Sports

Qatar 2022 W/Cup: S’Eagles Fall Short

Published

3 years ago

March 30, 2022

The Super Eagles last night at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja added to the frustration and disappointment of Nigerians, especially football fans as they came short in their quest to secure one of the tickets to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup scheduled to hold later this year. The Eagles, under the tutelage of Augustine Eguavoen lost out to perennial rivals, Black stars of Ghana 1-1 aggregate on away goal rule. The first leg had ended scoreless four days before in Kumasi, Ghana.
It was a huge blow to the expectations of many Nigerians who were already looking forward to seeing the nation fly her flag in Qatar among other top footballing nations in the Asian country. Indeed, the Super Eagles have themselves to blame for their inability to scale the Ghanaian hurdle. The match in Abuja was delicately poised after a barren draw in the first encounter and coach Eguavoen and his lieutenants knew what was at stake and exactly what to do to berth in Qatar.
However, a vapid and lethargic team performance played into the hands of the Black Stars as they out foxed a disjointed and lackadaisical Eagles team. Interestingly, the Nigerian team got all they asked and wished for the game as Nigerians turned out in their numbers to support them. The Federal Government even had to declare a half day holiday and tickets were purchased and distributed to people to ensure that the stadium had the desired atmosphere. But the team failed to keep its own side of the bargain.
The Super Eagles had come off the starting blocks in a blast, giving a false sense of hope that they were in mood for business only to fizzle out even before the game took shape. Barely 11 minutes into the game, another keeper howler gifted the Black Stars the lead and precious away goal as Francis Uzoho allowed Thomas Partey’s shot from the edge of the box to beat him. Though the lead lasted for 10 minutes before Skipper William Troost Ekong pulled the Eagles level from the spot via the VAR penalty decision, the Super Eagles only flattered to deceive from then on.
It was indeed a display that lacked cohesion, urgency, leadership, strategy, tact and technique from the players and bench of Nigeria. Even a raft of substitutions failed to change the tide and eventual outcome with the Ghanaians digging in to secure what they have. In their defensive setup, the Black Stars were a far better sight to behold when they attacked and showed that they were a unit that wanted the game more.
In the end, the Super Eagles and indeed Nigerians would rue the missed opportunity to be at the 2022 world cup and what might have been. Again, the performance and not necessarily the result has exposed the deficiency of the country’s bench and other missing ingredients the national team needs to weave a formidable unit, despite abundance of talent.
Elswhere, Mohammed Salah and Egypt will join Nigeria to watch the 2022 world football fiesta on television after Senegal once again proved too difficult for them. Sadio Mane netted the decisive penalty in the shootout as African champions Senegal defeated Egypt 3-1 on penalties following a 1-0 victory in Dakar and a 1-1 draw on aggregate, to reach their third World Cup finals.
Just over three weeks after netting the winning spotkick as the Teranga Lions defeated the Pharaohs on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Yaounde to win their first continental crown, Mane sent Senegal to Qatar, with Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah missing his penalty in the shootout.
As at press time, it was looking good for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who was leading Algeria 1-0 to be at 1-1 aggregate.

Sports

CAF Postpones CHAN To August

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

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

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

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

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2025

The Tide

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.