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Eric Chelle Stays Defiant After 3-0 Loss To Guinea-Bissau, Declares: ‘This Is Not The End’
Super Eagles’ head coach, Eric Sekou Chelle is staying defiant, despite his side’s 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, as he stressed that it is not the end for Nigeria in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles Target Four Straight Victories In All Their Remaining AFCON 2027 Qualification Matches
Sports247 reports that, in spite of widespread criticism trailing him and his players after their huge defeat by one of Africa’s less fancied squads, the Franco-Malian gaffer added that his wards gave a good account of themselves on a poor surface.
He, however, also admitted that The Wild Dogs showed a stronger zeal for victory during the encounter and they also expressed more determination on the bumpy pitch of 24th September Stadium in Bissau.
“They were more aggressive than us, and they were better than us. This is not an excuse, but they know the pitch and the condition was tough for us.
“The pitch was very bad, and it was the first time we were playing there. The weather was very bad, too, but Guinea-Bissau entered the game with more aggressiveness,” Chelle conceded.
The former head coach of Mali’s national team and MC Oran of Algeria also took a look at technicalities of the game and admitted that his players put up the worst performance they have had since he took over the saddle in January 2025, but quickly added that he will start working to rectify the situation.
“We need to put in more aggressive effort and intensity to make a difference. They had more intensity and more motivation, to which we never found a solution.
“We tried to go forward with something different after half time but, after ten minutes, we stopped, and I don’t know why.
“I tried to bring in something new, but it did not work. So, we have to be very objective about this game; but this is not the end,” Chelle submitted emphatically.
Sports247 reports further that Chelle and his players have already turned their focus on the upcoming international friendly away to Russia, after which they will regroup in November to continue the AFCON 2027 qualifiers with a home and away double header against Tanzania.
The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, says the party is in the 2027 election race to win and not to make numbers.
Baba-Ahmed made this statement at a strategic retreat organised for the party's leadership and candidates.
He charged the party's candidates to go out and convince Nigerians that PRP deserves their trust and their votes in 2027.
According to him, the party has the best presidential candidate in Donald Duke, adding that history and character have moulded him to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges to a deserved status of affluence, security and unity.
He also said that Duke's running mate, Malam Sule Mohammed, is a study in principled loyalty, excellence in personal and professional life and unparalleled humility, which is tragically rare in current leaders.
Baba-Ahmed said the party also has governorship candidates who will be models of competent leadership, integrity and courage, stressing that they are candidates who will embody service, sacrifice and humility.
"We are PRP. We're in the 2027 race to win not to make numbers. We are products of a great tradition which insists that Nigeria can be great enough for all those who work honestly, and a nation which has the same place for the weak and the vulnerable as it has for those who are trusted with power or possess wealth," Baba-Ahmed said.
According to him, the party is under no illusions that its tasks will be easy, stating that the party will be competing in very hostile environments where incumbents fear change, while PRP champions it.
He said the party will find resistance from politicians who bribe the people for their future, while PRP asks for trust and the courage to choose quality and integrity.
On his part, the party's presidential candidate, Donald Duke, took a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, saying it is enjoying too much advantage when it comes to campaign visibility.
According to him, opposition parties are finding it hard to get venues and places to put their adverts as the 2027 elections draw near.
He said the problem is making it harder and harder for opposition candidates to reach voters in different parts of the country.
Nigerian female tennis umpire, Rose Onoja Abu, has earned recognition after officiating at the WTA 125 tournament in Luanda, Angola, marking a significant milestone in her professional career and another proud moment for Nigerian tennis.
Sports247 reports that the tournament made history as the first-ever WTA 125 event to be staged on African soil, bringing an important international women’s tennis competition to the continent. Abu’s involvement as an official at the landmark event further highlights Nigeria’s growing presence beyond the playing court in international tennis.
Her appointment and participation represent an encouraging achievement for Nigerian sports officiating, particularly for women working to establish themselves in the highly competitive world of international tennis administration.
Officiating at a tournament of this level requires professionalism, consistency, sound judgement and a strong understanding of the rules of the game. Abu’s presence at the Luanda event reflects the value of dedication and sustained commitment to developing a career in sports officiating.
The achievement also provides inspiration for aspiring Nigerian umpires and other sports professionals, demonstrating that opportunities at the highest levels can emerge through discipline, diligence and continuous improvement.
For Nigerian tennis, milestones such as this are important in showcasing the contributions of officials who help drive the sport forward, often away from the spotlight enjoyed by players.
While the WTA 125 assignment represents a significant step in Abu’s journey, it could also serve as a platform for greater opportunities on the international stage.
With consistency and continued dedication, the ambition of seeing a Nigerian umpire officiate at a Grand Slam tournament remains a possibility worth pursuing.
Congratulations to Rose Onoja Abu on this remarkable achievement. The journey continues, and a Grand Slam appearance could be the next milestone.
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