Sports

Intl Friendly: Eagles Still Stranded In Nigeria

Published

10 years ago

October 7, 2015

Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, has bemoaned the failure of the Belgian embassy in Nigeria to issue entry visas into that country for players and officials of the Senior National Football Team of Nigeria for two friendlies this week.
International passports of some Super Eagles players and officials are still at the Belgian embassy, less than 48 hours before a high –profile international friendly against the Demnocratic Republic of Congo, which has been approved by world body, FIFA. The Eagles are also to play against bitter rivals Cameroon on Sunday in Dendermonde.
“We are shocked beyond words at the attitude of the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria. This action is a strange one in international sports. Football preaches and spreads peace and love, but we are taken aback at the attitude of the Belgian embassy in Nigeria.”
Anyansi-Agwu, who as chairman of Enyimba FC has traveled the world in the course of football in the past 15 years, lamented the action that threatens Nigeria’s preparation for the two matches.
“This attitude of the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria is not known to international sports. Our team’s preparedness for the only preparatory games ahead of the beginning of FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been unduly hampered. The team’s medical crew and other critical backroom staff are held back in Nigeria.
“This action is not just against a Football Federation; it is against an entire nation.”
Meanwhile, the two camps of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles, preparing for different engagements in Belgium and Port Harcourt bubbled somewhat with 17 players training on Tuesday evening in Belgium and all 19 invited players turning out in Port Harcourt same day.
Defender Abdullahi Shehu from Uniao da Madeira in Portugal arrived in camp on Monday night, while goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama joined the group on Tuesday afternoon before training session at the R. Battice ground.
Officials were expecting Turkey –based defender Godfrey Oboabona and six home –based players (held up in Abuja alongside other officials due to non-issuance of visa by the Embassy of Belgium).
Eagles’ administrator, Enebi Achor, said the group is hopeful that Oboabona (also having visa issues in Turkey) would arrive on Wednesday, while also believing the Belgian embassy would issue visas to home –based professionals and other officials by Wednesday.
Achor said from Belgium: “The atmosphere here is very conducive for the players. The city is so quiet and serene, the hotel is marvelous and the training ground has been commended by all the players.”
In Port Harcourt, where the home boys are preparing for a 2016 African Nations Championship final qualifying fixture against Burkina Faso, all 19 players turned up in camp by Tuesday afternoon and had a first training session on Tuesday evening, with Eagles’ assistant coach Salisu Yusuf taking charge.
Team Coordinator Pascal Patrick informed thenff.com that the spirit is quite high in camp as the boys look to win shirts for the first leg encounter against the Etalons at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium on Sunday, 18th October.
Thenff.com also learnt that Abia Warriors’ forward Chisom Chikatara (who hit a hat-trick against Enugu Rangers in a Week 32 NPFL game on Sunday) was called in place of Wikki Tourists’ striker Godwin Obaje, who is said to have traveled outside the country.
The Super Eagles full squad tackles the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo in Vise on Thursday before another mouth –watering clash with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Dendermonde on Sunday.
The last time Nigeria faced Cameroon at full international level was on February 8, 2004, when the Super Eagles came from behind to win 2-1 and eliminate Cup holders Cameroon at the quarter final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations in Monastir, Tunisia. A Samuel Eto’o goal was cancelled by a magnificent Jay –Jay Okocha free –kick just before half –time, and a sublime Nwankwo Kanu pass was converted by John Utaka for the winner mid –way into the second half.
PLAYERS IN BELGIUM: Vincent Enyeama, Carl Ikeme, Leon Balogun, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, William Troost Ekong, Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi, Obiora Nwankwo, John Mikel Obi, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Sylvester Igbonu, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi. EXPECTED: Godfrey Oboabona, alongside six home –based professionals still yet to be issued visas in Abuja.

Sports

AFN Confirms Ofili’s Turkey Move

Published

2 days ago

August 8, 2025

The Tide

The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa, has confirmed that United States-based sprinter Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey, calling for urgent financial support from both government and private sponsors to prevent further loss of the country’s elite athletes to foreign nations, Tidesports source reports.

Okowa made the revelation during a press briefing at the 2025 National Athletics Championship, held at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

Ofili’s switch comes just months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Although her name still appears under Nigeria on the World Athletics website, federation insiders say the change is imminent.

In an emotional address, Okowa stated that the development highlights a long-standing issue that continues to deprive the country of its top athletic prospects.

“I can tell you that most of our elite athletes are already being approached by other countries to change their nationality and allegiance,” he said.

“And as we speak, Favour Ofili has been taken by the Turkish Federation.”

Okowa explained that financial inducements were a major reason athletes like Ofili are walking away from Nigeria.

“The kind of money they put on the table to get her is not something many athletes would refuse. That is why we are pleading with Nigeria as a nation and our government to come out and support us, so we don’t keep losing our athletes,” he said.

Reports indicate that Turkey, which has stepped up its recruitment of foreign athletes in recent months, offers as much as $500,000 to top performers willing to make the switch.

The move mirrors a disturbing pattern Nigeria has faced in the past, with talents such as Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie and Femi Ogunode abandoning the country for more structured systems abroad.

Okowa, visibly concerned, reiterated that the federation’s most pressing challenge is inadequate funding, and called on the private sector to rise to the occasion and support the development of homegrown talents.

“We need more sponsors to come on board and support the welfare of these athletes,” he said.

“That is our most urgent issue. The government cannot do it alone.”

Highlighting the calibre of talent available, the AFN president said he was particularly impressed by the performance of the men’s 100 metres event at the championship, noting that Nigeria’s male sprinters have matured and are now capable of challenging the best globally.

“Our boys have come of age and they are performing well. They are in shape now,” he said.

Sports

NFF Applauds Carloha After WAFCON Triumph

Published

2 days ago

August 8, 2025

The Tide

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, has hailed Carloha Nigeria, the exclusive distributor and assembler of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, for their support for Nigerian football after the Super Falcons’ 10th WAFCON triumph in Morocco.

Carloha hosted the victorious Super Falcons at its showroom in Alapere, Lagos, last week.

Speaking at the event, Gusau commended Carloha for its unwavering commitment to the advancement of sports in Nigeria.

“We are proud to partner with Carloha and Chery towards the development of sports in Nigeria,” Gusau stated.Next

“The Super Falcons’ victory reinforces the importance of investing in our national teams. Carloha’s support exemplifies corporate patriotism, and we believe this partnership marks the beginning of a fruitful and impactful relationship.”

Managing Director of Carloha Nigeria, Sola Adigun, said the company’s support extends beyond sponsorship to creating meaningful platforms that elevate Nigerian talent and inspire community engagement.

“It is a great honour to welcome our champions, the Super Falcons, whose victory is a source of inspiration to all Nigerians. Our partnership with the NFF is built on shared values—excellence, resilience, and national pride. This celebration goes beyond football; it is about believing in what’s possible when we unite behind a vision.”

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, speaking on behalf of the players, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Carloha.

“We’re grateful not just for this victory, but for being seen, celebrated, and supported by brands like Carloha. It means the world to us. This win is for Nigeria and for everyone who continues to believe in the power of women’s football,” she said.

Sports

Adebola Wins National Scrabble Tourney

Published

2 days ago

August 8, 2025

The Tide

Ogun State-based Medical Doctor, Samuel Adebola has won the star prize of one million Naira at the fifth edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship held at the weekend in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Adebola clinched the coveted trophy in the Masters category, beating stiff competition from a cast of top scrabble players from across the country.

The Tidesports reports that more than 200 players participated in the tournament, which had a total prize money of over N10 million in five categories.

He had a cumulative spread of +856 beating contenders Abdulmumin Jimoh and Chuks Nwaeze, who finished second and third with +672 and +354 respectively.

The champion played bingos such as ‘Volubly’, ‘Claviger’ and ‘Averment’ to cart home the prestigious prize and a giant trophy.

In the Veterans category, Dokun Esan with a spread of +1180 came tops, with Edowor Bobor winning the Intermediate category with +710, while Dorcas Innocent won the Opens with +1046, and Pereowei Edidie of Federal Government College, Odi, Bayelsa State, took the trophy in the Students category with +2060.

President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Engr. Olobatoke Aka, thanked the Bayelsa State government for sponsoring the competition in the last five years.

Aka appealed for increased funding and prize money while expressing the hope that the tournament would prepare Nigerian players to excel at this month’s African Youth Championship in Kenya, the World Youth Championship in Malaysia in October and the World Scrabble Championship in Ghana in November.

Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association (BSSA), Mr. Daniel Alabrah, also appreciated Governor Diri for sponsoring the championship annually, saying that the tournament has continued to grow with increased funding and prizes, while also urging corporate organisations to support the game.

Alabrah noted that apart from the increased prize money, the fifth edition was significant as it was live-streamed globally as the event was on in Yenagoa.

“The Governor Diri Scrabble Championship was the focus for scrabble players across the world as it was going on in the Bayelsa capital. We succeeded in introducing technology to positively showcase Bayelsa and the governor’s contribution to human capacity development,” Alabrah stated.

Declaring the tournament closed, Governor Diri, represented by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, pledged continued support for the game of scrabble, saying that his administration was committed to holistic sports development and would continue to encourage youths in the state to embrace sports to actualise their potential.

Female winners and players also received special prizes as well as a special presentation by the BSSA chairman of the sum of N200,000 to each of the two scrabble gold medallists at the recent National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa