Kicking off!

This afternoon at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Super Eagles will kick start their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against arch rivals, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa. It is indeed a grudge clash because it was the South Africans who denied Nigeria the opportunity to attend and defend their third African title at the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea/Gabon.

Historically, Nigeria have always had the better of South Africa in competitive matches. It is on record that from 1992 to date, the two countries have played 12 times with Super Eagles recording seven wins, four draws and a loss in one of the friendly matches.

In our cover story, we have previewed this grudge encounter, bringing out what football fans should expect from the two teams coached by seasoned football tacticians.

Eagles are confident that even without two of their key men, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, they will still prove their supremacy over South Africa.

Our interview this week is with Mathias Samuel who is one of the most influential players in El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri. The Benue State born star spoke to us on his mission in El-Kanemi and Super Eagles dream.

And former world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic’s free fall continues as he was bundled out of the ongoing French Open by less fancied Dominic Thiem of Austria. Presently, he is trying to figure out why things have refused to work for him lately.

In the world of football, both England and Venezuela made history on Thursday when they qualified for their first ever FIFA U-20 World Cup finals. England are being propelled by players of African descent and are looking good to clinch their first World trophy since 1966 when the senior Three Lions lifted the World Cup on home soil.

This is our line up of stories for your weekend relaxation.

SHOT! crew wishes the Super Eagles resounding victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Have a splendid weekend.

For comments write to shot2trust@dailytrust.com or SMS 0805-470-0118