The Nation Newspaper

Tag: continental ticket

  • Ikhana gets continental ticket target

    Ikhana gets continental ticket target

    • Pillars retain Baleria as chief
    coach, sack two coaches
    • Drop Yaro Yaro to
    junior team

    The management of Kano Pillars has set a continental target for its new technical adviser, Kadiri Ikhana.

    The former African coach of the year was appointed on Sunday on a one-year contract to replace former manager, Mohammed BabaGanaru who has since joined Wikki Tourists.

    The club’s chairman, Tukur Babangida disclosed to SportingLife that Ikhana was appointed because of his experience on the job.

    “Ikhana is a disciplined coach and we need discipline in our team. He is an experienced coach and I believe we will gain a lot from him. He is on a year contract with a target of getting us a continental ticket. I believe it is achievable,” Babangida told SportingLife.

    It was learnt that Sai Masu Gida retained Kabiru Baleria as chief coach while two assistant coaches Abdulsalam Abubakar and Hassan Abdullah’s contracts were terminated while the head coach of junior team, Ibrahim Musa was moved to the senior team.

    Also, Ahmed Garba Yaro Yaro from the senior team moved to the junior team as head coach to be assisted by Nasiru Rasha and Garzali Muhammad while Rabiu Baita is to serve as team manager.

    “The two coaches were dropped based on the contract they signed with the club during the mid-season transfer window. Yaro Yaro has been charged to develop the youth team so that we can have enough quality that can be useful to the senior team,” Babangida said.

  • Aneke: Plateau Utd lost continental ticket because of poor NPFL start

    Aneke: Plateau Utd lost continental ticket because of poor NPFL start

    Former NPFL highest scorer, Jude Aneke has disclosed to SportingLife that Plateau United would have picked a continental ticket with ease had the same players in the team’s stable now started the season with them.

    Plateau United management headed by Pius Hemwan made drastic changes to the playing staff during the mid season transfer with the acquisition of Kelechi John, Aneke, Joshua Obaje and other  promising players and the result was the club’s current 11th position on the log with 48 points from 34 matches.

    Aneke revealed that the Jos side would be the team to beat next season if the club management manages to keep the current crop of players intact with the addition of few others to shore up deficient areas.

    The 2011/2012 NPFL hotshot informed SportingLife that he was thrilled with the way he was received in Jos and that he hopes to repay the support with few goals before the end of the season.

    He, however, concluded that their weekend NPFL Match Day 37 tie with El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri would be tough but they are targetting at least a point just like the Borno Army had when they visited Jos in a NPFL Match Day 17 tie.

  • ‘Continental ticket still within Sunshine’s reach’

    ‘Continental ticket still within Sunshine’s reach’

    The President of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, Prince John Ola Mafo has reiterated the team’s objective of finishing well in the 2015/16 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) so as to secure a continental football ticket for next season.

    Speaking after the Akure based team secured a well deserved 3-1 win over Plateau United in a week 35 match of the Nigeria Professional Football League, the former Commissioner for Information, Youth Development and Sports, said the Owena Waves will secure points in the remaining crucial matches.

    “We are grateful to God Almighty for this victory over Plateau United, a happy moment for all soccer loving people of the state.

    ” The team is not losing focus, we are aware of the task ahead and with hard work on the part of the players and coaches, support from soccer loving people of the state and above all, the blessings of God, we shall reach our target.”

    However Mafo, who is also the Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, fans and supporters of the team including the Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, who he called the number one supporter of the team for the unwavering support given to the team this season.

    Sunshine Stars next take a trip to Enugu to lock horns with title chasers, Rangers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Friday at 7pm.

  • Akwa Utd’ Godspower hopeful of continental ticket

    Akwa Utd’ Godspower hopeful of continental ticket

    Akwa United’s Austine Godspower has noted that the NPFL 2015/16 season has been very competitive and is still hopeful of securing a continental ticket.

    The 2015 Federation Cup champions featured in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2016, but they are determined to get a fresh experience.

    Currently eighth on the NPFL table with 40 points,  Godspower insists that no team can state authoritatively that they are champions yet.

    “You will agree with me that this season is one of the most competitive compared to previous seasons. As it stands,  no team can authoritatively state that they have won the league,” Godspower told Goal. But we as a team will keep on working hard for a continental ticket which is our aim and I am hopeful that with God it is possible.

    “Playing in the CAF Confederation Cup gave us huge exposure. We won our first match in the continent away from home and that simply shows that we are not a bad side but some how we got carried away by the away victory and unfortunately we lost at home in the reverse fixture. We have learnt from that experience and by God’s grace we shall secure a continental slot this season. “

  • Obaje: continental ticket still realistic for Plateau United

    Obaje: continental ticket still realistic for Plateau United

    Plateau United striker, Joshua Obaje has disclosed to SportingLife that the Jos side are targeting a continental ticket at the end of the season after they defeated MFM 1-0 in Lagos in a NPFL Match Day 29 tie last weekend.

    Kabiru Umar’s first half effort was enough to hand the Zachary Baraje led Plateau United a crucial away win, the second time this second stanza.

    Obaje was delighted with the three points and he told SportingLife that their major preoccupation is not only securing a place in  next season’s topflight but returning Plateau United to the continent again.

    The former Warri Wolves and Heartland striker told SportingLife that with the current form of the Simon Lalong Boys, they have the wherewithal to win all the remaining league matches of the season both home and away to realise their objective.

  • Giwa promises Plateau fans continental ticket

    Giwa promises Plateau fans continental ticket

    Giwa FC of Jos are optimistic of picking valuable points in their remaining fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)and secure a ticket to play on the continent next year.

    The Plateau State club are gunning for six maximum points ahead of their next two games which would definitely get them a continental ticket.

    “All hands are on deck and the proprietor of the team, Ambassador Chris Giwa has given the boys extra motivation to soar,” David King, media officer of Giwa, told news24.

    “I believe with the fine form the boys are enjoying coupled with the energy the owner of the club has invested in the welfare of the playing and coaching staff, in addition to the hard work exhibited so far by the coaches and other backroom staff, the sky is our limit.”

    The Plateau Elephants are enjoying a fine run of form in only their second season in Nigeria’s top flight.

    Last season, they finished in fourth place and narrowly missed out on continental football and are currently maintaining the fourth spot in the ongoing campaign with two games left.

    Giwa FC lost their last game 3-2 to Heartland FC of Owerri at the Dan Anyam Stadium on Sunday, and their next fixture is  at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

  • ‘Wikki Tourists look beyond continental ticket’

    ‘Wikki Tourists look beyond continental ticket’

    The administrative secretary and overseer of Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi  Tijjani Sulaiman, has challenged the team’s technical crew to continue fighting for the league title rather than trying to secure a continental ticket at the end of the season.

    Sulaiman, who spoke through the club’s media manager Usman Abbas Shehu, expressed satisfaction with the outstanding performance of the team’s technical crew led by coach Abdu Maikaba.

    The club’s boss said Maikaba has impacted well on the players which has placed the team in competitive position.

    He urged them to win all their remaining matches so as to give them a chance to win the league.

    “The  good government of Bauchi State under Governor Mohammed Abubakar has assured that it will do everything  possible to ensure that the team presents tested materials that will not only represent Bauchi State but the team that will make Nigerians proud and add value to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Sulaiman said.

    “Our target now is to win the league. We have put all the victories we had from the beginning of the league behind us.  We are starting afresh with full determination and zeal to win all our remaining matches both home and way, starting with FC Taraba this weekend.”                                              SportingLife reports that players and officials of the team are in camp at Zaranda Hotel ,Bauchi since they returned from Aba last week to intensify preparations for the game against FC Taraba.

    “They (players) have been mobilised by boosting their morale for better performance and good finish in the 2014/2015 Glo Premier League season,” he said.

  • Ifeanyi Ubah says continental ticket remains a target

    Ifeanyi Ubah says continental ticket remains a target

    Owner of Ifeanyi Ubah FC, Ifeanyi Ubah, has insisted that his club’s target for the season remains a continental ticket despite the club’s recent dip in form.

    After posting a resounding 4-1 win away at El Kanemi Warriors, Ifeanyi Ubah FC have suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Wikki Tourists and fell by the same margin to Heartland in Port-Harcourt on Wednesday.

    The oil tycoon, who was at the FIFA goal project in Abuja to watch the national U-23 team beat Amakson Academy 3-1 in a friendly, described as sad the back-to-back defeat his team have suffered.

    “My target for the team remains a continental ticket at the end of the season,” Ubah said

    “Our last two games have not been good but we would bounce back I know.

    “I am here to see players of the U-23 and to do some other things.”

  • Kwara Utd targets continental ticket

    Kwara Utd targets continental ticket

    The need to provide adequate security, control crowd and educate the fans on the rules of football was the highlight of the stormy stakeholders’ session summoned by Kwara United’s management at the Conference Room of the Kwara State Stadium, as the club set a target for season.

    Reviewing the circumstances that led to the team’s relegation after the 2012/2013 season, and the situation which brought the team back to the elite league after the 2013/2014 season, the stakeholders believed that there was the need to guard the hard-earned elevation jealously, and also make the set objective achievable.

    The Special Assistant on Sports Matters, Bashorun Kayode Bankole, who represented the state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, charged the supporters and fans of Kwara United to rally round the management, adding that government will continue to support the team to achieve set goals.

    He said the commitment of government greatly assisted the team in getting promotion last season, and that government was ready to do more.

    Describing the session as a strategic initiative, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Mrs. Rhoda Ajiboye appreciated the stakeholders for their contributions to the promotion course, adding that the meeting was to discuss ways on how Kwara United will make a huge impact in the 2014/2015 Premier League.

    The General Manager of the club, Mohammed Haruna Maigidansama commended the state government for supporting the club, and also for providing the enabling environment for the team to flower.

    He said that the target of the club was to win a continental ticket at the end of the season, adding that the good start to the league in Port Harcourt against Dolphins, where the team secured a draw,  needed to be sustained.

    He sought the support of the stakeholders in achieving the set objective, pointing out that their support made the difference last season.

    Extensively discussed were issues relating to having violent-free games at home, all of which centered on the provision of adequate security, a systematic crowd control system, discipline on the part of the players and coaches, with the supporters and fans of the club advised to join hands to control the crowd during home matches.

    Among the stakeholders who participated in the session are former Chairmen of Kwara United FC, former Kwara FA Chairmen, representative of the referees, representative of the coaches, security operatives, Kwara FA Chairman, Busari Ishola and his members, the Director of Sports in the state, Tunde Kazeem, General Manager of ABS FC, Alloy Chukwuemeka and Chairman and members of Kwara Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

    The stakeholders agreed to work together for the success of the team and other teams in the state.

  • Imenger: Lobi eyeing continental ticket

    • Says the Makurdi side are better than El Kanemi

    Lobi Stars have boasted that they are a now better than last season.

    They have vowed to beat El Kanemi on Sunday in a Glo Premier League Week 26 tie so that they could move up the league table than their present ninth position with 37 points from 25 games.

    El Kanemi grabbed a surprise 1-1 draw at Katsina Ala after a late rally forced a share of the spoils but Lobi’s Team Manager, Barnabas Imenger informed SportingLife that situation won’t be the same this term.

    He recalled that same El Kanemi beat them 2-0 during the first stanza in a Week 6 encounter in Kano but that they were consoled with the fact that they held possession and had many scoring chances which they couldn’t convert then.

    Imenger, who was former Super Eagles’ striker, hinted that a much improved Lobi Stars would ensure that maximum points are theirs on Sunday with their eyes still on earning a continental ticket at the end of the season.

    “It was a drawn game last season but we can’t judge last season with what is obtainable presently. We have a very improved squad now and we are sure of getting all points against El Kanemi Warriors on Sunday.

    “They beat us 2-0 in Kano but they would attest to the fact that we held ball possession more and had scoring chances too which we were unable to bury then. We have corrected our mistakes and a renewed Lobi would beat El Kanemi on Sunday,” Imenger told SportingLife.