Sports
Egypt FA May Sue S/African Newspaper
The Egypt Football Association (EFA) has threatened legal action against some South African newspapers over lurid allegations about the Pharaohs.
Three papers ran stories suggesting that the recent theft at Egypt’s team hotel happened when prostitutes hired by five players later took the money.
But the head of the EFA’s delegation at the Confederations Cup Mahmoud Taher says the reports are wide off the mark.
“We completely reject everything published in the papers,” Taher said.
“It is shameful, disgraceful and totally off-track.
“We are demanding an official apology from the newspapers that published all the false allegations. Otherwise, we are going for legal action.”
In South Africa to contest the Confederations Cup, the African champions are believed to have been playing, and beating Italy in Johannesburg at the time of the burglary.
The Egyptian delegation was so keen to address the issue it staged a hurriedly-improvised news conference shortly before departing South Africa last weekend.
The matter is now in the hands of Egypt’s ambassador in South Africa, whose World Cup CEO reserved praise for the North Africans.
“It’s an unfortunate incident but you leave this country with your integrity intact,” said Danny Jordaan.
“We hope to welcome you back next year for the World Cup.”
This weekend’s allegations were swiftly picked up in Egypt, where a vehement backlash against the players ensued – even from some of their partners.
“We come from a very religious country, our players are very religious, very disciplined and what was published has really hurt them back home,” Taher added.
“Due to our culture, the players have been subjected to terrible damage in Egypt and they’re in a very bad mood right now.”
The Egyptians have now been informed that four employees at the Protea Wanderers hotel are currently under investigation.
The hotel’s computerised system allows the police, who have possession of the building’s CCTV tapes, to know who went into each room and when.
The theft of some US$2,400 was discovered shortly after the Pharaohs returned to their hotel after humbling world champions Italy 1-0 at Ellis Park.
And the newspaper allegations were blamed, albeit alongside injuries and fatigue, for Egypt’s early exit from the tournament after losing 3-0 to the United States on the final group game.
“Unfortunately the players heard about it back home and it made a heavy impact,” explained Taher.
“We tried our best to get them out of this mood but the whole team is in a very bad psychological state because of what happened.”
The Egyptians were keen to stress their enjoyment of South Africa despite the incident.
“The 2010 World Cup will be an honour for all Africa not just South Africa,” said Taher.
“We’re here to support South Africa for 2010 and want to make everything easier, but unfortunately it went another way because of the press.”
A spokeswoman for the South African Police Service (SAPS) said they were investigating the case and would not release any details until the probe was concluded.
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.
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