Sports
Nations Cup Ouster:PH Fans Call For Super Eagles Disbandment
Soccer fans in Port Harcourt, Rivers State have called for the disbandment of the Super Eagles following what they descried as disgraceful performance and ouster from the African Cup of Nation’s in the final qualifier against Syli Nationale of Guinean at the Abuja National Stadium at the weekend.
Some of the soccer enthusiasts who spoke with The Tide sports yesterday were unanimous in insisting that the federal government should re-organise the national team of he country is to make head way in future competitions.
Mr Chika Okenwa, a Port Harcourt based businessman who is also a soccer fan was of the view that the disbandment of the present Super Eagles has become imperative since majority of the players have been infected with indiscipline bug.
He said that the poor performance of the players even in front of goals could be attributed to the running battle between Coach Samson Siasia and some players in the Eagles camp.
Mr Okenwa was of the view that Nigeria’s ouster from the African Cup of Nations was a sabotage packaged by some powerful officers in the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and delivered by the players last Saturday.
Mr Inime Alasia on his part, said that apart from overhauling the Super Eagles, there was urgent need for the federal government to probe the role of players and NFF officials in the match between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Syli Nationale of Guinea.
Mr Alasia, who is a sport analyst could not fathom why a star player like Osaze Odemwinge would fumble consistently in front of goal. He pointed out that the interest of the country and its million soccer loving citizens is paramount than self-seeking players and their cohorts in the football house.
Mr Samuel Duru, another soccer analyst, however exonerated the players blame over the country ouster in the nation’s cup.
He attributed the Super Eagles fate last Saturday to the inability of Coach Samson Siasia to know when and how to make changes in a crucial encounter such as the match.
Mr Duru used the opportunity to urge the Federal Government to sack Siasia in order to give soccer the direction it deserves in the country.
Also, Monica Iheakam, a senior sports journalists with The Sun Newspaper said that Samson Siasia should be relieved of his duty because he has lost credibility.
Iheakam expressed sadness over Nigeria’s elimination and blamed Siasia for the national disappointment.
Isaac Nwankwo & Tonye Orabere
Liverpool’s season of abject misery worsened as they were beaten with embarrassing ease by a hugely impressive Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions were looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Manchester City, but instead ran into a Forest side revitalised under new manager Sean Dyche and looking back to their best.
Liverpool head coach Slot gave £125m British record signing Alexander Isak a start, but he was totally anonymous once more and only lasted 67 minutes.
Forest went ahead after 33 minutes when defender Murillo shot powerfully past fit-again Liverpool keeper Alisson to subdue an already anxious Anfield.
Igor Jesus had a second ruled out for handball, but Forest doubled their advantage 39 seconds after the break when former Liverpool defender Neco Williams set up Nicola Savona for a crisp finish in front of The Kop.
Liverpool could barely raise a response in a desperate display, Forest increasing their lead 12 minutes from time when Morgan Gibbs-White scored after Alisson saved from Omari Hutchinson.
It means Liverpool, who lie 11th before Saturday’s late fixture, have now lost six of their past seven Premier League games as Slot’s near £450m summer spending spree comes under further scrutiny.
Forest, meanwhile, are surging away from the relegation zone and are up to 16th.
Michael Olise scored twice and provided a hat-trick of assists as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich came from two goals down to thrash Freiburg.
The visitors stunned the defending champions by taking a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes when Yuito Suzuki scored from close range and Johan Manzambi rose highest to head home Jan-Niklas Beste’s corner.
Bayern, who had not lost in the league since March, responded superbly and had restored parity by half-time.
Teenager Lennart Karl fired into the bottom corner from Olise’s pass in the 22nd minute and set up the Frenchman for a fierce finish in first-half injury-time, although Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu should have done better.
Bayern took control in the second period as Dayot Upamecano headed home Olise’s corner to put them ahead for the first time.
England captain Harry Kane netted his 14th league goal of the campaign on the hour mark, before Olise made it three assists when he threaded a pass through for Nicolas Jackson to finish at the first time of asking in the 78th minute.
Winger Olise completed a sensational afternoon with his second of the game six minutes later, driving at the Freiburg defence and curling into the far corner.
A 10th victory in the first 11 games left Bayern eight points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, while Freiburg remain 10th in the standings.
Vincent Kompany’s side visit Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday with both sides having a perfect record of four wins so far in the league phase of the competition.
AS FAR Morocco Win African Women’s Champions League (8)
AS FAR held firm to beat debutants ASEC Mimosas 2-1 in the African Women’s Champions League final and become continental champions for the second time.
Hanane Ait El Haj put the Moroccan club ahead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute after Safa Banouk had been tripped by Aboa Yapo.
ASEC Mimosas rallied after the break and Ami Priscal Diallo netted a fine header from Sopie Brou’s cross to drag the Ivory Coast club level 10 minutes into the second half.
But AS FAR were handed a second spot-kick in the closing stages when Noura Diarra committed a rash challenge on Sofia Bouftini.
This time it was Zineb Redouani who stepped up to stroke home in the 85th minute and restore her side’s lead.
Asastasie Gbehi came close to forcing extra time but she poked wide of the post in stoppage time, and the centre-back was sent off after the full-time whistle for dissent.
AS FAR move level with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns as two-time winners of the title, having first lifted the trophy in 2022.
The Rabat-based side will now take on Chinese’s Wuhan Jiangda on 14 December for a place at next year’s Fifa Women’s Champions Cup.
The winner of that match will face European champions Arsenal in the semi-finals of the inaugural competition early next year in London.
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