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Tag: El-Kanemi

  • NNL boss hails El-Kanemi for winning President Federation Cup

    NNL boss hails El-Kanemi for winning President Federation Cup

     The Chairman of Nigeria National League (NNL) George Aluo has congratulated Maiduguri-based El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club for their victory over Abia Warriors of Umuahia in the final of the President Federation Cup decided Saturday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos. 

    The coach Aliyu Zubairu lads thrashed Abia Warriors under the tutelage of Berthel Orji 2-0 to win  their  third title in Nigeria’s oldest football competition after their previous  wins  in 1991 and 1992.

    Incidentally, El-Kanemi Warriors qualified alongside Nasarawa United, Beyond Limits Football Academy and Ikorodu City from the recently concluded NNL Super eight in Enugu to the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL). 

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    You have proven yourselves to be worthy ambassadors of NNL.Your ticket to the NPFL was no fluke. The victory is victory for NNL and we are proud of El Kanemi’s achievement, ”  Aluo  noted in a message to the victorious team. “El Kanemi’s feat also defines the quality of NNL and underscores the fact that it is truly the most Important league in Nigeria.”

    He  added further predicted that the Maiduguri-based side will do well in the continent next season: “I’m sure El Kanemi will take their fine run into the continent where they would be flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Confederations Cup.”

  • Emeteole: Image of everything football- Christian Chukwu

    Emeteole: Image of everything football- Christian Chukwu

    Former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu, has described late Kelechi Emeteole, also a former Super Sand Eagles coach, an “an image of everything football.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emeteole died in the early hours of Wednesday in a New Delhi hospital in India, where he was receiving treatment for throat cancer.

    Emeteole was aged 66.

    Chukwu, who spoke with NAN on Thursday in Enugu, said it was unfortunate for the former coach to depart for the great beyond when his wealth of experience was still needed.

    He added that “I am yet to recover from the shocking news of Emeteole’s death yesterday.

    “I am personally saddened with the development. Emeteole lived on and for football.

    “He was an epitome of everything football, who passionately love the game and gave his best and time to see it grow.

    “A good team player and one that understand the need for team-work, and to maintain a united team while as a player in the national team and in all the club sides he had handled.

    Chukwu and Emetole were former team mates in the then Green Eagles under the tutelage of late Yugoslavian coach, Tihomir “Tiko” Jelisavčić popularly known as “Father Tiko”

    He was also a member of the bronze winning squad at the 10th African Cup of Nations in Ethiopia in 1976.

    Emeteole won 17 caps for the national team between 1975 to 1977 and scored four goals.

    Popularly known as “Caterpillar”, Emeteole played alongside Idowu Otubusen, Samuel Ojebode, Zion Ogunfehinmi, Kunle Awesu, Muda Lawal, Joe Erico and others too numerous to mention.

    He also plied his trade with Rangers International FC of Enugu at the height of the club’s reign in Nigeria and the African continent.

    For his coaching career, Emeteole later served as an assistant coach of the Super Eagles.

    Between 2007 and 2009, he was the Head Coach of the beach soccer national team, now known as the Super Sand Eagles.

    Emetiole also had coaching stints with notable clubs like: Spartan FC later known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale of Owerri, El-Kanemi of Maiduguri, Lobi Stars of Makurdi, and International FC and Rangers International of Enugu.

    He led Iwuanyanwu Nationale to the final of CAF Champions League in 2009.

  • NPFL: Rangers Manager hails players dedication

    NPFL: Rangers Manager hails players dedication

    Rangers International FC of Enugu Team Manager, Amaobi Ezeaku, has hailed the players dedication for the goalless draw with Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna in Lokoja.

    Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday, Ezeaku expressed joy over the result saying that it was the reward for hard work.
    Ezeaku said the match was a wonderful one noting that the players came into the match with much optimism.
    “Knowing the position we occupied currently, we applied caution and even when the referee gave Tornadoes a penalty in the 3rd minute, we weren’t bothered.
    “In my assessment of the game, I will say it is a wonderful game, good officiating and beautiful display by both teams.
    “I am giving kudos to my players because they made us proud, getting a draw in away match in Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is not easy,” he said.
    He said that in football, resurgence is always difficult but in our case, it just came up and I will say that it is the Lords doing.
    “We went to Maiduguri and played out 1-1 draw against El-Kanemi Warriors and in Lokoja; we draw 0-0, so I feel excited.
    “It is a wonderful thing that all sports lovers in Enugu are now beginning to get relief that Rangers are getting back to where they belong in Nigerian League,” he said.
    Ezeaku urged the NPFL to assess   improvements on players performance and officiating.
    He also urged Rangers players to keep the flag flying saying that the state government, the management and the technical crew are solidly behind them.
    He expressed confidence that the players are gradually coming  back, compared to the period the result was not coming their way.
    “Though, we are still looking forward to grab an away victory, but with the current two results in our away matches, I believe, it is not far from us.
    “Gradually, we will get there, but all attention is now turned to FC Ifeanyi Uba who is our next opponent in Enugu.
    “Remember, that they beat us 1-0 in the first leg and a resounding victory in Enugu in the forthcoming second leg will be so amazing,” he said.
    NAN reports that Rangers moved   to the 13th position in the league table after the draw in Lokoja with 32 points from 25 matches.

  • El Kanemi’s Michael hails home support

    El Kanemi’s Michael hails home support

    George Michael attributes El Kanemi Warriors’ excellent home record to the ‘extra motivation’ they receive from their fans.

    “To be very honest, playing in front of our home fans gives us extra motivation,” Michael told Goal.

    “If you look at the big teams in Europe, the fans play their role well. If you play at home, you’ll see it that you aren’t playing against just 11 men in the pitch but against a family.

    “The fans play a major role in motivating the players to give their best. But then, playing in front of our home fans and people of Maiduguri who are very supportive gives us an extra push.

    “We don’t want to drop point because we also want to consistently make them happy. Their support has always given us an extra push so I think we shall keep that excellent record intact for many more seasons to come. I just pray that everything will continue to work out in our favour at home and on the road too.”

     

  • We must be focused – El Kanemi’s Mathias urges

    We must be focused – El Kanemi’s Mathias urges

    El Kanemi Warriors’ Samuel Mathias has urged his teammates to be focused ahead of the resumption of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The Desert Warriors enjoyed an impressive start to the season and begin the second round of the season as the third best side in the Nigerian topflight.

    They face off with ABS FC on Sunday and a victory could guarantee them the league top spot.

    “We are at the start of a journey and have worked on the mentality, so it’s important never to be satisfied, as we know that we can achieve more,” Mathias told Goal.

    “This is not the moment to look at the table, but to put our foot on the accelerator. I don’t think I’m trying to dampen enthusiasm, it’s just that big objectives are achieved via small targets, such as each individual game.

    “We are talking about small targets not because the teams we face are easy, but because we need to bring the points back week after week. At the end of the day, we’ll see how much we’ve accumulated.”

    “We have always been consistent in our beliefs and behaviour with an all-attack team. ABS have dangerous forwards, but we are aware of our capabilities too.”

  • El Kanemi want to improve – Yekeen

    El Kanemi want to improve – Yekeen

    Kazeem Yekeen has insisted that El Kanemi Warriors want more improvement in the second round of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) campaign.

    “We want to improve. We want to always try and impose our style on anyone we face,” Yekeen told Goal.

    “It won’t be easy in the second round of the campaign but we will be fine for sure. With our current status we are aware of our quality, and we can have our say against anyone in the division,” he added.

    “El Kanemi Warriors won’t stop growing, in every game we learn and make progress. We have the right mixture, our experienced players provide a fantastic example, to young players who want to grow.

  • NPFL: Stakes high as Rohr set to watch MFM, El-kanemi clash

    NPFL: Stakes high as Rohr set to watch MFM, El-kanemi clash

    The stakes would be high on Sunday as Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr is expected to be in the stands to watch the match between MFM FC and El-Kanemi Warriors in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match between the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title hopefuls will be played at the Agege Stadium, in one of the biggest fixtures of matchday 18.

    MFM FC, who lost 4-0 to Nasarawa United in their mid-week fixture in Lafia, will be looking to maintain their impressive winning streak against El-Kanemi Warriors.

    It was the second time they had conceded four goals this season.

    On their part, the Maiduguri warriors are yet to record a win or grab a point, away from home this term.

    Rohr’s eyes is sure to be glued especially on the league’s top scorer Stephen Odey, who has scored in every game at the ‘Soccer Temple’ so far this season.

    This fixture will be particularly exciting as Odey who has scored 13 goals, could set a new record in the NPFL if he bags a brace in his 15th appearance.

    Also El-Kanemi Warriors could also go top of the log for the first time if they manage to nick this one.

  • El-Kanemi thrash Nasarawa Utd 2-0

    El-Kanemi thrash Nasarawa Utd 2-0

    El-Kanemi have put their foot in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title race so early in the season by cutting Plateau United’s lead at the top to two points after a 2-0 win over Nasarawa United.

    Ladan Bosso’s men had to wait till the business end of their Matchday 10 game to despatch Nasarawa United at the El-Kanemi Sports Stadium in Maiduguri through goals from Bello Kofarmata and Samuel Mathias.

    The win takes El-Kanemi’s points to 18 and at the same stretched their invincibility at home to 18 victories on the spin.

    For the league leaders, Plateau United, the story was different at FC Ifeanyiubah. They were defeated 0-1 through Prince Aggreh’s goal from the spot.

    Plateau United played the last 31 minutes of the match with 10 players after Salomon Junior was sent off for a second bookable offence.

  • El Kanemi secure first away win

    El Kanemi secure first away win

    El Kanemi Warriors secured its first away win of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2016/2017 season after beating Abia Warriors 1-0 at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday.

    This is Borno Army’s first away win since gaining promotion back to the NPFL in 2011/2012 season.

    A University of Maiduguri student, Hussaini Bata Muhammad’s 7th minute strike separated both sides in a tension soaked encounter that left the home fans dejected.

    Despite being a goal up, Ladan Bosso’s boys were all over Abia Warriors, piling pressure perhaps to end their poor away form which they eventually did.

    Abia Warriors made an attempt to get an equaliser for the home team but Ndifreke’s free kick was saved by George Michael.

    El-Kanemi goal scorer, Bata was substituted for Sunday Anthony in the 90th minute when it was obvious that his side had secured all important three points at stake in the game.

    At 85 minutes, tense supporters of Abia Warriors urged their side to go for goal, but El Kanemi held on to end the game 0-1.

    Interestingly, El Kanemi Warriors coach Ladan Bosso was in charge of Abia Warriors two seasons ago as he promised to get something out of the game before it kicked off.

    Team manager, Baba Ali Ajayi commended his boys for their fighting spirit.

    “I think our boys gave a good fight today and they really showed that they mean  business this season. This is a huge result for us after a long time. Although, we have been getting draws away but we have been finding it very difficult to pick three points on the road but I thank God that finally we achieved it today. This is our first away win since we returned to the premier league in 2012. We will cherish this for a long time,” Ajayi said to SportingLife.

  • El Kanemi, Sunshine bag late wins

    El Kanemi, Sunshine bag late wins

    El Kanemi Warriors and Sunshine Stars needed late winners to stop Katsina United and Kano Pillars, respectively as Akwa United remained the only team yet to win this season.

    Visiting Katsina United looked like they will be the first team to pick a draw at El Kanemi, who have been unbeaten in Maiduguri in 14 matches, before substitute Anthony Sunday’s spectacular back-breaking winner in the 89th minute.

    In Akure, an 82nd penalty converted by Sikiru Alimi ensured home team Sunshine Stars edged past Kano Pillars.

    Akwa United languish at the bottom of the NPFL standings after they were held for the second time this season at home, this time by champions Rangers.

    Unlike the previous match day when all 10 teams won, Shooting Stars, Gombe United, Abia Warriors and FC Ifeanyiubah all had to settle for a share of the points in front of their own fans.

    Plateau United remained on top of the standings with 10 points from four matches, two points clear of closest rivals Rivers United.