dangofa, the tournament will tee off by 8am and the pros being the participants will play 18 holes on the first day for the top prize  The  32 million naira' will be shared among the participants but the overall winner of the color will take the lion share  . Meanwhile Pros such as Godwin Okoko who won the last Vice president cup in Portha...

Victor Ikpeba 1997 African player of the year Victor Ikpeba has backed the super eagles of Nigeria to beat Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the 2026 world cup qualifiers  Victor Ikpeba came out with this while speaking on a national television sports program  Ikpeba who was regarded as the Prince of Monaco during his hey days in football said the super eagles has a better head to head record against South Africa and he won't be surprise if the Eric Chelle turned side triumph over the rainbow nation in the crucial world cup qualifier on Tuesday at Blomfomtein. Drawing confidence from the eagles, one nil slim victory over Rwanda  at the weekend in Uyo, Victor Ikpeba who featured prominent for the Super eagles at the 1998 world cup where he scored  the solitary goal against Bulgaria, said the Nigeria side are condemned to beating South Africa to keep their world cup hope  alive. He urged the Team to play with aggression and take their chances in the encounter, sayi...

 ITF and PTR tennis coach :Marry Tenu Michael  ITF certified coach Marry Tenu Mich says the country has players with the potential to compete at the Grand slam but are limited by lack of Sponsorship. Marry Tenu Michael who just bagged Professional tennis registry coaching certificate noted that Nigeria has a lot of  children who are willing to play the game but do not have the sponsorship and support to actualize their dreams Marry Tenu Michael who is based in Saudi Arabia called on the government and other corporate organizations to support the game of tennis in Nigeria and give it long term sponsorship, adding that they will reap the benefits of sponsoring the kids in the nearest future  Comparing the standard of the game in Saudi to Nigeria, Marry Tenu Michael who works for a Tennis academy in the Arab nation said what gives the Saudis the edge over Nigeria tennis players is the sponsorship to get from the corporate entries and multinationals and according to her ...

  Victor Oshimen leaving the pitch after sustaining injury against Rwanda yesterday  Super eagles of Nigeria will be without the services of talismanic striker Victor Oshimen in the crucial world cup qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday. This followed the injury the Galatasaray forward copped in the last match against Amavubis of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo yesterday. The absence of the former Napoli forward is huge blow to the eagles who needs all their key players going into the match against South Africa, which is a must win tie  for Nigeria to keep the country 's world cup hope alive . Super eagles head coach Eric Chelle will now  be relying on  Tolu Arokodari or Cryril Dressers to bang in the goals for Nigeria in the absence of Victor Oshimen  By Barididum Leema.

  Tolu Arokodari celebrates after scoring against Rwanda  Tolu Arokodari 51st minute goal from goal+mouth scramble was all the Super eagles needed to secure a maximum three points against the resolute Rwanda side at the Godswill Akpabio stadium  The Super eagles found the back of the net in the early minutes of play through Victor Oshimen who latched onto a clinical pass from Ademola Lookman but was ruled out by the center referee for an off side position. The super eagles under the tutelage of Eric Chelle continued pushing for the opening goal with Alex Iwobi's long range shot  finger tipped out by the Rwandan brilliant goal keeper Ntwari Fiacre. Eagles pressed hard in quest of the  visitors rock solid defense foiled all attacking forays initiated by the three times African champions  Galatasaray striker Victor Oshimen was taken off in the first half after copping an injury in the  encounter for the introduction of Cryril Dressers who came on to repla...

 T Super eagles players: Bruno Oyemaechi and Dele Bashiru during the team's training section  at Godwill Akpabio stadium in Uyo  The world cup qualifying match against  Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio stadium today will no doubt be a ding dong affair. With Bafana Bafana spanking Lesotho three nil to maintain their lead on the table with 16 points, the super eagles will be under intense pressure to secure the maximum three points today Against this backdrop, the eagles will need the services of a good  Psychologist to tell the players to calm their nerves  and execute their plans on the field of play perfectly. The  Eric Chelle tutored side must know that Nigeria cannot afford to miss another world cup again for the second time on the trot . Hence , they have to play with passion and ensure they come out victorious in the encounter and take their chances as they come . With the blistering and superlative form of eagles talismanic striker Victor Oshimen, ...

  PGAN tournament director:  Johnbull Dangofa  The Professional golfers Association of Nigeria says the organization is now gaining international and global recognition  The tournament director of Professional golfers Association of Nigeria Johnbull Dangofa stated this at the closing ceremony of the recent Vice Presidents cup held at the golf section of Porthacourt club 1928 Johnbull Dangofa said  PGAN is now affiliated to the Global PGA tand safari tour, adding that the overall winner of the vice presidents cup , Godwin Oloko will compete in the Safari tour having amassed the total of five hundred points which will enable him improve on his ranking on the global stage . Executive director DR Tony Philmoore and tournament Director Johnbull Dangofa during the playoffs between Gift Willy and Godwin Oloko during the final of alive President cup According to him, the PGAN under the leadership of DR Tony Philmoore is now a global brand and we are now recognized ...

  Executive director PGAN ,DR Tony Philmoore  The Professional golfers Association of Nigeria are now lamenting over the delay to organize the Nigeria open golf championship in the country  The executive director of Professional golfers Association of Nigeria DR Tony Philmoore came out with this during the closing ceremony of the recent vice president President cup in Porthacourt  DR  Tony Philmoore noted  that the power play between major stakeholders within the golfing fraternity in Lagos and Abuja has scuttled the Nigeria open golf championship which normally attracted top ranked professional golfers around the globe to the country from coming alive  According to DR PhilMoore, 'who will host the Nigeria open? The IBB golf club in Abuja wants to host it while Ikoyi golf club in Lagos said they want to host as well'laments the seasoned golf administrator. The two time executive chairman of Degema Local government area noted the Nigeria open golf champ...

PTR certified coach Abel Ubiebi during the day one of the PTR  coaching course at tennis section, PH Club A  four day  international tennis coaching course tagged Professional tennis registry course has commenced in Porthacourt  with participants drawn from  West African and  parts of the world Speaking exclusively to sportsmaster   at  day one of the program taking place at the tennis Section of Porthacourt club , 1928 PTR coach Abel Ubiebi said the course will enable participants to upgrade their coaching methods and learn how to nurture and groom tennis stars in the nearest future . Abel Ubiebi said the program will help the participants to team their players how to be a better tennis player  According to him, there are standard ways of coaching which makes it easier for the players to understand  The participants will know what is called progression in tennis which is how players are going to progress from stage one to two until...

14 year old Destiny Kelechi of team Rivers (in white attire As Team Rivers continues to compete at the ongoing national youth games taking place in Asaba , Delta state , in quest of medals , 14 year old Rivers athlete  Destiny  Kelechi Garouse has won a bronze medal for the state in the game of darts Destiny Kelechi Garous who is making her debut appearance at the national youth games won the second medal for team Rivers in the game of darts which might probably open the floodgates of medals for team Rivers . With just two medals in their kitty  T eam Rivers  started poorly especially in team events and will need to work very  hard to improve on their position in the medal's table COV

 Super eagles talismanic striker Victor Oshimen in action for Nigeria  The Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state otherwise called the next of champions will be the cynosure of all eyes this weekend when the Super eagles play host to Rwanda in a crucial world cup qualifying match The match is a make or mar encounter for the Eric Chelle tutored side as anything short of victory will spell doom for Nigeria and automatically end their dream of qualifying for the 2026 world cup. Trailing behind Group leaders South African with the difference  of six points, it behoves on the Eagles to  win all Remaining four games left on the card and avoid dropping points  However, in view of the talented and quality players abound in the  Super eagles squad  especially in the attack, pundits expects the three times African champions to win Rwanda convincingly and cart  home the three points and boost their bid of qualifying for the global soccer mundial. F...

 Rivers state basketball coach Fubara Oyenabo with the state athletes at National youth games  Team Rivers male basketball team are through to the quarter finals of the basketball competition after edging out host Delta 13- 10 in their final group game. The team needed the win after their opening day 10-8 loss to team Bauchi to stand any chance of qualifying into the next stage of the competition. with the victory, team Rivers top the group while Bauchi is second and host Delta are out of the competition following their loss to team Rivers. Speaking shortly after the win, Coach of the team, Fubara Oyanabo said, his target is to win the gold medal. He described as unfortunate the disqualification of a member of his team and assured that the team will cope in his absence. Meanwhile, Rivers female basketball team beat team Niger 4- 3 to qualify for the quarter finals of the competition.