The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FC Ifeanyi Ubah

  • Nigeria has players that can beat any team worldwide – Ezeno

    G.O.C Ezeno says Nigeria has abundance of talents with capacity to beat any team across the world if the sports authorities could select players place on merit above other considerations.

    Ezeno made the assertion when his team, G.O.C Ezeno FC, were forced to a 2-2 draw in their match against FC Ifeanyi Ubah Feeders at the FC Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium in Nnewi on Sunday.

    Ezeno said managers of Nigerian football should go back to the grassroots and tap from the potential world football stars scattered across the country.

    The team was selected from the six teams taking part in the G.O.C Ezeno football competition for Aguata South Constituency which is in the semi-final stage.

    “I am impressed with the display by brilliant talents here, these boys have just trained for three days but see the way they played against a professional side.

    “Nigeria has the players that can beat any team in the world, the problem is that merit is not placed first in the selection of players, even from our local scene, the best selection can win us the World Cup,’’ he said.

    He said that in addition to the understanding he has with FC Ifeanyi Ubah, he was holding talks with Heartland FC of Owerri and Rangers International of Enugu.

    Ezeno said his desire was to see that youths from his constituency got the best support possible to enable them realise their highest potential in their chosen endeavours.

    The coach of the team, Austin Onokpise, said the friendly match was a huge opportunity for him to assess and work on his young team for future engagements.

    Onkpise, however, said that for the game to grow in Nigeria and be comparable to any league in the football world, administrators and match referees must come clean.

    He said his team was better, adding that the first goal by FC Ifeanyi Ubah Feeders which made them to draw level was demoraliser for his enterprising side.

    “It was a great match, my boys were good, they scored the first goal and our opponents equalised with a controversial goal, it was a clear off side but the referee awarded it to them.

    “The 2-2 result is good for a team that have trained for just three days, but we are looking ahead to our next matches,’’ he said.

    The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Uga will play Umuchu, while Achina will lock horns with Mkpologu in the second semi-finals matches of the G.O.C Ezeno which will come up on Sept. 19.

  • Tornadoes eye six points in two matches

    Tornadoes eye six points in two matches

     

    Niger Tornadoes will be hoping for  maximum six points from two matches when they host FC Ifeanyi Ubah in mathday 2 of the new Premier league season on Wednesday.

    Both teams last met during the 2017 Aiteo Cup semi-final where the ikon Allah boys defeated the Anambra based side  5-3 on aggregate.

    Tornadoes flagged off the season with a victory over Kwara United at the Ilorin Township stadium on Sunday while mid week opponents  FC Ifeanyi Ubah also won their game of the new season beating newly promoted Yobe Desert Stars at home

    Technical Adviser Eramus Onu who took charge of the squad barely ten days to the commencement of the league disclosed that the team he met on ground boosted by the infusion of Rueben Ogbonnanya, Ghanaian International Erick Frimpong who joined from Enyimba  and Ibrahim Babawo quickly adopted to his philosophy which he added is likely to produce even better exploits as the league progresses.

    “We only trained two times before we traveled to Abuja to play the Abuja All stars which comprises of European players and what we learnt during the friendly matches are things we hope will come handy as we confront teams in the course of the season,”

    “I’m proud of the lads for their understanding on pitch, they are real professionals. my target is to defeat our opponents, recall that we drew twice last season in Port Harcourt and Jos and a victory this time will be a plus,” he added

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • We’ll battle Ubah to a standstill declares Tornadoes

    We’ll battle Ubah to a standstill declares Tornadoes

     

    Niger Tornadoes Coach, Abubakar Bala says although he respects FC Ifeanyi Ubah(FCIU) as the defending champions of the Federation cup currently dubbed AITEO Cup, he is however not ready to treat Saturday’s clash with kid gloves revealing that his boys will  leave no stones unturned in search of victory.

    Bala disclosed this after his sides’ last training session at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja ahead of the 1st leg tie in the Kogi State capital.

    “I have respect for all the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) teams, FCIU is no exception.  We played them two times this season, we have seen their weak areas, we need to work on our own weak areas too and where we need to improve.

    “We are going to give them a good game here and we are going to give them a good match in Nnewi too”, he enthused

    People according to the coach had expressed doubts at the beginning of the season over Tornadoes ability to survive relegation and definitely did not expect that we will go this far in the AITEO Cup. He attributed the feat achieved so far to tactical decision that has proved to be very helpful, revealing that the crew deliberately went in search of younger players within the 18-25 age brackets.

    “Some people didn’t believe us, but we believed in the recruitment we had made. We believed in the players we recruited and their ability to deliver considering their ages with the oldest at 25.

    “We recruited young boys that will listen to us, willing to do it and ready to learn”, said Bala.

    He however admitted that there will need for a lot of caution taking on the defending champions at this stage of the tournament. Our target would be to make the best of playing at home first before the return leg in Nnewi.

    FCIU eliminated Abubakar Bukola Saraki 4-0 on aggregate, defeating the Ilorin based side 3-0 in Nnewi and 1-0 in Ilorin. On the other hand, Niger Tornadoes eliminated the newly crowned NPFL champions, Plateau United winning 2-0 in Lokoja and playing out a 2-2 draw in Jos to advance on a 4-2 aggregate to the semi finals.

     

  • 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.

  • Wikki Tourists secure first season’s win

    Wikki Tourists secure first season’s win

    Players and officials of Wikki Tourists of Bauchi heaved a sigh of relief following a 3-1 win over FC Ifeanyi Ubah in the match-day 5 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) tie played at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi on Sunday.

    The Big Elephants were desperate for it’s first win of the season following a below per performances in their last four matches so far.

    The development prompted the management to read the riot act to the coaches during an emergency meeting which involved the management and technical crew on Friday to find a lasting solution to the problem.

    It seems that the outcome of the meeting had started yielding a positive result with a convincing result against the Anambra Warriors.

    It was a clash of the giants as both teams are representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup this season.

    The coach Mohammad Baba Ganaru had managed to secure two draws in their last two home games but Sunday’s win is a sign of good things to come for the team.

    The visitors shocked the home team with early goal in the 4th minute through Prince Agreey before new signing Richard Jonathan equalized for Wikki Tourists in the 37th minute. He extended the lead in the 43rd minute to end the first half 2-1 in favour of the home side.

    In the second half, Wikki Tourists continued where they stopped in the first half as Mohammed Guda netted the third goal in the 79th minute to nail the coffin of the visitors and sent the ABS stadium into wild jubilation.

  • Kano Pillars commend fans

    Kano Pillars commend fans

     
     
     
    Kano Pillars FC have commended its fans for the sense of maturity displayed for the disappointment attitude of FC Ifeanyi Ubah in their opening game of 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season on Saturday at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
    The club’s Media Officer Rilwanu Idris Malikawa said the sense of discipline exhibited by their supporters when the visiting FC Ifeanyi Ubah abandoned the match in the second half with Sai Masu Gida leading the game courtesy of Gambo Muhammad’s 36th minute goal.
    Malikawa said the management was convinced that sensitization and orientation given to their supporters before the commencement of the league is yielding a positive result.
    He urged them to sustain the tempo in the rest of the matches for the success of the team.
    “We are happy despite what happened during the match all our fans control themselves and leave the Stadium peacefully,” Malikawa said.
    Pillars FC arrived in Makurdi this evening ahead of tomorrow’s match day two encounter against Lobi stars FC at the Aper Aku Stadium.
    Addressing them shortly after their arrival, the club’s technical adviser, Kadiri Ikhana (MON) charged them to be focused on the task ahead of them.  
  • ABANDONED NPFL GAME: FC Ifeanyi Ubah suspend top official • Loses a month salary

    ABANDONED NPFL GAME: FC Ifeanyi Ubah suspend top official • Loses a month salary

    Ifeanyi Ubah have suspended team manager Jonathan Igwe for ordering the team to abandon the opening match of the new Nigeria league season at Kano Pillars at the weekend. He was also fined a month’s pay.
    In an official statement, the Nnewi club described as “sad events” the abandonment of the NPFL opening match at Kano Pillars on Saturday.
    The club said they have investigated the incident and found Igwe culpable and hence the sanctions imposed on him.
    They therefore apologised for the “autocratic and unprofessional manner (Igwe) took laws into his hands by dishing out orders to the team without due recourse to the statutes and ethics of the game”.

  • FC Ifeanyi Ubah suspends Team Manager for 4 matches

    FC Ifeanyi Ubah suspends Team Manager for 4 matches

     

    FC Ifeanyi Ubah has suspended the club’s Team Manager, Jonathan Igwe for four matches following the abandonment of the opening game of the 2016/2017 NPFL season between Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah on the 14th of January, 2017 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

    In a Press Release issued by the club, it states: ‘Our attention has been drawn to the sad events that led to the abandonment of the opening game of the 2016/2017 NPFL season between Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah on the 14th of January, 2017 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano. After extensive investigations into the occurrences that culminated in the disappointing start of the Nigeria Professional Football League, the Management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah has arrived at the following findings:

    1. That the Team Manager, Mr. Jonathan Igwe in a rather autocratic and unprofessional manner

    took laws into his hands by dishing out orders to the team without due recourse to the statutes

    and ethics of the game.

    2. That his actions were borne out of an uncontrollable emotion owing to his perceived

    antagonistic behaviour of the centre referee who he claimed allowed a goal that was flagged

    offside by the linesman to stand against us and disallowing a legitimate goal scored by FC

    Ifeanyi Ubah via a direct freekick deep into stoppage time of the first half.

    3. That he is deeply remorseful for his actions and the role he played in the eventual

    abandonment of the match between Kano Pillars and our darling club, FC Ifeanyi Ubah at the Sani

    Abacha Stadium which also resulted in him being given a red card by the centre referee. In view

    of the aforementioned, the club has reached the following decisions:

    1. That the Team Manager Mr. Jonathan Igwe is suspended for four (4) football matches with

    immediate effect and will forfeit one (1) month salary/allowances for his unprofessionalism and

    role in the eventual abandonment of the match.

    2. That the Team Manager is not to be seen in the venue of any FC Ifeanyi Ubah match during the

    period of his suspension.

    3. That the Team Manager is mandated to issue a letter of apology and promise of good conduct to

    the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the organisers of the NPFL, the League Management

    Company (LMC) within 72 hours.

    4. That the Team Manager is also to issue a written unreserved apology letter to the club and

    its teeming fans. The Management of FC Ifeanyi Ubah hereby tenders an unreserved apology to the

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) for the outcome of the

    match between Kano Pillars and FC Ifeanyi Ubah which was supposed to be a befitting curtain

    raiser for the 2016/2017 NPFL season.

    Our most sincere and heartfelt apology goes out to the President of the Nigeria Football

    Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick and the Chairman of the League Management Company, Mallam Shehu

    Dikko who has done so much in promoting the NPFL while raising the standards of the league and

    football in Nigeria.

    We also wish to apologise to all important dignitaries, especially the Governor of Kano State,

    H.E. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Management of Kano Pillars, the good people of Kano State,

    Chairmen of various State FAs, sponsors of the NPFL and members of the press who were present to

    witness the match.

    Finally, may we use this medium to apologise to our teeming fans and football lovers all over

    Nigeria and around the world for the disappointing display that has brought the name of the

    beautiful game to disrepute. This is highly regrettable and we wish to state categorically that

    we would do everything within our powers to make sure that such occurrence does not repeat

    itself.

    The club condemns explicitly the unprofessional conduct of Mr. Jonathan Igwe and believe that

    the sanctions imposed on the Team Manager will serve as a severe deterrent to the entire

    management and playing staff of the club. FC Ifeanyi Ubah vows to uphold the statutes and tenets

    of the beautiful game we love so much.

  • New league Season: Soccer fans canvass better transfer format

    New league Season: Soccer fans canvass better transfer format

    Ahead of the Nigeria Professional Football League new season which kicks off Saturday, the league management body and the clubs have been told to make players’ transfer more open in line with known practice in other leagues. A cross section of soccer fans who spoke to the Nation ahead of the new season observed that players are always reported to have joined a new club without a mention of how much was paid for such transfers.
    “Even in lower leagues in Europe you hear the transfer fees paid for such players but here you only here about a player joining another club on free transfer only for the club and the players to begin to quarrel later over fees. If we want our league to compete with other known leagues we have to do things the right way,” they submitted.
    Meanwhile all is set for the charity cup clash between league champions Rangers international and Federation cup champions FC Ifeanyi Ubah Wednesday at the Abuja National stadium. The two clubs who will be flying the Nation’s flag in the CAF Champions league and CAF Confederation Cup respectively open their new season campaign on Sunday with Rangers pitched against Abia Warriors in a derby while FC Ifeanyi Ubah open shop with Kano Pillars. The flying Antelopes have already made a clarion call to their fans to turn out in large numbers in their opening match against visiting Abia Warriors urging them to wear “Red and white to the Cathedral”

  • Rangers, FC Ifeanyi Ubah battle in Super Cup

    Rangers, FC Ifeanyi Ubah battle in Super Cup

    NIGERIA champions Enugu Rangers will battle cup holders FC IfeanyiUbah in this year’s season-opening Super Cup on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Rangers will represent the country in this year’s CAF Champions League, while IfeanyiUbah will feature in the CAF Confederation Cup by virtue of their Federation Cup triumph.

    The new Nigeria league season will kick off on Friday, January 14, when hosts Kano Pillars battle IfeanyiUbah in Kano.

    The rest of the opening week fixtures will be played on Sunday.