International Football
On Zik’s anniversary, Nigeria’s Super Eagles seek World Cup playoff slot
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
On a day that Nigeria is seeking a major soccer glory to move into World Cup qualification playoff, it is coincidentally a twin anniversary of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the country’s first president and easily the most sports-inclined.
It is 117 years today that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, popularly known as Zik, began the long adventurous journey. It is also the silver jubilee of his interment on 16 November 1996.
Perhaps it was to his eternal honour that the Nigerian Super Eagles first played on the sacred turf of the old Wembley Stadium on Zik’s anniversary in 1994 and also qualified for the Brazil 2014 on a 16 November date in 2013.
For the former Nigerian president it was a life well lived, a thrilling sporting life.
Perhaps no other Nigerian of his profile adequately combined statesmanship with sportsmanship.
In political area, Zik was noted for compromise. Perhaps also, it had to do with his sporting background.
Sports is about winning some and losing some – a compromise of sort.
More than any other well known Nigerians, Zik was involved in all facets of sports. He was a player in many disciplines – athletics, boxing, tennis and football.
He was an umpire in boxing, athletics and a football referee.
Of course he was a supporter, cheering from the stands in athletics and football and also by boxing ringsides.
As a sports organizer he owned the famed Zik Athletics Club (ZAC) which incorporated many sports disciplines – an envious dream of today’s so called club professional sports clubs.
Archival materials speak volumes of the exploits of the club which was also the first privately owned and also one to own its arena. The club also had branches outside Lagos.
The ZAC Ibadan, contrary to statistics dished out yearly on Challenge Cup finals (now Aiteo Cup), was the first one-man club and first team outside Lagos to play in the finals of the then Governor’s Cup, losing 0-2 to Marine on 6, October 1947.
The ZAC Lagos later transformed to the ACB football club which folded up in 1994.
Endowed with creativity, Zik introduced the word ‘stadium’ into Nigeria’s sports lexicon when he named his football ground, ‘The Yaba Stadium’.
Before then, football arenas were simply called grounds, hence ‘The Association Ground’ which had been variously named as King George V Stadium, Lagos City Stadium, Onikan Stadium and now called Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
As statesman, his speeches were sometimes laced with sporting ‘lingo’. While stating his desire to play fairly in the general election, he remarked: “I will not score an offside goal…
“I have been taught by my athletics coach not to beat the gun; by my boxing coach not to hit below the belt…”
Of significance was his address to the nation on January 1, 1964. The broadcast was essentially on Nigeria’s dwindling sporting stature.
Since then, no other head of state or president of Nigeria has ever made sports the theme of a nationwide broadcast.
He dismissed the famous cliché’ of Baron Pierre de Coubertin that honour in the Olympics was in taking part and not winning.
Hear Zik: “Gentility in sports was a by-product of the Victorian era with its aristocratic tradition.
“The concept of not playing to win but having the honour to participate formed the basis of British ethics of sportsmanship”.
He went on to say that the idea spread to everywhere the Union Jack had been hoisted.
Everyone now shares Zik’s view hence the saying of the Olympics: “Winning is not everything, but it is the thing”
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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