Sports

Women’s W/Cup: Falcons Open On Losing Not0065 …Go Down To France 1-0

Published

15 years ago

June 27, 2011

Nigeria’s 12-year winless streak at the FIFA Women’s World Cup continued on Sunday as the Super Falcons fell 1-0 to France in the first match of the tournament.

Marie-Laure Delie poked home from close range after 56 minutes as the French held on to claim the win.

Perpetua Nkwocha, Ebere Orji and Desire Oparanozie all had chances for Nigeria but failed to take them.

Buoyed by the introduction of German assistant coach Thomas Oblias to the coaching staff, the Falcons looked more composed than usual in their defensive organisation. But the price they paid for that was sacrificng their counter-attacking verve.

Uche Eucharia’s two-strong midfield was overrun for large parts of the game, leaving the dangerous Perpetua Nkwocha isolated and with no supply.

The first chance though, did fall to her when she was played in by Gloria Iroka. Nkwocha zipped off down the right channel, but took on one player too many before being forced off the ball.

France’s response was a stunning effort from range, which produced a magical save from Nigeria captain Precious Dede. From the corner kick, Thinney struck the post as Nigeria reeled.

But the best chance of the half by far, fell to Ugochi Oparanozie. Iroka won the ball in transition, and played her in behind on a rapier-quick counter. Her pacegot her on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but she dragged her purchase well wide when through on goal.

The Nigerian girls were hamstrung further when Faith Ikidi, who had her hands full dealing with Louisa ‘Zidane’ Necib and Sonia Bompastor on the left side, was forced off with what appeared to be stomach trouble just before half time.

The loss was immediate as the second period resumed, although Nigeria threatened first. Mbachu delivered a loping cross, goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz flapped and Wendie Renard was just on hand to head the ball clear of the lurking Ebere Orji.

And then came the breakthrough. France attacked again down the right channel, Necib delivered a superb ball into the middle, Osinachi Ohale hacked at thin air, and Delie put the ball away.

The French tired towards the end, but Nigeria failed to respond with a change in tactics, and Nigeria continue to wait to snap that losing streak since Mercy Akide’s winner earned them victory over Denmark in 1999.

Moments later, hosts Germany got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Canada. They now lead Group A after the first round of matches.

Nigeria will now hope to claw results against Germany and then Canada to stay in the competition.

Sports

Rivers-born Chess Player Clinches Third Position At World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship

Published

3 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

A veteran Rivers State chess player, Apollos Akomaka, has finished in joint 3rd place at the just-concluded World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship held in Abuja.

Akomaka, who is the director of physiotherapy at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, overcame a shaky start to secure a podium finish in the 11-round rapid event that began on August 2.

The tournament featured top chess players from several countries.

After losing his opening game, the defining moment for Akomaka came between Rounds 7 and 11.

He raised his game and began defeating some of the top-ranked players in the event.

The Rivers-born player ended the championship tied for 3rd place in the U2000 category with 6.5 points out of 11, alongside Cameroon’s national champion, Noumbo Vidal.

His final game was against Vidal, with the Nigerian playing the black pieces.

Vidal opened with a queen’s gambit but quickly transposed into an English opening with a double fianchetto attack.

Akomaka responded sharply with a king’s Indian defense and soon launched a kingside attack from a defensive position.

The pressure paid off, resulting in an immediate material gain, a knight for a rook, and leaving Akomaka with a strong attacking advantage.

Vidal fought hard to avoid mate and managed to steer the game into an endgame, where he found some respect. At that point, the Cameroon champion offered a draw, which Akomaka accepted.

Speaking after the event, Akomaka said that he is resilient and determined after the poor start but happy that he finished on the podium.

He expressed optimism that in subsequent competitions he will make Rivers State proud and Nigeria at large.

Akomaka has won both local and national chess championships in recent times.

He is passionate about chess; besides, he has equally sponsored several national chess tournaments in Nigeria.

The World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship concluded with Akomaka of Rivers State,

Nigeria, battling back from an early loss to end among the top three in his category

Tonye Orabere/Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Team Nigeria Secures Women’s 4x100m, 4x400m Finals at World U20 Championships

Published

3 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

Team Nigeria continued its impressive showing at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, securing places in both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay finals after strong performances in the heats.

The Nigerian quartet of Becky Ebiyadi, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Praise Ugoh and Faith Ezechukwu booked their place in the women’s 4x400m final after clocking a season’s best of 3:35.28.

Nigeria finished third in the heat behind Italy and Great Britain, doing enough to advance to the final and remain firmly in contention for a medal.

In the women’s 4x100m, Ugoh joined Lucy Nwankwo, Chigozie Nwankwo and Oluebube Ezechukwu as Nigeria produced another season’s best, clocking 43.65 seconds to secure an automatic ticket to the women’s 4x100m final.

The qualification was sealed by a sensational anchor leg from Ezechukwu. Receiving the baton nearly 20 metres behind the United States, the Nigerian launched a determined charge down the home straight, rapidly closing the gap before edging the Americans at the line to claim the third automatic qualifying position.

Nigeria stopped the clock at 43.65 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of the United States, who finished in 43.67 seconds.

The performances mean Nigeria will now contest both women’s relay finals, further strengthening the country’s medal prospects at the championships.

In Saturday’s evening phase of the event, Success Uyibo will compete in the 200m women’s final while the 4x100m compete in the women’s final.

Sports

Poor welfare forced me to dump Delta for Enugu, says world – Nwachukwu

Published

3 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

World Record holder and Commonwealth Games champion, Goodness Nwachukwu, has revealed why she dumped Delta State for Enugu State.

The sudden departure of Nwachukwu, a multiple gold medallist, from Team Delta to the Coal City, Enugu , sparked controversy within the sports family, with officials of Delta State Sports Commission accusing the president of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, of manipulating the system for the athlete to dump the state.

But Nwachukwu, who broke the World Record to win a gold medal for Team Nigeria in the Women’s Discus F42 event at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has cleared the air on the circumstances that led to her movement to Enugu State.

Speaking with The Tidesports source report, shortly after winning the gold medal, Nwachukwu said: “It is not true that anybody aided my movement from Delta State to Enugu. Rather, it was Delta State that forced me to leave because of poor remuneration.