Naija Football 247

When Jesus could not save

2012-03-11T20:24:00.000Z

So it ended for Sony Ela Nguema as they shipped in three more goals to respectfully exit the CAF champions’ league.

This game was played exactly one week ago and I have been thinking about it.

You begin to question the economic sense of coming three days before the match on Thursday, as if there was any hope whatsoever of knocking out Dolphins, seeing that they had lost by three goals to nil at home.

I wonder why the Sony team did not come in on Sunday and leave same day, why trouble yourself with the Port Harcourt traffic hospitality?

At the head of the Sony delegation was Jesus Ndongo. A mortal nowhere near the lofty mysticism of the Christian savior.

Surprisingly, this same Jesus had welcomed Dolphins in the away leg in Malabo, going well out of his way to make sure the team didn’t lack.

I dare say however, that Jesus is still a miracle worker.

His presence brought out the technical boxes for both technical crews.

The smile on the faces of Victor Babayaro, Emah Godwin and Omoh Ojabu was further testimony of the miracle.

Their regular place on the bench made more comfortable by the cushioned seats in the boxes, the sun no longer battered their heads for ninety minutes.

Also making an appearance with Jesus was the Nigeria supporters club.

Even the supporters club of Jigawa Golden stars will sing better. Their songs a constant reminder of how badly Nigeria football has done a back-slide especially with the Super Eagles.

I first heard all the songs they sang at the Tunisia 94’ Nations’ Cup. Someone should tell the supporters club to change their music.

Must it always be fashioned along the lines of Igbo and Yoruba music? In 94’, we could understand with the likes of Rashidi Yekini and Emeka Ezeugo.

Then there were no braided hairs. Now you have plenty of swagger players in the team.

Braided hair and dreadlocks being proof. And with the introduction of some home based players, the need for a new era of music has never been more exigent.

I recommend Terry G and Timaya be quickly incorporated into the supporters club. Their kind of music is perhaps the rhythm to sparkle the national teams.

Since it was not a Premier League match, coach Eguma overcame his fright and made his way to the touchline and structured his side in what was a 4-2-4 formation.

A clear demonstration of what he thought of the Equatorial Guineans.

Abduljaleel Ajagun and Seidu Abuu were the only two players in the middle for Dolphins, while Olawale Isiaka and a disappointing Chidi Osuchukwu joined Emma Nwachi and Ifeanyi Egwim upfront.

Olawale and Osuchukwu were expected to roam the flanks and provide some defensive assistance to Chinwo on the right and Kenneth on the left. However, they both had little to do and hardly ventured beyond the half way line. Kennedy Chinwo had such a commanding game.

The game had to wait for Omo Ajabu to come off the bench in the second half before we saw anything of brilliance.

He made a fine dribble, covering over forty meters into the 18yard box.

His well worked shot ricocheting on the upright before Addae profited.

In what was a listless performance from the Dolphins team, Ifeanyi Egwim’s MVP award and a cocktail of chops far better than the miserable doughnuts sold at the stadium, was proof of government’s participation in the game.

Diary of a mad journo: LEAP IN A LEAP YEAR

2012-03-08T21:51:00.000Z

I am a patriotic Nigerian, so when the federal government began the “made in Nigeria promo”, I decided to eat locally grown rice. That stony experience left its mark on my teeth. So I settled for a blend, a mix of locally grown and imported Tai rice. The outcome……

Last week, the Eagles battled the Wasps of Rwanda. Years ago, the substance of such a game would have been analogized by the flying animals they are named after.

But today such an analogy would be lost, its substance failing time and again in the now etched dictum of “no longer minnows in Africa football”.

Zambia winning the nations cup would quickly spring to mind for the proponents of the aphorism.

But we played Rwanda on the 29th of February, a day seen only once in four years.

It was the foundation of a new project, a project that should be complete we expect, in two years, two years shy of the next leap year.

We expect to write our name on the sands of Rio De Jeneiro and Sao Paolo, at least literally, seeing that our owambe officials of the NFF will hope to be in Brazil.

But what if Keshi fails? What if his mixture of home based Eagles and foreign based professionals fails to provide the right mix needed to propel our football beyond the mediocrity and insipidity we have become accustomed to before and after Monday Sinclair had that brief spell in charge of the team.

87 for Yobo
Only a heavy downpour, as heavy as that which saw a cancellation of the transmission of the ocean Boys-Kano Pillars game in Yenagoa last week would have been serious enough to stop a football match in Kigali.

That rain did not fall so the captain of Nigeria’s national team, Joseph Yobo got his 87th cap for the Eagles and climbed to the top of the pole as the player with most caps for the country.

For a player who started his game in the oil-spill ravaged pitches of Ogoni in Rivers state to the lofty heights of the land of the Ottomans in Turkey, you only need to hear Yobo speak to know how far his game has come.

His football is as refined as his inflection, that and his defending proof of his spell with Everton in England.

I remember Yobo in Nigeria 99’, playing out as a fringe striker and making a few cameo appearances.

The whereabouts of Haruna Babaginda, Julius Agahahowa, Pius Ikedia and Rabiu Afolabi is further proof of how far Yobo has come.

I remember Yobo at the 2002 World Cup, crossing as a right wing back for our solitary goal at that Mundial.

That he and Vincent Eyeama are the lone survivors form that side that had the likes of Femi Opabunmi, Justice Christopher and bicycle kick Bathlomew Ogbeche, all yum-yum(apologies Taribo West), should also remind Yobo of how far he has come.

He was there when Amodu Shuaibu toiled twice to qualify the country for the World Cup.

He was also there when Adeboye Onigbinde and Lars Lagerback were both brought in to take the team to the World Cup.

He has seen the pant sagging days of Daniel Amokachi as assistant, Austin Eguaveon twice and Coach Berti Vogts.

He has seen them all, down to the high handed days of Samson Siasia.

I don’t know if he met Sano Toro, but he has seen Sani Lulu and most likely has benefited from the political magnanimity of Amos Adamu off the pitch.

In Joseph Yobo’s time as a Super Eagles player, we have lost a first lady and a sitting president.

He even has a goal in the Nations Cup, something the last most capped player Kanu Nwankwo does not have.
But what will he be remembered for without a trophy? He guided the country to the last World Cup as captain, but Joseph must see the dream of most Nigerians come true by making sure he wins a trophy as captain.

That sadly was achieved last by the current coach of the team.

We will know how both will fare certainly by the time the next leap year comes around.

Rangers duo claims February award

2012-03-08T16:17:00.000Z

Okey Emordi and Chikeluba Ofoedu, both of Enugu Rangers have been picked as Manager and Player of February respectively by the organisers of the Naija Premier League (Naija PL) Bloggers Awards.

The duo from Rangers were named as the best two performers in the month of February this week following the club's six-game unbeaten streak.

In the race for the Manager of February, Emordi clearly brushed aside his counterparts from Kwara United (Tunde Sanni), Gombe United (Bernard Ogbe) and Enyimba (Austin Eguavoen) to emerge the winner of last month.

Emordi, who took charge at the Flying Antelopes at the start of this season after resigning at former champions, Enyimba last term, guided Rangers to three wins and three draws in February.

However, in the hunt for the Player of February award, Ofoedu and Mustapha Babadidi of Gombe United played themselves into the mix with four goals each for their clubs.

Ofoedu edged Babadidi by showing class and consistency, as he scored in the big games against Enyimba, Kano Pillars and Heartland.

Certificates of recognition will be presented to Emordi and Ofoedu by the organisers later in March.

The Naija Premier League Bloggers Award is organised by three top Nigerian football blogs – Naijapremierleague.net, Naijafootball247.com and Naijaligue.blogspot.com.

In January, Gombe United duo of Babadidi and Ogbe were named Player and Manager accordingly by organisers of the Naija Premier League Bloggers Awards.

Dolphins Happy With Wike Progress

2012-03-06T12:05:00.000Z

Dolphins manager ,Stanley Eguma says he's happy with the progress of Wike, a young striker who has been at Dolphins for three seasons.

Wike who joined dolphins 3 years ago, though never breaking in to be a regular with the team was able to get a few games and score too.

"I am happy with the progress he has made over the years. He is one for the future," Eguma said.

"He is a young player who has not had it easy maintaining a regular shirt because of the calibre of players in the team but the fact that he plays and scores whenever he is called upon is a big plus.

"I believe that soon he will be playing more regularly, even for Nigeria."

Enyeama, Amodu happy with progress

2012-03-01T04:50:00.000Z

Super Eagles first choice keeper Vincent Enyeama, who made stunning saves towards the end of the 0-0 draw against Rwanda on Wednesday, in Kigali , has said the team will get better in the days ahead as the national team was going through a major rebuilding process.

Enyeama, who was reviewing the game with his skipper, Joseph Yobo, gave kudos to the Rwandan side and said Nigeria will show the stuff they are made of in the return leg of the encounter in June.

“Towards the end of the match it was tense and the opposition threatened but we stood our grounds, Nigerians should just remember that it’s an away game, we’ll do better next time.

On his part, ex-Super Eagles handler Shuaibu Amodu, who was in Kigali for the encounter asked Nigerians to exercise some patience with the national team and its handler, Stephen Keshi.

Amodu, said as far as he was concerned, the Nigerian side played a matured game against a rampant opponent and got a good result by all standards.

“The days when you beat teams like Rwanda and co by a wide margin even before their fans are gone in African football. Zambians demonstrated that at the last Nations Cup and teams like Rwanda are following up. We must not condemn our team for not winning but encourage them because if we qualify we have more time to prepare and the team will jell better. For now let’s just qualify first for the Nations Cup.”

Eagles Start List: 1-Vinvcent Enyeama, 2-Joseph Yobo, 3-Taiye Taiwo, 4-Joel Obi, 5-Godfrey Oboabona, 6-Azubuike Egwueke 7-Ahmed Musa, 8-Yakubu Aiyegbeni, 9-Ejike Uzoenyi, 11-Osaze Odemwingie, 17-Dickson Etuhu.

Changes Made: Ikechukwu Uche for OsazeOdemwingie 55mins, Victor Moses for Ahmed Musa 60min, Gabriel Reuben for Dickson Etuhu 65mins.

Reserves Not Used: Sanni Kaita, Uche Ikechukwu, Papa Idris, Chigozie Agbim

Keshi happy with draw, but…

2012-02-29T20:37:00.000Z

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi says he is happy with Nigeria’s draw in Kigali against Rwanda but not totally satisfied with the performance of the players.

“We did not come here for a draw but that is what we got. We have made some observations after the match and we will work on them as we prepare for subsequent games.

“I will not give excuses but I must say we did not have enough time with the foreign based players like we did in four weeks with the home lads. I will simply say congratulations to Rwanda, but we’ll be better next time around,” Keshi said.

Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo, said he was disappointed but not shocked at the performance of the Rwandans as there are no longer small teams in world football.

“We came away with a goalless draw, everybody expected us to win but that is football. Tell our fans that they will get a better result next time.”

The game was Stephen Keshi’s first competitive game has head coach of the Super Eagles and is a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

Arsenal finalising Nigeria tour plans

2012-02-29T04:43:00.000Z

English Premier League side Arsenal are finalising plans for a pre-season visit to Nigeria this summer.

Officials from the London club are in Nigeria to inspect more facilities across the country for the tour, scheduled for August.

Organisers DanJan Sports and Arsenal officials also met with some fans of the North London side.

"It's been a lovely time here, the energy level is absolutely unbelievable," Arsenal's marketing director Angus Kinnear.

"We are still inspecting potential facilities in different states and the fans are excited about the tour.

"Essentially, the connection with the fans has been amazing.

"Arsenal went to Asia last year and what we've seen on the ground here is encouraging.

"Like we've emphasised, there is a strong desire to connect with our fans in Africa and the first step starts in Nigeria."

The club traditionally hosts an annual pre-season tournament at the Emirates Stadium, but they opted to postpone the event for a year because of the 2012 London Olympics.

As part of their preparation for the 2012/13 season, the club have opted to connect with their huge fan base in Africa, by visiting the continent.

John Okusi of DanJan Sports said: "Arsenal has got a huge fan base in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, so far everything is going well."

"They've been to several states and officials are excited about the prospect of hosting the club here.

"There are only few things to be sorted out."

On a lighter note, Angus Kinnear revealed how the fans stunned him with their reaction to the North London derby victory against Tottenham Hotspur.

"The celebration and mood of the fans was shocking." Kinnear said.

"They celebrated that victory more than what I've ever experienced in London.

"It's amazing and I'm touched. The passion is incredible"

Interestingly in July 2008, DanJan Sports brought two other English clubs, Manchester United and Portsmouth, to the Nigerian capital Abuja for pre-season friendly.

Manchester United took on Portsmouth before Pompey then played against Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side Kano Pillars.

The English Premier League is hugely popular in football-mad Nigeria, with millions of fans following the league on both terrestrial and satellite television.

Super Eagles upbeat

2012-02-28T12:30:00.000Z

The Super Eagles, remained in very high spirit on Tuesday, 24 hours to the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Amavubi Stars of Rwanda in Kigali.

A delegation of players, technical and administrative officials, some members of the NFF Executive Committee, Secretariat staff, stakeholders, media representatives and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club flew into Kigali in the early hours of Tuesday for the big match.

Before departure, Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi met with the team at its Bolton White Apartments hotel in Abuja and urged them to go and do Nigeria proud in order for the country to banish unsavoury memories of failure to qualify for the recently-concluded 2012 African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

“You all have a choice between giving us reasons to continue to dwell on the unhappy recent past or to look to the future with fresh hope and belief. I believe in what Coach Stephen Keshi has been doing and from the way our people have received his idea of giving home-based players equal opportunities to fight for shirts in the team alongside the foreign-based pros, it is certain that he is onto a good thing.

“On our part as the National Sports Commission, we will continue to give the Aminu Maigari-led NFF all the support that is necessary for it to re-energize and re-strategise for the future of our football,” said Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari assured the Honourable Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission of the readiness of the players to positively do the business in Kigali.

NPL blame rain for botched TV broadcast

2012-02-28T07:47:00.000Z

The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has debunked reports that the management of Ocean Boys Football Club barred the Supersport Television crew from live broadcast of Sunday’s Week 11 fixture involving Ocean Boys Football Club and Kano Pillars at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Acting Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola, in a Press Statement explained that the match could not be televised as a result of a heavy downpour prior to the kick-off time.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports in a section of the sporting media alleging that the management of Ocean Boys refused Supersport Television crew the live coverage of the match involving the club and Kano Pillars at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday.

“Investigation conducted by the NPL Secretariat, however, revealed that Supersport crew who had earlier stationed their equipment for live coverage of the match could not do so as a result of heavy downpour prior to the commencement of the match. The match Commissioner’s report further confirmed our findings.

“The NPL, therefore, wishes to clarify that the match was not broadcast live because the Supersport crew were stopped from doing so contrary to reports by a section of the sporting media” Babalola stated.

The NPL, however, enjoins all Premier League Clubs to always give Supersport Crew maximum cooperation to ensure effective live coverage of League matches.

Meanwhile, all clubs in the Nigeria Premier League have been warned to desist from making unsubstantiated comments regarding the payment of TV Broadcast Marketing Rights. For the avoidance of doubts, all inquiries regarding the TV Broadcast Marketing Rights should be directed to the NPL Secretariat.

“The NPL was paying the TV Broadcast Marketing Rights to deserving clubs until the recent court pronouncement that threw the league board into financial difficulty. As soon as the situation normalizes, we shall take care of all outstanding debts” Babalola assured

Enyeama still number one, says Shorunmu

2012-02-28T07:36:00.001Z

Despite arriving late to the Eagles camp and not getting regular play time at Lille in the French League Une, Super Eagles goal keeper trainer, Ike Shorumu has expressed confidence in the ability of goal keeper Vincent Enyeama.

Shorumu who refused to be dragged into naming who would be manning the post in Wednesday’s game against Rwanda maintained that Enyeama is still in top form despite not getting regular action.

“In a way I will say I’m worried but again, I’m not that worried,” Shorunmu said philosophically.

“He’s part of the Lille team so as far as I am concerned he is playing. His time between the sticks will come soon and for his sake I hope it comes soon,” Shorunmu said.

Since 2002 when he made his debut, Vincent Enyeama has played 58 times for Nigeria scoring one goal

Yakubu happy to be back

2012-02-28T06:29:00.000Z

Yakubu Aiyegbeni says he is happy to be back to wearing the colours of the Nigerian national team after he was shut out for about 18 months.

Yakubu who is part of the Eagles team in Rwanda for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier says he always wanted to play.

“It’s always special playing for your country. You always want to play but I never had the chance.

“It was almost two years. It’s my country and I never had the chance but I’m happy to be here now to help the team and hopefully we see how it goes,” Yakubu said.

The Blackburn forward said he held no grudges against those that shut him out or criticised him

“It’s normal to get criticised whether you play for your club or country and that’s what happened in my case.

“I don’t feel bad. It just gave me more determination to do more and play better and I believe I’m better for it now.”

Yobo to set Nigerian record

2012-02-27T14:46:00.000Z

Joseph Yobo will set a Nigerian record for international
matches when the Super Eagles take the pitch of Stade Regionale de Nyamirambo on Wednesday.

The 31 year-old defender equalled the Nigerian record of 86 caps,
jointly held by late powerhouse midfielder Mudashiru Lawal and the
inimitable Nwankwo Kanu, when the Eagles swept past newly- crowned
African champions Zambia 2-0 in Kaduna on November 15, 2011.

On Wednesday, Yobo would become the first Nigerian to win 87 caps in
the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Amavubi.

The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated the Fenerbahce
defender, who will also celebrate 11 years on the road with the Senior
National Team next month.

“This is a milestone that is worthy of recognition, and we commend
Yobo for not only being in there for so long, but also serving as a
role model for the upcoming players with his exemplary conduct and
patriotic fervour and zeal each time”, said NFF General Secretary,
Barrister Musa Amadu.

Diary of a mad journo- My derby experience

2012-02-27T09:20:00.001Z

By Nduka Orjinmo

So I made my way to the Sharks stadium on Saturday with very high hopes of a very fiery contest between Sharks and Dolphins.

The derby has everything to be the fiercest in Nigeria, the least being that both clubs are owned by the Rivers state government which means that at different points in their history, they had soothed the political egos of whoever was the governor.

What else would be the reason for injecting several millions of naira into two football clubs that don’t fetch a dime in return?

Only philanthropy or politics can engender such a skewed economic ideology.

Anyway, both sides have gone on relegation, have both had Victor Ezeji on their payroll and have both been managed by Stanley Eguma.

But perhaps, that is where it ends.

Dolphins are the more illustrious of the cousins, boasting of a trophy cabinet that has league titles and FA cups.

They also have had some action with the big boys of Africa in the Champions League. Sharks too have not done so badly, perennial winners of the Rivers state FA cup- once eliminating my Sunday-Sunday football club on the way to victory. - They have also won the WAFU Cup.

Add the ethnic and territorial lines that divide both sides and you feel that you would be served a keenly contested match, free of referee bias-of course; both sides have an equal measure of ultras-.

But alas, what rubbish we were served on Saturday? Football fit only for puberty-age watching kids of junior secondary school.

I had made my way slowly to the stadium with my bag of homemade pop corn in hand and was expecting the sounds of feisty fans to assault my late coming until I remembered that it was a closed door session.

Surprised I saw the gate open and a few fans paying their way in.

I struggled to identify the Dolphins side but for their threadbare green shirts and once white shorts, I would have sworn it was not Dolphins.

When Kennedy Chinwo is deemed not so good to play, then you know there is problem.

With coach Stanley Eguma still ignorant that his suspension by the NPL is not binding until his appeal is lost, Zakare Baraje mounted the touchline this time inconspicuous in a trainers shirt, his blazing safari suit abandoned for good.

Also abandoned was the 4-3-3 formation employed by Eguma in his last match in charge against Gombe and carried into the last game against Akwa United.

Baraje jettisoned what must have been a confusing tactical structure and quickly recoiled to familiar territory of the 4-4-2.

He was not alone, Johm Ogbu was not ready for any tactical battle, and he stayed with the known.

I missed both first half goals from Sharks but was informed that Bright Ejike and pant sagging Rwanda-less Kola Anubi got the goals early in the half.

What I witnessed after I joined from 15 minutes broke my soul.

Save for the doctor who served both teams, there was nothing else to tell you that the game was a derby, with bragging rights and points at stake. Sharks passed the ball lamely back and forth with no intention of going forward, while Dolphins with Victor Babayaro in the middle-the only thing about him still in vogue clearly his dreadlocks-showing no intention of chasing the ball.

It was sufferable and I suffered it, emotionless and tasteless. My home made popcorn was my saving grace.

Dolphins Hassan Hussein forgot the terms of engagement when he scored with a cracking shot, only for the referee, a willing accomplice in the sham to award a penalty later on to Sharks for handball.

But who would blame him, with referee slapping ThankGod Amaefule on the field.

It was he who stepped up to make it 3-1.

You can follow Nduka on Twitter via @orjinmonduka

Yobo, Osaze Calls Lift Eagles

2012-02-23T20:52:00.000Z

Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo and striker Osaze Odemwengie have reassured the national team that they will arrive on time for the team’s departure for Kigali, Rwanda on Monday.

This according to head coach Stephen Keshi, was conveyed though phone calls and text messages from not only the duo but nearly all players invited.

“In fact this Thursday morning I received a very reassuring text message from Osaze, saying he would arrive on Sunday after his game on Saturday. Yobo and others have also been calling to pep us up and I must say it has been very encouraging to the team,”,Keshi said after another rigorous training under the heat of Abuja which stood at 36 degrees celcius on Thursday afternoon.

The former Super Eagles skipper added that even players who were not invited to camp have been calling him to find out why they were left out and he has assured them that their time will come under his reign as the national team manager.

Kanu motivates Eagles against Rwanda

2012-02-21T16:47:00.000Z

Tuesday training of the Super Eagles was almost turned into a carnival, following the unannounced presence of former national team skipper and two-time African Footballer of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu.

The training which took place at the usual FIFA Goal Project site was barely 1 hour old when Papilo as Kanu is fondly called stormed the arena with three of his aides and he immediately caught the fancy of both the media, the technical crew and players who were sweating it out under the hot Abuja sun, which then stood at 35 degrees Celsius.

Kanu took a brief time off Stephen Keshi’s hectic training schedule to whisper salutations into the ears of his former captain and waited patiently for training to end in order to address the players.

Once training was done the horde of pen pushers engaged Kanu in all aspects of the game and he obliged them, after which he went straight with Keshi to address the players.

Addressing the team, Kanu initially started by saying jokingly that he has come to battle for a shirt in the squad, to which Keshi replied that he was welcome, since he still features regularly for Portsmouth in the English championship.

Speaking seriously, Kanu said he has come to identify with all the players and to build the much needed confidence in them, as every Nigerian has the belief that the national team can go to Kigali in Rwanda next week to pick the three points at stake.

“You have to have confidence in yourself and to be determined and not be shaky because some of your brothers are coming from Europe to join the team. They all started from here like you and you should show them that you can play as ell as they can and demonstrate it when you engage Rwanda in Kigali," he said.

He praised the courage and belief of Keshi in the players and urged the players to repay Keshi with wins in all their qualifying games for the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup and the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Team skipper, Chigozie Agbim, who replied on behalf of the players, thanked the icon for finding time to visit them in training and assured that the team will not let him and the Nigerian public down when they confront Rwanda in eight days time.

NPL Week 10 wrap – Babadidi nets 7th goal

2012-02-21T16:08:00.000Z

by George Akpayen

After losing three games back-to-back, Gombe United finally returned to winning ways but they left it really late as Mustapha Babadidi stepped up to win the points and also move into pole position for the leading scorers’ award.

The goals were few on Matchday 10. Twelve goals were scored in nine games, as champions, Dolphins were away on continental duty in Malabo.

Wikki Tourists 1 – 0 ABS FC

In Bauchi, the Tourists continued their fine home run by defeating ABS by a goal. Aminu Abubakar scored on nine minutes and Ladan Bosso’s men held on to the end to remain in the top half and take their total points so far this term to15. ABS remain rooted to the bottom of the standings with five points.

3SC 1 – 0 Ocean Boys

Osagona Ighodaro saved 3SC head coach, Festus Allen another torrid time in Ibadan by grabbing the winner on 52 minutes. It was Ighodaro’s third goal of the season and the win over former champions, Ocean Boys meant the Oluyole Warriors climbed from 14th to 10th position on the log while their opponents remain in the bottom three.

Rising Stars 0 – 0 Sharks

Sharks face the second Akure club in successive games and this time John Obuh’s men avoided defeat against Premier League new boys, Rising Stars. The newcomers are the draw specialists with five games tied and remain in the top 10 for another week, as the Blue Angels are still fourth from bottom.

Kano Pillars 1 – 0 Lobi Stars

Sunday’s early kick-off in Kano produced just one goal. Kano Pillars as expected edged Lobi Stars 1 – 0 in a game played behind closed doors. Kano Pillars’ big forward, Gambo Mohammed’s goal in the 30th minute was enough for Baba Ganaru’s team to claim all points to move into 12th place. Lobi Stars are just a place above the drop zone.

Kwara United 2 – 1 Akwa United

Kwara United sit on top of the NPL after a nervy 2 – 1 win over Akwa United in Ilorin on Sunday. Jaiyeola Yusuf converted a spot kick on 30 minutes and Anthony Okemmiri followed up with a goal seven minutes later to double the lead for the hosts. But Kwara United conceded late in the first half through Haruna Babalola’s penalty and endured a shaky end to the game. Akwa United in spite of the loss are still in the top half of the table.

Enugu Rangers 1 – 1 Heartland

Nimble-footed Chikeluba Ofoedu earned a penalty early and dispatched it pass Daniel Akpeyi to give Rangers the lead in this southeast derby also known as the Oriental Derby. But Rangers’ old boy, Brendan Ogbu returned to put spanners in the works of his former team by earning them the share of the spoils when he struck home a low cross on 62 minutes for the equaliser. Rangers are now third on the log and Heartland are 14th.

Enyimba 2 – 0 Warri Wolves

Gbolahan Salami proved that he has settled well into the Enyimba squad by scoring his side’s first goal on 12 minutes and Onyekachi Okoye killed off any contest from Warri Wolves on 72 minutes. Josiah Maduabuchi, however, failed to score for the first time in Enyimba’s home game this season. Enyimba have moved into the top four while Wolves have dropped to seventh.

Kaduna United 1 – 0 Niger Tornadoes

It was quite an uneventful game in Kaduna as Tornadoes stood in the face of their hosts, Kaduna United. But Buhari Jafar ended the ambition of Justin Tenger’side leaving with a point when he slotted home a 72nd penalty. Kaduna United are just two points above the drop zone and Tornadoes are two points better than the fourth team from bottom.

Gombe United 1 – 0 Sunshine Stars

Sunshine Stars’ struggling start to this season continued at the Pantami Stadium. It was teenage striker, Mustapha Babadidi that made the difference with five minutes to time to help Gombe United win after three straight losses to Dolphins, Enyimba and Kwara United. Babadidi is now the leading scorer with seven goals, as Gombe United return to the top two.

© SuperSport.com

Eagles two goal hero focused on Rwanda

2012-02-18T07:17:00.000Z

Two goals hero in the friendly against Liberia last Wednesday, Sunday Mba (In pic above)and ever-improving central defence ace, Papa Idris, have said they hope to continue with the new winning spirit of the national team when the team takes on Rwanda in Kigali February 29.

Mba, who plays for Warri Wolves said he will never allow the two goals he scored in Monrovia, to get into his head as he is sure that the future holds a bigger pie for him in the game.

He praised the coaching crew for the new spirit in the national team, and called on Nigerians to always offer fervent prayers for the team and its officials.

On his part, Idris who features for Kano Pillars, said he will strive to make the team to Rwanda and like he did in Monrovia, show the stuff that the Nigerian national team is made of.

“We have the players and the coaches have been wonderful in the manner they have been training us for the matches all we need no is for the general public to offer their words of prayers and encouragement and we will get to the promised land”.

Idris and his central defence pair Azubuike Egwueke, have been receiving plaudits from Liberians and Nigerians who watched last Wednesday’s game for the excellent manner they curtailed the opponent’s forays into the Nigerian vital area.

Training resumed Saturday morning for the encounter in Kigali , with 19 players expected to be present at the FIFA Goal Project site where the team has been shaping up.

Keshi warns Eagles to stay focused

2012-02-18T07:02:00.000Z

Ahead of the February 29 Nations Cup qualifier against the Amavuvbi of Rwanda in Kigali, the country’s capital, Super Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi, has told national team players to forget the win in Liberia last Wednesday and focus on the upcoming encounter.

“The game in Liberia is now history but we have a more important game ahead and despite the praises that all of you have been receiving, I think we should put that behind us and move on to the bigger picture. Let’s now focus on a win in Kigali and the respect will keep pouring in,” Keshi said.

Keshi, said he was totally impressed by the performance of his players in the Monrovia , but says that the game was now in the past and there should be a rededication to the future from the players.

Nineteen of the players except Sunday Emmanuel who sought for permission to leave camp were in Abuja on Friday afternoon to stay preparations for next fortnight’s game against Rwanda.

Yakubu returns to Super Eagles

2012-02-16T11:58:00.000Z

Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has invited only 11 foreign-based players for the Senior National Team’s 2013 African Nations Cup qualifying engagement with Rwanda in Kigali on February 29.

The roll celebrates the return of power-playing forward Yakubu Ayegbeni (In pic above)and workhorse midfielder Sani Kaita, both of whom have not been internationally employed since the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

Kaita earned a red card for retaliation in Nigeria’s second group phase match against Greece in Bloemfontein while Ayegbeni has been overlooked since missing a sitter against the Republic of Korea in Durban that would have qualified the Super Eagles for the Round of 16 at Africa’s first World Cup finals.

Also called are goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defenders Joseph Yobo (Captain) and Taye Taiwo, and midfielders Joel Obi, Dickson Etuhu and Victor Moses, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Osaze Odemwingie.

Rapid-raider Ayegbeni, who scored for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premiership on his return to action after a three-match ban at the weekend, remains Nigeria’s most prolific striker since Samson Siasia hung his international boots in 1999.

NFF’s Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme said on Thursday that the players are expected in camp on Sunday, February 26, while the Nigeria delegation to Rwanda will fly out of Abuja aboard a chartered flight on Monday, February 27.

Ikpeme also explained that all the 20 home boys who travelled to Liberia will remain in camp in Abuja until Coach Stephen Keshi names his army for the Rwanda match on February 26.

THE FULL LIST OF FOREIGN-BASED PROS:

GOALKEEPER
. VINCENT ENYEAMA - FC LILLE LOSC (FRANCE)

DEFENDERS
. TAYE TAIWO - QUEENS PARK RANGERS (ENGLAND)
. JOSEPH YOBO - FENERBAHCE FC (TURKEY)

MIDFIELDERS
. JOEL OBI - INTER MILAN (ITALY)
. DICKSON ETUHU - FULHAM FC (ENGLAND)
. VICTOR MOSES - WIGAN ATHLETIC (ENGLAND)
. SANI KAITA - TAVRIYA SIMFEPOROL (UKRAINE)

FORWARDS
. IKECHUKWU UCHE - GRANADA FC (SPAIN)
. OSAZE ODEMWINGIE -WEST BROMWICH ALBION (ENGLAND)
. YAKUBU AYEGBENI - BLACKBURN ROVERS (ENGLAND)
. AHMED MUSA - SPARTAK MOSCOW (RUSSIA)

Attacking regression and an awkward side

2012-02-14T15:42:00.000Z

By Orjinmo Nduka

It was a game for the old heads, as Lobi Stars matched the heavy legs of Sharks, Victor Ezeji with one of their own, David Tyavkase, only that he boasts of a mini pot belly.

Expectedly, it was a very slow game and both sides technically were a man down.
Both old heads –attackers in their prime- respected themselves, opting to drop into midfield where their pace faced less scrutiny and their impact on the game less noticeable.

Of the two however, Tyavkase saw more of the ball as he was clearly the number 10 man for his side.

It is however difficult to tell if this was a tactical move or if the former Enyimba striker now plays as a midfielder.

With the regression from attack to midfield, it is only safe to guess that he will soon be converted into a defender-at least, he has the same pace as Ike ThankGod of Warri Wolves-

As for Victor Ezeji, he should team up with Rivers Angels to complete the cycle of playing for Rivers state owned teams.

In a match that offered little in terms of tactics or exhibition of skill, Sharks were able to get two goals from Bright Ejike and Bernard Okorowanta.

The first goal was gotten after a howler from a defender in the 26th minute, and Dominic Iorfa showed his tactical insight by immediately yanking him off before the celebration ended.

Few fans managed to sneak into the closed door session but were just in time to see Tyavkase’s influence on the game wane with the setting sun.

As is consistent with the Sharks side, there were a few sagged pants on display and they remained one man down with the introduction of George Amakiri for Ezeji.

OF AKWARD UNITED AND BANGLADESH : I knew I would be in for some thrilling football at the Liberation stadium, when with some luck, Akwa United striker Roman was not in the starting eleven for his side.

I added a healthy looking doughnut to my fortune when I also did not spot him on the bench.

However it seemed I bought the doughnut too soon as Musa Najare who replaced him upfront did nothing different than his school boy counterpart.

The only reason I continued with the doughnut was that he saw very little of the ball to be tolerated.

Akwa United would be aptly named if they are called the department of Akwa football club.

I pity the traveling band of supporters that suffer such miserable football every week.

To the match proper and I would say Akwa would have had more supporters if the match were played three seasons ago without the ban on Okada ridding in Rivers state.

I wonder what the team mascot is anyway.

It was a match for the unproductive players to shine in the absence of coach Stanley Eguma who was not on the touchline.

In his place was the blazing safari suit of Zakare Baraje, reflecting all the sunshine, his accented voice barking out instructions for the whole of the ninety minutes.

Unproductive Adamu Muhammad assisted in both goals while Kennedy Chinwo made a goal line clearance, booting the harmless ball far into the sky than it deserved.

The only variation to the 4-3-3 formation employed last week by Eguma was the continuous time wasting switch of Ifeanyi Egwim and Emem Eduok on the flanks.

In the middle, Isiaka Olawale and Seidu Abu formed a defensive midfield pair with Abduljaleel Ajagun flaunting his new yellow boots-a memento from a failed trial in Bangladesh-in front of them in the absence of Chidi Osuchukwu.

If only Ajagun had shone as brilliantly as his boots.

However, he did get a goal, a fine one it was, after a corner kick was knocked down for him by Adamu Muhammad in the 37 minute.

In added time of the first half, Adamu again did the impossible with a through ball for Ifeanyi Egwim who scored a rarity of a goal in the NPL with a fine lob over the goalkeeper.

Coach Solomon Ogbeide of Akwa showed his tactical ability on both occasions after the Dolphins goals, he made immediate changes in the 27th and 47th minutes of the game. It is not every time a coach changes a player in added time of the first half, so he must be saluted.

Though Akwa United played badly in the first half, they came back into the second half and played football like the music rendered by their supporters club-miserable.

They lacked rhythm and soul and only picked up the tempo much later in the game when Nosa Lucky got a goal through a swerving corner kick that went in albeit aided by the Dolphins goalkeeper.

Diary of an mad journo: CERTIFICATE FOR BABA

2012-02-12T06:53:00.000Z

By Nduka Orjinmo

I thought that the sight of the General manager of Dolphins Football Club passing on tactical instructions on to the bench in last Sunday’s match at home to Gombe United would have been the most ridiculous thing I would have seen over the weekend-seeing that Balotelli did not play for Manchester City on Saturday-

It’s not that Stanley Eguma is a Jose Mourinho, but receiving instructions from the GM who is not even more than a month old in football management -I don’t even know his name-made the game more interesting as Kennedy Chinwo is not a midfielder and so doesn’t see much of the ball to entertain me.

Not that this action from Mr. I don’t know your name GM is the most hilarious thing I saw over the weekend, I mean, I had seen the unfriendly underside of Kola Anubi after his short dropped off, I had seen fans miraculously appear at a closed door session of a Sharks match, and I had also seen the attacking pair of George Amakiri and Victor Ezeji.

I also enjoyed my bit of egg on the face, when the floor manager of SuperSport whisked my interviewee away from my recorder and unto the fine lenses of his television camera.

But alas, the most ridiculous thing I saw last weekend happened at the Liberation stadium.

At half time and into the second munch of a badly fried bun, I sighted-not the GM this time, he made his appearance much later, not the ultra fans occupying the south stand-I don’t know why people demean them by calling them area boys-, but I sighted Mustapha Babadidi on the touchline.

Not that his presence there should have raised any eyebrows seeing that he hugged the lines all afternoon after failing to penetrate the Dolphins defence, but there he was Babadidi, camera lights flashing, video rims rolling and he Babadidi smiling.

In his hands, he held what looked like a certificate.

Certificate of what I asked myself? Birth certificate seeing that he was 15 last year turned 16 now.

But why would the ministry of health bring the certificate to the field? I quickly dismissed that.

Driving licence, I asked again? But Baba-yoruba word for father not the intention here- is only 16, the law says you must be 18.

I threw that away with the miserable bun-bad frying oil-so what is that certificate Babadidi is receiving?

Certifate of land ownership? Have the Ultras decided to bribe Babadidi with a plot of land in Port Harcourt so that he won’t score against Dolphins.

I dismissed that also, it would be easier for Sharks to win the league than for the legendary Port Harcourt C of O to be dashed.

So I watched the match and went home, as curious as the Anfield Cat about what Babadidi received.

But then news filtered in today, as pleasant as the news of Dolphins AWOL star Abdujaleel Ajagun returning from Bangladesh after an unsuccessful trial, that what Babadidi was actually receiving was a certificate for best player award for the month of January from three top Nigerian blogs that report the league.

You can’t fault the award, can you? I mean he got three goals in January and he is officially the youngest to have scored in the league.

But wouldn’t a plaque have been better? Or better still, a birth certificate for Baba?

You can follow Nduka Orjinmo via twitter. @orjinmonduka

Match fixing ruling, more questions than answers

2012-02-09T19:38:00.000Z

On Wednesday, February 8, 2012, Leye Adepoju read out the judgment of the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee.

The committee was inaugurated in September 2011 after Lobi Stars vice-chairman caught referees on the eve of a league game between his side, Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars, in the official vehicle of his opponents on the day.
(In pic above: Mike Idoko)
In a document signed by Tunde Adegbirigbe, the secretary of the NFF’s disciplinary committee, referees Chrisantus Okoro and C.I.D. Duruma were banned for five years from all football activities.

Manager of Dolphins, Stanley Eguma and chairman of the Rivers State Referees Council, Ere Dokubo were also banned from taking part in any football activity for five years.

Devine Benjamin; the coordinator of Sunshine Stars who was driving the vehicle with the referees was also banned five years from taking part in football activities, while his club, Sunshine Stars were fined twenty million naira (about $123,000).

Dolphins were fined ten million naira while Mike Idoko, Executive Director of the Ondo State Football Agency, parent body of Sunshine Stars was warned of unsporting behavior and the same warning given to Dominic Iorfa of Lobi Stars.

Some background
Iorfa said he was on his way to Bauchi for the game in which his side, Lobi Stars were hosts when he saw an official vehicle belonging to Sunshine Stars at a military check point.

(In pic, right: Dominic Iorfa and referees after they were caught)
He asked the soldiers to delay the vehicle and when he got close he discovered referees supposed to officiate in his team’s game against Sunshine in the vehicle belonging to the away team.

He took pictures of the referees and then called for automatic relegation of Sunshine Stars.

Shortly after that incident, the referees, knowing they had been found out informed the match commissioner that they could no longer make it for the game because of the crisis in Jos and were changed but Iorfa then insisted that it did not change anything and Sunshine Stars must receive their full punishment.

The game in question eventually ended 1-1 with the host team scoring what could have been the winning goal though it was disallowed for offside.

The first hearing
Many will ask how a case between Sunshine Stars and Lobi Stars dragged Dolphins in but all that happened during the first hearing of the disciplinary committee.

Referee, Chrisantus Okoro at the hearing roped Stanley Eguma of Dolphins in saying he got a call from the Dolphins gaffer, urging him to ensure Sunshine Stars lose so his own side can get the advantage to win the League.

Okoro also claimed that the chairman of the Rivers State Referees Council, Ere Dokubo put a call to him expressing interest in the result of the match to go against Sunshine Stars since it would help Dolphins, a club based in Rivers State to win the League.

Second hearing leads to confusion
Based on the revelations of the referee, Stanley Eguma and Ere Dokubo were invited for the next hearing where the Rivers State referees’ boss admitted he called the referee like he does any time referee Okoro has a game.

(Pic: Stanley Eguma)

Dokubo explained that being a mentor to the young referee, he calls him up on his way to every league game to encourage him to be of good conduct.

For Eguma, he argued that the referee, Okoro called him first and then he called back, but that was denied by the referee and that session ended with the committee members deciding to visit mobile telecommunications operator, MTN to ascertain who called who first and then nothing else was heard about the case until two days ago.

Case to be judged in ten days
Two days ago, chairman of the committee, Leye Adepoju announced that the case will be judged and the decision made public in ten days but a day later they came up with the judgement on Wednesday.

What the NPL rules say
ARTICLE 4.5 – MATCH FIXING

4.5(1) Any club/official or player or Referee who by whatever arrangement with any other person(s) or organization influences or attempts to influence the result of a match shall be deemed guilty of gross misconduct.
On confirmation of such allegation, the following shall apply:

i. Fine of Twenty Million Naira Only {N20, 000, 000. 00} each shall be imposed on the erring clubs.

ii. The result of the match shall be cancelled.

iii. In addition to the above the two clubs shall be expelled from the league.

iv. Any person(s)/club official(s) found guilty of involvement shall be banned for a minimum period of five (5) years.

Did the NFF get it right?
First, it is difficult to tell because the committee has not come out to tell Nigerians how far they took their investigations and what their findings were.

They also have not told us why they believed the clubs or officials are guilty.

Then again, if Sunshine Stars are guilty how come the result of the match was not cancelled and the team has not been expelled from the league?

If Dolphins are guilty how come they are told to pay ten million naira rather than the twenty million stipulated in the rules book, then why have they not been relegated?

This ruling brings out more questions than answers and the sooner the NFF explain this to Nigerians and those watching all over the world, the better for Nigeria.

In any case, Sunshine Stars, Dolphins and Ere Dokubo have all said they will appeal the decision of the committee and clear their names from this mess.

Liberia, Rwanda Must Fall

2012-02-08T08:20:00.000Z

A battle cry was issued on Tuesday to national team players to take the games against Liberia on January 15 and Rwanda on January 29, as potential cup finals and ensure victory.

Head coach Stephen Keshi, while addressing the players asked them to forget the plaudits they received after the friendly against the Angola national team which ended goalless.

“That is the trash can of history, we need to focus on the future and you people must prove to me while I should not invite more than three of four foreign based and that is why we must go and beat Liberia and go to Rwanda and win.”

He said he has seen enough talents in the team that he feels if they give their 100 per cent concentration, they can beat any team in the world.

“But you need good mentality and to always concentrate.”

At Tuesday training, 29 players sweated it out at the FIFA Goal Project inside the premises of the National Institute for Sports.

Big boss Keshi, was fully incharge and was assisted by Dan Amokachi, Sylvanus Okpala, Coach Valere and goalkeeper’s trainer, Ike Shorunmu.

The team will continue its work out on Wednesday at the same venue as preparations reach fever pitch for the two games ahead.

There are already indications that the team may play a friendly against an Abuja based side by Friday as tune up for the Liberia friendly.

Keshi “bans” Euro-trials For Eagles

2012-02-08T08:07:00.000Z

A subtle ban on Super Eagles who have been shuttling Europe for trials was issued on Tuesday by team boss, Stephen Keshi, who said the development is disrupting the building of a strong home-based national team.

Addressing the players at lunch time, Keshi said he has been frustrated by players strolling in and out of camp all in the name of trials in Europe and other parts of the world.

He therefore asked those who have trials to make between now and 60 days time to indicate and leave camp, so that he can invite replacements for them.

“I have a programme to build a good team at home here that can compete with any national team in the world but I’m been distracted every time players walk up to me to ask for permission to travel, that has to stop from now on. Those who want to travel can come and I will pray for them, it’s no quarrel but we are at a crucial bend now and I can no longer tolerate it,” he said.

Keshi further told the players that apart from the fact that Europe is too cold at the moment for any meaningful trials, he feels insulted that Nigerian national team players go on trials with clubs in unknown leagues in the world and most times return without success and still hope to be recalled to the national team.

“If we train players here and they make the team, such players don’t need trials in Europe to be engaged by top clubs, so why are we in a hurry.”

On Tuesday, at the National Stadium, Abuja, the Super Eagles intensified their training programme ahead of the international friendly against Liberia in Monrovia on February 15 and the Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali two weeks later.

All the 30 players invited by Head Coach, Stephen Keshi were in camp yesterday,
but former U-20 team central defender Gbenga Arokoyo was granted permission to travel to Sweden for ‘trial’ yesterday afternoon.

South African Bennett to oversee Rwanda, Nigeria match

2012-02-08T07:54:00.000Z

South African referee, Daniel Bennett, no stranger to Nigerian ball fans, will be at the centre when the Super Eagles confront the Wasps of Rwanda in a crucial 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali at the end of this month.

Bennett became an international referee in 2003, and has handled a number of memorable international matches involving the Super Eagles in the past few years.

The South African was at the centre when the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with the Palancas Negras of Angola in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Kano in June 2005, and also refereed a couple of matches involving the Eagles in the qualifying race for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals and the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

Bennett is one of South Africa’s five FIFA-badged referees, and will be assisted by fellow South Africans Zakhele Thusi Siwela (1st Assistant), Luyanda Somi (2nd Assistant) and Tinyiko Victor Hlungani (Reserve Referee).

The Match Commissioner is Hassan Waberi Suleiman, from Djibouti.

Hlungani is one of South Africa’s five FIFA referees, and was born in 1976, same as Bennett. He became an international referee only last year. Siwela was born in 1982 and became an international in 2010 while Somi was born in 1975 and became an international in 2008.

Babadidi, Ogbe win January League awards

2012-02-08T07:03:00.000Z

The Naija Premier League Awards have named Mustapha Babadidi (In pic) and Bernard Ogbe as the Player and Manager of the month of January respectively.

Babadidi and Ogbe were picked as the best performers for the first month of the top flight in Nigeria based on their outstanding display for Gombe United.

Teenage striker, Babadidi scored high points for his output in Gombe United's impressive start, as he also bagged a hat-trick in his side's 3-1 win over Niger Tornadoes.

"I'm happy with this award and it is going to serve a way to help me realise that people are watching and I need to give my best every time I play for Gombe United," Babadidi said.

He edged Azuka Ebinum (Niger Tornadoes), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Ini Akpan (Akwa United), Femi Thomas (Akwa United), Josiah Maduabuchi (Enyimba) and Sanusi Sani (Gombe United) for the January Player of the Month award.

But Ogbe clearly earned his thunder as Manager for the month of January by leading Gombe United to an unbeaten start this season.

He has also ensured that the Desert Scorpions remain the only side this term to have secured an away win.

In January, Gombe United dropped points only at 3SC but defeated Lobi Stars, Niger Tornadoes and Kaduna United.

In Pic: Bernard Ogbe

"I must say I have never been honoured this way in the league since I became a coach. It is the first of its kind and I want to say to the organisers of this awards that they should continue as this is encouraging to us, the coaches and the players," Ogbe remarked.

Babadidi and Ogbe were presented with certificates for Player and Manager of January accordingly in Port Harcourt on Sunday before their game against champions, Dolphins.

The Naija Premier League Awards is organised by three top Nigerian football blogs, Naijapremierleague.net, Naijafootball247.com and Naijaligue.blogspot.com.

The copyright of the Naija Premier League Monthly Awards for players and managers is also reserved to the three organizations.

Tactical analyses of NPL match day 6

2012-02-07T16:27:00.001Z

By Nduka Orjinmo

Coach Stanley Eguma of Dolphins must rate the Gombe attack so highly, but who wouldn’t, after the Gombe side drubbed Sharks 5-0 just four days before meeting his side in the NPL.

But Eguma showed why he is one of the best in the country and he responded tactically to the Gombe attacking prowess by switching to a 4-3-3 formation.

Gombe United may not win the Nigerian Premier League this season, but their striking pair of Sani Sanusi and Babagidi Mustafa will likely end up as the most potent strike force in the NPL history.

While Sanusi has notched up six goals this term, Babagidi has five.

After handing Sharks their heaviest defeat in a while in the NPl, Gombe came to Port Harcourt as league leaders against the defending champions Dolphins and started the match not looking any fatigued, as Sharks coach John Obuh will have us believe that the long trip to Gombe caused his side the embarrassment.

Gombe started well upfront with Babagidi and Sanusi causing the Dolphins defence all sorts of problems, moving them out of their positions severally with very fluid movement and understanding.

The change in tactics did also not help Dolphins as the players struggled to come to terms with positional play- not that they eventually got a hang of it- but it helped to destabilise the Gombe structure.

Playing a 4-4-2 formation would have afforded Gombe the luxury of passing the ball out from defence, but with their defenders marked three to four and pressed quickly and finding themselves 2 against three in the middle, they lost possession in key areas when they tried to bring the ball out from defence and it was only a matter of time before their defenders started hitting the balls high.

The Dolphins defence dealt with the aerial challenge comfortably and gradually pressed the Gombe front line deep into their own half.

At one point, Sanusi Sani was on the left side of his defence, helping out.

The trick for Gombe would have been to stretch Dolphins with their superiority on the flanks, and with Kennedy Chinwo playing for the champions, it might have paid off.

But you have to have the ball before you can initiate any attack in football, and they saw little of it on the evening.

Plenty of credit must go to the Dolphins quartet of Olawale Isiaka, Ifeanyi Egwim, Chidi Osuchukwu and Seidu Abuu.

They dominated play in the middle, combined well and each knew what was expected of him in the 4-3-3 structure.

Egwin did particularly well, drifting out to the flanks at will, getting close to the lone striker to form a diamond and holding up the ball effectively when it was played to him.

Though it cannot be said that both Dolphins goals were a direct result of their shape on the day-the first being a header by Adamu Muhammad and the second a goal mouth scramble by Seidu Abu-two things are clear from the encounter.

Coach Stanley Eguma is not scared to respond tactically when the challenge presents itself, but his players need to be on the same wavelength with him to see it through.

The other game in Port Harcourt took place on Saturday between Sharks and Akwa United in a match that was supposed to be played behind closed doors at the Sharks stadium.

Of course, it was anything but that as the steadily swelling presence of fans in the stadium despite the gates being locked, provided more thrilling spectacle to watch than the football played by both sides.

Of course, it ended in a barren draw.

Another game that ended in a barren draw was the Oceans boys clash at home to Warri Wolves.

Warri wolves have now picked up the most draws in the league and are still to lose a match. Coach Paul Aigobon of the Wolves is one we should keep an eye on. He sets out his side to hit sides on the break when he plays away from home, and Ocean Boys will consider themselves lucky to have taken a point from the game.

Of all the sides I have watched this season in the NPL, Warri remain the most tactically disciplined and I tip them to get a continental ticket.

Ike ThankGod though needs to lose some of his meaty mass and Jude Aneke needs to move better off the ball.

Rangers also played out a barren draw with Rising Stars FC.

The Rangers side is the most entertaining team I have watched so far.

They pass the ball very well, are a youthful side and add plenty of flair to their game. Perhaps a point is not good enough against a newly promoted side.

Also played behind closed doors -though for a different reason- was the match in Kano, where hosts Kano Pillars beat visiting Kwara United 2-0 with goals from Manir Ubale and Gambo Mohammed in the second half.

The surprise result has to be Enyimba going down in Kaduna to Kaduna United.

Nasiru Hussein got the goal in the 24th minute.

There are few sides in the NPL that are capable of picking points away from home, and Enyimba is one of them.

But when your best players leave you, it becomes difficult to achieve the consistency needed to get such difficult results in and Enyimba at the moment are not doing that. They lost by a lone goal to Kaduna United.

Jigawa Golden Stars recorded their second victory of the season after they defeated last season’s runners-up Sunshine by a goal scored by Noble Anasoh in the 57th minute.

Jigawa will need to keep getting all three points at home if they want to survive at the end of the season.

They remain the youngest side I have seen this season, but youth alone of course, doesn’t guarantee success.

Lobi Stars playing at home away in Abuja beat Heartland 1-0 with Lazarus Chukwu getting on the score sheet.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC defeated 3SC by 2-0 in Ilorin with goals from Balogun Andrew in the 34th minute and Sala Abiodun in the 39th minute.

Eagles get full house

2012-02-06T23:20:00.000Z

Super Eagles camp at Bolton White Apartment in Zone 7, Abuja came alive Monday afternoon with at least 21 players in camp as at 5pm , all other nine players were expected before the close of the day, team coordinator, Emmanuel Atta revealed.

Those already in camp as a press time include, Chigozie Agbim, who currently skippers the team and his other two colleagues between the post, Okemute Odah and Dan Akpeyi.

Head coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, who spoke through one of his assistants Ike Shorunmu, revealed that training was not held on Monday evening because most of the players who came on the morning of the day were fagged out through transportation hassles and needed to rest for proper training to commence on Tuesday morning at the National Stadium in Abuja.

Keshi is expected to lead the usually rigorous training, as the team steadies for the friendly against Liberia in eight days time and the all important Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali on February 29.

Below is the list of players in camp as at press time: Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke, Sunday Mba, Anubi Kolawole, Ejike Uzoenyi, Bathlomew Ibenegbu, Okemute Odah, Juwon Oshaniwa, Ossai Uche, Gbenga arokoyo, Oboabona Godfrey, Uche Oguchi, Kabir Umar, Kalu Uche, Henry Uche, Barnabas Imenger, Daniel Akpeyi, Kingsley Salami, Chidi Osuchukwu, Daniel Essien, Jude Aneke.

Nigeria to implement Bosman law

2012-02-06T14:37:00.000Z

The Nigeria Premier League say they are about to enforce the Bosman ruling in Nigerian football.

Shocking as it may seem, the Bosman ruling which has been in use since 1995 is yet to make its entry into Nigerian football.

Acting Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola informed naijafootball247.com that Nigerian clubs will no longer be allowed to demand transfer fees on players who are out of contract as is still being done now.

“It is wrong. It is wrong for clubs to demand and collect transfer fees on players who are no longer contracted to them,” Babalola told naijafootball247.com.

“We know it happens and we will do all in our power to stop it. A player is a free agent at the end of his contract and should not attract transfer fees if he wants to join a new club.”

Most Nigerian Premier League clubs sign one year contracts with their players and a few sign for two years, but they still demand and collect transfer fees even when these players are out of contract, sometimes leading to protracted transfer squabbles between clubs.

“I think what we will do is that we will hold seminars to sensitize clubs and the players too about the Bosman ruling.

“The Bosman ruling is not new to the world and we have to implement it in our league too,” Babalola said.

Prior to the Bosman ruling, professional clubs in parts of Europe mostly prevented their plaers from joining other clubs even after they were out of contract.

NFF mourns late Falcons star

2012-02-02T23:29:00.000Z

The Nigeria Football Federation has sent a letter of condolence to the family of former Super Falcons’ player, Felicia Eze, who died on Tuesday after a brief illness.

The letter, sent through the management of her former club, Delta Queens Football Club, and signed by NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, mourned the untimely demise of the former national star who represented the country with patriotic zeal and sense of commitment.

“The death of anyone, let alone an active and lively sportswoman, who had her life ahead of her, is usually a very painful and heartbreaking experience, and the Nigeria Football Federation mourns deeply with you in your time of grief.

“We are only consoled by the fact that death is an inevitable end for every human, and that the departed Felicia Eze left her footprints in the sands of time as a disciplined and hard working football player for club and country.”

The NFF is already in contact with the late Felicia Eze’s family to know about the plans for the burial, as the Federation wants to be fully involved.

Heartland, Warri Wolves dominate Super Eagles

2012-02-02T21:53:00.001Z

Players of Heartland and Warri Wolves completely dominate the thirty man list of players called up to the Super Eagles camp by Stephen Keshi, the head coach of the side.

Keshi has invited 30 players to the camp of the Senior Men’s National Team, Super Eagles, ahead of the international friendly match against the Lone Star of Liberia in Monrovia on Wednesday, February 15.

Of the invited players, five, Daniel Akpeyi, Uche Oguchi, Bartholomew Ibeneghu, Kinglsey Salami and Stanley Ohawuchi play for Heartland.

Warri Wolves have four players in the side, Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke, Ossai Uche and Jude Aneke.

Stephen Keshi who is presently in South Africa analysing the on-going African Cup of Nations finals for Supersport, is expected back in the country early next week and has ordered the players to resume in camp on Sunday, February 5.

There are three goalkeepers, eight defenders, 11 midfielders and eight strikers. Most of the players were in the squad that held Angola’s ‘A’to a 0-0 draw in an international friendly in Abuja on Wednesday, January 11.

However, surprise exclusion is Stephen Morah, the youngster who received so much plaudits from Stephen Keshi a few weeks ago.

No reason has been given for his exclusion.

The Super Eagles are expected to leave for Monrovia on February 13.

THE FULL LIST:

GOALKEEPERS: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Okemute Odah (Sharks FC),
Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)
DEFENDERS: Juwon Oshaniwa (Sharks FC), Osasco Omomo (Sunshine Stars),
Azubuike Egwueke (Warri Wolves), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars),
Gbenga Arokoyo (Kwara Utd), Uche Oguchi (Heartland FC), Ahmed Adesope
(3SC), Papa Idris (Kano Pillars)
MIDFIELDERS: Ossai Uche (Warri Wolves), Kola Anubi (Sharks FC), Ejike
Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Kingsley Salami,
Stanley Ohabuchi (Heartland FC), Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars), Henry
Uche (Enyimba FC), Solomon Jabason (Akwa United), Chidi Osuchukwu
(Dolphins FC), Daniel Essien (Niger Tornadoes)
STRIKERS: Sunday Emmanuel (Enyimba), Sunday Mba, Jude Aneke (Warri
Wolves), Izu Azuka (Sunshine Stars), Barnabas Imenger (Kwara Utd),
Kabiru Umar (Heartland FC), Uche Kalu, Ifeanyi Ude (Enyimba FC).

Kenya’s U17 girls in Nigeria on Thursday

2012-02-02T12:07:00.000Z

The delegation of U-17 Women’s National Team of Kenya will fly into Lagos on Thursday evening ahead of Saturday’s 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against the Flamingoes of Nigeria.

In pic: Nigeria's U17 goalkeeper
After grandstanding for days claiming they would not travel because of imagined security fears, and writing to the Confederation of African Football to express such ‘fears’, the Football Kenya Federation wrote to the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday to say they would arrive Thursday.

The letter stated, inter alia: “We have decided to honor the match, and will therefore send to you our travel itinerary, which should be on Thursday, 2nd February, 2012 in a contingent of 27 people composed of 18 players and 7 officials”.

The Kenyan delegation will fly into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard Kenyan Airways flight on Thursday evening. Already, the Nigeria Football Federation and the Ogun State Government have made adequate arrangements to take the delegation members to Abeokuta on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, the Flamingoes have continued their preparation for Saturday’s match at the MKO Abiola Stadium. Nigeria won the first leg 2-0 in Nairobi and will most certainly play Zambia in the final round of qualifiers in March.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, who treated the Flamingoes and their officials to a dinner at the Government House, Abeokuta on Monday and presented them with a cash gift of N2.5 million, will be Special Guest of Honour at Saturday’s match.

Lobi Stars, Sharks fined

2012-02-02T04:40:00.000Z

The hammer of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) descended on Lobi Stars and Sharks following the unruly conduct of their home fans during league matches last weekend.

According to the Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League, Tunji Babalola, Lobi is fined N400, 000. 00 for allowing its fans to attack the Assistant Referee 1 and Fourth Referee shortly after the 1st half in match against Akwa United of Uyo at the Katsina Ala Stadium.

In line with Article 5.8 of the Rules and Regulation, the payment is expected to be made before Lobi’s next home match.

The Secretariat also expressed worry over what it described as unnecessary harassment of Match Officials during the match involving Sharks and Warri Wolves in Port Harcourt where, precisely at the 89th minute, supporters of the home team (Sharks) harassed the Assistant Referee 1 for picking an offside play.

The report also stated that ThankGod Amaefule (In pic) with Jersey No. 10 of Sharks FC assaulted the Assistant Referee 1 immediately after the match, thereby, violating Article 5.8 of the Rules and Regulations.

To this end, Sharks FC is fined the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000.00) only and their subsequent home matches shall be played behind closed doors while the player (Amaefule) is given four (4) match ban.

In a related development, Coach Erasmus Onuh of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Football club of Ilorin has been banned for four matches with a fine of N200, 000.00 to be paid his club’s next home game.

Onuh was penalised for what the league board described as his unsporting behaviour during the league match involving Warri Wolves and ABS at the Warri Township Stadium.

According to the Acting Executive Secretary of the League board, the Match report revealed that the AR 1 was assaulted by Coach Onuh in the 89th minute.
The match report revealed that the AR1 was assaulted by Coach Erasmus Onu of ABS FC.

This incident occurred at the 89th minute of play.

To this effect, Erasmus Onuh is banned for four (4) matches for unsporting behaviour with a fine of N200, 000 to be paid before the club’s next home game.
Meanwhile, the match reports have been sent to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary and Referees Committees for further action.

NB: Preliminary decisions were taken pending final determination of the cases regarding the conduct of matches by the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Katsina Ala, Orlu Township Stadiums banned

2012-02-01T23:34:00.000Z

The Katsina Ala Stadium in Benue State and the Samuel Okwaraji Stadium in Imo State have been banned indefinitely from hosting Nigeria Premier League matches.

Explaining the decision to ban the Stadiums, the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) board referred to the match report in the game between Lobi Stars and Akwa United which described the pitch in Katsina Ala as ‘dusty and not Television friendly’ while the report filed by the inspection team on the Orlu Township Stadium showed that the stadium was ‘not ready to host Premier League matches’ yet.

Consequently, Lobi Stars and Heartland have been directed to look for alternative venues for their subsequent home league matches.

In related cases, the NPL has given provisional approvals to Hadeja Township Stadium in Jigawa State as well as the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State that were earlier banned from hosting league matches.

According to the Acting Executive Secretary, the reports from the inspection team to the Hadeja Township Stadium indicated tremendous improvements on the problem areas spotted during the previous inspections while the Nigeria Football League is impressed with the level of improvement on the pitch of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium that was earlier condemned by the league board owing to its ‘dusty’ nature.

In view of this, Jigawa Golden Stars Football Club of Dutse has been given provisional approval to play its home league fixtures at Hadeja Township Stadium beginning from Week 7 while another inspection is expected to be conducted in due course to confirm the level of maintenance of the stadium. Similarly, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan has been given provisional approval to play its home fixtures at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium as from Week 8.

1 million to benefit from 1 GAME project – Akpoborie

2012-01-30T11:24:00.000Z

Coordinator of the 1 GAME ‘Goal against Violence’ project, Jonathan Akpoborie said on Sunday that more than one million pupils would have been part of the secondary school based initiative at the end of 2018.

The former Super Eagles striker told sports writers in Calabar that the objective of the initiative was not just about instilling discipline in the growth and development of young school pupils involved in playing football but also to reward those who are very outstanding and hope to pursue a career in the game, the opportunity to play and study abroad.

“We want to see young school pupils play football and understand the true essence of fairplay and unity while in the act and we are hoping that at the end of 2018, over a million pupils will have been part of this project.

“We are not just hoping to instill discipline in the growth and development of these aspiring footballers but also offering an opportunity for the very outstanding pupils to play and study abroad. It is also a way of motivating them to give their all to this project,” Akpoborie said.

A centre forward during his playing days, Akpoborie was part of victorious Nigeria squad to the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship held in China. His inclusion in the squad was sequel to an outstanding performance while representing his school in the 1985 Lagos State Principal’s Cup.

Having rose to become a household name in football both in Nigeria and Germany where he played the majority of his career, the former VFB Stuttgart goal poacher believes more school pupils can follow in his footsteps.

“What I achieved while playing in secondary school can be surpassed by many young school pupils. I was discovered while playing for my school and taken to the U-16 World cup in China. It is now is my turn to discover other talented pupils who will play football in an exemplary manner and make this country proud in future.”

The 1 GAME ‘Goal against Violence’ project which was launched in November 2011 will kick start fully in April this year, with Cross River State, the first of the 36 states to benefit from the initiative.

Nigeria Premier League week 5 review

2012-01-30T10:22:00.000Z

Gombe United moved to the top of the Nigeria Premier League log following a 1-0 road win over Kaduna United.
That win, the first away win in the League this season sent Gombe United to the top of the table with 10 points from 4 games.
It was Ahmed Aliyu’s 85th minute strike that ensured victory for the away side.
Late drama in Port Harcourt
In Port Harcourt on Saturday, there was mild drama as Sharks forced Warri Wolves to a 1-1 draw in a game that Thankgod scored twice.
Thankgod Ike scored for Wolves in open play in the first half , while Thank God Amaefule drew the host level via a coolly slotted in penalty in the second half. Goal scorer for Warri Wolves, Thankgod Ike said after the game that his target for the season is 5 goals and he is happy to have opened his account in Port Harcourt.
“It’s a promising season for us and we have also started well,” he said.
Sharks thought they had scored in added time but while the referee gave it as a goal, the assistant referee’s flag remained up and the goal was thereafter overruled for offside.
As a result, Sharks media officer, Confidence Idaa described as unfair the decision of the assistant referee to flag as offside the club’s late goal which would have given them all three points.
Idaa however acknowledged all hope was not yet lost as the club had strong belief in its players who are expected to perform better in future games.
Still in Port Harcourt, Dolphins, this time at their Liberation Stadium laboured to a 1-0 win Rangers in an exciting week 5 encounter in the league.
After a goaless first half, Rangers took the game to Dolphins and had three one on one chances in the second half but failed to put the ball behind Sunday Rotimi in Dolphins goal who was at the top of his game.
Former Dolphins boy, Akeem Yakubu also put the ball in long after the whistle had sounded so it was obviously not a goal.
However, with just two minutes of regulation time left, Olewezi Johnson who had come in for Azeez Shobola latched on to a shot taken by Victor Ezuruike to score.
Rangers coach, Okey Emordi was not too pleased with the goal which he believed was offside.
“It was a good match and the referee did very well until that Dolphins goal was scored.
“It was clearly offside. There were at least three players in offside position and that is the sad part of Nigerian football,” Emordi told naijafootball247.com.
Of course, Rangers could have wrapped up the game if their strikers were more clinical in front of goal to which Emordi said they were still rebuilding.
“I agree we missed lots of chances and all I can say is that this is a new team and new playing mentality. We will get better with time.”

Dolphins manager, Stanley Eguma (In pic)told naijafootball247.com that he was only too happy with the three points his side gained.
“The game was evenly matched and very difficult too. We thank God for the efforts the boys put in and I can say our team will only get better with time.”
Eguma laughed off suggestions by Okey Emordi that Dolphins scored from an offside position.
“That is not true. It was a good goal. Talking about referees, I even thought they were not fair to us because we were denied a penalty just before our goal.”
Dolphins with this win now move to 2nd on the log with 9 points from 4 matches.
New boys triumph
New entrants into the League, Rising Stars beat fellow new comers, Wikki Tourists 1-0.
Jigawa Golden Stars, another newly promoted side beat FA Cup champions, Heartland 2-0 in Kaduna.
Bala Mohammed and Noble Anasoh scored for Jigawa.
Another newly promoted side, Akwa United gained a valuable point on the road to Ocean boys as the game ended 1-1.
Ocean Boys went ahead in the 47th minute through Ogbonna Ezenwa but Ini Akpan equalized for Akwa United in the 72nd minute, his second goal in 2 consecutive games.
Media officer of Ocean Boys, Eddy Ehis told naijafootball247.com that it was a game of lots of lost chances.
“You only have yourself to blame when you create lots of scoring chances in a game yet fail to convert them,” Ehis said.
A tale of two bad pitches
In Minna, at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Shooting Stars fell 1-0 to Niger Tornadoes on what Festus Allen, head coach of Shooting described as a bad pitch.
Allen blamed the loss to Shooting on the bad pitch and added that the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium pitch, home ground of his club is much better than what was served to them in Minna.
The Nigeria Premier League had asked Shooting to look for an alternative venue to play due to what they described as the poor state of the pitch in Ibadan.
Bad pitches aside, it was Sibi Gwar’s header, off a Benedict Atule cross that gave Tornadoes the slim win.
And a boring derby
And the derby game in Ilorin between Kwara United and Abubarkar Bukola Sarki FC ended goaless unlike the same fixture last season where Bukola Babes as ABS were called then, won 3-0.
The League resumes on Wednesday with the following fixtures
Week 6 Fixtures:
Wikki vs Lobi
Sunshine vs Tornadoes
Wolves vs Jigawa
Rangers vs Pillars
Gombe vs Sharks
Heartland vs Rising Stars
Enyimba vs Ocean
Akwa vs ABS FC
3SC vs Dolphins
Kwara vs Kaduna

NFF board to stay

2012-01-25T15:34:00.003Z

The Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday went to the Court of Appeal, Abuja to challenge a Federal High Court declaration that both the NFF and NPL were not properly incorporated and therefore not known to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Federal High Court pronouncement was made on Friday, 20th January,
2012 as the Judge Donatus Okorowo delivered judgment in a case brought by former chairman of Nigeria Referees Association, Sam Sam Jaja over his disqualification from the NPL elections of May 8, 2010.

On Wednesday, the NFF filed a motion-on-notice for stay-of-execution
of the High Court’s judgment at the same High Court, while the body
filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

The Nigeria Football Federation is seeking ‘‘An Order staying and/or suspending the execution, further execution and or compliance with all or any of the Orders in the judgment of the Honourable Justice of this Honourable Court delivered on the 20th January 2012 pending hearing and determination of the Appeal against the judgment filed on the 25th day of January, 2012 and now pending before the Court of Appeal, Abuja”.

The motion on notice for stay-of-execution will be heard on thursday, 2nd February, 2012 at the Federal High Court, Abuja

NFF call for restraint

2012-01-25T11:16:00.000Z

As uncertainty continues to surround the future of football in Nigeria, General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu has sued for peace among stake holders.

On Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja declared the NFF and NPL to be illegal bodies following a suit filed by Sam Sam Jaja challenging his unlawful disqualification from contesting elections in the League body.

Reacting to the ruling, Amadu stated that world football governing body FIFA is fully aware stressing that he does not expect any sanctions on the country.

“I ask all stake holders to take it easy and not get ahead of themselves. FIFA is fully aware because they know of everything that happens in Nigeria through the online media but I do not expect any sanctions on us.

“We should be talking about how our football moves forward after this without adverse consequences because the growth of our football depends on what happens inside and we must do our best to save it,” Amadu said.

“We are a big big country in world football, people respect us and we cannot afford to be thrown out of the world map.”

He maintained that the game in the country cannot afford to be thrown into another round of crisis.

The change of name from Nigeria Football Association to Nigeria Football Federation dates back to August 2008.

The bill to change the NFA act to NFF is presently in second reading at the National Assembly.

Sharks deny financial crisis

2012-01-25T10:45:00.000Z

Management and playing staff of Sharks say there is no crisis at the club and players have no intention of embarking on a strike as threatened by sister club Dolphins.

The news broke out on Sunday that players of Dolphins, the Nigerian League champions threatened to down tools if the Rivers State government, their sponsors to not pay about twenty match bonuses owed the team from the last football season, but Sharks say they will not join in that.

General manager of Sharks, Okey Kpalukwu said on Monday that no Sharks player is owed salaries of sign on fees so far.

“I can confidently tall you that we are not owed any salary or sign on fees while arrangements have been made to pay up the outstanding match bonuses owed our players,” Kpalukwu said.

Kpalukwu also went on to add that fans should not judge Sharks on the strength of the two matches they have played so far in the League.

“It’s still early days. We need more playing time for the old and new players in the side to blend and I’m sure the fans will be happier with the team by the time we start winning,” Kpalukwu said.

"If FIFA will ban us, let them"- Jaja

2012-01-25T10:16:00.000Z

By Carl Orakwue

During the National Sports festival, I saw Dr Sam Sam Jaja who I had not seen in a long time and he accused me of not asking after him and his case again. I laughed and asked, if the case was still ‘on’ and he replied ‘yes’ He further went on to say that not only was it on, but he was sure of victory because he was right. Well last weekend it turned out that he indeed was. A court ruled in his favor, in a case he instituted over his wrongful disqualification from partaking in the NPL elections. And that ruling seems to have thrown Nigerian football into another round of chaos. Today (24 January 2012) I spoke exclusively to Dr Jaja and here are excerpts from our recorded conversation.

Pointman: 2010 to 2012 and finally you’ve gotten a ruling from the courts. First of all we want your reaction to the ruling?
Jaja: It has strengthened my confidence in the judicial system in this country. You know it is not easy for you to institute an action for accelerated hearing got an injunction that the election should not hold and within a space of time that injunction was vacated and elections held. Of course you feel that you are not protected by the courts. But haven taken this length of time and eventually the truth prevailed and justice given me, it has re-strengthened my belief in the judicial system of this country.

Pointman: In the year 2011 there were lots of court cases, injunctions, rulings et al, which many a times ended up not holding any water for those involved so what makes you sure we might not return to status quo again?

Jaja: You should understand my own ruling is quite peculiar. I was the first to go to court in 2010 as early as March when people thought I was going to thread where angels dared and it was sacrosanct taking football maters to court. People were then using FIFA as a cover to do un-honorable things. They discouraged people from making a case. But now I got a ruling that has declared in the first instance, that I was wickedly and maliciously disqualified from contesting that election in 2003 and then I got a ruling that declared the Nigeria football Federation an illegal organization and that all actions they have taken since they became that federation is also null and void. I got a ruling that declared the Nigeria Premier League NPL, illegal. And all actions they have taken since they became the Nigeria Premier League were also declared null and void. And the ruling went further to say that if they parade themselves as representing those bodies, we should revert back to the court for contempt and that makes the ruling quite quite different from any other ruling. Maybe others were just at the periphery. They were completely different from mine and of course the execution of my ruling would be totally drastic.

Pointman: Aren’t you afraid that members of the NFF will report this court ruling to FIFA and that would attract sanctions?

Jaja: If you remember in 2010 when I went to court it’s this same kite that was flown. FIFA will ban Nigeria and pressure was put on me to withdraw my case and I told them that let FIFA go ahead and ban Nigeria, that it was not my business. What I wanted to do was set the records straight. Do they know the level of damage they did to my image, my personality, by disqualifying me from contesting a mere NPL election? It was in all the papers. People say these legal cases would destroy Nigerian football. I ask “are Nigerian administrators supposed to destroy citizens of this country because of selfish interest?” They went ahead and disqualified me, telling the people I’m not credible, I have no scruples am not supposed to be dealt with. It was wicked and malicious their doing that and all for selfish interest. Of course when this was done I had to show that there was plenty wrong in the system, so many skeletons in the cupboard. I did not say this to the public but that was I wanted to go in and clean up if I was elected. I have been in the system since 1978 and so knowing these things I wanted to come and clean up the system. Some of them were athletes and some had not even become athletes when I was into sports administration. And then they did not simply refuse me coming in by asking others not to vote for me, they refused me by disgracing me by disqualifying me, touching on my integrity and personality. And then was FIFA sleeping i ask. Anyway the court of law has told them that FIFA’s statutes are not domesticated in Nigeria and as thus has nothing to do with Nigeria. And of course, realize that FIFA doesn’t sniff into what is happening in Nigeria. It’s the rat at home that tells the rat outside that there is fish in the house. So if they like they can go to FIFA, it wouldn’t change anything. We must obey the rule of law in our country and it says they (NFF and NPL) are illegal and they should be disbanded and that stands. We would not be the first country that FIFA bans and if we do things right we can go back. (Goes on to explain how we could do things right) keeping it simple, FIFA or no FIFA, it cannot upturn the ruling of our country, if FIFA like let them ban us and then we plan properly and return. FIFA cannot do without Nigeria, which is absolute, it’s true.

Pointman: For a long period there was lots of chaos in Nigerian football, legal battles here and there and finally when it seems we had gotten some peace this court ruling comes and throws things upside down all over again. I must ask. Don’t you feel disturbed that you have shattered the reigning peace and how do you think you’ll be seen in the eyes of the ordinary Nigerian football lover as you are now being painted as the devil that wants to destroy Nigerian football.

Jaja: Let me let you know that you did not achieve any calm. It was the calm of the grave yard. You don’t sweep the dust under the carpet, for definitely when you raise the carpet it would all come out again. So what calm did they achieve? I was the first to go to court in 2010. And nobody turned my way to ask ‘what is happening to Sam Sam Jaja’. Or ask ‘Why can’t you call Sam Sam Jaja and talk with him’. Or are they saying it was right to have disqualified me and I should just go and sleep because its football. That would be destroying my person and my career. I’m a politician. I have been disqualified from contesting NPL elections, which can stand against me in another election tomorrow. And nobody was talking. From 2010 till 2012 when I got judgment no overture to discuss with me was made. They have had several meetings to discuss with those who went to court in 2011, there have been several arbitration and nobody looked my way. I was quietly following the issue with my God. And now God has given me victory and people are now shouting. But like I said before, all those talking are not more passionate about our football than me. I have a big stake.

Pointman: You did say no one approached you previously to talk of the situation. How about if you were approached this time by ‘well meaning’ Nigerians would you be willing to listen?

Jaja: You see the point is not me. There is nothing absolute that am fighting for that is selfish. What am asking is that proper things be done. Approaching me now I see as an afterthought but well why not. I’ll listen and then we’ll come to a compromise. But the important thing is that Nigerian football should be better for it, like I believe Nigerian football would be better for this judgment. The issue shouldn’t be personalized even though I had a personal axe to grind but it should not be totally looked at as if it’s a personal thing. If I am approached we’ll put all the cards on the table and begin to talk on how we can make Nigerian football better from the judgment. If they say they’ll go to court I am ready. From the beginning I had made up my mind I’ll get to the Supreme Court if need be. Even if I had lost the case I would have gone to appeal. So I am ready to match them any which way they decided we should go. If they say let’s talk, we will talk. Nigeria football should better for what we are doing. The important thing is that Nigerian football should stand on a solid rock. We wouldn’t want it to stand on a shaky and sandy soil. The holy books says if you build a house on sandy soil, when the winds blow the house must definitely collapse but when you build the house on a solid foundation, when the winds blow when there are changes in weather the house will stand.

www.pointmancarl.wordpress.com

Dolphins declare Ajagun AWOL

2012-01-24T11:18:00.000Z

League champions, Dolphins FC have declared midfielder, Abduljeleel Ajagun Absent Without Leave.

Ajagun is said to have absconded from the camp of the team more than a week ago and has not been seen ever since or made any contact with the club.

According to a statement from the club, he told a few players he was going to Kaduna, his home state but never spoke with the coaches or any official.

Also it is believed he is out of the country as his phone number has been unreachable ever since.

The club is yet to come out with a form of punishment for him but say he will not be let off lightly.

Abduljeleel Ajagun joined Dolphins in 2008 from amateur side, El Cruzeiro and has played in the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2009 as well as the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2011.

He has also been an integral part of the Dolphins team especially last season when they won the Nigeria Premier League.

Nigeria Premier League day 2 review

2012-01-23T16:28:00.001Z

Warri Wolves Jude Aneke continued from where he left off last season scoring in his debut for the club in their 2-1 over Lobi Stars on Sunday in the Nigeria Premier League.

It was Lazarus Chukwu that scored first for the visitors before Uriemu Egbeta drew level for the home side.
Pic: Dolphins players argue with the match officials after the controversial goal
Aneke who joined Warri Wolves from Kaduna United then scored the winner for his side.

Aneke had scored 20 goals to emerge top scorer in the league last season while with Kaduna United.

Media officer of Warri Wolves, Timi Ebikagboro told naijafootball247.com that the win over Lobi Stars was a big morale booster to the team.

“We are slow starters in the league like everyone knows and Lobi Stars gave us a good fight but for a team to come from a goal down to not only equalise but go on to win is something big,” Ebikaboro said.

“We made errors at the start of last season that affected our chase for the title so we have decided to correct them and we are glad that the fruits are being reaped.

In Aba, Enyimba thrashed Sharks 2-0 with goals from Thankgod Amaefule (13TH) and Josiah Maduabuchi (23rd).

Amaefule was on the books of Sharks until he moved to Enyimba at the start of the current season.

Gombe United beat Niger Tornadoes 3-1 at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe with Mustapha Babadidi getting a hattrick, the first of the season while newcomers Akwa United and Jigawa Golden stars ended 1-0 in favour of Akwa United in Uyo, Ini Akpan getting the lone goal

Rangers International beat Kaduna United 3-0 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu.

Rangers' goals were scored by Akeem Yakubu, Rasaq Adegbite and Ogonna Uzochukwu.

Heartland defeated ABS of Ilorin 2-1 in Owerri with goals from Bello Kofarmata and Julius Ubido.

In Bauchi, Tunde Aremu scored in the 43rd minute as Wikki Tourist beat Kano Pillars 1-0 while Sunshine were held to 1-1 by Ocean Boys at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode.

Ikechukwu Okemmiri's late goal for Ocean cancelled out Godfrey Oboabona's 45th penalty for the home side.

It was ancient antics being perfected by Kwara United on Saturday as they eventually beat Dolphins 1-0 in a League match played at the Ilorin Township Stadium

First, officials refused Dolphins entrance into the stadium until 20 minutes to kick off of the match and the player had little time to warm up.

Then in the 2nd minute, Sunday Rotimi saved on the goal line and one minute later the referee stopped play to declare it a goal, scored by Philip Asuquo.

After that, Dolphins dominated play but failed to equalize or even win.

At half time there was a fight as Dolphins good not enter their dressing room because Kwara State FA officials locked it up.

Dolphins goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi told naijafootball247.com that the ball did not cross the line.

“After I caught the ball, I remained on the line for about ten seconds so if there was any argument, the referee would have seen that the ball did not cross, but after he waved play to go on he recalled the ball and said the ball had crossed the line over a minute ago,” Rotimi said.

“It is sad that we lost through a decision like that but the lesson is that we all have to be more careful next time,” Rotimi said.

Picture taken by Idowu Bakare, @rabark

Nigeria win 1st leg V Kenya amidst age controversy

2012-01-23T14:56:00.000Z

By
Claudia Ekai

Nigeria’s U17 girls national team beat their Kenyan counterparts 2-0 in the 1st leg of a World Cup qualifying match but not without controversy over the ages of some Nigerian players.

Patience Okaeme’s brace, one in each half was enough to give the Nigerians a comfortable win in the game played at the Nyayo Stadium.

However, the match was played under protest from Kenya who delayed it stating that they were facing a Nigerian side who had players over the age limit of 17.

The players named include: Alde Victoria, Patience Okaeme, Sarah Nnodim,Alimba Chioma, Joy Bokin, Amos Iheaoma and Oluchi Ofeabu.

Nigeria’s coach Peter Dedevbo was quick to point out that his players fall under the required age bracket and he is unperturbed by the stunt pulled by Kenya.

“We are not scared of Kenya protesting against our team. What we did is our own work and came with U 17 players.”

Kenya highlighted their inexperience by being penalised for bad throw-ins and giving the Nigerians the advantage, which was evidence enough that the two sides were on different levels.

Patience Okaeme separated the two sides on the 27th minute after she capitalized on a defensive blunder to give the Flamigoes the lead.

This did not deter the hosts who put up a fight as they sought the equalizer.

Okaeme completed her brace in the 68th minute making a comeback impossible for the East African country.

Janet Bundi with her rasping shots proved to be trouble to the visitors on the left flank but keeper Andy Gift Lucky denied her with every attempt.

“It was a good game, I can’t complain but the team has goalkeeping issues that need to be worked on and we will have a positive return leg.” Kenyan coach Fred Serenge said after the match.
The winner of the tie will face either Namibia or Botswana.

Kenya will officially lodged a complaint with CAF over the age of Nigerian players after the latter agreed to sign the protest letter before the match.

Photo, courtesy of michezoafrika.com.

Shooting Stars barred from Obafemi Awolowo Stadium

2012-01-23T07:32:00.001Z

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan has been ordered to look for an alternative venue for its home league fixtures after Wednesday's match against Gombe United.

Acting Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) board, Tunji Babalola, who stated this explained that the board took the decision following what it described as the 'television unfriendly' state of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium pitch after watching last Saturday's league encounter between 3SC and Rising Stars of Akure that was live on Supersport television.

"Anybody that watched the league match between 3SC and Rising Stars would agree with me that the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium pitch was an embarrassment to the Nigeria Premier League. The pitch looked horrible and television unfriendly. Such a pitch cannot add value to our league" Babalola explained.

"We would have stopped 3SC from playing its next home match at the same venue but we considered the fact that the notice would have been too short for the club to make alternative arrangement before Wednesday. We, however, expect Shooting Stars to communicate us on the alternative venue for its subsequent home fixtures before or by Thursday latest," he stated.

Meanwhile, the NPL has warned that it would not hesitate to clamp down on any stadium already approved to host league matches whenever such a stadium falls below the acceptable standard due to poor maintenance.

100 get U17 shortlist

2012-01-20T05:15:00.000Z

Garba Manu, Nigeria’s U17 head coach has revealed that over 100 Nigerians of school boy age have already been penciled down for screening once the camp is open ahead of the qualifiers for the 2013 African Under-17 Youth Championship.

He says he knows Nigerians are truly yearning to see real school boys in the team hence he and his lieutenants are combing playing pitches nationwide for talented youngsters.

“The truth is that we have been working since our appointments were made public by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last year,” noted Manu, a member of the coaching crew that won the Korea 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup for Nigeria.

“I know what it entails in raising a good team and we are already working despite the fact that the contract papers are yet to be signed. I’m in contact regularly with Barrister Chris Green, the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the NFF as well as with my other members of the coaching crew,” he added.

Manu further explained that he is in total support of the NFF in ensuring that the right players are selected for the team so as to cement the future of Nigerian football, adding that his desire is to raise a team that is dedicated in approach and disciplined in outlook.

“We have over 100 players for screening and these are players basically from soccer academies scattered all over the country and we are going to carefully select players that of the required age for the new Golden Eaglets,” emphasized Manu.

“The truth is that players eventually selected to represent the country at the Under-17 level would be subjected to the MRI test so as to determine their true ages.

“We are conscious of the fact that we need to select talented youngsters for this assignment and we are not going to deviate from doing the right thing. We are going to give the assignment our best shot and what we demand is support and cooperation of Nigerians,” he noted.

Kenya are no match, says Flamingoes coach

2012-01-19T21:50:00.000Z

Coach of Nigeria’s U17 girls national team, Peter Dedevbo says the Kenyans are no match for his team as both sides clash in World Cup qualifying game on Saturday in Nairobi.
Dedevbo says he may not know anything about the current Kenyan team but is confident his girls will go through because the East Africans have no pedigree in African football.
“I agree I do not really know much about the Kenyans but if you look at their pedigree in female football in Africa and look at that of Nigeria, then you will agree that we will win and win well,” Dedevbo said.
“We have prepared well for this match I am confident we will sail through.”
Dedevbo who also coached the Flamingoes, as they are called to the last World Cup added that his team is one of the youngest ever lined up by Nigeria.
“This team has six players from the last U20 World Cup and a couple of other players I discovered from the National Sports Festival.
“I took the issue of age very seriously and a couple of players were dropped when we had doubts about their ages.”
The Flamingoes depart Nigeria for Nairobi on Thursday.

Celtic, Rabiu Ibrahim reach agreement

2012-01-19T05:43:00.000Z

by George Akpayen

Nigeria midfielder, Rabiu Ibrahim and Scottish Premier League side, Celtic have agreed to a deal, SuperSport.com can confirm.

Tony Harris, the player's agent, disclosed on Wednesday that Ibrahim is set to undergo medicals on Thursday.

Harris believes the Celtic move presents Ibrahim, 20, the best option to develop his talent under manager Neil Lennon.

He also revealed that there were other European clubs keen to sign on the former Gateway FC playmaker.

"We have reached an agreement with Celtic. Rabiu will undergo medicals tomorrow (Thursday).

"Celtic is a club with great history and tradition. It's a great club for Rabiu to develop and his potential will be fulfilled under the close guidance and management of the Celtic coaching staff," Harris stated.

"Neil Lennon is a great manager who encourages young players and subsequently brings the best out them.

"We had other serious offers from Europe but I believe Celtic is the best club for Rabiu," he said.

Ibrahim and Dutch Eredivisie side, PSV Eindhoven had mutually agreed to part ways in December.

www.supersport.com

Keshi says Eagles are role models

2012-01-18T04:44:00.002Z

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, at the weekend insisted that the home-based players he has called to camp in preparation for the 2013 African Nations Cup qualifier are the best in the country and he would rely on them to deliver the goods.

He also said he was certain of the players he would invite for the all-important qualifier against Rwanda, from Europe warning players in camp to go and display what they have learnt in the national camp at the various clubs.

He again asked the players to give him the reason to invite majority of them to the national camp when the duel against Rwanda as is at hand.

“I have rung the bell time and again and the promise I have for my players is for them to demonstrate their strength against weaker or stronger opposition and they will be invited for bigger action.”

Keshi, who addressed the players before they left for their various clubs at the weekend, also warned that any player that is reported as recalcitrant will stop being invited to the national camp.

“Every player here is good and that was how most of us that you now see as heroes started, but first of all you must be disciplined, focused and ready to don the national colours, if at any time I see anything contrary, then such an player will never be invited to the national camp again,”

Nigeria Premier League resumes on Thursday

2012-01-16T21:17:00.001Z

Following the suspension of the nationwide strike by the labour union over the removal fuel subsidy, the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has announced the resumption of the 2011/12 season on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

The season will restart with the rescheduled week 1 game between Kaduna United and Jigawa Golden Stars.

According to the Acting Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola, Week 4 matches will be played across the country this weekend with three matches- Kwara United /Dolphins, Wikki Tourists /Kano Pillars and Akwa United /Rising Stars billed for Saturday, January 21.

Other Week 4 fixtures will take place on Sunday, January 22.

These are the fixtures involving Gombe United/Niger Tornadoes, Rangers International/Kaduna United, Sunshine Stars /Ocean Boys, Enyimba International /Sharks, Heartland FC /ABS and Warri Wolves /Lobi Stars.

All Week 2 fixtures have also been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 25, 2012 while a new date would be announced for Week 3 matches.

The NPL board wishes to express its appreciation to all the stakeholders, particularly, the club officials and players for their understanding during the trying period occasioned by the nationwide strike and also appeals to all for continued support to the league board towards a successful league season.

NPL reiterates commitment to violence free season

2012-01-13T20:00:00.000Z

The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, Victor Rumson Baribote says the NPL will stay committed to ensuring a violence free football season this year.

Baribote made this declaration while receiving a plaque from 1 GAME, the organization that preaches football without violence over the weekend.

Baribote told newsmen after the event that they have carefully worked out modalities to ensure the league will not be marred by violence and other untoward conduct this season.

“I have seen what 1 GAME is doing. They have signed up one hundred and fifty thousand Nigerians who say they want to watch the league but are afraid and that is why we are saying they should come to our stadia because they are safe.

“We completely frown at violence and we will not condone it. We are just asking all stakeholders to work with us to fish out these miscreants that cause trouble in our stadia,” Baribote said.

The plaque was presented to the Chairman by the Project Coordinator of 1 GAME, China Acheru.

Baribote Rumson was supported by NFF Chairman of Technical committee, Christopher Green, Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Fred Igwe as well as other NPL board members and staff present.

China Acheru told the NPL and NFF members present that they have received one hundred and fifty thousand petitions from Nigerians who want to watch the League but are scared of the violence that usually rears its head, especially when the home side fails to win.

“We are committed to bringing people back to the stadia but we need the NPL, NFF and clubs to show their own commitment,” Acheru said.

Just before the League season kicked off, Nigeria Premier League club Chairmen and Managers signed documents pledging to maintain peace at their home stadia.

Pic: L-R (front row); 1 GAME Project Coordinator China Acheru, NFF Technical Committee Chairman Christopher Green, NPL Chairman Victor Rumson Baribote and Rivers State Commissioner for Sports Fred Igwe.

NPL calls off week 2 games

2012-01-12T16:05:00.000Z

The Nigeria Premier League have called off this weekend’s week 2 games of the League following the ongoing nationwide strike action in the country by labour unions.

Executive Secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola told naijafootball247.com that they made the decision to safeguard live of footballers who may have had to travel for this weekend’s league matches.

“We were watching the situations and we told ourselves that if the strike is called off by Thursday, the league will go one but looking at the situation it is obvious league matches cannot be played this weekend.

“Nobody can blame the NPL for this. This is what we call force majeure in football and we had to do it considering the situation in the country,” Babalola said.

Already the rescheduled week one game between Kaduna United and Jigawa Golden Stars billed for Thursday had already been called off.

Week three games scheduled for Wednesday, January 18 may also be called off if the strike persists.

Cancelled week 2 fixtures
Saturday 14th January, 2012
11. Kwara Utd FC vs Enyimba Int’l FC
12. Niger Tornadoes FC vs Ocean Boys FC
13. Sharks FC vs Jigawa Golden Stars FC
14. Rising Stars FC vs Kano Pillars FC
15. 3SC vs Gombe Utd FC

Sunday 15th January, 2012
16. Dolphins FC vs Kaduna Utd FC
17. Lobi Stars FC vs Akwa Utd FC
18. Sunshine Stars FC vs Heartland FC
19. Warri Wolves FC vs ABS FC
20. Rangers Int’l FC vs Wikki Tourists FC

Keshi warns Nigerians on Eagles

2012-01-12T07:45:00.000Z

Super Eagles coach says Nigerians should not praise his team because they have not arrived yet.

The Super Eagles consisting of just locally based players were forced by AFCON bound Palancas Negras of Angola to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday evening in Abuja.

After the game, Keshi said he was proud of his boys but they still had work to do.

“I am proud of them because they played so well against a team going to the Cup of Nations.

“Remember we have been together for just three weeks so if we put up performances like this, it is something we can be proud of,” Keshi said.

He however warned Nigerians against praising the team because they still have a long way to go.

“There’s no doubt these boys can play but they have a long way to go.

“If we can continue to have games like this they will get better and play better. They can play, no doubt about it, but they need to learn from their mistakes in friendly matches like this.”

Keshi, Vidigal Salute Gritty Display

2012-01-11T22:43:00.001Z

Super Eagles Stephen Keshi and his Pelanca Negras counterpart, Lito Vidigal, were full of praise for their teams and particularly the Nigerian side after the goalless draw at the Abuja National Stadium on Wednesday.

Vidigal who spoke first said he was right when he fielded his strongest squad against Nigeria , because any team that Nigeria presents in any competitive games was always going to be difficult to beat.

“We had to change tactics when we saw that the team was stronger than we thought but I’m happy that we came away with a draw against a Nigerian side as big and determined as the one we saw today. It’s still shocking that the team did not make it to the Nations Cup.

On his part, Keshi said he was satisfied with the performance of his players but expected victory from them.

“We were a little bit wasteful with the chances we had and that is why I will always say we are rebuilding, refocusing and pumping confidence into the boys. Nigerians will start seeing the result very soon, but they must be patient with the boys, because they are still growing.

The Eagles depart Nigeria for Liberia for another international friendly against that country’s national team on Friday, while the Angolans have since departed Abuja for Nations up hostilities in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea .

The game started on a rather tense note with the visiting team dictating the early part of the game. As expected, dangermen, Manucho spotting number 9 jersey and Flavio, in jersey 16, led the assault against the Eagles which caused Coach Keshi to rise to his feet after barely five minutes of kick-off.

The blitz fizzled out as quick as it came as the trio of Sunday Mba, Ossai Uche and Obinna Nwachuckwu seized the initiative from the midfield from the Angolans.

Petit Rangers International left wing star, Ejike Ozoenyi, was the star of the game as his dazzling run down the left flank, got fans asking for more.

Ossai Uche missed a clear chance in the 12 minutes, Mba followed suit in the 34th and Obinna blasted away in the 42nd. By now it was obvious who the better side was.

The half ended goalless.

Things didn’t turn better for both sides in the second, but the home side looked the more enterprising, as Angola looked like a side that did not want to lose a game before the start of hostilities in the Nations Cup.

Coach Vidigal, was forced to pull out Manucho when he was arrested by the Nigerian centre back duo of Papa Idris and Azubuike Egwueke.

While striker Uche Kalu who stepped in for Kabir Umar and Barnabas Imenger, missed glaring chances in the closing stages of the entertaining encounter watched by close to 10, 000 Nigerians soccer fans.

To most soccer fans, it was a fair result as they hailed Keshi and his crew for a job well done under three weeks.

Home Eagles vow to down Angola

2012-01-11T07:55:00.000Z

Despite the unstable socio-political situation in the country, the national team currently in camp preparing for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda say they are battle ready to devour Angola in Wednesday’s international friendly.

For goalkeepers Chigozie Agbim and Godwin Paul, the game should serve as a test of character of the team and the coaching crew and that they will show against the Southern African country.

“We have learnt a lot from this set of coaches and we must acquit ourselves well before every Nigerian on Wednesday,” declared Agbim.

Centre-half Azubuike Egwueke and pair mate Papa Idris, were also in war like mood.

“This is my second time in the Eagles camp and I have not been drilled like this before, I have to prove to the world that we can hold our own against any team because at this moment we are the Nigerian national team,” Egwueke declared.

Idris on his own said: I have been impacted on positively by th technical crew and I will show it on the pitch against Angola on Wednesday. Insha Allah, we shall come out victorious,” he said.

Midfielders Rabiu Ibrahim and petit wing wizard Ejike Ozoenyi, spoke in similar vein, with Ozoenyi, saying that he wants to prove to the world that all he has been doing with the ball in training, he can do better during match situations.

Returnee striker, Uche Kalu was even more daring when he spoke. According to him, many foreign based players would soon discover that they have no place again in the national team, because the present squad has better players that can play for any national team anywhere in the world.

Nigerian League boss calls for patience

2012-01-10T21:17:00.000Z

Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League, Victor Baribote Rumson is calling for patience as the NPL sets off the make changes in the League.

Baribote told naijafootball247.com that they want to improve the fortunes of the clubs.

“The Premier League is the bed rock of football in any country and if the league is dead it will surely affect football at national team level.

“We also know that all the clubs are government dependent so we are trying to see that the clubs depend less on government.

“Right now we are talking to state governments so these players can be paid on time while we are also working on improving the fortunes of the club to take some pressure off the state governments who sponsor these clubs.”

He reiterated that Nigerians should wait a bit before criticizing because the leadership of the NPL are committed to improving Nigerian football.

“I will rather not say what I want to do because it is better that people see it has been done.

“Just wait and see the changes we are planning for the league.”

Keshi tells Eagles to shame critics

2012-01-10T19:42:00.000Z

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi has once again assured home based professionals that the era when they were used as training materials in the national team was gone and buried.

Speaking to the team after their last work out at the main bowl of the Abuja National Stadium on Tuesday morning before their clash against Angola, Keshi told the players that he is ready to accommodate any of them who proves worthy in the plane to Kigali, Rwanda for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier.

This is the umpteenth time Keshi would be given that assurance but on Tuesday morning he gave the players a new challenge.

“The world is watching and waiting, I have been receiving phone calls from all corners of the country of people who intend to come and watch you guys and see what you have to offer. Many still don’t believe that you can do it, go out there and prove them wrong and leave the rest to me.”

He praised the spirit of competition and learning exhibited by the players in the last three weeks but said that will not be enough until they prove it in a match situation.

“Angola is bringing their Team A, you are the Team A of Nigeria, prove to them that you are their masters in this game and the world will start respecting you. You can do it,” he sounded off.

Sunshine blame absence of key players

2012-01-09T08:23:00.000Z

Sunshine Stars head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote says the absence of his key players led to their 1-0 loss to Dolphins on Saturday.

Sunshine Stars held on until the 85th minute before Adamu Mohammed’s header gave Dolphins the winner.

Ogunbote told naijafootball247.com that it was easier for Dolphins than his side.

“It was a good and difficult game but I must say my team was a bit depleted with the absence of four of my players with the Super Eagles,” Ogunbote said.

“Dolphins have none so it is their full team out here and it affected us.”

The players Sunshine Stars have in the Super Eagles camp include Moses Ocheje, Izu Azuka and Godfrey Oboabona.

Nigeria Premier League week 1 review

2012-01-09T08:14:00.001Z

By
George Akpayen
On the first day of the season just 10 goals were recorded in nine games with three games ending in goalless draws, as champions, Dolphins got off their title defence to a winning start.

Dolphins 1 - 0 Sunshine Stars

New man, Adamu Mohammed came on as a substitute to nod home the winner for title holders, Dolphins five minutes from time. The champions start off the season in fourth place while last season's runners-up, Sunshine Stars are 16th after games on the opening day.
Pic: Derek Amadi of Dolphins

Enugu Rangers 0 - 0 Warri Wolves

Goalkeeper Ambrose Vanzekin and Ike ThankGod put up solid performances to stop Okey Emordi's men from picking all points. The result reflects the same scoreline in this corresponding fixture last season.

Kwara United 0 - 0 Ocean Boys

Ocean Boys have started the season on a bright note. But coach Samson Unuanel will have to thank goalkeeper Ospino Egbe for his heroics within the stick against Kwara United in this tie.

Both teams find themselves in the top half after this Day One goalless draw.

Wikki Tourists 1 - 0 Heartland

Heartland's woes on the road continue after Victor Yakubu's 24th minute goal sealed a happy return for Ladan Bosso as head coach of Wikki.

Heartland are in 14th position after matchday one while Wikki sit in sixth.

Enyimba 2 - 0 ABS FC

Playmaker Josiah Maduabuchi scored the first goal of the season when he put former champions, Enyimba in front in the 1st minute of this game.

New boy, Nzube Anazemba made the points safe for the Peoples Elephant with 10 minutes to time, as new head coach, Austin Eguavoen watched from the stands with first-team coach, Abdu Maikaba taking charge in the interim. Enyimba start the season on top of the log.

Kano Pillars 1 - 0 Niger Tornadoes

In this northern derby, Kano Pillars had to wait till after the hour-mark before Nazifi Ammani scored what turned out to be the winner.

Ammani ensured that Baba Ganaru's men are in the top five after Week 1 while Tornadoes in the lower half of the standings.

3SC 2 - 1 Sharks

Festus Allen got a second half scare on his debut as 3SC head coach when attacking winger Bright Ejike scored inside two minutes of the restart for the visiting Blue Angels.

But new signing from Ijebu United, Talabi Joshua Olamakinde's screamer on 72minutes caught goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa off guard to draw 3SC level.

Substitute Osagona Ighodaro, another new boy, punished the Blue Angels on 84 minutes to hand Allen's men all points to put them third on the log.

Rising Stars 0 - 0 Akwa United

Predictably Akwa United earned themselves a point at fellow newly-promoted side, Rising Stars.

The Promise Keepers are seventh on the log while Rising Stars are in 11th position.

Gombe United 2 - 0 Lobi Stars

Sanusi Sani became the first player to score two goals this season after grabbing a goal in each half to give the Desert Scorpions a deserved win.

Lobi Stars' striker Tony Okpotu became the first player to be sent off this season after two bookable offences from centre referee, Jelil Ogunmuyiwa from Lagos.

www.supersport.com

Eagles Camp Calm Despite Venue Switch

2012-01-09T07:47:00.000Z

Players and officials of the national team, Super Eagles, were still in battle mood after they were told that the team will no longer be travelling to Cotonnou , Benin Republic to take on the Palancas Negras of Angola in an international friendly.

Head coach, Stephen Keshi, had told the players during dinner on Saturday evening that the plan to travel to Benin Republic, has been shelved and that the players should get ready to play against Angola in Abuja or any part of the country that the Nigeria Football Federation, may direct the team to.

Most of the players did not express any surprise at the change of venue but rather were concerned whether the game will take place or not.

They were assured that the game will surely hold, as the Angolan side is expected to fly into Nigeria in a chartered flight.

There was no training on Sunday morning as players and officials were given the time off to go to their various places of worship.

As has become the tradition Sunday evening training which begun at about 4:20pm, and lasted for over two hours was rigorous, intense and targeted at bringing out the best in the players in the scheduled friendlies against Angola and Liberia.

Warri Wolves grab former Enyimba captain

2012-01-05T13:36:00.000Z

In its bid to present a team that will not only compete for the 2011/12 Nigeria Premier League title but excel in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup Competition, Warri Wolves have secured the services of former Enyimba Capt Chigozie Johnson.

Other players signed up by Warri Wolves are former Enyimba defender John Agbawu, Kano Pillars central defender Ikechukwu Gabriel, former Mighty Jets of Jos attacker Amutu Austin and Okikimusanpa Felix Onomuefe who is unattached.

The players were among the 33 players that have been signed for the new season which is expected to kick-off this weekend across the country.

The technical crew led by Paul Aigbogun also retained the services of 27 of the players that secured for it the 3rd position in the league last season.

Top among those retained are goalkeepers Chigozie Agbim, Ambrose Vanzekin, Phillip Emmanuel and Tejiri Rhiogbere, the defenders are Ike ThankGod, Egwuekwe Azubuike, Ojo Mine, Ossai Uche, Capt Goodluck Onamado, Nnedum Francis, Bright Akpojuvwevwo, Ogaga Aniwhi, Malian import Adama Coulibaly, and Nelson Onyekachi.

The attackers are Gift Atiluwa, Ebuka Okafor, Egbeta Michael, Amanze Elekwuachi, Okoyoh Michael, Mba Sunday, Okoye Ifeanyi, Bright Obada, Efe Yarhere, Kpenosen Samson, Oghogho Oduokpe and Oboh Solomon, while ex-junior international Omonigho Temile made a return from his loan deal abroad.

Meanwhile the technical crew are hot on the chase to sign Kaduna Utd striker Jude Aneke to help bolster its attack in the new season.

Already the team has been putting finishing touches to its camping exercise in Warri haven played some friendly games with both local and top club sides from outside the state.

Warri Wolves begins its season with a top of the bill clash with old foes Rangers of Enugu in Enugu.

Super Eagles Maul Lobi Stars 3-1

2012-01-04T19:31:00.002Z

There was a marked improvement in the performance of the national team; Super Eagles as they continue their build-up for the forthcoming international friendlies in what has now been styled the rebuilding process of the national team.

Playing a 4-4-2 formation with Sharks Okemute Odah, starting in goal, Papa Idris pairing new skipper, Azubuike Egwueke, Juwon Oshaniwa and Kola Anubi completing the back four.

Ejike Ejike, played in the left side of the midfield, Kabir Umar, was also there, while Sunday Mba, and Obinna Nwachukwu completed the list upfront.

The game started on a cautious note, with former Super Eagles speed star, Dominic Iorfa directing the Lobi bench along side, John Zaki.

But it was the Lobi side that fired the first salvo, when Terna Ikpeen, attempted a shot at Okemute that blew dangerously wide.

Minutes later, the Eagles reacted and it was a spectacular goal as the combination of Juwon and Kabir found Ejike in the vital area and he promptly blasted home for the opener, just after just seven minutes.

Kabir himself was to score the second goal deep into the half in the 34th minute after another fine exchanges between the midfield and the attack.

The first half ended 2-0 in favour of the Nigerian national team.

In the second half, the Super Eagles as has become their tradition made some changes with Chigozie Agbim, in for Okemute in goal and others like Godfrey Obenebo, Izu Azuka, youth corps member, Stephen Morah, Gbenga Arokoyo and Bathlomew Ibenegbu, all coming into the fray.

The half went on with a lot of events with Lobi goalie John Lawrence, the busier of the two. It was as if the game was going to be a 2-0 scoreline, until substitutes Izu Azuka, popped up to score a third for the national team, after being fed by the youth corps member deep on the left side of the attack.

That goal took out the sting in the Lobi side and they reacted immediately with a beautiful headed goal from Timothy Imenger.

Kano Pillars duo shun Eagles’ camp

2012-01-04T04:21:00.000Z

The technical crew of the national team may be forced to report the Kano Pillars duo of Gambo Mohammed (In pic) and Musa Musa, to the NFF leadership, following their refusal to report to the camp of the team in Abuja .

Head coach Stephen Keshi and his assistants, were not happy that more than one week after their invitation, the two players are still yet to report to camp without any cogent reason.

Other Kano Pillars players invited to camp have since reported.

“We want to give players from all kind of background the opportunity to break into the main national team, but the attitude of some of the players is not encouraging at all and we must checkmate them, because it’s indiscipline of the highest order,” Keshi said.

If the NFF reacts to the players’ absence, they may be barred from featuring for their clubs, when hopefully the Nigeria Premier League season starts over the weekend.

Super Eagles coordinator, Emmanuel Atta says Kano Pillars club officials have also been evasive over the players’ continued absence from camp, noting that the duo are needed to fortify the team ahead of the forthcoming friendly games against Angola and Liberia.

Keshi denies writing off Ghana

2012-01-03T19:13:00.000Z

Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, has reacted angrily to reports quoting him as saying Ghana Black Stars do not have the quality of players that can win this year’s Nations Cup.

Reacting to Black Stars assistant coach, Kwesi Appiah’s tirade against him over the issue, Keshi said he was misquoted by the media over the matter.

“I was asked to name my favourites teams to win the Nations Cup and I said on paper, Cote D’ Ivoire and Senegal have the strongest teams, but tournaments like that are full of surprises.

“Maybe, because I did not list Ghana and the question was asked while I was in Ghana the journalist decided to say I have written Ghana off. How can I write off a team that made it to the quarter finals of the last World Cup?”

He advised the Ghanaian team to step up preparations for the tournament, instead of wasting ample time reacting to what they perceived as an attack on the Black Stars.

“Everything team that has qualified is capable of winning the championship, but you will agree with me that some teams are rated higher than others even by FIFA, that is what I simply said.”

Keshi impressed with Yakubu, Anichebe

2012-01-03T12:18:00.000Z

Super Eagles’s coach, Stephen Keshi says he is impressed with the performances of some of Nigeria’s foreign based players in their Leagues.

From Victor Anichebe, to Yakubu Aiyegbeni (In pic) and Victor Moses, Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi, has been keeping a close tab on his internationals and he declared on Monday evening that he has been hugely impressed by their performance.

Keshi says he would not be intimidated to name the players that he would use for the national team opening Nations Cup qualifier against the Amavuvbi of Rwanda.

“As the whole world can see, most of our national team players like Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Osaze Odemwengie, Victor Moses, Ike Uche and Victor Anichebe are doing quite well. That is not the issue, we want a situation whereby they will keep doing well so that at the end of the day we pick only the best for the national team,” he said.

He called for a change of heart from the Nigerian soccer populace, noting that if a man did not perform in a previous encounter, it does not mean he would not be a hero in the next.

“I’m not particular about any player, but we must give all our international players equal opportunities. That is the focus and programme of this present national team set up.”

Rising Stars Chicken Out Of Eagles Friendly

2012-01-03T05:03:00.000Z

Fast growing Akure based side, Rising Stars, have chickened out of a scheduled friendly with the home-based Super Eagles earlier scheduled for this Tuesday.

National Team Coordinator, Emmanuel Atta, said the team said they were not ready for the encounter, because the team was still preparing for the start of the new season.

Efforts to get clubs like Bendel Insurance and others also fell through as they were still struggling with players signing and emoluments.

But Lobi Stars of Makurdi, have reiterated their readiness to face the national team on Wednesday at the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium.

“The team is still evolving and we’re sure that at the end of the day, Nigerians will be proud of the national team we’re building,” he said.

Eagles deny excessive security

2012-01-02T07:40:00.000Z

Chief Security Officer of the Super Eagles, Gideon Akinsola, says there is no iota of truth in reports in a section of the media that the Eagles camp is populated by two truck load of anti-riot policemen as the country was not in a war situation.

He also dispelled reports that the policemen posted to the national team’s camp are poorly fed, even with some suggesting that the police detachment feed on remnants of players’ food.

Akinsola, who spoke first on the development, said the reports which was carried in a national daily was far from the truth as it was targeted at mischief.

“The said reporter came to me and I spoke and said that we have at the most about 14 policemen, in two pick-up vans, how does that translate to two truckloads of policemen. On each occasion after training we ensure that at least 8 policemen are maintaining security, it beats my imagination, when people now say they see two trucks loaded with policemen, or can’t you see the camp for yourself?”

The Super Eagles are currently in camp in Abuja ahead of friendly games against Liberia and Angola.

No Rift Over Eagles Friendlies-NFF

2012-01-01T20:11:00.000Z

Reports that the Nigeria’s coach, Stephen Keshi and his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation are at logger-heads over friendly games have been dispelled, with the NFF management boss, Musa Amadu, describing it as the figment of the imagination of those who reported it.

Speaking in Abuja at the weekend, Amadu, said the only issue that arose was whether Nigeria should play the full Senegalese national team, which is preparing for the 2012 Nations Cup, with a full-fledged home-based squad.

“Keshi said the rivalry between both nations was too tight to fight with local stars. In fact, it was going to be a prestige friendly and he did not like the idea of playing a second team.”

Amadu, said beyond that, there was no other issues between the national team handler and the NFF.

He further went further to confirm that the football ruling house has set out dates for the two international friendlies for the national team ahead of their clash with Amavuvbi of Rwanda by February 29.

“We shall be facing Angola by January 11 and Liberia by January 14, venues for both encounters will be released in due course.”

That declaration by the NFF Scribe, has now put paid to speculations making the rounds that Nigeria will not play any international friendly ahead of it s 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

1 GAME to make anti-violence plea at NFF AGA

2011-12-29T11:49:00.000Z

The 1 GAME: Football without Violence campaign will on Thursday make a presentation to the Nigeria Football Federation at their Annual General Assembly at the Royal Tropicana Suites in Kaduna.

The 1 GAME campaign had last year during the NFF Annual General Assembly in Uyo presented a plaque to NFF President Aminu Maigari with an inscription ‘100,000 call for action on Negative Fanaticism’ and founder Philip Obaji believes this presentation in Kaduna would help consolidate its stance on zero tolerance on violence.

“Last year in Uyo, we presented a plaque to the NFF but we believe that since 50,000 more people have asked for an end to negative fanaticism in Nigerian football, we owe it as a duty to Nigerians to plead on their behalf for action to be taken on violence and that is why we are making another presentation,” Obaji said.

1 GAME made a huge step in its campaign earlier in December when 10 Nigerian Premier League clubs signed and adopted the 1 GAME pledge. But Obaji believes that another presentation would urge other clubs to get involved.

“The NFF had endorsed the 1 GAME campaign and we are hoping that with this fresh presentation the remaining 10 league clubs would adopt the pledge which we feel would go a long way in eradicating violence,” the 1 GAME propagator said.

Over 150,000 Nigerians have voiced their opinions on the 1 GAME website www.play1game.org as well as on social networking site Facebook calling for an end to football related violence around the country.

Gambo leads 6 new Eagles to camp

2011-12-28T07:31:00.000Z

Kano Pillars gangling attacker Gambo Mohammed (In pic)is expected to lead teammate Kabir Umar and four others to camp as the Steve Keshi Super Eagles coaching crew begin the process of elimination by substitution.

Others who have been invited are Omomo Osas of Sunshine Stars, Kaduna United duo of Papa Idris and Ishaya Daniel, who are already in camp and Obinna Nwachukwu of Heartland of Owerri.

In the same vein six players have been decamped for not measuring up to standard. They are Fade Adebayo of Kaduna United, Wikki’s Ibrahim Mustapha, Markson Ojobo of Enyimba, Rangers James Okwuosa and Dolphin duo of Fortune Chukwudi and Uche Ochendo. The players have since left camp.

Players In: Omomo Osas, Gambo Mohammed, Kabir Umar, Papa Idris, Ishaya Daniel, Obinna Nwachukwu.

Players Out: Fade Adebayo, Ibrahim Mustapha, Markson Ojobo, Fortune Chukwudi, Uche Ochendo, James Okwuosa.

Eagles Beat Abuja Selected 1-0

2011-12-28T07:13:00.000Z

Home-based Super Eagles continued their build-up for the Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda in February with an impressive display against an Abuja selected side.

Playing two different teams in each half, it was the first time the team will be playing before Steve Keshi who was away in Ghana , when the first warm up game was played.

Parading the likes of Okemute Odah (In pic) in goal, Azubuike Egwueke leading the defence line, Bathlomew Ibenegbu alias mosquito in the midfield and and Kalu Uche powering the attack along side, Sunday Mba, the Eagles had plenty of possession like it was the case in the first game but poor finishing was their undoing.

The opposition gave their all in the game but it was nothing to trouble Odah in goal for the Eagles, who was virtually on holidays in the first 45minutes.

The only goal of the match came when Kalu Uche’s dazzling run from the left flank, was coolly finished by Mba to the delight of Keshi and his technical crew.

It was in the 42nd minute of the game.

Goalkeeper Moses Ocheje, led a new set of players into the game in the second half, but it was new comer Papa Idris and 22 year youth corps member Stephen Morah that shown like a million star.

Izu Azuka also improve on his midfield play in the game, but for all their efforts the Abuja X1 refused to be intimidated and left with a slim defeat.

Addressing the players after the game, Big Boss Steve Keshi, said he was very encouraged by the display but will not use the word impressed yet, until the players work to earn it.

The team will file out Wednesday morning against Ranchers Bees of Kaduna at the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium.

NFF to hold Annual General Assembly on Thursday

2011-12-27T05:42:00.000Z

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that its Annual General Assembly for the outgoing year will take place in Kaduna on Thursday, December 29.

General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said on Monday that all is set for the big occasion, which is the biggest summit of Nigerian football and welcomes all those who matter in the administration of the game to a forum where the outgoing year is comprehensively reviewed and decisions are made concerning the running of the game in the coming year.

“The 2011 Annual General Assembly of the NFF will take place in Kaduna on Thursday. That was decided a long time ago, and there is no change to it,”declared Amadu.

Officials confirmed that the event will take place at the Royal Tropicana Suites on Isa Kaita Road, starting from 10am.

Thursday’s Charity Shield showdown is between Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt and Heartland FC of Owerri, and will kick off at the Kaduna Township Stadium by 4pm.

Keshi targets five home-based for Kigali

2011-12-26T12:00:00.000Z

Super Eagles boss, Steve Keshi, says he’s ready to take at least five players from the Nigerian League to Kigali for the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier, if the present players in camp prove that they are better than those based abroad.

He even declared that he will be ready to take up to ten players to Kigali from the home-based Eagles if the 30 players in camp, give him the reason to do so.

“But they must show the hunger that they are better than the ones who are coming from Europe and are ready to win games for Nigeria and resist showing any complex, because those who are now in Europe started from here."

Keshi bared his mind when team psychologist, Robinson Okosun, drilled the players psychologically to prepare them for the challenge of playing for the national team.

Big boss Keshi, however said if the players fail to show enough drive, he will still take at least three of them to Kigali for the qualifier.

“I’m telling you clearly now, so that you can go out there and prove to me and the rest of the technical crew that you can play better than those whom we often call upon from Europe."

Eagles to tackle AMACO, Ranchers Bees

2011-12-26T07:35:00.000Z

tThe rebuilding process in the national team continued all through the Christmas period in Abuja, the Federal capital, with players sweating it out in rigorous training sessions conducted by head coach, Stephen Keshi, except on Christmas day.

To consolidate on the players fitness and match readiness, officials of the team have scheduled two friendly games for Tuesday and Wednesday in the Federal Capital.

The first game on Tuesday, will be against Amateur League side, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMACO).

The second will be against a more formidable opponents in Pro-league Division One A side and former Premier League campaigners, Ranchers Bees of Kaduna.

Keshi says the games will afford him a second look at the players and their readiness for the task ahead.

“We must get some of these boys into the main team and its through games like the ones ahead and the one we have played before that we can discover the ones that are ready to give Nigerians joy in the new order.”

Team Coordinator, Emmanuel Atta, revealed that more of such games will be played, even as he reiterated that there will be an international friendly for the boys by January 7.

Apam Ready For Rwanda

2011-12-26T07:19:00.000Z

Onyekachi Apam, says he’s delighted to be back and ready to offer his best services to the national team when called upon.

Onyekachi had been out of action for almost eighteen months with injury but is now happy to be back.

Apam, who spoke from his base in France said he believes he would be fully back into the scheme of things by early January and hoped that the Eagles’ technical crew will give him a chance for the February game against the Wasps of Rwanda in Kigali.

He also spoke on the recent misfortune of the national team, noting that the team had never lacked talent but lacked players who are not committed and disciplined to the national course.

When told that Steve Keshi and his technical crew are trying hard to bring discipline, decency and order into the new Eagles, he praised the coach and said he wished him well in the rebuilding process.

“Football is about 11 players trying to achieve a single aim and if some players don’t respect coach’s instruction and are not committed they make the rest of us to fail. That has been the problem and I hope Keshi can fix it for the good of the country.”

Sunshine Stars coach, Ogunbote wins League manager’s awards

2011-12-24T10:29:00.000Z

Sunshine Stars gaffer, Gbenga Ogunbote (In pic)and other top coaches in the
Nigeria Premier League have won different awards in the inaugural
NAIJA LEAGUE MANAGERS AWARDS.

The NLMA is an initiative of three leading websites on the Nigeria
Premier League: naijapremierleague.net, naijaligue.blogspot.com and
naijafootball247.com

All the sites have made significant contribution to the growth of the
NPL through their online contribution.

Other winners include Dolphins manager, Stanley Eguma, former Enyimba
boss, Okey Emordi and former Bukola Babes coach, Festus Allen, who won
two awards.

Former Super Eagles coaches, Shaibu Amodu and Adegboye Onigbinde as
well as Bernard Ogbe and Bitrus Bewarang, who managed different teams
in the league will be inducted into the Hall of Fame category.

Speaking on behalf of the three-man organising committee, Ojeikere
Aikhoje said the NLMA was instituted to celebrate managers in
Nigeria's top flight.

"It's our own unique way of honouring the managers who have always
been ignored despite their acheivements," he said.

Other members of the committee include George Akpayen and China
Acheru, who are seasoned league bloggers.

Aikhoje stated the awards will be presented at match venues when the
NPL resumes in January.

The Winners:

• Manager of the Year: Gbenga Ogunbote (Sunshine)

• Manager of NPL Champions: Stanley Eguma (Dolphins)

• Rookie Manager of the Year or (Best New Manager): Festus Allen

• Longest Unbeaten Run: Festus
Allen ( @ Bukola Babes)

• Best Nigerian Manager in Continental Competition:
Okey Emordi

Hall Of Fame

Shaibu Amodu

Adegboye Onigbinde

Bitrus Bewarang

Bernard Ogbe

Keshi’s return swells Eagles’ camp to 31

2011-12-24T08:49:00.000Z

Super Eagles boss, Steve Keshi returned to the country on Friday morning midway into the second half of the tune-up match against FRSC of Abuja and quickly put a call to team coordinator, Emmanuel Atta and assistant coach, Dan Amokachi, to infer how the team was faring.

After getting preliminary match reports he assured that he will join camp, later on Friday, after picking up one of the legends awards at the Glo-CAF awards in Accra Ghana.

Keshi, has so far been inspirational in camp and all respect and obey his orders as he strives to build a decent national team.

Also, all invited players have reported to camp save for central defender Kingsley Udoh.

Atta says he does not know why the player has not reported but he will explain to the head coach.

The players were given Friday evening off training after their tune up game on Friday.

Training resumes Saturday morning with players who picked up little knocks here and there asked to rest their limbs and possibly see the medical crew for treatment before Saturday morning.

NFF congratulates Nkwocha, Okocha

2011-12-23T15:29:00.000Z

The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated former Nigeria captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Perpetual Nkwocha for being honoured by the Confederation of African Football at the CAF/Glo African Football Awards in Accra, Ghana on Thursday.

Okocha, one of Africa’s best-known midfield impressario of all-time, was honoured with the African Legend award, while Perpetua Nkwocha received the marble for being Africa’s Best Woman Player of the Year, making her the best African player of all time.

“I earnestly congratulate Jay Jay Okocha, who is a member of the NFF Technical Committee, and Perpetua (Nkwocha) for their awards. They fully deserve these honours, and we will find a way to also honour them when we return to Nigeria”, said NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, who was at the Awards Ceremony inside the State Banquet Hall, Accra on Thursday night.

Okocha was named the BBC African Player of the Year in 2004 and emerged the Best Player and Top Scorer at the African Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia the same year. He also captained the Super Eagles at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals in Korea/Japan.

Nkwocha scored Nigeria’s only goal at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Germany this year summer – in the 1-0 win over Canada in Dresden.

Cote d’Ivoire’s international midfield player, Yaya Toure, with English Premiership side Manchester City, was named African Player of the Year ahead of Ghana’s Andre Ayew and Mali’s Seydou Keita.

Rookie dazzles in Super Eagles’ friendly

2011-12-23T15:21:00.000Z

Youth corp member in the Super Eagles camp, Stephen Morah was a delight to watch on Friday when the Eagles took on FRSC in a tune up game.

The 22 years old, who said he served in Awka, Anambra, where he was spotted by the technical crew was a constant threat to the opposition on the left side of the pitch where he operated from.

Now and again, he tormented the defence of the FRSC side with deft touches, suave dribbles and neat passes but was found wanting in converting the chances that came his way.

At least two chances fell to his left leg in the second half but he failed to convert any.

Speaking after the game, Morah expressed gratitude to the Stephen Keshi led technical crew for giving him the opportunity to come to the national camp, assuring that he will not let them down.

He vowed to hold a regular shirt in the squad, declaring that the camping experience has given him a fresh insight into how football is played at the highest level.

“It has been an absolutely incredible experience and I thank God and the coaching crew for giving me the chance to be here.

Eagles Beat FRSC in Test Match

2011-12-23T15:15:00.000Z

The Super Eagles had their first test game on Friday morning at the Practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium, overcoming impressive Federal Road Safety Commission Fc 1-0 in a keenly contested game.

The national team paraded different sets of players in both halves of the game against the National League division one side and assistant coach, Dan Amokachi was in charge in the absence of Steve Keshi who returned from Ghana later in the day.
Parading the likes of Chigozie Agbim in goal, Azubuike Egueke, Gbenga Arokoyo and Sunday Mba, the Eagles started the game on a rather jittery note, but gradually warmed themselves into the match with several begging chances wasted by the strikers.

The coach Gbenga Onifade, FRSC tutored side, did not take things lying down as they returned fire for fire with their right winger, who spotted number 7 jersey the tormentor in chief.

The only goal of the match was scored in the 40th minute, when rampaging Mba was hacked down in the opponents 18yard box and the referee promptly pointed to the spot.

Skilful Bathlomew Ibenegbu, stepped forward to tuck it away neatly.

Despite playing better in the second half and having more possession with the likes Ejike Ejike, Kalu Uche and Youth corps member Stephen Morah holding sway, the half did not produce any goals to the chagrin of Coach Amokachi.

Speaking to the players after the game Amokachi said they were wasteful and too sluggish on the ball, thus allowing the opposition to knock some of the national team players. He demanded for improvement and vowed that more of such games will be organised to knock the team into shape.

Ezeji, Austin win awards

2011-12-22T16:49:00.000Z

Sharks attacker, Victor Ezeji (In pic)has been named Most Valuable Player for Sharks for the year 2011.

Ezeji was named at the end of year dinner of a Port Harcourt based group, the League of Sports Writers on Tuesday, December 20, 2011at the M-Lounge complex at GRA in Port Harcourt.

Dolphins central defender, Festus Austin was also named Most Valuable Player for Dolphins for the year.

Stella Mbachu of Rivers Angels received the award also for her contribution to Rivers Angels in 2011.

Ogar Odaudu of Royal Hoopers Basketball Club of Port Harcourt was named coach of the year for guiding Royal Hoopers to winning the Nigeria Basketball League this year after finishing second last year.

In the media category, Cool FM Port Harcourt was named as the best sports radio station in Port Harcourt.

African Independent Television AIT, Sports Television of the year while the Tide Newspapers was adjudged the Best Sports Paper of the year.

These announcements came at the annual end of year celebration of the League of Sports Writers at the M Lounge complex in Port Harcourt.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony early next year.

Ofere chases Yekini’s record

2011-12-20T11:26:00.000Z

Edward Ofere may have played just one game for the Super Eagles but he is already chasing the goal scoring record of Rashidi Yekini.

Rashidi Yekini scored 37 goals for Nigeria in his playing days but Ofere who has had just three caps for the country with no goals yet says he will undo that record.

He told naijafootball247.com that he like every other striker dreams to play for the country and break records.

“Everybody has a dream of playing for the national team and I waited for my turn and my time and I believe it is now and I can’t wait to start scoring goals for the country.

“I’m good with the ball in the air and on the ground and I know it’s possible to get at Rashidi’s record,” Ofere said.

“It’s possible. People set records and people break them so Rashidi Yekini’s record is there to be taken apart and I believe that is what I can do,” he said.

Edward currently plays for Italian side, Lecce where he has played 18 games and scored 3 goals.

Nigeria Premier League clubs endorse violence free campaign

2011-12-20T08:16:00.001Z

Ten Premier League clubs over the weekend signed a document pledging a violence free season in the Nigeria Premier League that kicks off on Saturday, January 7, 2012.

After a presentation by national co-ordinator of 1 Game, the football without violence campaign, Philip Obaji, during the Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Premier League, the clubs readily accepted to sign a pledge supporting non-violence in their League venues.

Philip Obaji told naijafootball247.com after the AGM that the campaign has been a resounding success and he hopes the group can take it to the next level.

“Coming to Yenagoa has been a success for us at 1 Game and I believe with the clubs signing this pledge I believe we are in for a violence free season in 2012,” Obaji said.

First to sign the document was Dominic Iorfa, chairman of Lobi Stars, followed by Mutui Adepoju of Shooting Stars Sports Club.

Other clubs who signed the document are Rangers, Kano Pillars, Sunshine Stars, Kaduna United, Heartland, Niger Tornadoes, Warri Wolves and Bukola Babes

THE 1 GAME NON-VIOLENCE PLEDGE
CLUB PLEDGE OF NON-VIOLENCE
Making peace must start within us and in our constituency. As a participating club
in the Nigeria Premier League, we commit ourselves as best we can to promote
non-violence and peace in our home ground or wherever we play:
We pledge to:
1. Adopt zero tolerance strategy on football violence by eradicating all violent
elements from match venues including notorious fans and radical fan
groups.
2. Demand and ensure total respect to match officials from club players, club
officials and club fans, before, during and after league matches.
3. Support and cooperate with relevant bodies and programmes related to
crowd control and anti-violence activities.
We promise to do our best to keep this pledge:
NAME OF CLUB:_____________________________________________________
NAME OF CLUB REPRESENTATIVE:_______________________________________
DESIGNATION:_______________________________________________________
SIGNATURE:_________________________________________________________
DATE:______________________________________________________________

Arsenal FC delegation visits NFF

2011-12-12T16:49:00.000Z

A delegation of English Premiership side, Arsenal Football Club on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation, commending the huge following that the club commands in Nigeria – which could be the largest in any other country in the world apart from England.

NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu received the delegation and informed the Arsenal delegation that football is an intense passion in Nigeria which some commentators even elevate to a religion at times.

Amadu said: “I heartily welcome you to our great football country, a nation of 167 million passionate football fans who come together and identify with themselves much better when the issue on the table is the round leather game.

“Two years ago, Manchester United and Portsmouth delegations were pleasantly surprised at the reception they got from ordinary Nigerian ball fans in this country.

While observing that indeed, apart from Europe and North America, and some parts of Asia, Arsenal’s most passionate supporter-ship must be within Nigeria, Amadu urged the English club to be ready to provide advice to the Nigeria Premier League and technical support to some Nigerian Clubs.

“This visit, I want to observe, will definitely provide a strong platform for a much better relationship between the English Premier League (EPL) and the Nigeria Premier League (NPL). Incidentally, the NPL is just returning firmly to its feet after protracted crisis and will welcome tips and suggestions on how to re-position powerfully for the upcoming season.

“It is also important that I mention that some of our football Clubs, particularly those in the Premier League, would welcome some form of technical partnership with Arsenal Football Club," said Amadu.

Responding, Arsenal’a Marketing Director, Angus Kinnear said the delegation was overwhelmed by the support for the Club within Nigeria was of the opinion that outside England, Arsenal’s biggest fan base could be Nigeria.

“We are pleasantly surprised at all that we have seen. Ours is a Club with strong values and strong tradition, with over 20 nationalities involved, and we have a Manager who values talent. We also believe in building strength rather than buying," stated Kinnear.

Other members of the Arsenal delegation included Paul Johnson, First Team Travel and Equipment Manager, Shehu Dikko, former NFF Secretary General Ambassador Fanny Amun, Member of House of Representatives Razak Bello-Osagie, David Omigie, John Okusi and Kelvin Ideha.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari was represented by Executive Committee member, Suleiman Yahaya Kwande, and there were also Directors of Technical and Competitions, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Dr Sanusi Mohammed respectively.

Also there were two ex-internationals, Siji Lagunju and Rafiu Yusuf, who presently work in the NFF Technical Department, as well as Nigeria’s FIFA Security Officer, ACP Gideon Akinsola.

Heartland place 14 players on transfer market

2011-12-05T15:49:00.000Z

The Management of Heartland have placed 14 of its players on the transfer market just as the team retained 22 players from the squad that won the Federation Cup in 2011.

General Manager of the club, Fan Ndubuoke announced the decision of the club on Monday during a meeting with players, coaches and the management staff.

Ndubuoke also announced the intention of the club to hire nine new players to strengthen the team in the coming season as the Owerri-based side prepares to represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup next year.

On the 14 players that have been asked to look for clubs elsewhere next season, the General Manager explained that they included those whose productivity were considered below average by the club’s consortium of coaches, those with disciplinary problems and those whose nature of last contract runs contrary to the guiding rules issued by the management.

Ndubuoke wished the affected players success in their future endeavors while also tasking those that were retained to put in their best while in the service of the club and also to be of good behavior.

Meanwhile the club has announced Sunday, December 11, 2011 as the date for resumption of training for the new season both for the old and new players.

Before Monday’s meeting, Heartland players had been on break for about two weeks while the coaches used the opportunity to try out new players.

Can Harakiri save Nigeria’s football?

2011-12-05T13:51:00.001Z

For those who do not know, the term Harakiri or Seppuku is Japanese and it is a ceremonial suicide.

It is done publicly by ripping open the abdomen with a dagger or knife.

Pic: NFF president, Aminu Maigari
It used to be practiced in Japan by members of the warrior class called the Samurai when disgraced or sentenced to death.

To put it into better perspective, it literarily means stomach-cutting and is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. The samurai used it because they wanted to die with honour rather than fall into the hands of their enemies.

Sometimes it was a form of punishment for those who had committed serious offences

The ceremonial disembowelment, which is usually part of a more elaborate ritual and performed in front of spectators, consists of plunging a short blade, traditionally a tantō, into the abdomen and moving the blade from left to right in a slicing motion.

Now that we are done with the definition and explanation of the term Harakiri the next question should be, “Why or how can it save Nigerian football?”

I am certainly not advocating bloodshed now or anytime soon in Nigeria so let me rephrase to, “Can football hara-kiri save Nigeria?”

So what is my definition of football hara-kiri?

Well, judging from the original definition, I can coin football hara-kiri to mean a ceremonial resignation from a “footballing” office after you have failed yourself and the nation.

It should be done publicly in the full glare of the press and possibly live on TV and radio.

Since suicide means death, this football hara-kiri should also come with the people committing it to sign a document that they will never vie to administer Nigerian football again at any level (death so to say).

That way we can begin to chart a new course for Nigerian football if the current set of administrators who now have the unenviable reputation of being the worst set Nigeria has ever had are no longer destroying our football and we are sure they will never come back.

Who knows, time could just prove that they will remain the worst because Nigerian football, hopefully will never be this low.

Since they became members of the Nigeria Football Federation, Nigeria lost a regional football competition, the ECOWAS Cup which the country hosted.

Nigeria’s women national team for the first time failed to qualify for a tournament when they were knocked out of qualifying for the All Africa Games.

The same women failed to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Now talking about the men, the country failed to qualify for the All Africa Games and Olympic Games and also failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations… all in one year.

Nigerian football has never been this bad.

Nigeria may not be used to winning tournaments yearly but at least the country qualified for them, didn’t they?

In the same period the Nigerian league set a record of running for 13 calendar months and went in its second season without a sponsor.

Surely these people do not deserve to continue but will they do the right thing? Keep their honour, or whatever is left of it and leave the scene?

Let me continue with history here

The first recorded act of seppuku or hara-kiri was performed by Minamoto no Yorimasa during the Battle of Uji in the year 1180.

It is remembered because it was the first. Can we have the first recorded act of football hara-kiri in Nigeria? A mass “suicide” at, say, Eagle Square in Abuja?

Surely Nigerians want to see their backs for good so let’s get on with this hara-kiri. It could just be the solution to Nigeria’s football problems.

Lee Evans joins 1 GAME

2011-12-05T08:03:00.002Z

American sprint Legend Lee Evans is to team up with the 1 GAME: Football without Violence campaign in the capacity of an Observer, the organization has announced.

The 1968 Olympic gold medalist will play a unique role which is to identify young school pupils with high temperament and violent tendencies involved in the Cross River State Comprehensive Sports Development Programme for the purpose of undergoing counseling and rehabilitation programmes attached to the 1 GAME ‘Goal against Violence’ project.

Born on February 25, 1947 in Madera, California, Evans is a former American athlete and winner of two gold medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

Lee Evans achieved his first world record in 1966, as a member of the USA national team which broke the 4 x 400 m relay record at Los Angeles, the first team to better 3 minutes (2:59.6) for the event. The next year he broke the 4 x 220 yd (201.17 m) relay world record at Fresno in a time of 1:22.1.

Evans won the 1968 Olympic trials at Echo Summit, California with a world record 44.0 and demolished it in Olympic final, winning in 43.86, from which he still stands as the seventh best performer in history. Evans won a second gold as the anchorman on the 4 x 400 m relay team, setting another world record of 2:56.16. Both the times stood as a world record for almost twenty years (the relay, 24 years).

He was inducted into the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1983.

The 1 GAME ‘Goal against Violence’ project whose programmes Evans’ observations will concern, is aimed at tuning the minds of school pupils towards playing football and imbibing the culture of fair play, unity and non-violence while doing so.

Keshi picks four from Olympic Eagles.

2011-12-05T07:04:00.002Z

Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi says he has picked out four players from the Olympic team who were outstanding but he is silent on the names.

“I obviously have spotted some players. About four of them, Lawal Raheem was outstanding in the last game. I will keep monitoring the others and with time we will find out who they are,” he said.

Steven Keshi was with the team all through the tournament in advisory capacity.

He also urged players of the Olympic team to stay disciplined, keep their form if they want to still represent their country in the near future.

Keshi gave the charge during the teams’ final meeting in Marrakech, Morocco.

“ I urge you to stay discipline, keep your form and keep working hard; if you still want to represent this country,” Keshi said.

Olympic Eagles media officer Arafat Aliu, quotes the Eagles coach as warning that “any player who wants to play under me must be disciplined, must be able to distinguish between work time and play time. I have always said it that this is a talented side but remember that having the talent is not enough, you must be a team player,” He stated.

Eguavoen apologises, take responsibility

2011-12-05T06:23:00.000Z

Coach of Nigeria’s U-23 team Austin Eguavoen has apologized to Nigerians on behalf of his team following the Olympic Eagles inability to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.

Eguavoen has also asked Nigerians to hold him responsible noting that he got all the backing from the Nigeria Football Federation for the tournament.

“First of all football has given me what I have today. I thank every Nigerian, I thank every journalist, the Football Federation for being there for me and giving me all the support needed for this tournament,” Eguavoen affirmed.

He added that “We came into this tournament prepared. Losing Kingsley Udoh in the first game, just three minutes was a big blow. Our first half against Senegal was awful but we were in our best against a very technical Algeria but unfortunately we rose up to the occasion late. I apologise to Nigerians for our disappointing outing. I had an option to come and not to but I had confidence in this team unfortunately it didn’t turn out the way we wanted. I am deeply sorry.”

On what next for him, Eguavoen said “My contract is tied to this tournament with a target of reaching at least the Semi Finals of the Olympics in London but I have failed in that target. I apologise to Nigerians, the Football Federation and especially the NFF president Aminu Maigari who did everything humanly possible to ensure we qualified. Right now I would just take two months out and maybe return to the local league,” he stated.

The Former Super Eagles coach also spoke on the positives from the tournaments.

“The positives from the tournament? Well first we were able to redeem our image hoping that Morocco will keep their winning streak. But the biggest positive for me is that my skippo, the super coach, Steven Keshi was here. As we all know, we are rebuilding and I believe he must have spotted players here that would help him in the National team.”

Nigeria finished third in group emerging the highest scoring team but failed to qualify for the Semi finals after losing to Morocco and Senegal.

UDOH passes late fitness test

2011-12-02T19:06:00.000Z

After sitting out two games, U23s defensive midfielder Kingsley Udoh makes a return to the squad after passing a late fitness test on Friday morning.

Udoh lasted three minutes on the pitch in the Olympic Eagles opening game against Morocco following an awkward landing from an aerial battle.

Heartland midfielder, Osas Okoro and Victoria Setubal defender Terna Suswam are making a return to the team after sitting out in the game against Senegal.

Babatunde Micheal will be making his first start after coming in as a second half sub in the game against Morocco.

TEAM LIST.
1. Dele Ajiboye.

20. Ojobo Markson

2. Terna Suswam.

4. Nwankwo Obiora ©

5. Kingsley Udoh.

7. Uchechi Daniel

8. Lawal Raheem.

15. Emmanuel Anyanwu

18. Gbolahan Salami

11. Babatunde Micheal.

17. Osas Okoro

RESERVE.

6. Edet Ibok

3. Usman Amoda

19. Jude Aneke

16. Femi Thomas.

21. Afelokhai Theophilus

13. Odah Onoriode

14. Ayo Saka.

9. Olarenwanju Kayode.

12. Stephen Worgu.

157 Referees Fail Fitness Test

2011-12-02T17:40:00.000Z

About 30 per cent of referees who participated in the National Fitness Test of the Nigeria (Football) Referees Association last week failed to make the mark, the association has said.

According to the test’s analysis made available on Tuesday in Abuja by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Serah Adebisi, 157 of the 506 participants failed.

The Tidesports reports that 347 participants passed in the test which took place at the Abuja National Stadium from Nov. 22 to Nov. 26, 2011.

Lagos which had the highest number of 37 participants also had the highest number of 30 successful candidates, with Oyo closely behind with 25 of 34 candidates being successful.

Kaduna also had 19 of its 26 candidates coming out successful, while Niger had only 13 of its 25 candidates passing the test.

Plateau had the biggest success rate with only two of its 24 candidates failing, while the FCT had eight of its 23 participants failing.

Benue also had 14 candidates successful out of 23, Ondo had 13 of its 20 candidates passing, while Abia had eight candidates failing out of 19.

Also, Kwara had 13 successful out of 19, Imo with 12 of 19 successful and Rivers with 14 successful out of 18, while Bauchi had all its 17 candidates coming out successful.

Yobe and Zamfara were as successful as Bauchi, with five and four candidates respectively, while Sokoto and Kebbi had one candidate unsuccessful out of eight and four candidates respectively.

Borno which presented two candidates had both of them failing, while Jigawa with four and Ebonyi with six had only one candidate each coming out successful.

Tidesports reports that the test which had participants from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT had consisted 150 metres in 32 secs, shuttle walking races and 12 rounds of 300 metres races.

Speaking to The Tidesports on the test result, NRA President Ahmed Maude said the successful candidates would be grouped for use in both the Premier League or the Nigerian National League (NNL).

He said they would join the 48 others who had taken part in the FIFA Fitness Test which took place some months ago.

“We will now put them into groups for selection to officiate in the two leagues on the basis of their grades and performance in the test.

“They will be joined by the 26 FIFA-badged referees and the 22 young referee talents we had earlier identified for development.

“These ones had already done their test earlier during the FIFA Fitness Test, and have thus qualified to officiate in the two leagues by virtue of their status and past performances,’’ he said.

Maude however said the unsuccessful candidates still have a chance to redeem themselves.

“As it is now, they can’t take part in officiating in the leagues, based on the result. But we will give them another chance in February, when there will be another test,” he said.

www.thetidenewsonline.com

Obiora apologises for poor attitude

2011-12-02T09:23:00.002Z

U23s captain, Obiora Nwankwo has apologized to Nigerians and the team for his unsportsmanlike behaviour after the Olympic Eagles defeat in the hands of Senegal.

Obiora tendered the apology during the teams evening training session inside the Stade de Marrakech on Thursday.

“I want to apologise to Nigerians, the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF and you my team mates for my attitude after the game. I feel very bad and I have been sad since that game. I was angry at the way we lost. I really am sorry,” asober Obiora stated.

“I want to assure you that such a behaviour will not repeat itself. And for the officials of the game that day I am sorry,” he added.

Nigeria’s U23s play for pride

2011-12-02T09:17:00.000Z

Nigeria’s U-23 side have settled into their Palmeraie Golf Palace, camp, Marrakech and will now play for pride against Algeria in the last group game on Friday.

Players of the Nigerian side where seen in groups discussing the chances of the country to make the semifinals following its defeat to Senegal in Tangier.

“You will see a different team on Friday. We may have an outside chance of qualification but we will fight for the pride of our country, play with our blood and leave the rest to fate,” Austin Eguavoen said.

Group A, remains mathematically open as all four countries, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal and Nigeria stand a chance to make the last four of the championship.

Despite having six points, Morocco risk losing out of a semi final spot should they lose 2-0 to Senegal and Algeria beat Nigeria by alone goal.

Nigeria however would make the last four, if they beat Algeria by at least two unreplied goals while Senegal lose to Morocco by a lone goal.

Both matches would be played simultaneously at 19hr GMT 8pm Nigeria time in Tangier and Marrakech.

Kayode, Salami to lead U23s attack against Senegal

2011-11-29T19:07:00.000Z

Austin Eguavoen has made four changes to Nigeria’s U23 team that filed out against Morocco as they get set to take on Senegal.

ASEC Mimosa of Abijan striker, Olarenwaju Kayode has been picked ahead of Kaduna United’s Jude Aneke while Shooting Stars of Ibadan Midfielder, Gbolahan Salami has been given the nod ahead of Osas Okoro who started the first game.

Ocean Boys Ayo Saka would also start ahead of Lawal Raheem as Eguavoen aims to pick all three points at stake in the game against Senegal.

Nigeria and their Senegalese counterpart lost their opening group games to Morocco and Algeria.

NIGERIA STARTING XI
1. Dele Ajiboye.

20. Ojobo Markson

3. Usman Amoda

4. Nwankwo Obiora ©

6. Edet Ibok

7. Uchechi Daniel

14. Ayo Saka.

15. Emmanuel Anyanwu

18. Gbolahan Salami

9. Olarenwanju Kayode.

12. Stephen Worgu.

RESERVE.

2. Terna Suswam.

19. Jude Aneke

16. Femi Thomas.

21. Afelokhai Theophilus

13. Odah Onoriode

5. Kingsley Udoh.

11. Babatunde Micheal.

17. Osas Okoro

8. Lawal Raheem.

.

Eguavoen confident of victory

2011-11-29T11:41:00.000Z

Nigeria’s U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen has expressed confidence that his team would bounce back from its one nil defeat in the hands of host Morocco to make the semifinals of the ongoing CAF U-23 championship holding in Morocco.

Nigeria lost one nil to a 27th minute penalty by Barrada Abdelaziz after Emmanuel Anyanwu was judged to have rough tackled Morocco’s Bidaoui Soufiane in the Olympic Eagles Vital area.

“We knew from the onset that it was going to be a difficult game against the host nation. We were unlucky but that’s football for you. All we have to do now is put this game behind us and begin to prepare for the games ahead,” stated Austin Eguavoen.
He added “I have to start working on the psychology of my players; to put them in the right frame of mind for the game against Senegal. But one thing am confident about is that we will pick a ticket for the Olympics.”

Aneke sure of U23s victory

2011-11-29T11:25:00.000Z

Nigeria premier league top scorer, Jude Aneke says he is hoping for a better outing when Nigeria Squares up to Senegal in its second group game of the ongoing Africa U-23 championship on Tuesday.

Aneke saw ninety minutes action in the Olympic Eagles first group game against Morocco but was unable to post a shot on target for the team.

“We are expecting to play a crucial match against Senegal on Tuesday, so hopefully I will try to do my best,” he said.

He added that “hopefully the connections will be right from the midfield to the attack, from the wings to the attack and hopefully by the special grace of God, we are going to win on Tuesday.”

Kingsley Udoh, still remains a doubt for the game against Senegal but the Olympic Eagles medical team are upbeat that the rock solid defender would make the cut for the game.

Nigeria’s Udoh calls for calm

2011-11-27T22:59:00.000Z

Stand-in captain of Nigeria’s U-23 side, Kingsley Udoh has appealed to Nigerians to put the defeat to host Morocco behind them, assuring that they will bounce back in their next game against Senegal.

Udoh who is the heart of the Olympic Eagles defense line lasted only three minutes on the pitch after landing awkwardly on his right foot from an aerial contest.

“The match was very painful and heartbreaking because we let Nigerians down. But we believe that since it’s the first game we lost, we can prepare for the second game against Senegal and cross the hurdles ahead,” Udoh stated.

While assuring that the Olympic Eagles will come out with a positive result against Senegal, the former Heartland defender called on Nigerians to pray for his speedy recovery.

“What I would be saying to Nigerians, is to keep praying for the team and my quick recovery and am very sure we will not let them down against Senegal,”

Eguavoen confident of qualification despite Morocco defeat.

2011-11-27T22:46:00.000Z

U-23 coach Austin Eguavoen has expressed confidence that his team would bounce back from its one nil defeat in the hands of host Morocco to make the semifinals of the ongoing CAF U-23 championship holding in Morocco.

Nigeria lost one nil to a 27th minute penalty by Barrada Abdelaziz after Emmanuel Anyanwu was judged to have rough tackled Morocco’s Bidaoui Soufiane in the Olympic Eagles Vital area.

“We knew from the onset that it was going to be a difficult game against the host nation. We were unlucky but that’s football for you. All we have to do now is put this game behind us and begin to prepare for the games ahead,” stated Eguavoen.
He added “I have to start working on the psychology of my players; to put them in the right frame of mind for the game against Senegal. But one thing I’m confident about is that we will pick a ticket for the Olympics.”

On his reaction to the officiating of the game, Eguavoen insisted that he is not a coach that complains about officiating, but “I think the referee gave his best in the game.”

Nigeria’s next plays Senegal on Tuesday; in a must win encounter after the Senegalese lost one nil to Algeria.

Babatunde explains presence in Morocco with U23s

2011-11-24T16:58:00.000Z

Krybas of Ukraine player, Babatunde Micheal says he is in morocco to serve Nigeria despite the fact that his club did not want him to leave.

Nigeria’s U23s start their qualifying campaign for the 2012 Olympic Games against Morocco on Saturday and Babatunde says he just had to be with the U23s.

“My club wanted me to stay back and play the game against Shakhtar Donetsk as well as two other games but I also had to join the team and that is why I’m here with my colleague,” Babatunde said.

“I am very happy to join my colleagues. I need to shake off the fatigue from the trip, so I can get down to full business with the team,” he stated.

“I need to serve my country; I need to prove myself as a player for the national team and one way I can do it is by playing in the Olympic Games qualifiers and then the Olympic Games proper.”

Nigeria’s U-23 players upbeat for Morocco clash

2011-11-24T14:04:00.000Z

Players of the Nigeria U-23 National team have called on Nigerians to pray for the team’s success as the inaugural edition of the Africa CAF U-23 championship gets underway this weekend.

Team captain, Obiora Nwankwo, said the team will be banking on the prayers of Nigerians for victory when they file out against Morocco in the opening match of the tournament.

“Victory of course, God willing. We will be really banking on the prayers of all Nigerians back at home and in Diaspora, so we can come out victorious on Saturday. On our part, we are going to do our best and come out victorious,” he said.

Re-echoing the voice of his captain, Victoria Setubal of Portugal defender, Terna Suswam maintained that the team must stay focused as a unit and play to the referees’ whistle.

“I just say we are playing home away. We just have to keep our heads up, play to the referee’s whistle, and take our minds away from the crowd. We just have to work for the victory.”

On his part, Kano Pillars goal keeper, Afelokhai Theophilus, stressed that the team spirit in camp when transferred into the pitch would yield results.

“I have watched the tapes of the Moroccan side and I don’t see anything fantastic about the team. If we can play out our hearts on Saturday, by the grace of God we will come out victorious on Saturday.”

Uchechi rues absence of key players

2011-11-24T07:44:00.000Z

Sheffield Wednesday striker, Daniel Uchechi says he is not happy that key players of Nigeria’s U23 team failed to make it to the Olympic Games qualifiers in morocco.

Uchechi who is with the team says it is very difficult for European clubs to release players at this time.

“It’s quite a difficult task getting clubs to release players regardless of whether we are playing or not because they see it that they pay our wages.

“Even when you are a fringe player they still may not grant your release just in case someone gets injured. If it was a FIFA window it may have been different because no one is actually playing games at that time,” Uchechi said.

He added that a good relationship with the managers and the national team boss could however make things a bit easier.

“It takes understanding from managers to ensure compromise or else it will be really very difficult.”