Sports
‘Awa Lokan’ – Edo Queens’ Moses Aduku, Osigwe Goodness Set Sights On Maiden Glory
Head coach of Edo Queens, Moses Aduku, is confident that his team’s time has come to win their maiden Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership title on Sunday.
As the final matchday of the 2023/2024 NWFL Premiership Super Six at hand, all eyes would be on the crucial clash between Edo Queens and Bayelsa Queens in Yenagoa.
Aduku is no stranger to success, having previously led Bayelsa Queens to an epic domestic title in Benin City, the current home ground of Edo Queens, in 2022.
Additionally, the former international won the President’s Federation Cup with the Yenagoa-based side before making the switch to Edo Queens.
However, with three South-South teams—Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, and Delta Queens—claiming the last three league titles, Aduku believes it’s now Edo Queens’ turn to shine.
“We are condemned to win on Sunday. I am from this state (Bayelsa State), and I believe all the other South-South teams have gone for the continent. Therefore, Edo, Awa lokan (it’s our turn),” Aduku told theNWFL.com.
He added, “I want to thank God for today’s victory. Nasarawa Amazons is not a pushover. The first half was tight, but I told my girls in the second half that we needed this match, and my captain did the magic.”
Currently, Edo Queens sit atop the Super Six table with nine points, ahead of Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens, who they face on Sunday.
Aduku hailed the support of Edo State government and pledged to bring home the coveted silverware.
“I believe Edo State is already in jubilation mode, but we will keep our jubilation for Sunday. The government has done a lot for this team. I must tell you the truth, this team is one of the most motivated. Honestly, the government has really done a lot for this team. Our payback is to give them the trophy,” he continued.
“90 more minutes will speak. I don’t like making bold predictions because I believe fate will determine it, but I trust that my players are ready. On Sunday, it is going to be a Cup final and the winners take it all.
“Definitely, we are going to come out smoking. This is not a league standard when you say home and away. It is one-off and we are good to go. We will wait for Sunday and see who will take the title.”
Edo Queens’ star player, Osigwe Goodness, who is also in the running for the highest goal scorer prize, is prioritizing the league title over individual accolades.
“When the first half ended, the coach reminded us about the reason why we are here. We did play badly in the first half but we couldn’t score. I believed that in the second half, we would definitely win and that was what happened,” she said.
“What is on my mind now is the trophy. However, the highest goal scorer is on my mind because it will be a big opportunity for me to experience that happiness. If the highest goal scorer award didn’t come, it might be the will of God, but the trophy will not slip from us if I miss out on the highest goal scorer.”
Edo Queens are determined to secure their maiden league title with a victory over Bayelsa Queens on Sunday, adding a dramatic finish to an already thrilling season.
Tottenham Hotspur will be without star forward Son Heung-min for their crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt, manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed on Wednesday.
The South Korean international has been nursing a foot injury in recent weeks and did not travel with the squad to Germany.
Son also missed Spurs’ 4-2 Premier League defeat at Wolverhampton on Saturday.
READ ALSO: Gabonese Striker, Aaron Boupendza Dies After Tragic Fall In China
“Sonny didn’t travel in the end, he’s the only one that misses out,” Postecoglou told reporters ahead of Thursday’s clash at the Waldstadion.
“He’s been battling with his foot problem for a few weeks now and managed to play through it. He trained the last few days, he tried to train yesterday and it wasn’t right, so we made the decision to leave him at home to allow him to recuperate.”
Son has been a key figure in Spurs’ European campaign this season, registering three goals and an assist across nine Europa League appearances.
The tie remains finely balanced after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in London, where Pedro Porro’s equalizer cancelled out Hugo Ekitike’s early goal for Frankfurt.
A win on Thursday would secure a place in the semi-finals.
Postecoglou, whose side has struggled in domestic competition and sits 15th in the Premier League, dismissed concerns over mounting pressure on his position.
“If you don’t think I’m a good coach, that’s not going to change because of what happens tomorrow,” he said. “We’ve got a great opportunity tomorrow, and I’m not going to let that slip by without fighting tooth and nail.”
On the opposite bench, Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmoeller expects Spurs to be fully focused on the Europa League, brushing aside suggestions that their poor league form could offer his team an advantage.
“Their latest league setback plays absolutely no role because their only focus is the Europa League,” Toppmoeller said.
Despite Frankfurt sitting third in the Bundesliga, he refused to label his side as favourites. “It doesn’t matter whether any team is the favourite or not.”
Frankfurt will also be without their captain and first-choice goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who remains sidelined through injury. Brazilian shot-stopper Kaua Santos is expected to continue in goal.
With the tie poised on a knife-edge, Toppmoeller remained unfazed by the possibility of the match going to penalties — a scenario often discussed when English and German sides meet in European competition.
“I have absolutely no fear of a shootout, because I have total confidence in the boys. And if it comes to penalties, we’ll win on penalties,” he said.
Gabonese football has been thrown into mourning following the death of international striker Aaron Boupendza, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 28.
The player reportedly fell from the 11th floor of a building in China, where he was plying his trade with Zhejiang FC.
The tragic news was confirmed by the Gabonese Football Federation (Fegafoot) in an official statement shared on X.
READ MORE: Dikko Commends GTI’s Strategic Repositioning Of Nigerian Football
“The Gabonese international died following a fall from the 11th floor of his building in China, where he was playing for Zhejiang FC,” the statement read.
“Aged 28, Boupendza leaves us with the memory of a great striker who left his mark on the CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) in Cameroon,” it added.
Boupendza, known for his sharp attacking instincts, was a key part of Gabon’s national team at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Panthers reached the knockout stage before being eliminated by Burkina Faso in the round of 16.
In the wake of his death, Fegafoot extended its sympathies, stating: “Fegafoot and the entire Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his biological family.”
Gabon’s president-elect Brice Oligui Nguema also joined in paying tribute to the striker, writing on X: “It is with immense sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football.”
Meanwhile, local media outlet Gabon 24 reported that an investigation has been opened to determine the exact cause of the incident, noting that “the exact circumstances of this tragedy are still unclear.”
Boupendza was born in Moanda and began his professional journey with French club Bordeaux in 2016, spending much of his early career on loan across France.
His breakthrough came in Turkey with Hatayspor, where he finished as top scorer in the 2020–21 Super Lig season.
The striker’s career saw him lift the Qatar FA Cup with Al Arabi, before further stints with Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia, FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer, and Romania’s Rapid Bucharest.
He had only joined Zhejiang FC in January of this year.
The communication materials for the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games, have been unveiled.
Biztellers reports that the materials include the Games’ logo, theme song, and mascot.
The three were unveiled at a colourful ceremony at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta. The Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele stood in for the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
The logo is mainly in Ogun State theme colours of lemon green and yellow. The unveiling of the logo was immediately followed by that of the Theme Song of the Festival.
ALSO READ: Man Docked For Alleged Non-Declaration Of Foreign Currency At Lagos Airport
It is titled ‘E’kaabo’ a Yoruba word for ‘Welcome’ as Ogun State prepares to welcome thousands of athletes, officials, tourists and VIPs when the 22nd National Sports Festival comes alive on May 16. The Theme Song was composed by Dr Bayo Adepetun.
The jam-packed hall roared in excitement when the festival’s mascot was eventually unveiled.
Named ‘Omo Ogun’, the animated version strolled on the stage and saluted the audience before getting down the stage to greet the dignitaries.
Corps Members Safe In Benue, Gov Alia Assures As Orientation Kicks Off
JUST IN: Reps Committee Finally Meets Rivers Sole Administrator After Delays
World Bank Appoints Aliko Dangote To Elite Group
Ministry Appoints New Director For DUFUTH, Uburu
CVFF- House of Reps Backs Marine & Blue Economy Ministry
