Sports

Crown FC Sure To Gain Promotion

Published

7 years ago

May 6, 2019

The Media Officer of Ogbomosho-based Crown FC, at the weekend, Tunji Alabi, said the club has set its sight on gaining promotion to the elite division in its 2018/2019 Nigeria National League (NNL) campaign.
Alabi made the disclosure to the Tidesports source in Lagos on the heels of the clubs away point gain at the Matchday 3 of the NNL against Word of Life FC in Warri.
He said that it was an indication of club’s target of gaining promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season.
“We are able to hold Word of Life FC to a one goal apiece in the Matchday 3 Group B4 fixtures of the NNL in the Southern Conference.
“The dramatic encounter that was played at the Oghara Township Stadium in Delta saw the “Ajilete Warriors” display good and matured game.
“Our players, Chibuike Nwankwo and Adeyemi Adeyeye, were always posing a serious threat to the defence line of the Bible Believers Side from the start of the game to the end.
“Adeyemi Adeyeye’s early goal in the 9th minute from the host stopper, Rhiogbere Tejiri’s blunder was denied by the centre referee.
“The Bible Believers Side as well got chances and attempts at goal in the early minutes into the game but goalkeeper and Captain for the Ajilete Warriors, Adeniyi Adejare, were up to the task,’’ he said.
Alabi said that the Ajilete Warriors continued to pressurise the homers until the goals came at the 48th minute.
“The players not minding the heavy wind that was returning balls to their half, continued with touch pattern of play until Adeyeye shot the ball into the net with an assist from Christopher Nwaeze.
“The host team, however, levelled up in the 59th minute when Anyanwu Ugo’s shot from Ogah Collin’s cross found the back of the net,’’ he said.
The Crown FC’s gaffer, Oladunni Oyekale, said he appreciated God for the success, adding that the boys gave a good fight.
“I appreciate God for the outcome of the game. I thank my boys for putting up a good fight though I expected a win. Very painful, we will go home and re-strategise ahead of our next home game,’’ he said.
The Tidesports source reports that Crown FC will play their next Group B4 Match day game yesterday, May 5, at the Soun Township Stadium in Ogbomoso.

Sports

Iwobi Optimistic On S’Eagles Qualification

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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