Sports
Ekong, Etebo Dedicate Iceland Win To Nigerians
Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong and midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo have both dedicated the country’s 2-0 victory over Iceland last Friday to Nigerians who supported the team.
The Super Eagles defeated Iceland 2-0 with a brace from Ahmed Musa who entered the record books as the first Nigerian to score in two different World Cup editions following his heroics against Argentina in 2014.
Ekong, who was on the pitch all through the 90 minutes of the game, took to his twitter handle at the weekend to dedicate the victory to Nigerians and look forward to their next Group D match.
“God is faithful all the time. This was for 180 million Nigerians. Onto the next one Tuesday. #Naija.”
Also, Super Eagles midfielder Etebo dedicated their impressive 2-0 win against Iceland toNigerians.
Etebo was in action for the Super Eagles who breathed life back into their World Cup campaign with the win against Iceland.
Etebo had the Super Eagles’ first attempt on target after he raced towards goal but saw his low shot well saved.
The Super Eagles eventually got their reward for their positive second half showing thanks to Ahmed Musa’s brace.
Commenting on the win, Etebo hailed his teammates for their impressive performance.
“Amazing feeling! Great team performance.
“That win was for the whole of Nigeria #SuperEagles,” the new Stoke City signing wrote on his verified Twitter handle.
Super Eagles will play their last Group D game against Argentina tomorrow in Saint Petersburg.
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.”