Sports
Fans Seek Consolidation Of Nation’s Triumph
Football fans in Ebonyi State have urged the relevant authorities to use the country’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in South Africa to redress issues militating against football’s growth.
The Super Eagles on Sunday beat the Stallions of Burkina Faso 1-0 to clinch victory after 19 years of trophy drought.
Sparks of celebrations were recorded throughout Abakaliki as fans, both young and old moved into the streets to celebrate all through the night.
Director of Sports in Ebonyi, Dr Emmanuel Utobo, commended the Eagles for the victory, noting that it showed the country was on the right path to reclaim its football glory.
“The victory though surprising, is a soothing balm to the long years of agony of soccer fans in the country as result of declining state of its football.
“We should, however, know that the revamping process of our football is not yet over as more work needs to be done,” he said.
A Football Administrator, Chief Jude Anigbo, attributed the success in South Africa to the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in football administration in the country.
“Since all warring parties in the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) leadership debacle sheathed their swords, the Aminu Maigari-led board has concentrated on discharging its duties.
“This victory should be used as a springboard to take necessary actions to ensure the country returns fully to its football glory days,” he said.
A Footballer, Chima Nwali, called on Coach Stephen Keshi to jettison all plans of quitting his job but conclude his rebuilding process.
“Keshi has succeeded at an early stage of this process and should not listen to any advice to quit when the ovation is loudest.
“Abandoning the team at this tender stage will allow another coach to reap the fruits of his labour, he should cooperate with the NFA to solve problems bedeviling our football,” he said.
Chief Ifeanyi Ikpa, a Timber Merchant, called for a stop on experimentation as the country has got the nucleus of a strong national team.
“This team is an embodiment of character, commitment and tenacity as only areas of noticeable defect should be corrected.
“Attention must shift immediately to the World Cup qualifiers as over stretching the celebrations might prove costly,” he said.
Mrs Grace Udo, a civil servant, called on the nation’s leaders not to politicise the victory but evolve policies that would enhance the development of football and other sports.
“Many problems are still bedeviling sports in the country such as poor funding, maladministration, poor coaching techniques, lack of basic facilities and others.
“Efforts should be intensified to solve these problems and make sports to attract the much needed private sector investment,” she said.
Kylian Mbappe scored a stoppage-time penalty to seal Real Madrid’s win against nine-man Rayo Vallecano, after Jude Bellingham was forced off with injury.
Nobel Mendy’s foul on Brahim Diaz in the 100th minute gave Mbappe the chance to put Real to within one point of Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Vinicius Jr had opened the scoring for Real early on, a few minutes after Bellingham went off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Rayo Vallecano fought back, and levelled just after the break through Jorge de Frutos.
Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga hit the woodwork for Real, while Vallecano were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes of normal time to go when Pathe Cisse was shown a straight red card for a crude challenge on Dani Cebellos.
The home fans had been agitated at times before Mbappe scored from the spot, and there was time for more drama when Pep Chavarria was shown a second yellow card and dismissed in the 103rd minute.
Bellingham was distraught when he fell to the ground clutching the back of his left thigh after 10 minutes, but the England international was seen to be walking unaided shortly afterwards.
Vinicius Junior struck soon after Bellingham’s exit, curling in a sublime shot after cutting in from the left flank but Real fans grew restless as Vallecano grew in confidence with Chavarria lashing a shot over the bar just before half-time.
De Frutos equalised with a clinical finish, sweeping in a knock-down from Alvaro Garcia with a first-time shot and Thibault Courtois stopped Vallecano taking the lead when he used his feet to save from Andrei Ratiu.
Mbappe seemed set to score when he went around Augusto Batalla after the Vallecano keeper had moved out of his penalty area, but the Real striker’s shot hit the bar.
Cisse was shown the red card after he caught Cebello on the left ankle, and Real went close to taking the lead again when Camavinga’s header struck the post.
Real’s late pressure seemed to be for nothing until Mendy caught Diaz high up, giving Mbappe the chance to strike for his 22nd goal in La Liga.
Chavarria received his second yellow card, for a push on Rodrygo, just before full-time as Real claimed their sixth straight win in La Liga while Vallecano remained just one point and a place above the relegation zone.
Hugo Ekitike turned the game on its head to stun former suitors Newcastle United as champions Liverpool recorded their first Premier League win of 2026.
Newcastle attempted to sign Ekitike in three transfer windows over the course of three and a half years, and how the visitors rued losing out to Liverpool in the race to recruit the lethal striker from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.
After scoring in the reverse fixture in August, the Frenchman came back to haunt Eddie Howe’s side once again at a buoyant Anfield with two goals in two minutes before half-time.
Anthony Gordon had initially opened the scoring for Newcastle with a fine finish, but Liverpool quickly showed their powers of recovery to go on and win the game comfortably thanks to a devastating double from Ekitike, a well-taken goal from Florian Wirtz and a close-range finish from an emotional Ibrahima Konate.
Ten-man Brentford claimed a brilliant win at Aston Villa yesterday to dent the hosts’ Premier League title ambitions.
Dango Ouattara’s fine strike stunned Villa minutes after Kevin Schade was sent off for pushing his studs into Matty Cash’s midriff.
The returning Tammy Abraham had a goal disallowed as Villa lost successive home league games for the first time in two years.
They remain third in the table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal, while Keith Andrews’ Brentford sit seventh, four points adrift of the top five.
Striker Schade’s dismissal looked to have given Villa control, only for Ouattara to find the top corner.
Abraham thought he levelled three minutes into the second half after Caoimhin Kelleher parried Jadon Sancho’s strike, only for the goal to be ruled out – after a four-minute video assistant referee (VAR) review – as the ball went out before Villa attacked.
But there were no late heroics as Brentford defended valiantly to hold on for a deserved and impressive victory.
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