Sports
CHAN: S’Eagles’ Comeback Thrills Nigerians
Nigerian football enthusi
asts at the weekend reacted with ecstacy to Super Eagles’ 4-3 defeat of the Atlas Lions of Morocco to qualify for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) semi-finals.
In separate interviews they hailed the team’s “unexpected victory’’ saying “the team virtually came back from the dead’’.
The Super Eagles had rallied from a 0-3 deficit at half-time to defeat Morocco 4-3 in extra time in their quarter-final match in Cape Town, South Africa.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State football Head coach, Tony Chuku described the performance as remarkable. He said that the Eagles demonstrated unremarkable spirit worthy of emulation and urged other Nigerian sportsmen to borrow a leaf from them.
In Lagos, a former Chief Coach of the Super Eagles,Paul Hamilton, said the team’s comeback into the game was simply “intriguing”.
“They started on a low note, but ended up well. I thank God they improved and won the match.
“They are now in a crucial stage and must be ruthless and tactical in the remaining matches. I commend the boys for their determination in not losing concentration when they were down,’’ he said.
Hamilton however called for more work to be done on the team’s goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim.
In Akure, the Director of Ondo State Football Agency, Mike Idoko, said the Eagles showed they have the character to win the championship.
The director said the match could be one of the best matches played in CHAN history.
“The game was one of the best games I have watched in CHAN so far.
“When the Eagles were three goals down, they never lost their cool, but continued to play with great determination to eventually win,’’ he said.
On his part, an ex-Eagles player, Mutiu Adepoju, said: “We could have lost the match. But I thank God that the boys were able to come back.’’
He, however, warned the team not to take such chances in future matches.
“Coach Stephen Keshi should not relent now. He needs to psyche up the boys, as they have entered a more crucial stage of the competition,’’ Adepoju said.
The Technical Adviser of Crown FC of Ogbomosho, Lawrence Akpokona, described the match as a nice performance.
“It was the raw test of a team’s strength and their ability to recover when they are down.
“The defence in the first half allowed the Atlas Lions space to operate, which gave them the edge in that half.
“But in their next match, I do know that the technical crew will improve on the lapses noticed today (Saturday). All in all, it was a good outing. Kudos to the team,’’ he said.
In Enugu, the Co-ordinator of the Enugu Pepsi Academy, Edwin Eze, said the victory was well-deserved.
“The boys used the first half to size up themselves and in the process made mistakes which they eventually corrected,’’ he said.
Eze, who is also the Director of Information, Enugu State Sports Ministry, said he was happy that one of his boys, Ejike Uzoenyi, made an impressive mark in the team.
Brian Brobbey scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Sunderland came from behind to beat Newcastle United in a thrilling Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park.
Newcastle had been on target for their first home victory in this fixture since 2010 when Anthony Gordon gave the hosts a ninth-minute lead.
Sunderland played out from the back but defender Luke O’Nien’s pass was intercepted by Nick Woltemade and he gave it to Gordon, who did the rest to score his 17th goal of the season.
The hosts almost made it 2-0 just before the break, but Sven Botman headed against the post following a cross from left-back Lewis Hall, one of five Newcastle players to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, another called up by Tuchel, did not get great distance on a punch, the ball was played back into the box, Brobbey chested it goalwards and Dan Burn cleared off the line, only for Chemsdine Talbi to fire in the rebound.
Noah Sadiki had a chance to put Sunderland ahead, only for him to shoot at Ramsdale.
Yet it did not prove costly as Brobbey scored the late winner, to the delight of the away fans, when he converted a rebound from close range after Ramsdale saved his first attempt.
The result gives Sunderland their first league double over Newcastle since 2014-15.
Rangers International technical adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu has credited his recent stint with the Super Eagles under head coach Eric Chelle as a major factor behind the club’s resurgence in the Nigeria Premier Football League title race, Tidesports source reports.
Speaking ahead of Rangers’ matchday 31 fixture against El Kanemi Warriors in Enugu, Ilechukwu said the experience gained at international level has significantly influenced his approach, particularly in the areas of intensity, discipline and overall team structure.
“Change is constant in life. After working closely with Eric Chelle, the mentality I got from him is not an easy one. The training sessions are super intense, about 80 per cent of what we do now is heavy training,” he said.
Ilechukwu maintained that the discipline and structure he adopted during his time with the national team have translated directly into improved performances at the club level.
“I think my return has had a positive impact defensively, offensively, everything. The preparation, the pep talks, the quality, it gives confidence. I came back with an advantage,” he said.
Rangers have enjoyed a remarkable run since his return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, losing just once in 11 matches, with six wins, four draws and seven clean sheets propelling them firmly into contention.
They currently sit second on the table with 50 points, just one behind leaders Rivers United, with eight matches remaining in the season.
Despite their strong position, Ilechukwu insisted his side will not be weighed down by pressure as the title race intensifies.
“There is no different message, we don’t want to be under pressure because of the league. We take it one game after the other, after this game we talk about the next one,” he said.
He added that his players possess the necessary qualities to compete at the highest level.
“They understand what it takes to win. They have the attitude, the capacity, the character, and they understand what we want. To me, we are always ready,” he said.
While acknowledging the strength of Rivers United, Ilechukwu maintained that the title race remains open heading into the final stretch of the campaign.
“They are the strongest team, but you never can tell what will happen. We are also strong. In the remaining games, we will fight more and stay at the top of our game but without pressure,” he said.
Having guided Rangers to the NPFL title in the 2023/24 season, Ilechukwu is now aiming to secure his second league crown in three years as the Enugu side continue their pursuit of the title.
Odegbami described CAF’s decision to overturn the Jan. 18 final result as “bizarre, condemnable and unjustifiable.”
As reported by Tidesports source on Saturday, he noted that Senegal were crowned champions and celebrated globally before the verdict was reversed on technical grounds.
“It is unheard of in football history. You cannot take away a trophy won on the pitch two months after,” he said.
Odegbami said the decision had sparked outrage among football fans and stakeholders worldwide.
“This judgment has shaken CAF’s credibility. It is not surprising the world is up in arms,” he added.
The ex-Nigerian Football Legend questioned the motive behind the decision, describing it as risky and unpopular.
“What could have driven such a decision that undermines the spirit of the game?” he asked.
Odegbami said although football regulations may not cover every situation, rare cases require wisdom.
“This AFCON case demands that rules and common sense must align,” he said.
He recalled that Senegal were crowned by CAF and FIFA officials before a global audience.
“Two months later, CAF delivered what I call a ‘poisoned verdict’ through its Appeals Committee,” he said.
Odegbami explained that Morocco’s protest, earlier dismissed, was later upheld on appeal.
“The decision to reverse a final match result is one of the most unpopular ever,” he said..
He said the rules on walkouts are clear but must be applied with context.
According to him, Senegal players walked off after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, staying away for 17 minutes.
“Ordinarily, that attracts forfeiture, but the referee allowed play to resume, which changed everything,” he said.
Odegbami noted that petitions can alter results but argued that the AFCON final was different.
“If this were a qualifier, nobody would question the CAF’s decision. But this was the final,” he said.
He stressed that the trophy had been awarded and celebrations concluded before the reversal.
“There was no room for post-match litigation in a final of this magnitude,” he said.
Odegbami maintained that the referee’s decision to restart play nullified the forfeiture clause.
“The match resumed, Morocco missed the penalty, Senegal scored and won fairly,” he said.
He insisted that CAF had no justification to overturn the result after recognising a winner.
“Punish any infractions if necessary, but do not tamper with a concluded final,” he said.
Odegbami urged CAF to review its regulations and restore Senegal as champions.
“For now, CAF should retrace its steps and return the trophy to Senegal,” he advised.