Sports
2015 Glo-CAF Award: Mixed Reactions Trail Nigeria’s Outing
Mixed reactions have
trailed the performance of Nigerian players, national teams, coaches and clubs at the 2015 Glo-CAF award ceremony held last Thursday in Abuja.
Some stakeholders who spoke in interview in Abuja blamed the incessant crises that rocked the football house for the failure of Nigerians to pick major awards at the event.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Obinna Ogba, told newsmen that Nigeria must revive its past glory in football because the current development called for a sober reflection.
“It calls for sober reflection; we need to go back to the drawing and find out what is the problem.
“It not just that we didn’t win any award, look at that list of CAF first eleven, Nigerian names are missing there, not even one.
“You only find Nigerian names on the reserve bench; that is if any player is weak or got injury before you talk about the reserve.
“It’s a challenge both to the managers of the game and also to the players.’’
A former Super Eagles’ Captain, Austin Okocha, said that the dwindling performance of the team at international competitions had made it difficult for any Nigerian player to be named the “African Player of the Year”
“We have to call a spade a spade; I don’t think any of our players at this moment deserve to be there.
“We have been struggling recently and I think it should be a challenge to us to make sure that next time we should have one of us there.’’
In his own reaction, the 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Seyi Akinwunmi, said the football house was not disappointed with the outcome of the award.
“We are not disappointed rather we are hopeful for the best in future; when you set your target and they come too easy then, it means your target are not high enough.
“The new NFF is doing all it can for the future; there will be a time when all the nominees will be Nigerians and that time will come soon.
“This will be achieved because we are improving the league, doing our youth development programmes, capacity building and also educating people what they need to do.
“It’s not all about talent, it’s about mentality as well; so, these things will come together for good for Nigeria, I am sure that things will change sooner than we think.’’
Nigerian players, their national teams as well as clubs failed to win major awards at the 2015 Glo-CAF awards.
During the event, with 15 award categories, only two Nigerian players namely Victor Osimhen and Etebo Oghenekaro bagged the Youth Player of the Year and the Most Promising Talent of the Year awards respectively.
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
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.
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