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SUPER EAGLES MUST LEARN A LESSON FROM HISTORY
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The journey is gradually coming to an end. Fifty four countries began the race to the 2018 World Cup in Russia of which 20 advanced to the final qualifying stage. Of the 20, the boys have been separated from the men as five are already out, leaving 15 still in contention.
The eliminated teams are Guinea and Libya in Group A, Cameroon and Algeria in Group B and Congo in Group E. Of the remainder, Nigeria is nearest to picking a slot this weekend and clock ticks down to the decisive hour. A win over Zambia earns the Super Eagles the ticket to Russia.
It looks easy, considering the Nigerian side playing at home against a team it has defeated away from home.
Yet, it is very dicey considering that football history is replete with tales of teams that stumbled at the cusp of victories.
Perhaps one example should be offered. France playing in UEFA Group 6 qualifying series for USA ’94 needed just a point from its last two home matches against Israel and Bulgaria.
The French team was almost certain to qualify. Then came a shock 2-3 loss to the visiting Israel.
France slipped from brink of picking 1994 World Cup ticket following a shock defeat by Bulgaria in Paris.
That set up a final showdown with Bulgaria in Paris. France needed just a draw to qualify and Eric Cantona gave the team the lead in the 30th minute.
But barely five minutes later, Emil Kostadinov equalized for Bulgaria. The 1-1 score line was still okay for France.
They held on till the 90th minute. Then a miss kick by France David Ginola found Bulgaria’s Emil Kostadinov who lashed the winner almost on the dot of full time.
This is a lesson for the Super Eagles to be cautiously optimistic. The Zambian side beaten at home has since been overhauled and the subsequent results ever since are showing.
The Super Eagles and their handlers as well as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should also take a look at the disciplinary records. In the preceding four matches, at least a Nigerian player is booked. Some of the cautions were avoidable.
Victor Moses was given a yellow card for removing his shirt while celebrating his opening goal in the 3-1 defeat of Algeria last year.
Victor Moses was cautioned in the match against Algeria for indecent exposure just it happened to Emmanuel Amuneke 20 years ago in Nigeria’s World Cup qualification duel with Kenya in Lagos. It is a well known fact that players are not expected to pull off their shirts during matches.
Odion Ighalo was cautioned for showing off inscription in his inner wears after scoring against Cameroon. Messages of any kind are no longer allowed to be displayed while on the field.
It is an age-long rule that even amateurs are aware of. Technical handlers need to inform the players. In the last match with Cameroon, Odion Ighalo was not just cautioned; he was seen arguing with the referee that he never removed his shirt.
What was his offence? He had a written message in his under vest which has also been outlawed.
FIFA has for some time outlawed any form of communication on players’ under vests, be it social, political or religious.
Ighalo had this message written in his inner wears “Thank you Jesus” which he displayed after scoring the opening goal. This must be avoided.
But more importantly is that of crowd behaviour. It is essential to support the Super Eagles with every enthusiasm.
But encroaching on the field incurs fines which roll into millions of naira. Such fine which the NFF is supposed to pay would have been better spent on developmental initiatives and on the players.
Nigerian fans need to change attitudes and give the country a better sporting image.
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Manu Garba proud of Eaglets as team countenances Niger Republic
Coach Manu Garba has asserted that he is proud of the Golden Eaglets after Thursday’s scoreless encounter with their Burkina Faso counterparts in the Group B opener of the WAFU B U17 Championship.
Five-time champions Nigeria created several scoring chances particularly late in the game at the Accra University Stadium, but failed to utilise even one that could have earned them the three points and handed them early leadership of the pool.
However, Garba said the boys played a cohesive game in their first-ever international outing and deserve credit for their display.
“We are proud of our team’s performance. Although we didn’t secure the win that we hoped for, our players showed great teamwork and sportsmanship. We look forward to our next match and the opportunity to continue growing and improving.
“The boys will get better with experience and exposure.”
Against the Burkinabes, the Eaglets showed flair and fluency, but a heavy downpour in the final 15 minutes of the game disrupted the general flow of play, with the pitch waterlogged and effective control and passing impossible.
The Golden Eaglets go up against their counterparts from the Niger Republic on Sunday evening (6pm Ghana time; 7pm Nigeria) with renewed hope and vigour to pick up the three points that will enhance their chances of a place in the last four.
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Paris to face major disruption ahead of Games opening ceremony, says police chief
Paris will face major disruption ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony along the Seine on July 26, as organisers ramp up security measures to safeguard the event, the city’s police chief said on Thursday.
Organisers hope the opening ceremony, in which 160 boats carrying athletes from around the world will travel a 6 kilometre route along the Seine river towards the Eiffel tower, will deliver a jaw-dropping spectacle. Some 300,000 spectators will watch from the banks of the Seine as a global audience tunes in on TV.
But the ceremony is also a major security headache, taking place against a backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron has already floated the possibility of scrapping the river ceremony and reverting to at least two back-up plans if the security risks become untenable.
Paris residents with a view of the Seine can invite friends to watch the opening of the 2024 Summer Games from their balconies, but should prepare for heavy traffic and limited movement, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said at a press conference.
Adjacent metro stations, most river crossings and all water traffic will be halted in the week before the open-air ceremony, Nunez said, adding that some bridges will remain open “in order not to cut Paris in two halves.”
Everyone who wants to access the immediate surroundings of the Seine in the week before the Games will need to sign up on an online platform, Nunez said. Local residents hoping to access their homes, which are among the most prestigious addresses in France, will need to do the same.
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who also spoke at the event said the disruption would impact around 20,000 residents and business owners.
Asked about Macron’s comments earlier this month, Nunez said his teams were still working on the ‘Plan A’ of the river ceremony.
“As of today, we have no reason to be worried,” Nunez said.
-Reuters
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New dawn expected as Nigeria sports ministry partners with Yanga Games
Towards creating a new dawn for Nigerian Sports, the Federal Ministry of Sports has signed a landmark agreement with top lottery company Yanga Games to raise the revenue profile of the Ministry and ensure a new deal for the welfare of athletes.
Speaking during the unveiling of the partnership between the Ministry and Yanga Games in Lagos on Friday, Chairman/CEO of Yanga Games Derrick David Kentebe said: “we are so super excited by this opportunity to work with the Ministry of Sports Development to change the narrative about Sports in the country.
Continuing, he remarked: “We see opportunity for marketing our athletes and sports generally . We shall avail ourselves the best use of this unique and special partnership. We shall pursue this mandate with vigour, passion and unrivaled commitment to bring benefits to all the critical stakeholders.”
The agreement according to Kentebe will provide support for retired athletes, enhance grassroot sports Development and advance the potentials of special athletes.
He assured that ” Yanga Games has the capacity to raise funds on behalf of the Ministry of Sports for athletes Development, endorsement and sponsorship deals for athletes”.
Minister of Sports Senator John Owan Enoh assured that the Ministry has total and absolute confidence in Yanga Games to deliver on the given mandate.
“Gone are the era when we depended solely on government to fund sports development. We are partnering with Yanga Games to bring maximum benefits to the athletes and all critical stakeholders.
“We shall give institutional encouragement and support to the Management of Yanga Games to succeed in this onerous task of rebuilding our sports sub sector.”
Speaking further, Kentebe said ” We shall raise about 34 Billion in the next four years to assist athletes and improve sports in the country.
“We shall help to develop grassroot sports and sustain youth involvement through raffle draws, fund raiser and other avenues.
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