Sports

Firm Promises To Empower Youth Through Football

Published

7 years ago

December 10, 2018

The Executive General Manager, Field Operations of Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Vincent Kiehl says it is committed to encourage and empower youths through active engagement in football and skill training that will promote sustainable socio-economic development.
He explained that, this year’s competition is a special edition in recognition of the security challenges currently beleaguering his host communities.
Kiehl stated this at the weekend in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2018 edition of NNPC/TEPNG football competition tagged “OML58,” held at Obite Civil Centre Football Field, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, (ONELGA), Rivers State.
Kiehl, who was represented by the Community Relations Manager, Offshore/Port Harcourt communities, Obara Okechukwu noted that his determination is to encourage peace and reconciliation amongst the youths.
Okechukwu explained that the theme for this year’s competition is “Playing in Search of Enduring Peace and Reconstruction of the Social Value System” of the youth of his host communities.
According to him, sixteen (16) teams will participate in the competition and noted that all the teams would campaign towards one goal of winning the championship.
He used the medium to welcome two new teams to the competition, Ihuowo and Odhio-Ugbokor communities, adding that both communities are drawn from Ekpeye Kingdom to participate in the tournament for the first time.
The manager further explained that the management of Total E&P Nigeria Limited and their joint venture partners remain committed to support the annual competition.
Okechukwu recalled that for the pass three years, the competition was not holding in communities in Egi, Amah or Idu because of the security challenges adding that they were glad to bring back hope that peace would continue to improve for the benefit of every member of their host communities.
He, therefore, enjoined all the participating teams, managers and their supporters to maintain and consolidate the current peace by playing for friendship and unity among the teeming youths of the area.
“I charge you to remember that we play best when we play according to the rules of the game.
“We must know that the best part of the competition is participation. Participate to make new friends; this should be the main trust. When we play for friendship we become better sportsmen and that way, we better kick out violence,” Okechukwu stated.
He thanked the partners, NNPC for their continuous support of the youthful project.
The manager noted that the collaboration with the Rivers State football Association (RSFA) and the referee council would produce competent umpires that would apply the rules of the game effectively in order to entrench fair play and sustainable friendship throughout and beyond the duration of the competition.
He commended the central and local organising committee as well as the medical team and other health resources for a job well done. He wish all the participating team goodluck in the competition, adding that the best team would always win.
Also speaking, the chairman of Rivers State Football Association (RSFA), Bar, Chris green expressed joy over the tournament, saying that now that the economy of the country is bad, the companies are still giving the youth platform to excel in their talents.
Green who was represented by the Secretary of RSFA Ibigoni Akobo commended Total E&P Nigeria Ltd and its joint venture partner NNPC for giving the youth the opportunity to showcase their skills, be peaceful and become good sportsmen.
Earlier, the president of Egi Youth Forum Odioku Umejuru had thanked the organizers of the tournament, saying that the youth of the host communities will maintain peace during and beyond the competition.
The opening match was between Erema United FC an Ihuowo FC which ended in a goalless draw.

By: Kiadum Edokor

Sports

Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.

Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.

However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.

Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.

Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.

Sports

City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.

The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.

City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.

Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.

Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)

Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.

Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.

The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.

West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.

All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).

In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.

The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.

And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.

Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.

But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.

Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.

Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.

Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.

Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.

Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.

Sports

PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.

The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.

PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.

Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.

Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.