The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Crown FC

  • NNL: Crown, Sunshine Stars, Beyond Limits, Ranchers Bees, others win big

    NNL: Crown, Sunshine Stars, Beyond Limits, Ranchers Bees, others win big

    Crown FC returned to the pinnacle of the Nigeria National League Southern Conference A yesterday after the Ajilete Boys beat Smart City 2-0 in Ogbomosho.

    The Ajilete Boys had fallen from the top last weekend after an away loss but have bounced back with the victory over the Lagos side to move to the top of the table with nine points from five games. Smart City are fourth with seven points from five games as well.

    In Akure, Heartland FC slumped to a 3-1 loss Sunshine Stars despite scoring first in the encounter through Udoma Chukwuma. It was the Naze Millionaires second defeat of the season and have conceded three goals in both encounters.

    The Owerri side are fifth with seven points from five games while the Owena Whales are sixth with six points in their second win of the season.

    In Awka, Edel FC collapsed to a 1-0 defeat to Beyond Limits. The defeat saw the Awka side slip to the eighth spot with three points from as many games while Gateway FC and Abia Comets played out a goalless draw in Abeokuta.

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    In Southern Conference B, Sporting Lagos galloped to the top after a 2-0 home win over Akwa United. They have 10 points from five games while Akwa United are sixth with seven points.

    Ekiti United are second with nine points after a hard fought 1-0 home win over Solution FC while Godswill Akpabio United were held to a goalless draw by Abakaliki FC. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio led team are third with eight points while the Rice Boys are fifth with eight points as well.

    Winless First Bank were held to a 1-1 draw by Stormers of Abeokuta while Osun United picked their second win of the season following a 1-0 home win over Rovers of Calabar.

    In Northern Conference C, Doma United continued their impressive start to the season with a routine 1-0 win over Sokoto United in Gombe. The Savanna Scorpions are atop with 13 points from five games.

    In another Northern Conference C tie, Lobi Stars were held to a 1-1 draw at home by FC Basira of Lafia who are third with eight points. The Pride of Benue are fourth with seventh points.

    In Northern Group D, Bichi First FC pipped Sporting Supreme 1-0 to move to the first spot with 10 points while Sporting Supreme are eighth with two points.

    Adamawa United beat Jigawa Golden Stars 2-1 in Numan, while  Ranchers Bees beat Yobe Desert Stars 2-0 to remain in second spot with 10 points..

  • Ayeni tips Crown against  Warri Wolves

    Ayeni tips Crown against  Warri Wolves

    Crown FC head coach, Ayodeji Ayeni has  urged his boys to put behind them their unpleasant experience in their opening two games and approach their last group tie in the ongoing Nigeria National League Super 8 playoff in Asaba today against Warri Wolves with all concentration.

    Having slipped to the bottom of Group B with a point from two games as a result of their defeat to Kun Khalifat and a draw to Osun United the Deji Ayeni boys now face an uphill task of beating Warri Wolves to secure their return to the topflight.

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    Ayeni expressed his sadness at their late minute collapse which resulted into Osun United equaliser but stressed that they can only focus on their today’s game with Warri Wolves with the conviction that they could snatch a win.

     “I am just unhappy that we drew the game. I want to win, win with style even, so it’s very ambitious. When we don’t do it, of course I am suffering like everyone else,” Ayeni said.

    “We discussed our journey from the start of the season, what brought us far and our mission to Asaba. I discussed with them the intrinsic and extrinsic part of the game and what it’s at stake. I won’t say much, but by God grace, we shall laugh last.”

  • Oyo unveil  Ayeni as new coach for Crown FC

    Oyo unveil  Ayeni as new coach for Crown FC

    Coach Ayodeji Ayeni has been appointed as the new Technical Adviser of Crown FC, Ogbomoso by the Oyo state government.

    Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ms Wasilat Adegoke , yesterday made this known in a press statement .

    Coach Ayeni known for his success in football coaching, is entrusted with leading Crown FC, Ogbomoso to victory in the Nigeria National League and beyond.

    Adegoke expressed her enthusiasm about his appointment, emphasizing the state government’s dedication to repositioning Crown FC, Ogbomoso as a dominant force in Nigerian football.

    She highlighted Coach Ayeni’s experience and expertise, stating that he will bring new levels of excitement and achievements to the team under his guidance.

    The appointment of Coach Ayeni reflects the state government’s commitment to investing in football development in Oyo State, with a focus on creating a strong and competitive squad that will make the people of Oyo state proud.

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    She charged Coach Ayeni to ensure promotion to the first division football league in the upcoming season.

    In response, Coach Ayeni expressed his gratitude for the appointment and his eagerness to begin work with Crown FC, Ogbomoso.

    He promised to work diligently to ensure the team’s success and to make them a source of pride for Oyo State.

  • Crown FC appeal Federation Cup disqualification

    Crown FC have appealed a decision to award their Federation Cup semi-final to FC IfeanyiUbah.

    The Federation Cup semi-final in Kaduna was abandoned after 88 minutes following a pitch invasion.

    The NFF disciplinary committee has since awarded the game to IfeanyiUbah, who were leading 2-1 before the clash was abandoned.

    But Crown have now appealed this ruling.

    “If it took only Crown FC to stand up to injustice, decay and unprofessionalism and favouritism we shall do that for we know posterity would someday judge each person accordingly,” declared a top Crown FC official.

  • Daniel dumps Crown FC

    Daniel dumps Crown FC

    Crown FC striker, Bode Daniel, has said he has played his last game for the demoted side in match day 38 clash against Akwa United in the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.

    The Ogbomosho-based side were demoted to the second tier league, Nigeria National League (NNL)  with Gombe United, Kaduna United and Nembe City.

    Daniel said several approaches have been made prior to the end of the season and after by some top-flight sides but he is not in a hurry to agree to terms with any side for the upcoming season. “I must confess to you that my body and mind are no more with Crown FC. I’m certain I’ve played my last game for the side against Akwa United in the 2013/14 league season.

    “I’m resting right now with my family but when I decide on my future definitely Crown FC won’t be mentioned. It has nothing to do with the side’s demotion to the lower league but a desire for a change of environment.

    “I’m certainly looking elsewhere for greener pastures in the new season, clubs actually approached me while the season was on and as I speak with you there have been renewed interest in me by some teams but nothing has been agreed.

    “I want to take my time and study each proposal carefully before I’ll commit myself, I don’t want to make any mistake. Though I’m open to discussions with any team that wants my service but I’ll like to settle down ultimately with a top flight side,” said Daniel to supersport.com.

    The Ogbomosho-based side’s top striker scored seven goals in the league as well as four goals in the 2014 Federation Cup.

  • Crown FC suspend five players

    Crown FC suspend five players

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) outfit, Crown FC, have suspended five of their playing personnel indefinitely following their implosion in Wednesday’s match at Warri Wolves, supersport.com can report.

    Crown FC suffered a disappointing and heavy 1-7 loss to title-chasing Wolves, which has put the club’s chances of survival in dire straits.

    Following that humiliating defeat in mid-week, the club suspended their captain, Ayo Segun as well as the goalkeeper on the match day, Ayobami Ojo. Three outfield players, Benson Omodukwu, Mende Daniel and former Nigeria under-17 defender, Aigbe Oliha.

    The players were, however, not handed letters of suspension but learned of their punishment from the club’s information board in their Ogbomoso camp.

    A backroom staff of the club hinted supersport.com that the players were suspended on allegations of throwing the game against Warri Wolves leading to the team’s implosion.

    “The management of our team has suspended five of our players. Our captain, Ayo Segun is one of those suspended. Benson Omodukwu, Mende Daniel, Aigbe Oliha and goalkeeper Ayobami Ojo are also suspended. The management put up the information on the notice board in our camp on Thursday. From what we were told, they (the management) say they believe these players sold out in the game and allowed Warri Wolves to win the match by 7-1 against us.

    “It is quite unfortunate because what happened before that game was something that will put the conditioning of any player under test. We were made to trek for several minutes to the stadium due to the traffic jam in Warri since a political gathering was going on that day. We got to the stadium just 20 minutes before kick-off and the referee was magnanimous enough to give us five minutes extra to warm up before the match.

    “Apart from that, how do you motivate players who are owed up to five months salaries as a coach to give their best? Surely they will be distracted by such because they don’t know when the next pay day will come,” the Crown FC backroom staff told supersport.com.

    Crown FC occupy the 19th position in the NPFL standings with 36 points and will play host to one of the new boys in the premier division, Abia Warriors, this Sunday.

  • Crown FC part ways with Akpokona

    Crown FC part ways with Akpokona

    Glo Premier League club, Crown FC, yesterday ended their relationship with their head coach, Lawrence Akpokona.

    Crown FC relieved Akpokona of his appointment following unimpressive results in the Glo Premier League in recent weeks.

    One of Akpokona’s assistant, Oseni Babalola, is now expected to manage the club when they confront Nembe City on the road.

    “Yes, he has been sacked, but there is no replacement yet for him. Our next match (against Nembe City) on Sunday will be handled by Oseni Babalola,” Crown FC spokesman, Oyekunle Oyeleye, told supersport.com.

    Supersport.com sources at the Ogbomoso outfit, however, hinted that the sack of Akpokona at Crown FC was always coming and that the club capitalised on the five-nil loss at Kaduna United to fire the former Enugu Rangers coach.

    It was also learned that Crown FC had planned to sack Akpokona before their 1-0 win over El-Kanemi Warriors over the weekend.

    “The club actually sacked Akpokona because of the 5-0 loss to Kaduna United. He was nearly made not to sit on the bench against El-Kanemi but somehow that did not happen.

    “That 5-0 defeat should not be blamed on coach Akpokona because the travel plan was wrong before that game. We got to Kaduna like around 9pm or 10pm, a day before the match and had no time to rest. So fatigue set in and that was why we lost that much,” one of the influential players of the club said yesterday after a meeting with the Crown FC management.

  • Oyo sports commissioner hosts Crown FC

    Oyo sports commissioner hosts Crown FC

    The Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports development Alhaji Umar Faruq Alao-Arisekola on Wednesday treated Crown football Club family to sumptuous meal at his residence in Ibadan.

    The Commissioner said his reason to bring the club together on the same table was to boost the morale of the club as the 2013/2014 Glo Nigeria Premier League season begins in two weeks and to assure the team that the Sporting-loving Governor of the State His Excellence Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi is solidly behind the team as the only elite campaigner from the State.

    Faruq Stated that the Club should be constantly aware that the seal of the State the club carries must reflect her true pace-setting status as in the coming hostility,charging that the club couldn’t afford to fail at this crucial juncture that all necessary logistics for the success is already in the kitty,that an improved welfare package for all is already concluded for the win-win outing.

    Honourable Faruq at the occasion said every arrangement for the mobilisation of the contractors to improve upon Soun Stadium facility is advancing that any moment from next Month work would begin so as for the club to return to her home ground by the second stanza of the league.

    The visionary and versatile sports boss also gave lengthy tutorials on branding and marketing of the club,that if there is proper synergy between the club and some cooperate organisations Crown Fc as a product would be marketable just as an any other club across the globe and it would create self-sustenance cum maintenance for the club even without government subvention.

  • PRE-SEASON TOURNEY: 3sc, Crown thumb up oyo fa

    PRE-SEASON TOURNEY: 3sc, Crown thumb up oyo fa

    The leading football clubs in Oyo, 3SC and Crown FC of Ogbomoso have lauded the initiative of a pre-season tournament organised by Oyo State

    The Oyo State Football Association in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Youths and Sport organised the tournament tagged ‘Abiola Ajimobi 2014 Pre-Season Tourney’ which commenced on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    Head Coach of 3SC, Franklin Howard, reacting after his side narrowly beat nationwide side, Atiba United in their first match of the tourney played inside the main-bowl of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, said the pre-season was a good development.

    Club Manager of Crown FC, Coach Niyi Akande, who also spoke, was full of praise for the new Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the state, Farouk Alao for his pragmatic approach to issues as well as the zeal he has exhibited since assuming office.

    He also described the pre-tournament event as a step in the right direction by the FA which will afford them a chance to make input in teams preparing to partake in the league.

  • We’ll do our best —Crown FC

    We’ll do our best —Crown FC

    Oladuni Oyekale, Head Coach, Crown FC of Ogbomosho, on Thursday said that the team would strive to have a good outing at the 2013/2014 Glo Premier League season.

    Oyekale told the News Agency Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the goal of the team was to stabilise itself in the league, being its second time of participating in the professional league.

    NAN reports that Crown FC was among the four clubs that were promoted from the Nigeria National League to the professional league during the 2012/2013 season.

    The club was founded in 1994 and got promoted to the professional league during the 2010/2011 season, but was later relegated.

    “Any new team that is coming into the professional league after a while, the first thing they want to do is to stabilise themselves in the league. And the state government has taken a step towards that direction by employing Lawrence Akpokona as the technical adviser of the team.

    “We believe we will do our best under his guidance and I pray that God will give us the strength to achieve our goal,” he said.

    The coach said that the team has been engaging in several friendly matches to prepare itself, ahead of the commencement of the league.

    NAN reports that the 2013/2014 season would kick-off in February.