Sports
AFCON: Nigeria, Egypt Cracker Will Determine S’Eagles Capacity – Peterside
A well-known football buff in the state, Warisenibo John Mark Dodd Peterside, believes that the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s first game against Pharaohs of Egypt would be used as a yard stick to determine the true cohesion, standing and readiness of the Nigeria team in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations Championship which commenced yesterday in Cameroon.
Peterside, who stated this while speaking in an interview via telephone recently, noted that he was not in doubt that the encounter between the two notable countries would be a cracker to watch, having known their pedigree in African football setting over the years.
“Honestly, the Eagles team will have their hands full in containing the seven-time African champions, the Pharaohs of Egypt who are known to be pace setters.
He nevertheless expressed confidence in the ability of Coach Austine Eguavoen to lead the Eagles team well except that short of time for proper blending of the players might pose to be his greatest challenge, hence will not be in a haste to call for his head if he fails to record an appreciable result from the championship in Cameroon.
“Interestingly, the 23 man Eagles squad he has assembled for the prosecution of the biennial Africa Cup of Nations Championship are okay but it is important that he must ensure that discipline was instilled into the team as well as coming out with an appreciable football tactics that will improve the team’s pattern of play even if they fail to win their game as a result of one ill-luck on the other.
“Infact, I stand to be corrected that the good noting of the Eagles team in Cameroon despite its short period of camping will depend on the kind of football tactics coach Eguaveon will adopt.
Asked on which of the teams in Group D could pose a serious threat to Eagles’ ambition of qualifying for the next stage of the championship, the outspoken Peterside who has widely travelled along with the game of football held the view that none of the four teams in Group D should be taken for granted as they are all potential winners, having come out qualified from the various groups in Africa.
“Though, Guinea Bissua appears to be an underdog side on paper but I can assure you from recent experience that there is no team in Africa that could be described as minnows and therefore it will be a big mistake for Supper Eagles team to underrate any of her opponents who are eager to make history for themselves in the championship.
It would be pertinent to note that Nigeria Super Eagles will be opening her account in the Nations Cup contest against Pharaohs of Egypt tomorrow.
Sports
CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance
Sports
Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Sports
FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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