Sports
Don’t Give Up On Super Eagles-Peseiro
Super Eagles’ Coach, Jose Peseiro and the team captain, William Troost-Ekong, have assured Nigerians that the team would make it out of Group A of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations despite their inability to beat Equatorial Guinea in their opening game last Sunday.
Nigeria had to come from behind to hold Equatorial Guinea to a 1-1 draw at the Allasane Quattara Stadium in Abidjan, but Peseiro said the flow of the game showed that the Super Eagles were better and could have won by a wide margin, if they had taken their chances.
The Portuguese, during the post-match conference, said his team were simply unlucky on the day and would correct their mistakes on Thursday when they take on the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire.
He said: “We hoped to win this match and we did everything to win. This draw doesn’t suit us.
“Our team created a lot of chances, but we didn’t score. We hope that next time, even with fewer opportunities, we will score. We simply must improve our finishing.”
Peseiro said Nigeria would beat Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday if they create the same number of chances as they did against Equatorial Guinea.
Sunday’s draw was the third in competitive internationals for the Super Eagles, after two disappointing results in their opening two World Cup qualifiers in November. They were held at home by Lesotho and then drew away against Zimbabwe.
“Obviously we need to improve finishing, but it is not as if the players meant to miss their chances,” he said, while blaming the hot and humid conditions for slowing down his team.
On the crunch battle against the hosts, Peseiro said, the expected hostile atmosphere would suit his players.
“I think my players prefer to play in front of 60,000 rather than the 8,000 we had today,” he said.
On Southampton loanee, Paul Onuachu, who joined the team six hours before the game, Peseiro said the decision to play the lanky striker was purely tactical.
“The other time the question was why Onuachu played, now is why I didn’t bring him on earlier. Onuachu arrived today 4.30 a.m. in the morning; he didn’t do any training with us.
“We didn’t assess him well before the match. I brought on Onuachu because there was no organisation, he’s a guy strong in the air. It’s not easy putting in a player that arrived 4.30 a.m. in the morning, and 6.00 a.m. in the hotel.”
Also speaking on the game against Equatorial Guinea, stand-in captain, William Troost-Ekong, urged Super Eagles’ fans to continue to support the team, saying that their best was yet to come.
“I just want to say thank you for the support, for the guys that came out there. Of course, we’re disappointed. We feel the same way as you guys. We wanted to win today, but I think we have to look at the positives,” Ekong said.
“Don’t give up on us. We would have won handsomely, if we score all the goal scoring chances we created. We promise a better outing against Cote d’Ivoire.”
Nigeria’s second group game will hold at the Alhassan Quattara Stadium on Thursday by 5.00 p.m.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”