Sports
I Am Proud Of Nigeria But Attracted To England-Arsenal’s Saka
Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) target, Bukayo Saka has wished the Super Eagles all the best.
This is after the 19-year-old player confirmed his international future with England’s Three Lions.
The left-back-cum-left-winger has been included in the England squad for their upcoming games against Wales, Belgium and Denmark.
Saka, who is a highly-rated player, was born in England’s capital city, London to parents of Nigerian descent.
“I feel like I’m really, really proud of my Nigerian heritage. I always still watch Nigeria’s games where I can and I wish them all the best and support them all the way,” Saka told Tidesports source
“But I’ve seen the process of how England are transforming and I think in the future, they’re going to do great stuff. I feel like it was right for me to choose England.”
Saka helped the Gunners clinch the 2019/20 FA Cup in what was his debut season and he has netted once in two Premier League games in the current campaign.
The left-footed player started his career with Arsenal’s Hale End Academy and once he turned 17 years old, he was given a professional contract by the English club and promoted to the under-23 side.
“My dad was born here, my mum was born in Nigeria, but they both grew up in Nigeria and met each other in Nigeria,” he added.
“They came over and when they came to England, it wasn’t easy for them because obviously, it’s a new country.
“It’s really cold for them, but they adapted well, and as soon as they had me and my brother, they always left everything out the way and put us first.
“Especially my football career, my dad always pushed me, he took me to training on days where sometimes it would take two hours to get to training,” he continued.
“So I’ll always be so grateful for my parents for the work they’ve done for me.”
Sports
Iwobi Optimistic On S’Eagles Qualification
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
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.
Sports
DEPUTY PRESIDENT EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT SPORTS DEV, SWAN
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.
-
Rivers2 days agoRumuji Crisis Claims One Life, Destroys King’s Palace
-
Sports2 days agoArsenal Continue Impressive Start To Season
-
Maritime2 days agoStakeholders Advocate Water Transport To Decongest Road Transportation
-
News2 days agoIran vows to rebuild stronger nuclear sites
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoFG Reaffirms Commitment To Brass Gas Project
-
Rivers2 days ago
Group Urges Fubara To De-escalate Crisis In Emohua
-
Sports2 days agoBayern Continue Bundesliga Dominance
-
Business2 days agoItakpe Train Derailment: No Casualty Recorded — NRC
