Sports
Eaglets Beat Diamond Zebra 3-0
Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, performed his first official assignment after returning to the country last Friday when he took the kick-off in an international friendly match between the Golden Eaglets and their Botswana counterparts last Saturday. The Eaglets beat their opponents 3-0.
Imoke, who was the Special Guest of Honour in the match played at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, at about 4.10pm, spotted a white face cap, a navy blue suit, a check shirt, a pair of black shoes and black belt to match, looked quite hale and hearty.
The Governor, who spotted a grey beard (goatee), was accompanied by his wife, Obioma, and the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr Patrick Ugbe.
The governor was later joined in the first half of the match by his deputy, Mr Efiok Cobham, Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, Rep. Essien Ayi and members of the state executive council.
Imoke was also joined in the state box by Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State.
Eaglets won the match by 3-0 in the first half through a brace from Taiye Awoniyi and a goal from Ifeanyi Matthew.
The two teams are expected to meet again today for the second leg of the friendly in Calabar.
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.”
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.
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.”