Sports
Leventis win Nigeria's FA Cup
A 45th minute goal has launched Leventis United into the history books. It was the only goal which halted the ambition of Abiola Babes a National League Division One team who were trying to become the first team in history to take the coveted Challenge Cup to Ogun state. Leventis United team established early authority, especially in the midfield but Abiola Babes lived to their fans' expectation mid way into the first half with some neat dribbling and fine placements.But their centre forward Deinde Akinlotan was completely marked out of the game by Leventis sweeper Leotis Boateng. There were even exchanges until the 45th minute when Adigun wasted no time in nodding home the match winner.
In the second half Abiola Babes, who had just listened to a morale lifting talk from their mentor Chief M. K. O. Abiola, swarmed the Leventis goal area looking for an equaliser.
But the Leventis defensive network completely frustrated the offensive with excellent games by goal-keeper Ansah.
By this victory and for the first time in history, a 3rd Division side has emerged the F.A. Champions and Leventis have kept intact their incredible unbeaten run for the entire season.
Nigeria's most valuable player
After a poll of about 100 spectators trooping out of the National Stadium Nigeria's Sunday Punch Sports team have elected Ansah, the agile goalkeeper of the Leventis United Champion side as the 1984 F.A. Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player (MVP).The award goes to the player most instrumental to the success of the champions.
Ansah, a Ghanaian import, conceded only two goals (outside of penalty shoot- out goals) against the Racca Rovers of Kano throughout the National finals. His National League Division III side beat Niger Tornadoes 4-0, beat Raccah Rovers on penalties after a 2-2 draw, shocked Mighty NNR 1-0 in the semi-final, and finally pipped Abiola Babes 1-0.
Ansah's brilliant performances throughout the challenge Cup is second only to Peter Rufai of the Green Eagles who conceded only one goal in the 1982 series.
Take part in Davis Cup
Nigeria's leading tennis player, Nduka Odizor has urged Nigerian sports officials to register the country for the Davis Cup competition because "we now have players who can hold their own against the best in the world."Odizor said that with players like Anthony Mmoh, David Imonite and Sadiq Abdullahi, "Nigeria has a chance of beating such countries as England and France."
Mr Samuel Chukwurah, vice president of the Nigeria Lawn Tennis Association said in Benin that "the association is already considering the matter and everything is being done to facilitate our participation in the competition."
If Nigeria enters for the competition, it will initially play in Zone "D" which features some African, Asian and European countries. The Davis Cup, played in groups, is the most prestigious tennis competition among nations.
Benefactors of Olympic profit
Organisers of the 1984 Olympic Games have said that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to decide which developing countries would benefit from the seven million dollars they are planning to pay out to cover the lodging expenses of athletes from the countries.Sources close to the organisers said the IOC was expected to compile a list of the benefactors as well as the amount to be given to each of them.
IICC slip in Africa cup contest
The IICC shooting stars of Ibadan went down 0-2 to the Zamalek FC of Egypt in the first leg of the finals of this year's African Cup of Champion Clubs played in Cairo, Egypt. Both goals were scored in the second half of the exciting game.Ghana-Nigeria boxing clash
Judas Clottey, Africa and National welterweight champion, will take on Nigeria's King Zorro in an African Boxing Union (ABU) title fight in Accra on Saturday, December 8, 1984.The fight is being promoted by Sikaprix International and will take place at the Accra Stadium..
In the undercard, D. K. Poison, former world featherweight champion, will meet Mukailla Bakare of Lagos in a 10-round Culture. lightweight contest while Sam Akromah, the ABU junior lightweight champion takes on Lobeto Clay from Lagos in another 10-round thriller.
Financial burden for under-20's matches
The Financial Controller of Asante Kotoko, Mr Charles Gyimah, has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to reconsider the decision to organise an Under-20's competition alongside the first division league. In a statement in Accra, he said the implementation of that decision would plunge the clubs into financial troubles since they would have to enter for both the transportation and equipment cost of two sets of players from the same gate proceeds from a match.Instead, he suggested that the GFA should organise a separate competition on Saturdays for the Under-20's and charge separate gate-fees to cater for their needs. Mr Gyimah was of the opinion that such matches would attract the young soccer followers in their numbers if given the necessary publicity. He suggested that, instead of the Under- 20's, the reserves matches should be re- introduced as this would prove more beneficial to the clubs.
Burkina-Togo draw
Burkina Faso and Togo drew 1-1 (half-time1-1) in Ouagadougou in the opening game of the West African soccer tournament organised by the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa. Burkina Faso opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Tassere Quedrago while the Togolese goal was scored by Moutairou Rafiou two minutes later. Ghana's national soccer team, Black Stars also made a bright start in the defence of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa. (SCSA) trophy when they defeated Ivory Coast 2-0 in Burkina Faso.Good luck message for Azuma
Ghana's Secretary for Youth and Sports, Mr Amarkai Amarteifio has left Accra with a special "Good Luck" message from the Chairman of the PNDC, Flt-Lt J. J. Rawlings, to Azuma Nelson who is training in the United States in preparation for the world featherweight championship with Wilfreo Gomez on December 8.Azuma Nelson will leave his training camp in the State of Ohio in the United States for San Juan, Puerto Rico, venue for the fight ten days before the contest.
The Secretary's U.S. trip follows a visit to the Soviet Union at the invitation by the Soviet Committee for Sports and Physical
In the Soviet Union, Mr Amarteifio would sign a protocol outlining specific areas of sports cooperation envisaged by the two countries.
