When Chinonso Obiozor nodded in a pin point cross off the mercurial feet of Ejike Uzoenyi in the 85th minute of the third place match between Nigeria and Zimbabwe, the goal came as a great relief to the Nigerian bench, a handful of Nigerian supporters on the stands and, in particular, the Nigerian journalists who had banked on the winning mentality of the Eagles to win this one. The win over Zimbabwe came as a soothing balm to the Nigerians whose ego had been badly bruised by the semi final defeat to Ghana in Bloemfontein.

Kano Pillars face a tricky Champions League match away at AS Vita today with new coach Okey Emordi aiming for a result in Kinshasa.

The Minister of Sport and Supervising Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has said that the high premium placed on sports promotion and development, by the Jonathan’s administration had manifested in the various international laurels, being won by the country.

Olympic bronze medalist in taekwondo , Chika Chukwumerije revealed that he was targeting top 10 world ranking as part of efforts to boost Nigeria’s chances in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chukwumerije said in Abuja that his world ranking improved after the December 2013 World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester, London.

A wonder strike from Villarreal right-back Mario Gaspar gave Villarreal hope before half-time, but the in-form Jese Rodriguez made it 3-1 just after the hour mark with a lovely deft finish