Sports
2014 W/Cup: S’Eagles Stun Nigerians With Victory
As if waiting to be written off
and derided before showing their true colours, the Super Eagles as Nigeria on Saturday night forced many Nigerian football fans to eat their words and have a change of opinion over the chances at the ongoing FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.
After a pathetic opening day performance against upstarts, Iran in which the Nigerian team eked out a scoreless draw, most fans were quick to give up on the team. Despite initially tipping the African champions to join Argentina as qualifiers from Group F, the insipid display against Iran eroded the confidence of many Nigerians.
But, just like in South Africa, during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, the Eagles, after being scorned, raised their game in the second outing and piped the Edim Dzeko led Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0, even if it was with a huge slice of fortune to be in pole position for the second Group F ticket for the knock out stage.
The rejected stone, as it were, Osaze Odemwingie, it was he who scored the crucial winner to give Nigeria a chance and hope for a second round outing, the first since France 1998 world cup.
Now, the cumulative sins of coach Stephen Keshi and the Eagles, since the World Cup friendlies have taken a slight in the minds of the fans and the team super again, even if the signs of the team’s past frailties still remain visible.
Not a few Nigerians are now, as against the opening match feelings, expecting the Super Eagles to berth in the second round, even anticipating a victory or draw against Argentina and one Lionel Messi on Wednesday.
According to one football fan Josiah Asiedu, who said he reluctantly stayed up late to watch the match the Nigeria/Bosnia and Herzegovina game, “the Super Eagles surprised him with their improved performance”. He said that the players showed renewed purpose and spirit that apparently took the opponents by surprise and urged them to maintain the tempo in subsequent matches.
For Augustus Ajere, a businessman and ardent football fan, “The inclusion of Osaze Odemwingie from the onset and the new found pace of the Eagles lifted Nigeria over their opponents. The aggression and determination noticed in the players also contributed to the success”.
Though most of the fans spoken to by the Tidesports singled out Odenwingie, Emmanuel Emenike and particularly keeper Vincent Enyeama as the cornerstones of the team, they believed that the victory was as a result of a better team work.
Keshi was also advised to seek ways of improving the team’s tactical play, especially, build up play, target shooting and marking. The fans believe that with the new attitude in the team, Nigeria can withstand Argentina and even surprise themselves in the competition.
Nigeria will tackle Argentina While Iran locks horns with Bosina-Herzegovina on Wednesday in the last Group F matches. The Super Eagles need to avoid defeat or Iran fails to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina to be guaranteed passage to the round of 16.
Only Denmark, ranked 21st globally, sits higher among nations that failed to qualify for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
England and Chelsea legend John Terry was among those to voice his disappointment, describing Nigeria as a significant loss to a tournament that features 48 nations for the first time.
“Nigeria will be a big miss. This is a World Cup for participants who haven’t had the opportunity to play in the tournament. I would have loved to see a top team like Nigeria there because they’ve got some great individuals. They’re a great nation,” Terry said during a virtual roundtable session organised by SuperSport.
“I think they are a big miss because Nigeria probably would have gone further in the competition, but unfortunately, one side’s loss is another’s gain,” the former England captain added.
Eric Chelle’s side finished second in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers behind South Africa, who secured automatic qualification. Nigeria kept their hopes alive with a playoff semi-final victory over Gabon before falling to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in the decisive playoff final — their second successive absence from the World Cup after also missing the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The Nigeria Football Federation later challenged DR Congo’s qualification, alleging the use of ineligible players during the campaign, but the appeal was dismissed.
Despite missing the World Cup, the Super Eagles remain Africa’s 3rd highest-ranked team behind Morocco, who sit seventh in the world, and Senegal. Algeria and Egypt complete the continent’s top five.
Defending champions Argentina enter the tournament as the world’s top-ranked side, ahead of Spain, France, England and Portugal. Brazil are sixth, followed by Morocco, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be released on July 20, a day after the World Cup final.
Chima Akachukwu and Miracle Akhigbe are among the 16 notable stars picked by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for the forthcoming Namibia Tour, where the YellowGreens will compete in a T20 and 50-Over Tri-Series, featuring hosts Namibia and Hong Kong China.
Both players make their way back into the YellowGreens fold after periods away from the side and will be eager to contribute their experience and quality as Nigeria pursues success in Namibia.
The NCF said yesterday that the squad, which departs Nigeria today, forms part of the national team’s continued preparations for future international assignments as the YellowGreens seek to build on recent performances and strengthen their standing on the global stage.
Leading the squad is Captain Sulaimon Runsewe, who will spearhead Nigeria’s campaign against two formidable opponents in what promises to be a highly competitive series.
The selected squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talents, providing the technical crew an opportunity to assess player development and team combinations in both the T20 and 50-over formats.
The team will be led on tour by Coaches Leke Oyede and Tamuno John, who will oversee preparations and match operations during the opening phase of the series.
Joining the squad later in Namibia will be the newly appointed Head Coach and High Performance Manager, Stephen Magongo, whose arrival marks another significant step in the Federation’s commitment to strengthening the national team structure and enhancing player development pathways.
Supporting the coaching staff are Team Analyst Jamal Okechukwu, Strength and Conditioning Coach Seye Olympio, and Team Physiotherapist Timothy Adesomowo, forming a well-rounded technical crew focused on maximising player performance and welfare throughout the tour.
The NCF views the Namibia Tri-Series as an important platform for the continued growth of the national team, offering valuable international exposure and competitive match experience against quality opposition. The series will provide the players and technical crew with another opportunity to evaluate progress, fine-tune strategies, and build momentum ahead of future international competitions.
The YellowGreens will face Namibia and Hong Kong China in both T20 and 50-over contests, with the matches expected to test the team’s adaptability, discipline, and resilience in challenging conditions.
Blessing Otu on Monday overcame hard-fighting Kelvin Bebe- Emmanuella in two sets of 6-1, 6-3 to qualify for the second round of the women’s singles of the ongoing 47th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Championship, held at the Tennis Courts of the package “B” of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking after the round of 32 game, Otu, who will be 19 years old in September, said she capitalised on her opponent’s weaknesses to gain victory, having studied her game very well.
“Bebe is a very good and tough player. But I studied her game and did the job well.
“Although she tried to come back in the second set, I punctured all her tricks to win the match and move on. I wish I could continue like this in the rest of my games,” she said.
Another member of the Otu family, John Out, was also victorious as he defeated Mohammed Abdusalam 2-1 (6-2, 6-7, 6-1) in the men’s singles category to advance into the round of 32.
But the third Otu in the game, Thomas, was not that lucky as he lost by 6-0, 7-5 in two straight sets to Danjuma Isaac.
In other matches, Michael Emmanuel defeated Ibrahim Aminu to advance, while Drimiya Mevi outclassed Seyi Ogunsakin by beating him 2-1 (6-7, 6-3, 6-1). Action continues tomorrow when other top players, including the men’s singles top seed, Abua Cannice, join the chase for honours.