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
The Rivers State Football Coaches Association (RSFCA) has concluded arrangements to organise a coaching clinic tagged: “Continuous Professional Development Coaching (CPD),” aimed at developing football coaches in the state.
Chairman of the local organising committee (LOC), Coach Raphael Akunna revealed that the coaching clinic is being organised in conjunction with Bright Stars Sports Agency United Kingdom which will hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium starting from tomorrow, and last for two days.
Wuga Birabe, Co/Director MW Sporting World Limited London, England, United Kingdom and other invited instructors are expected to deliver key note lectures.
Dignitaries expected at the opening ceremony today include Sir Honour Sirawoo (Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Sports and President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria), Barr Chris Green (Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor on Real Madrid), Mr Benjamin Akubor (RSFA), Sarah Davids (Chairman Sports Writers Association of Nigeria Rivers State), Chairman Nigeria Referee Council Rivers State) and other invited guest.
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Football Coaches Association (RSFCA) has conducted a number of coaching courses over the past three years.
The latest was the NFF/NLO/Berackiah Football Grassroots Coaching Clinic course that took place March 7 – 11, 2022 and attracted about 40 participants
Chairperson, Nigeria Women’s Football League, Aisha Falode, says Naija Ratels were walked over at the ongoing NWFL Super Six tourney in Benin City, the Edo State capital, after they failed to respect the sponsorship deal for the event.
New girls Ratels were scheduled to clash against former champions Nasarawa Amazons at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Monday before they were walked over.
The NWFL had sealed a N16m sponsorship deal for the championship, with all six teams to wear shirts branded by the sponsors.
But Naija Ratels reportedly flouted the rule book, preferring to wear their own jersey branded by another sponsor.
“We walked them over for flaunting the rule of being the club that has not worn the official jersey. We will work on the fixtures and move on, this is what the rule is all about,” Falode said.
“We told them (clubs) each team would get N1m each, while there would be N5m for the winners, N3m for the runners-up and N2m for the second runners-up, meaning N16m was going back to the league.
“This man (Ratels owner), who just qualified for the league for the first time, who is playing in the Super Six for the first time, has come to disorganise what we have done. We have a responsibility; we have a duty to the organisation and those who appointed us to manage this league.”
Falode added, “If you have a shirt sponsorship, you are supposed to write to the league board and as a matter of fact, a percentage of the sponsorship is supposed to come to us but we are not aware they have any sponsorship deal.
When asked if there would be stiffer punishment aside the walkover, the ace sports journalist added, “one step at a time.”
Also, the NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, noted that Paul Edeh, Ratels proprietor, contravened the NWFL Statutes on sponsorship.
“Article 7.8 states that all rights contracts to be entered into by any club shall first is subject to the writing and approval of NWFL, before execution,” she said.
The Chairman of Retired Basketball Players in Port Harcourt, Fubara Fibika has said that the ban of basketball in Nigeria from international competition by the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, would cripple the game at the grassroots.
According to him, the best thing to do was to formulate a programme on how to develop the game instead of the ban.
Fibika said this on Monday in an exclusive interview with Tidesports in Port Harcourt, saying that basketball is one of the fastest developing games in the country.
The veteran explained that he has respect for the Sports Minister for his initiative on sports development, but his recent action is not fair at all.
“Bringing politics in Sports will cripple the industry.
What we should think of now is how to promote and develop the game in our locality” Fibika said.
He advised the Sports Minister to rescind his decision, narrating that the ban is not good for the game.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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