Sports
AFCON Qualifiers: Let’s Fight To Beat Egypt, Oliseh Urges Nigerians
Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh giving instructions
Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has asked that Nigerians put behind them recent misgivings so as to forge a united front that will beat Egypt in an AFCON 2017 qualifier next month.
Nigeria will battle Egypt in a decisive AFCON qualifier on March 25 with the reverse leg in Egypt a couple of days later.
Seven-time African champions Egypt are top of the qualifying group with six points, while Nigeria are two points behind with only the group winners assured of automatic passage to the AFCON in Gabon in January 2017.
Oliseh has therefore urged that all be forgiven and forgotten after the country failed to go past the knockout stage of the 2016 CHAN, followed by his YouTube outburst and the fallouts thereafter.
“We have to move on, the interest of our nation should come first,” pleaded the coach, who has already tendered an apology to his employers.
“We have to fight Egypt and not ourselves now. We have to come together. Nigeria comes first.
“We have to be in Gabon (AFCON 2017) and Russia (2018 World Cup).”
Meanwhile, Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner Isaac Semitoje insists the Super Eagles have lost their fear factor on the continent.
Nigeria take on Egypt in a Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header next month on the back of the team’s exit at Rwanda 2016 African Nations Championship at the group stages last month.
And Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has come under heavy scrutiny after the Eagles managed to win just one game in the tournament meant for players playing their trade in their countries’ football leagues.
The beleaguered coach is fighting to save his job after labelling his critics “insane” – and claiming some reporters demanded bribes from him to “write positive stories”.
But former Nigeria defender Semitoje, who expressed his disappointment at the development, says the Eagles must work for victories if they are to again strike fear into their opponents.
He lamented the continuing uncertainty surrounding Oliseh’s job ahead of the crucial two-legged fixture against record seventh-time African champions Egypt.
“I’m disappointed that Nigerian football is not developing,” the former Algiers ’90 Africa Cup of Nations silver medallist told our correspondent on the telephone.
“Teams no longer fear us on the continent because of the problems in our football.
“In fact, smaller teams believe they can beat us, because we have lost our fear factor.”
The Denmark-based coach added, “We must put our house in order if we want any team to fear us. We are not guaranteed victory against Egypt because our team lacks motivation. I believe we will beat them.
“I read somewhere that our players have not been paid their win bonuses and other allowances. And the coaches are being owed salaries. It’s a shame!”
The former Iwuanyanwu Nationale captain called for support for the national team ahead of the games against the Pharaohs.
Semitoje added, “The government or the Nigeria Football Federation must fulfil their promises to the players. We suffered the same fate in our days.
“We were promised houses for winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, but those of us who chose to have our houses in Lagos have yet to be given.
“Thompson Oliha was always talking about the issue before he died three years ago.”
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, who delivered the President’s condolence message during a visit to Kano on Tuesday evening, said the Federal Government was already working on a framework to provide proper rehabilitation for the injured and sustained support for the bereaved families.
“The National Sports Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, has offered to interface with the state government to come up with a proper framework to support the families of the dead and also ensure the proper rehabilitation of the survivors,” Dikko said during the visit.
“This injury is to all. It is a tragically momentous period in our sporting history, and we want to let the state government and the individual families know that we are all grieving together and will do all that is needed.”
Dikko, who had just returned from London where he attended the Unity Cup final and held meetings on domestic sports development, travelled straight to Kano upon his arrival in Nigeria.
He was received by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsallam Gwarzo, as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is currently in Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage.
Senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government Umar Farouk Ibrahim, commissioners, and executives of the Kano State Sports Commission, were also present.
The NSC chairman visited the homes of several bereaved families across the state capital and later proceeded to the Murtala Muhammed Hospital, where nine survivors of the crash are currently receiving treatment.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring not only immediate relief but also long-term recovery and rehabilitation for those affected.
“I had to cut short my trip to the UK, where I was holding strategic meetings to boost our domestic sports, to come down and visit the people of Kano,” Dikko added.
“Going forward, the need for enhanced safety and welfare of participating athletes before, during and after major sporting events will become even more topical now. Our prayer is that this should never happen again.”
In response, Deputy Governor Gwarzo thanked the President and the NSC for their concern, describing the visit and federal intervention as timely and deeply appreciated.
Kano State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Umar Fagge, also said efforts are ongoing to provide medical care for the injured and emotional and financial support for the affected families.
“These athletes were ambassadors of Kano and were full of life and hope. Their loss is deeply painful,” the commissioner said.
A representative of the bereaved families, who spoke at a local mosque during the visit, expressed gratitude to the President for his empathy and swift response.
The fatal crash occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, as the delegation returned from the national competition.
It has been described by state officials as one of the darkest moments in Kano’s sporting history.
ICC revealed the outstanding programmes and performances that have won regional honours in the 2024 edition of the ICC Development Awards on Wednesday.
Nigeria will be vying for the global honour with three other regional winners from East Asia Pacific, Europe and Asia.
Emirates Cricket Board (Asia), Persatuan Cricket Indonesia (EAP) and Cricket Scotland (Europe) are the other contenders.
Top of Nigeria’s women’s cricket stride in the year under review is the qualification of the women’s U-19 team for the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia as well as the bronze-winning feat of the Female Yellow Greens at the Africa Games in Ghana.
The ICC Development Awards were established in 2002 to celebrate the initiatives and innovative programmes leading the growth of the sport around the world, delivered by ICC Members in emerging nations.For the first time, the 2024 awards comprise seven categories after the introduction of the ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year award.
The winners of the global awards will be determined by a specialist and independent panel of voters consisting of Indian cricket icon VVS Laxman, former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree, former White Ferns wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin, Head of Marketing – Unilever International Nitin Agarwal and representatives from ICC partners, ICC full members, and the media.
Speaking on the announcement of the Regional Winners of the ICC Development Awards, ICC Chairman, Mr Jay Shah said, “For the past 22 years, the ICC Development Awards have celebrated the successes of ICC Associate Members, and it is pleasing to see how much growth in innovation, creativity and inclusivity has taken place with each passing year.
“Cricket is a vehicle for change and the programmes and projects delivered both physically and digitally reflect the hard work of our passionate Members from around the world who work tirelessly to see the sport grow in their territories.”
“I would like to congratulate the regional winners on their success and wish them luck as we embark on the global voting process.”
Put together in honour of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for his laudable roles in socio-economic and political development of the country, the Bank says the sponsorship is a proof of its unwavering commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria under its First@Sports initiative.
As preparations for the event gathers momentum, captain of the Club, Sunday Ajiboye, says all necessary arrangements at making sure the event goes as planned has been put in place while promising a fun filled atmosphere during the event.
“This auspicious event is where golfing stars are made and the game enjoyed to its fullest. We promised unparallel experience, making this edition the best yet,” Ajiboye said.
Over the years, First Bank has been a driving force in the promotion of sports in the country, and this is evident in its legacy sports initiative, which includes golf, polo and tennis.
The famous Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championships which has been sponsored for well over 63-years is a testimony to the bank’s dedication to the development of golf in Nigeria.
The OBJ golf tournament which debuted in 2015 has run for seven years with First Bank providing the funding.
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