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NNL Super 4 play-off: Akwa Starlets stun 3SC 3-0

NNL Super 4 play-off: Akwa Starlets stun 3SC 3-0

Play-off

Abuja, July 22, 2019 (NAN) 3SC  of Ibadan on Monday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, saw their hope of making the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 4 dashed by Akwa Starlets FC of Uyo.

The Uyo-based team advanced to the NNL Super 4 by thrashing 3SC 3-0.

At the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, Adamawa United defeated FRSC FC  2-1, while Jigawa Golden Stars of Hadeija thrashed NAF FC of Abuja 3-1 at the Jos Township Stadium.

In the other Southern Conference fixtures, Warri Wolves beat Dynamite FC of Benin 5-3 on penalties at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, to advance after nothing could separate both teams after 90 minutes.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with their victories, Adamawa United, Jigawa Golden Stars, Warri Wolves and Akwa Starlets have now qualified for the NNL Super 4 tournament.

The Super 4 tournament is scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 3 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

The four clubs have also automatically qualified for the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Lawrence Katken, NNL’s Chief Operating Officer, told NAN after the Super 4 play-off that preliminary reports from the four venues indicated that the games went on smoothly. (NAN)

KIA/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Sport

NNL matches on hold as Aiteo Cup takes centre stage

League
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, May 24, 2019 (NAN) Organisers of the Nigeria National League (NNL), the second tier of Nigeria’s football league, have placed the 2018/2019 season on hold.

Lawrence Katken, the NNL Chief Operating Officer, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said the league would be going on a two-week break.

Katken said this became necessary in order to allow the league’s clubs featuring in the round of 64 matches of the 2019 Aiteo Cup competition to properly participaten in the competition.

He noted that the move also meant that Match Day 7 fixtures earlier scheduled for this weekend would no longer hold, adding that new dates would be announced by the NNL.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Aiteo Cup round of 64 matches are billed to hold from Saturday to June 13 at designated match venues across the country.

NNL has a total of 14 clubs taking part in the round of 64 matches.

They include ABS FC of Ilorin, Aklosendi International of Lafia, Crown FC of Ogbomosho, EFCC FC of Abuja, Ekiti United of Ado-Ekiti and Jigawa Golden Stars of Dutse.

Others are Kogi United of Lokoja, Gateway United of Abeokuta, Rovers of Calabar and Mighty Jets of Jos.

The rest are Osun United of Osogbo, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, Warri Wolves and Sokoto United.

Katken then enjoined the NNL clubs to avoid acts capable of bringing the beautiful game to disrepute.

“We trust that all our clubs participating in the competition will go on to do us proud.

“They must ensure they win and put up a decent performance too as we do expect them to play by the rules.

“This is wishing all our teams the best of luck in the Aiteo Cup,’’ he said.

AITEO CUP MEN’S COMPETITION ROUND OF 64 FIXTURES
(Venues, Dates and Times in parenthesis)

Rangers International vs Niger Tornadoes Feeders (Ibadan, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Kebbi United vs Lobi Stars (Kaduna, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Gateway United FC vs Almar FC (Ibadan, May 26, 4 p.m.)

Abia Warriors vs Heartland Comets (Enugu, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Ambassadors FC vs Yobe Desert Stars (Bauchi, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Warri Wolves vs Doma United (Lokoja, May 28, 4 p.m.)

Rivers United vs FC Timber Loaders (Lafia, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Sokoto United vs Akwa United (Abuja, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Walli Flamingoes vs Delta Force (Abuja, June 12, 2 p.m.)

Cynosure FC vs Mighty Jets (Makurdi, May 26, 4 p.m.)

Gombe United vs FC IfeanyiUbah Feeders (Lokoja, June 12, 2 p.m.)

Niger Tornadoes vs Fasbir FC (Katsina, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Enyimba International FC vs Kano Pillars Feeders (Ilorin, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Yobe Desert Feeders vs Smart City FC (Minna, May 25, 4 p.m.)

Gwandu United vs Katsina United (Gusau, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Osun United Vs Shooting Stars (Ekiti, May 25, 4 p.m.)

Ekiti United vs Ebonyi United (Ogwashi-Ukwu, May 25, 4 p.m.)

Jigawa Golden Stars vs Bendel Insurance FC (Minna, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Spartans FC vs Port Harcourt City FC (Benin City, May 27, 2 p.m.)

Police FC Osogbo vs El-Kanemi Warriors (Lafia, June 12, 2 p.m.)

Kogi United vs Akure City FC (Ilorin, May 28, 2 p.m.)

Setraco United vs Plateau United (Makurdi, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Amanda FC vs Calabar Rovers (Abakaliki, May 25, 4 p.m.)

Wikki Tourists vs Qatar FC (Damaturu, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Layin Zomo FC vs Sunshine Stars (Lokoja, June 12, 4 p.m.)

FC De-Leo vs EFCC FC (Ilorin, May 25, 4 p.m.)

Katsina United Feeders vs Nasarawa United (Kaduna, June 12, 2 p.m.)

Aklosendi FC vs Zabgai FC (Jos, May 25, 2 p.m.)

Crown FC vs Bayelsa United Feeders (Benin City, May 25, 2 p.m.)

Kwara United vs Ben Ayade FC (Nanka, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Adamawa Heroes vs ABS FC (Jos, May 25, 4 p.m.)

Aspire FC vs Kano Pillars (Abuja, June 13, 4 p.m.)

AITEO CUP WOMEN’S COMPETITION ROUND OF 25 FIXTURES

Capital City Dove vs FC Robo (Akure, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Osun Babes vs Linda Ayade FC (Warri, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Police Machine vs Vera Gold Angels (Enugu, June 12, 2 p.m.)

Solo Wonders vs Bayelsa Queens (Port Harcourt, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Crystal Academy vs Pelican Stars (Owerri, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Edo Queens vs YEF Queens (Lagos, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Olori Babes vs Moje Babes (Akure, June 12, 2 p.m.)

Young Talents 99 vs Fortress Ladies (Ado-Ekiti, June 12, 4 p.m.)

Kaduna Queens vs Abia Angels (Lokoja, June 13, 4 p.m.)

*** Rivers Angels, Adamawa Queens, Sunshine Queens, Delta Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Confluence Queens and Ibom Angels all draw bye to the Round of 16.(NAN)
VO/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Gombe SWAN, fans laud Gombe United on their return to NPFL

Return
By Uwumarogie Peter
Gombe, Jan. 9, 2019 (NAN) The Gombe State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Wednesday lauded the efforts of Gombe United Football Club in returning to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The State SWAN Chairman, Halilu Teli, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe that the Savannah Scorpions deserved the promotion ticket because of their perseverance and dedication last season.

Teli lauded the club management headed by Ahmed Usman for delivering on the mandate given to it by the state government, adding that the task was not easy to accomplish.

“I congratulate Gombe United for their courage in securing a comeback to the NPFL. It is well deserved, considering all the efforts by the state government and the technical crew.

“It was a collective fight and we are happy that the result has yielded the expected outcome, following the target given to the team management.

“The glory of this commendation for a return to the 2018/2019 NPFL season must be shared by the technical crew, the players, the fans and all stakeholders for all their prayers and support,’’ he said.

The Gombe State SWAN chairman also commended Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo for his efforts in ensuring that financial support was provided in time.

“One significant expression of this support was in the fact that the club was the first to arrive in Aba for the Super 8 competition,’’ he said.

Teli however appealed to the state government to provide the needed support in finance and logistics to prepare the team for the competition proper.

He added that such a gesture would go a long way in helping the club play in the NPFL with confidence.

Numerous fans of the club have also expressed their excitement at the club’s promotion to the NPFL for the 2018/2019 season.

In separate interviews with NAN in Gombe, the club’s fans said it was a thing of joy for them to have their team back in the top flight.

Abdullahi Garbo, a trader at the Kofar Sarkin Market, said he was excited about Gombe United’s success in Aba, noting that the promotion would shift football attention to Gombe State.

“I learnt of their promotion after interacting with a friend this afternoon and I am excited they made it. This will bring the needed change and football attention to the state.

“I anticipated this promotion with the kind of training the new coach gave the boys and the morale of the club which he boosted through hard work.

“I commend the club, Chief Coach Ladan Bosso, the players and all members of the team. They will get a heroic welcome. We are waiting to receive our heroes,’’ he said.

Nafada Mohammed, a resident of Pantami, said he had been praying for the club to secure promotion and it worked out.

“It is the God of football that made it possible for the club.

“Fans of Gombe United FC will now have the privilege of seeing big players, some of who play for the home-based Super Eagles, without travelling far,’’ he said.

Mohammed said the club’s promotion would increase economic activities in the state, especially when other teams come for matches.

He however praised the players’ resilience, as well as the club management and team coach Ladan Bosso, whom he described as a “coach with result-oriented mind-set’’.

Garba Sabo, a football enthusiast, also said the club’s promotion was the best news of the day for him.

He added however that there was more work to be done by the club if it was to withstand the heat of surviving in the NPFL.

“The state government should put all arrangements in place for a successful season.

“With quality players in the club, other clubs would have a tough opponent in Gombe United FC,’’ Sabo said.

NAN reports that Gombe United FC had on Wednesday gained promotion to the NPFL after securing one of the four available tickets at the 2017/2018 NNL Super 8 tournament in Aba.

They secured five points from three matches played, after securing a 1-0 win against Real Stars, a 1-1 draw with Kogi United FC and a goalless draw with Kada City F.C.(NAN)
UP/MUYI/OLAL
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(Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Yobe Desert Stars will be sanctioned for boycotting Super 4, NNL Chairman says

NAN-S-4
Sanction
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Jan. 11, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman of Nigeria National League (NNL) board, Chidi Okenwa, on Thursday said the league body would sanction Yobe Desert Stars for failing to participate in the league’s Super 4 competition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition involved the top two clubs in the Northern Conference and Southern Conference of the 2017/2018 NNL.

The Damaturu-based side won the Northern Conference, while Kwara United of Ilorin came second, with the Southern Conference being won by Go Round FC of Omuku and Heartland FC of Owerri.

NAN reports that the Desert Stars did not participate in the Super 4 competition which was played at the Agege Stadium in Lagos.

NNL, however, brought in Remo Stars Football Club of Sagamu, the team which was relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Okenwa said the club would be sanctioned in line with stipulated laws guiding the boycott of matches by clubs in the NNL.

“I can say that, up till the start of the Super 4, we were at a loss about the whereabouts of the Yobe side. The fact that they did not honour the competition is still a mystery to us.

“From all this, we have yet to have a word from the club. The league has not officially ended with the conclusion of the Super 4.

“The league body will take appropriate actions against them, although they are no longer in the NNL. There are provisions for disciplinary actions against any erring club.

“We will not tolerate any infringement on our league system and we will also enforce judgment against them,’’ he said.

Okenwa said all clubs participating in the league signed a code of conduct at the inception of the league.

“The rules have not changed. All the clubs in a league, be it the NNL, NLO and NPFL, must abide by all the rules of the game. They must honour all the stipulated matches.

“The act of not honouring matches has its own disciplinary action and punitive measures too. Their action is just like bringing the game of football to disrepute.

“We will not allow that. Wherever they may be playing now does not matter, there are provisions to sanction them, regardless of their structure.

“However, the clubs which played in the competition must have learnt one thing or the other, and they will be happy they participated,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Go Round FC emerged champions of the NNL Super 4 after defeating Heartland FC 2-1 in the final match.(NAN)
KOJE/DEB/OLAL
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(Edited by Debo Oshundun and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Go Round FC emerge champions of NNL Super 4

NAN-S-11
Super 4
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Jan. 9, 2018 (NAN) Go Round Football Club of Port Harcourt on Tuesday defeated Heartland FC of Owerri 2-1 to emerge champions of the 2106/2017 Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 4 competition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition’s final match, played at the Agege Stadium in Lagos, saw a brace from Solomon Nwachukwu settling the feisty clash.

The competition, which is for the top two clubs in the 2016/2017 NNL’s two conferences, is a knockout event which saw Go Round defeating Kwara United 4-2 via penalty kicks shootout.

This was in the first match played on Sunday, after both sides had drawn goalless, while on Monday Heartland qualified for Tuesday’s final in spite of losing to Remo Stars FC of Sagamu.

Speaking after the match, Go Round FC’s coach Emmanuel Elechi said his team was ready for the upcoming Nigeria Professional Football Club (NPFL) competition.

He added that they were not short of the expectations.

“We are ready for this competition and our aim is to win it which we have achieved today. The team is well balanced because they trained very hard and believe in themselves.

“What really worked for us is that we are able to keep our players. Most of them have been in the team for about seven years now.

“I asked the management to give us a chance and the really gave us the best support that we can get.

“After the emergence in 2016 of the NPFL, the management gave us a target to meet in the NPFL and thank God we are able to achieve that in style,’’ Elechi said.(NAN)
KOJE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Dynamite FC secures use of Edo University sports complex for NNL matches

NAN-S-4
Complex
By Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, Nov. 28, 2017 (NAN) Newly-promoted Dynamite Football Club of Benin on Tuesday said it would use the football field of Edo University at Iyamoh for its matches in the 2017/2018 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

The club’s chairman, Bernard Joeman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin the club has also started the screening of players ahead of the new season.

“The university has one of the best pitches in the state, and it is just what the club needs to boost its chances of securing promotion to the elite division of the Nigerian league,’’ he said.

Joeman said the club had met with the school management on the use of its sports complex, and only needed to iron out a few grey areas.

“We have concluded talks on the use of the field and the institution has also agreed that something that needed to be put in place to bring it to standard will be done.

“We are very much okay with the place and also the positive assurances from the university management,” he said.

Joeman also said a former Governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, has freely approved his personal five-bedroom bungalow for the use of the club during its matches at Iyamoh.

“We are most appreciative of Oshiomhole for the gesture,’’ he said, adding that the house, which is directly opposite the university, would be used as the players lodge during its home matches.

Joeman said lots of benefits await members of Iyamoh community, as well as the university, as they host the Dynamite FC who gained promotion to the NNL last season.

“The multiplier effect of the club playing home matches in Iyamoh cannot be quantified in monetary terms. Economy of the community can never remain the same by the time the NNL gets underway.

“As for the institution, playing league matches in the university sports complex will enhance the overall sports development in the school,” he stated.

On the screening of players ahead of the new season, Joeman, who said the screening commenced on Monday, stressed that no fewer than 100 players turned up for the screening.

He said only 15 players were needed to add to the 15 left from the ones that prosecuted the league last season.

NAN reports that Dynamite had used the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin for its Nationwide League (NNL) campaign last season.

The club has now joined Insurance FC of Benin in the NNL.(NAN)
ESI/IKU/OLAL
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(Edited by Tayo Ikujuni and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

3SC begin restructuring, release 20 players into transfer market

NAN-S-3
Restructuring
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 2, 2017 (NAN) Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan on Monday said they have released 20 out of the 40 players they registered for the last Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The club’s management, in a statement in Ibadan by its Media Officer, Jubril Arowolo, said this was part of their ongoing restructuring programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 3SC were, after the 2016/2017 season, relegated from the NPFL to the Nigeria National League (NNL) for the 2017/2018 season.

The statement disclosed that the decision to release the players and place them in the transfer market was taken after evaluating the performances of every player in the team.

It listed players retained to include Abubakar Adamu, Michael Uweru, Kayode Bankole, Seun Akinyemi, Alaba Osawe, Omololu Waheed, Opeyemi Adetoyi, Oginni Olatubosun, Ayobami Abiodun (Jnr), Shile Ibrahim and Sunday Faleye.

Others are Jide Apena, Abayomi Adebayo, Rafiu Wasiu, Shittu Taiwo, Isiaq Rafiu, Ajani Ibrahim, Kunle Olukokun, Bode Daniel and Sherrif Sanda.

“The club’s remaining 20 players, whose names did not appear on the list, have been placed on transfer and will not be part of the team when the new season commences,’’ the statement announced.

It added that a number of new players would be added to the list of the players retained after a thorough screening, for the list of players for the 2017/2018 season.

The statement went further to disclose that the club’s management had woken up to the realities of its team playing in the NNL next season.

“We will do everything possible to return to the NPFL within the shortest period.

“The evaluation of the team however continues, and fans will see a better and improved Shooting Stars next season,’’ it said.(NAN)
TAA/GOM/OLAL
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

We’ve resolved not to owe players their entitlements, Kwara United chairman says

NAN-S-22
Resolve
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, April 4, 2017 (NAN) Chairman of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin, Oladimeji Thompson, says the club has resolved not to owe the players their dues in terms of remuneration and allowances.

Thompson told newsmen on Tuesday in Ilorin that this was why the club’s players must remain focused and commited to ensuring the club returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“The performance of the club so far in the Nigeria National League (NNL) is commendable. But the league is still young.

“We are not going to be carried away by our performance after just three matches,’’ he said.

The club chairman said the players needed to redouble their efforts to show that they were in the league for real business.

He assured that he was working round the clock to ensure that the players and their officials were well motivated.

Thompson disclosed that the club had been up to date in paying the players’ match bonuses, including last weekend’s away draw against FRSC FC of  Abuja.(NAN)
OOH/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)