Sports
Flying Antelopes Target Maximum Points Against Oluyole Warriors
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu and his wards have their eyes set on the maximum points at stake as the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International FC of Enugu return to its hallowed ground, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, ‘The Cathedral’ for the rearranged match day 16, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture against old rivals, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan on Thursday, December 28, 2023.
Media Officer, Rangers FC, Nobert Okolie gave an insight into what obtained in the camp in statement in Enugu on Wednesday.
He maintained that having re-discovered its winning formula after a few weeks of glitch, the Nnewi born tactician was positive going into the fixture against coach Olugbenga Ogunbote and his ‘Oluyole Warriors’ gang from the industrial city of Ibadan.
He stated, “Smarting from a heartwarming 1-1 draw in Aba against oriental rivals, Enyimba, coach Ilechukwu and his lieutenants are not leaving anything to chance as they continued the build-up to this fixture against an old rival in a newly laid pitch with high optimism.”
Ilechukwu said, “It will be a tough match but we have prepared well to earn a deserved win. No disrespect to our opponent, they are a quality side with an experienced coach, but we have our work cut out and we shall get the job done by the grace of God. Playing before our home fans will be an added advantage and we believe it will count in our favor on Thursday.”
Going into this fixture the form guide for Rangers was D,W,L,L,L while that of the opponents was L,D,L,D,L even when both sides are blessed with quality mix of youth and experienced players that will keep fans yelling for more as was the case in 1977 in Kaduna in the second leg of the semi-final of CAF Cup Winners Cup encounter.
Since 2009, both sides have met sixteen times with each grabbing five wins apiece with six encounters ending in a draw.
Rangers prides itself as the second most lethal attack in the season thus far with nineteen goals scored as against seventeen scored by the visiting, 3SC just as the Enugu side currently occupy the 9th spot of the log with nineteen points and a game in hand while the Ibadan side is a spot below with same number of points but an inferior goals aggregate.
Supporters of Rangers and football fans in Enugu are expected to troop out in their numbers to watch this titanic soccer battle between two traditional clubs as two of the most decorated and oldest clubs in the country take center stage at ‘The Cathedral’ that has been starved of actions for over two and a half season with the gates thrown open on the directive of the executive governor of Enugu state, H.E, Dr. Peter Mbah.
Sports
Tragedy Hits Spanish Football As Tenerife Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies At 30
Spanish football has been thrown into mourning following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died at the age of 30 after suffering serious injuries in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a second-division match.
Tenerife confirmed the player’s death on Tuesday, November 3, revealing that he died at 8:00 a.m. following complications from injuries sustained during the encounter.
The incident occurred towards the closing stages of the match, which was tied at 2-2, when Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, rushed out of his goal and collided with De Miguel in the middle of the pitch.
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The goalkeeper was sent off following the incident, while the match was subsequently abandoned.
Spanish media reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest after the collision and was resuscitated. However, Tenerife later announced that his neurological condition had deteriorated before he eventually died.
In a statement announcing the tragedy, the club expressed profound sadness over the loss of the striker and extended its condolences to his family, friends and supporters.
“Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe this is real, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, at 8:00 am (7am GMT), of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” the club said.
De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 from Castellon and had spent just over a season with the Spanish side.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across Spanish football, including former Barcelona defender and FC Andorra majority shareholder Gerard Pique.
“I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesus,” Pique wrote on social media.
FC Andorra also expressed its condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several other Spanish clubs sent messages of sympathy.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation equally expressed its grief, describing the news as deeply saddening and extending its condolences following the striker’s death.
Sports
Sanwo-Olu Pledges Full Support as Lagos Prepares to Host 2026 CAF Awards
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday after meeting with a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly.
The governor said his administration would pay particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access to ensure a memorable experience for participants and visitors.
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In a statement shared on his social media account, Sanwo-Olu said, “Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”
He described Lagos as a city with the energy and capacity to host major international events.
“Lagos is a city of talent, culture, enterprise and youthful energy,” the governor said.
He added, “We look forward to welcoming football leaders, stakeholders and visitors from across Africa and beyond, while showcasing our hospitality and ability to host major international events.”
The meeting comes as preparations continue for the continental football awards, which will bring together prominent figures in African football to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements.
The latest engagement follows the arrival of a 15-member CAF delegation in Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for a final inspection of facilities ahead of the awards and the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly.
The delegation, led by Emeruwa, was expected to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja as part of efforts to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the two events.
The inspection also followed an earlier visit by CAF officials in August, when Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’s readiness to host the awards after a delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu.
The 2026 CAF Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 7, while Abuja is expected to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.
The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding performances and achievements in African football, bringing together players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders from across the continent.
Sports
Iheanacho Flaunts Turkish Nickname
After scoring twice and providing an assist as Bursaspor beat Muglaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig on Thursday, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho took to social media to declare himself boss.
The Super Eagles forward who moved to the Turkish league from Celtic to Bursaspor has made history, becoming the first football player to score in 10 consecutive league matches for the club and in the Turkish professional league football.
He took to his social media handles to flaunt his Turkish nickname – “Agabey”.
In a post on his verified handle on X, the Nigerian forward shared a picture of himself in traditional Turkish dress with a new nickname, “Agabey”. The caption read, “We go ball till eternity, Kelechi Agabey.”
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The word is a respectful Turkish title that translates as “Big Brother” or “Boss”.
The 30-year-old has now scored in all 10 games he has played for Bursaspor, and including his appearance for the Super Eagles, he has found the net in 11 straight matches. He has 14 goals and three assists since joining from Celtic.





