Sports
Super Eagles Will Fly High Again – Siasia
New Super Eagles’ head coach Samson Siasia has promised to bring about a new Super Eagles team that would satisfy the yearnings of all Nigerians.
Speaking after being unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the coach to take full charge of the team, Siasia said he was going to work hard to weave a new team.
“I promise to do everything humanly possible to make sure the Super Eagles fly. This Super Eagles must fly again,’’ he said.
Siasia was officially presented as the new Eagles head coach at an unveiling ceremony held at the Abuja National Stadium.
The former Eagles’ striker, however, urged Nigerian football stakeholders against undue optimism about the team, saying the team’s success was a collective responsibility.
“It is now no longer a matter of whether we are sure Siasia is the right coach for the team, he has been appointed and he is now the coach. The issue is that we all have to work.
“We have to work for the team and Nigeria to succeed, and if we don’t succeed, it is not going to be Siasia alone, but Nigeria as a whole,’’ he said.
Siasia acknowledged the overwhelming support of Nigerians he received on the way to being appointed, and said he was grateful to all.
“I just want to thank God for all this, and many others, especially all the players along the way, because I won’t have been here without all your support.
“This has taken so long. It has been dragging for too long, but today I am grateful to God for allowing this day to come, and I thank all Nigerians for all their belief, support and prayers,’’ he said.
Speaking earlier on the occasion, Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Isa Bio, had praised the NFF for expediting action on the issue of appointing a head coach for the Super Eagles.
“We at the NSC are very pleased with what the NFF is doing, and the way they have sped up action on appointing a coach for the Eagles, and I see Siasia enjoying a good relationship with the federation,’’ he said.
Bio, who was represented by the NSC Director-General, Dr Patrick Ekeji, remarked that Siasia’s appointment was well deserved based on his pedigree and achievements.
“He deserves it based on what we all know, having brought up good teams that culminated in our outing at the Beijing Olympics in China in 2008, and it is just logical that he should handle same players at the senior team.
“But God’s time is always the best, and it is Providence that has made it this way,’’ he said.
While presenting Siasia, NFF President Aminu Maigari had said the coach’s appointment was a way of delivering on a promise.
“We gave a promise to Nigerians on this a few months ago when we came in, and this explains the speedy manner in getting a coach for the Eagles. It is an indication of our desire to uplift our football,’’ he said.
Maigari said the NFF had found Siasia to be competent and desirous of leading the team to greater heights, and promised him a free hand to operate.
“His duties have been well captured in the contract papers he is signing today, and we won’t be disclosing the details because of the confidentiality clause in it.
“But it is a four-year contract renewable upon satisfactory performances. It is performance-based, and Siasia has the liberty of picking his immediate assistant, while the NFF will pick the other backroom staff,’’ he said.
Maigari, however, told Siasia on the need to “hit the ground running’’ because of the enormity of his assignment.
“You must hit the ground running, as both the NFF and the generality of Nigerians want immediate results. Your choice is good and beautiful, especially as it is the choice of most Nigerians.
“I, however, appeal to all Nigerians to give Siasia all the desired support for him to perform. We have confidence that he can do it, but he still needs the support of all to do that,’’ he said.
Siasia’s appointment took effect from December 1.
Sports
Nigeria To Host Commonwealth Fencing Championships
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
Sports
Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
Sports
Eagles To Open 2026 For Unity Cup
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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