Sports

Okocha, Finidi To Help Eagles Youngsters

Published

14 years ago

February 15, 2011

Former Internationals Austin Okocha and Finidi George will be drafted to help fine-tune the abilities of Joel Obi and Ahmed Musa, according to the NFF.

Obi and Musa were the shining lights to emerge from last week’s international friendly against Sierra Leone, and NFF executive committee member Christopher Green admitted that while the players had plenty of natural talent and potentials there were still raw edges to their games.

“Everyone could see that these two young men are very talented, but they are still not the finished article’, Green told newsmen.

“Musa still needs to make good crosses into the box and we need to ensure that Joel improves on his free-kicks.

“Our plan is to talk to Austin Okocha and Finidi George to see how they can help these players improve those parts of their game.

“Okocha can help Joel work on his free-kick and other set-pieces, and Finidi can help Musa to know when to make a cross and also how to make a good cross.

‘These are two people who were among the best in the world and if they can impart some of what they have to these young men. I am sure our team will be better for it’.

Sports

Ogba, Others Endorse Niger Delta Sports Festival

Published

14 hours 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

14 hours 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

14 hours 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.”