Sports
Bafana Seeks To Improve Record Against European Opposition
Bafana Bafana, who are preparing to face Poland in Warsaw
today, have a record against European opposition that leaves a lot to be
desired.
South Africa have won just nine of their 39 previous matches
against teams from the continent and only one of those came against a power of
the European game – a French side in disarray at the 2010 World Cup.
Other successes have come against Malta, Denmark, Sweden,
Scotland, Turkey, Slovenia, Norway and Poland.
The victory over the Poles came on home soil in the lead-up
to the 2009 Confederations Cup when Terror Fanteni scored on six minutes, which
proved enough for the win.
Bafana will hope to draw some confidence from that game
today, though only three of the Polish side that played that day remain in the
squad: left-back Marcin Komorowski, and forwards Marek Saganowski and Robert
Lewandowski.
South Africa’s first victory over European opposition was
against Sweden in 1999, when Siyabonga Nomvete scored late on for a 1-0 win.
Their only victory in Europe was against lowly Malta the
following year, with Thabo Mngomeni on the scoresheet against the tiny island
nation, which has a population roughly the same as Benoni’s.
The biggest victories against nations from the continent
came within three days of each other, as Bafana beat Scotland and Turkey, both
by a 2-0 margin, in the Hong Kong Reunification Cup ahead of the 2002 World
Cup.
But largely it has been a tale of disappointment, though
Bafana have never been humiliated by European opposition, as they have been
against the likes of Nigeria and Mexico in the past.
A 4-2 loss in Germany was tough to take but many better
sides have fared worse in that country, while there were also 3-0 defeats
against France in the opening game of the 1998 World Cup, Germany in 1997 and
in Sweden in 2001.
Their two heaviest defeats came in matches when they might
have been expected to do much better. They lost 4-1 in Georgia under Jomo Sono
in 2002 and went down by the same scoreline in Iceland under Stuart Baxter in
2005.
Their biggest home defeat against European opposition was a
3-1 loss to Serbia in August 2009, one of the last games in charge for
Brazilian coach Joel Santana.
Bafana’s 39 games have yielded 32 goals for and 60 against,
though out of the 21 European nations they have faced so far, they have failed
to score against just three of those – Italy (two games), Netherlands and
Portugal.
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
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
-
Business3 days ago
Shippers Council Vows Commitment To Security At Nigerian Ports
-
Business2 days agoCBN Revises Cash Withdrawal Rules January 2026, Ends Special Authorisation
-
Business3 days agoNigeria Risks Talents Exodus In Oil And Gas Sector – PENGASSAN
-
Business2 days agoFIRS Clarifies New Tax Laws, Debunks Levy Misconceptions
-
Business3 days ago
NCDMB, Others Task Youths On Skills Acquisition, Peace
-
Politics2 days agoTinubu Increases Ambassador-nominees to 65, Seeks Senate’s Confirmation
-
Sports2 days ago
Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions
-
News2 days agoTinubu Swears In Christopher Musa As Defence Minister