News
Flamingos Have To Keep Fighting Because We Are Not There Yet; Team Captain Azeezat Oduntan Acknowledges
In the wake of a shock 3-1 win for Nigeria’s cadet female national team, Flamingos, over back-to-back champions, Korea DPR, at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, captain of the side, Azeezat Oduntan, said they can’t relax just yet.
Sports247 reports that, rather than keep on celebrating the win that took them into the competition’s knockout stage as runners-up in their group, Sanusi said they ‘have to keep fighting’ because they ‘are not there yet.’
That surely is a reference to their first knockout fixture at the ongoing competition in Morocco, where Coach Akeem Busari’s team is now a squad to be wary of, as they edged on goal difference ahead of Poland, who defeated Nigeria 2-1 in their opening match.
While Poland eventually finished with no goal difference (following a 6-1 loss to Korea and a 6-2 win over Puerto Rico on Friday), Nigeria jumped into second spot with a plus-three goal difference (2-0 over Puerto Rico and 3-1 versus Korea).
However, while relishing how they made huge history on Friday night in Rabat, Oduntan admitted they just have to keep working hard, even as they seek to surpass the Flamingos’ set of 2022 that won bronze in India.
Expectations of a repeat now look quite realistic following Friday’s stunning win, which fifa.com captured in graphic style, while noting that Busari’s side sent a shortwave through the entire competition with their victory.
The report noted, “Nigeria pulled off a win for the ages by downing two-time defending champions DPR Korea. They opened the scoring through Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who collected a ball down the left, muscled off a defender and finished with her right foot.
“The African side wanted more and struck for a second shortly before intermission when Oluebube Umejiaku surged through the DPR Korea half and finished past goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong.
“DPR Korea came out with a sense of urgency to start the second half, but Nigeria did well to withstand the pressure and then found a crippling third via Kanyinsola Yusuf’s exquisitely-taken free-kick. The reigning champions pulled a goal back through a late Yu Jong-hyang penalty conversion, but the day belonged to Nigeria.”
Oduntan said afterwards: “I’m super proud of my team-mates because they all came out and chose to play. We have to keep going and keep fighting. I feel excited but we are not there yet because we just qualified for the next round.”
Sports247 gathered further that Adegbuyi again slotted the ball inside Korea’s net in the 88th minute, but VAR ruled it out and, at the end of all the night of thrills, Kanyinsola Yusuf emerged as player of the match.
The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it would not endorse any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, made this declaration at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the League for Imams, Alfas, political office holders and traditional rulers.
The event, which took place in Ibadan on Saturday, was attended by Governor Seyi Makinde, President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar, Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Secretary General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat and Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) Sheikh Hashim Atere and Professor Kamil Olosho.
Others are Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye, Professor Amidu Sanni, Professor Adam Surajudeen and Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside other notable Islamic clerics, scholars and Muslims from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo states.
Abdullahi El-Ilory while speaking on behalf of the League, explained that the group cannot declare support or announce any politician or political party as its choice for the forthcoming general elections.
He explained that the only thing the League can do and is still doing is to pray to God to give Nigerians credible leaders that will make life more meaningful for the citizens.
Abdullahi El-Ilory said, "We are religious leaders, we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.
"We the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders."
Makinde, while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.
He advised Muslim clerics not to allow people to use religion to cause confusion in the forthcoming general elections.
Kewulere, in his contribution, noted that the focus of clerics should be to guide the people and preach the religion of Islam.
He said, "We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to be involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with the Islamic principles."
Ishola, on his part, explained that the programme was organised in order to ensure unity and cooperation among Muslims in Yorubaland before, during and after the general elections.
2027: We won’t endorse any politician, political party – Yoruba Imams, Alfas
-
News2 days agoUNIJOS Appoints Patricia Lar as First Female Vice-Chancellor
-
News3 days ago
NiYA: Nigeria Awards ₦49m grants to 17 young entrepreneurs – Technology Times
-
News2 days ago
Democrats launch Nvidia investigation, write scathing letter on Huang’s ‘scheme’ with Trump
-
Health3 days ago
Seven organisations pledge $65m to reduce maternal, newborn deaths in Nigeria
