Sports
Ndubuoke Wants Interim Manager, Overhaul For S’Eagles
The General Manager, Heartland FC of Owerri, Fan Ndubuoke, has urged the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) to appoint an interim manager for the Super Eagles pending the restructuring of the team.
Ndubuoke told the Tidesports over the weekend in Owerri that the NFA needed to fill the vacuum created by Samson Siasia’s sack while it took time to analyse what led to his failure.
“The best thing should be for NFA to take time and analyse the situation and find out why Siasia failed and what made him arrogant as people say,” he said.
The Heartland boss warned the NFA against being in a hurry to appoint another coach for the Eagles.
“ I am not comfortable with the names that are being bandied about as possible replacement. I am still laughing at the names that are being bandied about.
“Why is NFA in a hurry to appoint a new coach just because people are looking for jobs?”
Ndubuoke also advocated for an overhaul of the national team using players from the Nigerian league.
“The practice of always inviting more than eight foreign players each time Nigeria has an international engagement should stop.
“We should not have more than four foreign players and the bulk should be from the Nigerian League.”
Also reacting to Siasia’s sack, the Chairman of the Imo chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, John Nwogu, said that the action was a welcome development.
Nwogu said that since it was part of the terms of contract for Siasia to qualify Nigeria for the Nations Cup, he should be sacked having failed to do so.
He urged the NFA to go for a foreign technical adviser for the Super Eagles, “preferably a Dutch, who will relate well with the players’’.
Meanwhile, in Ilorin, football enthusiasts also received the sack of Siasia with mixed feelings.
A cross-section of football fans, who spoke with Tidesports condemned the decision of the NFA, saying that it was taken in a hurry.
Some of the fans blamed the failure of the national team to qualify for the 2012 African Nations’ Cup on the the players’ loss of focus.
Fatai Alagbede, a football fan, asserted that impatience made the nation’s football governing body to arrive at the decision.
“Siasia should have been given another opportunity. Inconsistency in appointing coaches for the Super Eagles is what has caused the problem of the team.”
He suggested that instead of terminating Siasia’s appointment, a foreign technical adviser should have been considered to oversee the team.
Another, football enthusiast, Lanre Mahmud, condemned the NFA’s action, saying that it was not in the interest of football loving people in the country.
“We are strongly against the decision”
However, some fans lauded the step taken by the body, describing it as a step in the right direction.
Alhaji Fatai Eleja, in his reaction, said that failure of the Eagles to qualify for the Nations’ Cup was enough reason for the NFA to relieve the coach of his appointment.
“Siasia has failed in the mandate given to him to qualify the team for the Nations’ cup.”
He, however, said that efforts should be mad to fill the vacuum in time with a better replacement.
“The NFA should strive hard for a better replacement. It should engage an experienced foreign coach for the job,” he said.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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