Sports

Raja Banks On Fans Against Mineiro

Published

12 years ago

December 18, 2013

Moroccan champions

Raja Casablanca know they will have one advantage over Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro when the clubs face each other in the semi-final of the Club World Cup and that will be the backing of a partisan and vociferous crowd.

The two sides clash in Marrakech today and a huge number of Raja fans are expected to turn up – 35,000 of them attended first two games of the tournament in Agadir.

Raja’s reserve keepeer Brahim Zaari is in no doubt the fans have helped the side reach the last four.

“They’ve inspired us very much because if we are at a dead point in the game they help us keep running not to be tired,” he told Tidesports source.

“They’ve supported us in a great way and I am proud of them.”

Not only do the Raja fans sing, dance and chant all they way through every game they also take time to organise their own tributes.

Ahead of both games, fans’ associations planned and laid out different coloured cards that have been placed on seats at one end of the stadium and on a given signal the cards were held up to spell out a word of encouragement.

In the match against Monterrey the word was “Vamos” the Spanish for “Let’s Go”.

And that kind of inspiration lifted Raja in both their opening games to late victories.

In the first game it was an injury-time winner that gave them a 2-1 win over New Zealand’s Auckland City and then against Mexico’s Monterrey extra-time was needed to secure another 2-1 victory.

Ivorian Kouko Guehi headed home the winner over Monterrey and he is in awe of the fans.

“They are the best in the world,” he said. “They are ‘mad’ and they follow us all the time and even when we are in a difficult place they support us and sing on and on.”

The organisers of the Club World Cup will be pleased with Raja’s progress as it almost certainly ensures big crowds for the final two match days of the tournament.

Even if Raja loses today, they will play again on Saturday in the third place play-off match ahead of the final in Marrakech.

There will also be the added bonus of European champions Bayern Munich playing one way or another on Saturday, too, the Germans faced China’s Guangzhou Evergrande yesterday in their semi-final.

The dream scenario for the hosts would be a Raja v Bayern final.

Sports

CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).

He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players will grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.

Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.

“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.

“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.

He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.

” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.

Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.

“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.

The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.

“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.

Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.

By: Kiadum Edookor

Sports

Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.

Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.

Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.

“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.

“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”

Sports

FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.

Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.

Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.

Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.