Dream Team V Arrives Morocco For CAF U-23

Published

15 years ago

November 21, 2011

Nigeria’s national under-23 men football side have begun its acclimatisation and final phase of preparation for the inaugural CAF U-23 Championship in Morocco, a team official said.

Team Media Officer, Arafat Aliu, told Tidesports in a telephone interview on arrival in Casablanca, Morocco that the team had settled down.

The Tidesports gathered that the team is scheduled to take part in the eight-team competition which is the final round of African qualifiers for the 2012 Olympic Games’ men football event.

“We arrived in Casablanca, Morocco by 10.30 am local time last Saturday for the acclimatisation part of the team’s preparation for the championship, and I can say we are getting by.

“The team has already got a feel of what the weather will look like during its stay here in the next three weeks in Morocco.

“Upon arrival at the airport here in Casablanca, the maximum temperature was put at 16 degrees Celsius with heavy showers,’’ Aliu said.

He said the team, otherwise called “Dream Team V’’, later had a 25-minute drive from the airport to its Hotel Anfa Port camp where it would stay in the next five days.

Tidesports reports that the team had departed Lagos at 7.25 a.m on Saturday with a 29-man contingent comprising 18 players and 11 officials.

Aliu said only one player from the five-man list of standby players, Atu Irumekhai, travelled with the team while the rest four were asked to stay back.

“They are to remain in Nigeria until it is deemed necessary that they should join the team in Morocco,’’ he said.

The team spokesman however said four foreign-based players from the original 21-man list are being expected to join the team in Morocco.

“These are Obiora Nwankwo, Babatunde Michael, Stephen Worgu and Nosa Igiebor, and they are joining from their respective clubs outside Nigeria,’’ he said.

The Dream Team V would begin its campaign in the championship next Saturday against host nation Morocco.

The Group A match is billed to kick off at 1730 hours GMT, one hour ahead of Nigerian time.

Nigeria will also play against Senegal and Algeria in Group A matches at the championship billed for November 26 to December 10.

The top three teams at the competition will qualify automatically for the London Olympics scheduled for July 27 to August 12, 2012.

Royal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Amanyanabo of Koniju town, in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Winston Odiye Alamina Oputibeya XII, has expressed satisfaction over the activities of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community.

He further said that bringing Arsenal fans together for a common purpose, which is love, unity, and peace, is commendable and pledges to support the community in his own little way.

HRM Oputibeya said this when some members of the community, led by Ugochukwu Oputa, paid him a courtesy visit in his house in Port Harcourt yesterday.

According to him, he started supporting and following Arsenal Football Club some decades back, saying that anybody who loves good football must love Arsenal because players in Arsenal play good football.

“I was longing to meet leaders of the community to also be part of it because I like their organizational structure and I love Arsenal.

“The activities of the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community for me are satisfactory; that is why I am associating with it.

“I would like members to conduct themselves in a civil manner because football fans all over are the progress of their club and love,” he said.

Earlier, the coordinator of the Port Harcourt community, Ugochukwu Oputa, thanked the royal father for accepting the community, assuring that the group will do her best to get recognition and connection with Arsenal FC in London.

Oputa narrated the activities lined up by the community on Saturday, saying that everything had been put in place for the street procession.

In his vote of thanks, a member of the Arsenal Community, Com. Tonye Orabere also thanked the Amanyanbo for his magnanimity and pledged to assist the community. He prays God to continue to bless him.

Tonye Orabere

Sports

PH To Host 2026 NWFL Super Six

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Women Football League has announced Port Harcourt as the host city for the 2026 Premiership Super Six, marking the first time the season-ending tournament will be held in Rivers State.

In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.

NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.

The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.

Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.

The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.

The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.

Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.

Sports

Khana, Akpajo All-Stars Set For Friendly Match ” Morrow”

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

Khana All Stars FC in the Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, will tomorrow host Akpajo All Stars in a friendly football match at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, football pitch.

The return leg of the friendly game promises to be exciting and entertaining as both teams are prepared.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tidesports yesterday in Port Harcourt, the chairman of Khana All Stars FC, Saro Tap-le, said preparations for the game are in top gear.

According to him, they will use the match to honour and decorate their patron, the Chairman of Khana LGA, Dr. Bariere Thomas.

He said the encounter won’t be an easy one, knowing that Akpaoju All Stars are coming with full force to win the match.

“We played in Akpajo before, and they hosted us well, so tomorrow is our day to host them back. We are doing everything possible to give them a good fight. All arrangements for hosting them are in top gear.

“There is no cause for alarm. We are doing our best to host them in a big way. It is an All-Stars game, so winning is not the most important thing. What matters is the relationship we will create.

“You know, in the first encounter they defeated us 2-0, so tomorrow we will do our best to ensure we repay the scoreline.

“I think my teammates are training very hard for the game. Despite the fact that it’s not all about winning, we are going to surprise them,” Saro Tap-le stated.

Kiadum Edookor