SPORTS
Nigerians Celebrate Super Eagles Round of 16 Qualifications
… ‘It’s a Step to Becoming Champions
By Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja
Football loving Nigerians have continued to celebrate the emergence of the senior national team; Super Eagles to become the first to make it to the knockout rounds of the on-going 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt on Wednesday evening, as highly improved central defender Kenneth Omeruo’s well-tucked in header from a Moses Simon’s corner kick earned the maximum three points against Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium.
The fans who claimed that the Super Eagles below average first half almost caused them heart attack noted that it gave way to a lively second half, during which enterprising Odion Ighalo, who earned all the three points for Nigeria in the opening game after coming on as a substitute against Burundi on Saturday, had an ample opportunity to score thwarted by Guinean defenders that checkmated Ahmed Musa’s pass from an instantaneous counter-attack.
They lamented that though the Super Eagles have made history by becoming the first country to zoom into the Round of 16, the team’s attack with Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo, Chukwueze, Simon, Ahmed Musa et al still have more work to do if they must return with the prized trophy next month.
The Super Eagles played 27 minutes without a shot either on target or off target while the Syli Nationale had three shots on target to their credit before Iwobi’s forced clever one was saved by Guinea’s goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone after Moses Simon had shot wide.
With this result it is the first time since the AFCON finals (also staged in Egypt), Nigeria won their two matches of the finals.
At the beginning, the Syli Nationale were more business-like, working hard in search of early goal which eventually eluded them even with three shots on target including one that distressed Daniel Akpeyi.
Coach Gernot Rohr benched Captain Mikel Obi and William Ekong and Chukwueze for Simon while Ighalo started in place of Paul Onuachu however the Super Eagles did not look penetratingly creative in the first half hour and it was principally the union of Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, Chidozie Awaziem and Ola Aina at the rear that guaranteed a barren score line at the break.
Iwobi who was described by the commentator as the most enterprising player on Nigeria’s side had movement and venture but gave the ball away in turn and Ighalo lamented after side-netting with Musa waiting eagerly to raze the net from close range in the 32nd minute that he did not look up. Earlier, he had, with a poor first touch, rummaged a good pass from wing wizard Musa after the deputy Captain’s run down the left, and Iwobi also wasted another excellent pass by the quick winger.
Only a draw from their last match of the group phase against Madagascar on Sunday will see the Super Eagles to finish top of the group and remain in Alexandria for their Round of 16 fixture.
Jorge Nogueira, Captain of Guinea Bissau, says his team had a lot of respect for Nigeria, but did not allow the ‘big names’ in the Super Eagles’ squad intimidate them on the pitch.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau on Friday stunned the Super Eagles 1-0 in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Nogueira told newsmen during a post-match conference that in as much as his team respects the Super Eagles, they went into the game with the mentally that names don’t play football.
“First and foremost, I will like to dedicate this victory to the good people of Guinea Bissau.
“We respect all Nigerian players, but the truth is that names don’t play on the pitch.
“So, they (Super Eagles) tried to do everything to break the will and spirit of our team as they created a lot of scoring opportunities, but our defence was up to the task.
“We remained strong, resolute and were optimistic that we could cause an upset here in Abuja,” he said.
The captain added that the quality of the pitch complicated issues for his team as it was very tough to play on and curtail the incessant attacks from the Super Eagles.
NAN reports that the Wild Dogs play hosts to the Super Eagles in the reverse fixture of the qualifiers in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.
Guinea Bissau have Morocco as home venue for now as they do not have a Confederation of African Football (CAF)-approved playing turf.
They currently top Group A of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, with seven points from three matches, while Nigeria with six points, drop to the second position.
The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone are in third position with two points, while Sao Tome and Principe, with one point, sit at the bottom of the log. (NAN)
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Abuja-based young tennis star, Chukwudubem Amassiani, has emerged a kid on the block, as he swept through his round-robin groups in the Boys 12 and 14s to qualify for two semi-finals in the ongoing CBN Junior Tennis Championship in Lagos.
Amassiani, the 12 and Under champion on the junior circuit was given a chance to play up one age group, a strategy used by the International Tennis Academy, organisers of the tournament, to fast-track the development of the top juniors.
The winner of that match will play against the winner of the second semifinals between top seed David Edwards, just back from the African Junior Championships in Togo and Sulaimon Samod from the host club.
The Iorlumun sisters Eunice and Mary, who emerged top of their groups have been coincidentally drawn to meet in the semifinals of the Girls 16s. The other semifinal will feature Alice Paul from Ondo and Etioro Bassey from Akwa Ibom.
In the meantime, nine year-old Karina Opuene from Bayelsa has been the attraction of the Girls 12 event as she showed tremendous skill and determination to win two matches in her group – one of which was a decisive 6-0 thrashing of Barakat Ganiyu from Oyo State.
The tournament taking place at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club is scheduled to end on Saturday.
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Iorlumun sisters, Eunice and Mary, from Benue State, yesterday recorded impressive victories in the opening round robin matches at the CBN Junior Tennis Championship taking place at the prestigious Lagos Lawn Tennis club.
Playing in the Girls 16 event, Eunice, the older of the two, defeated Oyin Samuel from Lagos 6-2 while Mary overcame Alice Paul from Ondo state in a long drawn out one set decider, 6-4.
In other group matches, Wisdom Effiong from Akwa Ibom beat Adepesi Paul from Ekiti 6-2 and Seyi Ogunsakin overpowered Joseph Daniel to ensure they are on track for semifinal places in the Boys 14 event.
Other players who made wining starts were Roseline Nana from Lagos, who defeated Mofunfu Atitola from the host club 6-3, and Barakat Ganiyu from Lagos, who edged Karina Opuene from Bayelsa 6-0 in the Girls 12 event.
The International Tennis Academy organisers of the tournament said the round robin format ensured that players who have come from far and near play a minimum of three matches to deepen their match experience and hasten their progress in the game.The tournament which is featuring singles matches in boys and girls 16s, 14s and 12s is scheduled to end on Saturday with a grand finale starting at 12 noon and open to all-comers.
Ramadan: 7,750 IDPs in Borno, Yobe, Kano to Benefit from KSrelief Donation – NEMA
Share Post Views: 89 The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says 7,750 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno, Yobe and...
We respect Nigeria, but names alone don’t Play Football, says Guinea Bissau Captain Nogueira
Share Post Views: 69 Jorge Nogueira, Captain of Guinea Bissau, says his team had a lot of respect for Nigeria,...
Native Doctor Slaughters Mad Man During Treatment in Adamawa
Share Post Views: 70 From Yagana Ali, Yola. A 48 – year old native doctor, Ezekiel Buba, is in police...
Justices of the Apex Court and the Verdict of History
Share Post Views: 72 By Eugene Winful With knees on our necks, gasping for the last breadth of hope for...
Towards a Democracy-sensitive, People-oriented Judiciary
Share Post Views: 74 By Tunde Olusunle That Nigeria’s very highly regarded *The Guardian* newspaper published a two-part editorial in...
PDP Berates INEC over alleged Frustrating Issuance of CTC of Results
Share Post Views: 76 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged directives...
Tuberculosis: Africa Achieves 26% Death Reduction, WHO Says
Share Post Views: 63 By Laide Akinboade, Abuja The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the African continent was...
Appeal Court Dismisses PDP Suit Against Tinubu, Shettima over Alleged Double Nomination
Share Post Views: 68 The Court of Appeal, Abuja, Friday evening, dismissed an appeal by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking...
Nigeria Ranks High in TB Infection Despite Free Testing, FG Laments
Share Post Views: 65 By Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Federal Government has expressed dismay with the country’s position in the...
2023 Presidential Poll: Protesters Storm NASS, Reject Tinubu
Share Post Views: 91 By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja Protesters, in their numbers, under the auspices of Free Nigeria Movement, stormed...