Sports
Drogba Tips Super Eagles For AFCON Title
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, winner of the quarter-final match against Cote d’Ivoire at the ongoing 2013 AFCON in South Africa, have emerged the new favourites for the cup.
Tidesports gathered that their new status as the favourites has also added new pressure on them, as they are no longer considered the Cinderella team of the tournament.
Their foes from the semi-final stage are now expected to face them with additional strength and determination.
In an apparent show of good sportsmanship, Cote d’Ivoire’s skipper, the iconic Didier Drogba, was in the Nigerian dressing room moments after his side was shoved away from the competition by the less-fancied Super Eagles.
According to the Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya, Drogba is convinced that the Super Eagles will win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to him, Drogba stormed the dressing room of the Eagles after Sunday’s match to felicitate with his former club teammates, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, whom he said, are being missed badly by Chelsea of England.
“You guys should go and win the cup because you have shown the character of a champion,” Alaiya quotes Drogba as saying in impeccable English, as he hugged Coach Stephen Keshi, Mikel and Moses.
Players of the national team have also vowed to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan is present at the final of the tournament at the weekend by winning the semi-final game against Mali.
Team Skipper Joseph Yobo said after the win over Cote d’Ivoire, that the players resolved to fulfill the promise they made to Mr President when he visited the team in training in Abuja last year.
Yobo said he was also delighted to learn that business mogul, Aliko Dangote, was expected to cheer the national team in the final and urged all others to join in supporting the Eagles ahead of the semi-final clash against Mali.
Earlier, the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, S.S. Yusuf, reiterated the desire of Mr President to be physically present at the final of the competition, if the Eagles qualified for the final on Wednesday.
“The president watched you and was excited that you showed true character of Nigerian and his Private Secretary just called to say you should just fulfill your own part of the bargain and leave the rest to Mr president.
Yusuf also said that his Zambian counterpart in South Africa had tipped the Eagles to be African champions and had offered to plan a good hand-over ceremony to Nigeria.
“With what we have seen of this team, we are sure you will not disappoint Nigerians on Wednesday and even in the final,” he said.
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.