Sports

Fans Fault Keshi’s World Cup List

Published

12 years ago

June 6, 2014

Some football fans in
Ondo State have faulted Coach Stephen Keshi’s Super Eagles’ final list for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
However, some believe that nothing was wrong with the list and that all that was needed now was prayers for the team to succeed at the Mundial.
Keshi recently released the 23-man final list including three goal-keepers, six defenders, seven strikers and seven mid-fielders.
The fans in separate interviews told newsmen that Keshi dropped some important players who helped in securing the 2013 AFCON Cup in South Africa.
They also advised that Keshi should inject his technical prowess in coordinating the squad for the team to go beyond the round of 16.
A sports analyst in Ondo, Oluwatoyin Olafusi, said that Keshi made a big mistake by dropping Sunday Mba who sealed the 2013 AFCON Cup in South Africa.
Olafusi said that most of the players featured in the list might not have the zeal to surpass the round of 16 at the tournament.
“The problem I have with Keshi is the dropping of Mba. Most of the players on that list will only help Keshi to lose his job,’’ he said. A Television Sports Presenter, Kayode Bamiduro, said that Keshi should have featured more of the home-based players instead of just three of them he listed.
He, however said that names like Joseph Yobo and Osazie Odemwingie should not have been on the final list.
“What isYobo and Odemwingie doing in that list? I think Keshi should have given more opportunities to the home-based players who could help pursue our dream,” Bamiduro said.
For the General Manager, Ondo State Sports Council, Idowu Akinbulumo, the list had been released already and changes might not be made again. Akinbulumo said Keshi should put in all his best to ensure the team went far in the World Cup.
“Although, I am not too impressed with the list but Keshi must be ready to employ all technical prowess for the team to get the quarter-finals in Brazil,’’ he said.
A former Director, Ondo State Football Academy, Tunde Ogunja, said nothing was wrong with the list, adding that Keshi knew what he was doing.

Sports

FOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

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

Sports

Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions

Published

10 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The annual NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup 2025 edition draw its curtains closed last Saturday, with Obagi Community defeated hard fighting Akabta community 1-0, to lift the trophy.

The final which was held at Obite Civic Centre (field) saw Chiefs, community leaders, youths, including the Total Energies JV Asset Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olivier Cassasoles and people from all works of life in attendance.

Speaking at the event Mr. Cassasoles revealed that three best players in previous tournaments have been sponsored into a football academy within Nigeria.

He stated that all participants are winners, as he reiterated that the tournament is aimed at promoting peace, cooperation among host communities.

He expressed gratitude for the peaceful organisation and conduct of both officials and players during the final of NNPC/TEPNG OML58 host communities cup for 2025.

On his part the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee(COC), Mr. Saheed Ogunsanya said Ubeta and Ubio will not be participating in the next edition as they violated rules of the tournament.

Ogunsanya praised all the teams for their sportsmanship, stressing that this year edition was a success hence it maintained age grade of under 18 years.

He disclosed that two players have been picked from the tournament and they will be sent to football academy, while underscoring importance of the event to sports and youth development in the host communities.

This is the first time Obagi Community emerged champions of the competition since its commencement 22 years, as 18 communities participated in tis years edition.

At the end of the competition Obinna Godstime, emerged the highest scorer with 11 goals and Most Valuable Player( MVP) of the tournament.

while Michael Charles, from Obobru community became best goalkeeper of the tournament

Sports

Forest Embarrass Liverpool At Anfield

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.

Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.

Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.

Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.

Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.

It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.

Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.