Sports

Obasi In, Eneramo Out For Eagles

Published

15 years ago

January 7, 2010

Esperance striker Michael Eneramo has been removed from Nigeria’s African Nations Cup final list of 23 and substituted with Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi.

Nigeria, without any pre-tournament camping, sent in their list of 23 before the January 1 deadline to avoid paying a $10,000 penalty. Eneramo’s name was on that initial list, along with Wolfsburg forward Obafemi Martins, whose fitness was a source of doubt.

But team Media Officer Idah Peterside told Tidesports’ source that Martins proved his fitness in training with the squad, and a decision was made to keep the impressive Obasi.

“We had to send in our list before the deadline to avoid paying a fine. But the rules allow us to make a substitution before the final tournament kicks off.

“So after the few days of training here, the technical crew decided to include Obasi in the list. We wrote to CAF asking for permission to make a substitution, and they have just written back to us giving the go-ahead.

“So Eneramo has been dropped and Obasi will take his place,” Peterside said.

Eneramo scored for Nigeria against Republic of Ireland in an international friendly in London in May, 2009 and also Nigeria’s second goal against Tunisia in a crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier in Abuja in September.

Sports

Ogba, Others Endorse Niger Delta Sports Festival

Published

4 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”

Sports

Onyedika Not Sure For Super Eagles W’C Qualifiers

Published

4 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Sports

‘I Must Win Trophy Before Retirement’

Published

4 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”