The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Loute

  • Loute: Ifeanyi Ubah set to conquer Africa

    Loute: Ifeanyi Ubah set to conquer Africa

    FC Ifeanyi Ubah has been tipped by Isaac Loute to be the team to beat in the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup.

    The 2016 Federation Cup champion alongside Wikki Tourist will represent Nigeria in the 2016 CAF Confederation Cup and the former Heartland defender, Loute believes that the Anambra Warriors has what it takes to conquer Africa.

    “Playing on the continent is huge, I know this because I have played there while at Kano Pillars. FC Ifeanyi Ubah is a known club in Africa and beyond, they have heard about the amazing things going on here so the expectation from every opposition when they cross path with us is to play like it’s a final,” Loute told Goal.

    “That will make Ifeanyi Ubah the team to beat but we shall take every match at a time while our target is to make it to the final and hopefully lift the trophy. We have since resumed and preparation for the new Nigerian league season and the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup is on going.”

  • Ifeanyi Ubah on track for continental football, says Loute

    Ifeanyi Ubah on track for continental football, says Loute

    Ifeanyi Ubah are on course to play international football next year after they defeated Kano Pillars 2-1 at home on Sunday, according to defender Isaac Loute.

    The Nnewi club are now eighth on the league table with 40 points after going unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions.

    “We are grateful to club owner, Ifeanyi Ubah, whose enormous financial support has lifted us and we now want to repay him by playing on the continent next year,” said the Benin international.

    “I am  happy that we have extended our unbeaten run to 10 matches and we are now to pick some points away from home.”

    Loute was up against former club, Kano Pillars on Sunday and he admitted it was “emotional” for him.

    “Kano is like home for me as I played for Pillars for two seasons during which we won the league,” he said.

    “It was always going to be an emotional and difficult game considering the quality of players Pillars parade. So, it was great we won.”

  • Ifeanyi Ubah deserved a point against Heartland, says Loute

    Ifeanyi Ubah deserved a point against Heartland, says Loute

    FC Ifeanyi Ubah defender,  Isaac Loute has said his team worked hard for the draw earned against Heartland FC on NPFL match day 28 at the Dan Anyim Stadium last Saturday.

    Loute revealed that the team has resolved to pick up points on the road and keep a perfect home record.

    “We’d resolved long before now to finish as high as we can in the NPFL and to get that done we just have to remain in an excellent form and also pick at least a point on the road,” Loute told Goal.

    “Prior to our visit to Owerri, we had sorted out a couple of game plans which helped us get  what we wanted. We worked hard and it’s only proper to say that we do deserve the point earned against Heartland FC in Owerri.”

    Ifeanyi are eight on the log with 37 points,  but Loute feels a run of consistent results could make a perfect change at the top of the log.

    “You don’t give up until it’s over. There  are 10 more games to go till the end of the season and that means we still have 30 points up for grabs which we are determined to pick, that can make a lot of change. We are still strong contenders in the Federation Cup too, so basically we are still going on strong,” he said.

  • Loute: I’m ready for new challenge at Heartland

    Loute: I’m ready for new challenge at Heartland

    Heartland FC latest signing, Isaac Loute has stated that he is prepared and ready to put smiles on the faces of the Naze Millionaires fans when the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2015/2016 season kicks off on February 21.

    The Republic of Benin international, Loute completed a move to Heartland FC as a free agent after he ended his contract with three-time NPFL champion, Kano Pillars last season by mutual consent.

    The left back in a chat to SupportTheNPFL.com stated that the quest to get more action week in week out has propelled his move away from his former club but he however expressed joy after he penned a two-year deal with Heartland FC.

    “I’m so glad to have completed a deal here at Heartland FC and I’ll give my best at all times both on and off the pitch. It’s a new challenge because Heartland FC rank amongst the very best in the country. I know the demand to always bring my best to the table is required and I want to say here that i’m ready for the challenge,” Loute stated.

  • Pillars deserved win over Ghana U-23s, says Loute

    Pillars deserved win over Ghana U-23s, says Loute

    Kano Pillars left-back Isaac Loute has told AfricanFootball.com  his side worked hard to beat the Ghana U-23 team in a friendly on Saturday in Accra.

    Saturday’s clash was Pillars second in Ghana as they prepare for a CAF Champions League game against Malaika of South Sudan. The Nigeria champions drew the first test match 2-2 with Hearts of Oak.

    “It was a tough game as expected, we thank God for giving us the victory because we put in our very best to win the game and thank God our effort was crowned with the victory. We are so happy with the victory because we deserved it,” Loute told AfricanFootball.com.

    Mercurial midfielder Rabiu Ali scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after a Ghanaian defender handled a goal-bound shot from Christian Obiozor.

    The coach Okey Emordi-led team will face Malaika in South Sudan on February 13.