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  • Mar, Wed, 2020
Sport

NPFL: Warri Wolves suffer 3-0 defeat at Rivers United

Defeat

By Omuboye Sukubo

Port Harcourt, March 18, 2020 (NAN) Visiting Warri Wolves Football Club on Wednesday suffered a 3-0 defeat in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture against Rivers United FC at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.

The Head Coach of Warri Wolves, Evans Ogenyi, later told sportswriters after the match that his team lost the game because they did not take their chances.

“Football will always remain as football. We came here with a game plan, but it is unfortunate that things did not work out.

“So, the team that took its chances won the game and I have congratulated my professional colleagues because they took their chances.’’

He however blamed it all on anxiety, saying “ìt’s not as we couldn’t play, but out of anxiety or whatever we failed to take our chances and we lost.’’

Ogenyi however said it was not in his character to talk about officiating, and urged sportswriters, as major stakeholders, to refrain from being biased in reportage and be analytical.

“I want a situation that you will report games as you see them, because the sportswriters are partners in progress and are expected to report every area of the game for improvement.’’

In his reaction, Stanley Eguma, the Head Coach of Rivers United, said the match was a good one, especially as the outcome was as he expected.

“We actually came to win the match. We prepared very well, knowing full well that Warri Wolves have recently improved, especially in away games.

“We didn’t take them for granted. We knew that we were going to face a very tough game today (Wednesday), and that is exactly what we saw from the beginning of the game.

“They matched us head-to-head toe-to-toe and, at the end of the day, we tried to open them up because they were playing a kind of compact midfield in the first half,” he said.

Eguma stated that opening his opponents up on the flanks paved way for the first goal which spurred on his players and they capitalised on their opponents’ loopholes in the second half.

He however said “in spite of the victory, Warri Wolves as a team are not pushovers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Malachi Ohawume scored a brace for Rivers United in the 37th and 83rd minutes, while Kunle Odunlami scored in the 73rd minute.(NAN)
OAS/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Mar, Wed, 2020
Sport

COVID-19: NFF shuts down all football activities for 4 weeks, including street football

Football
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, March 18, 2020 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) late Wednesday in Abuja announced the cessation of all forms of football activities in the country for the next four weeks.

Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Communications, in a statement said the shutdown was “as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic’’.

He said the shutdown affected all on-field activities involving the various national teams, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the other leagues, youth football programmes and “even street football’’.

Olajire quoted the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, as saying “the cessation will be for four weeks, after which the situation will be reviewed in line with events and trends worldwide’’.

The NFF president was also quoted as advising all members of the football family to observe the various safety precautions and conduct as advised.

“They should observe the precautions as advised by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), such as hand-washing, the use of sanitisers and social distancing.’’

Pinnick was further quoted as saying the only football activity that would be permitted was the work of the NFF investigation committee into the death of Chineme Martins.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday in Benin City and is expected to submit its report within the next 10 days.

Meanwhile, the ongoing 2019/2020 NPFL has been suspended till further notice in line with global health preventive protocol against the coronavirus disease, ostensibly in line with NFF’s directive.

“The decision is to conform with the guidelines for containment of the spread of the global pandemic,’’ the LMC, who are the organisers of NPFL, said in a statement on Wednesday.

The LMC, in suspending the league’s remaining matches, said it would review the decision after consulting the nation’s health authorities, such as the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC.

NAN reports that Match Day 25 fixtures in the 2019/2020 NPFL were concluded on Wednesday.(NAN)
BAY/CHOM/OLAL
================

(Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Olawale Alabi)

  • Mar, Sat, 2020
Sport

Ondo State FA always compliant in providing medical facilities and personnel for matches, official says

Compliance
By Segun Giwa
Akure, March 14, 2020 (NAN) The Vice-Chairman of Ondo State Football Association (FA), Henry Akingboju, on Saturday said the association had always been fully compliant in providing medical facilities and personnel during matches in the state.

Akingboju told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure that the association had on its part always ensured that all necessary provisions were made.

“We take care to forestall unseen circumstances before, during and after matches,’’ he said.

Akingboju told NAN that all the conditions for a hitch-free match, as directed by the League Management Company (LMC), had always been met by the state FA.

He added that this was always in conjunction with the management of Sunshine Stars Football Club of Akure and other relevant stakeholders.

“We have always ensured that matches went on according to the rules.

“And, as regards new directives, we on our part in Ondo State will definitely get it right. We will do the needful to ensure we have hitch-free matches in our stadium.

“I will direct the (FA) Secretary to liaise with the ambulance man and I will personally see the Chairman of Sunshine Stars FC so that we can continue to get it right.

“Necessary measures will also be put in place before our next home match,” he said.

NAN reports that the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, had issued directives on the provision of medical facilities and personnel at venues of league matches.

The directives, which were later echoed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) were in the wake of the death of Chineme Martins on Sunday in Lafia.

Martins, then of Nasarawa United, had died during their Match Day 23 match in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) against the visiting Katsina United.

His death came after he slumped while standing alone in his team’s half of the pitch, and the failure to get proper and immediate medical attention must have been a cause.

The incident led to the directive that no NPFL match should go ahead henceforth without the adequate provision of medical facilities and personnel at the venue.

Speaking also, Tajudeen Akinyemi, Chairman of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), managers of Sunshine Stars, said the agency had always complied with all medical measures necessary in the game of football.

Akinyemi said the agency was also working on the areas which needed improvement as stipulated by the LMC.

NAN reports that Sunshine Stars’ next match is against Enyimba International FC of Aba in a rescheduled week 21 fixture of the NPFL.(NAN)
GSD/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

  • Mar, Sat, 2020
Sport

Niger FA awaits formal directives from NFF on medical facilities and personnel requirements at match venues

Health

By Obinna Unaeze

Minna, March 14, 2020 (NAN) The Niger State Football Association (FA) Vice-Chairman, Baba Yabagi, on Saturday said the FA was waiting for written directives from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on provision of medical facilities and personnel.

Yabagi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that such formal directives would enable the Niger FA act accordingly.

“We heard in the news that the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and the NFF gave directives to state FAs on medical facilities and personnel.

NAN reports that the directive was for host FAs and home clubs to ensure necessary medical facilities and personnel as provided in the NFF Club Licensing Regulations were in place before matches.

They are to put these in place before the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches can go on henceforth.

`Right now we cannot act on what we heard from the news. We have to wait for a written directive from the NFF on what we are supposed to do and how to go about it before we act,” Yabagi said.

He said however that the state FA had before now sensitised match officials and players to the need to be fit and healthy before and during matches.

The Niger FA vice-chairman said medical personnel were always deployed to the state-owned Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium in Minna during matches.

“The medical facilities available in the stadium during matches include medical room with essential drugs, other health consumables and ambulance.’’

He also said the General Hospital and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital, both in Minna, were always put on notice during matches in case of critical health issues.(NAN)

OCU/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Feb, Sun, 2020
Sport

Kano Pillars’ coach decries Rivers United’s tactics in 1-2 defeat

Tactics
By Omuboye Sukubo
Port Harcourt, Feb. 23, 2020 (NAN) Ibrahim Musa, the Head Coach of Kano Pillars Football Club, on Sunday decried the “delay tactics style of football’’ deployed by Rivers United FC during their 1-2 defeat in Port Harcourt.

Musa told sports journalists after their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 21 fixture at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium that the host team players were “just falling on the pitch”.

He said while his team played with high intensity from the first to the last minute, their hosts were just playing negative football.

“If you observed our opponents very well, they were just falling and falling. We don’t believe in falling. We go out to play the ball, whether we will win, lose or draw,’’ the coach alleged.

He then urged the Rivers United technical crew to change their tactics “because this style is not good for Nigerian football.

“Delay tactics in the field of play is not a good strategy, because if you want to play at the continental level, you can’t get this kind of delay tactics of falling always.’’

Musa said his Kano Pillars FC team played very well and created chances but could not convert them.

“We had the chances but luck was not on our side. We need to work hard, if we must go far.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and work on our finishing. That is the problem,” he said.

The Kano Pillars coach however admitted that the host team were good, insisting nonetheless that they could not be compared with his club.

In his reaction, Rivers United’s Stanley Eguma disagreed with his Kano Pillars’ counterpart that delay tactics were deployed by the hosts.

“It was my team’s desire to go all out and get goals.’’

Eguma, who pointed out that every coach, player or fan must have his or her opinion about every game, said Musa’s opinion was wrong however.

He stated that football was a game of contact, and when a player fell, it would be left to the referee to take a decision.

“So, I disagree with my colleague (Musa) because it has been our desire to play an attacking game all through to get goals and we did that.

“That doesn’t mean that if you move forward, you will not fall back. Players must fall back to defend, because the game is all about defending and attacking,” Eguma said.

The Rivers United FC technical head insisted that his players defended because they were leading.

“What do you expect the players to do? The pressure was on our side, and the players returned to their half to defend.

“In the process, we committed an infringement which also gave them the goal through the free-kick.”

Eguma admitted also that the match was a tough one because Kano Pillars were a good side.

“So, when playing them, you have to prepare, and we prepared very well, and in today’s game, we played to instructions and because of the pressure, we got the first goal via a penalty kick.

“We had a good game plan, and Kano Pillars were within our reach, and we got the game,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that N’Gouan Konan scored for Rivers United via a penalty kick in the 20th minute, while Cletus Emotan scored in the 86th minute.

Rabiu Ali however scored for Kano Pillars in the second minute of second half added time through a stunning free-kick.(NAN)
OAS/DOE/OLAL
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(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Wikki Tourists FC will make impact in this season’s NPFL, official says

Impact
By Huseyn Abubakar Mbar.
Bauchi, Feb. 11, 2020 (NAN) The Bauchi State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Adamu Manu, on Tuesday expressed confidence that Wikki Tourists Football Club would make impact in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Manu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that the club would still excel in spite of its poor performance in the league.

“I am very confident the club will spring surprises with the new and talented players, as well as the coaching crew, it has engaged.’’

He however appealed to football fans in the state to give the team a chance, adding “we should not write the team off because of the few matches it has lost’’.

The commissioner assured that the team would learn from the matches it has played so far, adding that the players would improve on their current performance.

He said his appointment and that of the club’s new Technical Adviser have come as a form of rescue for the Bauchi-based club.

“Let’s give the current coaching crew a chance to prove their mettle.

“We are liaising with some professionals to enable us forge ahead and we assure our fans that we are going to succeed,’’ Manu said.(NAN)
HAM/JPE/OLAL
================

(Edited by Joseph Edeh and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

NPFL Championship Playoffs: Enyimba whip FC IfeanyiUbah to lead in title race

Playoffs
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, June 10, 2019 (NAN) The race for the 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title heightened on Monday at the Agege Stadium in Lagos after Match Day 4 action.

Two draws and one win on the NPFL Championship Playoffs’ penultimate day of matches saw seven-times champions Enyimba International Football Club of Aba storming to the apex position on the table.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that seven-times champions Rangers International FC of Enugu and four-times winners Kano Pillars FC squared up in the first game of the day.

The match was full of fireworks, but Kano Pillars drew the first blood through veteran Rabiu Ali in the 59th minute of play.

The Flying Antelopes’ efforts to draw level were dealt a big blow as they were reduced to 10 men when Tope Olusesi received the marching order in the 73rd minute.

Spirited efforts in the dying minutes of the encounter however earned the Coal City club a penalty kick which was converted by Godwin Aguda for a 1-1 draw.

The match result was not however without some discontent as angry fans invaded the pitch, causing a three-minute delay during the five-minute added time.

The second game of Match Day 4 between Akwa United FC of Uyo and 2017/2018 winners Lobi Stars ended in a barren draw.

But the day’s third match saw Enyimba FC handing FC IfeanyiUbah of Nnewi a 3-1 whitewash.

A brace from Reuben Bala, scored in the 18th and 45th minutes, and a wonderful finish from Abdulrahman Bashir gave the Aba clubside the needed victory.

Anambra Warriors got their lone goal through Promise James in the 30th minute.

NAN reports that winners of the abridged 2018/2019 NPFL will emerge on Match Day 5 of the playoffs on Wednesday.

How They Stand
================

Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts Enyimba 4 3 O 1 7 4 +3 9
Kano Pillars 4 2 2 0 7 4 +3 8
Akwa United 4 1 3 0 7 6 +1 6
Rangers 4 1 2 1 6 6 0 5
Lobi Stars 4 1 1 2 5 6 -1 4
FC IfeanyiUbah 4 0 0 4 4 10 -6 0
(NAN)
KOJE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

NPFL can produce players better than Messi with proper youth structure, La Liga official says

League
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, May 1, 2019 (NAN) Javier del Rio, Head of the La Liga/Nigeria Office, on Wednesday in Abuja said the Spanish league organisers have been working closely with the League Management Company (LMC).

Del Rio told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the close relationship with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) organisers was aimed at establishing a proper youth structure for Nigerian clubs.

He said this was crucial to developing the league and producing world class footballers for Nigeria.

“The NPFL is capable of producing the next Lionel Messi or Andres Iniesta (graduates of the FC Barcelona academy) or those better than they are if a proper youth system is established with the NPFL clubs,” Del Rio said.

He said there was the need for grassroots development for the Nigerian league to grow.

“Nigeria has a lot of talents, but the problem has been how to discover them early, harness and mould them into world class stars,” the La Liga official said.

He said La Liga, in conjunction with LMC, was trying to replicate the Spanish La Liga model in Nigeria’s NPFL so as to develop the league and make it more attractive.

“Since our partnership came into being in 2016, several workshops have taken place which have helped set up a proper roadmap for the league.

“We are also helping the clubs develop a strong youth structure, so as to develop their young players into professionals like we have in Spain.

” For example, players like Iniesta and Messi became who they are because they have been playing for FC Barcelona since they were 11 or 12 years old.

“So, the key to getting very good players is to start training them when they are very young and this is what we are looking at in Nigeria,’’ Del Rio said.

He said La Liga would continue to organise coaching clinics for Nigerian youth coaches and the NPFL/La Liga under-15 tournament which has produced some players for the national under-17 team.

Del Rio expressed optimism that with proper organisation, funding, television coverage and youth system development, the NPFL would soon begin to rank among the best leagues in Africa.

NAN reports that the the NPFL/LaLiga partnership has since 2016 recorded a number of exchange projects between the two leagues, including a tour of Spain by an NPFL All-Stars team.(NAN)
MUYI/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

NPFL: League Management Company suspends usage of 4 stadiums for 2 weeks

NAN-S-11
Stadiums
Abuja, Feb. 17, 2018 (NAN) The League Management Company (LMC), organisers of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), have suspended four stadiums from hosting their matches for two weeks due to their poor pitches.

In a series of tweets on its official handle (@LMCNPFL, the company said it had to bring the hammer down on the stadiums pending when they would be certified.

The stadiums affected are the Umuahia Township Stadium, the August 27 Stadium in Damaturu, the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri and the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

This means Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, Yobe Desert Stars FC of Damaturu, Heartland FC of Owerri and Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna now have to seek alternative home grounds.

These four clubs play their home matches in the league and other competitions on these grounds, which are in their home bases, with the exception of the Minna-based Niger Tornadoes.

Niger Tornadoes’ real home ground of Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium in Minna has been under reconstruction for more than two years now.

The LMC advised Abia Warriors FC, who play their home matches at the Umuahia Stadium, to seek an alternative home turf while work was carried out on the playing turf.

The stadium has been deemed incapable of hosting top-flight games.

Also, Niger Tornadoes and Heartland FC must now seek another ground as regrassing works are being carried out to improve the playing pitches of their home grounds.

LMC stated that all the clubs have been advised not to allow any activity on the surfaces at the various stadiums as maintenance work was being carried out.

According to the LMC, “all suspensions are for a period of two weeks and this commences from Match Day 10’’.

It added that its assessors would visit the affected stadiums after the two-week period to ascertain the readiness of the playing surfaces in lieu of resumption of matches there.(NAN)
KIA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)