Sports

Tinubu Hails Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie on Winning CAF Football Awards

Published

8 months ago

December 13, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

President Bola Tinubu has extended congratulatory messages to three Nigerian football players for their great feats at this year’s Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Awards held in Morocco.

The footballers are Victor Osimhen, who won the African Footballer of the Year (men), Asisat Oshoala, who the African Footballer of the Year (women) and Chiamaka Nnadozie as the best in the goal keeping category.

In a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelali, Tinubu applauded the trio for their “outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent.”

While expressing great joy at the feats, the President prayed that more successes will trail their career as they continue the journey.

Read the statement in detail:

PRESIDENT TINUBU HAILS OSIMHEN, OSHOALA, NNADOZIE ON AFRICAN PLAYERS OF THE YEAR AWARD

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Nigeria’s Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, on winning the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of the Year award.

The President also celebrates the remarkable achievements of Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who clinched the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of The Year for the sixth time, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was awarded the Woman Goalkeeper of the Year, as well as the Super Falcons for emerging the Women’s National Team of the Year.

The President commends the trio of Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie for their outstanding performances on both national and international stages, and for being sources of pride to the nation and an inspiration for aspiring footballers across the continent.

”Watching the great ambassadors of Nigeria stand atop the podium as the African Footballers of the Year, in the men and women categories, on Monday night in Marrakesh, Morocco, has strengthened our belief that with hard work, perseverance, and the help of God, everything this nation needs for greatness is within us and available to us.

”I commend Victor and Asisat for not forgetting their roots and days of humble beginnings in the game they love so much and for acknowledging the role of indigenous coaches in shaping their careers.

”I join all Nigerian fans in praying that this well-deserved honour will be the beginning of a continued journey filled with success, triumphs, and the fulfilment of all your footballing dreams,” the President says.

Sports

Spain Berth in Euro 2024 Final, Beat France in Dramatic Comeback

Published

2 weeks ago

July 9, 2024

Eric

Spain have book a place in the final of the Euro 2024 championship after a 2-1 win against France on Tuesday night.

Dani Olmo’s 25th-minute right-footed strike sealed the Spanish side’s victory at the Allianz Arena, Germany.

Spain will face either the Netherlands or England in the competition’s final on July 14.

France opened scoring in the eighth minute through R. Kolo Muani before two quick goals from Spain’s L. Yamal in the 21st minute, and D. Olmo in the 25th sealed victory for the Spaniards.

Sports

Finidi George Quits As Super Eagles Coach

Published

1 month ago

June 15, 2024

Eric

Newly appointed Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, has resigned his appointment, according to a post by ex-Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye on X.com on Saturday.

He wrote, “News just in. Finidi George #FinidiGeorge_FG has resigned from his #NGSuperEagles manager position.”

The resignation follows the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to appoint a foreign coach to oversee him, despite his recent appointment in May.

Sports

Finidi Flop: NFF Mulls Employment of Expatriate Technical Adviser

Published

1 month ago

June 13, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Football Federation has decided to appoint an expatriate Technical Adviser to oversee the Super Eagles.

This move comes ahead of the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifiers and the remaining 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, and is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

The decision was contained in a communiqué made available to newsmen on Thursday.

According to the communiqué, the Executive Committee of NFF held a meeting on Wednesday, to deliberate on important issues.

“The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologised to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals,” the communiqué partly read.

They assured Nigerians that they will put necessary measures in place to ensure a better-prepared squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September and the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers.

“The Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

“The committee resolved to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect,” the communique added.

The Board also expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some of the players “notwithstanding the challenges that attended the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games of the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, owing to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action.”

The board decided in favour of a more robust scouting programme of outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from across the globe, “who can add tremendous value to the nation’s flagship team.”

Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, came under criticisms after the Eagles suffered a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic on Monday on match-day 4 of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The defeat leaves the Super Eagles with a disappointing three points out of a potential 12, following a string of draws in their opening three matches.

The former international was appointed new head coach of the Nigerian men national team on April 29, 2024.