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AYC: Flying Eagles Coach Still Hopeful On Iheanacho

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Flying Eagles’ Head
Coach Manu Garba has expressed optimism that striker Kelechi Iheanacho could still join the team ahead of the 2015 African Youth Championship (AYC).
Garba told newsmen in Abuja on the sidelines of the 2014/2015 Glo Premier Super 4 Invitational Tournament that if Iheanacho’s injury healed on time, he could join the team.
“Iheanacho can still add value to this team with his performance, but he is being held back by an ankle injury.
“But once he is fit again, we will try to make him join the team ahead of the AYC because he is a valuable player,” the coach said.
Iheanacho is one of the foreign-based players invited to the Flying Eagles camp ahead of preparations for the 2015 AYC.
However, he was not released by his English clubside, Manchester City, due to the ankle injury.
Garba who was the player’s coach during his time with the Golden Eaglets two years ago said however that his optimism did not suggest that he would get an automatic shirt.
He said the player, who was the toast of the national under-17 team then, said Iheanacho would have to fight his way in.
“Although we still hope he will join us, this does not mean he will get an automatic shirt when he comes.
“There is no automatic shirt in Flying Eagles. So, when he comes, he will have to show us that we still need him in the team,” Garba said.
The Flying Eagles’ coach however said there were other substitutes for him in the team if Iheanacho was not able to make it at the end of the day.
“We do not rely on any player in the team because we have a pool of players to select from.
“So, if Iheanacho is not able to meet up with us eventually, we have other players in the team that can give us what we want.
“At the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE when Isaac Success was injured, everyone was doubtful of the team. But Taiwo Awoniyi stood up to the task and even did more than many people expected.
“So, that is exactly what we are doing at the under-20 level and we are sure it will lead us to success,” Garba said.
NAN reports that the Flying Eagles have been in camp in preparation for the AYC scheduled for Senegal from March 8 to March 22.
They are also participating in the ongoing 2014/2015 Glo Premier League Super 4 Invitational Tournament as part of their preparations.

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RSG Pledges To Develop  Baseball 

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Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.
The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.
Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.
” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the  State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.
” This  programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the  programme”,  Inyengiyikabo stated.
Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.
He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was  indication the game was popular in Nigeria.
” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.
“The  few days we have stayed  Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.
Kiadum Edookor
 

 

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CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

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Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials,  depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo. 

 

The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.

 

This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.

 

He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm. 

 

According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.

 

“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.

 

 

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FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.

 

 

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