The Nation Newspaper

Tag: football fans

  • Star Dangles N400m on Football Fans in New Promo

    Nigerian Breweries Plc, makers of Star Lager Beer, has launched a national consumer promo designed to reward football fans and lovers of Nigeria’s premium beer brand.

    The millionaires mega promo, expected to be the company’s biggest ever, is billed to give out over N400M in cash between June 15 and August 15, 2018.

    Mr. Olayinka Bakare, Portfolio Manager National Premium, Nigerian Breweries Plc, said the Millionaires Promo is part of Star Lager’s ‘Nigeria United We Shine’ campaign which commenced a few weeks ago with the FIFA World Cup going on in Russia.

    He said, “Since 1949 when the first Star bottle was produced, the brand has always been about celebrating the unity of Nigeria, rewarding and enabling the passion of Nigerians, and supporting the team we love no matter what. It is because of this common desire for success and love for the country that we have launched the Star Lager Millionaires Promo across the entire country.”

     Thousands of consumers from across the country are expected to win instant airtime, plus whooping cash prizes of N1 million, N2 million, N5 million and the mega dream cash of N10 million naira. These are in addition to millions of free drinks and other items up for grabs.

     The announcement of Star’s Millionaires Promo also comes on the heels of its launch of special edition bottles, which were released in honour of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, who are currently in Russia for the World Cup. The promo winners are expected to look under the crown corks and see a winning code that is redeemed via a USSD code of *566*20# which can be dialed on any network from all mobile phones.

    Since its partnership with the Nigerian Football Federation was unveiled earlier in the year, Star Lager, the official beer of the Super Eagles, has been engaging fans in a number of activations and events, including the Star Fan Parks known for fusing music, party and live viewing experience that were held in multiple cities during the team’s preparations.

    Also, the recently opened Super Eagles Dome in Lagos has been hosting fans to memorable nights of football, music and fun with special appearances and analysis by Super Eagles legends, and performances from top entertainers such as Ice Prince, MI, Small Doctor, DJ Neptune, DJ Big N and many others.

  • Fans seek stiffer penalties against erring African referees

    Fans seek stiffer penalties against erring African referees

    Football fans in Ebonyi have urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to mete stiffer penalties against referees who decide outcome of matches with their biased officiating.

    The fans who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abakaliki were reacting to Gabonese Referee Eric Castane’s controversial penalty award to Algeria which ensured its equalizer against Nigeria on Friday.

    The ‘dead-rubber’ World Cup qualifier played in Constantine thus ended 1-1 with the Eagles already through to ‘Russia 2018’ and finishing its qualification campaign without a loss.

    Emmanuel Uzor, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, noted that Castane towed the path of banned Ghanaian Referee, Joseph Lamptey in deciding the match in Algeria’s favor.

    “It is ridiculous to see a referee awarding a penalty in favour of player who pushed his opponent as the referee wanted to ensure that Algeria did not lose the match at home.

    “Such decisions account for the non-participation of African referees in major soccer competitions and CAF should descend more heavily on defaulters to save us from continued shame,” he said.

    Supporting this assertion, Princewill Nwankwo, a retired referee with the Ebonyi Referees Association, faulted the decision describing it as ‘shameful’.

    “The result is of no consequence to both teams otherwise I could have advised the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to protest the decision like Senegalese did against South Africa.

    “I know as a referee that we are not above mistakes but matches of such magnitude require utmost concentration and alertness from whoever is officiating,” he said.

    Vincent Okpalaka, Former Enugu Rangers International Defender, urged CAF to investigate Castane over the decision but advised Nigeria to concentrate on its subsequent matches.

    “The match showed that Coach Gernot Rohr was right not to feature some players during the qualifiers because those on parade performed below par.

    “The players should improve on their performances against Argentine in the upcoming friendly because Nigerians are already anticipating a drubbing from the South Americans,” he said.

    Chief Josiah Ogodo, a Quarry Operator and Soccer Enthusiast noted that match exposed the lapses in the Eagles which the technical crew should correct immediately.

    “It is clear that the goalkeeping and the left full back positions are still poor while the midfield and attack cannot operate efficiently without Mikel Obi and Victor Moses.

    “Rohr’s job is made difficult due to insufficient FIFA free windows before the world cup as he should stop experimentation and scout for experienced players to fill such positions,” he said.

    Mrs Juliana Nnoli, a Teacher and soccer buff supported this assertion and urged Rohr to maintain the present crop of players for the world cup preparation.

    “The coach should instill confidence in the players and make them believe that they can perform optimally in the world cup even without their best players,” she said.

  • Ripples over weekend attack on football fans

    Ripples over weekend attack on football fans

    •’Suspected hoodlums may be from Osun’

    Ondo State yesterday alleged that 20 indigenes were, at the weekend, attacked in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, shortly after a football competition between the state’s Sunshine Star and Osun United.

    Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, who addressed a news conference, alleged that Sunshine supporters sustained injuries when suspected hoodlums  from Osun State attacked them.

    According to him, 40 vehicles, inscribed with Osun logo, were mobilised to the stadium.

    He added that those who assaulted Ondo visitors were suspected loyalists of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, identified through their uniform.

    He said trouble started after the match ended 3-1 in favour of Sunshine Stars.

    Ogunleye, who said he was present, alleged that Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola contacted the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode when the perpetrators were arrested by the police.

    Two of the victims, Messrs Ayodele Folorunsho and Felix Olowa, who sustained injuries on their heads, were brought to Cocoa Conference Hall, venue of the news conference.

    They recalled that  cutlasses and stones were used on them, saying they lost their mobile phones, shoes and clothes.

    Ondo Information and Orientation Comissioner Yemi Olowolabi, who was also at the conference, said the attack on his people was unfortunate.

    He called on Aregbesola, rulers and eminent personalities in Yorubaland to intervene to avoid friction between the two states.

    Although Olowolabi did not link this to the attack on the Osun Commissioner for Regional Integration, Mr Bola Ilori, he, however, decried the situation and stressed the need for peace between the two states.

    Ilori, an indigene of Ondo State, but a serving commissioner in Osun, was attacked last Thursday at the International Events Centre, Akure, at the public hearing on restructuring and true federalism, organised by the APC.

    His shirt was torn, but was rescued by his supporters, who came with him to the event.

  • Buhari mourns death of football fans in Calabar

    Buhari mourns death of football fans in Calabar

    President Muhammadu Buhari expressed shock yesterday over the death of some Nigerians at a football viewing centre in Calabar, Cross River State, on Thursday night.

    He  commiserated with the government and people of Cross River State and football fans nationwide over the incident.

    He commended the state government for the prompt action in setting up a commission of inquiry into the incident, and its offer of assistance to the victims and their families.

    The President offered his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the mostly young victims, whose sudden demise is a big blow not only to their families, but also to the football-loving nation.

    He prayed that God Almighty will grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourn their irreparable loss.

  • STAR to reward football fans

    STAR to reward football fans

    Football fans in Nigeria are anxiously awaiting the debut of a new football platform called Star Football Superfans, which is set to recognize, celebrate and reward the passion of football fans.

    Sponsored by Nigeria’s premier beer, Star Lager, the campaign is set to run in selected bars across the country as well as on the radio, online and TV. Over the course of 14 weeks, it will reward football fans across Nigeria with over N28m in cash and other consolation prizes.

    Popular social networking sites are already abuzz with fans licking their lips at the prospect of being rewarded handsomely for their knowledge of the beautiful game. While some fans are excited at the prospect of winning the attractive prizes, other fans are overjoyed at the opportunity to showcase their football knowledge as well as their passion for football.

    Edem Vindah, Nigerian Breweries Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager had this to say regarding Star Football Super Fans, “The love that the fans have for their football and their Star is something that deserves to be rewarded and it has also presented us with a good brand synergy as we have always been regular and passionate supporters of football in Nigeria, exemplified by our #ShineOnNigeria campaign during last year’s World Cup in Brazil. This is another avenue for us to demonstrate our commitment to supporting football and rewarding Nigeria football fans for their passion and loyalty.”

    The campaign kicked off on the radio and at selected bars across Nigeria on Friday, March 6, 2015 and the online leg has also kicked off. The TV game show will premiere on April 2, 2015.

    The game show will be hosted by award-winning sports TV personality Mozez Praiz. On his part, he expressed delight at being chosen to host the show and promised viewers a wonderful time when it premieres.

    STAR Football Superfans is another customer engagement and reward initiative by STAR, which continues to project its position as the nation’s number one drink.