The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Glo league

  • Glo League title celebration:Gov Ikpeazu hits Lagos for Enyimba

    Glo League title celebration:Gov Ikpeazu hits Lagos for Enyimba

    Abia State GovernorOkezie Ikpeazu will be in Lagos next Sunday for the official crowning of Enyimba FC of Aba as the 2014/15 Glo Premier League champions by the League Management Company (LMC).

    The Peoples’ Elephants won their seventh league title after they were held to a goalless draw by title contenders,Warri Wolves in a matchday 37 encounter at the Enyimba International stadium,Aba last Sunday.

    Having secured 69 points after last Sunday’s game and with their closest rivals, Warri Wolves on second position with 63 points, Enyimba took an unassailable lead ahead of their last game of the season against Sunshine Stars of Akure at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    Enyimba chairman,Felix Anyansi confirmed to SportingLife via a telephone interview that Governor Ikpeazu will lead other members of the state executive cabinet to witness the crowning of the team as the champions of the Nigerian League.

    “The governor, who has been the number one supporter of our team has graciously accepted to be in Lagos on Sunday to watch the game against Sunshine Stars.

    “The management, coaches and players of the club are excited that the governor will be around to receive the trophy and also give them the much needed moral support,”Anyansi said..

  • Glo league Goals race:Salami, Chikatara pressure leading scorers

    Glo league Goals race:Salami, Chikatara pressure leading scorers

    Warri Wolves striker Gbolahan Salami and Abia Warriors Chisom Chikatara scored a brace each for their respective clubs on Wednesday to take their goals’ haul to nine each.

    They are now two goals behind leading scorers Bright Ejike, who fired blanks in Heartland 2-1 loss at Pillars and Tunde Adeniji, whose club Sunshine Stars will host Sharks on Thursday.

    Ejike and Adeniji are on 11 goals each. On eight goals apiece are Shuaibu Ibrahim (Giwa), Ndifreke Effiong (Abia Warriors), Esosa Igbinoba (Nasarawa United), who scored a brace as Nasarawa United defeated El Kanemi Warriors 4-2 on Wednesday, and Ibrahim Mustapha (El-Kanemi), who scored a goal in his team’s 4-2 loss to Nasarawa United.

    Giwa FC’s Ocheme Edoh has seven goals to his credit so far, while Christian Obiozor (Enyimba) and Godwin Obaje (Wikki), who scored a goal in his team’s 2-1 loss to 3SC on Wednesday, are on six goals each.

    The following players have scored five goals each: Adamu Mohammed (Pillars), Mubarak Umar (Wikki), Yusuf Jaiyeola (Sharks), Ifeanyi Egwin (Dolphins FC), Onoriode Odah (Rangers) and Rabiu Ali (Pillars).

  • South East teams record mixed results in Glo League

    South East teams record mixed results in Glo League

    South Eastern teams suffered mixed results in the Glo Premier League Week 28 matches played yesterday across the country.

    Out of the four teams playing in the elite division, only Heartland managed a win while Abia Warriors and Enugu Rangers that were involved in a derby played a goalless draw.  Enyimba lost to Lobi Stars at Katsina Ala.

    Two goals, one in each half from Emeka Ogbugh and Clement Bobby in the 44th and 47th minutes earned the Naze Millionaires maximum points at home to sinking Nembe City.

    The win catapulted the Owerri side to 40 points from 28 matches.

    At the Katsina Ala’s Chief Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium, the Makurdi Bombers needed two penalties before subduing Enyimba of Aba under 90 minutes.

    Lobi got the first penalty in the 49th minute but  captain Bunde Moses lost it before inspirational goalkeeper, Terkaa Melai stepped out to convert the second in the 65th minute for his sixth goal of the campaign- all from the spot.

    The win took Lobi’s points tally to 41 with a game at hand-the inconclusive Week 27 league tie against Nembe City at Omoku.

    Barnabas Imenger, Lobi’s Team Manager and a former international of repute, said Enyimba made life difficult for them adding that the People’s Elephant came to Katsina Ala with the sole aim of defending throughout the duration of the game.

    Meanwhile, at the Umuahia Township Stadium, it was a fitting birthday to Enugu Rangers Director of Media and Publicity, Foster Chime who added a year and was also part of the Flying Antelopes’ team that secured a point off Abia Warriors.

    Rangers have amassed 38 points from 28 games and are on course to stay in the premier league for another season but Abia Warriors despite the loss are still having a season to remember in their first season in the top flight. They have 41 points from 28 matches.

  • Eagles’ performance credit to Glo league

    Eagles’ performance credit to Glo league

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Vice President Mike Umeh says the Super Eagles’ performance at the African Nations Cup is a credit to the Globacom Premier League.

    The domestic competition has suffered from bad press in recent years, but is gradually being turned around by the League Management Company.

    Umeh says the players have proved that despite all the troubles, the league can compete favourably with the rest of the continent

    “These boys have been very good ambassadors of the league. What they have shown is that our league has not fallen below expectations, otherwise we won’t be able to get these players,” Umeh told KickOffNigeria.com.

    “Most of the boys you see here today are not the same who started the qualification series. More than half of the team have left and these are new boys who have been drafted in to replace them, but look at what the boys are doing now against other teams who have been together for much longer.”

    Speaking at their training session later on Wednesday, Umeh admonished the players not to take their feet off the pedal but to keep their eyes firmly fixed on the prize

    “The President asked me to tell you that you have done well so far but there is more work to be done and that is why we are here to remind you to listen to your coaches and deliver the goods against Morocco,” he said on behalf of NFF President Aminu Maigari.

    “Indeed you have shown the world that there is no Super Eagles team A or B any more because of your performance here and we are sure that at the end of the day we will carry the day by taking the trophy home.

    “Let me assure you that apart from President Maiagari and our father President Goodluck Jonathan, all other political parties in Nigeria are rooting for you to win without bias and you must prove them right by winning the trophy.”

  • Glo League supporters’ club get national exco

    Glo League supporters’ club get national exco

    Fans of all twenty Glo Premier League clubs have appointed a national caretaker committee to run the affairs of the association (under the name of Nigeria Premier League Supporters’ Club of Nigeria) for one year.

    The new exco emerged at its inaugural meeting in Kano State over the weekend.

    The committe has Bashir Idris Mu’azu of Kano Pillars FC as chairman, Vice Chairman, Prince Imaikop Sunday of Akwa United while Remigus Mgata of Heartland FC will serve as Secretary.

    Other members are Ya’u Muhammad Inuwa of Kaduna United (Assistant Secretary), Emmanuel Oduyi of Sunshine Stars FC (Treasurer), Mbatogu Achineke of Rangers (Organizing Secretary), Terry Obiet of Warri Wolves (Pub. Secretary), Salisu U. Galadima of Nassarawa United (Auditor) and Waziri Isa of El-Kanemi Warriors (Financial Secretary)

    The committee agreed to give their support and cooperation to eradicate hooliganism at match venues throughout the country. The meeting called on the LMC to finance the next meeting and make it mandatory every season and back the NPL Supporters’ Club financially.

    It also solicited the support of all managers of Glo Premier League clubs for the betterment of clubs.

    They commended the Kano State Government under Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso for supporting and hosting the seminar/meeting and making it successful, being the first of its kind in history and urged other governors to emulate him.

    The meeting condoled with the family of former Kano Pillars chairman, Sani Muhammad Usman who died on Friday last week and the family of Rangers FC fans’ club chairman on the death of his father [Mge Agagu Ma’azee].

     

  • Rangers warn Glo league clubs: Stop poaching our players

    Rangers warn Glo league clubs: Stop poaching our players

    • To begin contract negotiations next week

    Enugu Rangers have warned premier league clubs they are not authorised to have any discussion with any of their players without their express permission.

    The Flying Antelopes’ Director of Media and Publicity, Foster Chime, told SportingLife that many of the rivals clubs have been poaching their players without getting the all clearance from the management of the club.

    He termed this as high level of disregard for the Enugu side and has stated that the club would go to any length to take the necessary steps to punish erring clubs if they do not turn a new leaf.

    The club’s mouthpiece argued that for any club that desires to have any of their players, the right steps and procedures must be followed and not the present norms where the club must have gone ahead to poison the minds of the players without due recourse to the club they played for last season.

    “We are not happy at the way some clubs are poaching on our players ahead of the new season. We are warning clubs in the premier league to desist from this action if they do not want to incur our wrath.

    “CAF and FIFA have laid down rules and regulations on how players’ movement should be done and we frown at the flagrant abuse of some procedures by Nigerian clubs who are having discussions with our players behind our back. A word is enough for the wise.

    “We are going to have contract discussions with our players next week and we do not expect any problem with that but this issue of poaching on our players by top clubs in the land must stop,” Chime said.

    Chime said Rangers have already earmarked next week for contract discussions and negotiations with their players ahead of the Globacom Premier League which starts on February 23rd.

  • Three-year Glo league contracts now mandatory

    Three-year Glo league contracts now mandatory

    • Clubs get March deadline for upgrades

    The League Management Company (LMC) has issued the directive that clubs playing in the Globacom Premier League will no longer be allowed to sign short-term contracts with their players.

    The consultative meeting between the LMC and the clubs came up with the agreement that short-term contracts for players have been abolished and no player shall be offered a contract of less than three years tenure, except those who have played for 10 seasons or above in the League.

    And such players who have been offered three years contract can only contemplate a transfer out of the club after serving a minimum of one year.

    Also, the LMC shall apply relevant sanctions on any club that approaches a player without first notifying the owner or current club of such player.

    The consultative meeting between the LMC and club owners has led to an an agreed March 31st deadline for all clubs to register and finalise their registrations as Limited Liability Companies.

    “Clubs are expected to complete the process of updating and certifying their incorporation as limited liability companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by March 31, 2014,” a part of the release said.

    The teams were given the specific reference to provide particulars of Board of Directors, office address and filing of annual report.

    “The LMC shall communicate the decisions on incorporation & provision of bank guarantee to the respective state governments that own clubs. That all clubs shall provide an undertaken of allegiance to abide by all FIFA, CAF, NFF and LMC rules and regulations.

    “That clubs administration must be structured to meet the mandatory Management Staff requirement with proof of such appointments,” the statement further read.

    This means that henceforth, all clubs in the Globacom Premier League are mandated to have proper company structure, with proper financial discipline.

  • 2013/2014 NPFL season: Abridged format will improve Glo league

    2013/2014 NPFL season: Abridged format will improve Glo league

    Chibuzor Ozor, the General Manager of Rangers International FC of Enugu, on Wednesday called for an abridged league format for the 2013/2014 Globacom Premier League season.

    Ozor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the call for an abridged league format was to fast-track the matches because of the late kick-off of the season.

    NAN recalls that the League Management Company (LMC) and representatives of club owners on Tuesday in Abuja fixed February 21 as kick-off date for the 2013/2014 NPFL season.

    “Apart from the late kick-off, 2015 is a year of politics and most clubs are owned by the state governments. This is a time that government finds it difficult to bring out money to run the clubs. We know that the players’ salaries are enormous and bringing out the money in an electioneering year will be a big challenge this season because of 2015, Ozor said.

    He said: “I pray that things will work out for everybody because football is a social activity and I urge all the stakeholders to get involved in this.”

    The Rangers’ International FC general manager said that an abridged league format would be cost effective for clubs, as they would not travel long distances to play their matches.

    Ozor said it would give clubs an equal opportunity in terms of coverage of their matches, which was not the same in a normal format.

    “In an abridged league, all the clubs will participate in their different zones as five or six clubs will come from each zone to play at a particular place.

    According to him, the matches will be televised live at that particular place.

    “We had an experience last season where a team like Rangers had nine of its matches televised at home, while none was televised away. If you come to my home to play and you are covered, I should as well be covered when I come to your home to play.

    “This is because what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, they say. What I am saying in essence is that an abridged league will work looking at the time frame and there should be opportunity for every team to have its matches televised,’’ Ozor added.

    He said that adopting the abridged format was necessary to avert unnecessary delays which might arise from late release of funds for clubs by their sponsors.

  • 300 referees for Glo league, others — NRA

    300 referees for Glo league, others — NRA

    Only 300 referees will officiate in the 2014 Globacom Premier League and the Nigeria National League, according to the Chairman of NFF Referees Committee Muazu Suleiman. He said the decision is to ensure that no club has advantage over certain referees in the league .

    The NFF Board member, who spoke at the on going Nigeria Referees Association physical fitness test holding in Abuja said only referees that undergo all the conditions stipulated for the programme will be shortlisted for the new season. “For a referee to be eligible to participate in the programme he must present a medical fitness test result, conducted in a Federal Medical Centre. He must present himself for another round of checks by our medical team at the venue of the event.

    “Such a referee must also meet up with the standard set for the physical test. All these are to ensure that in the new season only competent referees are given the opportunity to handle our league matches”.

    Suleiman promised a very transparent way of appointing match referees in the new season.

    Speaking in the same vein, the President of the Nigeria Football Referees Association Ahmed Maude, said the aim of the association is to provide quality referees that would not only excel in the league but also be part of the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil.

    He, however, warned clubs to desist from physically attacking referees during league matches saying that though there may be certain human errors during matches but that should not warrant physically attacking the referees.

    He further appealed to the LMC to implement the increase of referees match indemnity in the new season. Maude also confirmed that all indemnity owed referees in the 2013 league season have been paid.

    The NRA physical fitness test, which began in Abuja on Tuesday, will be rounding up on Friday. About 400 referees are taking part in the exercise.

  • Predictor’s best and worst of the Glo league

    Predictor’s best and worst of the Glo league

    With the 2012/13 Glo Premier League, otherwise known as the Globacom Premier League season over, I take a look back at the good and bad moments that characterised the season. Check out the awards of the season here:

    Champions of the season

    Kano Pillars rode on the back of their invincibility at home to win the title for the second successive season. Only Lobi Stars took points off them at home and they did not falter even when they were banished to play home games in Abuja and Lokoja after crowd disturbances.

    Photo-finish to the season

    In a long while, I cannot remember a season in which the top four ended with one point separating each team. Kano Pillars ended as champions on 63 points, Enyimba followed on 62 while Bayelsa United and El-Kanemi Warriors finished in third and fourth positions respectively with 61 and 62 points accordingly.

    Same goes for the relegated four of ABS, Kwara United, Wikki Tourists and 3SC. All four had a fighting chance of survival until the very last minutes on the final day of the season.

    Fastest Goal

    Dolphins midfielder, Austin Ekpoma scored the fastest goal of the season. Before Enugu Rangers could settle down inside the Liberation Stadium, the former Gombe United man scored in 15 seconds of the game on August 25.

    Top Scorer

    No matter what a lot of people have said about the manner with which Victor Namo of Nasarawa United emerged the leading scorer, it was a breakout season for the striker. He scored 19 goals including his double strike against champions Kano Pillars in Lafia on September 8.

    Man of the Season

    A number of players readily come into the picture for my man of the season but I’ll go for Kano Pillars playmaker, Rabiu Ali, ahead of the duo of Oghenekaro Etebo of Warri Wolves and Enyimba captain, Chinedu Udoji. Ali was central to Kano Pillars’ run to reclaiming their league title.

    Best Goalkeeper

    There were several goalkeepers who distinguished themselves in the immediate past season in my own book. Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars), Terkaa Melai (Lobi Stars), Olufemi Kayode (Akwa United), Ayo Segun (Wikki Tourists) and David Obiazor (El-Kanemi Warriors) were among those that impressed me. But Enyimba goalkeeper, Femi Thomas stood out as he complemented his back four’s solidity.

    Coach of the Season

    It is not often you witness a coach guide his team to back-to-back titles in the Nigerian league. Mohammed Baba Ganaru of Kano Pillars is my coach of the season. Sharks gaffer, Gbenga Ogunbote, comes close in second and Zachary Baraje of El-Kanemi Warriors is third.

    The Miracle Worker

    Sharks head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, masterminded one of the greatest revival in the premier league era. Indeed the former Sunshine Stars coach, against all odds, pulled off one of the greatest escapes in the Nigerian top flight by rescuing the Blue Angels from relegation after they had been written off.

    The Great Escape

    After finishing the first round of the season in bottom place, Sharks looked like a team heading for life in the lower division. The Blue Angels then clawed back their way from sitting in the bottom spot for 13 match days to finish in a respectable eighth position.

    Bizarre Fall

    The relegation of Kwara United is most unusual to me. After emerging as the team with most won points on the road being 13, Samson Unuanel’s men went down to the National League after struggling to a 1-1 draw on the last day with Akwa United.

    It even got worse when city rivals, ABS, also got relegated on the final day of the season though the Saraki Boys hardly got into second gear during the season. So there will be no Ilorin derby in the top flight next season.

    Six in the City

    Relegated ABS remain the only team to score six goals in a single match. The Saraki Boys plundered six past hapless Nembe City in Ilorin on October 16. The game ended 6-1 with Kadiri Aminu and Abdulrahman Bashir scoring a brace of goals each while Thomas Zenke and Ibrahim Abdullahi scored one apiece before Frank Egharevba netted City’s consolation goal.

    Team of the season

    Femi Thomas (Enyimba) – Bright Esieme (Enyimba), Chinedu Udoji (Enyimba), John Uche (Kwara United), Jonathan Zikiye (Nembe City) – Azubuike Okechukwu (Bayelsa United), Rasheed Olabiyi (Enyimba) – Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves) – Victor Namo (Nasarawa United), Mfon Udoh (Akwa United). Coach: Mohammed Baba Ganaru (Kano Pillars)

    The Revolving Doors of Coaches

    Three coaches, Ndubuisi Nduka (Heartland), Abimbola Samuel (Sunshine Stars) and Alphonsus Dike (Nasarawa United), readily come to mind as men in the dugout who got fired this season. In their places came in Ramson Madu, Fatai Amoo and Kadiri Ikhana respectively. Also, Lobi Stars vice chairman, Dominic Iorfa, who worked as head coach, decided to bring in Evans Ogenyi to take charge of the playing personnel while he focused on the day-to-day administrative schedule of the Makurdi club.

    Shock Deaths

    In the course of the season, two players passed on. First, Warri Wolves midfielder, Solomon Oboh died in a motor accident in June and in October, 3SC striker, Moses Ogaga passed away after battling illness for several weeks.

    Landmark moves by the LMC

    Some followers of the Globacom Premier League had their doubts and still do about the League Management Company (LMC). But the company achieved a handful of ground-breaking moves in the area of partnership including a $34 million TV broadcast rights deal to run from 2015 to 2019.

    The LMC also instituted the financial merit award in the just-concluded season in which all 20 participating clubs shared N50 million (around $62, 500) according to their final standings.