Sports
Nigeria Will Not Accept Tainted Medals – FG
The Federal Government yesterday warned athletes to the London 2012 Olympics that it would not accept any medals won that are tainted by drugs.
President Goodluck Jonathan gave the warning in Lagos at the hand-over of “Team Nigeria’’ to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Jonathan, who was represented by Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, the Sports Minister, said though Nigerians expected the athletes to do the country proud, the government would not accept any medal won dubiously.
“I expect you to do us proud but we do not want any medal tainted by drugs,” he said.
The president added that the games were a great opportunity for the athletes to raise the profile of their sports to be better considered for subsequent championships.
“It is a great opportunity for you (athletes) to raise the profile of your sport so that it would no longer be treated as second fiddle,” he said.
Jonathan advised Nigerians to stop being concerned about not featuring in football at the Olympics and concentrate on how the other sports can succeed at the Games.
“We should stop being concerned about missing out in football because the sport cannot give the country more than one medal,” he said.
Also speaking on the occasion, NOC President Sani Ndanusa warned the athletes to shun acts capable of tarnishing the country’s image at the Games.
He particularly cautioned the athletes against taking performance enhancing drugs, noting that the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) were very strict about doping.
“The position of the IOC and WADA on the use of banned substances has become more stringent and pronounced through the deployment of high-tech scientific detectors.
“This has further narrowed the chances of escape for drug cheats. I will therefore enjoin all athletes to be wary of any medication that could endanger their chances at the games,” he said.
Ndanusa also appealed to the medical team to take proactive steps in monitoring the athletes’ nutrition and medication.
According to him, 30 athletes had qualified in Track and Field, three in boxing, one in Canoe Kayak, four table tennis players, two in Taekwondo, four wrestlers and two weightlifters.
The president also expressed optimism that the country’s Men Basketball team will qualify for the Games in their final qualification encounter in Venezuela.
He noted that seven Nigerian athletes were currently on IOC Olympics Scholarships and would participate in the Games.
“I am happy that some of our athletes are currently on IOC Olympics scholarships,” he said.
They are Blessing Okagbare, Ajoke Odumosu, Oluwatosin Oke, Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Jonathan Akinyemi, Chika Chukwumerije and Maryam Usman.
He wished Team Nigeria well and urged them to go for Gold, saying they can make it.
Team Nigeria departed Nigeria for London last night.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
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