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NIGERIA ATHLETICS MOURN VETERAN COACH, TOBIAS IGWE
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has expressed deep shock at the death of veteran athletics coach, Tobias Igwe fondly called Toblow in track and field circle.
Coach Toblow, according to his son, Daniel Igwe died after suffering from high blood pressure and partial stroke.
”Sad to announce the passing on of great coach Igwe also known as Toblow.He died after suffering from high blood pressure and partial stroke,’read a statement signed by his son, Daniel Igwe.
AFN acting president, Olamide George expressed shock at the passing of a man who many have credited with the geometrical successes recorded by Nigeria in the 1980s and 1990s.
”This is devastating. We have lost a true transformer of talent. Coach Igwe was linked with many of the athletes who brought honour to Nigeria in the 1980s and 1990s.
“It is on record he led the first Nigerian team to the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athens, Greece in 1986 to ninth position on the medals table with Nigeria emerging world champions in the women’s 100m (Tina Iheagwam) and 200m (Falilat Ogunkoya),’ said George.
The AFN acting president revealed the federation has contacted the family of late coach Toblow.
‘”Our heartfelt condolences to the family of late coach Igwe during this time of sorrow. You’re in our thoughts and prayers and we are here for whatever you need.”
George revealed the board of the federation will meet in the new year to discus the best way to honour the late coach.
‘It is the least we can do as a federation. We were discussing about how to honour him for his selfless service to Nigeria about a forthnight ago not knowing death was lurking around to take the great Toblow away from us.”
In her reaction,former Nigeria queen of the track, Mary Onyali says she is heartbroken and described Toblow as a super great coach.
”Today marks yet another sad day in my life as I lost yet another dear person to my heart. Coach Tobias Igwe alias TOBLOW.
“This is the man who made me what I am today in sports and life in general. My heart is very heavy as I write, but only God knows why you have to go now and we can’t question Him.
“You’ve ran a great race on earth as an athlete, a super great coach and a sports administrator. My Love, sleep well in the bosom of the Lord until we meet again to finish what we started,’ Onyali, a senior adviser on sports to the Youth and Sports Development Minister wrote on her facebook wall.
Toblow was credited with discovering such iconic athletes as double Olympics bronze medallist, Mary Onyali; the Ezinwa brothers, Osmond and Davidson; middle distance runner, Tony Osheku; quartermilers, Airat Bakare and Sunday Uti, the first Nigerian to run a sub-45 seconds in the 400m.
He also converted reigning Nigerian 400m hurdles record holder and 1987 IAAF World Championships finalist, Henry Amike from handball to track and field and trained the discovered and groomed Tina Iheagwam to become the first Nigerian world champion in track and field.
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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