Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea on October 8, Kelechi Emeteole has tasked the Nigeria Football Federation to step up preparations for the crunch game billed to hold on October 8 at the Abuja National Stadium.

South Africans were justifiably angry and upset last week — national broadcaster SABC failed to secure the rights for the match between Bafana Bafana and Niger in Niamey. Had it been cricket or rugby, some argued, the match would have been broadcast, even if it had been at an ungodly hour of the morning.

Organizers of the Nigeria Bankers Games are predicting keener competition in the remaining fixtures of the 2011 Nigeria Bankers Games which enters Match Day 3 today at the University of Lagos Sports Complex in Akoka. No doubt the motivation to win has received added boost with the announcement of Air Nigeria travel tickets as part of the prizes for teams and individual winners of this year’s edition.

Cross River governor Liyel Imoke has approved a new course for the Obudu Mountain race to bring it in line with world required standards as Cross Rivers bids to host the 30th edition of the World Mountain Running Championships in 2014.

World record holder Usain Bolt stormed to the fastest 100m of the season on Friday, clocking 9.76sec at the Diamond League meeting.

Following the election of Victor Rumson Baribote as the Chairman of the Nigerian Premier League board, Niger Tornadoes Coach, Justin Tenge has urged him to bring about visible changes to the game.

Doha have all the infrastructure in place to successfully host the 2017 world athletics championships, the president of the Qatar bid committee said on Friday ahead of the final Diamond league meet of 2011.

Blackburn skipper Chris Samba has vowed to make Ewood Park a “living hell” for Arsenal as the Gunners chase only their second victory of the season on Saturday.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas admits Didier Drogba is set to miss Sunday’s clash against Manchester United as the Ivory Coast striker continues to recover from concussion.

Eagles’ coach Samson Siasia has been urged to eschew parochialism and make the best of choices for the crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Guinea October 9 in Abuja.

AS the 10th All Africa Games enter the home stretch, Team Nigeria officials are still pouring plaudits on Athletics for “saving us from disgrace”.

JAMILU Mohammed made a mince-meat of an Ivorian, Thursday, in the 58 kg to win a precious gold for Nigeria in Taekwondo just as Joy Ekhator won bronze in the -48 category.

Falcons’ coach Eucheria Uche is not impressed with Cameroon’s Under-23 women’s run at the All Africa Games.

Nigeria head coach Samson Siasia is expected to recall Peter Osaze Odemwingie and Ekigho Ehiosun when he announces the squad to face Guinea in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier next week.

Argentine legend Diego Maradona’s first match in charge of Al Wasl in the United Arab Emirates ended in disappointment when they lost 4-3 to an injury time strike to Al Jazira on Thursday.