Sports
Nigeria beat Cameroon 5-1
Nigeria took a major step towards winning the Junior World Cup when in a decisive second leg match the Flying Eagles hammered their Cameroonian opponents 5-1.Despite a 5-1 victory bet on the Cameroonian team, Lionceaux, the Flying Eagles were able in just over thirty-four minutes to cancel their first leg deficit. The Lionceaux, who had come to play for a draw, kicked off spiritedly but a fierce and cautious charge from dependable Odiaka pointed out that there was something in the air blowing unfavourably for them.
Initiating their attack from the middle where Augustine Igbinobaro, and sleek Osaro Obabaifo, had stamped their authority, the Eagles got a corner in the eighth minute.
But it was a free kick three minutes later that opened the flurry of goals. Igbinobaro, perfectly measured a drive past the Cameroonian's wall of defence to beat goalkeeper Assimba Clement. The Lionceaux seemed to take things lightly while their hosts piled up more pressure. A sixth goal for the Eagles, scored by Lionceaux from a defensive error, was disallowed by referee Bernard Egrah.
Tennis tournament threatened
The three International Lawn Tennis Championships that are held annually in Nigeria may not take place if the Nigerian Lawn Tennis Association fail to pay the money owed the foreign players who won cash prizes at the competitions last year. The three competitions, Ogun Green Court, Lagos Classic and the Kaduna Clay Courts, are scheduled to start from first week February and run through March.Encourage sports in schools
Governor Fidelis Oyakhilome of Rivers State on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, directed that 1.0 per cent of school fees from primary and post-primary institutions in the state be used for sports development. While receiving members of the Rivers Sports Council who called on him at government house, he said that the present administration attached great importance to the development of sportsAzuma gets Grand Medal
The world featherweight champion, Azuma Nelson was on New Year's Eve presented with the Grand Medal, Civil Division, for "making Ghana, once again, a proud nation"This was at a cocktail party held at the forecourt of the Kwame Nkrumah Conference Complex in Accra to round-off celebrations marking the third anniversary of the December 31 Revolution.
A citation signed by the Chairman of the PNDC Flt-Lt. J.J. Rawlings, said of the world champion that, "your success story gave a great lesson and message to all Ghanaians and you have become a source of inspiration to all youth not only here, but the whole continent." The citation said taking into consideration the relatively limited facilities described their match with Kotoko as that Azuma had within which he grew up and trained as a boxer he had achieved the ultimate through the "power of the will to conquer, and his commitment to discipline".
Mr Justice D.F. Annan, PNDC member, presented the citation to Azuma who received a rapturous ovation from those present.
Azuma was also presented with a sash in the national colours, after which he displayed his title belt for all to see.
More Azumas needed
The PNDC Secretary for Youth and Sports, Mr Amarkai Amarteifio has urged Ghanaians to produce more Azumar Nelsons in boxing and other areas of sports. In a New Year message, the Secretary said, "let us be guided by the lessons of our difficulties and let the past year inspire us to excellence and perfection."Not confined to men
A report in the London Times notes that over-enthusiasm in African sports is not confined to men. For when Senegal met Zaire for the African women's basketball championship final in Dakar this week, a punch-up broke out in the changing rooms and the match was called off even before it began.The trouble started when the Zaire coach poured what he described as "holy water" over the Senegalese girls. In the fight that followed, three Senegalese
German team loses in Accra
Ghana's knock-out champions Asante Kotoko beat a visiting University Mun Club of Germany by a lone goal in club international football match at Kumasi Sports Stadium.Kotoko grabbed the only goal of the exciting match in the 17th minute through outside left Asare Boateng whose brilliant low grounder beat keeper Tants.
The second half was more lively as visitors inspired by their former Ba Munich star and skipper Hahu kept Ko- under pressure but their lone Afr striker Benionois Mousambaba was effective despite his superb position switches.
Team manager Volkmer Will described their match with Kotoko as the best in the tour of the continent He blamed his team's performance in two matches in Ghana in which they lost the first 1-2 to Accra Hearts of Oa weariness and improper conditioning.
Another Ghanaian boxer in world ratings
A Ghanaian light heavyweight, Pr Mama Muhammed based in Los Angel ranked fourth contender to w champion, Michael Spinks of the US. H followed by Eddie Davis, Marvin Jonson and Willie Edwards. Lottie Mwal from Zambia is rated fifth. Prince Muhammed has been doing extremely well, capturing the Stroh Brew light heavyweight championship trophy recently. He is being tipped by boxing commentators to win the world crown this year.Another African boxer, John Mugabe of Zimbabwe, is ranked as the leading contender for the super welterweight title held by Thomas Hearns of the US.
