Sports

Focus On NPFL Players, Ekpo Tells Football Administrators

Published

2 years ago

April 4, 2022

Following the Super Eagles’ ouster from Qatar 2022 World Cup, former international, Friday Ekpo, has declared that it is time the nation’s football administrators shift focus away from players of Nigerian descent by also developing and nurturing domestic league players good enough to play for the Super Eagles.
Nigeria last Tuesday lost the World Cup ticket to Ghana by the away goal rule. The two-legged encounter, played at the Kumasi Stadium, Ghana, and the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja respectively, ended 1-1 on aggregate, leaving millions of soccer-loving Nigerians frustrated.
Speaking to newsmen during the week, Ekpo said he was yet to come to terms with the reality that the Eagles will not be at the World Cup in Qatar, this year.
“I am still in shock that Nigeria will not be at the World Cup. Though the boys did all they could, unfortunately their efforts were not enough for us to scale the hurdle.
“In the match, it appeared the Ghanaians even knew us more than we knew ourselves. How can you explain that a team that could not beat us in Ghana will now come and stop us from scoring the needed goals to book qualification. This is so sad.
“What is even more painful about the whole thing was that everyone had predicted the Eagles were going to the World Cup after we played a goalless draw in the first leg at the Kumasi Stadium in Ghana,” he said.
The former Eagles’ midfield maestro then added that it was high time the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) looked inward and got players with potentials in the Nigeria Professional League (NPFL) who could be nurtured as bedrock of the Eagles rather than depending totally on foreign-based players.
“To even start with, how many of our foreign-based players are actually playing frequently in their clubs in Europe? There are very few of them. Yet, we bring them to play for us. This is why I keep saying we need to always invite players who are in form, and play week in, week out for their clubs in Europe. Many of those we bring here to play for us are benchwarmers. That is why we also need to look inward for the best NPFL players whether the league is in session or not, to serve as bedrock for Eagles.

Sports

Race For Zenith Bank B’Ball League Top Four Resumes

Published

5 hours ago

October 4, 2023

The Tide

The battle for the final two slots for the 2023 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League will begin at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, with MFM Women Basketball Club and Bayelsa Blue Whales looking to secure one of the two slots.
Two teams; Nigerian Customs and Air Warriors secured two slots from the Savannah Conference and now, the Atlantic Conference teams will battle to win the two other slots to complete the Top Four for Final Phase.
The Second Phase of the Atlantic Conference was postponed due to the recently concluded National Youth Games and with the arrival of all teams, hostilities began yesterday with Bayelsa Whales and MFM taking on Dolphins and Sunshine Angels, respectively.
MFM, who finished second in the last edition will have to be at their best as they are currently third on the table coming from the First Phase where they won three games while losing two while Bayelsa Whales on the other hand are second with four wins and a loss against undefeated First Bank who is poised to finish top of the table.
First Bank will hope to continue their impressive form when they meet IGP Queens who are also hoping to create an upset and get a slot to be in Lagos for the finals scheduled later in October.

Sports

NRFF President Hails ValueJet’s Contribution to Rugby Development

Published

5 hours ago

October 4, 2023

The Tide

President of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, NRFF, Dr Ademola Are has hailed the impact of ValueJet’s to rugby development and sports generally in the country.
Dr Are who was speaking on the sideline of the just concluded National Youth Games in Asaba, where Delta State emerged winners in both the male and female events of rugby, said ValueJet’s contributions to sports development could not be overlooked..
“We can’t over emphasize the impact of ValueJet in Nigeria rugby because they came at a time we needed them the most and all thanks to the president of the company, Kunle Soname who went the extra mile to ensure that Nigeria senior men national team, the Black Stallions participated at Africa Sevens Olympic qualifier in Harare, Zimbabwe.
“Despite not being the most popular sport in the country, he saw the potentials in rugby when others were hesitating, just like he has for other businesses of his with his canny business acumen.

Sports

Peseiro Congratulates Rivers Utd

Published

5 hours ago

October 4, 2023

The Tide

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has congratulated Rivers United following their victory over Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso which ensured their qualification to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Rivers United defeated their visitors 2-0 in the second leg of the second preliminary round of CAF Confederation Cup at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday night.
Rivers United missed two penalties in the game before Alex Oyowah scored the opener in the 89th minute. Oyowah completed his brace in the 10th minute of added time after converting a penalty to end the score 2-0.
The first leg of the encounter ended 0-0 two weeks ago at the Stade Muncipal Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire, giving the Pride of Rivers a 2-0 aggregate win and a group stage ticket.
Peseiro hailed the former Nigeria league champions on his personal X handle following their achievement.
“Congratulations to Rivers United on making it to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage. Best of luck in the competition!,” he wrote.
Rivers United reached the quarter-final stage of the CAF Confederation Cup last season before being eliminated by Young Africans of Tanzania.
Up next for Stanley Eguma led side is their first Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL game of the season against Niger Tornadoes slated for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Sunday.