Sports

Enyeama Hails Toure Over CAF Award

Published

11 years ago

January 14, 2015

Super Eagles Captain,
Vincent Enyeama, has congratulated Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire for emerging as the 2014 African Footballer of the Year for the fourth consecutive time.
Enyeama said this during a press briefing held immediately after the Glo/CAF Awards at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City midfielder, YayaToure, won the award for the fourth time in a row.
Enyeama came second ahead of Gabon and Borussia Dortmund FC of Germany attacker, Pierre-EmerickAubameyang.
“First of all, I want to say thank you for everything; a big thanks to everyone here, to everyone who nominated me, who voted for me, to CAF, to Glo, to members of the press, I want to say a big thank you.
“I’m not a bitter loser, I’m not bad.
“Big congratulations to Yaya and we respect him.
“Qualifying or not qualifying, it doesn’t count. It pains me that Nigeria is not going to be at CAN but for the award, I support the decision of tonight, a big congratulations to him and I thank God for him.’’
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, who was present at the event, declared that Nigeria was very proud of Vincent Enyeama in spite of not winning.
The NFF president, however, said that he would have preferred the Super Eagles captain to win the prize because he was the only goalkeeper in the Top Three, “which is no mean feat’’.
“I just feel that it might be a very subjective reason to have a goalkeeper in that category, that goalkeeper easily would have been given that privilege of winning the African Footballer of the Year.
“Because you rarely see a goalkeeper being selected among the three best in the world.
“But of course, we are excited that he finished top three, which means that he is Number 2 in Africa and he will work hard.
“To us, he has demonstrated what very few Africans have demonstrated – being to the world cup three times, he has shown a lot of great dexterity, a lot of leadership and he has been a super ambassador to the country.
“So, give or take, we are still very proud of him and we are very proud of YayaToure as well, he is a very good ambassador of Africa.’’

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.