Sports
AFCON 2025: Rohr Warns Eagles Ahead Of Uyo
Sequel to their shock 2-1 defeat of Nigeria in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier in Abidjan last June, German Coach, Gernot Rohr is confident that The Cheetahs of Benin would yet again be at the ready when they face the Super Eagles in their Match Day 1 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification in September.
Both Nigeria and Benin are drawn in Group D along with Libya and Rwanda. While Benin will be home to Libya on Match Day 2, Nigeria will travel to Kigali to face the Amavubi (The Wasps) of Rwanda.
As the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) dilly dallies over naming a substantive coach for the Super Eagles since Finidi George ‘walked away’, after that insipid display in June, Rohr, who switched from Nigeria to manage The Cheetahs, is enthused about meeting a somewhat ’familiar foe’ at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 7.
“Our preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria and Libya are going well and I’m already in Cotonou to, first of all, offer support to our two teams playing in the continental cups.
After overseeing The Cheetahs’ defeat of the Super Eagles on the eve of his 71st birthday last June at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, the former Bayern Munich defender is equally hopeful about the prospect of handing Nigeria the humble pie in Uyo, adding that the Beninese team will parade a formidable front irrespective of their pedigree.
”We will be happy to play (Nigeria) in Uyo, which is really a fantastic stadium; one of the most beautiful stadia in Africa,” remarked the very experienced Rohr who ensured the Super Eagles qualification to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup and Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. “In fact, I’m happy for Nigeria that they can play again there (in Uyo) because we could not play there for several reasons during my last two years with the Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are expected to resume camping in Uyo on September 1 ahead of their 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, Tidesports report.
A team official, who disclosed this to our correspondent last Wednesday, said, “The backroom staff will be in Uyo from September 1, and we expect most of the players to arrive in good time.”
The three-time African champions will welcome the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on September 7 starting at 5 pm at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo and fly out to another 2026 World Cup qualifying rivals Rwanda, three days later for a second AFCON qualifier.
They are currently without a coach, with the Nigeria Football Federation stalling the appointment of a new handler following Finidi George’s exit from the saddle in June.
The body is currently torn between former Sweden coach Janne Andersson and Hervé Renard, with a vast experience in African football, having coached the national teams of Zambia, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Morocco.
Sports
European Giants Circle For Osimhen
Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race
Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.
Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.
According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.
“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”
Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.
The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”
It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”
The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.
Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.
His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.
Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.
The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor
Sports
Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.
On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.
In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.
Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.
Sports
W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.
The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.
Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.
Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.
The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.
-
Sports1 day agoFinancial Issues Stall Chelle’s Eagles Contract Talks
-
Sports1 day agoNFF mourns ex-Eagles striker Eneramo
-
Sports1 day ago
Four Private Clubs Gain Promotion To NPFL
-
Sports1 day agoW/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener
-
Sports1 day agoTennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push
-
Sports1 day agoEuropean Giants Circle For Osimhen
-
Maritime1 day agoCILT Nigeria Seeks Anti- graft Agency Collaboration
-
Sports1 day agoChelle Confirms Financial Issues in Eagles Contract Discussion
