Sports
Chukwu Advises Eagles To Step Up
Former national team coach, Christian Chukwu, has advised Super Eagles’ technical crew and players to rise above the disappointment of not making the Qatar 2022 World Cup and show the world that they are still a powerhouse in football.
Nigeria lost the 2022 World Cup ticket to Ghana. The football extravaganza was hosted by Qatar. It was the first time the team failed to qualify for the Copa du Mundo since 2006.
The Eagles will begin another campaign to qualify for international football on March 24, but this time, the target is the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire. The Eagles will host Guinea Bissau in Abuja on March 24 and travel to Bissau for the return leg on March 27.
Chukwu told The Guardian that though Nigeria’s failure to make the World Cup in Qatar is painful, the games against Guinea Bissau are good opportunities for the Eagles to reassert their greatness in African football.
He also advised the team against underrating Guinea Bissau, even though they are not among the A list teams in Africa, saying that in modern football there are no more weak sides.
The former Super Eagles coach urged the technical crew to ensure that only the best available players are selected for the matches, saying that picking players on sentiments can ruin Nigeria’s chances of returning to international football.
“Nigeria cannot afford to miss the 2024 AFCON after not playing in the last World Cup. So, everybody involved, including the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the coaches and the players should take preparations for the Guinea Bissau game seriously.
“The players should be mentally focused for the games because in African football there are no more small teams,” he said.
Also speaking on FIFA’s decision to increase the number of teams at the World Cup from 32 to 48, beginning with the 2026 edition, Chukwu said that the format is of no advantage to African teams because all of them in the World Cup have equal chances of excelling at the tournament.
The Ardova Handball Premier League 2025, which began with the first phase in Benin City months ago, before the second phase in Lagos which ends with a finale that the Executive Chairman of Ardova PLC, Dr. Abdulwasiu Sowami, ably represented by the Deputy Managing Director, Ardova PLC, Mrs Abiola Babatunde-Ojo, described as delightful to watch in her speech.
For Safety Shooters, it was a historic moment as they clinched the men’s title for the first time since 2020, completing a dominant campaign that saw them finish top of the table with 57 points from 20 matches while Safety Babes also etched their name deeper into Nigerian handball history, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive women’s championship, reaffirming their status as the league’s most dominant team, not just in the women’s category but in the history of handball premier league in Nigeria.
In the Men’s Safety Shooters finished the season in style, beating COAS Shooters 43–32 (20–10) to cap off a dominant outing in Phase 2.
Their final-day victory ensured they remained clear at the summit with an impressive 18 wins, one draw, and one loss, totaling a superb goal difference of +214 after scoring 638 goals and conceding 424.
The organisers of the Ikoyi Club Tennis Masters Tournament have earmarked N4 million as the prize money for this year’s edition.
?The Chairman of the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, Diran Famakinwa, stated this at a briefing, highlighting the activities for the second edition of the tournament.
?The tournament, which is in collaboration with MegaMound Investment Limited, is endorsed by the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
?According to Famakinwa, the male and female champions will receive N500,000 each, while the runners-up in both categories will go home with the sum of N350,000 each, with the remaining money to be shared among the semi-finalists and other participants.
?Sixteen players, which includes the eight top ?male and eight top female players, will feature in the one-week event, which started on December 5, and run till Saturday, December 13.
?The female final will be held on Friday, December 12, while the male final will take up on Saturday, December 13.
In a statement released on Saturday, the NSC described the defender as “Captain Fantastic” and praised his decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, highlighting a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty.
“After a decade of distinguished service to Nigeria, Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by professionalism, consistency, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to national duty,” the NSC stated.
The commission noted that, as one of the most capped defenders in Super Eagles history with 83 international appearances since his debut in 2015, Troost-Ekong served as a pillar of leadership across multiple tournaments and qualification campaigns.
“His exceptional outing at the last Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament, remains one of the most remarkable achievements by a defender in AFCON history,” the NSC added.
The statement further emphasised that Troost-Ekong’s “Nigeria first” mindset, discipline and exemplary conduct set a standard for the next generation of athletes, with his influence within the national team extending beyond the pitch to inspire unity, resilience and professionalism among his teammates.
Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong has dismissed rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 32-year-old’s announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list. His decision sparked speculation, particularly as he had led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
One fan speculated on social media, suggesting that Troost-Ekong was pressured to quit after exposing the NFF. The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way,” he wrote on X.
The NSC concluded by wishing Troost-Ekong the very best in the next chapter of his career and commending him for representing Nigeria with honour.
-
Business5 days agoCBN Revises Cash Withdrawal Rules January 2026, Ends Special Authorisation
-
Business5 days ago
Shippers Council Vows Commitment To Security At Nigerian Ports
-
Politics5 days agoTinubu Increases Ambassador-nominees to 65, Seeks Senate’s Confirmation
-
Business5 days agoFIRS Clarifies New Tax Laws, Debunks Levy Misconceptions
-
Sports5 days ago
Obagi Emerges OML 58 Football Cup Champions
-
Business5 days agoNigeria Risks Talents Exodus In Oil And Gas Sector – PENGASSAN
-
Business5 days ago
NCDMB, Others Task Youths On Skills Acquisition, Peace
-
Sports4 days agoFOOTBALL FANS FIESTA IN PH IS TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNITY – Oputa