Sports
Azumah in the US
Commonwealth and African featherweight champion Azumah Nelson is in the United States to start intensive preparations for a crack at the world featherweight title.According to a release by Mr John Kermah, the chairman of the Ringcraft Promotions Syndicate, handlers of Azumah Nelson, the sudden departure of their ward who is second contender to the world title, was due to an urgent request by world-famed promoter Don King.
In view of this the commonwealth featherweight championship bout between Azumah and Nigeria's Eric Boone due to be staged at the Accra Stadium on Saturday, 25th February, has been cancelled.
According to the chairman of Ringcraft Promotions Syndicate, however, the national lightweight title fight between Sam Ago Kotey and Sam Akromah, an undercard to the Azumah versus Boone title fight will be shifted to the Kaneshie Sports Complex.
Hasaacas draw with Upper Volta
Ghana's West African Football Union (WAFU) representatives, Sekondi Hasaacas played a 1-1 draw with the Upper Volta national side in a friendly international match in Ouagadougou.The Ghanaians took a cautious start but after sizing the Upper Voltaics up for some 10 minutes scored the opener in the 15th minute.
The Upper Voltaics who are preparing for the next two years African Cup of Nations scheduled for Zambia fought back as if their very lives were at stake. But Hasaacas were able to tighten their grip on the game, especially at the defence to end the first half scoreline 1-0 in their favour.
However, the Ouagadougou boys came back in the 85th minute when their man of the match, inside-right Clement Yemeogo beat Hasaacas central defender, Emmanuel Ampiah to flash the ball past goalkeeper Acquah Barnes for the equaliser.
Junior athletics contest
The 2nd All Nigeria Junior Open Athletic Championships will kick off in Ilorin, Kwara State from 23rd-25th February 1984.The championship which will be staged in the main hall of Ilorin Sports stadium is sponsored by Concord Press of Nigeria Limited.
Only athletes below 18 years of age as at 1st February 1984 will be allowed to compete in this championship which is open to affiliated clubs, schools and colleges all over the country.
Nigeria slips
Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the Olympic games hang on the Green Eagles, the national team beating Morocco in a qualifier.At the end of ninety minutes of a colourless game the score was no score to either side.
According to eyewitness reports Nigeria was saved from embarrassment of being beaten in her first international match in the new year on her own soil by the excellent performance of goalkeeper Peter Rufai.
Meanwhile Cameroon has qualified for the Los Angeles Soccer competition by also drawing 1-1 with Ethiopia in the second leg of the final round of the African zone qualifying competition in Addis Ababa.
Cameroon won the first leg 4-0 in Yaounde. Three African countries are expected to qualify and the third place is to be filled by either Algeria or Egypt.
Ivory Coast boost chances
Ivory Coast beat Senegal 4-3 in the final of a four nation soccer tournament in Abidjan.The Ivory Coast National side, the Elephants, have won six and drawn one of their last seven international matches, boosting their confidence only three weeks before the start of the African Nations Cup contest.
The Ivorians met a strong challenge from the Senegalese and were down 2-3, 30 minutes to full time. A 69th minute goal by Youssouf Forfana put them level while a penalty in the 84th minute by Francois Monguehi Guei settled the issue.
Athletes invited to camp
The Amateur Athletics Association of Nigeria (A.A.A.N.) has invited a total of 22 athletes for the 4th phase closed and open camp in Lagos and Benin respectively.Three athletes are for Open Camp in Lagos. They are B. Oseni, Airat Bakare and A. Akintunde, all from Lagos.
Seven athletes for the Benin closed Camp are V. Aoko 100 and 200 metres. Comfort Ighagbon 800 metres C. Igeh 100 and long jump, F. Ushiegwu Okoro 400 metres, Ogmore -high jump, O. Osarobo 100 and 200 metres, I. Adeyanju 100 and 200 metres.
The 12 athletes invited for the Closed Camp in Lagos, include S. Oyeledun (Ogun State), G. Okon (Bauchi State) V. Edet (Lagos State), I. Oladipupo (Ogun State) O, Ogukuo George (Lagos State), A. Iro (Kaduna State), J. Faleye (Ondo State) J. Ko (Unilag) M. Elegbede (Oyo State, M. Akinyemi (Ondo State) T. Ogunde (Lagos State) and Eseimokumoh
