The Nation Newspaper

Tag: El-Kanemi

  • Yusuf: Eagles job won’t affect El-Kanemi

    Yusuf: Eagles job won’t affect El-Kanemi

    New Super Eagles interim assistant coach, Salisu Yusuf has dismissed fears that his new assignment with the national team will adversely affect his duties at Glo Premier League side, El-Kanemi Warriors but has posited that it would mutually compliment his services to the national team and the club.

    “Combining both jobs is not a big deal, because I have been working with the team for eleven months now and much synergy has been created. My being present or absent is of no great deal because I have already built a team that can do better even in my absence,” he told www.lmc-ng.org.

    Salisu, who has previously worked as a Super Eagles’ assistant coach under Samson Siasia, also spoke about the struggles of his club, El-Kanemi Warriors. He has remained confident that they will beat the drop.

    “I am not under any pressure to beat the drop and in view of our recent performances and results, El-Kanemi is sure to remain in the Premier League come next season,” he said.

    Mfon Udoh’s lone goal in the 50th minute made all the difference for Enyimba’s title aspirations, as they beat the Warriors in Aba, and securing crucial three points for the Elephants that kept them on the heels of Warri Wolves and Kano Pillars.

    The striker tapped in his 18th of the season from 10 yards after some neat work from Nzugbe Anaezemba following Kingsley Sokari’s flick.

  • El-Kanemi hold Kaduna Utd

    El-Kanemi hold Kaduna Utd

    El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri forced cash strapped Kaduna United to a goalless draw in the week 32 Glo Premier League at the Kaduna Township Stadium on Sunday.

    Super Eagles invitee, David Obiazor was the match hero yesterday when he saved a 90th minute penalty played by Musa Yau.

    Reports reaching SportingLife from Kaduna State, revealed that the match officials; match Commissioner, Ekele Sunday, center referee Awosakin 0.0 from Ondo State, AR1 Peter Edibi from Cross Rivers, AR11 Emanuel Udoh from Akwa Ibom State, reserve referee Barnabas Shamang from Kaduna State were held hostage by the home supporters for several hours.

    El Kanemi media officer, Obaseki Anthony claimed that he and club’s camera man were attacked by the home fans.

    “Kaduna fans attacked my video cameraman annd I,” Obaseki said through a text message.

    Meanwhile, on the eve of their encounter in Kaduna, the founding father of EL-Kanemi Warriors and one time Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Chairman, Col. Abdulmumini Aminu  (Rtd) motivated players and officials of the club with a moving speech and a gift of N100,000.

    Speaking to the team at his residence in Kaduna Abdulmumini said: “You must work hard as professionals to excel and sell your talents to the world. When you work hard, God will certainly reward you abundantly and the sky will be your limit.”

    He expressed happiness with the team’s performance in the league.

    “I am still part of the team, I monitored your performances and you have been doing well with some away draws and home wins to your records. You should be good Ambassadors of Borno State, while I assure you that I will personally intimate Governor Kashim Shettima with the problems on ground.”

    Responding to the speech on behalf of the team, the leader of delegation, Mallam Ba, aji Hassan thanked Aminu for the fatherly advice and the motivation accorded the players and officials of the team.

    He assured that they will heed to his advice and play to a glorious end.

  • Kaduna Utd not a threat to El-Kanemi, Adewale boasts

    Kaduna Utd not a threat to El-Kanemi, Adewale boasts

    El-Kanemi Warriors defender Kabiru Adewale believes his side will get a good result in Kaduna when they tackle Kaduna United on Sunday for the Week 32 Glo Premier League clash.

    Adewale, who has been a pivot in the team’s defense since joining the team in the second round, said Kaduna United will not be a threat to El-Kanemi.

    Adewale was the man -of-the-match when El-Kanemi defeated visiting Nasarawa United 3- 1 on Wednesday due to his outstanding performance.

    He said their defence line, which is being coordinated by the likes of Aloma Idris, Jelili Akinbode, Reuben Ogbonnaya, Babakura Ali and captain Bamai Bukar are capable of stopping Kaduna United’s strikers.

    “I am not underrating Kaduna United but they are not a threat to us. There is no injury in our team so we have a full house and we are going to Kaduna for a point if possible the full points,” Adewale told SportingLife.

    “I am ready for the match on Sunday. My target is to go there and get a point and no attacker can come near me in the defense. I want to say that we have good defenders that are very experienced. I have confidence in our defenders. So, it is a warning to attackers not to come near us because we will defend our territory,”he said.

  • El-Kanemi camp secure, says Bala

    El-Kanemi camp secure, says Bala

    The Director of Media a t El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri, Tahiru Bala has debunked a media report that key players of the club are planning to quit over incessant security challenges and poor welfare.

    Bala said the management is doing everything humanly possible to give players the best in terms of security and welfare.

    “It is rather unfortunate that one or two bad eggs in our team is mudslinging the good name of the club by saying what is not happening in Maiduguri. El-Kanemi is one team in Nigeria that pays salaries promptly that is why I get my salary as a civil servant on the 23rd of every month. Players of El-Kanemi Warriors also get their salaries. Our players are not leaving us as speculated and they are not in fear or like prisoners as wrongly reported,” Bala begins.

    “Our camp is one of the best in the country and is located at the G.R.A. (Government Reserved Area) which is fenced and secured with security men around. Above all there was no attack on Maiduguri City not to talk of (sic) our camp that is in a secured and reserved area.

    “The insurgency is in the southern part of the state that is where attacks occurred not in Maiduguri were our camp is located. Our youth vigilance group aka Civilian JTF have successfully forced all of them out of Maiduguri and since then the city became a no-go area to Boko Haram and life is going on normal in Maiduguri.

    “So, I wonder which attack he (the reporter of the story) is saying. If a player is leaving us, he should leave but not spoil the good name made by great players like Samson Siasia, Rowland Ewere, Manu Garba and a lot of others in those days. Those players in question should please quietly leave than giving the club a bad name; soldier go soldier come barrack still remains. We want to use this medium to inform the media to always crosscheck their facts and balance their stories,” the director concluded.

  • Sharks are in high spirit-Odinga

    Sharks are in high spirit-Odinga

    As sharks Football club of Port Harcourt are set to engage El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri in a week 29 encounter in the Nigeria Professional Football League today, and captain of the side, Odinga Odinga says they will take the game to the homers when both sides file out for action.

    Odinga said he is optimistic the team will not disappoint Port Harcourt fans adding that even the weather condition will not be a problem because kick off time for the match is 2pm.

    “We have not come to Kano for fun but to fight for the three points from start to finish and the weather condition in Kano will not be a hindrance to a good game”Odinga said.

    The legend as he is called by fans of the team is elated with the atmosphere in camp, a condition that makes it glaring that they are in Kano for business.

    Odinga also does not think the long journey from Port Harcourt to Kano will any way affect the team.

    “I have never seen the boys behave the way they have done since we arrived Kano, the spirit is high and I can assure our fans that we are used to long journeys but this time it will amount to something more rewarding by the grace of God”. Odinga concluded.

  • El Kanemi players return to training

    El Kanemi players return to training

    El Kanemi Warriors players have returned to training after they refused to train on Tuesday over their unpaid entitlement.

    The players have given
    the state government and the management of the club a ten-day ultimatum to pay their entitlement.

    “Our players have returned to training. They trained Wednesday evening and they also trained on Thursday morning. All is well in the team now; the players have seen reasons with the government and the management over the delay of their money.

    “I am happy that the players have returned to training. We have an important match this weekend against Lobi Stars and they have promised to put in their best.

    “We did not strike. We only refuse to come to train on Tuesday just to let our management know that all is not well with us, now that they have told us why the money is been delayed and we agreed with them. We are back in training,” the players declared.

    Meanwhile the management thanked the players for their understanding and promised to live up to their promise once they get the money from the government.

  • Warriors at war! EL Kanemi in Umuahia for business – OBASEKI

    Warriors at war! EL Kanemi in Umuahia for business – OBASEKI

    El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri media officer, Anthony Obaseki, has said his team’s form will see them through against Abia Warriors when both sides clash in a Week 23 Glo League tie on Sunday at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia, Abia State.

    SportingLife understands that players and officials of El Kanemi Warriors left Kano City on Friday, stopped over in Enugu, and arrived in Umuahia this morning.

    “Our match with Abia Warriors is on Sunday but we are travelling on Friday so that we can have time to rest for the game on Sunday,” Obaseki told SportingLife just before the El Kanemi delegation left Kano.

    “The team is in top form now and we are targeting a draw or win in Umuahia. I am not saying Abia Warriors are pushovers, but with the present form of our team no club can stop us.

    “We are going to Umuahia for real football busi and the new Warriors of the east; in total it is Warriors at war ness. It is going to be a tough game between the real Warriors of the north in Umuahia.”

    He added: “The players know what is at stake and I must say here that the management under the leadership of Mala Zanna Mohammed is doing their best in terms of the players’ welfare.

    “We left Maiduguri last Sunday to Kano and now from Kano to Umuahia. From there we are coming back to Kano again for our week 23 match. Salaries are paid when due, bonuses are paid on time, so the players must give their best to make it to the top.”

  • El-Kanemi arrive in Kano for Wolves

    El-Kanemi arrive in Kano for Wolves

    Players and officials of El-kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri arrived in Kano yesterday ahead of their Week 21 Glo Premier League match against Warri Wolves at the Kano Pillars stadium on Wednesday.

    The club’s media officer, Anthony Obaseki told SportingLife that the team will resume training this morning.

    According to Obaseki, the team had been training in Maiduguri after their week 20 match away to Rangers International where they lost  2 -0.

    “The team is in high spirit.The technical crew has corrected the mistakes in our last match and we have put our away loss behind us. We are passing through a lot because we are playing our home matches as away matches so that is why we are begging the League Management Company (LMC) to return us back to our home ground in Maiduguri. We pay hotels bills for our home matches just as we pay for our away matches too,” Obaseki told SportingLife.

    “We have a target to end the league well. So, Warri Wolves cannot stop our plans. We are not underrating them but we have a team that can stand any team. We are ready for Warri Wolves,”he said.

  • LMC clears Rangers, Enyimba, five others

    LMC clears Rangers, Enyimba, five others

    The League Management Company (LMC) has announced that Enugu Rangers, Enyimba and five other clubs have been cleared after fulfilling all financial obligations to their players.

    According to information gathered, the latest clubs to be cleared are – Heartland, Sunshine Stars, Enyimba International, Warri Wolves, El-Kanemi Warriors, Rangers International and Lobi Stars.

    They joined Kano Pillars, Abia Warriors and Bayelsa United who were the first to be cleared by the league’s governing body earlier in the week, kickOffNigeria.com reports.

    All 20 clubs in the Glo Premier League had at the start of the season received N10 million each from the LMC as the first installment of the “Basic Award,” and the LMC had said they could receive more in the course of the season if they are found to have complied with requirements.

    To this effect, only debt-free clubs as well as those who have complied with the N150, 000 monthly minimum wage will benefit from the Basic Award. Indebted clubs will also be prevented from operating in the mid-season transfer market.

    “We have created these procedures to protect players from the previous tales of unpaid salary arrears and will be working with the clubs to ensure overall improvement of players’ welfare,” chief operating officer of the LMC, Salihu Abubakar, disclosed.

    He, however, revealed that Gombe United, Sharks and Giwa FC were refused clearances after documents they submitted indicated that they pay players below the minimum wage.

  • Eugene Obi joins El-Kanemi

    El Kanemi Warriors has signed Eugene Obi from Kano Pillars as part of the team’s effort to build a formidable squad for the second stanza of the Glo Premier League which kicks of this weekend across the country.

    Eugene is one of the experienced players the club is planning to bring to the team.

    SportingLife had exclusively reported on Wednesday that the club has secured the services of Onyekachi Okoye from Abia Warriors.

    The club’s media officer, Anthony Obaseki who confirmed this to SportingLife said the club has so far secured the clearance of three new players.

    Apart from Eugene and Okoye, another player is Mohammed Tafiu from Wikki Tourists

    Obaseki also disclosed that one of their players, Adewale Sikiru, a defender, who was signed last season but could not play due to injury has now been declared fit to return to active football.

    “We are unveiling our players tomorrow (Thursday). And as at the time I am talking to you now we have three players that have been cleared and registered. We are even lucky to have one of our players, Sikiru back on his feet. Injury has  ruled him out since last season. His return is like a new signing,” Obaseki told SportingLife.

    The new players will feature in the team’s first game against Rangers International in Enugu this weekend.