Connect with us

Sports

NWFL Postpones Week-5 Fixtures Over COVID-19 Test

Published

on

NWFL Postpones

By Adedapo Adesanya

The management of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) on Monday announced the postponement of Week-5 fixtures, citing the inability of all 14 clubs to meet the COVID-19 test requirements for players and team officials.

The NWFL Media Officer, Mr Dapo Sotiminu, on Monday said that the Secretariat had given effect to the NWFL directives.

“The board of the Nigeria Women Football League headed by Ms Aisha Falode has declared the postponement of Week 5 matches in order to accommodate collation and validation of the COVID-19 test being conducted by the Premiership clubs,” Mr Sotiminu said.

In the statement, the NWFL Chairperson said that the NWFL did not want to take risks with any of the clubs as regards the appropriate test.

Going by the fresh wave of increased COVID-19 infections due to the new variants of the deadly disease which have left more people dead in Nigeria than before, the football governing body had to take the decision.

“We are currently verifying and validating results sent in by some of the 14 clubs not up to half of the clubs in the league.

“We are also going to verify the authenticity of the test centres sent in by the clubs from the Federal Ministry of Health, and the relevant state’s Ministry of Health, going by the reports that some clubs are going to unapproved centres to conduct the test.

“Tests from unapproved centres will be rejected after verification and the clubs involved suspended from the league,” she said.

The NWFL management added that the postponement of the league by one week was due to the tasking process of collation and validation.

“Because of this, the board of the NWFL found it imperative to postpone the Week 5 matches to allow the secretariat to complete their job on the ongoing COVID-19 test on clubs concerned.

“The board has given enough time to the clubs to complete the test and send results with proof (pictures) from government-approved test centres, to the secretariat by mail and hard copies (original) on or before Friday, January 15.

“Any club found wanting at the end of the exercise will be suspended from the league indefinitely.

“NWFL may have to take over the testing of all the clubs to avoid any of the clubs bringing the league to disrepute,” she said.

The board said that the postponed Week 5 matches would now be played on Wednesday January 20.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Sports

Matchday 7 Champions League, Europa Matches To Watch GOtv

Published

on

uefa champions league

The race for knockout spots in Europe’s elite football competitions reaches the crunch phase this week, with matchday seven action in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.

The stakes are high with some of the big names in danger of elimination. From Tuesday to Thursday, GOtv will broadcast live action of some of the big matches.  Here are the key matches you can access on GOtv:

Benfica vs Barcelona: The Catalans go to Portugal knowing a win will seal their qualification spot. But the job won’t be easy. Benfica have all to play for in this tie. With 10 points from their first 6 matches,  only a win can keep them in a favourable position for the playoff spot. Watch this intriguing tie live on GOtv channel 65 at 9 pm tonight.

Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Leverkusen: This heavy-weight clash will be live on GOtv channel 64, tonight at 9 pm. Leverkusen are 4th in the table while Atletico are 11th, just a point behind their visitors. The coveted top eighth finish will be at stake in this clash, as all big teams try to avoid the two extra matches that come with finishing below 8th position.

Real Madrid vs Salzburg:  The most successful team in UEFA Champions League history,  Real Madrid,  are in danger of crashing out in the group stage. Los Blancos sit 20th in the log and must win their remaining two matches, starting with this tie. Catch the action live on GOtv channel 64, at 9 pm on Wednesday.

Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb: With 5 teams tied on 13 points, the Gunners, though third in the table, know this is a perfect opportunity to solidify their claim to one of the top 8 slots. On the other hand, Dinamo Zagreb currently occupy the last playoff spot in the table, and thus have everything to play for.  With Arsenal in unstable form, this could be a banana pill for them. This match will be live on GOtv channel 65, at 9 pm on Wednesday.

AC Millan vs Girona: With 7 UEFA Champions League titles, AC Milan are the second most successful team in the competition. The Rosonerri are just a point outside the top 8, and a win against Girona will surely put them in the top 8 and a chance to steal a rounf-of-16 slot. Watch the action unfold live from San Siro at 9pm on Wednesday on GOtv channel 62.

Manchester United vs Rangers: This British derby will be the key match of matchday 7 in the Europa League. Manchester United are 7th, one point ahead of Rangers in 8th. The need to avoid the two extra playoff matches will make this feisty encounter which will broadcast on GOtv at 9 pm on Thursday.

Customers can take advantage of the Step-Up offer to enjoy more football action across the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League, and Europa League.

GOtv subscribers on the Jolli package who upgrade to Max will be upgraded to the Supa package, while those upgrading to Supa will enjoy access to the Supa Plus package within 48 hours. The offer runs till March 31. Simply dial *288# to renew or upgrade your subscription.

Continue Reading

Sports

Nigeria’s U19 Women Cricket Team Seals Historic Win at World Cup

Published

on

Nigeria's U19 Women Cricket Team

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria made history after it beat New Zealand in one of the biggest ever upsets in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia on Monday morning.

The Nigerian team, known as Young Female Yellow greens, defeated New Zealand by 2 runs in the World Cup. It is their first win against a non-African team in a major ICC tournament.

The Group C clash was played at the Sarawak Cricket Ground in Sarawak and was reduced to 13 overs per side encounter due to wet outfield.

Nigerian captain, Lucky Piety, and Lillian Udeh reached double-digits for Nigeria, scoring 18 and 19 runs, respectively.

Nigeria could only hit four fours and a six in their innings and at the halfway mark, creating opportunity for New Zealand to easily chase the target down.

The New Zealand U19 bowlers were able to restrict Nigeria to just 65 runs.

The intensity then saw both countries lose their openers with just seven runs on the board in 2.1 overs.

The New Zealand middle-order batters trio of Eve Wolland, Anika Todd and skipper Tash Wakelin lost their wickets at the wrong time.

Nigeria’s Udeh did really well in the final over to restrict the opposition conceding only three runs with the bat.

New Zealand could only score 63 runs in their 13 overs for the loss of six wickets and fell short eventually by two runs.

As soon as Captain Wakelin got run out on the last ball of the innings, Nigeria players began celebrating in ecstasy as they created history, knocking over one of the big full-member teams at the international level.

Nigeria skipper won the player of the match award for her all-round show scoring 18 runs and picking up one wicket for just eight runs in three overs.

Watch the highlights here.

Continue Reading

Sports

Tiffany Stratton Set For First WWE Title Defense, Live On GOtv

Published

on

Friday Smackdown

The WWE Universe is in for an electrifying night this Friday as SmackDown returns to California. With high-stakes matches, dramatic returns, and the inaugural defense of the new WWE Women’s Champion, fans can expect a blockbuster evening of action. Catch all the drama live from San Diego, California, on WWE Network, GOtv Channel 68 at 1 am on Saturday.

Here’s a preview of what’s in store:

Motor City Machine Guns vs. Los Garzas: The Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, will clash with Angel and Humberto of Los Garzas in a high-octane tag team match.

Last week, Los Garzas triumphed over Pretty Deadly, while the Motor City Machine Guns took down A-Town Down Under. The stakes are high as these two powerhouse teams battle for the chance to become the next contenders for the Tag Team Championship, currently held by DIY’s Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.

WWE Women’s Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Bayley: Bayley, the self-proclaimed “Role Model,” earned her shot at the WWE Women’s Championship last week in a grueling Fatal Four-Way match. Now, she faces her toughest challenge yet against the newly crowned champion, Tiffany Stratton.

Stratton seized her opportunity two weeks ago, cashing in her Money in the Bank contract to become the WWE Women’s Champion. Determined to keep “Tiffy Time” alive, she’s ready to prove she belongs at the top.

But Bayley, a Grand Slam Champion, brings over a decade of experience to this matchup. Will Stratton defend her title successfully, or will Bayley reclaim the championship she once held?

The Return of Solo Sikoa: Solo Sikoa returns to SmackDown after falling short in his quest to dethrone Roman Reigns as the Tribal Chief. Despite giving everything in their brutal showdown, Sikoa was left without the coveted Ula Fala.

With Reigns now focused on the Undisputed WWE Championship and an entry into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble Match, the question remains: what’s next for Sikoa? Fans won’t have to wait long for answers, as the self-proclaimed former Tribal Chief will address the WWE Universe live this Friday.

Other WWE Superstars confirmed for this Episode of SmackDown: “Undisputed WWE Champion” Cody Rhodes, Nia Jax, United States Champion” Shinsuke Nakamura, La Knight, Women’s Tag Team Champions” – Bianca Belair & Naomi Prizefighter” Kevin Owens, The Enforcer” Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Apollo Crews, among others are expected to make an appearance on the night.

Stay connected to your GOtv to enjoy Smackdown and other WWE action live by downloading the MyGOtv app or dial *288# to reconnect/upgrade your package.

Continue Reading

Trending