Sports
International Friendlies Expose World Cup Teams
Soccer fans in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State capital, have said that the friendly matches provided by Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) as an international window for countries participating in the World Cup has shown that some teams have improvements to make before the competition.
Some of the fans who spoke in an exclusive interview with Tidesports in Port Harcourt, over the weekend particularly described the friendly game between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Mexico as an eye-opener adding that coach Stephen Keshi has a lot to do if the team hoped to do well in Brazil.
Mr Chika Okenwa, a soccer fan was of the view that the friendly game has shown that the coaching crew of Super Eagles needs a lot to do in ensuring that the mid-field and strickers coordinate effectively pointing out that such coordination was lacking in the friendly match.
Also speaking, Etim Bassy, who claimed to be a Chelsea fan in Port Harcourt, was optimistic that Super Eagles would do well in Brazil in as much as the players officials are prepared to draw a lesson from Mexico friendly.
According to him, playing a goalless draw with Mexico was a good development for Eagles I hope Keshi will fine-tune formation and tactics.
Chime Nwankwo, another Chelsea fan said that winning friendly matches was no assurance that the team would do well at the world cup stressing that the important thing was that Coach Keshi has positive and negative lesson to draw from the game.
Meanwhile, FCT Chapter Chairman, Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), said the Super Eagles’ 2014 World Cup team was still a work in progress.
“Let’s be realistic, friendliness at this time of the season are very cagey and deceptive, because players are trying to preserve themselves for the crucial stages of the season and at the same time for the World Cup,’’ he said.
The coaches association official said the team had a good first half during the Mexico match.
“But it looked like the Mexicans wanted the game more than the Eagles in the second half.
“Overall, it was a nice game, especially for debutants like (Michael) Uchebo, (Leon) Balogun and Azeez (Ramon). But, as a coach, I was a little bit disappointed about Balogun’s injury.
“I sincerely hope and pray that it was not a serious one, because I will really love to see him play more games.
“Uchebo and (Imoh) Ezekiel also showed some good flashes of what they can bring into the team, but only time will tell,’’ he said.
Bamigboye however said the team was still lacking an attacking midfielder as well as a world-class striker and goal scorer to help ease the burden on Emenike.
The Secretary of FCT Football Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the Eagles’ squad contained a potentially-exciting blend of youth and experience.
He said the team would make the country as well as Africa proud if its talents were well harnessed
The FA secretary also singled out some players for praise for putting up a good performance, saying they had already sealed a place for themselves in the World Cup squad.
“The likes of Onazi (Ogenyi) and Uchebo gave a good account of themselves.
Isaac Nwankwo
Super Eagles player trying to outsmart an opponent during a friendly match in Nigeria, recently
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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