Sports

Super Eagles’ captain, Joseph Yobo, said on Tuesday that the team would do the country proud at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Eagles on Tuesday afternoon returned to training to prepare for Friday’s big showdown against the...

Ambassador Ashraf Salama is the new Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria. He previously worked in the United States of America, Denmark, Jordan and Senegal. In this interview with RALIAT AHMED-YUSUF, he speaks on Egypt’s new democracy, his perception o...

Rafael Benitez finally enjoyed some home comfort as Chelsea avoided throwing away another two-goal lead by clinging on to beat Arsenal. It was very nearly Groundhog Day at snowy Stamford Bridge, with the Gunners making amends for an appalling first-hal...

FIFA Assistant referee, Peter Egan Edibi has debunked media reports accredited indicating that he is angry with the leadership of the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA, for abandoning him insisting that he never granted such interview.

The report which emanated from Supersport.com stated that Edibi, who is the only Nigerian referee officiating at the ongoing 2013 AFCON in South Africa had been abandoned by the NRA even as his appearance at the tournament will boost the image of the referees association and Nigeria.

However Edibi who has featured at AFCON 2008, 2010 and 2012 said the report is nothing but the figment of the writer’s imagination.

He said he has not been abandoned by the NRA and even if there was such thing, he knows the right channel to follow in addressing it.

Edibi explained that he has a cordial relationship with his association and was shocked to his marrows when he was quoted as saying he has been abandoned by the NRA.

Edibi said apart from causing him very serious embarrassment, the said report was capable of tampering with his concentration on the crucial assignment on ground.

“ I was shocked to read in the media that I said I have been abandoned by the NRA. The report is false in its entirety for I have not granted such interview to anyone. It is a product of the writer’s imagination.

“ I have a very cordial relationship with my association and the football federation. Even if I have issues with any of the bodies, I know how and where to channel such concerns.

“ At my level, I know what to say and what not to say. I am truly shocked by the report and I feel it has been written in bad taste”.

Edibi expatiated that the aspect of the report which embarrassed him most is where he was quoted as praying for the Super Eagles to win in South Africa.

“ As an experienced FIFA graded referee, I don’t need anybody to remind that I must remain impartial at all times. So you can only imagine my shock when I read in that same report that I prayed that Eagles should win the championship. This is not possible”.

The Cross River State born referee who is on the FIFA preliminary list for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil therefore called on all those concerned to disregard the report in its entirety.

“ I urge everyone to disregard the report which has truly traumatized me. I have continued to receive calls and messages from concerned people who want to know if actually I granted such interview”, he said

Barcelona’s first defeat in La Liga this season should serve to remind people they are not invincible, coach Tito Vilanova said after their surprise 3-2 loss at Real Sociedad on Saturday. Barca’s record-breaking start to the first half of t...

Super Falcons striker Perpetua Nkwocha on Saturday decried the declining standard of female football in Nigeria, attributing it to negligence by the concerned authorities.

Nkwocha told newsmen in Lagos that poor oganisation and neglect of the Nigeria Women Professional League (NWPL) had hindered the growth of various female national teams.

``The quality of the NWPL is affecting the national teams. I say that because it was exhibited at the 2012 Africa Women Championship in Equatorial Guinea where we did not do well.

``The Super Falcons especially do not have quality players anymore.

``If the league can improve, then we can have strong and formidable national teams," said Nkwocha who is currently playing for Sunnana SK Club of Sweden.

Nkwocha also canvassed equality in the administration of the male and female teams, saying that preference should not be accorded to the male teams.

``The Nigeria Football Federation and fans usually focus more on the men when it comes to competitions.

``And in terms of the Nigeria Premier League, the men are even more recognised, it is not fair," she said.

She appealed to sponsors to identify with the NWPL and female football to ensure it grew and become strong like their foreign counterpart

``Why do you think countries like U.S.A, Sweden and Brazil are strong in the world today? It is because they invest in their female teams," she said.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has once more reiterated his desire to return to the Premier League at some point in the future. The 49-year-old enjoyed success in England at Chelsea from 2004 until 2007, and he has nothing but fond memories of his tim...