Sports
Disu Warns Rohr On Tactics Against Cameroun
Former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Tunde Disu, warned Super Eagles coach, Genort Rohr against wrong tactics against Cameroun in the Russia 2018 qualifiers on September 1.
Disu told newmen in Lagos that, the team’s tactical formation against South Africa in the AFCON qualifiers was wrong and should not be used again.
He said that the Eagles loss to Bafana Bafana in the AFCON qualifiers was due to wrong tactical formation, adding that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun would be more tactical.
“The formation used by Rohr during the AFCON qualifier against South Africa is wrong tactics. He cannot use a supporting striker as an arrow head when using 4-3-3.
“Rohr should know that Kelechi Iheanacho cannot spearhead attack, that is not his role and that is why he is roaming about during the match against South Africa without a shot at goal.
“I want them to sit down and analyse the match themselves, that system is faulty because most teams can now predict the formation. If we use that selection and tactics, we will be embarrassed.
“Rohr should align with the modern tactics of play rather than stick with the old play which will not benefit us. We are too predictable now.
Disu said that, the players at the disposal of Rohr were good enough to accommodate another formation which was less probable to opposing teams.
“We cannot continue to use the 4-3-3 formation, it’s outdated and counterproductive. We should rather play 4-2-3-1 which is far better for the defenders.
“The players determine the system and not the system that determines the players. It is better to have two defensive midfielders in front of the defenders, maybe if there is an overlapping one.
“Playing 4-3-2-1 formation also means that we need intimidating strikers like the late Rashidi Yekini to torment the opposing teams. We have Gbolahan Salami before but I don’t know if he is not called.
“The lone striker may be very tall and strong to hold the ball up as his midfielders while full-backs join him in attack. The striker could also be very fast.
“African soccer is more physical and there is need for us to have a strong striker in the manner of Salami that can torment the defence of our opponent,’’ he said.
Disu warned Rohr to be wary of Cameroun threat could pose to the Eagles’ qualification, adding that a loss to Indomitable Lions would close the qualification ticket.
“I want the coach to be careful with the Cameronians so that they will not scuttle our chances; any defeat to them closes the qualification ticket.
“It does not matter where we are now because we won’t be begging Cameroun to lose any of their games after defeating us.
“The Indomitable Lions are in form now and they are using the modern formation. Rohr needs to change that formation or else we will be out of contention.
“To beat those indomitable Lions, a very good top 9 will be a good option and not necessarily to score goals but to torment the defence line and maybe to create chances for others,’’ he said. Disu said that, other countries and clubs have been winning through the golden formation, noting that, countries that had yet to play the style were lagging behind.
Sports
CAF Postpones CHAN To August
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the postponement of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), originally scheduled for February 1, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, to August 2025.
The decision followed recommendations from CAF’s technical and infrastructure experts, who reported that more time is needed to bring the facilities in the host nations up to the required standards for a successful tournament.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, in a statement on yesterday, January 14, 2025, expressed appreciation to the presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda for their support.
He emphasised that the postponement is intended to ensure adequate planning and infrastructure readiness for the competition.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for their leadership, commitment and the good progress that has been made in building and upgrading the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for hosting a successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024.
“I am impressed with the ongoing construction and renovations of the football infrastructure and facilities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. I am confident that the stadiums, training fields, hotels, hospitals and other infrastructure and facilities will be at the requisite CAF standards for hosting, in August 2025, a very successful TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024″, he said.
However, the exact date for the completion was not disclosed but the CHAN 2024 Draw is scheduled for Wednesday 15 January, 2025 at the iconic Kenyatta International Conventional Centre, Nairobi.
Sports
Chelle Sure To Qualify For 2026 W’Cup
New Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has expressed his desire to lead Nigeria to the ‘pinnacle of world football’ starting with the ticket to the 2026 World Cup as he takes the reign of the three-time African champions.
Chelle was unveiled on Monday at a brief ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja by the Nigeria Football Federation, one week after his announcement as the 37th coach of the Super Eagles.
He was handed a two-year deal with an option to extend if he gets the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket.
Since his appointment last week, the NFF has constantly hammered the coach’s task of leading Nigeria to the tournament which will be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico despite the precarious situation of the Eagles in the qualifying series.
After four rounds of matches in the series, Nigeria are fifth in Group C with just three points having only drawn three and lost one.
To avert the danger of missing out on a consecutive FIFA World Cup, the Eagles must win all their six remaining matches in the group or even hope for favourable results in other ties – a task Chelle fronted at his unveiling.
Asked if he would take responsibility at the end of the qualifying campaign, the ex-Mali coach said, “If you want to be a great coach, you need to take some risks, you need to make some sacrifices.
“I want to be in the history. The first thing, I need to talk to the players. I will be a big brother. It is my prayer that we are going to the World Cup.
“I want to thank my agent, the NFF, the NSC and indeed all Nigerians for this big opportunity. Coaching the Super Eagles of Nigeria is an amazing job; I do not take this appointment for granted. I am elated and will do my utmost best.”
For most of the reactions that have trailed his appointment, the rallying point was his enterprising and attacking style with the Mali national team at the AFCON, which he emphasised he would be bringing to Nigeria.
“Football is about scoring goals, so I favour an attacking style. I know the expectations of Nigerians and I will settle down and work diligently with assistants towards the goal of qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The 47-year-old also relished his long-time dream of getting the Super Eagles job, having been a fan of the Nigerian national team in his boyhood.
“Nigeria’s team is more than a team. When I was young, this was my favourite team. I owned a shirt; I watched all the games at the World Cup in France. I was in Marseille and it was my team.
“From this very moment, I am already hard at work. My goal is clear: to restore the Super Eagles to the pinnacle of world football, where they truly belong. This will require hard work, discipline, and a strategy that is both ambitious and realistic. I will rely on the exceptional talent of our players, whether they play at home or abroad, and build a team that reflects the unity, strength, and excellence of Nigeria,” the coach added in a social media post.
Chelle, who took Mali’s Aiglons within breathing distance of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, left his job at top Algerian side MC Oran – 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists – to team up with the Super Eagles.
Sports
Gokana Chairmanship Cup Symbol Of Unity Peace – Chairman
Gokana Local Government Council, Chairman Hon. Monday Dumiye has said that 2024 Gokana Chairmanship Cup symbolises unity, peace and love for Gokana people.
Hon. Dumiye said this during the grand finale of the 2024 Gokana Chairmanship cup titled “Unity Cup” as the fourth edition of the Chairmanship Cup ended last Saturday at Kpor, the council headquarters.
He expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara for his tremendous support, most especially the peace Rivers people are enjoying including Gokana LGA.
He also applauded members of the local organising committee of the tournament and all those that contributed towards the success of the championship.
He hinted the huge crowd witnessed during the tournament shows peace has come to stay in Gokana,saying that it has been his intention to ensure that there is peace ,unity and togetherness among the people.
” Without peace we all know that there will be no meaningful development. I want to say that it is the first of its kind in the annals of the people to use the instrumentality of sports to develop talented Gokana youths.
“The mamoth crowd you are seeing here today shows our people have embraced peace. This is exactly what we intend to achieve uniting our people through sports.
On his part, former Super Eagles player and current coach of Rivers United, Finidi George, commended the Gokana Chairman for organising such a wonderful tournament for the youth.
He advised the chairman to form a formidable team from the tournament, admitting the unprecedented crowd that witnessed the championship shows that the chairman is on the right direction.
The Leader of the Simplified in Gokana, Hon. Friday Beema thanked the Chairman for his zeal to develop Gokana.
He also commended the Rivers Governor forgiving them well focused Chairman who reason like him.
The leader called on the people of the area to support Governor Fubara for the development of Gokana.
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