Sports
Fans Urge S’ Eagles To Be Focused …Celebrate Victory
Football fans across the
country, celebrating the home-based Super Eagles’ victory against their Republic of Niger counterparts at the ongoing Championship for African Nations (CHAN) have urged them to remain focussed.
Tidesports reports that the Eagles on Monday in their opening group game, defeated the Mena of Niger 4-1 at the Stade de Kigali Stadium, Rwanda.
The fans also appealed to the Eagles not to be complacent but to concentrate on their remaining matches for them to triumph in the tournament.
In Ebonyi, the fans hailed the precision with which the home-based Eagles ‘annihilated’ Niger Republic, saying they won because of the coach’s tactical analysis of the match after the first half.
They also attributed the victory of the Nigerian boys to the players’ adherence to the instructions of their coach.
Chief Nicodemus Omenka, a former Ebonyi Commissioner for Sports, commended the team for its precision in all departments of the match, especially in the second half.
“The players showed utmost desire to win which reflected in the way they ‘annihilated’ Niger, especially in the second half.
“I could not agree less with the Supersports Television Network commentator, who remarked that Nigeria is a country blessed with immense footballing talents,’’ he said.
Harrison Obasi, Coach of Amateur League side, Ebonyi United FC, also praised Coach Sunday Oliseh for his tactical dexterity, noting that he analysed the first half efficiently.
“Oliseh realised that the Nigerien defenders always play the Nigerian strikers offside in the first half because they relied on long passes from the defence and midfield.
“He then deployed tactics where the passes came from the wings and on the ground from the midfield, this made the linesman get tired of ‘blowing’ for offside,” he said.
Palmer Iyanwa, a player of Defunct Anambra State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ASESA) Warriors, expressed joy over the hat-trick and heroic contributions of Chisom Chikatara in the match.
“Chikatara showed that his consistent form for Abia Warriors was no fluke as he painted a positive picture of the talents which abound in the Nigerian league.
“He ensured that Oliseh’s second half tactics worked by meandering through the Nigerien defence which checked their offside tactics and also positioned him effectively for goals,’’ he said.
Mr Elvis Ikwu, a Dentist, however warned the Eagles against complacency in their subsequent matches, especially against teams such as Tunisia with an “imposing domestic football’’ pedigree.
“This is the team’s first match and it will meet more established teams than Niger on their way to clinching the ultimate victory.
“The players should approach subsequent matches with utmost seriousness as they are presently the target of all teams in the competition,’’ he said.
Mrs Nnenna Mgbada, a civil servant, called on Nigerians to continue praying for the team, adding that the Nigerian team had a long way toward achieving its goal.
“The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), should ensure that the players are well motivated to ensure total concentration all through the competition,’’ she said.
In Okitipupa, Ondo State, the fans told NAN that the victory was a sign that the Eagles have bounced back to their winning ways.
Coach Samson Unuanel of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, who commended the Eagles victory, said that they have put smiles on the faces of football fans across the country.
“I think the Eagles are back on their winning ways and if they can continue like this, they will go far in the championship,’’ he said.
From Jos, Coach Gbenga Ogunbote of Giwa FC, advised the national team players to intensify their fighting spirit to win other matches.
“I think they have performed well, but they should sustain the fighting spirit for them to be victorious in subsequent matches,’’ Ogunbote said.
Michael Akintunde, a sports presenter, hailed the Eagles technical and coaching crew for excellent jobs.
He urged the team to always play to instructions to win other matches.
“I think the technical crew has done a very good job; I only wish the players will continue to play to instructions in other matches,’’ Akintunde said.
Another sports analyst, Oluwatoyin Olafusi, said that the team should not be carried away by the euphoria of the victory but should concentrate more on other matches ahead.
Tidesports gathered that the Eagles’ second half goals from Osas Okoro and a hat-trick from Abia Warriors of Umuahia scoring sensation, Chisom Chikatara left the Nigeriens without a point from the encounter.
The Tidesports source further reports that the Eagles will play their second match against Tunisia on Friday.
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”.