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

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.
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CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials, depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo.
The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.
This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.
He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm.
According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.
“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.
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FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.
Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.
Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.
Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.
The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.
Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.
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