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Did Rohr Foresee the Zambian Challenge?
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The Super Eagles’ qualification for the Russia 2018 World Cup has been postponed for another one month following the Zambia’s 1-0 defeat of immediate post-draw favourites, Algeria on Tuesday night.
The Super Eagles were initially projected to pick an outright qualification had the team achieved a double over Cameroon on Monday by taking the full points.
Picking of the ticket could also have been achieved on Tuesday if Zambia had not beaten Algeria in Constantine.
The stack reality now is that the Super Eagles have to win the next fixture against Zambia in Uyo to pick the ticket before a potentially tricky last match day fixtures which could involve horse trading with the two already eliminated giants, Cameroon and Algeria.
If Nigeria wins the October 7 fixture, the race to pick the Group B ticket gets to its climax. It will be coming on the eve of the 24th anniversary of that October 8, 1993 evening when Nigeria first qualified for the World Cup.
Hitherto, Zambia was the least expected to pose the most serious challenge for the Super Eagles, especially as the team was the first to concede goals and defeat in the power-packed Group B.
Moreover, the Zambian had the worst start in the final phase, losing on home soil.
But ahead of the Tuesday night surprised defeat of Algeria, Nigeria’s manager, Gernot Rohr at post match conference made reference to the danger posed by Zambia.
He told the gathering that the Zambian team that lost 1-2 at home to Nigeria was not the same side that beat Algeria 3-1 in Lusaka on Sunday.
“We are not done yet. We need to put up a good fight against Zambia when they come to Uyo next month”, he said as if he had premonition that Zambia could shock Algeria o n home soil.
“There have been changes in the Zambian side that lost to us and the team that beat Algeria 3-1 last Sunday”, Rohr said, noting that six new players have been injected into the side, especially from the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations under 20 earlier in the year.
Among the new inclusion that did not feature in the last October duel with Nigeria are Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Chisamba Lungu, Augustine Mulenga, Brian Mwila and Ziyo Tembo.
Two of them scored vital goals against Algeria that have put Zambia in contention for World Cup qualification. Patson Daka scored the vital goal that gave lifeline to Zambia on Tuesday night.
Patson Daka set Zambia on victory path on Sunday when he opened scoring in the sixth minute in the Lusaka 3-1 beating of Algeria.
A loss by Nigeria at home in October will put both Super Eagles and Zambia at par on points, but depending on the number of goals, Nigeria may have the edge on goal difference as the Super Eagles have a surplus of seven goals as against Zambia’s two.
Zambia will have to score three unreplied goals in the October match to be on equal level with Nigeria on all parameters.
A draw with Zambia on October 7 will stretch the group to the wire on the last match day on November 6 to set up potentially tricky fixtures as each will face the eliminated giants.
While Nigeria will be away to Algeria, Zambia will host Cameroon which may not up much resistance in the away fixture that means nothing to the team but could wish a complete routing of giants in the group.
African teams will battle for the remaining qualification spots for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup this weekend as the final round of qualifiers reaches its climax across the continent.
In Kampala, Ghana will attempt to protect a slender 2-1 first-leg advantage when they face Uganda’s U20 girls away from home.
Cameroon are also in a strong position ahead of their return-leg clash against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam after securing a 3-1 victory in the first meeting.
Meanwhile, Benin will fancy their chances of advancing when they host Côte d’Ivoire following a 1-1 draw in Abidjan.
Nigeria’s Falconets are equally close to qualification after earning a 2-0 first-leg victory over Malawi ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter in Lilongwe.
The successful teams will join the global field for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next year.
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The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year’s New York City event.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.
“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
In the women’s race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women ‘s-only world record
-Reuters
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By George Akpayen
The finish line is now in sight in this season’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and much of the talk has centred on the title race and those at the other end of the table, which surprisingly include last season’s champions Remo Stars.
However, there is another race shaping up among the leading top scorers this season, and this could see as many as six or more players going head-to-head in the final six matchdays.
Top contenders in the race for the battle for the golden boot are Enugu Rangers’ striker, Godwin Obaje and Ikorodu City winger Joseph Arumala, who have scored 11 goals apiece.
On the tails of the top-two scoring individuals are Victor Mbaoma (Remo Stars), El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Daddy Abdulrahman, Katsina United’s Uche Collins and Emeka Obioma of Abia Warriors, all on 10 goals each.
THE PERFORMANCE BREAKDOWN
Out of the top-six leading scorers, Obaje, Arumala and Mbaoma have more direct goal involvement. Obaje and Arumala have 11 goals and two assists each, while Mbaoma has 10 goals and assists from 23 appearances, which is the least number of matches featured in among the leading scorers. Mbaoma missed most of the early parts of the season due to bruised ribs.
El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Abdulrahman has made the most appearances among the top-six scorers and has a 12-goal direct involvement (10 goals + two assists).
Obioma is however, the only top-six scorer who is yet to register an assist this season after 26 appearances for Abia Warriors.
Interestingly, Collins is the only top-six scorer who has netted a hat-trick this season so far.
THE CHASING PACK
There is also the chasing pack in the race for the Golden Boot. One of them is Plateau United winger Temitope Vincent Adebayo, who has scored nine goals. Sodiq Ibrahim (3SC), Enyimba striker Chidera Michael, and Igbunu Evwierhurhoma of Warri Wolves.
The variety of players in the chasing pack also makes the race intriguing as they have been consistent goal scorers in recent matchweeks. They are definitely breathing down the necks of the frontrunners.
There are also the outsiders in the race. Jonathan Mairiga of Wikki Tourists, Chidozie Iwundu (Rangers) and Bendel Insurance duo of Kayode Oke, 3SC’s Qamar Adegoke and Alex Oweilayefa – all on eight goals. On seven goals is Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali.
WORTHY MENTION
However, Iwundu deserves a big mention among the top scorers as he is the top-scoring defender. He has made 29 appearances for Rangers and has been booked three times and sent off once.
Iwundu’s goalscoring form from his centre-back role has also been important for his club in their title aspirations this season, and his team will hope his form can continue into the final six matchdays.
No doubt, there will be twists and turns for individual glory in a race that is still wide open. Fixture difficulty, favourable run-in, struggling defences and hunger in front of goal are surely going to be among the factors that would decide who wins this race in an unpredictable league. At this point, nothing is guaranteed as all top marksmen are odds-on to claim the top individual prize.
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