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Akwa’s Alhassan Dedicates Bloggers Award to Mum • Watch his classic goal against 3SC
BY MFON PATRICK
Akwa United’s Alhassan Ibrahim who is one of the April awardees of League Bloggers Award has expressed appreciation to the organisers of the Award for the initiative to celebrate players and coaches in the NPFL.
The striker who is now in the Super Eagles’ camp in Corsica, France, has scored 10 goals to become the second highest goal scorer in the league. He is dedicating the award to his mother, his team mates and fans of Akwa United.
“First of all I thank God for this recognition, and secondly I wish to expressed my gratitude to my mother, my coaches, all my fans and supporters of Akwa United for their faith in me and their support.
“My mother is my biggest supporter while my team mates are my partners on the field of play, so this Award is for everyone”.
His coach, who is another award winner as the NPFL Coach of the April has described his award as a source of encouragement and a motivation for him and his team in their quest to winning the league title this season.
The two awardees also commended LBA for rewarding hard work and excellence in the Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL
Coach Maikaba and midfielder Alhassan Ibrahim were named best manager and player for the month of April by the organisers of the League Bloggers Award LBA.
Akwa United won all its matches in the month of April, they thrashed Shooting Stars Sport Club 3SC 4-2 in Uyo, beat Kano Pillars 0-1 in Kano before defeating MFM 2-0 at the Nest of Champions in the last match of the first stanza.
Speaking with the media department of the club, Coach Maikaba said: “I won this Award in the month of July two seasons ago, so if it is coming in the month of April this season, it means we are on the right track.
“The month of April was a very good month for us, we won all our matches and now we are being honoured for that achievement, we are very happy because this will motivate and encourage us to do more”.
“Alhassan was outstanding in April, scoring four of our seven goals. What we achieved was as a result of team work and dedication of the entire team, so since it was a collective effort that brought about the success, I therefore dedicate this award to my players, coaches and all stakeholders including our fans for their wonderful support”.
“Our target is to win every match and we will continue to put in our very best whether we are playing home or away. Our play has improved and we are confident that we will achieve our aim at the end of the season”.
African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.
In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.
Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.
Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.
The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.
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The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year’s New York City event.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.
“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
In the women’s race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women ‘s-only world record
-Reuters
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By George Akpayen
The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table, which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.
However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season, and this could see as many as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.
Top contenders in the race for the battle for the golden boot are Enugu Rangers’ striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.
On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.
THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN
Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goal involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each, while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances, which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).
Obioma is however, the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.
Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.
THE CHASING PACK
There is also the chasing pack in the race for the Golden Boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo, who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.
The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goal scorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.
There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.
WORTHY MENTION
However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and sent off once.
Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspirations this season, and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.
No doubt, there will be twists and turns for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among the factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds-on to claim the top individual prize.
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