Sports
AFCON 2021: S’Eagles Neutralise Salah, Sink Pharoahs
The Super Eagles of Nigeria last night in Garoua, Cameroon began their quest for a fourth African Cup of Nations title on a good note with an impressive lone goal victory over seven-time champions and one of the favourites for the title, Egypt, at the nascent 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations.
The Nigerian team under the guidance of interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, who was appointed less than two months ago, did not only answer doubters, who gave them little chance over the Mohamed Salah led Egypt, they made a strong statement of intent as far as the current championship in Cameroon is concerned.
From the blast of the referee’s whistle, the Eagles asserted themselves and kept the Pharoahs on the back foot in the opening match of Group D. All fears of potential massacre and annihilation from the boot of Salah and company vanished barely 10 minutes into the game as Nigeria controlled Egypt with spirited and purposeful performance.
Salah and his mates were effectively caged and neutralised by the Eagles’ defence marshaled by Kenneth Omeruo, Troost Ekong, Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina. Wilfred Ndidi and David Aribo were magnificent in the midfield, while Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi were impressive in attack. Just as Moses troubled Pharaoh on behalf of Israel in the Bible, Moses Simon was a thorn in the flesh of the Egyptians from the right flank with powerful penetrating runs time after time.
Iheanacho put Nigeria ahead after half an hour, controlling and finding the top corner of Egypt’s goal off a header and cross by Aribo and Simon, respectively. The Eagles were unfortunate not to get more goals their efforts deserved, especially, Iheanacho, Awoniyi and Chidera Ejuke, who all missed some good chances.
Egypt were lacklustre for much of the proceedings, managing just one shot in the opening 70 minutes.
Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, who has reaffirmed his desire to stay at Anfield, repeatedly found himself isolated up front as Nigeria dictated the match’s tempo.
The forward was played through by substitute Ahmed Sayed with 20 minutes remaining but his mishit shot was saved by the legs of Nigeria keeper, Maduka Okoye.
As Egypt searched for an equalizer with an improved performance in the second half, the Eagles battled hard to restrict them to long range efforts and half chances. In the end, Salah was restricted to only one clear chance that was saved by the keeper.
Indeed, Eguavoen and his wards with their performance against Egypt have shown that they mean business in Cameroon and must build on it to try to go all the way in the competition.
Nigeria still has Sudan and Guinea Bissau as opponents to surmount en route dominating Group D.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
In a bid to make the Pillar of Associations Rivers state football tournament to become a permanent annual feature in Rivers state football calendar and a veritable platform for alternative career opportunity for Pillar members and members of Rivers football community, the Chairman of the tournament’s Organising Committee, Comrade Franklin Obute has stated that they were open to welcoming sponsorships from corporate entities and well meaning individuals.
Comrade Obute in an interview with news men on a match day at the ongoing competition at the Rivers State University’s ground said that the Pillar of Associations were ready to partner interested parties, who would be willing to invest in the competition through sponsorship towards elevating the quality and standard of the tournament.
According to him, “The Pillar of Associations tournament, due to the opportunities available, owing to the sheer number of businesses and members obtainable in the Pillar, would be a very attractive opportunity to exploit through sponsorship”.
He stated that there would be a conscious efforts toward sensitising the corporate and private environments to buy into the vision and objectives of the tournament. He explained that due to the open nature of the competition, whereby members of the association are allowed to engage any footballer from across the country, whether a business man or not, any sponsor would be able to enjoy unimaginable mileage.
“Every multinational company, private businesses should aspire to be part of the sponsorship of this tournament because there are so much benefits derivable therein, the coverage is very wide. You know that organising a football tournament of this nature is capital intensive, so, any sponsorship to add more value is welcomed”, he said.
The 2025 edition is currently ongoing and has reached the second round stage where matches are now being played on knockout basis, beginning from Friday.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
The Technical Manager of Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt, Finidi George has praised his boys (players) as they ran away with a point in the rescheduled match day nine of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) against Bendel Insurance.
According to him, before the game, he told his boys that they have to put up a good fighting spirit in the game, knowing that it will not be easy at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
Finidi said this last Thursday in his post match interview with sports journalists and made available to Tidesports after they secured a goalless draw against Insurance.
He explained that in the first half, the game was 50-50 but in the second half after 15 to 20 minutes, my players pushed them back, looking for goal but they were able to hold them and got the draw.
“ From onset, I knew it was going to be a difficult game. Yes, we have to defend deep and get something. Kudos to my boys, they put up a good fighting spirit.
“ Despite the host creating good number of chances even hitting the crossbar but I must say that the draw is not a bad result.
“ Wasiu Falolu came closer in the second half but his long ranged shot just went over the bar.
“It was not a bad result but we have to move on and see how we can get good results from other matches” Finidi said.
By: Kiadum Edookor
The 2025 edition of OML 58 football tournament kicked off last weekend with plans to develop more talents.
According to the Executive Director JV Asset of Total Energies, Mr. Obi Imemba, the tournament has improved in the past 13 years and has discovered several football talents, three of whom are currently undergoing training at a football academy outside the country.
Speaking through the General Manager Community Affairs Dornu Kogam, the JV Asset director said that this year’s theme is geared towards promoting peace and harmony among the selected communities, adding that two teams that defaulted were dropped from the competition.
He urged the 18 teams participating in this year’s competition to focus on the theme of the event by displaying camaraderie and love among themselves.
Imemba said that,” my advice to the participating teams is that you should not be preoccupied with winning, rather focus on the theme of the event”.
Earlier, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Saheed Ogunsanya stated that the competition had evolved over the years and has become an under 18 competition, witnessing total elimination of over aged players.
“With this, he said, ‘talent hunt and development of youngsters have become a major goal of the competition, which goes beyond sowing peace and harmony to improving and providing career platforms for youths for the future”.
Meanwhile, at the opening match last weekend at Obite Civic Centre in Ogba/ Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area defending champions, Odiemerenye FC and Abarikpo FC locked horns to kickstart this year’s edition. The match was scoreless as at half time.
Recall that Odiemerenye FC were 2024 champions, and they were the first Ekpeye community to lift the OML 58 trophy since the inaugural edition in 2002.
By: Kevin Nengia