Sports

Despite losing 100m hurdles title, NOC expresses solidarity with Amusan

Published

1 year ago

August 26, 2023

Tobi Amusan

Despite losing 100m hurdles title, NOC expresses solidarity with Amusan

The Board of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has reached out to offer Tobi Amusan, some comforting words in the light of the race yesterday in Budapest where she lost out in the finals, placing 6th in 12.62 secs.

The NOC in a statement by Tony Nezianya, it’s public relations officer, on Saturday, August 26, said: “Although you may have faced disappointment in failing to defend your 100-meter hurdle, we want you to know that all is not lost.

“We are consoled that your 12.12 seconds World record set at Oregon, U.S., is intact. We know you have been under considerable pressure lately. Do not lose your focus as the 2024 Paris Games are still a year ahead of you.”

A statement by Nezianya on behalf of Habu Gumel, president of the NOC, noted that the outcome is not the end of the world, nor does it define your talents or abilities.

It stated: “Competing at such a high level comes with its fair share of ups and downs, victories and setbacks. It is through these challenging moments that we grow and discover our true resilience.

“Tobi, you have shown incredible strength throughout your career, and this setback will only serve as another stepping stone on your path to success.”

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It urged to “Remember, the most successful athletes have faced defeats but have managed to bounce back even stronger. It is during these difficult times that you develop the mental fortitude and discipline necessary to overcome obstacles.

“Take this experience as an opportunity to learn, refocus, and refine your strategies for future races.

“You are an inspiration to countless individuals who look up to your incredible athletic journey. Your unwavering commitment to your sport and your ability to rise above adversity is truly remarkable. We do not doubt that you will bounce back, stronger than ever before.

“Take some time to reflect, recharge, and surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, and coaches. They will be there to encourage and uplift you throughout this process. Remember, you are not alone in this pursuit of greatness.

“We believe in your exceptional talent and boundless potential. You have proven time and time again that you have what it takes to succeed. Embrace this setback as an opportunity for growth and use it to fuel your fire. Your comeback will be nothing short of extraordinary.

“Stay strong, Tobi. Your best has yet to come.”

Realnews reports that Amusan was under a provisional suspension over whereabouts; the ban was lifted just two days ahead of the start of the Budapest World Championships. This must have had some considerable negative impact on her performance.

Despite losing 100m hurdles title, NOC expresses solidarity with Amusan

Sports

2024 FIFA Best Awards: Lookman, Ekong, Oshoala, Onuachu, others shortlisted

Published

16 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Trends Admin

2024 FIFA Best Awards: Lookman, Ekong, Oshoala, Onuachu, others shortlisted

Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong have been shortlisted for best attacker and best defender categories, respectively, of the 2024 FIFA Best awards.

Four Nigerians have been nominated in multiple categories of the 2024 FIFA Best awards.

Ademola Lookman, Wiliam Troost-Ekong, Paul Onuachu and Asisat Oshoala were among the nominees announced by FIFA on Friday.

Lookman, who ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, was shortlisted in the Best Attacker category alongside Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, among others.

Troost-Ekong will compete in the Best Defender category against Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, William Saliba, Achraf Hakimi, Manuel Akanji, Jonathan Tah and many more.

Onuachu was named among the best goals up for the Puskas Award for his sumptuous bicycle-kick strike in the colours of Trabzonspor against Konyaspor in the Turkish Super League in November 2023.

Oshoala was nominated for the newly introduced Marta Award for the best goal in women’s football. The 30-year-old’s acrobatic strike for Barcelona Femeni against Benfica in the women’s Champions League in November 2023 got the nod.

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Rodri and Vinicius will again go against each other for the men’s best player award. The duo were nominated alongside nine other players, including Jude Bellingham, Mbappe, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde.

Rodri was crowned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner in October, a decision that was met with mixed excitement and criticism from fans and footballers alike.

Votes for the 2024 FIFA Best awards will be weighted equally between fans and an expert panel. Fans can cast their votes on the FIFA website until 10 December 2024.

FULL LIST

The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees

Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona

Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride

Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona

Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona

Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City

Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City

Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais

Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea

Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars

Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal

Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave

Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona

Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona

Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns

Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais

Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit

The Best FIFA Men’s Player nominees

Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid

Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City

Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid

Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen

Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid

Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona

Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami

Rodri (Spain), Manchester City

Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)

Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Real Madrid

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach nominees

Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil

Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic

Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA

Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan

Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City

Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit

Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC

Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach nominees

Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina

Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain

Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City

Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nominees

Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars

Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham

Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City

Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona

Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees

Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid

David Raya (Spain), Arsenal

Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City

Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain

Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan

Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club

2024 FIFA Best Awards: Lookman, Ekong, Oshoala, Onuachu, others shortlisted

Sports

EUROPA: Osimhen stars in Galatasaray draw, Man Utd win over Bodo/Glimt

Published

24 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Victor Osimhen

EUROPA: Osimhen stars in Galatasaray draw, Man Utd win over Bodo/Glimt

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen starred and scored for Galatasaray in their 1-1 draw away to AZ Alkmaar in an Europa League tie on Thursday night.

Some reports say the goal was an own goal by Peer Koopmeiners.

But Osimhen has now scored three goals in four Europa League appearances for Galatasaray, and nine goals in 11 games in all competitions for Galatasaray.

Sven Mijnans opened scoring in the second minute for AZ Alkmaar before Osimhen help the visitors equalise in the 43rd minute after leaping to nod home a cross from the right.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United secured a back-to-back win as they defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-2.

The Red Devils opened scoring in the very first minute through Alejandro Garnacho but the visitors fought back through Hakon Evjen and Philip Zinckernagel before Rasmus Højlund equalised by halftime.

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Højlund then scored the winner five minutes into the second half as United make a winning Old Trafford start under new boss Ruben Amorim.

The result boosts United’s chances of a top-eight finish in the Europa League table and automatic qualification for the last 16 in March.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur played a 2-2 draw with AS Roma.

In other Europa League games, Real Sociedad thrashed Ajax 2-0; Nice lost 4-1 to Rangers; Braga thrashed Hoffenheim 3-0; Quarabag lost 4-1 to Lyon; and Anderlecht and Porto played 2-2.

EUROPA: Osimhen stars in Galatasaray draw, Man Utd win over Bodo/Glimt

Sports

Super Eagles drop eight spots in latest FIFA ranking

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Super Eagles players

Super Eagles drop eight spots in latest FIFA ranking

The Super Eagles of Nigeria dropped eight places in the latest men’s ranking released by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

FIFA published the most recent men’s rankings on its official website on Thursday.

The three-time African champions, who were previously placed 36th, are currently in 44th place.

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The Super Eagles have also slipped from fourth to fifth place in Africa.

The West Africans drew one and lost one of their two matches in November.

Morocco remained Africa’s top-ranked country, with Senegal, Algeria, and Egypt coming in second, third, and fourth.