Martins Available For Eagles Opener

Published

15 years ago

January 7, 2010

Obafemi Martins will be available for Nigeria’s opening African Nations Cup game against Egypt on January, team officials have said.

Martins is scheduled to appear before a High Court Judge a day before the match to defend himself on charges of owing GBP300 000 to NVA management.

Team Media Coordinator Idah Peterside told KickOffNigeria.com that discussions had taken place and the Wolfsburg forward would be available.

“I dont want to say too much at this time, but what I can tell you is that we have discussed this, and Martins will be with us for our first game against Egypt,” Peterside said.

Pressed at to whether Martins would fly back immediately after the court appearance, or would skip it altogether, Peterside declined to go into details.

The case was first heard on November 19 last year, when NVA told Judge Richard Seymour QC that the former Newcastle star was ‘constantly overdrawn’ despite earning GBP75 000 a week.

Martins has disputed the claims but missed an earlier court appearance in order to help his new club Wolfsburg play in the UEFA Champions League.

The hearing was then rescheduled for January 11, and the player risks having judgement given against him if he, again, fails to appear before the judge.

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.”