Sports
Football Fans Hail S’Eagles’ Performance
A cross-section of Abuja based football enthusiasts say the Super Eagles were outstanding against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya last Saturday in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Uyo.
The Tidesports source reports that Odion Ighalo scored a hat-trick as the Super Eagles defeated Libya 4-0 in their third Group E game of the 2019 AFCON Qualifiers.
Samuel Kalu added the fourth goal when he curled a shot past the goalkeeper after he received a pass from Henry Onyekuru in the game at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The result meant Nigeria picked up their second win in the group and now have six points, a point behind table-toppers South Africa who had earlier defeated Seychelles 6-0 on Saturday.
The Super Eagles return to action when they travel to Tunisia to face Libya in the reverse fixture on Tuesday.
The football enthusiasts who spoke to sports journalists after the game said the Eagles gave a good account of themselves at the end of a very crucial match.
They however urged the Eagles not to relent in their efforts and maintain the same form which they displayed in Uyo when they face Libya in Tunisia.
Segun Agbede, a sports pundit, said even though the first half was a bit shaky as both teams struggled to assert themselves, the Super Eagles were classy and dominant in the second half.
“It was a brilliant second half performance from the Super Eagles today, and I must admit I didn’t see this scoreline coming.
“This result will resound around Africa and send a strong message to all and sundry that the Eagles mean business,” he said.
Audu Yisa, a banker, who said he could not fault the performance of the Eagles, added that the match was supposed to be” a banana skin” for the team but surprisingly “ended like a roller-coaster”.
“It was an all-round performance by the Super Eagles today. Their exchange of passes was on point and the midfielders were so comfortable with the ball.
“Ighalo proved all his doubters wrong with a lovely hat-trick and Kalu’s goal was indeed a stunner as he justified his call-up to the national team.
“Surprisingly, nobody saw the huge scoreline coming, but it could have even be more scandalous for the Libyans if the Eagles had taken all the chances they created.
“We sincerely hope they can replicate the same performance when they play the second leg on Tuesday,”
Edafe Eseoghene, a businessman singled out stand-in team captain Ahmed Musa for praise.
“Musa’s performance today clearly showed that his decision to go to Saudi Arabia to ply his trade has not in any way diminished the value and quality of his play.
“What a first-time pass for Ighalo, the man on fire to make his first hat-trick for Nigeria!
“It sure must have been a great fun and excitement for the fans in Uyo as the Super Eagles were indeed ‘super’ today,” he said.
Biola Kazeem, a medical doctor, said he was happy with the feat achieved by Ighalo.
He pointed out that the forward had finally picked up form after a long and tough stint in his national team career.
“Very happy for Ighalo. He has had a very hard time in the Super Eagles but he has continued to carry on.
“I am glad he got his reward today and now has a platform to really take off. A firing Ighalo is a big asset to us because he offers so much even without scoring,” Kazeem said.
Reports have it that Ighalo, with his performance on Saturday, became the 10th player to score a hat-trick for Nigeria.
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.
-
News4 days agoHYPREP Moves To Complete Ongoing Projects This Year
-
Rivers4 days ago
Don Urges Govt To Be Impartial In Tackling Crisis
-
Politics3 days agoEaster: Ex-Federal Lawmaker Urges Reflection, Unity, Constitutionality
-
News4 days agoDeath toll rises to 56 in Benue attacks
-
Education3 days agoKaduna Cuts Tertiary Tuition Fees By 50%
-
News4 days agoGunmen Abduct Six Travellers In Kwara
-
News4 days agoWE’LL ENSURE SONGHAI FARMS BECOMES FUNCTIONAL SOON -IBAS
-
Politics3 days agoEmbrace Christ’s Teachings, Dep Speaker Tasks Citizens At Easter