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.
SPORTS
Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Hand Mali First Win in 49 Years
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)
SPORTS
Wrestling : 4 Nigerian Wrestlers Secure Olympic Qualification in Egypt
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)
SPORTS
Flying Eagles Crash Out of African Games
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)