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2022 WAFCON: S’ Africa Defeat Nigeria In Group C Opener

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South African senior female national team, Banyana Banyana on Monday once again asserted their superiority over their Nigerian counterparts with a 2-1 win over the Super Falcons in Group C match of the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON in Morocco
Goals on 60th and 62nd minutes of the boots of Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia ensured that the South Africans once again defeated the reigning Champions 8 months after they defeated them in Lagos to win Aisha Buhari Tourney.
There was nothing to separate the teams in the first half as it ended scoreless.
South Africa had a better statistics, finishing the the first 45 minutes with 59.6% of the ball possessions.
The Super Falcons however created the best chance of the half in the 12th minute when Asisat Oshoala ran into a good position to receive a pass by Michelle Alozie but a South African defender cleared away the ball.
Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi a couple of times had to save Tochukwu Oluehi in goal from trouble after the keeper misjudged the ball when Thembi Kgatlana threatened to score.
It was a match the nine-time champions were anything but coordinated as they managed to hold the the South Africans at bay in the first 45 minutes.
Oshoala had her best chance of the game four minutes into the second half with a left footed strike that South African keeper Andile Dlamini gathered with a smart catch.
The Nigerians could have put the Bayana Bayana under pressure through Ifeoma Olumonu in the 55th minute but her header was weak to have caused any troubles.
Two quick goals by in the 61st minute and 63rd minute by the duo of Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia saw South Africa go ahead.
Atletico Madrid dazzler Rasheedat Ajibade however pulled one back for Nigeria in added time but it was too little, too late for the Nigerians.
It is the 3rd time Nigeria is losing to the Banyana Banyana in four matches. They lost 1-0 in November 2018 in Ghana WAFCON, lost 4-2 in the Aisha Buhari Tourney in September in Lagos before Monday’s humiliation.
Nigeria paraded their European based stars that were all lethargic in the game as the young energetic South Africans ran them ragged.
Super Falcons last win over the Orange nation’s was on December 1, 2018 in the final of that year’s edition of WAFCON with the then Thomas Dennerby led ladies triumphing 4-3 on penalty after regulations ended goalless.
Super Falcons will hope to bounce back from the defeat as the face debutants, Botswana on tomorrow.

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Iwobi Optimistic On S’Eagles Qualification 

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Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi says the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring that Nigeria have the players and abilities to compete against any country in the world.

Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.

The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.

We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”

The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.

“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.

“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”

Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.

Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.

It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.

Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.

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ATLANTICBELL CEO ADVICE SPORTS WRITERS ON SPECIALIZATION 

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The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.

He stated that in spite the fact that sports journalists are doing greatly in the country but hardly find any sports journalist that specializes on a particular sport reporting and become an authority, as it obtainable in advance countries.
Mr. Ogolo , who was the former Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Rivers State Chapter, said this after he received the Veteran Sports Journalist Award, during the SWAN @60 Diamond jubilee award night, in Abuja on Friday.
According to him, sports journalists have done tremendously well in sports development through effective and efficient reportage.
“SWAN has done greatly to develop sports in Nigeria, so they should be given its rightful place.
“Members should continue to do what they are doing, Nigerians are sports loving people when you give them facts and accurate reporting they will be happy, besides, sports writers have a big role to play in advancement of sports in Nigeria”, Mr. Ogolo said.
The former General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The TIDE Newspapers, used the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the National Executive Council (NEC) of SWAN for the award.
He explained that the award is one of the most important and special awards he has received, hence it came from his primary constituency as a journalist.
” I am not just happy but overwhelmed. This award will spur me to contribute more in development of sports and I we equally support SWAN Rivers State Chapter in my little way” he stated.
By: Tonye Orabere

 

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DEPUTY PRESIDENT EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT SPORTS DEV, SWAN 

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The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.

He stated that the sports writing fraternity is where he cannot forget as a sports journalist that starts from the grassroots.
Mr. Nyong said this while presiding over South South SWAN zonal meeting of Chairmen and Secretaries, including some elders in the zone, on Friday, in Abuja.
He explained what led to his suspension and sue unity and peace amongst members, saying that what happened should be a thing of the past, as he was actually misled and deceived.
The Deputy National President reiterated his commitment to work with Cyril Dum Wite led administration in Rivers State Chapter of SWAN, saying that SWAN is one and there should be no division of any such.
He reels out ideas that can make SWAN viable and enviable in the zone.
“I want peace and unity amongst members of the association in the zone, we are one family, let us work as family. Thank God I am back fully, members of the zone will enjoy the association”, Mr. Nyong said.
Also speaking the Vice President of SWAN south south zone, Azuka Chiemeka, thanked members that attended the meeting and also advised members to work in peace, unity and love with others members to achieve positive result.
It will be recalled Bonny Nyong was suspended in Full council  meeting held  in Kano following what can be described as misconduct, but was forgiven and his suspension was lifted after he apologised to Full council members in a meeting, held in Abuja, during SWAN@60 celebrations.
By: Tonye Orabere
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