Sports
2010 World Cup: FG Equips S’Eagles Players, Officials
The Nigerian Government has provided all that the Super Eagles players and officials need to participate in the forthcoming 2010 World Cup in South Africa, former Super Eagles captain, Austin J.J. Okocha has disclosed.
Okocha hinted during an interview with The Tide at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa that the Federal Government has fully played its part by providing all the players and officials want in terms of finance and equipment to enable them go for the World Cup tournament.
Okocha who was in Port Harcourt to attend a meeting of the Presidential Task Force for the 2010 South Africa World Cup noted that “this is the first time nobody is complaining of anything because the players and officials have gotten all they want”.
He added: “they have got all they asked for and they are well equipped. They have been given all what they ought to be given”, pointing out that they were in England for a friendly football match that would determine their level of performance at the World Cup in South Africa.
According to him, “we hope they will do what they can and we will know if they have improved but I believe that the technical adviser and the players will do a good job and they are preparing in the right way and manner and hopefully they will make us proud.”
He observed that largerback has prepared the Super Eagles as a team but, however, was pesmistic about their ability to lift the trophy at the end of the World Cup.
His words; “He has prepared the team but we are yet to witness what they can do. But I feel it’s a mission impossible and to be honest, for Nigeria to lift the trophy is more of a wish than a reality but we Nigerians wish to see it happen.”
The former Super Eagles captain was of the view that Nigerians always have that complex of not winning, pointing out that “we should realise that we have a lot of potentiaties in football!
He stated that for Nigeria to achieve its dream in football, “it is hight time we started working on our grassroot football and believe in them.”
Shedie Okpara
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
-
Sports5 days agoFOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa
-
Politics3 days agoWhy Reno Omokri Should Be Dropped From Ambassadorial List – Arabambi
-
Sports2 days agoNigeria, Egypt friendly Hold Dec 16
-
Politics2 days agoPDP Vows Legal Action Against Rivers Lawmakers Over Defection
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoNCDMB Unveils $100m Equity Investment Scheme, Says Nigerian Content Hits 61% In 2025 ………As Board Plans Technology Challenge, Research and Development Fair In 2026
-
Sports2 days agoNSC hails S’Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong
-
Politics2 days agoRIVERS PEOPLE REACT AS 17 PDP STATE LAWMAKERS MOVE TO APC
-
Sports2 days agoMakinde becomes Nigeria’s youngest Karate black belt