Sports

SUPER FALCONS RESCUE NIGERIA FROM SHAME

Published

5 years ago

January 11, 2019

The victorious Super Falcons of Nigeria at the 11th edition of the African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana are the face-saving squad that rescued the once upon a time giant of Africa in football, Nigeria from a big shame at the recently held Confederations of African Football Awards 2018.

The awards which was held glamourously saw Egypt and Liverpool hitman Mohammed Salah emerging the best African footballer of the Year beating the duo of Sane and Aubameyang to clinch the most coveted laurel in the continent.

The other categories were also won by different countries while Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi lost out the Young Player of the Year award. In totality, no Nigerian individually picked up any award save for the Super Falcons who emerged queens at the female mundial in Africa in late 2018. This however pointed to the fact that Nigerian football may be heading into doldrums. It is however baffling that while the head honcho of the country’s football association/federation Amaju Pinnick was busy for the entire year battling Chris Giwa for the leadership of the NFF, the country’s football kept gotten rottening. The country’s league (NPFL) was also seriously affected as it could not be concluded before the trophy was handed over to eventual “champions” Lobi Stars of Makurdi.

This is a clarion call however to the Presidency to know that football is a veritable tool to remove the Nigerian youths from social vices and focus more on the Nation’s soccer and all other sports in general.

Meanwhile, Nigerian over-ambitious politicians keep organising soccer competitions last year, just as a campaign strategy, but never did anything to correct the delabitating status of the country’s soccer.

Sports

Unknown Gunmen attack Sunshine Stars team as players, officials sustain injuries

Published

15 hours ago

December 7, 2023

Sahara Weekly

Unknown Gunmen attack Sunshine Stars team as players, officials sustain injuries

Sadly, the team bus of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure, Ondo State has been ambushed by unknown gunmen with players and several officials sustaining injuries.

In a statement, the club’s media officer, Michael Akintunde, confirmed the attack and claimed it happened on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at approximately 5:30 p.m. along the Benin-Ore expressway in Ondo State.

According to Akintunde, the attack happened when the team was on their way to honour match day 13 of the Nigeria Premier Football League match with Bendel Insurance of Benin.

He stated: “It saddens our hearts to inform Nigerians, especially football lovers that our team was attacked few minutes ago along Benin-Ore Expressway.

“The horrible incident happened to the team as they were on their way to honor an Elite League tie against Insurance of Benin, scheduled for this weekend.

“Our ball boy was shot in the horrible attack.

“Also, our team manager and other club officials including players are seriously injured.”

The Sunshine Stars official noted it took the intervention of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) officers, who rescued and took the injured officials and the individual shot to a nearby hospital.

Akintunde called on Nigerians and football lovers to join them in prayers at “this sad and trying times” for the football club.

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2026 WCQ: Oliseh Reacts To Super Eagles’ Disapointing Draw Against Lesotho

Published

3 weeks ago

November 18, 2023

Sahara Weekly

2026 WCQ: Oliseh Reacts To Super Eagles’ Disapointing Draw Against Lesotho

Former Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has expressed disappointment following the team’s 1-1 draw against Lesotho in Uyo on Thursday.

Jose Peseiro’s side were expected to run over their 153rd-ranked opponent but only rallied to earn a share of the spoils in the encounter.

Oliseh, a member of the Super Eagles side that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, took to social media to express his frustration over the result.

“Haba, This nightmare go ever end? Woke up to this shocker this morning. Our homebased suppose dey beat Lesotho na! dem even first us score!!!! The painful part be say, no consequences for these national embarrassments sef!” the former midfielder wrote on his X handle.

The Super Eagles will hope to bounce back when they take on the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Sunday.

The encounter at the Huye Stadium, Butare, will kick off at 2 pm.

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I Am The Most Successful, Decorated Football Player In Nigeria Says Mikel Obi

Published

3 weeks ago

November 14, 2023

Sahara Weekly

I Am The Most Successful, Decorated Football Player In Nigeria Says Mikel Obi

I’m still Nigeria’s most successful, decorated footballer – Mikel Obi

Chelsea and Super Eagles legend, John Mikel Obi has bragged that he is “still the most successful and decorated football player in Nigeria”.

He said despite all his achievements he was never ranked number 8 in the world by the Ballon d’Or like Nigerian youngster, Victor Osimhen.

Speaking in the latest episode of his podcast, The Obi One, which had Osimhen as a guest, Mikel said the Napoli striker has raised the bar high for Nigerian footballers.

He said, “I am still the most successful and decorated football player in Nigeria. But he [Victor Osimhen] got an award that I never got. He was ranked number 8 in the world by Ballon d’Or. That’s absolutely amazing. I must say congratulations. The season you had, it was fantastic and I never got to that stage. You’ve raised the bar so high.”

Responding, Osimhen reckoned that Mikel “is more than a legend” to many Nigerian footballers, adding that the former Super Eagles captain inspired him and others on and off the pitch.