Sports
‘Super Eagles’ll Subdue Kenya In Nairobi’
Despite threats that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will see ‘hell’ when they visit Nairobi for the second leg of the Group F African qualifier for Brazil 2014 World Cup, the President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Malam Aminu Maigari has declared that Nigeria will overcome Kenya in the return leg.
The Harambee Stars of Kenya were forced to a 1-1 draw by the Super Eagles in Calabar at the weekend and the Kenyans said they were robbed of victory by the amount of added time played by the referee.
But Maigari has said that the Kenyans would see the true Super Eagles when both teams clash again. He said that the Eagles were desperate to be at the 2014 World Cup and will go all out to redeem themselves in Nairobi.
According to him, the Super Eagles may have been weighed down by the celebrations of becoming African Champions in South Africa few weeks ago.
Besides, Kenya came to Calabar to frustrate Eagles with defensive game and would be under pressure to score when they host Nigeria.
One of Super Eagles coaches, Sylvanus Okpalla MON, on his part believed that the Eagles were over confident and apparently understated the Kenyans.
He however, said that the bottom line for the Eagles is to be in Brazil in 2014 and must ensure that they pick up the necessary points to ensure their qualification.
Meanwhile, Vice President of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Chief Mike Umeh, said yesterday that Super Eagles had chances of qualifying for the World Cup in spite of the home draw with Kenya.
Umeh told newsmen in Calabar that Nigeria was still topping its group and had chances of winning more matches.
He said the Eagles did not raise their game against Kenya and that made them to pay dearly for equalising in the last minute of the encounter.
Umeh urged the Eagles to be focused in the return match as they could win the match
‘’ It is okay. Football is not mathematics. When we go to Kenya too, they will be playing under pressure and we will take up the game.
‘’ There is no hell, I mean, it is eleven to eleven man’s game , so promising hell on earth , that is, we should write that one off, Nigeria is too matured for that kind of threat.
‘’ Well, we are still topping the table. We have five points now and we are still topping the table.
‘’ The implication is that we are still on top. All hopes are not lost. ’’
Umeh said he was optimistic that the Eagles would turn the table against the Kenyans in Nairobi despite the home draw.
He said the Kenyans would be playing under pressure at home and would be forced to open up, a situation, he said, would make the Eagles to also attack them.
The NFA vice president urged the Eagles to adopt same attitude and pattern they used during the nations cup for their remaining matches.
‘’ I believe that with the right attitude, we will win some matches. ’’
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Oyo State is set to return to the continental football spotlight as it prepares to host Nigeria’s Falconets in a crucial 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal’s Lioness of Teranga.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government said the state was selected for the fixture following its successful hosting of a previous Falconets’ qualifier, further underlining its growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
In a statement on Monday Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, confirmed that preparations were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free match. She said the choice of Oyo State as host was a reflection of confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure, organisational competence and security architecture.
She recalled the emphatic victory recorded by the Falconets against Rwanda at the same venue last year, describing the match as a testament to the state’s readiness to stage major sporting events.
“The successful hosting of the Falconets against Rwanda showcased Oyo State’s world-class facilities and our capacity to organise international fixtures that meet global standards,” Adegoke said. “The Lekan Salami Stadium has continued to serve as a fortress for our national teams, and we are confident the Falconets will once again make the nation proud.”
Adegoke also disclosed that the Falconets are expected to arrive in Ibadan today ahead of the qualifier, to allow ample time for acclimatisation and final preparations. She added that the team would enjoy full logistical support from the state throughout their stay.
The Falconets, who reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Japan 14 years ago, will go into the last round of the qualifying series if they win this encounter, to confront the winner of the Guinea-Bissau/Malawi fixture, for one of Africa’s four tickets at the final tournament.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland, from September 5 to 27, 2026.
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