27.9 C
Lagos
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Home Blog Page 80

‘We meet again, 40 years later!’

Resilience Beyond Rivalry between Nigeria and Cameroon in AFCON

 

Super Eagles 1980 team

 

By Paul Okoku

 

Resilience Beyond Rivalry between Nigeria and Cameroon in AFCON, we meet again, 40 years later!

 

In the heart of Nigeria, where soccer is more than a sport, it’s a legacy. I carry with me a story of determination, rivalry, and the unyielding spirit of the Super Eagles. As the AFCON 2024 unfolds, I find myself caught between memories of the past and hopes for the future.

 

I was, fortunately, a member of that Super Eagles AFCON 1984 silver medal-winning squad that etched its mark on Nigerian soccer history. Our journey wasn’t just about victories; it was a testament to resilience and skill. Yet, one match changed the course of history—the showdown against Cameroon.

 

Everyone said we lost because we were inexperienced. That’s not the whole truth, as I reminisce. The Super Eagles, far from inexperienced, had triumphed over formidable opponents to secure their place in AFCON ’84. A goalless draw against Morocco in Benin in 1983 set the stage for an epic battle in Rabat two weeks later, where we emerged victorious against all odds and thus qualified for the AFCON 1984.

 

Isa Shofoluwe and Chibuzor Ehilegbu played with me in the match in Rabat. Invited straight from the Flying Eagles after returning freshly from the U-21 World Cup tournament in Mexico in 1983, we were battle-tested and ready.

 

However, playing in the finals of a prestigious, coveted, and highest-ranked football tournament on the continent of Africa, in this instance, AFCON, requires a team with significant experience and skill. Hence, being an inexperienced team doesn’t correspond with reality.

 

Nonetheless, the journey continued, and we faced a powerhouse-Egypt-in the semifinals. Defying expectations, we conquered the mighty Egyptians, earning a place in the finals. Our performance showcased not just skill but the undying Nigerian spirit.

 

Fast forward to AFCON 2024, where a new generation of Super Eagles takes the stage. I, a proud 1984 AFCON silver medal-winning team member, will be watching with anticipation. While the echoes of the past reverberate, I wish the current team success, urging them to play with pride, honor, and the spirit of true Nigerian champions.

 

I hate to admit it, but our rivalry with Cameroon started with us, the 1984 AFCON team; I am saying this with a wry smile. Let our story be a source of inspiration, not just rivalry that started in defeat. Play with all your heart, and remember, the entire nation is behind you—100%.

 

In this instance, as the Super Eagles take to the pitch in AFCON 2024 against Cameroon, they carry the legacy of our past great players, the AFCON heroics. It’s more than a match; it’s a continuation of a story that transcends time—a story of triumph, resilience, and the indomitable spirit that defines Nigerian soccer.

 

We send you our best wishes to the Super Eagles of AFCON 2024: Play nicely, with pride, and honor the legacy. Good luck, and bring home the victory for Nigeria!

 

With our heartfelt support!

 

Namibia makes AFCON history

Holds Mali to book maiden AFCON knockout qualification

 

Namibia captain Peter Shalulile (C) and his team are through to the last 16 for the first timeNamibia captain Peter Shalulile (C) and his team are through to the last 16 for the first time © SIA KAMBOU / AFP

 

Namibia managed to get a draw against Mali to progress to the knockout phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

 

The two sides played out at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro for a ticket in the knockout stage. Not much however was seen in terms of chances created.

 

Eric Chelle, Mali Head Coach had to deal with finding ways to get the results after his side showed signs of fatigue.

 

Eric Chelle, Mali Head Coach

 

“We needed a turnover and a change of system because I saw a lot of fatigue in my players so I had to deal with all that.

 

“We started well but afterward it was difficult because we were facing a regrouped block which proceeded against.

 

“And they were dangerous. I wanted this first place but it is not done. The important thing is our qualification.

 

“It is a pride to lead this team. We continue to work for the “We will have to be effective in our physical preparation for our next match.”

 

Collin Benjamin, Namibia coach

 

“Proud to be Namibian, proud of my players, proud of their desire. It’s huge. Losing 4-0 three days ago and bouncing back like that against a strong African team is huge.

 

“Thanks to our character and mentality we managed to have this qualification. It was not written for us.

 

“When we came here a few weeks ago, no one believed in us. We were told that we were small. We were counting the goals we were going to concede. But we showed that we were strong.

 

“This is the message that I and my players sent today. Allow every Namibian to have dreams, that the dream is allowed for everyone but you have to work to make this dream come true”.

 

Statistics 

Namibia have qualified to the knockout phase of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON for the first time in their history.

 

LaMelo Ball fined $2,000 by NBA

0

 After Hornets’ loss to Pistoin Michigan

 

 

On Wednesday evening, Ben Stinar reports for Fan Nation that the Charlotte Hornets faced off against the Detroit Pistons in Michigan.

The game was close, but the Pistons pulled away in the fourth quarter and won by a score of 113-106.

LaMelo Ball finished his night with 17 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and one steal while shooting 6/21 from the field and 1/8 from the three-point range in 32 minutes of playing time.

Following the game, the NBA announced that Ball had been fined $2,000.

Via NBA Official: “CHA’sLaMelo Ball has assessed a postgame Flopping fine of $2,000 upon league office review for https://nba.com/watch/video/pistons-vs-hornets-1-24-2024… on Jan. 24 vs. DET.”

Ball is averaging 24.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest, shooting 43.5% from the field and 36.2% from the three-point range in 21 games.

With the loss, the Hornets dropped to 10-32 in their first 42 games, with them as the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference.

They are 2-8 over their last ten games and 5-18 in the 23 games they have played on the road away from North Carolina.

Following the Pistons, the Hornets will host the Houston Rockets on Friday evening.

As for the Pistons, they are the 15th seed in the Eastern Conference and improved to 5-39 in their first 44 games.

They are 2-8 over their last ten games and 3-20 in 23 games at home.

Following the Hornets, the Pistons will remain home to host Jordan Poole and the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

 

Five standout World Relays moments

0

To mark 100 days to WRE Bahamas 24

Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner in the mixed 4x400m at the 2017 World Relays (© Getty Images

FacebookTwitterEmail

Nassau will once again welcome the world’s best sprinters on 4-5 May when the World Athletics Relays returns to the Bahamian capital, World Athletics writes.

 

With 100 days to go to the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24, where countries will compete for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, we look back at five standout moments from the five previous editions.

 

2014 – Jamaica breaks long-standing world 4x200m record

 

The World Athletics Relays started in style in 2014, with two world records set on the first day of action at the inaugural edition in Nassau.

 

After Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, Hellen Obiri, Mercy Cherono, and Irene Jelagat combined to smash the women’s world 4x1500m record, Jamaica’s men’s 4x200m quartet turned to light up the track.

 

Yohan Blake anchors Jamaica to a world 4x200m record at the 2014 World RelaysYohan Blake anchors Jamaica to a world 4x200m record at the 2014 World Relays (© Getty Images)

 

The world record had stood for 20 years to a quality US Santa Monica Track Club team featuring Floyd Heard, Leroy Burrell, Michael Marsh, and Carl Lewis, who ran 1:18.68 in Walnut in April 1994.

 

But in The Bahamas, Nickel Ashmeade, Warren Weir, Jermaine Brown, and Yohan Blake took 0.05 off the mark, 2011 world 100m champion Blake blazing a 19.4 anchor leg to cross the finish line in 1:18.63.

 

Ashmeade had put Jamaica narrowly ahead on the first leg before Weir recorded a 19.2 split to establish a clear lead, which Brown maintained.

 

Behind them, St Kitts and Nevis achieved a national record of 1:20.51, and after the US team was disqualified, France secured third place in a European record of 1:20.66.

 

2015 – US women smash distance medley world record

 

Given the country’s history with the event, it was no surprise that the USA won both distance medley relays at the 2015 edition in The Bahamas.

 

USA after the women's distance medley relay at the World Relays Bahamas 2015USA after the women’s distance medley relay at the World Relays Bahamas 2015 (© Getty Images)

 

They fielded an all-star team comprising Treniere Moser (1200m), Sanya Richards-Ross (400m), Ajee Wilson (800m), and Shannon Rowbury (1600m). Between them, they took more than six seconds off the previous world record and finished seven seconds ahead of their opponents.

 

France led at the first changeover, but a 50.12 clocking from Richards-Ross – a world and Olympic champion over one lap of the track – on the 400m leg put them in the lead and on world record pace.

 

Wilson then ran a solo 2:00.08 for the 800m leg, and Rowbury then increased their lead, which was already substantial, to bring the baton home in 10:36.50.

 

Behind them, Kenya took second place in an African record, Poland placed third in a European record, and fourth-place finisher Australia set an Oceanian record.

 

2017 – Bahamas dominates as mixed 4x400m makes World Relays debut

 

The Bahamas hosted the first three editions of the World Athletics Relays and narrowly missed out on top spot in the men’s 4x400m in 2014 and 2015. But in 2017, the mixed 4x400m made its World Relays debut, much to the delight of the passionate home crow.

 

 

Steven Gardiner, who would win world and Olympic titles, put the team ahead with an opening 44.33 leg before handing the baton to Olympic gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo. With a run of 49.60, she extended her team’s advantage to almost five seconds.

 

Anthonique Strachan went up against USA’s Paul Dedewo on the third leg, but The Bahamas remained in second place, with Michael Mathieu still to run.

 

He passed USA’s Claudia Francis on the anchor to secure a first-ever World Relays win for the host nation, crossing the finish line in 3:14.42 to win by almost three seconds.

 

The US took second in 3:17.29.

 

2019 – Poland dethrones US women in 4x400m

 

After victories in the women’s 4x400m at each of the three previous editions of the World Relays, the USA was finally knocked off its pedestal at the 2019 edition in Yokohama.

 

 

An inspired Justyna Swiety-Ersetic of Poland successfully fought off a three-pronged attack down the homestretch to win by just 0.16.

 

Jaide Stepter gave the US quartet the early lead, heading Jamaica, Italy, and Poland into the first exchange. Shakima Wimbley extended the USA’s lead on the second leg, while behind her, Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz moved Poland into second.

 

But USA’s Jessica Beard faded in the final 40 meters of the third leg, where Anna Kielbasinska brought Poland into the lead. Swiety-Ersetic, the 2018 European 400m champion, then took command and extended her lead down the back straight.

 

Four teams were in contention as the field came off the final turn, but as hard as US anchor Courtney Okolo tried to chip away at the deficit, the Pole fought back and ultimately brought her triumphant squad to the line in 3:27.49. Okolo won second over Italian anchor Raphaela Boaheng Lukudo by 0.09 in 3:27.65.

 

2021 – Netherlands saves best for last in Silesia

 

The Dutch men’s 4x400m team secured Olympic qualification in Silesia in 2021 and did so with a thrilling finish, winning the weekend’s final event in 3:03.45.

 

After taking their heat in 3:03.03, Jochem Dobber, Liemarvin Bonevacia, Ramsey Angela, and Tony van Diepen returned to the track, looking to flourish in the final.

 

Dobber started fast for the Netherlands, as did 18-year-old Lythe Pillay for South Africa, and South Africa was just ahead at the first changeover.

 

Dobber then handed it over to Bonevacia, and the race was on.

 

The final leg saw South Africa’s Oscar Mavundla storm the first 150m, but then he began to fade with Van Diepen, who had received the baton from Angela, surging past.

 

Van Diepen anchored his team home in 3:03.45 to win ahead of Japan and Botswana, who clocked at 3:04.45 and 3:04.77.

 

Main events upheavals rock WWE

New major plans reportedly emerge for The Rock and Cody Rhodes at WWE Wrestlemania

Seth Rollins
Cody Rhodes may not ‘finish his story’ in Philadelphia, Ash Rose reports for DAZN.
It may still be over three months away until WrestleMania, but a new report seems to suggest the matches that WWE hopes to book for their biggest show of the year.

Many expected Cody Rhodes to finally ‘finish his story’ and lay claim to the WWE Undisputed Universal title by dethroning Roman Reigns in Philadelphia – but that may no longer be the case.

According to Sports Illustrated, the new plan for WWE’s main event matches would see Reigns in his much-anticipated clash with The Rock after the WWE icon hinted at a possible showdown with his cousin during his appearance on Raw earlier this month.

As for Rhodes, his attention would switch to a match with CM Punk following their heated exchange on this week’s Monday Night Raw, leaving the World Heavyweight match to Seth Rollins defending his title against Gunther – who’s now expected to win the Royal Rumble and challenge ‘The Visionary’.

As for the women, the report claims the plan is still for Rhea Ripley to defend her World Championship against Becky Lynch, while Iyo Sky would be involved in some meeting with Bayley as the Royal Rumble winner.

Harbaugh lays out his strategy

0

New LA Chargers head coach unveils his recipe for turning around perennial underachievers

 

 

Jim Harbaugh is back in the NFL after the LA Chargers confirmed they had hired the former San Francisco 49ers boss as their new head coach, Joe Mewis reports for DAZN.

 

Harbaugh returns to the professional ranks after a nine-year stint in charge at the University of Michigan, which ended with a perfect 15-0 record last season as the Wolverines were crowned as the 2023 national champions.

 

Prior to that the 60-year-old spent four years with the 49ers, earning NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2011 and taking them to three straight NFC Championship games, including a trip to Super Bowl XLVII, in which his brother’s Baltimore Ravens team pipped them to the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

 

Speaking after his appointment was confirmed by the Chargers, Harbaugh offered some insight into how he plans to re-energize a franchise that has failed to live up to its potential in recent years, winning just one play-off game since the team moved from San Diego in 2017.

 

“The only job you start at the top is digging a hole, so we know we’ve got to earn our way,” Harbaugh said. “Be better today than yesterday. Be better tomorrow than today. My priorities are faith, family and football, and we are going to attack each with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. This organization is putting in the work — investing capital, building infrastructure and doing everything within its power to win. Great effort equals great results, and we’re just getting started.”

 

Harbaugh spent 15 years as a quarterback in the NFL between 1987 and 2001, including two seasons with the Chargers between 1999 and 2000. He replaces Brandon Staley, who was fired in December after almost three years in the job, with the LA sitting on a 5-9 record and on their way to a fourth-placed finish in the AFC West.

 

Boxing legend, Mike Tyson fights again

0

Baddest man of the planet could return to the ring for a big money fight in Saudi Arabia

 

 

Boxing icon Mike Tyson is rumored to be making a return to the ring for a big-money boxing fight in Saudi Arabia, Ash Rose reports for DAZN.

 

According to MMA Pack on Instagram, Tyson is set to do battle with MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko after they revealed there had been negotiations between the two parties.

 

“Mike Tyson vs. Fedor Emelianenko boxing match negotiations are underway and targeted for later this year in Saudi Arabia,” the account claimed after the Russian fighter had previously expressed a desire to face Tyson following the end of his MMA career.

 

57-year-old Tyson hasn’t stepped into a boxing ring since his exhibition fight with Roy Jones Jr in November 2020, but for the right amount of money would consider a return to the squared circle. In mixing it up with Emelianeko, he would be taking on a man ten years his junior, who last fought inside the Octagon in February last year and has an overall MMA record of 41-7-1.

 

A return fight for the former World Heavyweight champion would be a huge attraction match for Saudi Arabia, and there had been some talk of it being part of the undercard for Anthony Joshua’s clash with Francis Ngannou in March. However, despite the deadline having now passed, it’s still a showdown that is reportedly happening later this year.

 

Joshua ‘keeps it honest’ before Ngannou fight

0

Names sparring partner who dropped him in training

 

Anthony-Joshua-vs.-Francis-Ngannou
Anthony-Joshua-vs.-Francis-Ngannou

 

Anthony Joshua has repeatedly proven that he has the fire and willpower to overcome adversity in the ring, Christopher Walker reports for DAZN.

 

After being dropped by Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, Joshua rallied to stop the legendary Ukrainian at Wembley Stadium, but that wasn’t the first time the 2012 Olympic gold medallist hit the canvas.

 

When Joshua was still an amateur, Price was a heavyweight prospect in the professional ranks who had captured a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics.

 

At this time, the heavy-handed pair helped each other out by sparring, and Price was able to floor Joshua during one session. The Watford man recalled the incident when preparing to fight with Eric Molina eight years ago.

 

“Yes, he dropped me in sparring, and I continued training, and that’s why I am here now,” said Joshua when speaking to Sky Sports in 2016.

 

“In a sense, you have to look at these things as a blessing in disguise because, in boxing, many people get dropped, get hurt, and then go on and do great things.”

 

‘Moroccan prioritized group stage success’

Moroccan midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat has said they prioritized finishing as group

 

Sofyan Amrabat

 

Moroccan midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat has said they prioritized finishing as group leaders after defeating Zambia in the last round game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

 

The midfielder who was key in the win over Zambia won the TotalEnergies Man of the Match.

 

Speaking after the game, Amrabat indicated being top of their group was one of their target and he is proud they ended up achieving it.

 

“We wanted this first place. We are proud to have done it. It was a difficult match but we did the essentials. There is always room to improve before our next match”, declared the midfielder ground.

 

Walid Regragui’s was not part of the team after receiving a ban from CAF ahead of the game.

 

Despite not hearing the news early, they delivered as expected of them.

 

“We heard the news today. It was surprising. We missed him but we made do with the situation. We hope to have him for the next match,” he added.

 

Morocco will face South Africa in the knockout phase and Amrabat is already ready for the tie.

 

“We want to go as far as possible in this tournament and we will do our best to succeed,” he concluded.

 

AFCON 2023: History favors Super Eagles

 As Cameroon’s Lions arrive Abidjan

 

 

By Rasheed Adewuyi

 

History, pedigree, current form, and turf familiarity heavily favor the Super Eagles as they confront the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the Round of 16 at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

 

Five-time champions Cameroon prosecuted their group phase games in Yamoussoukro. They have arrived in Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial and industrial capital for Saturday’s potentially explosive encounter with three-time champion Nigeria.

 

Nigeria and Cameroon have clashed in 17 competitive matches since their first matches in the Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah Cup on 8th December 1962, which Nigeria won 3-1. Of those 17 matches, Cameroon has won only 4 – three of the Final matches of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984, 1988, and 2000.

 

The only other time Cameroon beat Nigeria in a competitive match was on 27th August 1989, when Francois Omam Biyick scored the only goal in Yaounde that eliminated Nigeria from the race to the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals in Italy.

 

Nigeria has won nine of the other 13 matches, including a 2-1 defeat of Cameroon in the bronze medal match of the 1992 AFCON, a 2-0 triumph in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Ibadan, a 3-2 win in Yaounde in a 1970 World Cup qualifier; a 2-1 win in Monastir in a 2004 AFCON quarter-final; a 4-0 win in Uyo in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier and; a 3-2 win in Alexandria in a 2019 AFCON Round of 16 clash.

 

More than the above, the Super Eagles presently boast the Africa Player of the Year in Victor Osimhen, and the Super Eagles have more familiarity with the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where they pipped Guinea Bissau 1-0 on Monday to make sure of their place in this competition’s Round of 16.

 

Nigeria reached the Round of 16 after scooping seven points, unbeaten in their three matches; Cameroon was battered 3-1 by Cup holders Senegal and fought hard to overcome The Gambia in added time to ensure a place in the knock-out rounds.

 

As both teams prepare for the big day, thenff.com takes a cursory look at the SEVEN previous clashes involving Nigeria and Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations – the continent’s flagship football championship:

 

1) 1984 AFCON FINAL MATCH: Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan

 

Coach Adegboye Onigbinde brought in Patrick Okala for Peter Rufai, who was injured in a bruising semi-final encounter with Egypt, which went to penalties in Bouake four days earlier. Bala Ali, who got the equalizer in that match, started in place of Chibuzor Ehilegbu. Rapid winger Clement Temile, the two-goal hero against Malawi in the group phase, also started from the bench, with Stephen Keshi, Kingsley Paul, Paul Okoku, Muda Lawal, Humphrey Edobor, Yisa Sofoluwe, and James Etokebe among the starters.

 

Etokebe sprinted to a through pass by Edobor and made a pull-out that Antoine-Bell fumbled for Muda Lawal to lash in for Nigeria’s goal. A free-kick late in the first half brushed Keshi’s head to fly past Okala for the equalizer, and Abega put Cameroon in front before Eugene Ekoule’s winner. The Lions deployed their vast experience and exposure at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, where they exited the group phase without losing any of their matches against Poland, Peru, and eventual winners Italy.

 

2) 1988 AFCON GROUP PHASE MATCH: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, Rabat

 

Samuel Okwaraji, who only joined the team the previous year, scored with a scorching left-footed shot after only two minutes. Still, Cameroon equalized 20 minutes later with a header by Roger Milla, with the Nigeria defense thinking they had kept him offside. The draw followed a 3-0 defeat of Kenya and meant Nigeria only needed a draw in their next match against Egypt (which they got) to reach the semi-finals.

 

Goalkeeper Peter Rufai, defenders Yisa Sofoluwe, Andrew Uwe, Sunday Eboigbe, and Bright Omokaro, midfielders Henry Nwosu and Ademola Adeshina, and forwards Okwaraji and Rashidi Yekini were among those involved.

 

3) 1988 AFCON FINAL MATCH: Stade King Mohamed V, Casablanca

 

Nigeria, who had survived another bruising semi-final, in which they went to a penalty shootout with Algeria after a 1-1 draw after regulation and extra time, started brightly with Nkiru Okosieme installed on the right, Humphrey Edobor on the left and livewire Henry Nwosu all over the place.

 

Henry Nwosu’s powerful header from Sam Okwaraji’s pull-out on the right sailed past Antoine-Bell, but referee Idrissa Sarr from Mauritania ruled off the strike. Cameroon scored 10 minutes into the second half when Eboigbe impeded Roger Milla, and Emmanuel Kunde fired past Peter Rufai from the spot.

 

3) 1992 AFCON BRONZE MEDAL MATCH: Stade de l’Amitie, Dakar

 

Both teams needed to self-motivate after losing their semi-final matches, with the Eagles bumped by Ghana and Cameroon ejected after a penalty shootout by eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire. Coach Philippe Redon had dropped goalkeeper Antoine-Bell, who lost the crucial penalty against the Ivorians and brought in Jacques Songo’o. The Lions’ squad included Emile Mbouh, Benjamin Massing, Cyril Makanaky, Jean-Claude Pagal, and Kessack Maboang.

 

Nigeria had Alloy Agu in goal and also included Emeka Ezeugo, Isaac Semitoje, Nduka Ugbade, Reuben Agboola, Victor Ikpeba, Friday Ekpo, Mutiu Adepoju, Finidi George, and Rashidi Yekini. Ekpo fired home from a 22-yard free-kick to give Nigeria the lead with 15 minutes to go, but the Lions equalized in the 85th minute through Bahoang. Yekini, who had scored three goals earlier in the tournament (two against Kenya and one against Zaire), got the winner from an acute angle with two minutes left.  

 

. To Be Continued