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Tag: Enyimba

  • Enyimba fined N10m for disrupting game against Rangers

    Enyimba fined N10m for disrupting game against Rangers

    The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has awarded three points and three goals to Rangers for the abandoned oriental derby with Enyimba.

    The NPFL matchday 35 fixture was abandoned in added time after Rangers were awarded a controversial penalty at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

    The decision prompted protests from Enyimba players who confronted the match officials while the fans also invaded the pitch afterwards.

    Enyimba was also penalised N10 million for failing to ensure the proper conduct of its players, disrupting the NPFL live broadcast, and causing the disruption and discontinuation of the match.

    Three Enyimba players — Eze Ekwutoziam, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Akanni Elijah — are under investigation for further sanctions.

    Read Also: Enyimba, Remo Stars , Rangers  face acid  tests  in NPFL title race

    “An order forfeiting 3 points and three goals in favour of your opponent refusing to allow the penalty awarded in favour of your opponents to be taken, thereby disrupting the match and bringing the game to disrepute,” the letter reads.

    “An order for Enyimba to identify and produce for further investigation and appropriate sanctions, other players and officials complicit in the disruptive conducts (particularly against the match officials) that led to a discontinuation of the game, in addition to the following identified players; Eze Ekwutoziam (Jersey No.6), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Jersey No.27), and Akanni Elijah (Jersey No.10).”

    Similarly, NPFL charged Rangers with “over-ticketing, which led to overcrowding” and failing to provide adequate security and crowd control measures during the match.

    The team got a cumulative N5 million fine for all the breaches incurred.

    Both clubs must respond to their penalties within the next 48 hours.

  • Enyimba, Remo Stars, Shooting Stars face tricky NPFL home ties

    Enyimba, Remo Stars, Shooting Stars face tricky NPFL home ties

    The People’s Elephant, Sky Blue Stars and the Oluyole Warriors will  be hoping  to catch up with league leaders, Rangers  with their respective home games  this weekend as  the Flying Antelopes   face the acid test in Lagos against  Sporting Lagos, TUNDE  LIADI  writes.

    Enyimba, Remo Stars and Shooting Stars will have a chance to close in on leaders, Enugu Rangers this weekend when they play before their fans while the Flying Antelopes visit Sporting Lagos as Nigeria Premier Football League  enters Matchday 34.

    The weekend games start  today with three fixtures on schedule as  Remo Stars  will host Kano Pillars in game that will be aired on Beta Sports channel 244 on StarTimes.

    The other two matches line  that will be live on  StarTimes, the official broadcast partner of the NPFL is today’s Bendel Insurance home match  against Katsina United  as well as tomorrow’s ‘ David versus Goliath  clash in Lagos between Sporting Lagos and league leaders, Rangers International of Enugu.

    Meanwhile, Remo Stars have  slipped to the third spot following that defeat but they could return to second spot with a win over Sai Masu Gida with Enyimba up against tough Rivers United on Sunday.

    Doma United will hope to end their winless home streak when they trade tackles with out of form Lobi Stars tomorrow in Gombe. The Pride of Benue edged the Savannah Tigers 2-1 in the first leg in Lafia. Doma United are under compulsion to win the game move away from the drop zone. They currently occupy that spot in 17th  with 40 points.

    In Benin City, Bendel Insurance will have their hands full when they welcome Katsina United to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium tomorrow. Insurance got a goalless draw in Akure against Sunshine Stars and will need a win to starve off relegation worries and also avenge the 1-0 loss suffered in Katsina. They are 10th with 46 points. The maximum points could see the Benin Arsenals displace the Changi Boys who are seventh with 49 points if other results go in their favour.

    Gombe United are down and almost out in last spot with 25 points but they could still play the spoilers role as they did to Lobi Stars in their last home game which they won 3-2. The 3-0 defeat in Owerri to Heartland FC brought them back to earth last weekend but are up against Sunshine Stars whom they forced to a 1-1 in Akure during the first leg.

    Sunshine Stars showed they had recovered from their goalless draw at home to Bendel Insurance with a 1-0 win over Rivers United which saw them qualify for the quarter final of the President Federation Cup for the first time in recent seasons. The Owena Whales are 16th  with 40 points but only out of the drop zone by goals difference. Can they surprise their hosts in Gombe on Sunday?

    Bayelsa United suffered an embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Plateau United in the first leg and will have a golden chance to avenge the loss on Sunday at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa. They were rubbed more salt on their injury when Rangers pummelled them 3-0 last weekend. The Prosperity Boys are 18th  on the log with 39 points and practically must acquire the three points against the Peace Boys to continue the race to leave the drop zone.

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    Kwara United beat Remo Stars 3-2 at home to move to the 11th  spot with 44 points but they are still unsafe from the relegation zone yet with just four points off as they travel to Kaduna as guest of Niger Tornadoes. Tornadoes who are at the moment 13th with 43 points held the Harmony Boys to a goalless draw in Ilorin in the first leg and will need the three points this term to consolidate on their hard earned point in Jos against Plateau United last weekend. A home win will help steer them further from the relegation zone which they are just three points away from.

    Enugu Rangers opened up a four point gap at the top with 60 points following their home win over Bayelsa United but they are away in Lagos to face Sporting Lagos who are only one point away from the relegation zone despite being in 14th spot with 41 points.

    The Noisy Lagosians need an outright win at home to fend off relegation talks but a draw will only brighten Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men chances of sealing another title win. Rangers thrashed Sporting Lagos 2-0 when the first leg came up in Enugu.

  • Rangers, Remo Stars, Enyimba in tough duels as NPFL returns

    Rangers, Remo Stars, Enyimba in tough duels as NPFL returns

    Following a month break, the NPFL stages a return this weekend with the top four title rivals and bottom placed teams in difficult games writes TUNDE LIADI

    The 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League Premiership season continues this weekend with MatchDay 33 fixtures following more than a month of recess necessitated by the backlogs of Rivers United’s outstanding games owing to their CAF Confederation Cup participation.

    Rivers United, the last surviving Nigerian club on the continent were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by then reigning champions, USM Alger of Algeria in the quarter final and because of Pride of Rivers’ commendable run in the second tier clubs’ competition, they had accumulated five games at hand which must be played before the remaining MatchDays are decided for sporting fairness.

    The NPFL organisers announced the stop of the topflight games after MatchDay 32 last month to allow Rivers United complete their five outstanding matches. The fixtures have now been played and the remaining of the six MatchDays can now go ahead.

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    Meanwhile, it is a weekend of local derbies in Umuahia and Jos with the ‘Abian derby’ holding at the Umuahia Township Stadium between Abia Warriors and reigning league champions, Enyimba tomorrow  while Plateau United will trade tackles with Niger Tornadoes at the New Jos Stadium in a North Central derby.

    Enyimba edged their neighbours and Oriental brother, 2-1 when this game was played last  December and it is expected to be a closed affair also when the return leg is played in Umuahia tomorrow.

     The People’s Elephant whose coach, Yemi Olanrewaju is away in Scotland for a coaching course, need the three points to stay in the hunt for title defence while Abia Warriors would cherish the points too to further steer clear of the relegation zone.

    Enyimba are third with 53 points having lost two points to the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee’s verdict which ruled that their home game with Doma United that hitherto ended 1-0 in their favour was overturned to have finished goalless. Abia Warriors are 11th  with 44 points.

    Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes will face each other in the North Central derby having scores to settle. The fixture ended 3-2 in the Peace Boys’ favour in Kaduna in December but both teams have also just been eliminated from the President Federation Cup on Wednesday.

    Plateau United were beaten on penalties by Sunshine Stars while Tornadoes lost 1-0 to Rivers United. Both were Round of 32 games. It was Tornadoes’ second defeat to the Pride of Rivers in three days having lost 3-2 to them in Port Harcourt in an outstanding NPFL game last Sunday.

    Plateau United with Mbwas Mangut in charge have now slipped to the sixth spot on the log with 50 points and only a win on Sunday will see them back in the top four if other results go in their favour while Tornadoes will be comfortable with a draw at least to keep them outside the drop zone for at least one week. They are 12th  with 42 points and a loss could see them back in the bottom four on goals difference.

    In Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, table topper, Enugu Rangers cannot afford to slip up in the title race with Remo Stars who play against Kwara United in Ilorin on Sunday breathing down their neck with just a point gap in second spot with 56 points. Rangers host Bayelsa United tomorrow.

    The Flying Antelopes need a home win to remain in charge at the top while the visitors cannot afford to lose the tie. Currently out of the relegation zone by goals difference in 16th  spot with 39 points, the Prosperity Boys could be in the bottom four by the time the weekend’s games are completed, if they lose the tie.

    Sunshine Stars that occupy the last relegation spot in 17th  spot with 39 points are at home to Bendel Insurance and buoyed by their victory in the President Federation Cup over Plateau United, a home win over the Benin Arsenals will see them move out of the drop zone if other results go in their advantage. Bendel Insurance pipped Sunshine Stars 1-0 in the first leg played in Benin.

    At the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Heartland FC will be singing revenge song when Gombe United come calling tomorrow.

     The Desert Scorpions laid out the Naze Millionaires by two unreplied goals in the first leg played in Gombe. A home win will keep Christian Obi and his wards mathematically still in contention to remain in the topflight but anything other than that could spell doom.

    In Lafia, Lobi Stars will like to put their recent unproductive spells behind them when they trade tackles with 2021 champions, Akwa United who are troubled by relegation this term. The Promise Keepers nicked the tie 1-0 in Uyo in the first leg.

    The Pride of Benue were eliminated by Shooting Stars in the President Federation Cup in the Round of 32 on Wednesday while the season that hitherto looked promising is crash landing with so much impact for Paul Agagbe boys. They are now fifth on the log with 52 points, five points away from the league leaders, Rangers International FC. It will be a dicey tie on Sunday because both teams cannot afford to lose points in the encounter. A draw cannot even assuage both teams with Akwa United in 18th spot with 37 points.

    In Port Harcourt, Rivers United will strive to make it third consecutive win in all competitions when they face Sporting Lagos. They defeated Niger Tornadoes twice in two competitions within the spate of three days and a win against Sporting Lagos will see them climb further the league log than their present ninth spot with 44 points. The Noisy Lagosians edged the Pride of Rivers 1-0 when the first leg was played.

    Shooting Stars’ recent impressive stints will face a big test in Katsina when they slug it out with Katsina United. The Changi Boys have turned the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium to their fortress and have hardly recorded poor results in recent fixtures.

     The Ibrahim Sadauki side are seventh with 48 points and will be knocking on the top five door with a home win. But the Oluyole Warriors who are currently fourth with 52 points could move into the top three with a positive result if Enyimba stumble in the Abian derby. Katsina United held Shooting Stars to a 1-1 draw in Ibadan in the first leg.

    In Kano, Doma United will be eager to complete a sensational double over Kano Pillars whom they beat 1-0 in Gombe in the first round last December.

     The Savannah Tigers are 15th  on the table with 40 points following a turbulent second stanza of the season. They were flying in the first stanza and even went on nine games unbeaten streak before Lobi Stars pinned them 2-1 on December 17th, 2023 to end it.

    Not long thereafter, they went eight games without a win. It was halted briefly with a 1-0 victory in Uyo against Akwa United but they slipped back to the same mood and are yet to win again after three games played thereafter.

    Kano Pillars are almost in similar form as Doma United. They have won just two game from six games and must beat Doma United to quell any thought of relegation talks having just returned from the lower league this season. They are 10th  with 44 points from 32 games.

    NPFL MatchDay 33 Fixtures

    Rangers vs Bayelsa United

    Rivers United vs Sporting Lagos

    Abia Warriors vs Enyimba

    Katsina United vs Shooting Stars

    Sunshine Stars vs Insurance

    Heartland vs Gombe United

    Lobi Stars vs Akwa United

    Kano Pillars vs Doma United

    Kwara United vs Remo Stars

    Plateau United vs Niger Tornadoes

  • President’s Federation Cup: Enyimba, 3SC lead  others to Round of 32

    President’s Federation Cup: Enyimba, 3SC lead  others to Round of 32

    Four-times Federation Cup winners , Enyimba survived a scare from non-league side Warinje Academy before qualifying for the Round of 32 of the competition on penalties.

    Zamfara United created an upset eliminating multiple Federation Cup runners up, Mighty Jets 1-0. Niger Tornadoes, Kwara United, FC One Rocket, Hammola FC Lobi Stars, EFCC, Edel FC, Shooting Stars, Plateau United, Abia Warriors, Sokoto United, Bendel Insurance, Akwa United and Sunshine Stars have all qualified for the Round 32.

    In the game played yesterday at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin, the People’s Elephant rested most of their regular players but deservedly got ahead in the fourth minute through Desmond Ojietefian. Enyimba’s inability to kill off the game made Warinje Academy to grow into the game before the got the equaliser in the 81st minute.

    Read Also: NPFL suspends league action for Rivers United

    The game ended 1-1 and was settled by penalties which Enyimba eventually won 7-6 on penalties after goalkeeper, Ozoemena Ani caught Warinje’s ninth spot kick and stepped up to score the match winning kick.

    In Abuja, Kano Pillars atoned for their loss to Enugu Rangers in the 2018 Federation Cup final following their victory in the Round of 64 over the current Nigeria Premier Football League leaders on penalties.

    The game had ended in a 1-1 draw before Abdullahi Maikaba’s men prevailed over Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men 7-6 on penalties. It was a revenge for Maikaba who beat the team he last worked before returning back home to coach Kano Pillars.

    Niger Tornadoes zoomed past Niger Tornadoes Feeders 3-1. Bello Mohammed opened the scoring for the Feeders team in the 64th  minute but Tornadoes equalised in the 67th  minute through Victor Okoro. Ikechukwu Nwani got the second for the Ikon Allah Boys in the 77th  minute while Okoro bagged his brace from the spot in the 85th minute.

    Akwa United pipped Cynosure FC 1-0 with Damilare Johnson scoring the only goal in the 90th minute while Kwara United pummelled Rovers 4-1.

    Meze Chukwudi’s lone goal was enough for Bendel Insurance who pipped Abeokuta Stormers 1-0 while Ofirima FC bowed out 4-1 on penalties to Sokoto United after a 2-2 draw at the end of the regulation time in Lafia.

    FC One Rocket thrashed Fr. Eburuaja 5-0 in Aba to end the run of Fr. Emmanuel Eburuaja’s led side. Shooting Stars triumphed 3-2 on penalties over Solution FC despite ending the game with 10 men.

    Sunshine Stars and Plateau United walked over Jedo Academy and Ekiti United respectively. Beyond Limits were eliminated by Hammola FC 4-3 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 at regulation time.

    Lobi Stars whitewashed Delta Marines 6-1 while EFCC FC detained Osun United FC 4-2 on penalties after the regulation time ended 1-1. Edel FC thrashed Discovery FA 4-0 while Abia Warriors beat Ilaji FC 4-2 with Sunday Megwo scoring two goals.

  • Rangers, Enyimba claim vital wins in ‘Oriental Derbies’

    Rangers, Enyimba claim vital wins in ‘Oriental Derbies’

    Rangers have re-established three points gap atop the Nigeria Premier Football League following their 3-2 home win over Abia Warriors; Enyimba pipped Heartland FC in another Oriental derby while Kwara United scraped through with an away win to revive their topflight status hope as Matchday 30 were played yesterday.

    At the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu, Rangers fought hard before securing a 3-2 home win against Abia Warriors. It was their first win in the game’s head to head in the past four games.

    Isaac Saviour, Kazeem Ogunleye and Chiedozie Okorie were on the score sheets for the Flying Antelopes while Adejoh Ojonugwa and Pascal Nwabueze scored for Abia Warriors.

    With the win, Rangers remain first on the log with 54 points from 30 games while Abia Warriors are in 12th spot with 38 points.

    Rivers United put behind them their elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup to beat Plateau United 3-1. Alex Oyowah struck first for the Pride of Rivers before Deputy Etcheta and Udom Ekerette added theirs. Bernard Mundi reduced the goals arrears for the Peace Boys in the dying minute of the game.

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    Rivers United are in 17th spot with 34 points but are with six games at hand while Plateau United have dropped to the sixth spot with 47 points.

    At the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, Enyimba held on to the second spot with 51 points after a 1-0 home win over Heartland FC. Ekene Awazie’s 35th minute wonder goal was enough for the three points.

    Lobi Stars were beaten 2-0 in Ibadan by Shooting Stars. The Pride of Benue have slid to the third spot with 51 points while 3SC are fourth with 49 points.

    In other games played, Bayelsa United were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Katsina United while Bendel Insurance needed a late goal before beating Kano Pillars 2-1 in Benin.

    Ubong Friday’s hat trick fuelled Akwa United’s 4-1 home win over Niger Tornadoes while Kwara United needed Sadeeq Yusuf late goal to beat Gombe United at the Pantami Stadium.

    In Lagos, Sporting Lagos pipped Sunshine Stars 1-0 through Pascal Durugbor’s early strike.

    The remaining Matchday 30 game will be played today in Gombe between Doma United and Remo Stars.

  • NPFL: Enyimba stake top spot against Akwa United in Uyo

    NPFL: Enyimba stake top spot against Akwa United in Uyo

    The People’s Elephant are aiming for the 10th  league crown after they reclaimed first spot on Thursday but they face a tough clash in Uyo this weekend against the troubled Promise Keepers in their bid to hold on to the summit among other exciting league games, writes TUNDE LIADI

    Reigning league champions, Enyimba , mounted the summit of the Nigeria Premier Football League on Thursday after the 4-0 drubbing of Gombe United in Aba but they will be under immense pressure to hold on to the first spot when they face Akwa United in Uyo this weekend as Matchday 23 fixtures are played across designated centres in Nigeria.

    The People’s Elephant are atop the top-flight league with 39 points from 22 games. They have the same number of points with second placed Lobi Stars but the Aba side are ahead because of superior goals difference.

    They will trade tackles with under fire Akwa United who are 18th on the log with 21 points.

    The Promise Keepers are back home to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo after some games at the Eket Township Stadium after the NPFL approved their return to Uyo on Wednesday. The 2021 NPFL champions will be desperate to win the game with Enyimba and begin the process towards saving their season.

    Today,  two games have been scheduled. In Gombe, Doma United will be hoping to record their first win of the second round when they host Sporting Lagos at the Pantami Stadium. Doma United were beaten 2-0 by Bayelsa United midweek and they must work very hard to beat stubborn Noisy Lagosians who came back from behind to beat Akwa United in their last game.

    The Savannah Tigers have slipped to the eighth spot with 32 points after such fantastic first round display. Akinade Onigbinde and his boys have slowed down but they can pick things up with a win against Sporting Lagos.

    In the other game today, Remo Stars who were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Enugu Rangers midweek will host Bayelsa United with their sights on regaining the top spot if other results go in their favour. The Sky Blue Stars are now fifth with 36 points but they are with a game at hand.

    Gombe United will hosts Shooting Stars in Gombe tomorrow. Muhammed Babaganaru resigned as the Desert Scorpions’ gaffer on Wednesday before their 4-0 loss to Enyimba in Aba but the team must move on without him. They are up against the Oluyole Warriors who held Plateau United to a draw in Jos last weekend and beat Bendel Insurance 1-0 midweek.

    In Awka, it is yet to be seen how fast Heartland FC have recovered from their humiliating 5-1 home loss to Plateau United on Wednesday when they host Sunshine Stars this weekend. The Naze Millionaires were praised high heavens after a decent display against Lobi Stars but they put every foot wrong against the Peace Boys and were disgraced before their fans.

    On the part of Sunshine Stars, they defeated Lobi Stars 2-0 to show that their 5-1 defeat in Kano was just a minor blip. The game will pitch former Heartland FC coach, Kennedy Boboye against his erstwhile team. The three games the Naze Millionaires have won this season were when Boboye was still in charge.

    Read Also: NPFL: Enyimba grab vital win  to  join title contenders

    Lobi Stars have the chance of returning to the top of the log with a home win against Katsina United. The game ended goalless in Katsina when the first leg was played and the  Eugene Agagbe led Pride of Benue will be urged on by the club’s Vice Chairman, Dominic Iorfa to aspire for the three points.

    In Kano, Kano Pillars will host Abia Warriors in a game both sides are desirous to win. Sai Masu Gida were edged 3-2 by Katsina United in a local derby but Abia Warriors pinned Kwara United 1-0 through Sunday Megwo’s 53rd  minute goal.

    Niger Tornadoes will face Enugu Rangers quite fresh and refreshed knowing that they had the whole week to prepare for their fixture with the Flying Antelopes. Their midweek opponents, Rivers United had the game shifted because of their weekend’s CAF Confederation Cup tie.

    Tornadoes must go for a win as they presently occupy the last slot of the relegation zone with 24 points. Enugu Rangers are in form. They will need a good result to move higher than their present fourth spot on the log.

    While, Plateau United will return home in Jos to welcome Bendel Insurance still smarting from their 5-1 triumph over Heartland FC. Bendel Insurance won the first leg 1-0 in Benin but have slipped to the ninth spot with 31 points. The Peace Boys are third on the log with 38 points. They could end the weekend in second spot at least if they win their home game.

  • NPFL: Enyimba grab vital win  to  join title contenders

    NPFL: Enyimba grab vital win  to  join title contenders

    Just barely 24 hours after Lobi Stars regained the leadership of the Nigeria Premier Football League table, Enyimba have overtaken them at the top following their 4-0 thrashing of beleaguered Gombe United yesterday at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba as the three remaining Matchday 22 games were played.

    In Aba where two matches were played, Enyimba capitalized on the issues at Gombe United to wallop them 4-0 and got the required number of goals to usurp the league summit from Lobi Stars on goals difference. Gombe United head coach, Mohammed Babaganaru had a day before the fixture resigned his position as gaffer citing lack of support from the State Government.

    Mbaoma Chijioke bagged a double. He got the first from the spot kick just before halftime and increased the tally after he capitalized on defensive mistake in the 57th minute. Uche Collins and Imoh Obot netted a goal each in the 70th  and 94th  minute for an emphatic finish.

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    Enyimba improved to 39 points and +7 goals difference from 22 games and big win leapfrogged them ahead of Lobi Stars who are second also with 39 points but with a goals difference of +5.

    In Ibadan, Shooting Stars’ Tate Muritala became an instant hero when he scored in  stoppage time to hand the Oluyole Warriors a vital home win over Bendel Insurance. The game was heading towards a goalless draw when the former Akwa United and Wikki Tourists scored.

    The win lifted Shooting Stars to the 11th  spot with 30 points while Bendel Insurance fell to the ninth spot with 31 points.

    In Aba, Abia Warriors returned to winning ways after the 1-0 defeat to Niger Tornadoes. They pipped Kwara United 1-0 through Sunday Megwo’s goal in the 53rd  minute.

    Abia Warriors are 10th  on the log with 30 points while Kwara United fell to the 16th  spot with 25 points.

  • Egbe raises alarm on poor state of MJ Arena, Enyimba pitches

    Egbe raises alarm on poor state of MJ Arena, Enyimba pitches

    The Chief Executive Officer of  Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe, has raised alarm over the poor state  of the pitches  of  both the  Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos  and  Enyimba International FC  Stadium in Aba, adding  that lack  of proper maintenance  of  these pitches  would not only affect  their quality but their sustainability  and longevity.

    While the MJ Arena , formerly Onikan Stadium, was renovated  about two years  ago in time  for the  novel Aisha Buhari Cup, Enyimba stadium  was revamped years ago during their CAF continental cup  engagement by the Monimichelle Group amid praises from both far and  near  for bequeathing of  such top-notch hybrid synthetic pitches to the Lagos and Aba stadiums.

    “ Training  in such an Astro turf  (MJ Arena)  is unprecedented  because its quality  gives the players the zeal to really play  well  and I can say that this is one in a million because we also have Astro-turfs in Ghana  but this is very unique,” Ghana’s Black Queens’ coach Mercy Tagoe –Quarcoo, said of the MJ Arena in 2021. “If African pitches can be developed to this level, it means  that the  future is bright  and I’m so  proud to see such an Astro turf pitch  in Lagos.” 

    But  with the  reported poor state of the  grounds in both Lagos  and Aba, Egbe is  making a clarion call  to  concerned authorities to ensure the  pitches are put back  into their  pristine conditions.

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    “ Maintenance is very key to the sustainability of these top-notch hybrid synthetic pitches ,” Egbe  said. “Lagos State and Abia state should please get their pitches maintained in order to sustain the  longevity of their high-end FIFA Quality pro Turf.”

     Egbe informed that  it’s taking a longer time for maintenance  of the the pitches of the aforementioned stadia, adding  such  stance would  bring the edifice  into a state of  total disrepair.

    He continued: “The last time we carried out maintenance  work at the magnificent MJ Arena turf was during the Nation  Dr. Aisha Buhari FIFA/CAF international  invitational tournament with six of the best African women’s national teams  in attendance and that was 2021.Currently, the MBJ arena turf is getting damaged.

    “ Similarly, the Enyimba International Stadium pitch  have not been maintained for over  three years. The last time we maintained and prepped up the pitch was  during a CAF continental cup   games  against  Al-Hilal of Sudan (2019)  and Raja Casablanca of Morocco (2021).

    “ It’s very disappointing to see an unusual high football traffic and other activities from political campaigns to church activities without recourse to maintenance at these grounds .

    “How do we expect  people all the invited guests including the FIFA President, CAF president, CAF tournament coordinators from other parts of Africa, and all the six  best African women’s teams who were full of praise  when  it was  renovated  to feel now when they see the poor condition of the MJ Arena for instance?”

  • NPFL: Enyimba ignite Kano against Pillars

    NPFL: Enyimba ignite Kano against Pillars

    It is the battle between two clubs who are both in similar contrasting form in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season despite sharing 13 league titles between them. TUNDE LIADI writes on what makes the fixture a must-watch.

    Kano Pillars and Enyimba have won 13 league titles between them. This fixture used to bring along with it keen rivalry with special features and prominence in the media. But ever since Kano Pillars got relegated two seasons ago and the managerial changes at Enyimba towards the end of last season, this fixture has lost some of its glamour.

    Kano Pillars have dominated this tie in the last five outings with three wins while Enyimba had two victories but it is the People’s Elephant’s 4-0 drubbing of Sai Masu Gida in Aba on April 21, 2022 that has continued to reverberate.

    Kano Pillars beat Enyimba by 2-0 on January 2, 2022 and June 7, 2019 with the other victory ending 2-1 on June 6, 2021. Enyimba also piped Sai Masu Gida 2-1 on January 17, 2021.

    The Abdu Maikaba-tutored Kano Pillars do not have many sweet stories to tell in their return season to the topflight this term than their over-reliance on ageing Rabiu Ali who at 40 continues to be the club’s star player.

    They are 10th on the league table with nine points from seven games but rely heavily on their home games that they most times struggled to win. They managed a 1-0 win over Katsina United and Rivers United 1-0 respectively. Their only convincing win till date this season is the 3-0 thrashing of Bayelsa United in Kano.

    But their defeats on the road have been alarming. They have conceded seven goals from their last two away games to Enugu Rangers (4-1) and Sporting Lagos (3-0). They were beaten in Umuahia too by Abia Warriors (1-0).

    They have been more comfortable in their home games than away. They are under pressure to beat Enyimba on Sunday to maintain their mid-table position. Sai Masu Gida are fancied to win by an odd goal this weekend with the reigning champions yet to get into their groove as well.

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    Enyimba have been awful in their title defence as they exited the CAF Champions League without a fight to Libyan side, Al Ahly Benghazi while they were dumped out of the African Football League 4-0 on aggregate by Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in a one-sided encounter.

    In their first game of the season, they were easily beaten 2-0 by Gombe while they have been unconvincing in the two home games they have won against Akwa United (3-2) and Kwara United (1-0). The People’s Elephant grabbed their first away point of the season in their goalless draw against Niger Tornadoes in Kaduna recently while the true test will be against Pillars this weekend.

    Most of the star players that delivered the ninth league crown like Sadiq Abubakar, Obioma Chukwuemeka, John Noble among others have left the club but they still have Mbaoma Chijioke, Ojo Olorunleke, Fatai Abdullahi and others to get the job done. They must work hard if they hope to secure their second consecutive away points in their trip to Kano.

  • Three Star Wydad send Enyimba out of AFL

    Three Star Wydad send Enyimba out of AFL

    Wydad FC of Morocco continued from where they stopped last week after hammering Enyimba International of Nigeria 3-0 in the second leg of the lucrative African Football League (AFL) played at the Stade Mohammed in Rabat.

    The Moroccan had stunned the George Finidi-tutored Enyimba side 1-0 in Uyo last week and despite the 24hours postponement in the second leg tie in Morocco, Enyimba failed to avenge their home loss with another 3-0 thrashing by their host.

    Read Also:AFL: Enyimba hits Morocco against Wydad

    The Moroccan side dominated the tie with Ayoub El Amloud putting the home team ahead in the 4th  minute while Jamal Harkass doubled the lead in the 38th  minute  to put the match beyond the visitors.

    To ensure that they put the encounter to rest in the first half, Yahia Attiyat Allah added the third goal in the 43rd  minute  to put an end to any recovery from their visitors.

    Being the maiden edition of the tournament, Wydad will now advance to the semifinal while Enyimba will return home to continue their campaign in the local league.