The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enyimba

  • ABS coach plots Enyimba’s downfall in Aba

    ABS coach plots Enyimba’s downfall in Aba

    ABS FC coach Kabiru Sulieman Dogo has called on his players to be at their best as they get ready to play against title chasers Enyimba FC in their week 36 NPFL game this Sunday in Aba.

    ABS take on the People’s Elephants on Sunday at the Aba township stadium with the hope of upsetting their host to aid their survival race for top flight football next season.

    Dogo, in an interview with futaa.com ahead of the Sunday’s clash with the current FA Cup Champions, said he looks forward to an interesting game against the two-time CAF champions League winners.

    “We’ve arrived Aba to face Enyimba. It’s going to be an interesting game as Enyimba is also a good team with good players but we will do all we can to pick points here in Aba.

    Enyimba’s chances of securing a second trophy in the current campaign suffered a setback on Wednesday when they failed to pick up at least a point in the week 31 replayed fixture against Kano Pillars in Lokoja.

    The Aba based outfit go into Sunday’s crunch tie as favourites but they must win to harbour any hope of chasing down current title holders Kano Pillars who sit on top of the league log with a two point difference.

  • Pillars beat Enyimba 1-0 in Lokoja

    Pillars beat Enyimba 1-0 in Lokoja

    • Jump to the top of the league
    • Ubale wins MVP

    Kano Pillars have boosted their chances of retaining the league title they won last season with a stoppage time winning goal against Enyimba at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja yesterday.

    It was the replay of the hitherto botched Matchday 31 Glo League tie decided September 11 which was then marred by the encroachment of kano fans onto the pitch.

    Manir Ubale came on from the bench to score the vital goal in the 90th minute of the game.

    The game was a case of two halves with each belonging to both teams. Enyimba gained the upper hand and were guilty of near misses in the first half while Pillars came out more forcefully in the second half when the Aba Millionaires put their legs off the pedal. Pillars eventually got the match-winner at the end through impressive Ubale.

    The strike, which was off a throw-in from the flank, was helped in by the head of Ubale after the Peoples Elephant’s defender couldn’t clear an on air ball.

    Pillars are on top of the league by the virtue of their win over Enyimba as they move to 60 points from 35 games while Bayelsa United and El Kanemi Warriors are second and third with 58 and 57 points respectively.

    Enyimba are fourth with 56 points.

    The media officer of Pillars, Idris Malikawa said the win has confirmed that Sai Masu would end the league season as champions again after they emerged victorious last season.

    He said the club would approach the remaining three matches with so much optimism and confidence that they would be victorious.

    “We are happy with this win. We thank God for the win. This victory is for our fans and all lovers of football. We are going to approach the rest of the matches with high expectations that we shall carry the day,”Malikawa stated.

  • VICTORY AGAINST ENYIMBA: Pillars players get N40, 000 away win bonuses

    VICTORY AGAINST ENYIMBA: Pillars players get N40, 000 away win bonuses

    • Abba Yola charges team to sustain tempo

    Kano Pillars management Tuesday evening could not hide its delight after it paid N40, 000 as win bonuses to the team after they defeated title rivals Enyimba 1-0 to reclaim the top spot of the Globacom Premier League.

    Manir Ubale was the hero of the side after his injury time flick handed the Baba Ganaru side the maximum 3points in the Week 31 replay at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, Kogi State.

    Idris Malikawa disclosed to SportingLife that: “As a management gesture to the team following the impressive victory over Enyimba, instead of the N20, 000 for home win bonus rather N40, 000 for an away victory bonus was paid the coaches and 18 players listed for the game.

    “The reason was that the club took the game against Enyimba at the Lokoja Stadium as an away game.”

    Meanwhile, chairman of Kano Pillars FC, Abba Yola has charged the team to sustain the tempo.

    “The victory is an act from Allah (God).

    “We are very proud of you all, as there was wild jubilation in Kano after the game.

    “I, however, urge you all to sustain the tempo and not to allow the victory get into your head as we are very close to achieving our target for the season, which is to win the Globacom Premier League title.”

  • Ado Ali out of Enyimba tie

    Ado Ali out of Enyimba tie

    Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars, will be without centre-back, Ado Ali, for their clash with Enyimba on Tuesday.

    The former Sunshine Stars defender is suspended due to two yellow cards he amassed from the previous games for the Kano club.

    Ali is the only key player who will be unavailable for the champions in Tuesday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match against Enyimba at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

    “Our players and coaches held their last training session in Kano yesterday (Saturday) ahead of our game against Enyimba and everyone is available for the game.

    We have just one suspension and that is Ado Ali. He is on two yellow cards,” said Kano Pillars’ official, Idris Malikawa to supersport.com.

    But Kano Pillars will travel to Lokoja on Sunday for the match against two-time African champions, Enyimba, with established centre-backs in Umar Zango and Mustapha

    Musa though the latter has played in defensive midfield more often in recent times.

    Kano Pillars are currently in third spot on the NPFL log on 57 points, one more than fourth-placed Enyimba.

    A win for either Enyimba or Pillars on Tuesday will see them go top of the standings.

  • Appeals committee ruling Enyimba coach raises alarm

    Appeals committee ruling Enyimba coach raises alarm

    Enyimba coach, Imama Amapakabo has raised an alarm over the eventual champions of the 2012/13 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Imama’s declarations are coming on the heels of the appeals committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ruling that the botched match day 31 clash between Enyimba and champions, Kano Pillars be replayed in Lokoja on October 8.

    “We know why the game (between both clubs) was abandoned in the first place and asking us to replay the game; first in Lagos and now in Lokoja raises more questions than answers. I am not sure this is in the best interest of the growth of Nigerian football,” he said to supersport.com.

    The Enyimba coach then moved to fault the NFF’s appeals committee stating that “Nigerians still need to be educated on the reasons behind their decisions. I think Nigerians still need to be educated on the reasons behind their decisions.

    “Pillars were previously banished to Kaduna for the rest of the season after crowd trouble in Kano so why change their base to Lokoja?

    “Are we promoting violence in the Nigerian league?

    “The whole thing stinks to high heavens and no one should be surprised if we do not produce a true champion this season.

    “If this happens, we will see a scenario where our teams fail on the continental stage next year,” he said.

    Enyimba remains the only Nigerian club to win CAF Champions League having recorded back-to-back feat in 2003 and 2004.

    The People’s Elephants also reached the semifinals of the competition in 2008 and 2011.

  • Enyimba: Aba fans slam NFF appeal body

    Enyimba: Aba fans slam NFF appeal body

    Enyimba FC supporters have branded the NFF Appeal body’s decision to have their league game against Kano Pillars replayed as “disgraceful’’.

    It could be recalled that the NFF Disciplinary Committee on 27th day of September 2013 reversed the initial decision of the League Management Company to replay the Kano Pillars vs Enyimba week 31 game in Lagos following a reported invasion of the pitch by Kano Pillars fans.

    The NFF O&D in its ruling on the said date awarded maximum points and three goals to the Aba based side.

    The Aba fans in a chat with futaa.com expressed their shock at the NFF new ruling and noted the NPFL will continue to be in shambles with decisions like this.

    “It’s really a shame that our League is being run like this, what did the NFF see in Kano Pillars that have made them change their mind on their ruling? This is why we cannot have a league in the country, it’s a shame and am really disappointed,” said an angry fan.

    Futaa.com checks within the Aba metropolis discovered that most of the fans are of the opinion that the NFF always tend to be in support of the Northern team Kano Pillars.

    “I am disappointed with how Football is being run in this country, you can imagine the NFF changing their mind after ruling that Enyimba deserved three points and three goals.

    “You see the Abracadabra in our football league, who is deceiving who? Who will sponsor a league like ours that is full of Magical moments like this? It’s a shame to our football,” a fan who identified himself as Okechukwu Kalu stated.

    Meanwhile some of the fans have are optimistic that the Peolple’s Elephants are well prepared to beat Kano Pillars whenever they will play.

    “Even if they take us to the mountain, we will play and get our points against Kano Pillars.This is the same thing that the NFF did last season when Enugu Rangers should have won the league only to be dethroned in the closing stages by the same Kano Pillars, am already sensing foul play from the NFF and LMC. Why must it be Kano Pillars all the time,” said another fan who identified himself as Nonso Ifeanyi.

    Enyimba who on Wednesday recorded a 1-1 draw in Ibadan against 3SC FC will now prepare for a replay against Kano Pillars in Lokoja, kogi state as against the earlier scheduled Teslim Balogun stadium.

  • Enyimba remain on top

    Enyimba remain on top

    • Bayelsa Utd hold on to 2nd spot

    Enyimba of Aba held on to top spot of the Glo Premier League table after the Peoples Elephant added to the misery of 3SC of Ibadan which they held to a 1-1 draw at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba yesterday.

    The Aba Millionaires knew that anything besides a loss would keep them at the summit of the league table and they duly went for the jugular of the home team in search of the curtain raiser.

    They actually got the opening goal of the match through Andrew Abalogu before Francis Edem saved 3SC’s blushes with a late penalty kick. The draw improved Enyimba’s points’ haul to 59 while 3SC must win all remaining three matches against Nembe City, Warri Wolves and Kaduna United and also pray that other results end in their favour.

    The Oluyole Warriors are last on the log with 43 points from 35 matches.

    Enyimba’s Head Coach, Salisu Yusuf praised the home team, 3SC and enthused that the Ibadan based club made life difficult for them throughout the encounter.

    He said he was happy to leave Ibadan with a point that still ensured that they maintained top spot in the league.

    The former Super Eagles coach said Enyimba would be going back to Aba to get adequately prepared for their next game at home to ABS.

    “We got a draw under a very difficult environment. 3SC played the game of their lives but we stood our ground to keep our destiny in our fans as regard the league table. We are happy to maintain top spot and we shall not rest on our oars till the end of the season,”Yusuf explained to SportingLife.

    At the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, Bayelsa United overcame Warri Wolves 1-0 through a penalty kick converted by Azubuike Okechukwu in the 49th minute.

    Bayelsa United’s media officer, George Ameli told SportingLife that the centre referee pointed to the penalty spot in the 49th minute when a long throw-in into the vital area of the Seasiders touched the hand of a defender.

    The win kept the Restoration Boys in second spot behind Enyimba with 58 points from 35 matches while Wolves rough path to the end of the season continued as they remain on 49 points from 35 matches.

  • Enyimba must fall in Ibadan — Busari

    Enyimba must fall in Ibadan — Busari

    3SC coach, Hakeem Busari has said his side will not lose to table toppers, Enyimba in Wednesday’s Glo Premier League Matchday 35 duel at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

    The Oluyole Warriors lost the first fixture in Aba 0-1 to Enyimba through a penalty.

    Busari who waived aside any mention of revenge in the encounter said his side have worked very hard, believing that everything will fall in place in their favour after 90 minutes.

    “There is no big or small match, we’re not new to each other. When we visited Enyimba at Aba we gave a good account of ourselves, unfortunately we lost 0-1 through penalty.

    “We’ve done our home work very well, we’ll put up good a fight, hoping to grab the three points at stake.

    “We’re not after revenge, I know it’ll be a tough game given the age long rivalry between the sides but we’ll avoid defeat in the game’’.

    “People are most likely to see us as being under pressure, we’re not but taking our games as calmly as possible. Of course, you and I know that pressure doesn’t win a game rather it complicates things, so we’ve done everything to avoid pressure,” said the coach to supersport.com.

    Busari said emphatically that his side will avoid relegation at the end of the ongoing season.

    “Where we found ourselves right now is strictly not our own making, we have been unlucky, but I’m certain we won’t go on relegation.

    “The league is still wide open, we’ve four matches left in the season and in football everything is possible.

    “Nobody would’ve reckoned after our first four matches that we’ll be where we’re at the moment.

    “We’re keeping the hope alive, no team right now is a write off for relegation. We’ll survive relegation this term and plan better next season,” Busari summed up.

    3SC are at the bottom of the 20-team topflight league log on paltry 39 points.

  • NPFL now ends October 20

    NPFL now ends October 20

    The League Management Company (LMC) has announced that the Nigeria league will now end on October 20 against the earlier date of October 13.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the LMC effected changes in the earlier released amended fixtures which were necessitated by the decisions of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) organising and disciplinary committee (O and D) on various cases arising from league games.

    A statement from the office of the LMC chief operating officer, Salihu Abubakar, reads: “In view of the appeals received from some of the clubs on the decisions of the NFF Disciplinary Committee and the need for us to have smooth ending of the season, matches of the Glo Premier League are now to be played as follows – Matches of Week 35 will now be played on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 with Week 36 matches slated to be played on Saturday, October 12. Week 37 matches will hold on Wednesday, October 16, and the season-ending matches of Week 38 will be decided on Sunday, October 20.

    “The new schedules took into consideration the Super Eagles World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia, which has been scheduled for October 13 to free the day for Nigerians to focus on the game.”

    Enyimba, who has already clichéd the Federation Cup, lead the 20-team table with 58 points from 34 matches.

    The top two teams will represent Nigeria at next year’s CAF Champions League, while the third-placed club will feature in the Confederation Cup.

     

  • Title race still open — Yusuf

    Title race still open — Yusuf

    Enyimba coach,Salisu Yusuf has said the three points his team took off Kano Pillars means more work for his wards.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Organising and Disciplinary Committee on Thursday reversed the League Management Company (LMC) replay order of the botched Matchday 31 tie involving both sides in Kano by awarding three points and three goals to the People’s Elephant.

    An elated Yusuf said the three points from the O&D has thrown at Enyimba new challenges if they are to maintain the status quo.

    “Naturally, everybody is happy with the decision of the NFF O&D to award us three

    points and three goals from the Kano Pillars botched game more so as it has saved us the trouble of heading to Lagos for the replay on Sunday but I know it comes with new challenges.

    “We just have to redouble our efforts in order to sustain ourselves at the top as other teams now see us as the team to beat.

    “Of course, in football it’s not over until it’s over, we’ve witnessed teams climb up and down, some even created six points lead but right now they’re no longer in contention so we’re going to work extremely hard to keep the top spot till the end of the season.

    “We’re wiser and will never remove our legs on the throttle till we grab the league trophy,” said the former Kano Pilars coach to supersport.com.

    The two-time African champions have widened the gap at the top by three points ahead of second-placed, Bayelsa United.