AFCON

NIGERIA’S PIONEER SPORTS RADIO OWNER, LARRY IZAMOJE MAKES SPORTS ICON LIST

Published

4 years ago

October 16, 2020

Sports journalism received a rare honour in Nigeria as the pioneer owner of sports radio station in the country, Dr Larry Izamoje is named among the 60 sports icons in the country.

Izamoje pioneered specialised sports radio in the country when he launched his Brila FM radio station in Lagos in 2002. The station now has branches in Kaduna, Abuja and Onitsha.

Another media man that made the list is the legendry sportscaster, Ernest Okonkwo who died 30 years ago. He made commentaries on radio a delight in his life time.

The remaining 58 icons comprise of the usual suspects. Members of the Super Eagles teams of 1980, 1994, Atlanta 1996 as well as track and Field and boxing dominated the list that was unveiled during the celebration of Nigeria’s most outstanding sports icons of the last sixty years.

The event took place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja this Friday.

According to a press release from the media aide to the Nigerian sports minister, the icons will have their pictures on display for 60 days.

According to the votes cast to pick the stars through various platforms, mercurial Super Eagles players like Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Emmanuel Amuneke of the famed 1994 and Atlanta 1996 Dream Team were selected by a wide spectrum of Nigerians.

Also selected are the 1980 Green Eagles that won Nigeria’s maiden Nations Cup on home soil with team captain Christian Chukwu and Segun Odegbami listed individually.

Emmanuel Okala and Mudashiru Lawal were also picked as symbols of the 1980 Green Eagles.

The Golden Eaglets of 1985 that paraded the likes of Nduka Ugbade, Victor Igbinoba and coached by Sebastian Brodricks – Imasuen were also recognised.

Nigerian first Olympics medallist Nojeem Maiyegun, first individual gold medallist, Chioma Ajunwa and Mary Onyali were listed.

Also on the list are legendary footballer, Tesilimi Balogun, Sunday Bada, Olawunmi Majekodunmi, Samuel Igun as well as world boxing champions Horgan Kid Bassey and Dick Tiger.

Most of the selected icons were either Olympic medallists or winners at the Commonwealth Games. Chidi Imoh and Odunayo Adekuruoye also made the list.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Moshood Abiola and Chief Adebutu Kesington among others also made the icons list as sports philanthropists.

Below are the names of the unveiled 60 Sports Icons

1. Chioma Ajunwa

2. Mary Onyali

3. Jighere Wellington

4. Odion Aikhoje

5. Duncan Dokiware

6. Austin Okocha

7. Kanu Nwankwo

8. Feyisetan Are

9. Blessing Okagbare

10. Garba Lawal

11. Lucy Ejike

12. Falilat Ogunkoya/Atlanta 96 Women’s 4x400m Quartet

13. Sunday Bada/Sydney 2000 Men’s 4x400m Quartet

14. Football Dream Team, Atlanta 1996 Olympics

15. Emmanuel Amunike

16. Chika Chukwumeriji

17. Davidson Ezinwa

18. Odunayo Adekuoroye

19. Modupe Oshikoya

20. Peter Konyegwachie

21. Olusoji Fasuba

22. Nduka Ugbade/Sebastine Broadricks Emasuen/1985 GOLDEN EAGLETS

23. Hogan Bassey

24. Dick Tiger

25. Samuel Peters

26. Barcelona 92′ quartet (Men’s 4x100m Relay)

27. Funke Oshonaike

28. Segun Odegbami

29. D’Tigress

30. Segun Toriola

31. Roland Ezuruike

32. Mayegun Nojeem

33. SAM IGUN

34. Israel Adesanya

35. Super Eagles 1994

36. Olumide Oyedeji

37. Blessing Oborududu

38. Tompraba Grikpa

39. Chidi Imoh

40. Christian Chukwu

41. Ajibola Adeoye

42. Stephen Keshi

43. Atanda Musa

44. Muda Lawal/Emmanuel Okala/Green Eagles 1980

45. Daniel Amokachi

46. Rashidi Yekini

47. Teslim Thunder Balogun

48. Perpetual Nkwocha

49. Super Falcons

50. Power Mike

51. Flora Ugwunwa

52. Lauretta Onye

53. Sam Okwaraji

54. Nduka Odizor

55. David Izonrite

56. Chief MKO Abiola

57. Dr. Larry Izamoje

58. Mazi. Ernest Okonkwo

59. Alh. Aliko Dangote

60. Chief Sir Kesington Adebutu

AFCON

Points of Interest as Nigeria Hosts Libya in AFCON Qualifier

Published

22 mins ago

October 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Nigeria Super Eagles hope to consolidate their lead in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series which enters matchday 3.

Sports Village Square brings you some points of interest in the encounter that will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

AUGUSTINE EGUAVOEN

Nigeria’s head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, debuted as senior national team manager in a Super Eagles match with Libya. That was a friendly match played on 17 August 2005. Nigeria won 1-0 in Tripoli.

MILESTONE

The match in Uyo will be Eguavoen’s 25^{^th} match as Nigeria’s head coach in the four periods he has had to manage the team. His first tenure ran from 22 June 2005 to 6 February 2007. His second tenure was 22 July to 4 November 2010. He was called up again for the third time and was in charge of Nigeria’s matches from 11 January 2022 to 29 March 2022. His current tenure began with the Nigeria versus Benin Republic match on 7 September 2024.

MIKEL OBI

Nigeria’s former captain, Mikel Obi made his international debut in a friendly match with Libya. That was when Eguavoen handed him his first Super Eagles shirt in the 63^{^rd} minute as a substitute for Nwankwo Kanu. Mikel had previously played under Eguavoen at the U-17 World Cup in Finland in 2003.

TARIBO WEST

Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West played his last international match when he was featured in a friendly duel with Libya in 2005. When he was substituted in the 67^{^th} minute of the match by Obinna Nwanneri, he took his final exit from the Super Eagles.

AFCON

Ghana’s problems complicated after goalless draw with Sudan

Published

8 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign stuttered again as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sudan at Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday.

Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Ghana could not find a breakthrough.

The Black Stars now sit third in Group F with just two points from three matches, while Sudan’s point lifts them to second with four points.

Angola leads the group with six points from two games, while Niger is bottom with one point. Angola will face Niger on Friday.

In a frustrating match for Ghana, Mohammed Kudus and Iñaki Williams came closest to scoring, but Sudan’s defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Mohamed Al Mustafa, stood firm.

Ghana’s attacking players struggled to break down a resolute Sudanese side that managed to keep the game scoreless despite intense late pressure.

AFCON

DR Congo edge Tanzania in Group H

Published

9 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

DR Congo maintained their perfect record in Group H of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with a narrow 1-0 victory over Tanzania at Stade des Martyrs, thanks to a second-half own goal by Clement Mzize.

The mishap occurred in the 53rd minute when Mzize inadvertently deflected a Congo cross into his own net, giving the hosts a crucial lead.

This win propels DR Congo to nine points from three matches, firmly establishing them at the top of the group.

Tanzania, meanwhile, remains in second place with four points, while Ethiopia and Guinea, both yet to win a game, sit in third and fourth, respectively, ahead of their upcoming clash on Saturday.

The match was a tense affair, with Tanzania creating chances but failing to convert.

Mbwana Samatta and Feisal Salum tested the DR Congo defense, but the hosts stood strong, while Arthur Masuaku nearly doubled the lead for Congo, hitting the bar from a free-kick late in the second half.

The result leaves Tanzania needing a positive result in their next match to keep their qualification hopes alive.