Sports

Eagles Coach Dismisses Being Under Pressure

Published

9 years ago

May 25, 2016

Interim Super Eagles
coach Salisu Yusuf has insisted he is not under pressure to win this month’s friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg.
Nigeria will play Mali on May 27 in France and Luxembourg four days later, but they have been depleted following the withdrawals of top stars like Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, Russia-based forwards Aaron Samuel and Ahmed Musa through injury and other commitments.
But Yusuf, who has worked as an assistant to Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh and Samson Siasia, has maintained he will not be under pressure to win the games.
“I won’t be under pressure because there won’t be any reason to,” said the former Enyimba and Kano Pillars coach.
“They are just friendly games and while they are important for what we want to achieve, we won’t be under pressure.
“We have some new players we are giving opportunities for the first time, but no pressure at all.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are yet to announce a substantive coach for the team ahead of 2018 World Cup qualifiers beginning in October.
Rivers Angels Starts On Good Note, Win doves 4-1
Amaechi Ojini scored on her debut as Defending champions of the Nigeria Women Football League, Rivers Angels opened their season campaign with a 4-1 thumping of Martins White Doves at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin.
The former Kogi Confluence forward came off the bench to send in a rebound from close range after goalkeeper Obia Christiana parried away a shot from Mercy Amanze in the 90th minute.
The sizzling champions had taken the lead in the 6th minute through central defender, Osinachi Ohale who blasted from 20 yards beyond the reach of goalkeeper Obia.
Amarachi Ojinma doubled the lead in the 18th minute from a Mercy Amanze cross inside the 18 yard box.
The Port Harcourt side continued to dominate play until the 22nd minute when Cynthia Aku sent in another rebound from a Glory Iroka’s shot that hit the cross bar but it was ruled off by the center referee.
However in the 27th minute, Afodia John capitalized from an Osinachi Ohale’s error from the midfield to make the tally 2-1.
It didn’t stop there as Rivers Angels continued to haunt the defence of their opponent in the second half and 17 minutes later Mercy Amanze raised the tally to 3-1.
Amarachi Ojinma scored in the 77th minute from a superb cross by Ugo Njoku from a set piece outside the box but was this time denied by the assistant referee.
Ojini however sealed things for the league champions to hand them a well deserved victory.

Sports

CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance

Published

2 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).

He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players will grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.

Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.

“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.

“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.

He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.

” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.

Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.

“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.

The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.

“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.

Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship

Published

2 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.

Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.

Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.

“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.

“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”

Sports

FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway

Published

2 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.

Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.

Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.

Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.