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Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Sulaiman, has expressed optimism about his team’s progress following the draw against Barau FC.

The Harmony Boys played out a 1-1 draw with Barau FC in a matchday 10 encounter at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday.

Goodluck Ogbolu and Anthony Sunday scored for Kwara United and Barau FC respectively.

Sulaiman said they would continue working to secure more positive results in subsequent away matches.

“This is the way to move forward,” Sulaiman said at the post-match press conference.

“We will build on this result and continue to improve.”

Kwara United have garnered 12 points from 10 matches this season.

They will next host Bendel Insurance at the Rashidi Yekini Main Bowl in Ilorin on Sunday as they look to build on the result in Kano.

NPFL: Kwara United coach upbeat after draw against Barau FC

Nigeria suffered a stunning 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their second fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

The Super Eagles travelled to Bissau looking to wrestle leadership of Group L.

But it was the hosts who took control of the game and went in front before the break.

Franculino Djú curled his effort past Stanley Nwabali before the Djurtus doubled their lead in the 66th minute of the match through Mama Baldé.

Álvaro Djaló added a third in stoppage time.

But what did we learn from this match?

1. Players and coaches had an off day: It was one of those days where both Eric Chelle and the Super Eagles had no answers. Chelle made a couple of mistakes both with tactics and personnel, the most obvious one being picking Taiwo Awoniyi to start the game. His substitutions reek of panic and did not change the momentum in any way. The two full-backs, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Bruno Onyemaechi, were incredibly poor. Wilfred Ndidi did a poor job in midfield, and there was no width.

2. No minnows in (African) football: It is not even a cliché. But you have to be at your absolute best to beat any team in football these days. Guinea-Bissau got full value for their effort. The three goals they scored were the minimum reward for their endeavour and industry. They now sit three points clear at the top of Group L.

3. Osimhen still the talisman: Chelle started the game in Bissau with Coventry City’s Taiwo Awoniyi leading the line, with Victor Osimhen still out injured. But he finished the game with both Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena. Yet, none of them were able to impact the match in a decisive way. It proves that Osimhen, for all his issues, remains the Super Eagles’ talisman.

4. Nigeria in real danger of missing out on next AFCON: After only two fixtures, the Super Eagles find themselves in a now-familiar position – fighting to qualify for tournaments. The defeat to Guinea-Bissau means they are already three points behind the leaders. The three-time African champions are now condemned to win all their remaining fixtures, especially since only one team will get a ticket from Group L.

2027 AFCONQ: 4 things we learnt as Guinea-Bissau thrash Super Eagles

The maiden South-East Zonal  Weightlifting Championship has ended in Umuahia, with the host State, Abia, winning 8 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medals to top the final medals table.

Imo State won 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze while Anambra State won 3 Silver and 1 Bronze; Ebonyi won 2 Silver and 2 Bronze while Enugu State occupied the bottom of the table with 3 Bronze medals.

The championship was used to discover new weightlifting champions for Abia and Nigeria, including Divine Emmanuel who won Gold in the 55kg category with a 155kg lift.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwaobilor Nwadinma Ananaba, praised the competing spirit of the athletes, saying that the competition exposed new stars.

Ananaba, who was represented by the Abia State Director of Sports, Obioma George, praised Governor Alex Otti for hosting the tournament and for procuring modern weightlifting equipment for the athletes.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, National Sports Commission, South-East zone, Chief Bernard Ezema, said the zone is reclaiming its lost place in the sporting sector.

Ezema noted that through regular engagement of youths in sporting activities, Abia State government is contributing to the peace in the South-East by dissuading them from deviant activities.

Speaking at the Indoor hall of Umuahia Township Stadium, a young weightlifter, Divine Emmanuel, said the Gold medal he won for Abia State would be a stepping stone to represent Abia and Nigeria at national and international sports events.

Abia wins eight gold medals to finish top as South-East Weightlifting Championship ends