The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nasarawa United

  • CAF INTER CLUB COMPETITION: Nasarawa United call for support of NFF, LMC

    • Intensify preparation for CAF Confederation Cup

    Nasarawa United FC Chairman, Danladi Isaac has revealed that the support of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC) for the Solid Miners and other three Nigerian clubs in the CAF Inter Club competitions would be crucial for their impressive performance.

    The Lafia side are making their second appearance in Africa after their cameo appearance in 2007 when they featured in the CAF Champions League before they dropped to the CAF Confederation Cup and later eliminated.

    Isaac told SportingLife that they were aware that they must be prepared to face the best the continent can produce as soon as they qualify for the continent and that their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round foes, Generation Foot of Senegal would be a hard nut to crack.

    He said Nasarawa United would be adequately ready and prepared before the February 12-14, 2016 first leg tie and that serious work has started over the repairs of the Lafia Township Stadium to meet the standard set by CAF for the hosting of continental games.

    Isaac also pleaded with the NFF and LMC to render the necessary support to all Nigerian teams on the continent so that there can be appreciable progression on the continent this term than it was in the last few years.

    He noted that issues regarding the technical crew has been done and dusted and that they have also intensified the build up to the next season including their stay on the continent so that the Solid Miners won’t be caught unprepared.

  • Dogo: Nasarawa United will get it right

    Dogo: Nasarawa United will get it right

    Nasarawa United head coach, Kabiru Suleiman Dogo has asserted that the Solid Miners would get it right this term when they host Giwa FC this weekend in a Glo Premier League Week 38 tie in a tie the maximum points would guarantee them continental football next year.

    The Solid Miners were very close to grabbing a CAF Confederation Cup tie last season where they were in the same circumstances as this season against Warri Wolves but they burgled it after they allowed the Seasiders to hold them to a 2-2 draw.

    Dogo was the Assistant Coach of the team then to Mohammed Babaganaru and he has revealed to SportingLife that they were hurt by the capitulation against Warri Wolves but that they have been working assiduously to ensure that this doesn’t repeat itself this season.

    The former ABS head coach disclosed that with their performance in the league, both home and away getting a continent ticket would be the adequate compensation for their hardwork this season especially during the second stanza where they have won four away games and drew two on the road.

    Nasarawa United are presently fourth on the log with 60 points from 37 matches and are three points adrift of Giwa FC but Dogo assured that with the support of everyone in the club at optimal level, the Solid Miners are aware of what is at stake and would do everything possible to get the available points on the pitch on Sunday.

    “We are very happy with the points we secured in Nnewi and are very optimistic that what happened last season has only gone down in the history books and would never repeat itself.

    “He said Giwa FC are a very good side but that Nasarawa United would do everything possible within the gambit of law to ensure we win,” Dogo told SportingLife.

  • Akwa United’s Ariwa a doubt for Nasarawa United tie

    Akwa United’s Ariwa a doubt for Nasarawa United tie

    Akwa United’s Emmanuel Ariwa would be a major absentee when the Promise Keepers face Nasarawa United in a Glo Premier League Week 31 tie at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

    Ariwa skipped yesterday’s training session and the body language from the team’s head coach, Zachary Baraje says that the former Niger Tornadoes player may not have any role to play as the Solid Miners beckon this weekend.

    The Media Manager of the club, Uwem Ekoh told SportingLife that Akwa United are taken the game very seriously and that they are expecting to smile home with the maximum points because they are not where they ought to be presently on the league table.

    He said the players are in high spirits and that with the right response from the Akwa State Government too, they are raring to go against Nasarawa United.

    The Promise Keepers are 16th on the log with 34 points from 30 games.

  • Enyimba were better than Nasarawa United-Ikhana

    Enyimba were better than Nasarawa United-Ikhana

    Enyimba head coach, Kadiri Ikhana, has said his side are unarguably the better side against Nasarawa United.

    The Peoples’ Elephant caged the Solid Miners 2-0 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 14 encounter at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

    Goals from striker, Christian Obiozor and Ifeanyi George proved adequate to hand the Aba outfit the maximum three points at stake.

    Ikhana said victory makes the whole difference in football as well as brings happiness to the party involved.

    “Of course, everybody is happy with the convincing 2-0 win against Nasarawa United.

    “Everybody wants positive result and here we are with a win; the joyous mood around us is perceivable even from far distance.

    “I’m excited that this victory has added to the past six matches we have played without losing.

    “We will continue to work hard to further the unbeaten run in the next matches.

    “Nasarawa United are a good team, they played their hearts out to see how to redeem the situation but I think we were far better on match day and ably deserved the hard-earned victory,” said the former Kwara United coach to supersport.com.

    The victory against Nasarawa United has upped Enyimba’s points to 26, one point behind leaders, Wikki Tourists.

  • Uweru returns for Crown FC

    Uweru returns for Crown FC

    Crown FC goalkeeper, Michael Uweru will be available for his team’s Glo Premier League match against domestic champions, Kano Pillars on Wednesday.

    The experienced shot-stopper has been inactive since the match day 6 tie at Nasarawa United in Lafia where he sustained a head injury.

    The Ogbomoso-based side will host Pillars in a match day 11 encounter at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

    Uweru said he will want to announce his comeback to competitive league action with a clean sheet as well as a convincing win against the Pyramid City side.

    “Yes, I’ll be on duty against Kano Pillars on Wednesday, I was on the bench in the Oyo State Federation Cup final against 3SC.

    “And I’ll want my comeback to league action to be memorable and remembered for good as our best game in the ongoing league season.

    “I’ll celebrate it with a clean sheet as well as a deserving victory. I’ve looked forward to this game and I pray it turns out well as planned.

    “After our FA Cup triumph against rivals, 3SC we’re boosted to go for the three points against Pillars as make up for the points ceded to Enyimba in Aba in a match day 10 clash,” said the former Kwara United goalkeeper to supersport.com.

    The Glo Premier League newcomers have garnered 13 points from a possible 30 in the 10-week old Nigerian first tier league.

  • Nasarawa United appoint Alloy Agu as goalkeeper trainer

    Nasarawa United appoint Alloy Agu as goalkeeper trainer

    The management of Nasarawa United has appointed former Super Eagles coach Aloy Agu as a goalkeeper trainer.

    The club’s media officer, Musa Elayo told SportingLife that the ex-international has reported to the team’s camp in Lafia.

    According to Elayo, Agu’s appointment is part of the management’s re-organisation efforts to position the club among the best in the country.

    The Solid Miners have already appointed former Kano Pillars coach, Mohammed Baba Ganaru as Technical Adviser and Dogo as his assistant.

    Elayo said the appointment of the trio has brought a breath of fresh air to the team.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that we have the best of coaching crew in Nasarawa United now. The trio of Baba Ganaru, Kabir Suleiman Dogo and Aloy Agu are the best things any club could wish for,” Elayo said.

    “After the signing of Ganaru and Dogo, we thought it wise to bring in an experienced goalkeeper trainer and we went for Alloy. Alloy has played at the highest level and we are happy that he is with us. He has resumed with us and everything is working perfectly. The team is training everyday now.”

  • Nasarawa Utd sack 13 players, sign 10

    Nasarawa Utd sack 13 players, sign 10

    • Fire assistant coach, goalkeeper trainer

    • Arikya named as stand-in coach

    Ahead of the new Globacom Premier League season, the management of Nasarawa United has declared thirteen players surplus to requirements because of their below par performance in the 2012/2013 season.

    The decision was taken after an executive board meeting which was chaired by the club’s chairman, Barrister Isaac Danladi, to review last season’s activities vis-a-vis programmes for the new season.

    The club’s media officer, Musa Elayo told SportingLife that the board also agreed to keep twenty-seven players for the coming season because of their good conduct and performance.

    Elayo added that two of the players were on probation and they had been sternly warned to sit up and improve on their performances. He said four others would go on loan to interested clubs.

    Nasarawa’s image maker said the club appreciated the efforts of both the players and technical crew for the services they rendered in the 2012/2013 season.

    “The board dwelled on so many issues while reviewing last season’s activities and made so many valuable decisions. The management has resolved to reposition the club in a bid to pick a continental ticket next season,” Elayo told SportingLife.

    “We want to avoid the mistakes of last season, that is why we want to kick-start preparations for the coming season very early. We want to thank everybody who made it possible for the club last season. The board sincerely appreciates Nasarawa State Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Deputy Governor, Dameshi Luka, Commissioner for Sport, Angama Weibey and SA on Sport, Silas Agara for their financial assistance and the role played in making sure that the club retained its league status last season. We thank our fans and all the stakeholders for their support.”

    The Solid Miners are expected to resume camping today after the break and Elayo stressed that the club has strengthen the squad with ten additional quality players for the coming season.

    “There are some good players we saw during the season both in the Glo League and the Nigeria National League (NNL). We’ve invited them and some of them will resume training with the old players today.”

    The board also decided to part ways with assistant coach, Silvester Ekoja and goalkeeper trainer, Mike Jatau. They were relieved of their appointments with immediate effect.

    Elayo said the management has drafetd in the club’s feeder team coach, Abubakar Arikya as the stand-in chief coach to recieve the players that will resume today.

    On the possibility of coach, Kadiri Ikhana staying on with the club, he said: “Ikhana still has a contract with the club till December. I don’t want to make any categorical statement on that because we want to respect the contract. Maybe after the expiration of his contract we will speak on the next line of action.”

  • Nasarawa United not thinking of relegation again — Elayo

    Nasarawa United not thinking of relegation again — Elayo

    • Hails Ikhana’s impact

    Nasarawa United media officer, Musa Elayo says his team has overcome its relegation battle following their 1-0 victory over Sunshine Stars of Akure in a week 36 Glo League game played on Saturday at the Lafia Township Stadium.

    The rave of the moment,Victor Namo scored the only goal that gave the Solid Miners the needed three points on Saturday.

    Nasarawa United now have 49 points from 36 matches played so far.

    With two matches to end the 2012/2013 season, Elayo said his side will end the season on a comfortable position on the log.

    “The anxiety over relegation is over now.The players and the technical crew have worked their way out of the problem. We are happy that we are now thinking on out to gather more points to improve our position on the log and not thinking of relegation again,” Elayo said.

    “The spirit in the team is higher than before. The players are more determined now and are giving their best to the team. We will continue to do what we know how to do best until we achieve our aim. The fans and the team are on the part of greatness now. Our focus now is to get valuable points in the remaining two matches.”

    The club’s spokesman also heaped praises on the team’s technical Adviser, Kadiri Ikhana for his valuable impact on the team.

    Ikhana joined the team when the former handler, Alphonsus Dike was sacked due to poor run of results that put the club in a difficult position.

    “Ikhana has changed the orientation of the team progressively. We have won all our homes matches since Ikhana came on board unlike what was witnessed during Alphonsus Dike’s era. Ikhana has instilled more discipline into the team unlike before. The players now understand the reasons why they are in the team. We really commended Ikhana for his positive impact on the team.”

    Elayo informed that the team will travel to Port-Harcourt on Monday for Wednesday’s week 37 league game against Sharks.

  • Bayelsa Utd vow to beat Nasarawa

    Bayelsa Utd vow to beat Nasarawa

    Bayelsa United have vowed to beat Nasarawa United in a week 32 Globacom Premier League in celebrating the arrival of their Kit Manager, Emmanuel Mark, new baby boy.

    Mark’s wife delivered a bouncy baby boy at Saint Peters Hospital, in the Amarata area of Yenagoa on Saturday morning at around 6 am.

    The new arrival is the first baby in the family of Mr and Mrs Mark.

    Bayelsa United are guests to Nassarawa United on Wednesday at the Lafia Township.

    The club’s media officer, George Ameli said the team is happy with the development.

    “The players and technical crew are in the right mood for the game. We also want to win for our Kit Manager whose wife delivered a bouncy baby boy on Saturday,” Ameli said.

    The elated father gave glory to God. ”I thank God for his mercies for this good deed he has done to my family and I believe that with the baby coming at the business end of the league simply means that it will be glad tidings for the Bayelsa United family at the end of the season.”

  • Ikhana: Nasarawa United is well motivated

    Ikhana: Nasarawa United is well motivated

    Nasarawa United Technical Adviser, Kadiri Ikhana has told

    SportingLife that his boys are well motived ahead of Sunday’s local derby Globacom Premier League clash against Lobi Stars at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium, Katsina-Ala.

    The former Kano Pillars manager recorded his first win for the Solid Miners with a 4-0 thrashing of Dolphins FC in a matchday 28 clash at the Lafia Township Stadium on Wednesday. The former Kwara United coach suffered a 2-0 defeat to Gombe United in his first game in charge of the team.

    Ikhana told SportingLife that his mission at the moment is to get the team out of the relegation zone.

    “My mission at the moment now is to get the club out of the relegation zone. Judging by the two matches we have played so far, we are improving match after match,” Ikahna told SportingLife.

    Lobi Stars went away with a point in the first leg encounter in Lafia but the former Sharks FC of Port-Harcourt gaffer added that the victory against Dolphins on Wednesday will inspire his wards against the Markurdi-based side.

    “The win against Dolphins is a motivating thing to the team. It is a local derby which will make the game very interesting. Lobi got a draw here and there is nothing stoping us from getting something there too. That is football for you. I hope at the end of the day there will be light at the end of the tunnel for the team,” he said.

    Nasarawa United Chairman, Isaac Danladi also expressed confidence of the club’s ability to beat Lobi.

    He said:”The boys have raised their game. And with the current form of our players we expect nothing less than victory against Lobi Stars. The current form and determination of the technical crew headed by new technical adviser Khadiri Ikhana, the team will come back to Lafia with victory. We can beat Lobi Stars,” Danladi said.