The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IfeanyiUbah

  • Ossy strikes late to give ABS FC 2-1 win over Tornadoes

    Ossy strikes late to give ABS FC 2-1 win over Tornadoes

    Martin Ossy came from the bench to help ABS Football Club of Ilorin FC beat hard-fighting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna 2-1.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match day 22 2016/2017 NPFL encounter was played on Sunday in Ilorin at the Kwara Stadium.

    Abdullahi Wakili and Samuel Agba started the game brightly for the visitors as they were threatening Ernest Governor and Ibrahim Omolayo in the defence for the Saraki Boys.
    The Saraki Boys confidence grew gradually into the game as Adeshina Gata became the star of the match whilst his movement forward dangerous on most occasions.

    Mohammed fired into the roof of the net after a swift turn to put his team ahead 1-0, his 5th of the season and it ended his 17th match goal drought.

    After the goal, the visitors responded very well and were almost rewarded for it when Adewale Yinka in goal for ABS had to punch away Shittu Lawal’s free kick to corner kick.

    The hosts survived a scare in the 38th minute when they struggled to clear their box and Lawal almost capitalised on it.

    With just a few seconds to go for the break, Lukman Hameed tripped Samuel Agba in his own box and the centre referee wasted no time in pointing for the spot kick.

    Abdullahi Wakili stepped forward to take it and made no mistake to make it 1-1 in spite of Adewale’s attempt to watch over the ball.

    The Saraki Boys responded to half time team talk than their visitors did as they were always bombarding Niger Tornadoes defence, with Gata always giving them a tough time.

    The introduction of Martin Ossy and Abubakar Chindo at the restart of the game was the turning point for the Saraki Boys as Tornadoes players found it difficult to cope with the blistering pace of the duo.

    Mohammed was wasteful in front of goals in the second half as Gata’s supplies upfront was not wisely utilised by his forwards.

    Ossy then arrived at the right time to connect Gata’s pass, dribbling past Kazeem Yekeen before tucking home a beautiful finish.

    Speaking after the game, ABS FC coach, Henry Makinwa, said it was a hard earned victory against a very good team.

    “You did everything tactically but they are not working for you. I had to send Ossy in to join Mohammed and gave him some instructions which he executed very well.

    “I am happy that Mohammed has broken the jinx today, and I hope he can now continue to score” Makinwa said.

    His counterpart in Niger Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala, said they were in Ilorin for real business and they almost got a good result.

    “We almost got a point but we lost concentration in the late minutes.

    “However, we have noticed a few of our mistakes and we are going to work on them before we face Rivers United on Wednesday in Lokoja,” Bala said.

    ABS FC will now make a trip to Nnewi for Match Day 23 against FC IfeanyiUbah on Wednesday.

     

  • FC Ifeanyiubah, Lobi, Akwa chase Omaka

    FC Ifeanyiubah, Lobi, Akwa chase Omaka

     

    Sunshine Stars midfielder, Anthony Omaka is set to dump the club for a move elsewhere after impressing in the colours of the Owena Waves this season.

    The former Flying Eagles invitee has been one of the standout performers for the former CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup campaigners in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season.

    His impressive showing has caught the eye of big spending FC Ifeanyiubah, Lobi Stars and Akwa United who are keen to add him to their squad.

    His representative, Adeyinka Adeyinka informed SportingLife that the player is open to leaving the Akure-based outfit during the mid-season transfer window.

    “Anthony has done remarkably well this season and it is no surprise that these clubs are looking to take him away from Sunshine Stars.

    ”I can’t rule out the possibilty of him joining FC Ifeanyiubah, Lobi Stars or Akwa United before the end of the current transfer window,” Adeyemi told SportingLife.

  • FC IfeanyiUbah’s Jimoh attracts interest from NPFL clubs

    FC IfeanyiUbah’s Jimoh attracts interest from NPFL clubs

    FC IfeanyiUbah’s Wasiu Jimoh has been a subject of interest from Nigeria Professional Football League clubs.

    According to a close source, Jimoh fits the bill of what the clubs need and discussions should be sorted out within a week from now.

    “A formal contact hasn’t been made to the player but base on what criteria these clubs want, Wasiu Jimoh fits the bill,” the source disclosed to Goal.

    “Right now Sunshine Stars look the most serious but the interesting thing is that two other clubs based in the south-west region of the country who have specifically asked not to be mentioned until a deal is done also want him. At this point, we are discussing and hopefully before the end of next week we should sort the deal out.

    “Once we have sized up the details of these offers, we shall communicate with the player and close the deal. Because these clubs, Sunshine Stars in particular have shown serious interest, I think we should be able to pull this move through within a week. Most likely before the end of next week.”

  • FC Ifeanyiubah to depart for Egypt today

    FC Ifeanyiubah to depart for Egypt today

    FC Ifeanyiubah will leave for Egypt today from Lagos ahead of the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round against Al Masry slated for Sunday.

    The Anambra Warriors are walking tight rope having won the first leg at home by a lone goal through the strike of Tamen Medrano but they are hopeful they can hold on to the slender lead.

    The goal scorer, Medrano told SportingLife that FC Ifeanyiubah will be leaving for Egypt with high hopes and that they are capable ofsurprising their guest despite the slim lead.

    Al Masry almost got a goalless draw in Nnewi before Medrano popped up the only goal of the match in the 87th minute.

  • Ezenwa ready for Rivers Utd clash

    Ezenwa ready for Rivers Utd clash

     

     

     

     

     

    FC IfeanyiUbah captain Ikechukwu Ezenwa says the Nnnewi based side remain focused going into Wednesday’s clash against Rivers United.

    Defeat by ABS at the weekend according to him has been pushed to the back seat, insisting that the players have resolved to take one game at a time as the league progresses.

    The former Sunshine stars safe hand said the team’s desire to do well both in the league and in the continent demands that every match be given maximum attention. “We try not to dwell on past matches but focus on coming ones. When you lose a match you could look back at it with a view to identifying the shortcomings but you don’t allow it affect subsequent matches and that is what we are doing,” he enthused

    Wednesday’s tie promises to be full of fireworks as both teams are not only desperate to replicate their performance last season, but are hoping to maintain a super form to aid their continental campaign.

    Hosts IfeanyiUbah are flying the nation’s flag in the CAF Confederation Cup while visiting Rivers United are campaigning in the CAF Champions league.

  • FC IfeanyiUbah postpone Federation Cup trophy tour

    FC IfeanyiUbah have announced the postponement of their Federation Cup trophy tour due to the unavailability of Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano.

    The Nnewi based team defeated fellow Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Nasarawa United to emerge winner of the oldest cup competition in Nigeria, thereby booking a spot to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

    And while the administration of the state had shown a desire to be part of the proud feat by joining in the glorious trophy parade which was meant to hold on November 16, a pressing issue that required the state’s head presence threatened their involvement.

    “FC IfeanyiUbah wishes to inform its teeming supporters and the good people of Anambra State that the Federation Cup victory and trophy tour which was earlier billed to hold on Wednesday, November 16 has been postponed,” a statement on club website stated.

    “This is due to the unavoidable absence of the governor of Anambra State,  Willie Obiano who wishes to be part of the ceremony in support of the team but will not be disposed to participate tomorrow owing to some pressing engagements which will be taking him out of the state.

    “In a bid to accommodate the plans of the state government for the ceremony, the Federation Cup victory and trophy tour will now hold on Wednesday, November 23.”

  • Nigeria vs Algeria: IfeanyiUbah goes spiritual, prays for Ezenwa, Eagles

    Nigeria vs Algeria: IfeanyiUbah goes spiritual, prays for Ezenwa, Eagles

    Still basking in the euphoria of their Federation cup victory, premier league side IfeanyiUbah have intensified prayers for their goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and entire Super Eagles team as they prepare to face Algeria on Saturday.

    Apparently eager to extend the party mood the Anambra Warriors are praying for the odds to favour Eagles come Saturday to act as garnishing to Confederation Cup ticket already in their kitty.

    Good luck to @NGSuperEagles & our GK, Ezenwa Ikechukwu as they prepare for the FIFA WCQ against Algeria on Saturday.#SoarSuperEagles,”” the club dished out Monday.

    Although IfeanyiUbah clinched the Federation Cup after defeating Nasarawa United 5-4 on penalty, many however hailed the Lafia based side for putting up a good fight. Sunday’s final some say looks more like a repeat of the 2013 edition between Enyimba and Warri Wolves which equally ended 5-4 on penalties in favour of Enyimba after both sides had settled for a 2-2 score line at regulation time.

    Desert Warriors of Algeria are expected to hit Nigeria on Thursday ahead of the weekend showdown billed for Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

  • IfeanyiUbah to wear same jersey with West Ham next season

    IfeanyiUbah to wear same jersey with West Ham next season

    FC Ifeanyi Ubah will be wearing the same type of jersey dorn by English Premier League outfit, West Ham United for their home games of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) next season.

    The Hammers’ traditional claret and blue colours shirt, accompanied by solid white shorts with light blue trim will be worn by both clubs in their respective leagues.

    This innovation which was part of the deal officially signed on Wednesday night at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos will also be looking at interest which ranges from scouting, football development, transfer of players, going to England during summers to play friendly match with West Ham, promotion of merchandise.

    Those present at the event included Proprietor of FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah; Managing Director of West Ham United, Angus Kinnear; Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick; Chairman, League Management Company, Shehu Dikko; Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Obinna Ogba and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, representing the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung.

    Commenting on the deal, Dr. Ubah said: “Our aim is to work with best world practice. Whatever that you see in London, I am sure in the next couple of months, you will start seeing the same thing in Nigeria. I want to reveal to you that FC Ifeanyi Ubah and West Ham will wear the same jersey next season.

    “Our business is to start getting our children to have football consciousness, have passion for football, play football and let us see how a country like Nigeria will not produce at least 10 Messis and 10 Ronaldos in the next four years.”

    According to Kinnear: “When West Ham go into partnership, we are very selective. We only want to partner with people that share our vision and values. In Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas, we found that. We found a group of companies with extraordinary vision and a real pioneering experience.”

  • Eduwo targets 10th goal of the season against IfeanyiUbah

    Eduwo targets 10th goal of the season against IfeanyiUbah

    Lobi Stars’ striker, Kingsley Eduwo has told SportingLife that he hopes to get his 10th goal of the season this weekend when they face FC IfeanyiUbah in a must win NPFL Match Day 36 tie in Makurdi.

    Eduwo told SportingLife that the Pride of Benue are motivated to beat the Anambra Warriors knowing that the maximum points would see them close-in on their Sunday foes who are currently third on the league table with 53 points from 33 matches.

    The former Sunshine Stars’ forward assured SportingLife that having netted nine times this season, it is his personal wish to cross the double digits and that their Sunday tie with the Nnewi side will afford him the chance to realise his dream.

    Lobi are sixth on the log with 49 points from 34 matches.

  • Adah insists Ifeanyi Ubah will be champs

    Adah insists Ifeanyi Ubah will be champs

    FC IfeanyiUbah (FCIU) attacking midfielder, Stephen Adah has said emphatically that his side will be champions in the ongoing Nigerian top-flight.

    The Anambra Warriors edged Akwa United 2-0 at the weekend to further boost the side’s chances of lifting the top-flight prize.

    Adah said that his side have vowed to win the remaining matches on the calendar aimed at achieving their lofty dream of becoming the Nigerian champions at the end of season.

    “Of course, we can be champions at the end of the ongoing top-flight with the rate we are going at the moment. Our confidence, morale and spirit are quite high and the watchword on everybody’s lip is total victory in the remaining matches on the calendar.

    “The hard earned win against Akwa United at the weekend has further strengthened our resolve to be champions. The match was difficult, but we gave it our very best because of what’s at stake, and it turned out well for us. Right now we sleep and wake up thinking of victory and whenever we step on the pitch we tell ourselves we must win the clash.

    “Anybody coming to meet us at the moment must be over prepared as we are in no mood to compromise with the points. Something tells us that this term will be our harvest time to drink from the league shield, and we are prepared to work extremely hard to see it come to reality,” said the former Enugu Rangers and FC Taraba star to supersport.com.

    FC IfeanyiUbah are third on the Nigerian top-flight log on 52 points, four behind league leaders Rivers United.