Sports
Siasia Apologises For Nations Cup Failure
Super Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia has apologised to Nigerians following his team’s 2 – 2 draw with Guinea at the weekend in Abuja and their inability to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
“We want to apologise to all Nigerians. We have not qualified for the Nations Cup and we take responsibility as a team,” coach Samson Siasia said at the weekend.
“We did our best, we dominated the game, we created chances but we failed to take our chances and we gave up a last minute goal.
“We understand the frustration of the fans because they love their team so much. But sometimes football can be cruel.”
Nigeria has now failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 1986 after a last minute goal from Guinea saw them draw their final qualifier 2-2.
Against the run of play, Ismael Bangoura gave Guinea the lead in the second half but Victor Obinna Nsofor levelled. Nigeria then went ahead as substitute Ikechukwu Uche scored, but Ibrahim Diallo struck with seconds remaining to knock out the Super Eagles, who has now joined African giants Cameroon and Egypt in failing to make it to the tournament.
South Africa also suffered heartbreak after thinking they were through following a 0 – 0 draw with Sierra-Leone. Bafana Bafana celebrated at the end of the game as Niger lost 3-0 to Egypt, but the record in Group G. favoured Niger and they progressed to the finals for the first time.
Teams who have qualified for the AFCON include Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ghana, Guinea, Zambia, Angola, Tunisia, Mali, Niger, Libya (best runner-up).
For the last automatic place, Algeria took on the Central African Republic yesterday, while Morocco also faced Tanzania in the same Group D. Any one of the four teams could qualify, with Sudan also possible qualifier as the second-best runners-up if the results went their way last night.
Gold Monday
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.
Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.
Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.
Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.
Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.
It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.
Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.
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