Sports
Siasia Urged To Consider Grassroots Players
Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia has been urged to look beyond the Nigeria Premier league as he begins his job of building a new national team.
Siasia, a former coach of the country’s Olympic team was unveiled on Wednesday by the Nigeria Football federation (NFF) after signing a four-year contract.
The new coach, who was dubbed the “people’s choice,” by NFF President, Aminu Maigari has already indicated interest to build his team around local players.
But a cross-section of grassroots players interviewed by Tidesports yesterday at an evening training session at the St. Andrews State School, Diobu said the coach should really go down to the grassroots if he is to succeed.
According to Mpaks Esemebor, who had had stinks with Dolphins FC and Bussdor United FC, “A lot of talented soccer player, are not currently playing in the Nigeria league because they do not have what he called “connection” to get contracts.
These players, Esemebor, said have limited their skills to participating in local championships and other invitational tournaments within and outside the country.
“Therefore, I disagree that the best of Nigerian players are in the premier league or pro-league. What about the academies and other amateur clubs. So the new coach should set up a team that would monitor local championships at the grassroots, so that people like us who are unattached can have a chance to play in the National team,” he said.
On his part, Isah Mohammed who is currently, a player with Hausa Allstars in Port Harcourt said, even though players at the grassroots should not be taken straight to the national team, the country’s football authorities should design a league that would cater for them.
“At least, an amateur league like is being done in Europe should be put in place, so that players can graduate from one stage to the other. By doing this, we are giving all players a sense of belonging and a chance to aspire to greater heights”.
Another player, who thrilled spectators during the training session, Chukwudi Nelson, commended the appointment of Siasia whom he said believes in youthful players.
“From what, he has done with the U-20 and Olympic teams, I know he can perform wonders with the national team and I believe if I am giving the chance to prove myself, I will do well,” he said.
Akonte Promise
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.