Sports

Edo Governor Lauds Amodu Over S/Eagles Qualification

Published

16 years ago

December 24, 2009

Edo state governor, comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has commended super eagle’s chief coach, Amodu Shaibu, for leading the senior national team to clinch the 2010 world cup ticket. In a congratulatory message to coach Shaibu and the team, comrade Oshiomhole noted that the qualification has brought great relief to Nigerians and has demonstrated that Nigerian’s football has come of age despite some obvious challenges.
“I am proud of your accomplishments and track record in coaching the national team and believe that the future of Nigerian soccer lies in indigenous coaches like you” the Edo state governor added.
He urged the coach to go back to the drawing board to firm up a strong strategy to guide the super eagles’ 2010 world cup campaign. He added that “this time around, we must aim to win and not just be contended with merely participating”.
Meanwhile, kinsmen of Coach Shuaibu Amodu have condemned calls by Nigerians that a foreign technical adviser should be employed to replace Amodu after qualifying Super Eagles for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Osegba of Okpella, Chief Peter Aronokhale told Tidesports that in 2002 a similar call for the replacement of Amodu and noted that the failure of Super Eagles to qualify for the host World Cup was because chief coach Shuaibu Amodu was no longer in charge of the national team.
He said it was regrettable that in that world soccer fiesta, Amodu from Osagie Otabor, Benin was later replaced by Adegboye Onigbinde who according to him could not take the Super Eagles for the World Cup in South Korea 2002 and he was abandoned for the former Technical Adviser, Berti Vorgts”.
“Now that he has taken the mantle of leadership again, Amodu did wonders by qualifying Nigeria for both the World and Nations Cups and people are calling for a foreign technical adviser to replace the Okpella-born coach of the Supper Eagles”…
Chief Anonekhale said Amodu should be allowed to complete his assignment by taking the Super Eagles to South Africa.
He pointed out if people call the qualification of Nigeria luck, “let Amodu’s luck as it has always been, carry Nigeria to the promise land by allowing him to be in charge of Nigeria national team both in the Nation’s Cup in Angola and World Cup in South Africa.

Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, BeninCity

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.

The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.

Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.

” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.

” This programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the programme”, Inyengiyikabo stated.

Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.

He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was indication the game was popular in Nigeria.

” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.

“The few days we have stayed Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.

Kiadum Edookor

Sports

CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

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.

Sports

FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

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.