Sports
‘S’Eagles Can’t Afford To Lose Against Liberia’
Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa has talked up the importance of winning their 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying match against Liberia tomorrow.
The three-time African champions need to avoid defeat in Morocco as they aim for a place in the final play-off round that would see 10 group leaders face-off for the five tickets allotted to Africa.
The Super Eagles currently lead Group C with nine points after four matches while Cape Verde trail in second spot with seven points.
The last time Nigeria faced Liberia in Lagos on September 3, the encounter ended in a 2-0 victory for Gernot Rohr’s men with Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho grabbing a brace.
Musa, who became the country’s most-capped player with 101 games in October, disclosed the team’s mission at the Stade Ibn Batouta before they host Cape Verde for their final group fixture on Tuesday.
“As you can see everyone is happy and we are ready for the game. We have 22 players here. Tomorrow (yesterday) we are expecting the goalkeeper (John Noble) and Odion Ighalo,” Musa told Tidesports source.
“We know the importance of the game, we can’t afford to lose. We have to go for the three points. At the end of the game on Saturday, we hope to celebrate another important win.”
The Fatih Karagumruk forward also compared the weather in Tangier to be similar to their European base.
“I think the weather is very good, it’s just like Europe and I think most of us love the weather. I hope the weather will give us what we want,” he said.
Meanwhile, Liberia Football Association communication manager Gologo Ben Garkpah has said that the Lone Stars want to silence Nigeria to make things edgy in Group C.
A 1-0 defeat to Cape Verde meant that the aspirations of Peter Butler’s men to qualify for a maiden World Cup faded into thin air, leaving the Super Eagles and the Blue Sharks in the race for a third-round ticket.
Ahead of tomorrow’s fixture, the LFA official claims his compatriots will be all out to maintain their impressive home record against the three-time African champions as well as play the role of spoilers.
“When the Lone Star reflects on the defeat in Nigeria in which I don’t think we were particularly bad, we want to win,” Garkpah told news men.
“We have not lost a competitive home game against Nigeria over a long period. We are motivated to win and make things nervous for any of the two contenders on the last day.
“I think we can upset the three-time African champions. With all respect to them, the Super Eagles are not infallible. They can be beaten.
“They’ve lost a World Cup qualifier to us before, and we can replicate that.”
Coach Butler made eight changes to the squad that lost 2-0 in Lagos, and for Garkpah, that is an indication that Liberia is in Morocco for serious business.
“The complexion of the squad I think is a little stronger than the one on matchday one,” he continued.
“We’ve brought in new and energetic lads with greater experience and ambition. I think this group will spring a surprise.
“Central African Republic showed that Nigeria can be beaten. We need to take our chances which has really been a difference between us and the Super Eagles.
“We’ve scored only twice and that shows we require improvement up front, and the coach has been working on that.
“Our backline has leaked five goals which aren’t too bad but on paper, those five goals conceded seem to be the difference between us and the rest of the other teams because we aren’t scoring much.
“With the inclusions of Mark Pabai and Jamal Arago, I’m sure we’ll be solid at the back.”
Sports
European Giants Circle For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
Sports
Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
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