Sports

…Urge Understanding With Siasia

Published

15 years ago

February 11, 2011

Football enthusiasts in the FCT want Nigerians to be patient with Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia, in his present task of rebuilding a formidable team.

Speaking on Super Eagles’ clash with the Leone Stars in a friendly encounter at Teslern Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday, some of the enthusiasts said that Siasia should not be judged by the outcome of the encounter.

The Super Eagles were earlier scheduled to take on the national team of Guatemala on January 9 in the United States before the latter were replaced by the Sierra Leonean national team.

While Mr. Akinwunmi Kole-Dawodu, a football enthusiast in FCT implored Nigerians to give the coach some time to build a formidable side, Mr. Iyene Ibanga, also a football enthusiast said that the match against the Leone Stars should be seen as a rebuilding process.

They both agreed that the Super Eagles team is passing through a phase that will take some time to achieve the desired result.

“I wouldn’t want us to judge Siasia with this first game. No, we shouldn’t do that, it will not be fair if you are doing that,” Kole-Dawodu said.

“So let’s see. Let’s give him some time, when we will be playing the qualifying matches for this 2012 Nations Cup, then we can start judging him from that, but now let’s see how it goes.

Ibanga on the other said: “I just want Nigerians to know that the match is not about winning. I think it’s all about discovering the strengths and weaknesses in the team so as to work on them.’’

Kole-Dawodu also said that Siasia was capable of turning the team around adding that the Sierra Leoneans were strong enough to give the team a good challenge.

Mr. Muhyideen Jimoh, also football lover in Abuja said that he expected a lot from the new Super Eagles under Siasia.

He added that though the Sierra Leoneans were capable of defeating the Super Eagles, he was confident that Nigerians would see a good team under Siasia.

Mr. Yahaya Isah, a football enthusiast, said he expected Nigeria to win the game.

He added that though the team lost in its last competitive match, the appointment of Siasia would have a positive effect on the team.

Sports

CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).

He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players will grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.

Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.

“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.

“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.

He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.

” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.

Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.

“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.

The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.

“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.

Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African 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

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

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.