Sports

‘Nigeria’s W’Cup Draw, Decent But Tricky’

Published

8 years ago

December 4, 2017

A section of football enthusiasts in Nigeria has described the country’s 2018 World Cup group draw as “decent, but tricky”.
Nigeria was last Friday in Moscow drawn alongside Argentina in the preliminary stage for the fifth time in the Super Eagles’ six appearances at the FIFA World Cup finals.
The Super Eagles were drawn alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in Group D.
Some of the football enthusiasts, who spoke with newsmen at the weekend in Abuja said the Super Eagles stood a good chance of making it out of the group.
They, however, urged the national team to tread cautiously and not take any of their opponents for granted.
, the Secretary General, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Tunde Popoola said:”We were worried about getting one of the big names; I wanted a balanced group and I think we’ve got that.
“We have a decent group, but we must be cautious.
“Nothing will be easy, but it is a group in which we have a chance and so we must begin our work,” he said.
The Chairman, FCT Football Association, said: Musa Talle “Argentina are really strong, but beatable just like we saw recently.
“There are places where we can hurt them.
“The other two teams, Croatia and Iceland, I‘m not too familiar with.
“But I think it’s a good enough draw.
“Having said that, we have to work hard and not judge anybody.
“You can’t go to a World Cup and think that a particular opponent is easy. That would be a great mistake,” he said.
The Chairman, Akwa United Football Club, Paul Bassey said: “It’s a very deceptive and treacherous group.
“We have to accept that we are one of the favourites, but if you look at the group in a more detailed manner, you can see it’s a very difficult one.
“Argentina are naturally favourites, as I’ve always said. They are a great team, with the best player in history (Lionel Messi) and a host of top-level footballers.
“Our other opponents – Croatia and Iceland – are unpredictable sides. With them, you don’t know what you’re going to get and that makes them very dangerous as well,” he said.
An Assistant Coach with Nigeria’s U-20 Women’s national team, Falconets, Mansur Abdullahi, said, “I cannot say whether or not I am happy with the draw. The group is what it is.

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.