The Nation Newspaper

Tag: league

  • Musa Mohammed set for league debut in Turkey

    Musa Mohammed set for league debut in Turkey

    Flying Eagles skipper Musa Mohammed is set to make his league debut for Turkish club Basaksehir soon after a superb showing in a friendly against another Turkish Super League side Kasimpasa.

    Musa gave an assist for his club’s goal in a game they lost 3-1 through two goalkeeping errors.

    The right full-back played for 77 minutes.

    “It was a good performance, which should fetch him his first start in the league very soon,” a source close to the player informed AfricanFootball.com.

    Last month, Musa was involved in his team’s pre-season training in Holland.

    Basaksehir finished fourth last season and are currently 12th on the table with three points from as many matches.

  • Oliseh blasts league clubs for not releasing players

    Oliseh blasts league clubs for not releasing players

    Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has lashed out at Nigeria league clubs for keeping away their players from his training camp in Abuja.

    Oliseh has called up 23 players from the domestic league, but he had only 14 outfield players to train with in his first training session on Tuesday morning.

    “Those who are commenting or laying emphasis on the fact that we rely mainly on foreign players  should start asking questions because we are back home to train and we don’t have people to train,” said Oliseh.

    “Because every club is trying to hold on to them. So, how do we now want them to learn and catch up with the ones that are in front of them?

    “You can see that it affected our training, we have to change our training programme. We had invited 23 and we ended up with 14 field players. So, I will leave you to judge from this.”

    Title-chasing Enyimba have not released the four players called up for this training camp as they beat Kano Pillars yesterday in a crunch league game.

    The players are goalkeeper Femi Thomas, Idris Aloma, Kingsley Sokari and Ezekiel Bassey.

    Oliseh has said he will draft five players from this training camp to join the 18 foreign pros he called up for next month’s AFCON qualifier in Tanzania.

  • Zenith Bank Women Basketball League: Benue Princess pip AHIP, Rocks to Final Eight

    Zenith Bank Women Basketball League: Benue Princess pip AHIP, Rocks to Final Eight

    • First Bank, Dolphins remain unbeaten

    The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) yesterday confirmed that Benue Princess have qualified for the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League Final Eight expected to hold in Lagos, at a yet-to-be announced date.

    Reports in the media over the weekend stated that AHIP got the ticket, but the NBBF quickly debunked the claim and released the official standing after two phases of the league in Abuja and Ilorin.

    SportingLife gathered that the battle for qualification in Group A went down to goal difference after three teams were tied on 24 points from eight wins and eight losses.

    Benue Princess narrowly piped AHIP Queens of Kano and Plateau Rocks with a +11 points aggregate differential advantage over Plateau Peaks who had +8, and AHIP Queens with -19 to join Sunshine Angels of Akure, former four-time champions, First Deepwater, and seven-time and defending champions, First Bank Basketball Club as the top four in the group to seal qualification for the play-offs in Lagos.

    Group B was more straightforward with back-to-back league runners up Dolphins clearly leading the pack with a maximum 32 points from 16 games, going unbeaten including a record 127-33 drubbing of league debutant Zamfara Babes.

    Joining Dolphins in the play-offs from Group B is Nigeria Customs who lost only to Dolphins in both legs in Abuja and Ilorin, finishing with 30 points from 14 wins and two losses, while IGP Queens and Delta Force complete the top 4 in the group with 28 points and 26 points respectively.

    Meanwhile, some of the players that will vie for honours in the Zenith Bank Basketball League were in action at the FIBA Zone three 3×3 tour that ended in Lagos yesterday.

    They said that apart from battling for the $10, 000 cash prize, it will also keep them in shape for the Final Eight.

  • New president for League of Imams

    The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba land, Edo and Delta states yesterday announced Sheik Jamiu Keulere as its new president.

    It made the announcement after its general meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The meeting was preceded by that of the Executive, where the decision was initially taken.

    The announcement was made by the General Secretary, Sheik Hammed Aladesawe.

    He presented the new president to the larger house, saying he was promoted to the new position having served as the Deputy President.

    The former President, who was the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Suara Haruna, died in April.

    The announcement was greeted with applause by all members in attendance.

    Keulere is the Chief Imam of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. He is also the first Ekiti indigene to lead the league. He will be turbaned in Ado-Ekiti at a later date.

    Keulere called on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint capable individuals, whowill render selfless service to the nation.

    The league offered special prayer for the Buhari administration with emphasis on defeating Boko Haram.

  • ‘We want to win the Champions, Nigerian league’

    ‘We want to win the Champions, Nigerian league’

    With the 2015 Super Six Pre-Season tournament now underway in Abuja, and ahead of their engagements in the CAF Champions League and the Nigeria Professional League, Enyimba captain, Chinedu Udoji spoke to SL10.ng about the importance of the Super Six tournament to their quest to win the CAF Champions League and the Nigeria Professional League again. He also talks about being continually snubbed by Super Eagles coaches.

      Chinedu, the game against the Flying Eagles didn’t go as expected and you have started your defense of the Super Six on a rather poor note, isn’t it?

    Yes, you’re right, the game against the U-20’s didn’t go as planned because we wanted to win it and start the tournament on a good note, but it wasn’t to be. Somehow, we also expected it to be tough because the boys (U-20) are very good and fit too. Remember they have been in camp for some time now, and we just only resumed, so we’re probably not as fit as they are. We hope to bounce back, however.

      I don’t know if you see it this way, but it was an embarrassing result for you.

    No, it wasn’t. The U-20 are very good like I said and we knew it would be tough. Yes, we didn’t expect to lose, but we knew they were fitter. We are a bit older and a bit more experienced than they are but we are not embarrassed because we expected them to give us a good fight and they did just that and at the end they won and I am happy for them. You have to understand that we only just started training a few days ago after the off-season, so we still need to get fitter.

      From your point of view, where would you say you got wrong in that game?

    I would say we made a lot of mistakes as a team, and we didn’t take our chances. But speaking specifically, I think we made a lot of mistakes in the defense and we have to look at the kinds of goals we conceded and make corrections before the start of the new league season and especially, the Champions League.

     Speaking of the Champions League, you guys don’t seem to have started preparations in earnest, like Kano Pillars.

    I really can’t talk about that because they are purely administrative issues that only the administrators of the club can answer. As a player, I can only report to camp when I am called and my duty is to go out there and play whenever the time arises. I wish we had started earlier, but there is nothing I can do about it.

      You are one of the most respected and revered players in the Nigerian league, do you get disappointed that the Super Eagles keep failing to invite you to the team?

    No, I don’t. I just keep working hard and focus on my game. I want to play for my country but if I am not called there is nothing I can do about it, I just have to keep working hard and keep my focus. I believe I will get the chance when the time is right. Maybe it isn’t my time yet, so I just have to keep working but I am not disappointed.

      A lot of your colleagues are sealing moves abroad, any plans for you to also move?

    If the right offer comes, I will surely move, but I am not desperate. I have proven myself in the league and I have to consider only the right offers because I don’t want to move just because some other players are moving, it has to be the right move for me and I believe I will when the right time comes.

     Tell us your target for the year.

    We want to win the Champions League again and also the Nigerian league. We didn’t do too well in the Champions League last season, so we must improve this year. We almost won the league last season, so I am hoping we can get better this year also. Overall, I want us to win the CAF Champions League and the Nigerian league again.

     Thank you very much for your time, Chinedu.

    Udoji: Thank you.

  • Temi Otedola joins the league

    Temi Otedola joins the league

    Temi Otedola is the youngest daughter of Nigerian oil magnate, Femi Otedola. Temi is not in the world of music like her siblings, DJ Cuppy and WuMi. Temi, we gathered, loves fashion to a fault and has just launched a fashion blog called JTO. The blog is an expression of her fashion, art and photography adventures to various destinations including Paris, New York and Milan. She is currently living and schooling in London, using JTO to display international styles with influences from all around the world. Her end-goal is to own her own fashion and culture publication.

  • NSCDC, OTHERS MAKE GRAND FINALE OF NTTF NATIONAL LEAGUE

    NSCDC, OTHERS MAKE GRAND FINALE OF NTTF NATIONAL LEAGUE

    Despite not starting well in the competition, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday led seven other teams to the grand finale of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) national league.

    Already the four finalists in the women event have been emerged with Union Bank Sports Club leading three others to the finale holding tomorrow at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    In the men’s category, NSCDC inspired by Kazeem Makanjuola and Ganiyu Ashimiyu re-enacted their form to maintain their 100% record in the tournament.

    After a slip to Union Maritime in their third game, the side won all their matches to remain on top of the log table. A confident Ashimiyu told  SportingLife yesterday that despite the difficulty the team faced early in the competition, nothing could stop them from clinching the title.

    “When we started it was difficult for me to adjust to the new ball and when we picked up, we became unstoppable and with this form, we are good for the title come Friday. There is no doubt that the league has brought out the best in all the teams and from what I witnessed there was no easy team to beat even the cadet players that featured in the league,” he boasted.

    Other teams that will join NSCDC in the top eight grand finale are Union Bank Team One, G-20, Springfresh Team One, Sunshine Team One, Union Maritime as well as IAR&T.

    Meanwhile, assistant referee of the championship, Ranti Olajide admitted that the tournament has been an eye-opener especially for the players and umpires. “This is the first time that this Olympic system will be administered by the umpires in the country. At the initial stage, it was a bit difficult for the umpires and players but after a few days, they started getting it right. We have about 20 umpires handling proceedings in the tournament and for us, we have trained and exposed this set of umpires to the new system which will be helpful during the National Sports Festival. Also it is very important for our players to also get used to the system because that is the style that will be used at the next All Africa Games,” the International Umpire said.

  • LMC put League matches on hold

    LMC put League matches on hold

    The League Management Company (LMC) has put on hold all fixtures scheduled for Match Day 26 following the withdrawal of services by the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) from all Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) organized matches.

    The NRA action has been predicated by the crisis in the NFF which culminated in the prevention of its key officials from attending the General Congress through the arrest and detention of the President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Ahmadu and Chairman of the Technical Committee, Barrister Chris Green.

    A statement from the LMC Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar read,“the decision is in the light of the notice of withdrawal of services by the Nigerian Referees Association which makes it impossible for us to organize games.”

    The NRA notice signed by the Secretary-General, Prince Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa and addressed to the LMC Chairman read in part, “I have been directed by the Working Committee of the above named Association to inform you that, in view of uncertainty in the Nigeria Football Federation, the Nigeria Referees are hereby withdrawing its services with immediate effect from all matches organized by the NFF which includes the Nigeria Premier League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria NationWide League, Nigeria Women League and the Federation Cup pending when sanity is restored.”

    The LMC said Clubs in the Glo Premier League and the sponsorship partners have already been advised of the development with clubs directed not to proceed to venues of their respective games until further communication.

    Abubakar said:  “We have written to the General Secretary of the NFF on this development and have also informed the Clubs and our Sponsors.” He said the LMC desires that the crisis be amicably resolved soon to restore an enabling environment for the league to run smoothly.

    “We are already running a tight fixture schedule and are hoping that this crisis is resolved soon so the season can be concluded in time for our clubs to prepare for continental registration and participation,” the statement concluded.

  • Udoh: Ikhana can deliver league title

    Udoh: Ikhana can deliver league title

    Former Akwa United striker, Mfon Udoh has declared confidence in the ability of coach Kadiri Ikhana to deliver the NPFL title for Enyimba this season.

    The Enyimba topscorer believes that the club can prevent the Kano based team from winning the league for the third consecutive time.

    “If you look at our hardwork and consistency in the game under coach Kadiri- we have played nine matches and lost only one, so it is very possible Enyimba wins the league this season.

    “If you remember at some point last season Kano Pillars were leading Enyimba with 16 points but before the end of the season it was very close that – the last match that was played between Enyimba and Kano Pillars, if they had drawn that game then Enyimba would’ve emerged Champions.

    “But Kano Pillars were fortunate and maybe that’s how God wanted it to be. Presently, they lead us with just four points so we can catch them and possibly win the league,” he explained.

    Udoh has scored 11 goals for Enyimba in all competitions since he joined from Warri Wolves.

  • Efe to play in Champs League

    Efe to play in Champs League

    Efe Ambrose will play in this season’s  UEFA Champions League with Celtic FC after the competition’s organizers reinstated the Scottish champions.

    Celtic were reinstated after Legia Warsaw were kicked out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player.

    The Polish whose club recorded a 6-1 aggregate win over Celtic in the third qualifying round have been thrown out after fielding Bartosz Bereszynski in the second leg, while he was supposed to be suspended.

    Celtic have now been handed a 3-0 walkover in the second leg to advance on ‘away goals’. Legia Warsaw won the first leg 4-1, and got a 2-0 win in the second leg.