Sports
Brazil 2014:C’River Solicits Support For Super Eagles
The Cross River State Government has appealed to soccer fans to turn out in large numbers to cheer the Super Eagles when they take on the Harambee Stars of Kenya in their World Cup qualifying match.
The match is scheduled for March 23 at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
The Cross River State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Patrick Ugbe, made the appeal in an interview with Tidesports in Calabar, ahead of the match.
The commissioner said a large crowd would be important for the match because the Eagles would also showcase the Africa Cup of Nations that it brought back from South Africa in February.
“We want the supporters, Eagles fans and residents of Calabar, to prepare to come out to support the team — the African Champions.
“They should not forget that the team is also bringing the trophy they won at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa to Calabar.
“The trophy will be displayed at the stadium on match day, so they should come out en masse to be a part of the AFCON experience by witnessing the trophy in Calabar
He said that the government was doing everything within its powers to ensure a successful hosting of the World Cup qualifier.
“We are preparing; we are doing the normal thing to ensure that the stadium is ready for the team. At the last friendly between the Golden Eaglets and the Diamond Zebras of Botswana, we used the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar to test run the facilities.
“We think we are ready to host the Super Eagles/Harambee Stars match on March 23. Everybody was impressed, The stadium is lush green; it is part of our culture to ensure that we maintain it regularly,’’ Ugbe said.
He added: “We are home to the Super Eagles because all the time they have come here, they get good results. We are happy that the support base that they have here is one they can hardly find anywhere else.
“These are supporters who back the team from the beginning to the end; they are patient with the team. When the goals are hard to come by, they remain with the team.
“That factor of support, warm reception and the hospitable nature of the people count here and then the facilities themselves are of world standard.’
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
-
Sports3 days agoPlateau Wins Kanemi, As Bayelsa, Bendel Played 1-1
-
Education3 days agoVC Congratulates Igwe on Appointment as Pro-Chancellor
-
Sports1 day agoArsenal’s Saliba Wants to Be Best
-
Politics3 days agoAlleged Attack On Abure In Benin, LP Calls For Investigation
-
Sports3 days agoLa Liga: Atletico Bring Real Back To Earth
-
Sports1 day ago
CCL: “Rivers United will get better”
-
Maritime3 days agoCustoms, MAN Consent On 4% FoB Exemptions, Manufacturing Support Measures
-
Rivers3 days agoIAUE Emerges Winner Of National Campus Debate, 2025