Sports

As the Super Eagles Prepare for AFCON 2024

Published

2 years ago

January 6, 2024

Eric

By Kunle Famoriyo

It is just a few days to the kick-off of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d Ivoire. The question on the lip of every Nigerian therefore, is whether the Super Eagles can replicate their 1994 and 2013 prowess to win their fourth AFCON title. Can the present crop of players, managed by Portuguese born Jose Peseiro, conquer the African continent?

The performance of the Super Eagles since Coach Peseiro took charge has been worrisome to say the least.

Recall that many years ago, the national team was a force to reckon with. The mention of the Nigerian national team, no matter the category, creates fear in the hearts of the opponents. Nigeria was like Goliath to the Israelites but today, we cannot even bite small nations like Zimbabwe and Lesotho with the array of stars in our squad. The present squad has a very potent attack in the guise of Victor Osimhen, Boniface, Chukwueze, Lookman, Sadiq, among others. These boys are dangerous on a good day, but can they find the rhythm that will deliver the coveted trophy to the more than 200 million expectant Nigerians on February 11, 2024, when the tournament will anchor. Wait and see is the watchword!

It is sad however, that Wilfred Ndidi will miss the tournament due to injury, and the presence of Iheanacho is not guaranteed. A very good attack needs a solid defence like the “Rock of Gibraltar” and a coordinated midfield. Does our team have what it takes?

Equatorial Guinea is waiting for us on the 14th of January, Ivory Coast on the 18th, and Guinea Bissau on the 22nd. Can the Eagles devour their preys?

Some of our players have been doing well for their clubs, but can they replicate the performance at AFCON 2023? The inclusion of only one home-based player (Olorunleke Ojo) of Enyimba FC to the AFCON squad is an indication that Peseiro does not have faith in our professional league, and does not want to develop it. There are good players in the country, but they are not being considered for the national team, which is a big slap on NPFL.

The journey to capture our fourth title begins in a couple of days and to have a successful competition, the NFF and the Ministry for Sports must work together with the team, providing every necessary support to encourage excellence. This is not the time to interfere with the selection of players for a particular match. Match bonuses should be paid when due. A repeat of what happened before the last women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand should be avoided.

Meanwhile, I, as well as other Nigerians, were excited to see Nigerian table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, coming from two sets down to defeat Hugo Calderano of Brazil, to qualify for the quarter-final of the WTT at Doha. He exhibited the Nigerian spirit of ” l can do it”. In the same vein, I much believe that if all hands are on deck, and the players play all the matches without complacency no African nation, no matter how experienced, will challenge them. Then, victory will be ours. Nigeria, argubly have the best players on the continent presently, and that status is expected to reflect in all their games.

It is time for Nigeria to be the African Champion again!

Famoriyo Adekunle writes from Lagos

Sports

FirstBank Elephant Girls Win in Zone 3, Qualify for WBLA Final Round

Published

2 weeks ago

December 8, 2025

Eric

FirstBank Basketball Club of Nigeria, popularly known as the “Elephant Girls”, have secured their spot in the final round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), scheduled to hold in Cairo, Egypt from 5-14 December 2025.

The Elephant Girls put up a commanding performance at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, winning all three games. Representing Nigeria as the country’s sole team in the tournament, they overcame fierce competition from Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Ghana, and Togo in the Zone. Their undefeated run included a 66–55 upset against home favourites CSA of Côte d’Ivoire and a thrilling 63–59 comeback win against FBA of Côte d’Ivoire, after trailing by 20 points in the second quarter.

The remarkable performance, marked by resilience, discipline skill, and mental strength, earned the team a triumphant return to continental basketball after a six-year absence. Emerging as champions of Zone 3 and the only English-speaking team to advance, the Elephant Girls have reaffirmed FirstBank’s long-standing commitment to promoting women’s sports in Nigeria and across Africa.

Speaking on the qualification, FirstBank’s Group Head, Human Capital Management and Development and Chairman of the Sports Council, Olumuyiwa Olulaja, said: “We are incredibly proud of the Elephant Girls for their outstanding performance. They have once again shown the world the strength, resilience, and excellence that define FirstBank.

“At FirstBank, we are committed to continuing our support for sports in Nigeria and Africa, and this victory is a significant step forward in our mission to promote excellence in sports on the continental and global stage,” he added.

The Elephant Girls had advanced to represent Nigeria at the WBLA Qualifiers for FIBA Africa Zone 3, following an impressive Silver Medal finish at the Zenith Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Women’s Premier League.

With their place secured in Cairo, the Elephant Girls are poised to showcase their talent on the continental stage once again, carrying the pride of Nigeria and the FirstBank brand as they aim to make history in the Final Round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa.

Sports

Morocco’s Hakimi Wins Africa Football Player of the Year Award

Published

4 weeks ago

November 20, 2025

Eric

Morocco and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the Confederation of African Football Men’s Player of the Year Award for 2025, edging out finalists Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool) and Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray).

The announcement came on Wednesday during the glittering CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, where Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain right-back, was the only finalist in attendance, adding to the electric atmosphere.

This marks a historic breakthrough for Hakimi, after finishing as runner-up in both 2023 and 2024 (behind Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, respectively), the 27-year-old has finally claimed Africa’s top individual football honour.

It’s also the first win for a Moroccan since Mustapha Hadji in 1998, and only the fourth for a defender in the award’s modern history.

Sports

Heartbreak As Congo Ends Super Eagles 2026 World Cup Dreams

Published

1 month ago

November 17, 2025

Eric

The Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup dream suffered a major blow on Sunday as DR Congo advanced to the intercontinental playoff following a dramatic penalty shootout at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying ended in heartbreaking fashion, marking the second consecutive year the Super Eagles will miss out on the world stage.

The match ended 1–1 after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, sending the high-stakes encounter to penalties.

Nigeria initially went ahead through Frank Onyeka in the third minute, but DR Congo equalised in the 32nd minute through M. Elia.

Extra time saw both teams create chances, with Tolu Arokodare missing a header for Nigeria and Nwabali making a crucial save from a DR Congo free kick, but neither side could break the deadlock.

The tension continued into the penalty shootout.

Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon missed early chances, while Nwabali denied DR Congo’s first penalty.

Akor Adams kept the Super Eagles alive, but DR Congo struck back through Sadique and later scored the decisive fourth penalty, leaving Nigeria trailing 4–3 in the shootout.

The victory sets up DR Congo for a chance to secure one of the final World Cup tickets to the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria’s defeat marked the second consecutive year the Super Eagles will miss out on the world stage.

Both teams had earned their places in the final after dramatic semi-finals.

Nigeria had booked their place in the final with a dramatic 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

DR Congo also advanced with a 1–0 victory over Cameroon at the Al Barid Stadium the same evening.

The Leopards now await their intercontinental playoff opponent, keeping alive their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup, while the Super Eagles’ campaign comes to an agonising end in Rabat.