Sports
As Real Bamako Laments Lack Of Tactics
Mali’s AS Real Bamako have admitted they were held back by the tactics of Nigerian club Rivers United after both teams played out a scoreless draw in a CAF Champions League tie at the weekend.
A tactical masterclass by Rivers United coach Stanley Eguma proved to be catalyst for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club to peg back their Malian hosts AS Real Bamako to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their preliminary round CAF Champions League game.
Meanwhile as Real Bamako coach, Pascal Pons who blamed his side’s failure to win on their lack of knowledge of the Nigerian side has promised a better performance in the return fixture in Port Harcourt.
“It (the result) was okay even though we played a 0-0 draw. We could not really understand the tactics and system of our opponents,” said Pons.
“We showed good skill but it was difficult to tell exactly how our opponents (Rivers United) would play since we didn’t know much about them.
“We have a week to prepare and in the next one week, we will be well prepared.”
Eguma, on the other hand, maintained it was not yet time to celebrate as there was still one more hurdle to scale as the teams prepare tomeet again in the evenly-poised tie in Port Harcourt, next weekend.
United had better to win the game but for in the contest decided at the Stade Modibo Keita de Bamako.
Lukman Mohammed missed one of the best chance of the first period when he headed over from close range after he was tactically set up by Nzube Anaezembe whose inch-perfect cross needed the slightest of touches to make the net bulge on the stroke of half time.
The hosts also came close in the first half through right back, El Hadji Salim Bah who overlapped admirably only to see his fierce drive fly inches wide off Femi Thomas’ left hand post inside the first quarter hour.
The second half was a more technical affair as defences dominated most parts.
Real’s best attacking moment arrived in the 72nd minute when Abdramane Traore’s effort hit the side netting with Thomas well positioned to make a block.
The visitors enjoyed the clearer openings with Kuemian and Ovoke coming extremely close to breaking the deadlock late on.
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.”
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.
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