Sports

AFCON 2023: Gusau Hails President Tinubu, Akpabio As Super Eagles Prepare For South Africa Test

Published

12 months ago

February 5, 2024

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has applauded the contributions of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Senate,

Chief Godswill Akpabio and Nigeria’s FIFA Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick as the Super Eagles wended elegantly and unapologetically into

the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Cote d’Ivoire.

Gusau, ever modest and level-headed even in the midst of mass excitement and euphoria of Nigeria’s progress said that he would rather give credit for the team’s advancement

to key individuals who have played major roles behind the scenes to spur the team to rise to higher heights.

Three-time champions Nigeria have cruised into the last four of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, with solid performances against host nation Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon and Angola, following an opening day 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.

“Let me tell you something: that virtual interaction that our Father of the Nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) had with the players prior to the match against Angola was highly motivating and inspiring at the same time. He told them to go for it because they can do it and that they have the capacity to go all the way. The players told me his words kept ringing in their ears,” Gusau said.

Sports

Enyimba Exits CAF Confederation Cup

Published

4 days ago

January 20, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Njoku Chijioke

Enyimba Football Club has crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after a series of disappointing performances, dealing a major blow to Nigerian football’s continental aspirations.

Despite their status as one of Nigeria’s premier clubs, Enyimba failed to secure crucial victories, resulting in an early elimination from Africa’s second-tier club competition.

Fans and supporters have expressed frustration over the team’s poor showing, with management and coaching staff facing heightened scrutiny.

Enyimba’s exit leaves Nigeria without representation in the later stages of the tournament, a setback for the country’s efforts to enhance its football competitiveness on the continental stage.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), and League Management Company (LMC), are expected to evaluate the team’s performance and address underlying issues to avoid future disappointments in international competitions.

Sports

Can Chelle Lead Eagles to CHAN 2024 Glory? –Akuneto

Published

1 week ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

By Oluwamayowa Fakande

Former Nigeria international and Oldham United coach, Chukwuma Akuneto, has questioned whether Mali-born manager Eric Sekou Chelle can guide the Super Eagles to their first African Nations Championship (CHAN), title in August.
Despite finishing as runners-up in 2018 and securing bronze in 2014, Nigeria has yet to lift the CHAN trophy.
After missing the last two editions, the Super Eagles B team secured qualification by defeating Ghana’s Black Galaxies 3-1 on aggregate.
The 2024 tournament, hosted across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, will feature 19 teams competing for a $3.5 million prize.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group D alongside defending champions Senegal, Congo, and Sudan—the only four-team group in the competition.
While Nigerians celebrate the team’s return, Akuneto remains cautious about Chelle’s ability to deliver success.
“Our local league has improved in organization, positively impacting the quality of the NPFL, so I expect a strong performance from our players at CHAN,” he said.
On whether Chelle can lead Nigeria to glory, Akuneto admitted uncertainty but acknowledged the coach’s experience.
“I don’t know, but he is currently coaching in Africa (MC Oran of Algeria), so he understands the football landscape.
“His coaching and playing career suggest he is highly experienced,” he added.

Sports

Diallo Matches Solskjaer, Rooney’s Feat with Hat-trick Against Southampton

Published

1 week ago

January 17, 2025

Admin

By Oluwamayowa Fakande

Amad Diallo joined an elite club of Manchester United players after his stunning hat-trick secured a dramatic 3-1 comeback win against Southampton.
Diallo became only the third player in Premier League history to score three times in the final 10 minutes of a match, matching Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s feat against Nottingham Forest in 1999 and Wayne Rooney’s against Hull City in 2010—all as United players.
Southampton took the lead just before halftime through an own goal by Manuel Ugarte.
However, Diallo turned the game around, equalizing in the 82nd minute before netting twice more in stoppage time to seal the victory.
The win lifted United to 12th place in the league table with 26 points.