Sports
Qatar 2022 W/Cup: S’Eagles Fall Short
The Super Eagles last night at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja added to the frustration and disappointment of Nigerians, especially football fans as they came short in their quest to secure one of the tickets to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup scheduled to hold later this year. The Eagles, under the tutelage of Augustine Eguavoen lost out to perennial rivals, Black stars of Ghana 1-1 aggregate on away goal rule. The first leg had ended scoreless four days before in Kumasi, Ghana.
It was a huge blow to the expectations of many Nigerians who were already looking forward to seeing the nation fly her flag in Qatar among other top footballing nations in the Asian country. Indeed, the Super Eagles have themselves to blame for their inability to scale the Ghanaian hurdle. The match in Abuja was delicately poised after a barren draw in the first encounter and coach Eguavoen and his lieutenants knew what was at stake and exactly what to do to berth in Qatar.
However, a vapid and lethargic team performance played into the hands of the Black Stars as they out foxed a disjointed and lackadaisical Eagles team. Interestingly, the Nigerian team got all they asked and wished for the game as Nigerians turned out in their numbers to support them. The Federal Government even had to declare a half day holiday and tickets were purchased and distributed to people to ensure that the stadium had the desired atmosphere. But the team failed to keep its own side of the bargain.
The Super Eagles had come off the starting blocks in a blast, giving a false sense of hope that they were in mood for business only to fizzle out even before the game took shape. Barely 11 minutes into the game, another keeper howler gifted the Black Stars the lead and precious away goal as Francis Uzoho allowed Thomas Partey’s shot from the edge of the box to beat him. Though the lead lasted for 10 minutes before Skipper William Troost Ekong pulled the Eagles level from the spot via the VAR penalty decision, the Super Eagles only flattered to deceive from then on.
It was indeed a display that lacked cohesion, urgency, leadership, strategy, tact and technique from the players and bench of Nigeria. Even a raft of substitutions failed to change the tide and eventual outcome with the Ghanaians digging in to secure what they have. In their defensive setup, the Black Stars were a far better sight to behold when they attacked and showed that they were a unit that wanted the game more.
In the end, the Super Eagles and indeed Nigerians would rue the missed opportunity to be at the 2022 world cup and what might have been. Again, the performance and not necessarily the result has exposed the deficiency of the country’s bench and other missing ingredients the national team needs to weave a formidable unit, despite abundance of talent.
Elswhere, Mohammed Salah and Egypt will join Nigeria to watch the 2022 world football fiesta on television after Senegal once again proved too difficult for them. Sadio Mane netted the decisive penalty in the shootout as African champions Senegal defeated Egypt 3-1 on penalties following a 1-0 victory in Dakar and a 1-1 draw on aggregate, to reach their third World Cup finals.
Just over three weeks after netting the winning spotkick as the Teranga Lions defeated the Pharaohs on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Yaounde to win their first continental crown, Mane sent Senegal to Qatar, with Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah missing his penalty in the shootout.
As at press time, it was looking good for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who was leading Algeria 1-0 to be at 1-1 aggregate.
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi began his 2026 season with victory at the Orlen Cup in ?ód?, producing a dominant 20.82m throw to win the men’s shot put at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in Poland, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Africa record holder finished ahead of Romania’s Andrei Toader, who placed second with 20.55m, while Serbia’s Armin Sinan?evi? took third on 19.93m.
Poland’s Szymon Mazur, the best-placed home athlete, finished fourth with 19.69m, with Italy’s Nick Ponzio completing the top five on 19.58m.
The rest of the field was headed by Piotr Go?dziewicz (18.02m), Jakub Korejba (17.55m), Wojciech Marok (17.48m), Damian Rodziak (17.23m) and Ukraine’s Maksym Lebediuk (15.75m).
Enekwechi’s winning mark gave him a clear margin over the field and underlined his status as one of world’s leading throwers, as he laid down an early marker for the new campaign in his traditional season-opening competition.
The result also marked an improvement shift in his Orlen Cup history. This was his third consecutive appearance at the meeting and his third straight season opener with the event, having previously finished second in 2024 with 21.14m and again in 2025 with 20.88m.
On this occasion, he converted consistency into victory, finally standing on the top step of the podium in ?ód?.
Enekwechi is the reigning two-time African champion in the shot put, a silver medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a two-time African Games champion, having won titles in 2019 and 2023.
His performance in Poland continues a career trajectory that has established him as Nigeria’s leading figure in the event and one of the continent’s most reliable performers on the global circuit.
The women’s competition at the meeting was won by Poland’s Zuzanna Ma?lana.
With the 2026 season now under way, Enekwechi’s opening victory at the Orlen Cup sets an early tone for the year ahead, as he builds momentum towards major continental and international championships.
The next edition of the Orlen Cup is scheduled to take place in ?ód? in February 2027.
Tanzanian giants Simba have opened discussions over a potential move for Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as they look to reinforce their squad following an injury to first-choice shot-stopper Moussa Camara, Tidesports source reports.
The 29-year-old, who plays for South Africa Premiership side Chippa United, is in the final six months of his contract and is eligible to enter pre-contract negotiations with foreign clubs.
Foot Africa reported that Simba are exploring the possibility of bringing Nwabali to Dar es Salaam either during the current window or on a free transfer at the end of the season, although no agreement has been reached.
“Sources have indicated that Simba are in active talks with the player’s camp in a bid to lure him to Dar es Salaam in the ongoing window or on a free transfer – but no agreement reached,” Foot Africa reported.
Simba’s interest has been accelerated by Camara’s knee injury, which prompted the club to move quickly to sign Mahamadou Tanja Kassila from Niger’s AS FAN.
The club are reportedly considering deregistering Camara to accommodate the new foreign signing, a situation that has frustrated the Guinea international, who has asked for the remaining six months of his contract to be terminated.
In their search for a longer-term solution, Simba identified Nwabali as a prime target, although formal negotiations with his club have yet to begin.
“Simba identified Nwabali as the ideal successor to Camara, but the club is yet to submit a formal bid to Chippa United, who are open to offers,” Foot Africa added.
Nwabali’s profile has continued to rise following his performances for Nigeria, most notably at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets in seven matches as the Super Eagles secured a bronze medal.
Oyo State is set to return to the continental football spotlight as it prepares to host Nigeria’s Falconets in a crucial 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Senegal’s Lioness of Teranga.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan. The Oyo State Government said the state was selected for the fixture following its successful hosting of a previous Falconets’ qualifier, further underlining its growing profile as a destination for international sporting events.
In a statement on Monday Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, confirmed that preparations were in top gear to ensure a hitch-free match. She said the choice of Oyo State as host was a reflection of confidence in the state’s sporting infrastructure, organisational competence and security architecture.
She recalled the emphatic victory recorded by the Falconets against Rwanda at the same venue last year, describing the match as a testament to the state’s readiness to stage major sporting events.
“The successful hosting of the Falconets against Rwanda showcased Oyo State’s world-class facilities and our capacity to organise international fixtures that meet global standards,” Adegoke said. “The Lekan Salami Stadium has continued to serve as a fortress for our national teams, and we are confident the Falconets will once again make the nation proud.”
Adegoke also disclosed that the Falconets are expected to arrive in Ibadan today ahead of the qualifier, to allow ample time for acclimatisation and final preparations. She added that the team would enjoy full logistical support from the state throughout their stay.
The Falconets, who reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Japan 14 years ago, will go into the last round of the qualifying series if they win this encounter, to confront the winner of the Guinea-Bissau/Malawi fixture, for one of Africa’s four tickets at the final tournament.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will be staged in Poland, from September 5 to 27, 2026.