The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CAF Confederation Cup

  • Wikki vs RSLAF clash: Bauchi State Governor declares gates open

    Wikki vs RSLAF clash: Bauchi State Governor declares gates open

    .CAF appoints Bnubou Traore as center referee

    The Bauchi State Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar has declared gates open for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup second leg tie between Wikki Tourists and Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

    The governor’s gesture is to attract more fans to the stadium and support Wikki Tourists in today’s game.

    The governor, who was in Free Town for the first leg encounter when Wikki Tourists lost 2-0 to RSLAF, is expected to lead the government delegation to the stadium for total support to the team.

    The club’s media officer, Nasiru Kobi, said preparation is in top gear for the match. He added that the technical crew and players have resolved to play like never before to secure qualification for the next stage of the competition.

    “This is one of the governor’s ways to show his support to the team. He was in Free Town for the first leg and he has promised to be at the stadium on Sunday for the second leg too. He wants to see more people at the stadium and that is why he declared the gates open so as to allow fans to have easy access to the stadium.

    “The team needs the support and prayers of everybody at this moment and that is why it is very necessary to do everything to support the team to achieve success on Sunday. The players are ready and In Sha Allah we will go for outright victory and qualify for the next stage of the competition,” Kobi said.

    Meanwhile, Malian officials have been appointed by CAF to officiate the game. Bnuboa Traore will serve as the center referee, Bouba Kar Kinta (AR1), Baba Yomboliba (AR2) while Gaouss OU Kane will be a reserve referee.

    The match commissioner, Mumkai KA Nassam Adam is from Ghana. The match is fixed for 4pm.

     

  • CAF CONFEDERATION CUP: Wikki Tourists will qualify, Ganaru assures

    CAF CONFEDERATION CUP: Wikki Tourists will qualify, Ganaru assures

    Wikki Tourists technical adviser, Mohammed Baba Ganaru is optimistic of his side’s ability to beat Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) of Sierra-Leone in the CAF Confederation Cup second leg encounter on Sunday in Bauchi.

    The Big Elephants succumb to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg in Freetown last Sunday but Ganaru insists that his boys can turn things around and qualify for the next stage of the competition.

    The former Kano Pillars manager told SportingLife that he has understood their opponents’ style of play which he said would be of advantage for his side.

    “We had a very good game in Freetown. It was a game we played very well and we were just so unlucky to lose that game. The team that played against us was not too fantastic. In sha Allah we are going to equalise, score more goals and qualify on Sunday,” Ganaru told SportingLife.

    “We created lots of chances only that we failed to make use of it. Apart from home support, they (RSLAF) were very aggressive and that was what they used against us. They were good in counter-attack too. We have played them and we know how they play now. We will work on our mistakes and prepare very well for the game to make it to the next stage.”

  • Wikki Tourists get new logo

    Wikki Tourists get new logo

     

    Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi State have unveiled a new logo for the club ahead of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    According to a statement on the club’s social media page, the club has adopted The Giant Elephant has their new nickname.

    “This is the modified Logo of the Club when unveiled to the corporate world as a Trade mark by the Marketing Committee, unauthorized use will be illegal. This is in line with Business practice worldwide. As a Professional Club representing the Country in the Continent, it intends to derive value for its services,” the statement reads.

    Wikki Tourists is a Nigerian football club based in Bauchi, and currently playing in the Nigeria Premier league after promotion from the second-tier Nigeria National League (NNL) after the 2014 season.

    The club won the Nigerian FA Cup in 1998 and they were NNL champions in 2011.

    The club made its first appearance in the CAF Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999 and reached the second Round of the competition before they crashed out.  In 2008, Wikki Tourists participated in the CAF Confederation Cup and they were knocked out in the First Round.

    The club is expected to represent Nigeria in the CAF confederation Cup next year after finishing third in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the end of the 2015/2016 season.

  • Cooreman: CAF Confederation Cup title, a personal target

    Cooreman: CAF Confederation Cup title, a personal target

    Akwa United head coach, Maurice Cooreman has said that his desire to win the CAF Confederation Cup title as a coach has made the target placed before him by the club as more of his own personal objective.

    The Promise Keepers won the 2015 Federation Cup title at the expense of Lobi Stars last November in Lagos and after ditching the coach that ended their barren spell in the domestic scene, Zachary Baraje, the club has brought in Cooreman, a Belgian with enough experience in the Nigerian league.

    Cooreman has led clubs like Enyimba, Lobi Stars, Warri Wolves and a host of others in the top flight and the Uyo side has acquired his services only few months after he took Ikorodu FC to the premier league from lower division.

    The former Gombe United coach told SportingLife that he is setting his sights on winning the CAF Confederation Cup with Akwa United and that with assurances from the Akwa Ibom Government, everything is possible.

    Cooreman told added that Akwa United players have resumed after the yuletide break and have started preparations for the continent and the domestic matches.

  • Etoile win CAF Confederation Cup

    Tunisian giants, Etoile du Sahel, won the new CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Orlando Pirates of South Africa 1-0 in the second leg of the final played at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse, Tunisia, on Sunday afternoon.

    The former African champions lifted the cup on 2-1 aggregate, africanFootball.com reports.

    The Tunisians scored the only goal through Ammar Jemal and then put up a superb defensive display to protect the narrow advantage.

    Needing an away goal after drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Soweto last week, the South Africans were unable to find the back of the net against Etoile’s impenetrable defence, though they can take pride from a performance in which they were arguably the better team throughout the 90 minutes.

     

  • Wolves restate commitment to CAF Confederation Cup

    Wolves restate commitment to CAF Confederation Cup

    Warri Wolves, the Nigerian  representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, have reassured their fans of the club’s commitment to the African club competition.

    The media manager of the Warri-based side, Moses Etu, informed SL10.ng of the Seasiders’ plan to honour the return leg of the Confederation Cup against Dedebit in Ethiopia after a 2-0 win in Warri.

    According to Etu, there are reports that the team may not be able to honour the return leg in Ethiopia and may end up like Dolphin FC of Port-Harcourt.

    “I wish to state it clearly that the government and those in charge of the club are working seriously to see that the team leave the shores of this country as planned,” Etu stated.

    “The players, 20 in number, have been moved to the club’s camp in Warri since Monday morning to prepare their minds for the journey as the team is expected to leave Warri on Thursday morning and will spend the night in Lagos before flying to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday morning.

    “However, we wish to assure our fans and the general public that we have a dynamic sports-loving governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who has remained a source of inspiration to the club and I am sure will not allow such thing to happen,” Etu insisted.

    “It is pertinent to point out that we also have the Chairman of the Sports Commission in Amaju Pinnick who incidentally is the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He has done more than enough to sustain the tempo in Warri Wolves and will not close his eyes to see such thing happen to the club.

    “We therefore urge all our fans to ignore such reports and continue to pray for a successful outing as the players are well determined to do the country proud. We must avoid anything that will distract the players at this time,” Etu concluded.

  • Club Africain walk over Dolphins in Tunis

    Club Africain walk over Dolphins in Tunis

    The CAF Confederation Cup campaign of Dolphins Football Club came to a scandalous end yesterday after the Port Harcourt based side were walked over by their opponent, Club Africain in the first round of the competition.

    The Dolphins contingent made up of 15 players and eleven officials left Lagos on Friday aboard an Emirates airline with the slim hope of getting to Tunis before the 3pm local time kick off.

    The flight was supposed to take the Nigerian team to Dubai before they will catch another flight to Tunis in time for the game scheduled for the massive Olympic Stadium in Rades, Tunis.

    Intrestingly, Dolphins got to Tunis yesterday quite alright but before they could conclude immigration procedures at the airport in Tunis and rush to the stadium, the Ethiopian referee, Haileyesus Bazezew Belete had concluded walk over formalities when they waited for the manadatory thirty minutes for the Nigerian team to appear in accordance with CAF rules.

    The Nigerian flagbearers initially planned to travel on Thursday but bonus row altered that travel plan from Port Harcourt to Lagos with club eventually departing Lagos on Friday.

    The chief coach of Dolphins, Stanley Eguma also revealed that the club wrote to the NFF to appeal to CAF to have the game shifted by one day all to no avail.

    “We approached the NFF to help us write to CAF so that our game can be shifted by one day. We have only resorted to that as an alternative because before the bonus row, we had problem with bad weather and it made the airlines to cancel and reschedule our flight severally. When we eventually did, we couldn’t meet up with our flight to Dubai,” Eguma told Goal.

    It would be recalled that Dolphins players refused to leave Port Harcourt Airport on Thursday after they got to know that they would  be paid $500 against the $1000 they got for their away tie against Leones Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea in the preliminary round.

    The players insisted on being paid the same amount released for their away tie in Malabo and they all agreed not to embark on the journey if management did not yield to their request.

    Dolphins eliminated Leones Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea on penalties after both legs had ended 1-1 apiece and Club Africain received a bye to this round because of the exploits of Tunisian clubs on the continent.

  • Union de Douala Arrived Lagos with 25 man delegation

    Ahead of  Sunday second leg of confederation cup in Warri , A25 man delegation of Union de Douala Football Club, Cameroon arrived Lagos yesterday afternoon aboard Arik Airline and were received by the Officials of Warri Wolves before taken them to the hotel where they will spend the night.
    According to the Media Manager of Warri Wolves, Union Douala team will fly to Warri aboard the same Airline to Warri before their crucial encounter with the host team, Warri Wolves at the Warri City Stadium on Sunday.
    Speaking on their arrival, Etu assured the visiting team of a warm reception in Warri and a conduicive hospitality throughout their stay in Warri.
    “Our visitors arrived Lagos on Thursday afternoon but they will move to Warri on Friday and get what it takes to stay in Nigeria before their match with us on Sunday.  We assure them of a warm reception in Warri and they will go home with a good memory.”
    Meanwhile, Etu has appealed football fans across Delta State and its environs to come and cheer Warri Wolves to victory in this crucial match. Etu said Union Douala parades good players who are capable of doing anything but with the support of the fans, the task of up turning the first leg result which ended in favour of the Warri based team could become difficult.
    “We want the fans to come out in thousands to support the team. We should not underrate the visiting team because they play good football. But we know that with the fans behind us, it will be difficult for them to wreck any havoc. We are determined to do the Natikon proud and by the Grace of God, the team will not disappoint .  They have intensified their training since they returned from Douala and with the level of commitment from the boys, the fans will have something to cheer.
  • CAF CONFEDERATION CUP: Renovation begins at Siasia Stadium

    CAF CONFEDERATION CUP: Renovation begins at Siasia Stadium

    Bayelsa United media officer George Ameli has expressed confidence that the team’s home ground, the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa will be ready to host CAF Confederation Cup matches.

    The team’s Technical Adviser, Ladan Bosso last year raised the alarm over the deplorable condition of the stadium and the stadium’s readiness for continental matches.

    Ameli told SportingLife that the renovation has started at the stadium and the arena would be ready before their first home game. Bayelsa United were drawn bye in the preliminary matches.

    “I can tell you that the work has started at the stadium. The renovation exercise began at the dressing room. The people in charge of the stadium are working round-the-clock to meet the deadline and, hopefully, the work will be completed before the CAF inspection. The main work is on the pitch and the person in charge has promised to finish it on time,” Ameli told SportingLife.

  • Rangers to capitalise on home advantage

    Rangers to capitalise on home advantage

    Enugu Rangers aim to win well against CS Sfaxien in today’s CAF Confederation Cup tie so that the return clash in Tunisia will be easier.

    Nigeria’s only surviving club in international competition this year failed to make the most of home advantage when they hosted Recreativo Libolo of Angola in a CAF Champions League clash last month and paid for it when they were booted 3-1 in Angola in the return encounter. That loss in Angola meant they have to try their luck in the second-tier Confederation Cup.

    Rangers coach Okey Emordi told MTNFootball.com: “We are condemned to win against the Tunisians. I know they are a very good side who can hold their own against any team in Africa, but with the situation we have found ourselves, there is nothing left than to push harder and beat them to the group stage ticket.

    “I appreciate the fact that some of my players will be missing this game but I am confident with those that will be defending the colours of Rangers on Sunday. All I pray for is better luck to convert as many chances as possible to make the return leg a mere formality.”

    Rangers skipper goalkeeper Godwin Ayalogu, who may likely sit out the encounter for Nigeria U-20 star Daniel Emmanuel, said: “There is nothing left for us to do other than go for a convincing win against the side from Tunisia.

    “A good win in the first leg is all we need to ensure that the second leg is a mere formality and I trust the players in our fold to deliver the goods. It is very painful that we crashed out of the Champions League and our only hope for continental glory is this Confederation Cup. So we are not going to toy with this opportunity.”

    Rangers’ foes Club Sportive Sfaxien of Tunisia are no pushovers as they have shown with their performances leading to this encounter.

    They have been scoring freely in this competition having scored 11 goals in four games, while the defence has been beaten five times by such clubs like Gamtel F.C of Gambia and Diables Noirs of Congo. In the Tunisian league, they are currently placed third.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Investment and Rangers Matters, Victor Atuonwu, promised that the government will support Rangers to victory.

    “I am very optimistic that Rangers will pick the ticket ahead of the Tunisian side. The players appreciate what is at stake and the government also knows what the players need to deliver the goods over the two legs,” Atuonwu said.

    “Government has never lagged behind in motivating the team to greater heights and we are stepping ahead on this as they are assured of a handsome reward from the government after picking the group stage ticket.

    “Yes, it will be a tough match but we have set our sights at replicating what Chelsea of England did by lifting the UEFA Europa League after exiting the Champions league. We fear no foe.”