Sports
S’Africa’s Supporters Hail Super Eagles’ Performance
Chairman, Nigeria Football Supporters Club in South Africa, Osita Okeke, says Super Eagles World Cup Qualifying matches against the Lions of Cameroon were awesome.
Nigeria defeated Cameroon 4-0 at home and was forced to a 1-1 in Yaounde in the reverse fixture on Monday to stay on top of their group with 10 points from four matches.
Okeke told newsmen in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday that members of the club were proud of the Eagles.
” We watched the matches at Uyo and Yaounde live on television. The Eagles were awesome in the matches and we are happy with the outcome.
” With the seriousness we saw on the Eagles, they are ready to qualify for the World Cup. We urge them to remain focused, resolute and determined in the remaining matches,” he said.
Okeke said that members of the club celebrated the outcome of the matches and wished the team well.
The chairman also said that the Eagles performance was a warning signal to the South African national team in their AFCON qualifier next year.
He said that the Eagles South Africans saw against Cameroon was different to the team that lost at home to the Bafana Bafana.
” We are hopeful that the Eagles will re-enact the same game when they meet South Africa. The supporters club will be on the ground to cheer them to victory.
” For now, first things first. Let us get the World Cup ticket, then we plan for the South Africans and other teams,” he said.
Ezechukwu, one of the youngest members of the Nigerian contingent at the championship in Ghana, said her ambition was to win the 100m title in style and cap it with a new personal record.
The fresh secondary school graduate explained that she is fully focused on contributing to Team Nigeria’s medal hopes and is determined to deliver strong performances across her events.
“My main objective in Ghana is to clinch the 100m title and the 4×100m,” Ezechukwu told Tidesports source.
“Nigeria can be assured of my very best and my commitment to the Team. I would love to set a new personal best in Ghana, but anything that comes, I will take it. The spirit in the team is high, and I think we are ready to go,” she said.
Ezechukwu, who was part of Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay squad at the World Relays in Botswana, said the experience gained from that competition has strengthened her mindset heading into the continental championships.
She admitted that she learned valuable lessons from her previous outing, including a difficult moment during the relay where an early error affected the team’s rhythm, but said she has used the experience to improve her discipline and composure.
“The secret is just being disciplined, training hard and trusting my coach and believing in God, and the result will show,” she added.
The teenager is part of a 41-member Nigerian team comprising 24 female and 17 male athletes competing at the championships, which begin today at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Nigeria are expected to compete across multiple track and field events as they aim for a strong finish against the continent’s elite athletes.
Amusan arrives with an impressive record at the continental championships, having won five gold medals across individual and relay events.
She won the 100m and 4x100m relay titles at Asaba 2018, repeated the sprint hurdles and relay double at Mauritius 2022, and added another relay gold at Douala 2024.
She was, however, expected to challenge for a third 100m hurdles crown in Douala but did not compete in the individual event for personal reasons, instead featuring in the relay.
Liberia’s Ebony Morrison is the reigning champion in the women’s 100mH after setting a championship record of 12.7s, ahead of South Africa’s Marione Fourie and Madagascar’s Sidonie Fiadanantsoa.
Even though Amusan is expected to have an easy path to reclaiming the title, compatriots Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday will be in contention to challenge her.
Tabugbo is familiar with the championship stage, having previously placed fifth in the 100mH at Douala 2024 while also winning relay gold alongside Amusan.
Top table tennis nations including Japan, South Korea, Germany and France will headline the elite field expected at the tournament, which is one of the 10 WTT Contender Series events scheduled for 2026.
Players from Denmark, the USA, India, Portugal, Romania, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Belgium, Canada, Togo, the Netherlands, Ghana, Wales, Egypt, Italy, Chile, Slovenia and hosts Nigeria are also expected to compete for the $100,000 prize purse.
Tayo reaffirmed Lagos’ readiness to host one of the biggest events on the World Table Tennis calendar, insisting that the city would once again deliver a vibrant atmosphere for athletes and spectators.
Nigeria’s commercial hub is prepared to deliver an unforgettable experience filled with energy, culture, and top-tier table tennis. As one of the most popular tournaments on the WTT calendar, the Contender Lagos continues to raise the bar in organisation and hospitality, offering athletes and fans a truly unique atmosphere,” Tayo said.
According to Tayo, the tournament has continued to establish itself as a major showcase for elite table tennis on the continent while boosting Nigeria’s image on the global sporting stage.
“We are excited to host this prestigious event, one that not only highlights elite table tennis in Africa and beyond but also underscores Nigeria’s growing influence on the global sporting stage. Coming on the heels of the centenary anniversary of table tennis in London, Lagos is proud to welcome athletes eager to compete with passion and precision,” he added.
This year’s competition will also witness the return of former champions alongside a strong cast of international stars, further underlining the growing prestige of the Lagos tournament.
The WTT Contender Series provides players with opportunities to earn ITTF World Ranking points and serves as an important pathway between developmental events and elite tournaments like WTT Champions.
Events to be contested in Lagos include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, as well as mixed doubles.
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