Sport

Cyril Olisema scored in each half to send visiting Akwa United through to the next round after beating Hawks of Gambia 2-0, and qualify 3-2 on aggregate.

The “Promise Keepers” needed to win with two clear goals in the second leg after last week’s surprised 1-2 defeat in Uyo in the first leg.

The diminutive striker who led Akwa’s frontline ahead of Gabriel Okechukwo broke the deadlock seven minutes before the break when he guided his effort past the rushing Adama Gassama in goal following a defensive howler by Mass Manga.

In only their first continental match at the renovated Agege Stadium in Lagos, Mountain of Fire & Miracles (MFM) beat AS Real Bamako of Mali 1-0 in their preliminary round second leg on Wednesday.

Midfielder Akuneto Chijioke scored the solitary goal five minutes to the end of the keenly contested encounter to secure MFM’s passage to the next round 2-1 aggregate, following their first leg 1-1draw at the Stade Modibo Keita in Bamako.

But at the Soccer Temple, as the Agege Stadium is known, there were few chances despite the host's dominance in the first stanza. Okorom Stanley nearly put them in front in the 39th minute but his long range shot from outside the box after receiving a pass from Akuneto Chijioke missed the target. A minute from recess, Ayinde Abiodun saw his lively shot in front of the visitors’ box narrowly off the mark.

The Nigeria University Games Association in conjunction with Pace Sports Entertainment Limited has concluded arrangements to stage a football competition for universities registered with NUGA. Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday in Lagos to kick-start the competition tagged Higher Institution Football League (HIFL).

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has finally ruled out the possibility of including Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama on his 23-player roster for the 2018 World Cup.

The German pointed out that the veteran goalkeeper has been inactive for his French club since the start of this season.

He is not playing anywhere, so we cannot take players who are not playing, Rohr told reporters at the Aiteo/Nigeria Football Federation Awards on Monday.

The Nigeria Football Federation has invited Brighton & Hove Albion striker Ini Umotong to the Super Falcons ahead of a friendly tournament in Turkey next week, Turkish Women’s Cup - Alanya 2018.

The former England U15 trainee was delighted to be considered by new Nigeria manager Thomas Dennerby for the tournament.

Speaking to the official website of the Seagulls, Umotong said: ''It was a feeling of shock, excitement and anxiousness. I was so excited, as I’ve been waiting for a call-up for a long time and it was really emotional.

Chelsea star, Victor Moses, has expressed his gratitude after winning Nigeria’s Player of the Year for Men at the maiden 2018 Aiteo/NFF Awards on Monday.

Moses was picked ahead of Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Lobi Stars striker Anthony Okpotu at the award held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.