The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Itoya

  • Next four matches are cup finals, says Itoya

    Next four matches are cup finals, says Itoya

    Kelvin Itoya has saidrelegation- threatened Warri Wolves will approach their last four NPFL matches like cup final.

    “Well, I will start by saying it was the grace of God that was sufficient for us against Nasarawa United because after two games at home without scoring a goal the pressure was really much on us players,” Itoya told Goal.

    “We held a meeting as players and we motivated ourselves because our names are at stake if Warri Wolves gets relegated and together we got the desired result. The battle for survival now isn’t a personal one but a collective one.

    “It was  team effort and all the players were involved not only the 18-man team but every Warri Wolves player was involved in that victory against Nasarawa United.

    “Now the next four matches for us are cup final and we won’t want to lose a cup final so that’s the approach to all the remaining four fixtures. And we will take them one at a time. Right now our focus is on the Rivers United game this weekend in Port Harcourt.”

    The Seasiders secured a vital 1-0 win over Nasarawa United on Sunday that saw them climb to 15th spot on the league table.

  • Itoya returns to boost Warri Wolves’ survival hope

    Itoya returns to boost Warri Wolves’ survival hope

    Warri Wolves were given a major boost when Kelvin Itoya was declared fit for the team’s remaining 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches.

    Itoya suffered an hamstring injury before the Seasiders’ 3-0 defeat to Lobi Stars at the Aper Aku Stadium on Sunday 7th August 2016.

    The elated forward confirmed to Goal that he was now available for selection.

    “I’m back in training again so I should be playing soon, all things being equal,” Itoya told Goal.

    “When I first picked up the injury, I had fears in terms of playing again this season. Thanks to the medical team all went well.”

    He added: “It’s been tough watching every single game to be fair.

    “You don’t want to miss any match, but I’m happy to be back to help my team stay in the division.”

    Itoya has netted five goals for Warri Wolves in the 2016 NPFL season.

  • Wolves’ Itoya ruled out for two weeks

    Wolves’ Itoya ruled out for two weeks

    Warri Wolves’ Kelvin Itoya has been ruled out for two weeks due to injury.

    Itoya suffered a hamstring injury before his side’s 3-0 defeat to Lobi Stars at the Aper Aku Stadium on Sunday.

    “It was an injury I sustained during warm up in Makurdi. Losing to Lobi Stars with that wide margin was a bitter pill to swallow too. It was a double blow for me,” Itoya told Goal.

    “The medics have told me that I will be out of action for two weeks.

    “As a footballer you don’t want to miss any game as it affords you the chance to showcase and perform at the level that suits your talent.

    “I’m not happy missing out of action for two weeks but I believe God knows best,” he said.

    Itoya has bagged five goals for Warri Wolves in the 2016 NPFL season.

    The draw mean the Aba Elephants must step up their game if they hope to defend the title won last season.

  • Itoya confident of Warri Wolves’ chances in Ethiopia

    Itoya confident of Warri Wolves’ chances in Ethiopia

    Warri Wolves  Itoya has told SportingLife that the Seasiders have put aside all their internal strife to concentrate on their weekend’s CAF Confederation Cup first round, second leg tie

    against Dedebit of Ethiopia. Wolves won the first leg 2-0 in Warri but their are fears in different quarters that the weekend’s hosts may make use of their high attitude to upturn the result in their favour in Addis Ababa.

    The players of Warri Wolves recently embarked on a strike to press home their unpaid entitlements from that of the last season and they called off the strike last Thursday after the management released only two match bonuses of the three remaining from last season.

    Itoya told SportingLife that they have put their unpaid entitlements aside in order for the team to be well prepared for the return leg tie slated for Sunday in Addis Ababa.