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African Games

FLYING EAGLES OUST HOSTS, MOROCCO TO GET TO MEDAL ZONE OF 12TH AFRICAN GAMES

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KUNLE SOLAJA, RABAT.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles twice came from behind to force a 2-2 draw with hosts, Morocco to pick a semi-final ticket at the football event of the 12th African Games at FAR Sports Complex Rabat.

Nigeria’s two goals were scored late in either halves of the game.

The draw however put the team behind Burkina Faso who whitewashed hapless South Africa to confirm their leadership of Group A. While Nigeria finished with five points in the group, Burkina Faso have seven from three matches.

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, qualified for the semifinals of the men’s football event of the 12th African Games after a hard fought 2-2 draw with hosts Morocco on Friday evening at the FAR Sports Complex Rabat.

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It was not an easy day for the Flying Eagles who stumbled in the 12th minute when Mohsinne Abba scored.

It was the first time that Morocco had scored in the series having gained a walkover in their opening game with South Africa and fell 0-2 to Burkina Faso in their second game.

They pressed very hard, as it appeared the Flying Eagles were destined to be grounded. But as the first half wore out, the Flying Eagles started gaining momentum.

Almost at the dot of regulation time in the first half, Ahmad Ghali who had scored against Burkina Faso and South Africa in earlier matches was brought down in the penalty box.

Skipper Ibrahim Abubakar scored from the penalty spot after Moroccan goalkeeper, Mohssine Abba, saved his initial effort.

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The reprieve that the late first half equalizer brought was punctuated in the 54th minute when Habibu Yakubu handled the ball in Nigeria’s penalty box. Ismail Moutaraji converted the penalty kick and it appeared elimination was imminent for Nigeria.

The introduction of Chinonso Emeka changed the complexion of the game. He scored the backbreaking goal that eliminated Morocco form the series.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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African Games

BREAKING! Accra 2023 African Games Chieftain is dead

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Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, who superintended the 13th African Games held in Accra Ghana in February has died.

He was the Chief Operating Officer of the Accra 2023  Local Organising Committee (LOC).

According to sources in Ghana, Dr. Owusu-Ansah was a sports administrator and coach, and thus left behind, a significant legacy in the world of sports.

Dr Owusu-Ansah, a former Chief Executive of the National Sports Authority (NSA), was widely regarded as an encyclopaedia of sports knowledge.

Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Owusu-Ansah, a former national chief athletics coach, authored the best-selling book “Principles of Abundant Living.”

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He played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of Sports Studies at the College of Education at the University of Ghana. Additionally, he served as the Director of the Sports Directorate at the University of Ghana, Legon.

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African Games

ASFU mourns African Games 2023 chief executive, Owusu-Ansah  

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The Africa Students Football Union (ASFU) has expressed condolences over the passing of a  patron of the union, Dr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, who served as the COO of the just concluded 13th Africa Games held in Ghana.

Dr. Owusu-Ansah’s death was announced on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

According to a release by the executive secretary of the union, Femi Abioye, Owusu-Ansah until his death contributed immensely to sports development on the continent and the world at large.

He left an indelible impact on the lives of students-athletes coupled with sports administration across Africa countries.

The ASFU’s President, Prof. Oluwaseun Omotayo, who was shocked at the news of the demise of Dr. Owusu-Ansah described the deceased as a pillar, saying his departure has left a great vacuum in sports management.

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He relished the deceased contribution and unwavering dedication to ASFU, saying the Union would miss the deceased.

“We will miss Dr. Owusu-Ansah, whose contribution to sports, knew no bounds. He was always ready to serve. He helped build the Union and was pivotal to the Union programmes. We will surely miss him,” he said.

He extended the Union condolences to all those affected by this loss, praying God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

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African Games

A milestone as Egypt becomes the first country to get 100 gold medals in African Games

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A milestone as Egypt becomes the first country to get 100 gold medals in African Games

As the curtain is drawn on the 13th African Games in Egypt, the traditional overall winners, have this time hit a milestone.

They have become the first to hit a 100 gold medal mark in the 59 year history of the games.

As at Saturday morning, they have amassed 101 gold medals, 54 more than that of the second placed Nigeria

The biggest star of the Egyptian team  is swimmer Marwan Elkamash, who won five gold medals in the men’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m and 4x200m relays, all in freestyle.

But medal haul is still short that that of his compatriot, Faten Afifi who fished out seven gold medals from the pool.

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