Egypt FA May Sue S/African Newspaper

Published

16 years ago

June 30, 2009

The Egypt Football Association (EFA) has threatened legal action against some South African newspapers over lurid allegations about the Pharaohs.

Three papers ran stories suggesting that the recent theft at Egypt’s team hotel happened when prostitutes hired by five players later took the money.

But the head of the EFA’s delegation at the Confederations Cup Mahmoud Taher says the reports are wide off the mark.

“We completely reject everything published in the papers,” Taher said.

“It is shameful, disgraceful and totally off-track.

“We are demanding an official apology from the newspapers that published all the false allegations. Otherwise, we are going for legal action.”

In South Africa to contest the Confederations Cup, the African champions are believed to have been playing, and beating Italy in Johannesburg at the time of the burglary.

The Egyptian delegation was so keen to address the issue it staged a hurriedly-improvised news conference shortly before departing South Africa last weekend.

The matter is now in the hands of Egypt’s ambassador in South Africa, whose World Cup CEO reserved praise for the North Africans.

“It’s an unfortunate incident but you leave this country with your integrity intact,” said Danny Jordaan.

“We hope to welcome you back next year for the World Cup.”

This weekend’s allegations were swiftly picked up in Egypt, where a vehement backlash against the players ensued – even from some of their partners.

“We come from a very religious country, our players are very religious, very disciplined and what was published has really hurt them back home,” Taher added.

“Due to our culture, the players have been subjected to terrible damage in Egypt and they’re in a very bad mood right now.”

The Egyptians have now been informed that four employees at the Protea Wanderers hotel are currently under investigation.

The hotel’s computerised system allows the police, who have possession of the building’s CCTV tapes, to know who went into each room and when.

The theft of some US$2,400 was discovered shortly after the Pharaohs returned to their hotel after humbling world champions Italy 1-0 at Ellis Park.

And the newspaper allegations were blamed, albeit alongside injuries and fatigue, for Egypt’s early exit from the tournament after losing 3-0 to the United States on the final group game.

“Unfortunately the players heard about it back home and it made a heavy impact,” explained Taher.

“We tried our best to get them out of this mood but the whole team is in a very bad psychological state because of what happened.”

The Egyptians were keen to stress their enjoyment of South Africa despite the incident.

“The 2010 World Cup will be an honour for all Africa not just South Africa,” said Taher.

“We’re here to support South Africa for 2010 and want to make everything easier, but unfortunately it went another way because of the press.”

A spokeswoman for the South African Police Service (SAPS) said they were investigating the case and would not release any details until the probe was concluded.

NYG:154 Nasarawa Contingent Storms Kwara For Zonal Eliminations

Published

2 weeks ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

It’s no retreat, no surrender for Team Nasarawa as a 154-man contingent has landed in Ilorin, Kwara State, for the North Central Zonal Eliminations of the 9th National Youth Games.

The delegation, made up of athletes, coaches, sports secretaries, medical and media crew, security operatives, and top officials, left Lafia on Saturday and touched down in Ilorin with high hopes of conquering their zone.

Team Nasarawa will slug it out in five major sports—football, basketball, handball, volleyball, and hockey—against rivals from Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, and the FCT. The qualifiers are held from August 16 to 18, 2025, at the Kwara State Stadium, with the team departing on the 19th.

Director of Sports Organising, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Ubah Musa, who is leading the delegation, said the team is fired up to make the state proud.

“Our boys and girls are ready. They know what is at stake, and they will give everything to qualify for Asaba. The expectations are high from our governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, and from the good people of Nasarawa State. We won’t disappoint,” Musa assured.

Winners from the zonal eliminations will fly the North Central flag at the National Youth Games proper, scheduled for August 26 to September 6 in Asaba, Delta State. All 36 states and the FCT will compete.

Since its inception in 2013, Team Nasarawa has never missed an edition of the Games, and this year, they say it’s “all or nothing.”

Sports

Nigeria delegation Visits London over 2030 Commonwealth bid

Published

2 weeks ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria has stepped up its push to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games with a high-level meeting in London between officials of the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, and the Commonwealth Games Federation.

According to a press statement made available to Sunday PUNCH, the delegation, led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, met CGF executives to discuss Nigeria’s expression of interest, submitted earlier this year, and to review the next stage of the bidding process.

The team also included NSC Director-General Bukola Olapade, NOC President and International Olympic Committee executive member Habu Gumel, NOC Vice-President Solomon Ogba, and Secretary-General Tunde Popola, alongside technical experts and advisors.

Talks in London centred on the country’s objectives for staging the Games, as well as requirements for the final bid.

According to the NSC, issues discussed included the Code of Conduct for candidate cities, communication protocols, timelines, and the expectations of the federation.

The CGF has recently introduced new measures aimed at making the event more sustainable and affordable for hosts. Nigerian officials said the meeting was an opportunity to align the country’s vision with those reforms.

Highlighting the domestic context, the NSC said the delegation presented the reforms underway in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu, which places hosting major sporting events at the centre of national economic and cultural development.

“The NSC believes hosting the Commonwealth Games will deliver immense value to Nigeria,” the commission said, stressing that the event would contribute to wealth creation “across sports, diplomacy, economy, culture, and social development.”

Nigeria is now expected to prepare its final submission before the August 31 deadline.

Officials said the document would be forwarded subject to presidential approval, with the CGF scheduled to announce its decision before the end of the year.

Sports

D’Tigers flawless finish against Lions in AfroBasket

Published

2 weeks ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s D’Tigers will look to seal a perfect group-stage record when they face Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in their final Group B clash at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket on Sunday in Luanda, The Tidesports source reports.

The game at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda tips off at 5:30pm Nigerian time, with victory guaranteeing Nigeria top spot and direct passage to the quarter-finals on August 20 and defeat leaving them vulnerable to dropping into the qualification placement round a day earlier.

The D’Tigers have opened their campaign in style, brushing aside hosts Angola before overpowering reigning champions Tunisia 87-66 on Friday.

Josh Okogie was the star against Tunisia, pouring in 33 points to continue his standout tournament form.

Coach Abdulrahman Mohamed’s side have executed defensive intensity and offensive fluidity, averaging 82 points per game while shooting over 63 per cent inside the arc. Nigeria’s bench has also provided consistent contributions, helping maintain dominance across four quarters.

Nigeria and Cameroon have faced off three times in AfroBasket competition since 2009, with the D’Tigers leading the head-to-head 2-1.

Their most recent meeting came in the 2017 quarter-finals, when Nigeria triumphed 106-91.

Cameroon, however, arrive in Luanda with their own ambitions. The Lions have averaged 83 points per game at the tournament so far and lead Nigeria in both rebounds (46 to 42.5) and assists (18 to 15), which underlines their capacity to test the West Africans.

A win would hand Nigeria valuable rest days before the quarter-finals, while also reinforcing their credentials as title contenders in Angola. For Cameroon, toppling the D’Tigers would not only earn first place in Group B but also provide a psychological boost ahead of the knockout stages.

Nigeria forward Devine Eke expressed delight after the team’s latest victory, but maintained that the players are keeping their focus on the bigger prize. He stressed that while the result was important, the ultimate goal is to win the championship.

Eke highlighted how the D’Tigers stuck to instructions and worked as a unit, crediting the collective effort for the team’s strong display. He pointed out that every player embraced their responsibility, which made the difference in securing the win.

“We feel good about the win. The job is not done, but I feel we can win this whole thing. We feel really good. We executed well. We followed our coach’s game plan. Everyone played their role, and if everyone continues to do that, anything is possible,” Eke said.

The 31st edition of AfroBasket, hosted by Angola for the fourth time, runs until August 24. Nigeria last won the competition in 2015, and after a strong start, belief is growing that they can mount another championship run.