Sports

SWAN Mourns Complete Sports Founder

Published

4 years ago

March 2, 2022

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has received with huge shock news of the demise of the founder and Executive Chairman of Complete Communications Limited, Publishers of Complete Sports Newspapers, Success Digest and other Online Publications, Dr Emmanuel Sunny Ojeagbase.
Dr Ojeagbase died on Saturday, 26th February, 2022 in Atlanta, United States of America (USA) after a brief illness at the age of 71.
SWAN recalls his tremendous contributions to Sports Development through his various publications which have provided gainful employments for hundreds of Nigerian youths, including many of our members serving across the country.
The Complete Sports has offered a platform, where many SWAN members practised and even excelled in their chosen career.
SWAN takes solace in the fact that late Sunny Ojeagbase lived a very fulfilled life and will be remembered for enduring legacies he has left behind.
The late media icon made his landmark as the pioneer publisher of sports news in Nigeria, when in 1984 he established the Sports Souvenir weekly newspaper.
He began his career in sports journalism as a stringer at the Daily Times Newspapers in the mid-1970s and due to his dedication and hard work, late Ojeagbase grew on the job and was appointed Sports Editor of Sunday Concord Newspapers at inception in 1980 and Sports Editor of The Guardian Newspapers also at inception in 1983.
With a burning desire to become an employer instead of remaining an employee, late Ojeagbase resigned from The Guardian in 1984 and founded the Sports Souvenir.
Between 1984 and 1994, late Ojeagbase added several other sports titles including Complete Football Magazine, Complete Football International (CFI) and International Soccer Review (ISR) into the Nigerian Sports market.
Complete Football titles played very prominent roles in the development of sports in the country, including Nigeria’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup at USA 1994 as well as the exploits at the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games, also in the USA, where Nigeria won two gold medals, an achievement that made him to float the Complete Sports as a sports newspaper in 1995.
SWAN therefore commiserates with his family, entire sports family and pray God to console all; and for his soul to rest in peace.

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Government has pledged to provide training pitch for Baseball in the State.

The Director of Sports in Rivers State Sports Council, Obia Inyengiyikabo made pledge on Tuesday in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the five days Intensive Capacity Development Course For Baseball Coaches.

Inyengiyikabo said the State Government has given priority to sport development.

” Yes we are happy for the five days Intensive Capacity development programme for baseball coaches in Nigeria.Sure by the grace of God the Governor of the State Sir Siminialayi Fubara will provide Baseball pitch.

” This programme, I am sure will be an eye opener for our youth to fall in love with the game. I appreciate the Global Sports Partners for finding Rivers State worthy host the programme”, Inyengiyikabo stated.

Meanwhile the Director of Global Sports Partner’s Coach Justin Rhondes from United States of America ( USA) expressed joy for the turnout.

He stated that seeing the coaches and players impressive turnout was indication the game was popular in Nigeria.

” We Global Sports Partners, our key word is partner, so for us we are ready to come back to Nigeria any time.

“The few days we have stayed Coaches and players has benefited a lot from the programme”, he said.

Kiadum Edookor

Sports

CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt contingent, comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff, and officials, depart the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State on Wednesday, bound for Kinshasa, DR Congo.

The team is set to face FC Les Aigles du Congo in the first-round first-leg match of the CAF Champions League.

This was contained in a press release signed by the media officer of the club, Charles Mayuku and made available to Tidesports on Wednesday.

He said that the highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Kinshasa-Complexe Omnisports Stade des Martyrs on morrow with kickoff slated for 3:30pm.

According to the statement the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between both sides in any competition, adding that an air of excitement and unpredictability to the fixture.

“As the Pride of Nigeria embarks on this crucial journey, the team is determined to return with a decent result that will set them up favorably for the second leg on Sunday, 28th September” the statement said.

Sports

FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa

Published

3 days ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped one place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, falling from 44th to 45th globally while maintaining sixth position on the African continent.

The new rankings, released via FIFA’s official X handle on Thursday, reflect the team’s continued struggles under Coach Eric Chelle amid a stuttering 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

This marks a second consecutive decline after the Nigerian side dropped from 43rd to 44th in August on the back of poor outings in recent international matches.

Despite Nigeria’s setback, several African teams made progress. Morocco remains the continent’s highest-ranked side, sitting 11th in the world after winning eight of their last nine matches. Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five.

Lesotho slipped to 153rd place, while Benin Republic, Nigeria’s upcoming opponent, climbed to 93rd. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, who held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in June, rose to 55th, strengthening their bid for World Cup qualification.

Zimbabwe had the biggest slide down the ranking table, dropping nine places to 125th position in the world.

The rankings highlight Nigeria’s struggle to regain form on the global stage as key rivals continue to surge ahead.

Similarly, the Super Falcons of Nigeria remain 36th best in the world], while the Spanish female national team replaced the USA at the top of the women’s ranking.