Sports

Jose Peseiro resigns as Super Eagles coach

Published

2 months ago

March 1, 2024

Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, has resigned from his position as the head coach of the Nigerian football national team, Super Eagles, three weeks after guiding the Eagles to the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations where Nigeria lost 2-1 to host Ivory Coast.

After weeks of speculations on whether the Nigerian Football Federation would extend his contract, Peseiro pulled the plug on Friday by announcing his departure in a statement on his X account.

The 63-year-old thus ends a fractious tenure as coach of the Eagles as he was not fully accepted and appreciated by a section of Nigerian football fans, especially the sporting media due to a string of poor results and a not too convincing playing style.

During his tenure, Peseiro was also vilified for his preference of foreign based players as against giving the players playing in the Nigerian league.

Shortly after the AFCON where pulled a surprise by changing his tactics and leading the Eagles to the final with some sterling brand of defensive and attacking football, Peseiro became a subject of diverse debate with many Nigerians clamouring for an extension of his contract.

There were also rumours that the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) had contacted Peseiro and was ready to hand him a contract to coach their national team following the resignation of Djamel Behmadi.

However, the rumour died down with the FAF naming former Switzerland coach, Vladimir Petkovic, as the new coach of the Desert Foxes.

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Sports

Tobi Amusan sets world-leading time at Jamaica Athletics Invitational

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

World 100m hurdle record-holder, Tobi Amusan of Nigeria, was the cynosure of all eyes as she stole the show at the maiden Jamaica Athletics Invitational held in Kingston, where she ran a world-leading time of 12.40 seconds to defeat home favorite and reigning world champion, Danielle Williams, who came in second with 12.46, and USA’s Christina Clemens, who finished third in 12.54 seconds.

The 27-year-old Amusan’s impressive display in the Jamaica Invitational marked a significant and brilliant comeback following her recent setback at the Suzhou Diamond League late last month where she was disqualified due to a false start.

With the victory, the Nigerian athlete fondly “Tobi Express” by her fans, has once again claimed the top spot in the world rankings, surpassing American Tonea Marshall, who previously held the world lead with a time of 12.42 seconds in late April.

While reacting to the feat, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, took to his official X handle to congratulate Amusan whom he called a pace-setter, while wishing she repeats the feat at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

“Tobi, you keep making our country proud. Paris Olympics is around the corner, your performance gives us hope just like others, that Nigeria is set to break a jinx. Keep soaring, we are proud of you,” the Minister wrote.

In another tweet, he said:

“Take your flowers Tobi Amusan, you stormed to an emphatic win in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational, clocking a time of 12.40s (0.9), a World Lead time!

“You defeated World Champion Danielle Williams, who came 2nd in 12.46s, while Christina Clemons was 3rd.

Sports

Italian couple name new born baby after Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

An Italian couple have reportedly named their new born baby after Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, after he scored a spectacular goal against Olympic Marseille of France in the Europa League semifinal second leg match to take Atalanta to the final.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring for Atalanta before Ruggeri and Toure sealed the win in their second-leg semi-final tie to set up a mouth-watering final tie with Victor Boniface’s Leverkusen.

According to reports from EuroFoot on X, Ademola’s performance was recognised by the couple who live in Palosco, a district in Bergamo where the Italian club is based.

“Somebody named their child after Ademola Lookman following his goal which helped send the Italian club to the Europa League final!” EuroFoot said in the post.

The post added that Lookman’s contribution to Atalanta’s advancement to the Europa League final caught the attention of the adoring Italian couple who decided to name their child after him.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian international was on Friday, named the Europa League Player of the Week following his outstanding performance in Atalanta’s 4-1 aggregate victory over Marseille in the semifinal.

According to UEFA’s official website, Lookman’s performance also included three attempts, further highlighting his influential role in Atalanta’s dominant display