Eaglets Played To Impress Agents – Coach

Published

16 years ago

November 20, 2009

Golden Eaglets coach, John Obuh says his players threw their original game plan to the winds and instead played to impress agents in the Final.

Nigeria lost 0-1 to Switzerland in the Final, and Obuh admitted that although his players were unlucky, they also contributed to the problem in some ways.

“One of the problems we had is that some of the players were trying to play to impress certain agents,” he said.

“I did as much as possible to psyche them up to know that this was the most important game of the tournament and it would not be good for us to come all this way and fall at the final step.

Nigeria were all over the Swiss in the opening period, and could have been up by at least two goals before the break.

As the game wound down, and trailing by a goal, the Eaglets hit the post twice and forced some cracking saves from the Swiss goalkeeper, and Obuh also pointed to hard luck.

“On a good day, we should have won this match. We had chances, we hit the bar and we played well. One of my substitutes was the one that came on and hit the bar.

“That is why I say, as far as I am concerned, this is what is destined to happen. I don’t have any regrets, I always remain positive no matter what happens.”

He also explained that his decision to start Sani Emmanuel, usually a substitute, was informed by injury to Omoh Ojabu.

“Yesterday, at our last training session, one of my players, who is supposed to start, had a muscle tear and it happened at the last minute.

“This was his (Sani’s) chance to come and start, and he had opportunities but maybe he was distracted by the thought of winning the top scorer award and he didn’t do what he was supposed to do”.

FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).

The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.

The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.

He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.

Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.

” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.

“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.

“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.

The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions

Published

9 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The annual NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup 2025 edition draw its curtains closed last Saturday, with Obagi Community defeated hard fighting Akabta community 1-0, to lift the trophy.

The final which was held at Obite Civic Centre (field) saw Chiefs, community leaders, youths, including the Total Energies JV Asset Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Cassasoles and people from all works of life in attendance.

Speaking at the event Mr. Cassasoles revealed that three best players in previous tournaments have been sponsored into a football academy within Nigeria.

He stated that all participants are winners, as he reiterated that the tournament is aimed at promoting peace, cooperation among host communities.

He expressed gratitude for the peaceful organisation and conduct of both officials and players during the final of NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup for 2025.

On his part the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee(COC), Mr. Saheed Ogunsanya said Ubeta and Ubio will not be participating in the next edition as they violated rules of the tournament.

Ogunsanya praised all the teams for their sportsmanship, stressing that this year edition was a success hence it maintained age grade of under 18 years.

He disclosed that two players have been picked from the tournament and they will be sent to football academy, while underscoring importance of the event to sports and youth development in the host communities.

This is the first time Obagi Community emerged champions of the competition since its commencement 22 years, as 18 communities participated in tis years edition.

At the end of the competition Obinna Godstime, emerged the highest scorer with 11 goals and Most Valuable Player( MVP) of the tournament.

while Michael Charles, from Obobru community became best goalkeeper of the tournament

Sports

Forest Embarrass Liverpool At Anfield

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.

Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.

Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.

Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.

Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.

It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.

Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.