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Cape Verde Victory Boosts Football Enthusiasts’ Confidence in Super Eagles

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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)

SPORTS

Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Hand Mali First Win in 49 Years

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The Super Eagles were given a reality check by Mali’s Les Aigles as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat in a friendly game in Marrakech, Morocco on Tuesday.

Reports says that the rare win by the Malians against Nigeria was their first in 49 years.

Goals by El Bilal Toure and Kamory Doumbia sealed the win for Mali.

The last time Mali defeated the Super Eagles was on Sept.

5, 1975, also in a friendly which ended 4-1.

Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Eagles were unbeaten in eight straight fixtures against the Malians, recording five wins and three draws.

Interim coach, Finidi George, gave starting shirts to Jamilu Collins, Raphael Onyedika, and Kenneth Omeruo.

The trio replaced Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka and Benjamin Tanimu, who all featured in the 2-1 win against Ghana on Friday.

The Malians dominated the early stages of the game and almost took the lead less than five minutes into the game, but were denied by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The breakthrough for Mali eventually came in the 14th minute as El Bilal Toure capitalised on a defensive error by Nigeria to score.

The Eagles were forced into a first half change as Moses Simon went off injured in 34th minute and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.

The early part of the second half saw the Super Eagles start brightly but the Malian defence held firm.

Despite starting the half on a positive note, it was Mali who almost doubled their lead but the Eagles defence intercepted a dangerous cross from the left.

Dessers was presented an opportunity in the 65th minute as he was sent through on goal but blasted his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

Iheanacho had a chance of his own barely a minute later, but took a low shot which was parried away for a corner.

With 12 minutes left, the Eagles won a freekick in a decent position but Iheanacho’s floated attempt was again cleared away by the keeper.

Mali then doubled their lead in the 87th minute thanks to Kamory Doumbia who raced into the Eagles’ 18 yard box and fired past Nwabali to earn his side a well deserved win.

Up next for the Super Eagles is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June against South Africa who held Algeria to a 3-3 draw at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Tuesday. (NAN)

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SPORTS

Wrestling : 4 Nigerian Wrestlers Secure Olympic Qualification in Egypt

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Four Nigerian Wrestlers on Saturday   qualified  for  the Paris  2024 Olympics  in their various  events at  the ongoing African championships and Olympics qualifiers in Alexandria, Egypt.

Reports says that the wrestlers will now join Odunayo Adekuoroye, who secured qualification in 2023 after  winning  a bronze medal in the women’s 57kg category  at the World Championships in Belgrade.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalist Blessing Oburududu booked a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics after a 2-0 pinfall victory over Uilau Tarkong of Palau in the  68kg.

World Military Champion, Hannah Reuben Pipped Amy Youin  of Cote D’Ivoire 6-0 in the 76kg category  to secure Olympics slot in Paris .

Esther Kolawole joined the list of Nigerian athletes going to Paris for the Olympics after  overcoming Angelina Rodrigues of Cape Verde 10-0.

African Games champion, Christiana Ogunsanya in the  53kg category overpowered Egyptian Shaimaa Mohamed 10-0  to secure qualification.

However, Mercy Genesis narrowly missed out on Paris Olympics in this window after a 5-7 defeat to Nada

Mohamed of Egypt in the  50kg weight class.

Reports says that  five female wrestlers will represent  the country in the Paris 2024 Olympics .

NAN reports that Nigerian male freestyle wrestlers will hope to join their female counterparts on Sunday when they take to the mat.

Sunday will be  the final day of this window’s qualifiers.

NAN reports that the remaining Olympic slots will be decided on May 9 to 12 at the 2024 World Qualification Tournament in  Istanbul, Turkey.

NAN reports that the African championships and Olympic qualifiers which started on Monday in Alexandria, Egypt is expected to end Sunday.(NAN)

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SPORTS

Flying Eagles Crash Out of  African Games

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The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been knocked out of the men’s football event of the 2023 African Games in Ghana after a 3-2 defeat by Senegal.

Reports says that the Flying Eagles took an early lead in the second minute through Charles Agada in the match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.

Idrissa Traore, however, equalised for Senegal in the 21st minute when his low shot beat the time in the encounter.

Chibuzor Izuogu put Nigeria back into the game when he equalised to make it 2-2 through a brilliant free kick.

Pape Diouf converted from the spot for the winning goal to send Senegal to the semi finals.

The Flying Eagles ended their campaign with only one victory against South Sudan, losing their opening match 2-1 to Uganda and 3-2 to Senegal.

Nigeria finished third in the group behind Uganda and Senegal, with South Sudan coming fourth.

After the match, Bosso said he was disappointed at the result and blamed poor preparation for the performance.

“I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament.

” I didn’t have enough time to scout for players and what I did was to watch few games in Uyo and other places .That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze,” Bosso said.

Nigeria won the men’s football silver at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019 after a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in the final.(NAN)

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