Sports
Stakeholders Blame NFF, Players For Eagles Failure
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick
Nigeria’s Super Eagles’
failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Gabon, has continued to attract mixed reactions. It is the second time in a row that Nigeria’s flag will fail to fly at the biggest continental football fiesta.
Last Tuesday the Pharaohs of Egypt dashed the dream of Super Eagles to attend the 2017 African Cup of Nations, after they pipped the Eagles by a lone goal barely four days after holding them to 1-1 draw in Kaduna.
This is the second time Nigeria Flag will not be hoisted in AFCON tournament after failing to defend their title in 2015.
The Eagles have lifted the AFCON trophy three times, 1980, 1994 and 2013 .
In his reaction, ace sports writer, Alambo Datonye, said it is unfortunate that a big country like Nigeria failed to qualify for AFCON, saying that the nation is living in her past glory.
Datonye noted that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) principally caused the failure of the national team, because they don’t have good administrative structure to pilot the affairs of the game.
“Honestly it is really unfortunate that Nigeria could not qualify twice consecutively. NFF should also share the blame because of poor administrative policy and structure.
Is not all about coaching and having abundant talents, but it takes more of good policies and structure”, Datonye said.
According to him, one of the major reasons for the country’s failure is high level of politics within the confines of the game, also players arriving late to camp whenever there is international engagement.
“There are a lot of politics even in the game of football which is not good for the nation”, he stated.
Jim Udede-Opiki, a sportswriter and analyst described Eagles failure as terrible, saying that the situation would make the country lose her respect globally.
Udede-Opiki also blamed NFF over their administrative lapses, mostly the appointment of Sunday Oliseh and his premature resignation which set the preparations backward.
“I will really say that the situation is a sad one and terrible. Our two times consecutive failure to attend the AFCON will definitely make the country lose her respect internationally interms of football.
NFF should also share part of the blame over the appointment of Oliseh” Udede-Opiki said.
In his reaction, sportswriter and presenter, Emeka Denar, said it is highly disappointing for a team like Nigeria failed twice, and blamed NFF largely to employ three coaches within the period, saying that contributed to the failure because there was inconsistency in the team.
According to him, NFF should invest in our local league, to enable the country have a formidable home based Super Eagles that can have the capacity to beat any team.
“NFF has failed Nigerians and their apology is not accepted by me because they don’t have a good structure that can develop our football.
Another problem is that our players report late to camp, that is also affecting the play, because the players hardly blend. I want NFF to invest on our local league”, Denar said.
Chairman Rivers United Supporters Club, Franklin Owhor, also expressed sadness over non-qualification of Super Eagles, but blamed Samson Siasia for changing the winning team.
According to him, Siasia should have combined both foreign and home based players.
“Siasia changing the winning team to me was the cause of our failure, I know that the home based players are more committed when it comes to national assignment”, Owhor said.
Tonye Orabere
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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