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Pienaar Retires From Bafana Bafana

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South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from
international football.

The 30-year-old’s decision was announced by coach Gordon
Igesund early in the week as he unveiled his Bafana Bafana squad to face Poland
and Kenya in friendlies next week.

Speculation had been mounting that Pienaar would retire to
concentrate on playing for Everton.

Igesund told reporters that he received a phone call from
Pienaar  informing him of his decision.

“I’m proud to have played for and captained my country. For
that I thank you,” the Everton midfielder said via a statement.

Igesund has named defender Bongani Khumalo as Bafana
Bafana’s new captain and admitted it is unlikely Pienaar will play for his
country again.

South Africa’s coach said: “I am disappointed that Steven
has retired from the national team.

“But the way he has retired is the right way. I think it was
a tough decision for him.”

Igesund paid tribute to Pienaar, adding: “His presence and
leadership is invaluable and could have helped us in our mission for 2013 AFCON
and the World Cup qualification, but we must respect his decision.”

Pienaar made his international debut in 2002, and has
featured for the national side at two World Cups.

The 30-year-old withdrew from last month’s matches against
Brazil and Mozambique with an injury, only to then appear in Everton’s starting
line-up just days later.

Pienaar is just the latest in a long line of Bafana players
to become embroiled in a ‘club versus country’ debate over the years.

Benni McCarthy retired from international football after the
2002 World Cup in order to concentrate on his career in Europe before
eventually returning to the fold.

Mark Fish ‘retired’ more than once, while Shaun Bartlett
quit international football in order to win a new contract with his club side
Charlton.

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2022 NPFL: Nasarawa United Unveils  New  Players

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Nasarawa United Football Club, Lafia, has unveiled eight new players for the remainder of the 2022/23 league calendar
The newly acquired players comprise one goalkeeper, four defenders and three attackers.
A release signed by the Media Officer of the Club, Eche Amos and made available to Tidesports yesterday, said Goalkeeper, Mohammed Galadima and central defender, Victor Collins both returned to the club after spells at Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi and Amanat Baghdad FC of Iraq, respectively.
Right full-backs, Samson Vandi Drambi and Nelson Abiam joined from 2nd division side, EFCC FC of Abuja, while Nelson Abiam joined from premier league side Wikki Tourists FC, Bauchi. Full-back, Aminu Yusuf joined from neighbouring Lobi Stars FC, Makurdi.
The trio of centre forwards, Kazeem Abdulrafiu, Isaac James Ogiri and Kolawole Daniel inked the contract papers from Ruqayya Football Academy of Kaduna, ABS FC of Ilorin, and Gombe United FC, Gombe, in that order.
The unveiling ceremony took place last Wednesday in Lafia.
Each of the players is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear as the Solid Miners prepare to overturn their current position on the league standings.
In another development, Nasarawa United yesterday defeated border neighbours, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, in an explosive friendly game decided at the Sports Complex of Federal University, Lafia, to fine-tune both teams ahead of the resumption of the second phase of the 2022/23 Nigeria Premier Football League.

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Corruption, Bane of Nigeria Football Dev – Peterside

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If not for the high level of corruption in Nigeria football administration, the country would have produced lots of football stars, former Super Eagles goalkeeper Idah Peterside said.
According to him, the country has a bunch of good and talented players like Victor Osimhem, but because of corrupt  administration, many young players were deprived to get national call up.
Idah made the assertion last Wednesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after Rivers United FC defeated Rangers FC 1-0 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
He revealed that he will come back to Nigeria with the view to  promote and develop football, following the experiences gained outside the country.
“If I was elected as the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a lot of things would have changed in the football administration.
“ I have come  back to Nigeria, Port Harcourt, my base with all the experiences I had gained  around the world to see how  one can be  involved in the development of the game.
“ Football is my game, I have sacrificed a lot for the development of the game” Idah said.
He congratulates Osimhen for his impressive performances in the Italian League, adding that what he expected Osimhen to do was to win World best or Africa footballer of the year.

By: Kiadum Edookor

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MFN Lauds Rivers Governor- Elect …Wants Holistic Sports Dev

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The Muaythai Federation of Nigeria (MFN) has hailed the emergence of Sir Siminialayi Fubara as Rivers State governor-elect and appealled to him to look into sports development holistically in his administration.
The Federation also used the forum to also congratulate him, over his landslide victory at the just concluded governorship elections in the State.
President of MFN, Comrade Paul Egonu, said this in an exclusive interview with Tidesports, yesterday shortly after he came back from Lagos on national assignment of the federation.
According to him, he has confidence that sporting activities will strive more in the next administration.
“We are appealing to the incoming Governor, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara to holistically develop sports in the State. We are aware that the present administration- led by Chief Nyesom Wike but there is need to do more.
‘The Federation and Rivers State Mauythai association join other good people of the State to congratulate Sir. Fubara for his landslide victory at the just concluded governorship elections.
“We are also aware  that Governor Nyesom Wike, has invested in sports by building sports facilities in the State, but we urge the incoming Governor to surpass what he will meet on ground”, Comrade Egonu said.
He explained that investing and developing sports is a way of investing in youths because through sports many youths have become wealthy and responsible, besides it will also boost the economy of the State.
“Honestly, the benefits of sports development and promotion is enormous, through sports many people have become wealthy. It will also, to a large extend boost the economy of the State.
“Consequently, I appeal to the incoming Governor to set up a sports commission and appoint professionals. sports administrators to pilot its affairs”, he stated.

By: Tonye Orabere

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