Sports

Gaya Calls For Punitive Measures Over FIFA Sanction

Published

8 years ago

December 18, 2017

A former lawmaker, Godfrey Gaya has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure disciplinary measures are taken against erring officials following FIFA’s sanction on Nigeria for using an ineligible player.
Tidesports source gathered that FIFA had said NFF was to pay a fine of 6,000 Swiss Francs for fielding an ineligible Shehu Abdullahi against Algeria.
The November 10 match in Constantine was a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying fixture, and it had ended 1-1.
The Super Eagles defender Abdullahi Shehu was to serve the automatic one-match suspension as a result of receiving a caution in two separate matches of the same competition.
Gaya, who was a former Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Sports, however told newsmen in Abuja that the development was embarrassing.
He said whoever was responsible should be sanctioned.
“This has happened repeatedly in NFF and sanctions have not been applied.
“It was said that FIFA informed NFF prior to the situation, but it did not take it into consideration.
“That match against Algeria was inconsequential and we could have even filed players that had not featured at all in any of the qualifiers.
“If we had not qualified before that match we would have lost our chance at the World Cup, in addition to the sanction.
“ We are supposed to be participating at the World Cup with our heads high, but now it appears as though we are not capable of running our football well or keeping records,’’ Gaya said.
The former House Committee chairman however blamed the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, for the negligence.
“The General Secretary should know that this is his duty as number one administrator and the chief executive officer of the NFF.
“ If the letter which FIFA sent was not worked upon then that responsibility rests on his shoulders,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, the President of NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has through his twitter handle, @pinnickamaju, apologised for the error.
“It was a lack of diligence in and by one of our departments and we are ensuring that errors like this never happen again.
“On behalf of all at the NFF, I apologise,’’ the tweet read.

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.

The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.

Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.

” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.

” This programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the programme”, Inyengiyikabo stated.

Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.

He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was indication the game was popular in Nigeria.

” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.

“The few days we have stayed Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.

Kiadum Edookor

Sports

CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials, depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo.

The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.

This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.

He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm.

According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.

“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.

Sports

FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

Published

2 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.