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120th Lagos Polo Tournament Gallops-off

Teams Converge, As 120th Lagos Polo Tournament Gallops-off

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Teams Converge, As 120th Lagos Polo Tournament Gallops-off—-The Lagos Polo Club says all is set for the 120th edition of its International Polo Tournament scheduled to gallop-off from Jan. 23 to Feb 18. at the club.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament is  put together by Nigeria Polo Association (NPA) in partnership with Guaranty Trust Company (GTCO).

 

A statement  by Ernest Ekpenyong, the Media Officer to the Tournament Committee, said the 2024  prestigious Lagos polo extravaganza would mark its 120th anniversary.

 

He said that the tournament had over the century, remained a captivating fusion of elegance, excitement and cultural vibrancy transcending traditional boundaries.

 

The 2024 edition has a record number of about 30 teams jostling for top honours in four major prizes and six subsidiary laurels.

 

Olumayowa Ogunnusi, Head of Tournament Committee, said the polo festival would be decided over four weeks of high octane polo showpiece, making the event the biggest polo tournament in Africa.

 

“Over 30 teams fortified with awesome horsepower and top players across the world have been confirmed to vie for top honours in the month-long prestigious fiesta.

“The event prides itself as the first polo tournament in the country dating back to the early 1900s.

 

“Details of the schedules shows that participating teams will be jostling for the event’s biggest prize – the Majekodunmi Cup, the Open Cup, the Lagos Cup, the Silver Cup and a handful of subsidiary prizes.

 

“Subsidiary prizes to be competed for include the Oba of Lagos, Governor’s Cup, Adedapo Ojora Memorial Cup, Sani Dangote Cup, the Italian Ambassador’s Cup, the Independence Cup, Lagos Heritage Cup and Chief of Naval Cup, among others,” he said.

The third week will see teams vying for the Low Cup from Feb. 6 to Feb 11.

 

Ogunnusi also said that the grand finale final week that would draw the curtain on the annual fiesta that is steeped in tradition and elegance.

 

It will see a crowd of equally matched low-goal teams slugging it out for the Silver Cup from Feb. 13-18 in what promises to be a fitting cap to Africa’s richest polo extravaganza.

 

Ogunnusi also commended the main sponsor GTCO, and others that have gained reputation as one of the biggest polo tournaments in Africa, adding that the club looked forward to delivering great values for the sponsors and participants during the epoch fiesta.

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Jay Dasilva Goal Ends Coventry City’s 25-Year Wait for Premier League Victory

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Jay Dasilva Goal Ends Coventry City’s 25-Year Wait for Premier League Victory—-Jay Dasilva struck in the second half as Frank Lampard’s Coventry City secured a historic 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to record their first Premier League win since April 2001.

Coventry City finally ended their 25-year wait for a Premier League victory after Jay Dasilva’s second-half strike secured a memorable 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The victory marked Coventry’s first three points in the Premier League since April 2001, when they defeated Sunderland before suffering relegation at the end of that season. Their return to the top flight had begun with four consecutive defeats without scoring, making Saturday’s breakthrough particularly significant.

Frank Lampard’s side entered the encounter under pressure after a difficult start to life back in the Premier League. The newly promoted Sky Blues had lost to some of the division’s strongest sides, including Arsenal and Manchester City, before suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat against Brighton in their previous outing.

However, Coventry produced a disciplined performance against Forest and grew into the contest as the match progressed.

After a goalless first half, the breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute.

Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth launched a long delivery forward, which Dasilva controlled brilliantly before cutting inside and bending a composed finish beyond Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.

The goal ended Coventry’s wait for their first Premier League goal of the season and gave Lampard’s men something to protect for the remainder of the contest.

Forest pushed for an equaliser and came close when Igor Jesus produced an effort that was cleared off the line by Coventry defender Bobby Thomas.

The hosts eventually thought they had rescued a point in the 86th minute when Jesus found the net. However, the goal was reviewed by VAR after referee Jarred Gillett was sent to the pitchside monitor.

Gillett subsequently ruled that Jesus had fouled Coventry midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi in the build-up, cancelling the equaliser and allowing Coventry to retain their lead.

The decision sparked frustration among the home supporters, but Coventry held firm through the closing stages to secure a landmark victory.

The result brings an end to a remarkable wait for Coventry supporters. The club’s previous Premier League victory came more than 25 years ago, and the Sky Blues subsequently endured a turbulent period that included a spell in the fourth tier of English football.

For Lampard, the victory provides a major boost after four successive defeats at the beginning of Coventry’s top-flight campaign.

“It feels great, it feels amazing,” Lampard said after the match, praising his players for their work and resilience.

The victory also gave Coventry their first points and first goal of the Premier League season, lifting them from the bottom of the table.

Dasilva’s decisive strike will now be remembered as the goal that ended Coventry’s long wait for a Premier League victory and gave the club renewed belief as they continue their battle to establish themselves among England’s top-flight sides.

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Falconets Face Colombia in U-20 World Cup Quarter-Final Showdown

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Falconets Face Colombia in U-20 World Cup Quarter-Final Showdown—-Nigeria’s Falconets will battle Colombia in Łódź as they chase a return to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2014.

Nigeria’s Falconets will face Colombia on Sunday in a crucial quarter-final clash at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

The encounter is scheduled for 3:00pm local time in Poland, 2:00pm Nigerian time, at the Stadion Miejski ŁKS in Łódź, according to FIFA’s official tournament schedule.

Nigeria reached the last eight after producing one of their strongest performances of the tournament, defeating England 3-0 in the Round of 16. Tosin Rafiu opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei doubled the advantage shortly after half-time. Mary Mamudu then completed the victory in the 73rd minute.

The result represented a major turnaround for the Falconets, who had endured a difficult start to the competition. Moses Aduku’s side lost 2-0 to Spain in their opening Group F fixture before drawing 0-0 with China.

Nigeria responded emphatically in their final group match, destroying New Caledonia 10-1 to secure second place in the group and progress to the knockout stage.

Colombia Stand in Nigeria’s Way

Colombia booked their quarter-final ticket by eliminating tournament hosts Poland with a 1-0 victory in the Round of 16.

The decisive moment came late in the match when a Polish own goal handed Colombia victory and sent them into the last eight. FIFA described Colombia as a resilient side capable of surviving pressure, making Sunday’s encounter a demanding test for Nigeria.

The match will be the first meeting between Nigeria and Colombia at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, although the two nations have crossed paths at youth level before.

Falconets Chase Historic Return

Nigeria are two-time runners-up at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, having reached the final in 2010 and 2014. Their last appearance in the semi-finals came in 2014, meaning victory over Colombia would take the Falconets back into the last four for the first time in 12 years.

The Falconets have also established themselves as one of the tournament’s most experienced teams, having featured at every edition since the competition began in 2002.

Coach Moses Aduku has urged his players to remain focused despite their impressive victory over England, stressing that the team must quickly move on from the Round of 16 triumph and concentrate on the next challenge.

A Place in the Semi-Finals Awaits

The winner of Nigeria and Colombia will advance to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final between DPR Korea and Canada on September 23.

For the Falconets, the objective is clear: continue the momentum from their emphatic win over England, overcome Colombia and move one step closer to a first-ever FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.

With the tournament now entering its decisive stage, Nigeria will hope their recent resurgence can carry them beyond the quarter-finals and back among the world’s final four.

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