Sports
Intl Friendly: Eagles Still Stranded In Nigeria
Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, has bemoaned the failure of the Belgian embassy in Nigeria to issue entry visas into that country for players and officials of the Senior National Football Team of Nigeria for two friendlies this week.
International passports of some Super Eagles players and officials are still at the Belgian embassy, less than 48 hours before a high –profile international friendly against the Demnocratic Republic of Congo, which has been approved by world body, FIFA. The Eagles are also to play against bitter rivals Cameroon on Sunday in Dendermonde.
“We are shocked beyond words at the attitude of the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria. This action is a strange one in international sports. Football preaches and spreads peace and love, but we are taken aback at the attitude of the Belgian embassy in Nigeria.”
Anyansi-Agwu, who as chairman of Enyimba FC has traveled the world in the course of football in the past 15 years, lamented the action that threatens Nigeria’s preparation for the two matches.
“This attitude of the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria is not known to international sports. Our team’s preparedness for the only preparatory games ahead of the beginning of FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been unduly hampered. The team’s medical crew and other critical backroom staff are held back in Nigeria.
“This action is not just against a Football Federation; it is against an entire nation.”
Meanwhile, the two camps of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles, preparing for different engagements in Belgium and Port Harcourt bubbled somewhat with 17 players training on Tuesday evening in Belgium and all 19 invited players turning out in Port Harcourt same day.
Defender Abdullahi Shehu from Uniao da Madeira in Portugal arrived in camp on Monday night, while goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama joined the group on Tuesday afternoon before training session at the R. Battice ground.
Officials were expecting Turkey –based defender Godfrey Oboabona and six home –based players (held up in Abuja alongside other officials due to non-issuance of visa by the Embassy of Belgium).
Eagles’ administrator, Enebi Achor, said the group is hopeful that Oboabona (also having visa issues in Turkey) would arrive on Wednesday, while also believing the Belgian embassy would issue visas to home –based professionals and other officials by Wednesday.
Achor said from Belgium: “The atmosphere here is very conducive for the players. The city is so quiet and serene, the hotel is marvelous and the training ground has been commended by all the players.”
In Port Harcourt, where the home boys are preparing for a 2016 African Nations Championship final qualifying fixture against Burkina Faso, all 19 players turned up in camp by Tuesday afternoon and had a first training session on Tuesday evening, with Eagles’ assistant coach Salisu Yusuf taking charge.
Team Coordinator Pascal Patrick informed thenff.com that the spirit is quite high in camp as the boys look to win shirts for the first leg encounter against the Etalons at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium on Sunday, 18th October.
Thenff.com also learnt that Abia Warriors’ forward Chisom Chikatara (who hit a hat-trick against Enugu Rangers in a Week 32 NPFL game on Sunday) was called in place of Wikki Tourists’ striker Godwin Obaje, who is said to have traveled outside the country.
The Super Eagles full squad tackles the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo in Vise on Thursday before another mouth –watering clash with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Dendermonde on Sunday.
The last time Nigeria faced Cameroon at full international level was on February 8, 2004, when the Super Eagles came from behind to win 2-1 and eliminate Cup holders Cameroon at the quarter final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations in Monastir, Tunisia. A Samuel Eto’o goal was cancelled by a magnificent Jay –Jay Okocha free –kick just before half –time, and a sublime Nwankwo Kanu pass was converted by John Utaka for the winner mid –way into the second half.
PLAYERS IN BELGIUM: Vincent Enyeama, Carl Ikeme, Leon Balogun, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, William Troost Ekong, Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi, Obiora Nwankwo, John Mikel Obi, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Sylvester Igbonu, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi. EXPECTED: Godfrey Oboabona, alongside six home –based professionals still yet to be issued visas in Abuja.
Only Denmark, ranked 21st globally, sits higher among nations that failed to qualify for the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
England and Chelsea legend John Terry was among those to voice his disappointment, describing Nigeria as a significant loss to a tournament that features 48 nations for the first time.
“Nigeria will be a big miss. This is a World Cup for participants who haven’t had the opportunity to play in the tournament. I would have loved to see a top team like Nigeria there because they’ve got some great individuals. They’re a great nation,” Terry said during a virtual roundtable session organised by SuperSport.
“I think they are a big miss because Nigeria probably would have gone further in the competition, but unfortunately, one side’s loss is another’s gain,” the former England captain added.
Eric Chelle’s side finished second in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers behind South Africa, who secured automatic qualification. Nigeria kept their hopes alive with a playoff semi-final victory over Gabon before falling to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties in the decisive playoff final — their second successive absence from the World Cup after also missing the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The Nigeria Football Federation later challenged DR Congo’s qualification, alleging the use of ineligible players during the campaign, but the appeal was dismissed.
Despite missing the World Cup, the Super Eagles remain Africa’s 3rd highest-ranked team behind Morocco, who sit seventh in the world, and Senegal. Algeria and Egypt complete the continent’s top five.
Defending champions Argentina enter the tournament as the world’s top-ranked side, ahead of Spain, France, England and Portugal. Brazil are sixth, followed by Morocco, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be released on July 20, a day after the World Cup final.
Chima Akachukwu and Miracle Akhigbe are among the 16 notable stars picked by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for the forthcoming Namibia Tour, where the YellowGreens will compete in a T20 and 50-Over Tri-Series, featuring hosts Namibia and Hong Kong China.
Both players make their way back into the YellowGreens fold after periods away from the side and will be eager to contribute their experience and quality as Nigeria pursues success in Namibia.
The NCF said yesterday that the squad, which departs Nigeria today, forms part of the national team’s continued preparations for future international assignments as the YellowGreens seek to build on recent performances and strengthen their standing on the global stage.
Leading the squad is Captain Sulaimon Runsewe, who will spearhead Nigeria’s campaign against two formidable opponents in what promises to be a highly competitive series.
The selected squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talents, providing the technical crew an opportunity to assess player development and team combinations in both the T20 and 50-over formats.
The team will be led on tour by Coaches Leke Oyede and Tamuno John, who will oversee preparations and match operations during the opening phase of the series.
Joining the squad later in Namibia will be the newly appointed Head Coach and High Performance Manager, Stephen Magongo, whose arrival marks another significant step in the Federation’s commitment to strengthening the national team structure and enhancing player development pathways.
Supporting the coaching staff are Team Analyst Jamal Okechukwu, Strength and Conditioning Coach Seye Olympio, and Team Physiotherapist Timothy Adesomowo, forming a well-rounded technical crew focused on maximising player performance and welfare throughout the tour.
The NCF views the Namibia Tri-Series as an important platform for the continued growth of the national team, offering valuable international exposure and competitive match experience against quality opposition. The series will provide the players and technical crew with another opportunity to evaluate progress, fine-tune strategies, and build momentum ahead of future international competitions.
The YellowGreens will face Namibia and Hong Kong China in both T20 and 50-over contests, with the matches expected to test the team’s adaptability, discipline, and resilience in challenging conditions.
Blessing Otu on Monday overcame hard-fighting Kelvin Bebe- Emmanuella in two sets of 6-1, 6-3 to qualify for the second round of the women’s singles of the ongoing 47th Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Championship, held at the Tennis Courts of the package “B” of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking after the round of 32 game, Otu, who will be 19 years old in September, said she capitalised on her opponent’s weaknesses to gain victory, having studied her game very well.
“Bebe is a very good and tough player. But I studied her game and did the job well.
“Although she tried to come back in the second set, I punctured all her tricks to win the match and move on. I wish I could continue like this in the rest of my games,” she said.
Another member of the Otu family, John Out, was also victorious as he defeated Mohammed Abdusalam 2-1 (6-2, 6-7, 6-1) in the men’s singles category to advance into the round of 32.
But the third Otu in the game, Thomas, was not that lucky as he lost by 6-0, 7-5 in two straight sets to Danjuma Isaac.
In other matches, Michael Emmanuel defeated Ibrahim Aminu to advance, while Drimiya Mevi outclassed Seyi Ogunsakin by beating him 2-1 (6-7, 6-3, 6-1). Action continues tomorrow when other top players, including the men’s singles top seed, Abua Cannice, join the chase for honours.
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