The News Merchants, the News Agency of Nigeria team featuring in the ongoing Lagos State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria football tournament, on Tuesday walked over SuperSports to advance in the competition.
A total of 18 media organisations are featuring in the yearly competition, sponsored this year by Winners Golden Bet, a sports betting outfit.
NAN have now recorded six points from three matches, having on Monday lost their first match 0-2 to the Voice of Nigeria and won their second match 1-0 against the Fedral Radio Corporation of Nigeria.
Victory over New Telegraph Newspapers in their final group match on Wednesday will see the team reach their first-ever quarter-finals of the competition, which is now in its fourth edition.
Meanwhile, Joe Bankole, the Head of NAN’s Lagos Office, who addressed the team at the match venue, urged the players to strive hard and beat their next opponents.
Bankole said: “I am delighted with the progress you have made so far.
“It is indeed commendable, but you must continue in this spirit as you engage your next opponents.
“I have also seen the New Telegraph’s game.
“They are quite coordinated, but I am confident you can do it with hard work and earn progress to the next stage of the competition.”
Bankole also predicted a 2-1 victory for the News Merchants over the New Telegraph on Wednesday.
He commended other participants in the competition, noting that all participating sports writers were full of positive energy to do well for their respective teams.
He said: “I can see a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the sports writers to do well for their respective teams.
“Indeed, each team has the capacity to carry the day.
“The competition itself brings the whole media houses together as a family and also to interact as friends.”
In other matches, defending champions, SportsVision, continued with their fine form as they defeated Goal.com 3-0 to earn their second victory.
Unilag FM also recorded their second victory with a 1-0 victory over Inspiration FM, while NTA thrashed The Sun Newspapers 4-1 to also earn their second victory.
Television Continental were forced to a scoreless draw by Kool FM, while New Fans Zone also managed a scoreless draw against Top Radio.
The competition, organised annually by the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, features sports writing celebrities, editors and reporters.
NAN.
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