SPORTS
Cape Verde Victory Boosts Football Enthusiasts’ Confidence in Super Eagles
Football enthusiasts have expressed confidence in the ability of the Super Eagles to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, after beating the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde 2-1 away.
Reports said that a 75th minute own goal by Cape Verde, earned Nigeria a 2-1 win in their qualifying clash in Mindelo, on Tuesday.
The precious away win took the Super Eagles to a firm position at the top of Group C, of the African race of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
NAN also reports that the result stabilised the Eagles’ leadership of the group as they await a home-and-away fixture against Central African Republic next month.
A cross section of football enthusiasts who spoke newsmen in separate interviews, noted that the win showed the strength and depth of the squad in spite of the absence of some key players.
They expressed confidence in the team, adding that nothing could stop the Super Eagles from qualifying for the upcoming World Cup.
Gbenga Elegbeleye, former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), said the victory was a clear statement of intent to qualify for the tournament.
“An away victory is not always easy, and Cape Verde are not pushovers in football, they have a very strong team as all the footballers are Europe based professionals.
“The three points is a clear signal that the super eagles are unstoppable in their quest to qualify for the World Cup,” Elegbeleye said.
Tajudeen Akinyemi, Chairman of the Ondo State Football (ODSFA), said the Eagles proved to Africa, and indeed the world, that they were a team to reckon with.
“A resounding and rewarding victory. Splendid it was.
“It has shown that Super Eagles can produce three consecutive teams at least, for any competition in Africa.
“It is encouraging indeed. When the first team players were not among the players to play against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, many Nigerians, including me, did not have confidence in their capabilities.
“Super Eagles is a team to reckon with a lot of talents and experience,” Akinyemi said.
The former President of Nigeria Professional Football League side, Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure, expressed confidence in the ability of the team to qualify.
“The Qatar 2022 will be easier for Nigeria to qualify. However, we should not underrate any team, as football in Africa is unpredictable.
“Let us cross our fingers for Eagles against Central Africa back to back in October. Eagles are going to be victorious,” he said.
Godwin Bamigboye, former Chairman of FCT Football Coaches Association, said that the Eagles were resilient and showed mental strength to pull off the victory in spite of the odds.
“The Super Eagles were able to go ahead to beat their opponents at their own backyard, and top their group in spite of playing without majority of the regulars, still proved their mettle.
“It is quite commendable that they were able to compose themselves and played well, even while they were down by a goal early in the game,” Bamigboye said.
The former Chairman, Technical Committee, FCT Football Association, noted that the team assembled by Coach Gernot Rohr for the match was equally as good as the first team that executed the Liberia game.
“This has gone ahead to justify the inclusion of the new players in the Super Eagles. They are still relatively young and have the opportunity to grow up and become the strong Eagles that they are.
“Remember that the Cape Verde team are not pushovers. They also have quite a young squad.
“They however, were up against a more experienced Super Eagles team, which has proved its leadership in African football to a reasonable extent.
“So, by every standard, the Super Eagles were seen as “superior” to the Blue Sharks.
“However, football does not always play out that way. You can underrate a team and they go ahead and surprise you.
“It was very important that we went into the game with a clear intent and focus,” Bamigboye said.
The Chairman, FCT Football Association, Mouktar Mohammed, said: “It is great news and a massive away win for the Super Eagles.
“It has put the team in a good position and added confidence.
“The road to any qualification is rough and tough, so you need the results to come in good for you… Be it luck… Be it shine… Even if the play is not so attractive…
“We must also be vigilant and not relax. We are growing the pool of talents that can represent Nigeria,” he said.
Bartolomew David, current Chairman, FCT Football Coaches Association, said the victory was quite encouraging.
“ The team and the handlers should remain focused. Subsequent wins will give us the desired qualification,” David said. (NAN)
Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi has unveiled a Finnish tactician, Mika Lönnström, as the new head coach of the club.
The club chairman, Philip Nongu, said at the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday in Makurdi that Lönnström was hired as part of measures to improve the performance of the club.
Nongu welcomed the new coach, saying his expertise and passion will undoubtedly elevate the team’s performance.
“We are here at this important event to introduce to the Benue community, the players, as well as sports journalists, the newly appointed head coach, Mr Lönnström.
“He will be working together with the other technical crew members with the needed intent of moving the club out of its current position as well as making it more competitive.
“The board is committed to repositioning the club under my watch. The current position of the club is just temporary, and I am optimistic the club will soon move away from the red zone,” he stated.
The chairman charged the players to be disciplined, stating it wouldn’t be business as usual.
He thanked Gov. Hyacinth Alia for finding them worthy to serve the state in this capacity.
James Iorpuu, a member of the board, congratulated the Finnish tactician on his appointment and assured him of the needed enabling environment that would help him to succeed.
He lauded Lönnström for accepting to work with the team and promised him that he would not regret making the move.
“The governor’s desire for sports, especially football, remains unwavering.
“His desire for Lobi Stars to be at the top competing at the highest level remains key to his administration,” he said.
The club’s technical adviser, Daniel Amokachi, expressed delight to have Lönnström under his technical crew, saying the club will experience positive development.
“Mika Lönnström is a man of pedigree; his working ethic will help us a lot. In modern football, you must have young players who would work tirelessly.
“I have identified good young players in the team, and we shall be working with them pending when the window of the league is open for other decisions,” he said.
Lönnström, in his remarks, expressed excitement to join the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side.
The new head coach said that he was honoured to be part of Lobi Stars’ rich history and expressed commitment to driving the team to success. (NAN)
AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw, Alvaro Morata and Tijjani Reijnders all got on the scoresheet in a surprise 3-1 win at holders Real Madrid in their Champions League clash on Tuesday.
Thiaw gave seven-times European champions Milan the lead with a header from a corner in the 12th minute but Vinicius Jr equalised with a penalty 11 minutes later.
Morata put the visitors back in front by netting from a rebound in the 39th and Reijnders fired home a Rafael Leao cross after a counter attack to wrap up Milan’s statement win over the lacklustre title holders.
Real are languishing in 17th place in the 36-team Champions League table with six points, one spot ahead of Milan on goal difference after four games.
(Reuters/NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Handball stakeholders in Kogi State have called for a comprehensive leadership reform within the state’s handball association to restore the sport’s prominence.
Addressing journalists after a visit to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Aridaojo Anyebe in his office in Lokoja on Tuesday, the stakeholders outlined the achievements and setbacks of Kogi State handball since its inception in 1991, pointing the need for immediate change to revive the state’s handball culture.
They noted that Kogi State’s handball history includes significant accomplishments from winning national underage tournaments in the 1990s to representing Nigeria in international competitions.
Kogi’s under-15 boys’ team won gold in Italy in 1995, while local teams performed well in various national championships uptile 2019.However, the stakeholders noted a decline in participation and development initiatives, which they attribute to issues within the association’s leadership.
They revealed that since 2020, Kogi’s Confluence Stars, the state’s premier league team, has struggled to participate in the league due to financial constraints and a lack of support.
This situation according to them has led some players to seek opportunities with teams in other states, undermining team cohesion and player morale.
Additionally, the once-thriving Confluence Queens female team, which participated in national tournaments until 2020, has since disbanded”
Stakeholders attribute much of the sport’s recent decline to the leadership of Jibril Saidu, the current chairman of Kogi State Handball Association. They allege that Saidu’s decision to withdraw sponsorship, along with personal conflicts, has prevented Kogi from participating in critical national events. This includes the under-12 and under-15 championships held in Sokoto over the past five years, where Kogi teams were notably absent.
In response to these challenges, the stakeholders called for the dissolution of the current board, citing a lack of effective leadership and commitment to the state’s handball development.
They propose the formation of a new board that will prioritize regional representation, involvement from former players, and individuals with strong sponsorship capabilities.
The stakeholders also endorsed Okpanachi Mark Ogah as the next chairman, describing him as a capable leader who they believe can restore Kogi State’s handball legacy within two years.
Speaking during the visit, His Royal Highness, Oba Luke Oludoyi from Isanlu who is one of the handball Stakeholders appealed to the Commissioner to give them necessary support in making handball sporting activities in the state a laudable venture for the overall growth of the State Sports Sector.
On his part, Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah said he is ready to further the ideals of the stakeholders and rebirth a new and active handball sport in Kogi State.
He assured that if given the mandate, the Kogi State handball team will take its rightful place again as champion.
Responding, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon Monday Anyebe, noted that Kogi State Government is committed to ensuring that the sports sector in the state continues to receive the necessary support towards enhancing sporting activities in the state.
The Commissioner said under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo all sporting activities will be given adequate attention and Support.
He called on members of the handball stakeholders in the state to be united and continue to promote the activities of the handball sport in the state.
Also Present during the visit includes the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of sports, Jibo Haruna Muhammed, the Director Kogi State Sports Council, Onipe Obakachi and other Directors of the Ministry.
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