Sports
S’Eagles Have Potentials To Win 2024 AFCON -Peseiro
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, believes his time with Nigeria is destined to be successful. “I am blessed with talented strikers and midfielders, and my job is how to bring the defence at par with my strike force on time to fulfil our ambition of winning next year’s African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire,” Peseiro said in an exclusive interview with Tidesports source.
The Super Eagles have been drawn against host, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau in the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
“The main goal is to win the AFCON,” Peseiro said. “We will need to be at our maximum because we know that there is good opposition. There is Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. But we believe we can do it. I believe. And the players believe.”
The coach agrees there are challenges, saying: “The structure and organisation are not like in Europe.” Peseiro also spoke on why he agreed on a reduction in his salary so that he could stay on for the AFCON tournament. “The players pushed me to stay because they believe we can win.”
Among the weapons at Peseiro’s disposal is Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, who was with his mates in Portugal for Nigeria’s friendly game against Saudi Arabia (played last Friday) and Mozambique, last Monday.
Osimhen has been in the news recently for sad reasons: His club (Napoli) displayed a caricature of him on tiktok dragging to play a penalty kick during a recent Serie A game.
Coming from the club the same club Osimhen led to their first Scudetto in over 30 years, the video has generated so much furore that even Osimhen’s agents are threatening to drag Napoli to court.
To Peseiro, that is a very unkind cut from Napoli. “That video? From the club? From the outside it is one thing, but a video from the club, that is the worst. That cannot happen,” Peseiro told Tidesports source.
“He was sad because it is not easy for anyone. He does not understand it. He does not understand why.” Osimhen fired Napoli to their first Serie A title since the days of Diego Maradona. “He helps the team to the league and now they are mocking him?”
But, having spoken to Osimhen to offer support, his advice is to stay focused and not allow this treatment to impact his ambitions in the game.
“Osimhen is a star. Two years ago, he was not a star. Now, he is a star. And when you are a star, everybody wants more, more, more. The others can do badly, but if Osimhen plays badly it is different because people demand more from the players who can do more.
“It was a bad thing that Napoli did. Of course, he would prefer they do not do it. But my advice is to stay calm. Do not play against the fans. Do not lose balance. Keep the mentality. Keep the personality. That is what the very best players do. And he can be at the top.”
Meanwhile, Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen believes the Super Eagles have the quality to win the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles last tasted success on the continent in 2013 in South Africa.
The West Africans will be looking to win a fourth AFCON title next year in Cote d’Ivoire.
Jose Peseiro’s side have been drawn in Group A with the host nation, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
Eguavoen insists the Super Eagles can beat the 23 other teams to the title.
“We have been craving to try to get the Nations Cup back; since 2013 we’ve not been able to achieve that feat; we know we have the capacity, we have the quality and everything to be able to win it,” Eguavoen told Brila FM, yesterday morning.
“But to say it is easy to achieve, is another thing, so everybody has to work towards the same goal, support the team whichever way we can, support the coaches and the players have to go out there and do the job.”
Sports
Amusan places third in Diamond League opener
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
Sports
Falcons To Tackle Senegal in Pre-WAFCON friendly
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Sports
Okpekpe Road Race Unveils Partners, Appoints Dr. Bojuwoye
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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