Sports

Football Stakeholders Want More Nigerians In CAF

Published

11 years ago

January 14, 2015

Three football enthusiasts
have in Lagos called for more Nigerians in the running of the continental football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The enthusiasts, Adegboye Onigbinde, Rafiu Oladipo and Edwin Eze, told newsmen that more Nigerians were needed in CAF to help champion the country’s cause.
They said they were not satisfied with the outcome of the Glo-CAF awards held on January 8 in Lagos, where Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama could not stop Ivorian Yaya Toure.
The Super Eagles captain and first-choice goalkeeper could not stop the midfielder from winning the top award, his fourth so far.
Eze, the Co-ordinator of Enugu Pepsi Football Academy, said as a good football nation, it was expected that Nigeria should have a say in the apex body.
“The country’s influence is lacking in the body, and that is why our players were being schemed out in events such as the Glo-CAF awards,” he said.
Onigbinde, a former coach of the Nigeria senior national team, the Super Eagles, said playing football alone cannot earn the country the coveted African Footballer of the Year Award.
“We need to be in CAF boardroom meetings where decisions concerning us are made.
“Since, 1990 the award has eluded Nigerian, players no matter how hard they try,” he said.
Onigbinde, however, called on football technocrats in the country to follow the path of honour and get themselves into the running of the body instead of lamenting from the sidelines.
Oladipo, the President-General of Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, said Nigerian players deserved more than what they got.
“Our goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, deserved the crown for his efforts in 2014, both in his club and in the national team,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, some female football stakeholders have commended the Super Falcons and striker Asisat Oshoala for clinching the Best Female Team and Best Female Footballer awards at the 2014 Glo-CAF awards.
In separate interviews conducted in Lagos, the stakeholders said female footballers deserved to be given recognition, and that female football should be given the needed support.
Gift Sowemimo-Okunwa, a former Super Falcons striker, said the senior female team should be commended, saying it has been flying the country’s flag high at continental and international competitions.
“I want to commend the Super Falcons team for their tremendous performance in all tournaments. They have been trying their best to see that the country is among the best.
“The calibre of players who dominate the teams from the under-20 to the senior is really good, and I commend them.
“I also want to commend Oshoala. I am so happy that she is doing what she knows best in the area of football and she has been making herself useful.
“I am so glad and happy for her because she is building her reputation,’’ she said.
Nnenna Etim, a former Super Falcons’ assistant coach, also said she was happy that the female teams have continued to prove their mettle.
She however urged more corporate bodies to help develop female football.
“These girls have always been doing this country proud. They need to be appreciated, and receiving the award is a sign that they have been putting in their best.
“I congratulate the team and especially Oshoala for the awards. It shows that if you are committed to a cause, you will reap it at the end of the day,’’ she said.
Etim also appealed that the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) should be better sponsored like its male version.
“I know that it is a gradual process, but the women league needs all the support it can get from private organisations. These girls have been doing the country proud,’’ she said.

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.