Sports
New Zealand’s Coach Proud In Defeat
New Zealand’s coach, Stephen Cain watched his wards blown off the park by an unstoppable Nigerian team in a 5-0 whitewash but he insisted that he remained proud of his team.
“I am imeensely proud of my team’s performance tonight. We’ve lost against a world-class team – they would have beaten any opposition this evening. It was a bridge too far for us.
They were too quick, too strong, too clever, with 11 men on the field, it was difficult. With 10 men, it was impossible. And they are a hell of a side,” Cain said immediately after the match.
Three goals in the first half and two more in the second, saw the hosts and defending champions coast to the biggest margin of victory so far in the tournament, and the New Zealand coach pointed out that the two early goals put paid to their pre-game tactical plans.
“We were a little unlucky with the first two goals, as they came from loose balls, although it must be said that they were quickest to them.
“Our plan was to hold them for at least the first half hour so that doubts would start to creep in, but after they’d scored two such early goals, it was an uphill struggle.
“They made full use of the pitch, used all the space and kept possession throughout. They were just too strong for us.
“But I’m proud of my players, and I’m convinced that they’ll emerge from this tournament as better players and better people.”
And he had no reservations about picking Nigeria to successfully defend their crown.
“I always thought they were the favourites. I never said so, because I don’t want to frighten my players. But yes, they are a great team. If anybody beats them, they’ll deserve to win this.”
Sports
CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance
Sports
Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Sports
FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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