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Delta Queens confident team will reach hockey super league final
Head coach of Delta Queens Hockey Club, Ade Jacobs, has expressed confidence that his team will reach the final of the ongoing 2026 Nigeria Hockey Super League in Abuja
Mr Jacobs stated this during an interview after their second match on Sunday in Abuja.
He said his team remains focused on reaching the final stage of the league despite playing out a draw in their second match. .
Mr Jacobs said that though his players were below their usual standard, he was confident they would improve in subsequent games.
“It has been fine so far. We won our first match 5-0, and this second match ended in a 1-1 draw. Well, it’s one of those things that happen sometimes in matches because most of my girls looked a little bit heavy. I don’t know why.
“We intend to improve on that. In our next match, against I-G Babes on Tuesday by 11 a.m . They will come out better, and I can assure you of that,” he said.
The Delta Queens coach reiterated the team’s ambition, recalling their third-place finish in the 2025 Nigeria Hockey Super League.
“We are determined to go a step further this season.Last season, we finished in third place. This season, our target is to play in the final match . We just have to be in the final stage,” he said.
Mr Jacobs also commended the organisers for the smooth conduct of the competition
“So far, so good. They are doing well,” he added.
Delta Queens opened their campaign in impressive fashion with a convincing 5-0 victory over Yobe Desert Queens in their opening match before settling for a 1-1, against South West Hockey Club of Lagos in their second fixture.
A total of seven women’s teams comprises Kada Queens, Plateau Queens, Delta Queens, Yobe Desert Queens, IGP Babes, South West, and Edo Queens.
Kada Queens are the reigning women’s champions, while Kada Stars are the defending champions in the men’s category.
The 2026 Nigeria Hockey Super League which commenced on June 26 will end on July 5 at the National Hockey Pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
(NAN)
The Special Adviser to the President on Political and Other Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Masari, has assured President Bola Tinubu that the combined votes of opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and other parties, would be insignificant compared with those of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 presidential election.
During the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on Wednesday, Masari pledged to mobilise massive votes for the President and urged members of the council to emphasise grassroots engagement, party discipline and practical outcomes.
“The combined votes secured by opposition parties would not be commensurate with what the council intends to deliver,” Masari told Tinubu.
He described the assignment as a solemn responsibility and encouraged members to extend the campaign to polling stations, electoral wards, local government areas and communities across the country.
“Stop talking to yourselves and start talking to the people,” he declared, warning against excessive meetings, inflated electoral claims and promises unsupported by verifiable grassroots results.
Masari said performance would be evaluated based on actual implementation, emphasising that political influence must translate into concrete electoral achievements.
He further urged members to eliminate internal conflicts, inflammatory rhetoric and personal disputes. He also called on the Director-General of the council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, to maintain cohesion, operational coordination and uniform communication across the council.
According to Masari, the campaign must articulate the administration’s strategic policies and commitments in fiscal restructuring, educational advancement, healthcare provision and infrastructure development while addressing the concerns of Nigerians with evidence-based information.
Masari also underscored the importance of principled democratic engagement, urging political organisations to comply with electoral regulations, refute false information and pursue substantive, policy-focused campaigns.
He appealed to Nigerians to critically evaluate campaign claims and participate constructively in the electoral process.
2027 presidency: Votes of opposition combined will be too small compared to APC – Masari
Matchday 8 of the EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) delivered dramatic late goals, remarkable individual performances, stunning victories and memorable moments as players across the country stepped up to influence their teams’ fortunes.
READ ALSO: EuroMatch NPFL: Inter Lagos Turn to Olusanjo Olutayo After Giwa’s Exit | Sports247 Nigeria
From Chidiebere Nwobodo’s stoppage-time rescue mission in Kano to Gafar Olaniyan’s match-winning contribution in Lagos and Victor Dawa’s impressive display against Kano Pillars, Sports247 highlights six standout performers who made their mark during an action-packed round of fixtures.
Chidiebere Nwobodo (Rangers International)
(The Last-Minute Hero in Kano)
Chidiebere Nwobodo emerged as Rangers International’s hero after scoring a dramatic 90+3-minute equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw against Barau FC in Kano.
Rangers had taken the lead through Ifeanyi Okechukwu before the hosts converted two penalties to overturn the deficit and put themselves on course for victory.
However, Nwobodo delivered when it mattered most, finding the net deep into stoppage time to rescue a valuable away point for the league leaders.
His determination and composure ensured Rangers avoided defeat in a fiercely contested encounter.
Gafar Olaniyan (Sporting Lagos)
(The Match-Winner Who Delivered Sporting Lagos’ First Home Victory)
Gafar Olaniyan played a decisive role as Sporting Lagos secured their first home victory of the campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Bendel Insurance.
The visitors stunned the hosts when Kayode Oke scored after just 18 seconds, registering the fastest goal of the season.
However, Victor Samuel restored parity in the 14th minute before Olaniyan completed the turnaround with the winning goal in the 22nd minute.
His contribution helped Sporting Lagos secure three important points, earning praise from head coach Jeffrey Buter for the team’s fighting spirit.
Kayode Oke (Bendel Insurance)
(The 18-Second Record Breaker)
Despite Bendel Insurance’s 2-1 defeat to Sporting Lagos, Kayode Oke produced one of Matchday 8’s most memorable moments.
The forward scored after just 18 seconds, setting the record for the fastest goal of the EuroMatch NPFL season.
Oke’s latest contribution took his tally to four goals and one assist for the campaign, further underlining his attacking importance to Bendel Insurance.
Although his early strike could not prevent defeat, his remarkable goalscoring instinct earned him a deserved place among the standout performers.
Clinton Andy (Rivers United)
The Young Goalkeeper Making His Presence Felt
Rivers United goalkeeper Clinton Andy continued his impressive performances during the Pride of Rivers’ away encounter against Abia Warriors. The young shot-stopper has been building a reputation through his displays between the posts, demonstrating the qualities required to compete at NPFL level.
His Matchday 8 outing further highlighted his growing importance to Rivers United as they seek to establish themselves among the leading contenders in the league.
With his confidence and experience continuing to develop, Andy remains one of the young goalkeepers attracting attention in the domestic championship.
Victor Dawa (Plateau United)
The Unsung Hero Behind Kano Pillars’ Heavy Defeat
Victor Dawa delivered an outstanding performance as Plateau United demolished Kano Pillars 4-0 in Jos. Although he did not register a goal, Dawa’s overall contribution proved influential as the hosts overwhelmed Daniel Ogunmodede’s side.
Paul Samson opened the scoring in the third minute before Ekundayo Ojo doubled Plateau United’s advantage in first-half stoppage time.
Samson Ayanrinde added a third in the 82nd minute, while Nenrot Silas completed the rout from the penalty spot.
Dawa’s impressive display ensured he stood out in a dominant collective performance that handed Kano Pillars a heavy defeat.
Rabiu Umar (Katsina United)
The Goal That Ended Enyimba’s Comeback Hopes
Rabiu Umar produced a crucial moment as Katsina United defeated Enyimba 4-2 in a thrilling six-goal encounter. Katsina had established a commanding 3-0 advantage before the People’s Elephant mounted a spirited comeback, scoring twice to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
With Enyimba threatening to complete a remarkable turnaround, Umar struck in the 80th minute to restore Katsina’s two-goal cushion.
His stunning effort effectively ended the visitors’ comeback hopes and secured a vital victory for the hosts. The timing and importance of his goal made him one of Matchday 8’s most decisive performers.
Matchday 8 demonstrated that outstanding performances are not measured by goals alone. While Nwobodo, Olaniyan and Umar delivered decisive strikes, Oke produced a record-breaking moment, Andy impressed between the posts, and Dawa contributed significantly to Plateau United’s dominant victory.
From stoppage-time drama in Kano to an 18-second goal in Lagos, these six players provided some of the defining individual performances of EuroMatch NPFL Matchday 8.
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