Sports

Eagles Star, Junior Ajayi Weds In Lagos

Published

8 years ago

January 1, 2018

Former U-23 Eagles forward, Junior Ajayi at the weekend tied the nuptial knots with his long time girlfriend Tamilore Tahwakhalat in Lagos.
The Al Ahly of Egypt star was also included in the 2017 Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Team of the Year on the day his wedding ceremony took place in Maryland.
Former Super Eagles forward Gbolahan Salami, Al Hilal of Sudan defender Azeez Shobowale, erstwhile Falconets coach Rolandson Odey and Nigeria National League club Osun United coach Bayo Adesina were some of the dignitaries that were in attendance at the wedding ceremony.
An elated Ajayi, 21, told Completesportsnigeria.com that he is happy to finally quit bachelorhood and can look forward to a blissful union with her.
“Today is the happiest day of my life as I’m finally hooked up to the most beautiful woman in the world,” the elated groom, decked in a dark suit, said.
“She is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with and I look forward to a great future with her.”
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has included Junior Ajayi and his compatriot Troost-Ekong who plays for Bursaspor in the 2017 Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Team of the Year.
Troost-Ekong and Ajayi’s inclusion was confirmed in a poll published on CAF’s verified Twitter handle.
Following the final selection in one of the three positions in the defence, Troost-Ekong got 71 per cent from the 3,524 votes to beat Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester United’s Eric Bailly who got 29 per cent of the votes.
The two other defenders selected are Tunisia and Al-Ahly’s Ali Maaloul and Ahmed Fathy of Egypt and also Al-Ahly.
Ajayi got 64 per cent out of 7,261 of votes cast for the offensive midfield position.He saw off competition from Senegal and Liverpool forward Sadio Mane (20 per cent) and Yacine Brahimi of FC Porto and Algeria (15 per cent).
For the defensive midfielder position, Feyenoord and Morocco’s Karim El Ahmadi got the nod.
Uganda and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa goalkeeper Dennis Onyango of Uganda was picked in the goalkeeping position.

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball

Published

15 hours 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

16 hours 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

16 hours 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.