Dr. Olusola Osetoba hails Super Eagles’ grit, urges strong finish against Egypt

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria prepare to round off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Morocco with a third-place playoff against Egypt, a rallying call has gone out for the team to put their semi-final heartbreak behind them and finish on a high.

The Technical Advisor on Sports Development to the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Abiodun Oyebanji, Dr. Olusola Osetoba, has saluted the Super Eagles for their fighting spirit despite their painful semi-final exit.

Dr. Osetoba described Nigeria’s loss to hosts Morocco as a “heartbreaking but proud moment,” insisting that the performance of the Super Eagles earned the respect and admiration of Nigerians and Africans alike.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, Dr. Osetoba commended the players for their resilience, discipline and unwavering Nigerian spirit throughout the tournament.

“The Super Eagles have shown courage, character and determination. Even in defeat, they made Nigerians proud,” she said. “The spirit they displayed reflects the true identity of our nation — never giving up, no matter the odds.”

Nigeria was edged out 4–2 on penalties by Morocco in a tense semi-final clash in Rabat after regulation time ended goalless. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proved decisive in the shootout, saving efforts from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi to swing the contest in the hosts’ favour.

Youssef En-Nesyri calmly converted the winning kick to send the Atlas Lions into their first AFCON final since 2004, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters.

Despite the disappointment, Dr. Osetoba noted that the Super Eagles’ tenacity has reignited passion among sportsmen and women in Ekiti State, inspiring them to give their best in pursuit of excellence.

“The commitment and hunger shown by this team will motivate athletes back home in Ekiti to push harder and believe that success is possible,” she added.

Dr. Osetoba also reserved praise for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledging the role of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in laying a strong foundation for the recent progress in Nigerian sports.

“There is a visible transformation in Nigerian sports. Sports has never had it this good, and credit must go to the leadership and structures now in place,” she said.

Looking ahead to the third-place match, Dr. Osetoba urged the Super Eagles to channel their disappointment into determination as they faces long-time rivals Egypt.

“The job is not finished. The players must rise again, dethrone the Pharaohs and bring the medal home for Nigeria,” she concluded.

The Super Eagles will take on Egypt with pride, purpose and the backing of a nation eager to see them end their AFCON journey on a victorious note.

Comments

Neymar skips Cleveland trip with Brazil as he continues recovery

Neymar will not travel to Cleveland for Brazil's World Cup warm-up match against Egypt ‌on Saturday as he continues to receive intensive treatment for a calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Thursday. "Neymar will not ⁠travel with the delegation to Cleveland," the CBF said in a statement. "He will remain in New Jersey, undergoing physical therapy and intensifying his physical recovery program." Brazil's all-time leading scorer is sidelined by a Grade 2 ‌calf ⁠strain, a moderate muscle injury involving a partial tear. The Brazilian coaching staff remain hopeful that the 34-year-old will be ⁠available for their World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13. The five-time World Cup ⁠winners will also face Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Chelsea's new boss Alonso demands hunger and passion ahead of Premier League campaign

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he wants to see greater hunger and a desire to improve from his players as he prepares for his first Premier League season in charge. Chelsea finished tenth in the league last season following a disappointing, trophyless campaign and failed to qualify for European competition. "We need hunger, passion, we need to want to improve," Alonso ‌told reporters on Monday. "The Premier League is so competitive. We need to prepare ourselves, we need to be determined in the details, in how we want to play. But the most important bit is our game." SQUAD CHANGES Alonso also addressed the future of winger Alejandro Garnacho, who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge as the club look to reshape their squad. "There is interest in him from other clubs, so let's see how this develops. Hopefully it finishes in the best possible way for all parties," ⁠he said. Garnacho struggled for form after his move from Manchester Uni...

Fenerbahce Land Mason Greenwood in €39 Million Transfer Move

Fenerbahce have made a major statement in the transfer market, completing the signing of English forward Mason Greenwood from Olympique de Marseille in a deal worth €39 million ($44.5 million). The Turkish giants confirmed on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached with both the player and the French club. According to the club, the transfer fee will be paid in three equal instalments over the next three years, while Fenerbahce will also take care of any solidarity payments required under FIFA regulations. The move brings an end to Greenwood’s short stay in France, after he joined Marseille from Manchester United in July 2024 on a five-year contract. Now, the Istanbul side will be hoping the 24-year-old can bring goals, creativity, and much-needed firepower as they continue their push for a first Turkish Super Lig title since 2014. Greenwood scored 37 league goals in 66 appearances over two seasons for Marseille, and expectations will be high for him to make an instant impact. Will ...

Ogazi blazes to World Lead

...Smashes Nigerian record with stunning 43.82s By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye Nigeria’s sprint sensation Samuel Ogazi delivered another statement performance on Friday, storming to a remarkable new Personal Best and World Lead of 43.82 seconds in the men’s 400m at the NCAA East Regionals. The blistering run saw Ogazi reclaim the world-leading mark from Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi, who had clocked 43.92 seconds just last week. In the process, the Nigerian quarter-miler also shattered his own national record yet again, continuing a exceptional season in which he has consistently raised the bar with every outing. Ogazi’s 43.82s now stands as the fastest men’s 400m time in the world this year, further underlining his emergence as one of the most exciting sprint talents on the global stage. The performance adds to what is becoming a historic season for Nigerian athletics. Earlier, fellow Nigerian sprint star Kanyinsola Ajayi clocked a stunning 9.84 se...

Messi's inexplicable feats no longer a surprise, says coach Scaloni

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he is no longer surprised by the "inexplicable" feats of Lionel Messi after he scored all three goals in their 3-0 ‌win over Algeria at the World Cup on Tuesday. Messi's hat-trick at Kansas City Stadium saw him equal the all-time men's World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, drawing level with Germany's Miroslav Klose. Earning his 200th cap, the 38-year-old became the first man to ⁠compete in six World Cups and the oldest to score a hat-trick in the tournament's history — exactly 20 years to the day since his first goal on the global stage. While the victory was a boost to Argentina's hopes of successfully defending their title, Scaloni said there was no room for complacency. "This team knows that anyone can beat us," he added. "If you get a little overconfident, any ‌opponent ⁠can win. In this World Cup, strange and difficult things are happening. If we do things right it will be hard to beat us." Sc...

Z-PRO MEDIA

Search This Blog