Sports

AFCON: Don’t Underrate South Africa, Fans Caution Super Eagles

Published

7 years ago

July 10, 2019

Soccer fans in Kaduna, yesterday tasked Super Eagles to do everything possible to win their next match with South Africa and qualify for semi finals.
The soccer fans, who spoke with newsmen said the Super Eagles should approach the match with determination and play as a team.
Isaiah Benjamin, chairman, Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria, Kaduna chapter said although expectations were high however, with a good play, the Eagles would be victorious.
“South Africa is certainly not a team that can be taken for granted. The Super Eagles must put in more efforts to scale through to semi finals.
“Indeed, the games are getting tougher, but with determination and team play, I see them emerging victorious,” Benjamin said.
A Sports Analyst, Vincent Akinbami expressed optimism that with team work, there would be a good outcome.
“What was lacking in the team before was team work and team spirit, but so far, I will say they have been adjusting.
“With the Egyptian fans behind us and the new spirit in the team, I see them scaling through.
“Iwobi is beginning to know the responsibility bestowed upon him; the attackers too are building confidence. I see them beating South Africa and getting better with every match till the cup is won,” Akinbami said.
Another Sports Analyst, Jide Bodunde said the Super Eagles needed extra efforts to win the match.
“On paper, you expect the Super Eagles to win, but football has gone beyond that.
“Super Eagles had not defeated South Africa in the last five meetings. South Africa have had one win and finished the remaining four in draws.
“I believe the Super Eagles will beat South Africa but it won’t come easy. A country that eliminated the host country (Egypt) and pre-tournament’s favourite in the presence of over 60,000 fans should be taken seriously.
“They have players like Tacey Taw who loves scoring against Nigeria and Lorch who scored the goal against Egypt as their key men. They should therefore be closely watched,” he said.
Bodunde expressed happiness with Odion Ighalo for rediscovering his scoring form which, he said was good for the Super Eagles.
According to him, Alex Iwobi is also one key player for the Super Eagles.
“My biggest worry is our defence line. They were shaky against Cameroon, thereby exposing the goalkeeper, a situation that made him to concede two easy goals.
“My prediction is 2-1 in favour of the Super Eagles,” the sport analyst said.
A football fan, Abdulmalik Yusuf said with determination, Super Eagles would win the match.
“We are winning the match in spite of having a confused coach, who up till now, does not know his first 11.
“The players should be determined and the outcome will be good,” he said.
Yusuf said Nigerians were ready to support the team with prayers but appealed to the federal government to give them necessary encouragements to boost their morale.

Sports

Rivers-born Chess Player Clinches Third Position At World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship

Published

21 hours ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

A veteran Rivers State chess player, Apollos Akomaka, has finished in joint 3rd place at the just-concluded World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship held in Abuja.

Akomaka, who is the director of physiotherapy at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, overcame a shaky start to secure a podium finish in the 11-round rapid event that began on August 2.

The tournament featured top chess players from several countries.

After losing his opening game, the defining moment for Akomaka came between Rounds 7 and 11.

He raised his game and began defeating some of the top-ranked players in the event.

The Rivers-born player ended the championship tied for 3rd place in the U2000 category with 6.5 points out of 11, alongside Cameroon’s national champion, Noumbo Vidal.

His final game was against Vidal, with the Nigerian playing the black pieces.

Vidal opened with a queen’s gambit but quickly transposed into an English opening with a double fianchetto attack.

Akomaka responded sharply with a king’s Indian defense and soon launched a kingside attack from a defensive position.

The pressure paid off, resulting in an immediate material gain, a knight for a rook, and leaving Akomaka with a strong attacking advantage.

Vidal fought hard to avoid mate and managed to steer the game into an endgame, where he found some respect. At that point, the Cameroon champion offered a draw, which Akomaka accepted.

Speaking after the event, Akomaka said that he is resilient and determined after the poor start but happy that he finished on the podium.

He expressed optimism that in subsequent competitions he will make Rivers State proud and Nigeria at large.

Akomaka has won both local and national chess championships in recent times.

He is passionate about chess; besides, he has equally sponsored several national chess tournaments in Nigeria.

The World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship concluded with Akomaka of Rivers State,

Nigeria, battling back from an early loss to end among the top three in his category

Tonye Orabere/Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Team Nigeria Secures Women’s 4x100m, 4x400m Finals at World U20 Championships

Published

23 hours ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

Team Nigeria continued its impressive showing at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, securing places in both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay finals after strong performances in the heats.

The Nigerian quartet of Becky Ebiyadi, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Praise Ugoh and Faith Ezechukwu booked their place in the women’s 4x400m final after clocking a season’s best of 3:35.28.

Nigeria finished third in the heat behind Italy and Great Britain, doing enough to advance to the final and remain firmly in contention for a medal.

In the women’s 4x100m, Ugoh joined Lucy Nwankwo, Chigozie Nwankwo and Oluebube Ezechukwu as Nigeria produced another season’s best, clocking 43.65 seconds to secure an automatic ticket to the women’s 4x100m final.

The qualification was sealed by a sensational anchor leg from Ezechukwu. Receiving the baton nearly 20 metres behind the United States, the Nigerian launched a determined charge down the home straight, rapidly closing the gap before edging the Americans at the line to claim the third automatic qualifying position.

Nigeria stopped the clock at 43.65 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of the United States, who finished in 43.67 seconds.

The performances mean Nigeria will now contest both women’s relay finals, further strengthening the country’s medal prospects at the championships.

In Saturday’s evening phase of the event, Success Uyibo will compete in the 200m women’s final while the 4x100m compete in the women’s final.

Sports

Poor welfare forced me to dump Delta for Enugu, says world – Nwachukwu

Published

23 hours ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

World Record holder and Commonwealth Games champion, Goodness Nwachukwu, has revealed why she dumped Delta State for Enugu State.

The sudden departure of Nwachukwu, a multiple gold medallist, from Team Delta to the Coal City, Enugu , sparked controversy within the sports family, with officials of Delta State Sports Commission accusing the president of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Sunday Odebode, of manipulating the system for the athlete to dump the state.

But Nwachukwu, who broke the World Record to win a gold medal for Team Nigeria in the Women’s Discus F42 event at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has cleared the air on the circumstances that led to her movement to Enugu State.

Speaking with The Tidesports source report, shortly after winning the gold medal, Nwachukwu said: “It is not true that anybody aided my movement from Delta State to Enugu. Rather, it was Delta State that forced me to leave because of poor remuneration.