Nigerian Football
Otunba Runsewe hails book on Super Eagles
The Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture , Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has hailed the book, ‘Super Eagles @70…Soaring On the Wings’ written by Kunle Solaja, a renowned author and sports journalist.
The book celebrates the 70th anniversary of Nigeria’s lead sports brand, the Super Eagles. Otunba Runsewe who is also the President of World Crafts Council is always in the forefront of a marriage of Nigerian culture with sports.
In a letter to the author, Otunba Runsewe remarked: “In the last 70 years, the Nigerian National Football Team, the Super Eagles which was previously known as ‘Green Eagles’, has been soaring gracefully and powerfully like the proverbial eagle at both continental and inter-continental soccer fiestas.
“In these years of unrelenting soccer campaigns, the team has had its moment of glory, attracting to itself the epithet “Super” in recognition of its numerous feats and exploits.
“At the continental level, it has severally dazzled soccer lovers, winning the African Cup of Nations three times. At the world level, it has made very impressive marks, the highpoint of which was the trashing of Bulgaria 3-0 goals during the 1994 World Cup in the United States of America.
“Although, it may not have won the World Cup yet, Super Eagles, as the Nigerian National Team is now widely called, is indeed a success story in international soccer.
“Super Eagles @ 70 by Kunle Solaja is a graphic chronicle of the evolution and growth of the Nigeria national football team.
“It gives a comprehensive details of the Super-men that have made waves at different moments of our soccer history. It also spotlights moment of victory and excitement as well as moments of defeat.
“I commend the author for his attention to details and his capacity to carefully and comprehensively capture the soul of Nigerian soccer from inception.
“It is a “must read” for fans of the Super Eagles, soccer historians and the generality of Nigerians.”
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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