Sports

Deputy Gov Rescues Ref From Angry Fans

Published

7 years ago

March 18, 2019

The timely intervention of the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, saved referee Abdullahi Shuabu from being attacked by angry Benin fans, who were mad at the official for disallowing a Bendel Insurance goal in added time, in their NPFL Match Day 10 clash against Rivers United at the University of Benin sports complex.
The home team took the lead in the 12th minute through Ugwu Michael before Rivers United’s Ossy Martins grabbed an equaliser in the 49th minute to silence the home fans.
Insurance however found the back of the net in added time after a goal-mouth struggle, and the home fans went into wild jubilation.
But their joy was cut short when the ref disallowed the goal. In anger, the fans trooped to the gate leading to the main bowl of the sports complex, in wait for Shuabu but the Edo Deputy Governor, sensing danger, formed a wall around the match officials with his security personnel, and escorted them to the dressing room.
Speaking after the match, an angry Shaibu threatened that the Benin Arsenal might stop competing in the Premier League if the management of the NPFL did not review the match video and correct what he termed “injustice.”
He said, “We are not happy. Kwara United came here, we scored a goal, and they disallowed the goal. The referee allowed the goal, but said the linesman (assistant ref) raised his flag, he disallowed it.
“Just last weekend, same scenario occurred, our goal was disallowed in Akure. Today, the same thing has happened. I think it is better we discontinue with the Premier League. We cannot continue to allow this kind of officiating to mar our games.
“We won the Kwara United game but they disallowed it (Insurance goal). When they reviewed the video, they saw that it was a goal. If they defeat us or they equalise, we don’t care, but not for them to make us lose points. We can’t continue like that.
“We have to discontinue with the league if LMC (League Management Company) does not probe the Kwara United match, Sunshine match and this one; we will discontinue with the league. We will write to them and we will not play the next match until our complaint is addressed.
“We are in the league and we are here to play according to the rules. You saw that we had to escort the referee out of the field so that the fans will not create a problem. We will continue to maintain discipline, but we will not maintain discipline at the instance of losing points at home and away.”

Sports

Iwobi Optimistic On S’Eagles Qualification

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi says the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring that Nigeria have the players and abilities to compete against any country in the world.

Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.

The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.

We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”

The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.

“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.

“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”

Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.

Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.

It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.

Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.

Sports

ATLANTICBELL CEO ADVICE SPORTS WRITERS ON SPECIALIZATION

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.

He stated that in spite the fact that sports journalists are doing greatly in the country but hardly find any sports journalist that specializes on a particular sport reporting and become an authority, as it obtainable in advance countries.

Mr. Ogolo , who was the former Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State Chapter, said this after he received the Veteran Sports Journalist Award, during the SWAN @60 Diamond jubilee award night, in Abuja on Friday.

According to him, sports journalists have done tremendously well in sports development through effective and efficient reportage.

“SWAN has done greatly to develop sports in Nigeria, so they should be given its rightful place.

“Members should continue to do what they are doing, Nigerians are sports loving people when you give them facts and accurate reporting they will be happy, besides, sports writers have a big role to play in advancement of sports in Nigeria”, Mr. Ogolo said.

The former General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The TIDE Newspapers, used the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the National Executive Council (NEC) of SWAN for the award.

He explained that the award is one of the most important and special awards he has received, hence it came from his primary constituency as a journalist.

” I am not just happy but overwhelmed. This award will spur me to contribute more in development of sports and I we equally support SWAN Rivers State Chapter in my little way” he stated.

By: Tonye Orabere

Sports

DEPUTY PRESIDENT EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT SPORTS DEV, SWAN

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.

He stated that the sports writing fraternity is where he cannot forget as a sports journalist that starts from the grassroots.

Mr. Nyong said this while presiding over South South SWAN zonal meeting of Chairmen and Secretaries, including some elders in the zone, on Friday, in Abuja.

He explained what led to his suspension and sue unity and peace amongst members, saying that what happened should be a thing of the past, as he was actually misled and deceived.

The Deputy National President reiterated his commitment to work with Cyril Dum Wite led administration in Rivers State Chapter of SWAN, saying that SWAN is one and there should be no division of any such.

He reels out ideas that can make SWAN viable and enviable in the zone.

“I want peace and unity amongst members of the association in the zone, we are one family, let us work as family. Thank God I am back fully, members of the zone will enjoy the association”, Mr. Nyong said.

Also speaking the Vice President of SWAN south south zone, Azuka Chiemeka, thanked members that attended the meeting and also advised members to work in peace, unity and love with others members to achieve positive result.

It will be recalled Bonny Nyong was suspended in Full council meeting held in Kano following what can be described as misconduct, but was forgiven and his suspension was lifted after he apologised to Full council members in a meeting, held in Abuja, during SWAN@60 celebrations.

By: Tonye Orabere