Sports
Keshi To Lose Eagles Job
According to Tidesports
sources, Stephen Keshi will be asked to quit and already the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has begun shopping for an immediate replacement.
Sudan dealt Nigeria a major blow to qualify for next year’s AFCON in Morocco after they stunned the African champions 1-0 in Khartoum on Saturday.
Nigeria will now need to win their remaining three matches at home against Sudan and South Africa and away in Congo to have any mathematical chance of advancing to the 2015 AFCON.
“The new NFF has already decided to sack Keshi and they are already shopping for a replacement for the coach,” a very top official informed our source.
“What I cannot readily tell is whether it is with immediate effect or that will be after the Sudan reverse fixture on Wednesday as the games are too close to each other.”
Keshi, 52, does not have a contract with the NFF after his initial three-year deal ran out after the World Cup in Brazil.
He led Nigeria to win a third Nations Cup last year and guided the Super Eagles to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup in Brazil.
But he has lost the core of his dressing room after publicised rows with the likes of Enmanuel Emenike, Osaze Odemwingie and Ikechukwu Uche.
And his record in his last 11 games has left for a very poor reading – lost five, drawn five and won one.
“The boys did not play for their coach (vs Sudan), and he should now know what to do,” said Larry Izamoje, owner of Nigeria’s all-sports radio Brila FM.
Most fans have equally demanded for the dismissal of the coach since the disappointing loss in Sudan.
A fan, Mike Johnson said that Keshi has nothing more to offer.
“After watching Eagles against Congo and South Africa, I concluded that Eagles are going down but when I watched them against Sudan, I know that is the end of Keshi era because I saw no touch of technical input in the team,” Johnson lamented.
“The performance of the team was an eye sore. Keshi should be sent away from the team.”
Another fan, Tunji Ayinde, said, “Keshi has shown he is not capable of leading the Eagles any more.
“He has problems with many players. He doesn’t have a pattern of play. Who is the defensive midfielder in his team, and no wingers, except Ahmed Musa, what formation is he using? How does he expect goals to come? He should go, I beg.”
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.
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