Sports

2023 AFCON Qualifier: Peseiro Drops Orban, Boniface

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2023

Nigerians have expressed shock at the ommission of KAA Gent of Belgium striker, Gift Orban and Victor Boniface of Royale Union Saint Gilloise from the latest Super Eagles squad.
Coach José Santos Peseiro on Friday unveiled his 23-man squad for the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sierra Leone.
While the roster includes notable names like Victor Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong, the exclusion of Orban and Boniface has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among football enthusiasts.
Many football fans have begun to wonder why Peseiro left out two players who were in exceptional form and created waves in their respective divisions in Belgium during the 2022/23 season.
The explosive Orban scored 15 goals in 16 league matches since joining Gent only in January. The 20-year-old also scored 20 goals in 22 games in all competitions for Gent.
He scored six goals in four play-off games and bagged nine goals in the regular league season. Also in this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League, Orban had five goals in six games.
Similarly, Boniface, who emerged as the top scorer in the Europa League for the 2022-23 season with six goals, seemed destined for a call-up to the national team.
Orban and Boniface, were, however, snubbed by Peseiro and the Nigerian Football Federation who instead called up the likes of Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon who have been perilously out of form.
This led to Nigerian football lovers venting their anger on social media, especially Twitter since the list was released by Peseiro on Friday morning.
“Ahmed Musa has had a brilliant Super Eagles career but it’s time to drop him. He didn’t have a single goal or assist this season and started only six times for Sivasspor in Turkey.

Sports

RSG Pledges To Develop Baseball

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.