Sports

Administrators Urge Eagles To Be Wary Of South Africa’s Strikers

Published

7 years ago

July 10, 2019

Some football administrators have advised the Super Eagles of Nigeria to be wary of tricky strikers of South Africa in their quarterfinal encounter at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cairo, Egypt.
The Super Eagles will today, July 10, battle Bafana Bafana of South Africa, in the quarterfinal match by 8 p.m. Nigerian time.
Some of the administrators, who spoke with newsmen in Enugu, yesterday said that the coach and players could only underrate their opponents to their own detriment.
Adewale also the proprietor and administrator of Purple Krown Academy, Uwani said that the Eagles should learn from what happened to Egypt’s national team.
“The Pharaohs underrated the Bafana Bafana and they were given the shock of their life.
“I always say it that football is all about scoring goals and it showed itself in the game between Mali and Ivory Coast on Monday.
“You saw what happened on Monday, as Eagles of Mali outplayed Elephants of Ivory Coast but the Elephants won.
“Mali created lots of chances but lost because what matters in a match is not how many chances created but how many converted,” he said.
He said that with zeal, determination and less error, the Super Eagles would fly pass South Africa.
He advised the players to do away with past glories over their Wednesday’s opponents.
Lofty Uchenna, coach of Golden Stars Football Club of Emene said that the Super Eagles would beat South Africa, judging by their last match in the ongoing tournament.
He called on Gernot Rohr, coach of the Super Eagles, to work more on his defence to ensure they did not concede goals against the tricky South Africans.
“Eagles line-up against Cameroun was good but Eagles should avoid committing errors because I believe that the strikers have started delivering,” he said.
Uchenna urged the coach to accept any criticism as part of the game and face his job squarely.
Anistar Izuikem, Coach of Star Plus FC of Ngwo, Enugu, called on the players to put more efforts in the match so as to make millions of Nigerians happy after the match.
“These players are professionals and they have to psyche themselves up whenever they are down and at the moment, I believe they should be brimming in confidence.
“Respect the South Africans but be mindful of where you’re going because, to be champions, you must outwit the champions and the expectants.
“Your have three matches to be champions and you have crossed the first hurdle, your destiny is in your hands,” he said.
Henry Akosa, Secretary to Grassroots Football Managers Association in Enugu, said that only Eagles could stop themselves in the ongoing AFCON.
“Eagles have shown the world that they still remain a force to be reckoned with in African Football, with their recent victory over the AFCON defending champions.
“Now that they have shown the champions the exit door, they too need to play as the champions, because other teams with be wary of them.
“Rohr should henceforth play his best legs; starting from Bafana Bafana game; because only the best will be enough,” Akosa said.
He said that the remaining teams in the AFCON are capable of winning the trophy and called on the players to take the game one after the other.

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.