Sports

AFCON: ‘Be strong, you did your best for Nigeria’ – Sports minister tells Iwobi

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2024

14 Views

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh recently had a discussion with Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi following cyber bullies against the Fulham star.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Enoh’s media aide, Diana-Mary Tiku Nsan on Monday.

Enoh, who led the Super Eagles of Nigeria back home after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast, told Iwobi: “I am aware of what is happening on social media and as a ministry, this is not the first time we are going to make a statement against bullying, not just you but our sportsmen and women in general who are exposed to bullying due to the outcome of competitions.

“We are concerned about how our sportsmen and women are treated.”

The final AFCON 2023 has seen Iwobi experience a routine of unpleasant remarks hurled at him.

Iwobi confirmed leaving social media after the final game.

“For me, I have taken myself out of social media after yesterday’s game,” he said.

Enoh, however, encouraged the former Arsenal star saying:

“You did your best for your country and I am proud of you. The leadership and the rest of the country is proud of you.

“Those who are not are in the far minority and do not speak for the rest of our country, so just be strong.

“You did your best, you are part of a team that brought home a silver medal which the country last won at AFCON 2000, which is 23 years ago. You put in your best, thank you very much.”

Sports

Roll Calls of 20 Flying Eagles in Ghana for WAFU B U20 Tournament

Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Andy (Bayelsa United)

Published

5 days ago

July 9, 2025

OhiBaba

46 Views

Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Andy (Bayelsa United)

Defenders: Abba Khalid Sadiq (Niger Tornadoes); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Akinniran Oluwashile (Water FC); Ahmed Akinyele (Remo Stars); Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City)

Midfielders: Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Ezekiel Kpangu (Inspire Academy); Rawa Mohammed (Beyond Limits); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Abduljelil Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists).

Forwards: Abdullahi Muhammed (Kwara United); Godday Otalyul-Imbus (Calabar Rovers); Imrana Muhammad (Mavlon FC); Qudus Olayiwola (P Sport FC).: Abdullahi Muhammed (Kwara United); Godday Otalyul-Imbus (Calabar Rovers); Imrana Muhammad (Mavlon FC); Qudus Olayiwola (P Sport FC).

Sports

Flying Eagles set for WAFU B U20 challenge in Accra

The WAFU B competition is scheduled for 10th to 23rd July at the Prampram Centre in Accra.

Published

5 days ago

July 9, 2025

OhiBaba

43 Views

Nigeria’s U20 Boys, Flying Eagles have commenced training sessions in the Ghanaian capital, Accra ahead of the kick-off of this year’s WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament.

The WAFU B competition is scheduled for 10th to 23rd July at the Prampram Centre in Accra.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has picked captain Daniel Bameyi and 19 other players, with a scoop from the group that finished third at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt two months ago and thus qualified to represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile later this year.

Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt is a prominent figure from that mosaic, alongside defender Odinaka Okoro, and midfielders Bidemi Amole, Ezekiel Kpangu, Divine Oliseh and Tahir Maigana.

A number of new birds have birthed, including Bayelsa United goalkeeper Clinton Andy, defenders Abba Sadiq and Marvelous Freedom, midfielder Abduljelil Kamaldeen, and forwards Imrana Muhammad and Qudus Olayiwola.

Nigeria, winners of the last two editions of the WAFU B U20 Championships (hosted by Niger Republic and Togo respectively), will take on hosts Ghana in the opening match of Group A on Thursday, from 3pm on Thursday, 10th July.

The Flying Eagles will then clash with Benin Republic on Sunday, 13th July in a three-team Group A.

Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Togo make up Group B, with the Ivorians and the Burkinabes clashing in the group’s first match tomorrow, July 10th .