Tag: Giwa FC

Giwa FC backed by their vociferous home fans avenged the first leg loss to Kwara United in Ilorin after they pipped the Harmony Warriors 1-0 at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos yesterday.

The Jos Elephant had lost 3-1 to the Ilorin side two weeks ago but they made amend after Charles Henlong poked home an accurate pass from Ocheme Edoh in the second half of the encounter.

The Marketing Director of the club, Sammy Adesoji hailed the fans in Jos’ Rwang Pam Stadium for trooping to the stadium in large numbers in spite of the EPL Community Shield encounter between Arsenal and Chelsea.

He thumbed up the fans for coming to the home game despite also getting the notice of their return to Jos very late before the match adding that Giwa FC have come back to delight their fans with Glo Premier League actions.

Giwa FC moved to fifth on the log with 34 points from 20 matches while Kwara United are still on 23 points from 20 games.

Meanwhile, at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi Heartland clipped the wing of their hosts, Wikki Tourists to record a goalless draw in yesterday’s Glo Premier League Week 20 tie.

The Media Officer of Wikki Tourists, Usman Abbas Shehu told SportingLife that the two teams played very well and that the Naze Millionaires defended well to ensure that the Bauchi side did not see the back of their net.

Wikki are now third on the log with 34 points from 20 games after former occupant of that position, Warri Wolves were beaten 2-1 in Port Harcourt by rejuvenated Sharks.

Heartland on their part moved a step down to sixth on the log despite the away point. They are on 33 points from 20 matches.

Giwa FC were a rookie team last season and remarkably finished in the top four of a keenly-contested season, narrowly missing a place to represent Nigeria on the continent.

So, this season, the Jos-based club have shot off the block with a bang and like elephants, they are bamboozling their way through the new season, knocking down top teams and minnows alike.

Over the weekend, the Tony Bulus-tutored side showed no fear whatsoever as they came through their Aba adventure unscathed.

Giwa snatched a point from the more famous Elephants, grinding out a goalless result against Enyimba and holding steady to second position on the log.

Discussing his team’s progress so far in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), captain of the side, Charles Henlong let up on the the secret formula of the team.

“We put off any question of our earnings so that we can concentrate, work hard so we can get such results in the League. It’s not about now but the future, we want to avoid the distraction of money talks for the sake of our careers; chasing money without focus could kill our careers.

“So, we’ve forgotten about the money. We know it’ll come but gradually. And we know if we keep this work ethic and end on top of the table, good clubs from home and abroad will come, this is our aim and that has kept us going,” Henlong told www.footballlive.ng.

Giwa FC Technical Adviser, Tony Bolus, has admitted that there is plenty of work for his side if they are to remain at the top of the Glo Premier League.

The Jos Elephants moved to the summit of the league following their 4-0 win over Akwa United in the week 5 League game at the Rwang Pam, Stadium, Jos on Wednesday.

Giwa FC have been in superb form this season, taking on-looker with a surprise with a shocking 1-0 away win over Rangers International at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday.

The former Sardaunan FC of Kano coach told SportingLife that God has been the strength of the team in the ongoing campaign, insisting there can be no complacency from Giwa FC if they are to achieve their set target for the season.

“God put us at the top and we appreciate everything God has done for the team. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we record good results in every game we played this season,” Bolus told SportingLife.

“We are working in a good atmosphere here in Jos and I must say that we have chairman, Ambassador Chris Giwa who is very passionate about the club. I know it is not easy to remain at the top because other clubs too are aiming at the top. We will work very hard to remain there.

“The good thing is that the players are very focused, determined and ready to give everything to the team. They are happy too. The club slightly missed out on the continental ticket by ended the season on 4th position last season.

“We want to go beyond what we achieve last season and by the grace of God we will achieve it. We are playing Lobi Stars in our next game and we will work to get something out of the game,” the former FC Abuja gaffer said.

The management of Giwa FC has praised the attitude of the football fans of the ancient city of Ibadan for the way they conducted themselves during Sunday’s week 32 Glo Premier League tie against Crown FC at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The Jos Elephants secured a vital away point in the encounter after playing 1-1 draw against Ajilete Boys.

Chris Madaki shot Giwa FC into the lead in the 28th minute when he headed home a free kick taken by Abdulbasit Shittu, his second goal for the club this season even as a defender. Crown FC got an equaliser in the 81st minute via a free kick as well.

The club’s Marketing Director, who now doubles as the assistant coach to coach Aminu Musa, Sammy Adesoji, described them, as ‘Real football fans that appreciate good football’.

Adesoji said the Jos Elephants, who left the Lekan Salami Stadium with one point could have picked maximum three points had their strikers converted all their scoring opportunities.  But he was quick to say that is how God wanted the result.

“I was amazed to see football fans that thronged the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan praising every good and samba move put up by Giwa FC, although, they had no choice because our motivated boys came out smoking from the blast of the whistle to the delight of everybody. Although it’s not new to me, because the same thing happened at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos. If an away team played a sweet brand of football, but I must confess that this is the first time I am seeing it at away.”

Adesoji, who  attributed the success the club has enjoyed so far to God’s favour, Ambassador Chris Giwa’s honest and fatherly touch and the never-say die attitude of the boys to make a name for themselves and the club, said the continental target for the club this season is still intact.

Giwa FC currently occupy the eighth position on the log, with only five points separating them and the league leaders, Kano Pillars with 53points.

Giwa FC captain and central midfielder Charles Henlong has  said Sunshine Stars’ undeserved penalty prevented his side from mounting an expected comeback in the game.

The Tin City side were pegged 0-2 by the Akure Gunners in the rescheduled Glo Premier League match day 3 clash at the Akure Township Stadium.

Attacking midfielder Medrano Tamen converted a penalty in the 51st minute to give his side the lead while striker Dele Olorundare grabbed the second for the hosts in the 62nd minute.

Henlong said his side never recovered from the setback of the penalty awarded to their opponents as they were further demoralised by the second goal of the crunch encounter.

“The first half ended barren but the early-minute penalty to Sunshine Star in the second half which actually happened outside the 18-yard box was not really good for us, it killed off our fightback and actually destabilised us. Before we knew what was going on, the second goal came and that was it, we couldn’t come back into the game.

“The game was tight as well as difficult, we’ve accepted the result as we look forward to the next game at Sharks in Port Harcourt,” said Henlong to supersport.com.

Henlong, however, assured that his side will fight hard to claim three points during the Glo Premier League match day 12 tie at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

“God won’t allow us to lose nine points in a row that will bring us down on the log. At least we should be able to claim one game as we’ve already lost two straight games at Heartland and Sunshine Stars. “The schedule of the matches is too stressful on us having to travel to three distant cities to play our matches.We’re human; the wear and tear are already visible on us, we’re tired and struggling to keep fit.

“But we’ve promised ourselves that we won’t lose at Sharks no matter the difficulties we’ve to pass through once again,” said Henlong.