The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)

  • LMC fines Gombe United FC N3.25m for supporters’ unruly conduct

    LMC fines Gombe United FC N3.25m for supporters’ unruly conduct

    Gombe United Football club have come under grave reprimand and financial sanctions by the League Management Company (LMC) for various breaches of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Framework and Rules.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the disciplinary actions  arose from the disruptive conduct of their supporters and officials in a rescheduled Match Day 19 fixture against Rangers International.

    The LMC, in a summary jurisdiction notice issued the club late Friday, said Gombe United had breached Rules B.13.18, C9 and C1.

    “Supporters of the club were adjudged to have thrown objects towards the field of play, including stones hurled at a player of Rangers international FC, during the match.

    “This amounted to a breach of Rule B13.18 punishable under Rule B15.16,’’ the NPFL organisers said in the letter.

    NAN reports further that Gombe United supporters were also cited for encroachment on the technical area and on the field of play at the end of the match.

    “This also was in breach of Rule B13.18 and punishable under Rule B15.16,’’ the LMC said in a press statement by Harry Iwuala, Head of its Special Projects Unit.

    The third charge against the club was for failure to ensure the proper conduct of club officials, particularly those who occupied the technical bench in breach of Rule C9.

    Gombe United were also found to have been in breach of Rule C1, punishable under Rule B15.16.

    “They did this through the act of some of the club’s supporters who assaulted their goalkeeper, Emmanuel Fabiyi, thereby failing to show sportsmanship and/or acting in a manner capable of bringing the League to disrepute,’’ Iwuala said.

    He added that the LMC exercised, for these breaches, its summary jurisdiction and imposed a fine totaling N3.25 million.

    “These sanctions also include a two-home match stadium closure to supporters, funding goalkeeper Fabiyi’s medical expenses and also ensuring that the supporters who assaulted him were apprehended and handed over to the Police for prosecution,’’ Iwuala said.

    Meanwhile, in a separate letter to Fabiyi, the LMC while sympathising with him on the assault by the club supporters also warned him against making comments in the media.

    “Fabiyi has been warned against making comments in the media which portray the league in bad light.

    “He has also been reminded of the rules guiding public utterances of players and officials,’’ Iwuala said.

  • Gombe Utd vs Rangers match postponed

    Gombe Utd vs Rangers match postponed

    The match day 19 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) between Gombe United and Rangers International FC of Enugu earlier scheduled for Thursday has been shifted to yet to be announced date.

    SportingLife reports that the postponement may be unconnected with Rangers CAF Confederation Cup engagement.

    Players and officials of the Flying Antelopes returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after CAF Confederation Cup ouster.

    The Nigerian representatives were eliminated from this year’s competition, after they lost 3-0 to Zesco United in Ndola, Zambia on Saturday.

    The NPFL champions crashed out on a 5-2 aggregate. Rangers threw away a two-goal lead in the first leg to draw 2-2 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

  • Abia Warriors dispel Ocheje exit rumours

    Abia Warriors dispel Ocheje exit rumours

    The management of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia has denied media reports that one of their goalkeepers, Moses Ocheje, registered for the current Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, has left the club.

    In a statement signed by the team’s media officer, Igwe Onuoha, the club described Ocheje exit rumour as false.

    After an emergency management meeting at the club’s Secretariat in Umuahia, Abia Warriors noted that Ocheje remains a bona-fide player of the club and wondered where the rumour is coming from.

    The club said the former Enyimba goaltender only took permission to attend to some family issues.

    “He took permission from the coaches to attend to some immediate family matters and he is expected back as agreed “, the statement clarified.

    Abia Warriors warned any club nurturing the ambition of luring Ocheje to their side to retrace their steps as the goalkeeper is still under a valid contract with the club and has not been declared surplus to requirement by the coaches.

  • Lagos SWAN blast Remo Stars

    Lagos SWAN blast Remo Stars

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos chapter, has described the defence by Remo Stars FC of Sagamu on the assault of a sports journalist as an unfortunate sad commentary on the attitude of the club towards the safety and security of participants and the growth of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

     

    The League Management Company (LMC) last Tuesday, in a summary jurisdiction, found Remo Stars guilty for allowing several acts of violence by its supporters against its visitors, including Sportsville Nigeria reporter, Ekerete Kelvin McKidd who was manhandled and suffered both physical, material and emotional damages during their match day 16 home game with Wikki Tourists FC.

     

    Remo Stars admitted guilt in all other charges but denied responsibility towards the journalist on the claims that “Kelvin Ekerette was neither accredited as a Journalist for the game nor seated at the media tribune for easy identification like other over 15 Journalists that covered the match.”

     

    The Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Fred Edoreh, in reaction, has described the defence as a shameful after-thought and an affront on sports journalism unbecoming of any true stakeholder in football.

     

    “For the good of the game, true stakeholders abhor and condemn soccer violence and it behooves every club management to protect all persons admitted into their stadiums, without exception, be they spectators, visiting players and officials and journalists,” Edoreh said.

     

    “For the avoidance of doubt, there is yet no universal accreditation for admission of sports journalists as various clubs clear reporters to the games in different ways. In this case, Ekerete presented his SWAN and media organisation’s identification card at the entrance, diligently also put a call to the Media Officer of Remo Stars, Oladimeji Oshode who answered the call, confirmed to the gate attendant and cleared him for admission. Many of the “other over 15 journalists” referred to, especially visitors from Lagos, confirm and are available to testify that they were also accredited in similar manner.

     

    “Even before the game, Ekerete had interacted with Remo Stars Media Officer to furnish him with the team list which the later, in recognition of his status as a covering journalist, forwarded directly to his Whatsapp account. Furthermore, Ekerete was seated at the Press Tribune and directly in front of Remo Stars Media Officer for the whole of the first half.

     

    “At the break, he went with Wikki Tourists Media Officer to the VVIP section to confirm an interview booking with Wikki’s chairman, Mr. Matori who was seated by Remo Stars proprietor, Kunle Soname. These persons can also available to testify. After confirming the interview booking, he stepped out of the VVIP to see that there were acts of violence against the visitors on the tracks. He decided, standing in front of the VVIP, to take shots of the incident. After taking the shots, he went down to the railings by the lower terrace to signal his cameraman to join him upstairs for the interview with Wikki’s chairman. It was at point that the Remo supporters confronted him, saying they were told he took recordings of the incident of violence and demanded for his devices before they started beating him.

     

    “We have reasons with evidence to believe that those who manhandled the journalist were directed by highly placed officials of the club who saw him taking the shots in front of the VVIP and described him to the thugs among whom are persons identifiable as possibly close pals, aides, guards or hangers on of such high placed officials of the club.

     

    “Considering these provable facts with sufficient material, documented and statistical evidence and witnesses against the flimsy defence by Remo Stars, several questions arise: How and why was Ekerete admitted into the stadium if he was not cleared as a journalist and did not present a ticket? Is Remo saying therefore that it does not man its gate efficiently? Why was Ekerete not expelled but allowed to seat in the press tribune among other journalists and in front of the media officer if he was not recognized as a journalist? Why was he not expelled from the stadium if he had no admission? Why did Remo Media Officer send Ekerete the team list on Whatsapp if he did not recognise him as a journalist? Is Remo Stars suggesting that its supporters are at liberty to visit violence, for whatever reason, on persons at their games? How well does that promote the league and promote the good of the game?

     

    “While we view the attack on Ekerete and the shameful defence by Remo Stars as an affront against all sports journalists covering the league and, indeed, the entire Nigeria sports media fraternity, the issue for us is not the compensation the LMC has charged Remo Stars to pay to Ekerete but the bigger imperative of reining in the irresponsibility of those who have shamelessly chosen the villainy of incubating thuggery and funding violence to destroy the beautiful game while still claiming to be stakeholders.

     

    “At this time, we urge all sports journalists covering the league to hold and stand together against any form of violence in our game as it is an ill wind that blows no one no good.

     

    “At this time that the LMC is doing so much to shore up the image, appeal and value of our league, we humbly advice the management of Remo Stars to choose to be part of positive ideals, to cultivate their club to produce the essential values of promoting sporting entertainment, friendship and unity, generating employment and enterprise for its local economy by promoting sports tourism while driving for the commercial success of the club, rather than encouraging and defending violence in sports.”

  • Gambo returns for Niger Tornadoes clash

    Gambo returns for Niger Tornadoes clash

    SportingLife can reveal that Kano Pillars FC captain Gambo Muhammad will be available for selection when Sai Masu Gida confronts Niger Tornadoes in the match day 19 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in Lokoja after two weeks out of action.

    SportingLife reports that the tailsman has been down with maleria and ankle injury he sustained during one of his team’s matches.

    The club’s medical officer, Ali Adamu confirmed to SportingLife that Gambo has resumed training with the rest of the squad.

    “Gambo is back now and he is training with team but he was not part of week 18 encounter against Akwa United FC. I believe he would be part of our next game against Niger Tornadoes in Lokoja, by then he would be hundred percent fit by God’s grace,” Ali said to SportingLife.

  • I want to play for Manchester United – Olatunbosun

    I want to play for Manchester United – Olatunbosun

    Twenty-one-year-old Lagos-based MFM Midfielder, Sikiru Olatunbosun, says that he dreams playing for Manchester United FC of England in the nearest future.

    The highly dependable winger told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that Manchester United was his dream club because of quality of players it possessed.

    “I love Manchester United and they are my favourites. I have had offers from other leagues and I can play anywhere.

    “I also love German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A and Spain’s La liga. I don’t mind playing for any of those clubs.

    “For now, I want to concentrate on my playing career with MFM and help them win the league which I know is possible with the quality of players we have,’’ said the CNN Goal of the Week Award winner for Match Day 10.

    Olatunbosun, who received in the first week of March, started his playing career with MFM on their debut in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has been in sparkling form since he broke into the first team.

    He scored a brace against Akwa-United FC in August last season to mark his 21st year birthday and finished the season with seven goals.

    Olatunbosun was also part of the selected NPFL All-star team that went on a playing tour of Spain last season.

    For the current season, Olatunbosun opened his goal account for MFM on the Match Day I fixture against Niger Tornadoes of Minna. The team eventually won the game 3-0.

    Speaking after the opening match, confident Olatunbosun said that he hoped to scoop the season’s top scorer award.

    “I hope to win the top scorer’s award to better my performance last year. This year, we want to play in the continent,’’ he said confidently.

    Matching his words with action, Olatunbosun hugged the headlines with his wonder goal during the Match Day 10 encounter against the NPFL defending champions, Rangers International Fc of Enugu.

    The spectacular 31st minute goal in the 2-1 win against Rangers drew global attention and also won him many accolades, including the most coveted CNN goal of the week.

    A brilliant Olatubosun got a pass from Stephen Odey, controlled the pass with his left leg, and made a brilliant turn to volley the ball beyond the reach of hapless Rangers’ Ghanaian goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu.

    In recognition of his ingenuity, CNN awarded him the goal of the week thereby becoming the first NPFL player ever to win the award.

    To win the award, Olatunbosun garnered astonishing 82 per cent of the 6,647 total votes cast to beat the likes of Raja Nainggolan of Roma in Italian Serie A.

    Other contenders include Youri Tielemans of Anderlecht in Belgium and Joey Jones of Woking FC of England.

    Commenting on the award, an elated Olatunbosun dedicated the award to the proprietor of the club and the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM), Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya.

    “I dedicate this award to the General Overseer of the church for the opportunity to be part of the MFM team.

    “I also want to give thanks to God for the award; my coaches, teammates, officials, the director of the team and to all my fans all over the world who voted for me,’’ he said.

    On MFM chances of winning the league, Olatunbosun minced no words in confirming their chances of winning the NPFL.

    “We can win the league because we are ripe enough. We have faced tough oppositions in the league without defeat, so we are capable of winning it.

    “The crop of players in MFM now is experienced enough to make something out of the league and if we are unable to win the league, I think top three finish is within the reach.

    “Playing in the continent cannot be a problem though clubs from Nigeria are not doing well for now, but that does not mean we cannot make our mark in the continent.

    “We needed a chance to prove what we can do in the continent and I hope we will perform better,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that MFM now tops the NPFL table with 33 points from 18 matches; they recorded 10 wins, three draws and lost five of their matches.

     

  • NPFL 2016/2017: Supporters warn Rangers against Relegation

    NPFL 2016/2017: Supporters warn Rangers against Relegation

    Okechukwu Onwudiariri, Chairman, Rivers Chapter, Rangers International FC of Enugu Supporters Club, has warned the team to be wary of being relegated after the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Onwudiariri gave the warning on Monday in Enugu while reacting to the club’s 2-2 draw with Zesco Utd of Zambia on Sunday, in the ongoing Africa Football Confederation (CAF) Confederation Cup.

    He said the development was heartbreaking, noting that the supporters expected victory in the encounter after the 2-0 lead in the 47th minute.

    Onwudiariri, who advised the technical crew to be mindful of their performance or face relegation in the domestic league, adding that the supporters had fears that the club might be relegated.

    “We are not happy with Rangers performance in the ongoing season because the club is the joy of millions of Igbo people.

    “What pains us most is the 2-2 draw with Zesco after an early 2-0 lead up to 69th minute only to relinquish the advantage after wrong substitution by the coach that favoured the Zambians.

    “Thank God that the imported Ghanaian goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu, saved us from further embarrassment with a brilliant last minute save, if not, the Zambians would have defeated Rangers,’’ he said.

    He recalled that the club had not gone on relegation and urged the players to do everything possible to save the club from relegation in the ongoing league.

    “We won the league last season and this season we are occupying the bottom position in the league and facing relegation, but honestly, we are not expecting that.

    “Our position at the league is very bad, therefore we want them to come out of it; indeed, we cannot take relegation from anybody.

    “It is better that the government comes into this matter and perform its duty diligently to ensure that the club did not go on relegation for the first time in history.

    NAN reports that though Rangers have four outstanding games, it currently at the bottom of the league table with 13 points from 14 matches.

  • NPFL: Rivers United beat ABS FC

    NPFL: Rivers United beat ABS FC

    Rivers United FC, Thursday defeated visiting ABS FC of Ilorin 2-0 in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match after three consecutive losses.

    Christian Weli scored the opening goal for Rivers United in the 38th minute while Asomuah Godbless scored the second goal  in the 82nd minute.

    Willie Ndube, Assistant Coach, Rivers United told sports journalists after the game at Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt that the victory was vital.

    Ndube said that the victory was a turning point for the team and would propel it with confidence to win future matches.

    He acknowledged that Rivers United had not been doing good in the league and were lucky to win the game after a two-day long journey.

    “We are lucky to win, we just came back from a long journey with the expected fatigue. This victory will surely propel the team,” he said.

    Daniel Israel, Rivers United attacker said the victory was a good one for them since they have not gotten victory in their last three games.

    Zoumana Doumbra, a defender said the outcome was very important because the team’s position in the league was not encouraging.

    Henry Makinwa, Coach of ABS FC, said that his team lost psychologically when they missed an earlier opportunity to net a goal against their host.

    He said the needed technical changes he made could not give his side a favourable result.

    “If we had scored that goal, psychologically my boys would have come out better, but when they lost that opportunity, it affected them psychologically.

    “We have lost six games; what is happening to the team is like a shock to them because they had raised the hope of fans on winning the league,” he said.

     

  • Bosso dedicates LBA award to players

    Bosso dedicates LBA award to players

    El Kanemi Warriors technical adviser, Isa Ladan Bosso has dedicated his Coach of the month award to his players.

    The former Flying Eagles coach was named the League Bloggers Award manager in February , after his team El Kanemi Warriors had an excellent run in the month under review in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    He was presented with the award during his side’s matchday 17 encounter in Maiduguri on Sunday.

    In a chat with SportingLife, Bosso praised his boys for their outstanding performance in the ongoing season.

    “I want to appreciate everybody in the team for the award. I want to specially dedicate this award to my players. I really commended them for their commitment and dedication to the team, without them I may not have achieve it. I thank God that I won the award. This is a challenge to me and everybody in the team as well. I am happy I received the award in-front of our fans. I will continue to work harder to keep the momentum,” Bosso said to SportingLife.

    Four wins out of five matches in February, including a 1-0 success at Abia Warriors, proved to be enough for Bosso to claim the manager’s accolade ahead of Akwa United’s Abdu Maikaba, Fidelis Ilechukwu of MFM FC and Abubakar Bala of Niger Tornadoes.

    Victories against seven-time NPFL winners Enyimba, Gombe United, Abia Warriors and Nasarawa United with a 0-2 loss at Plateau United in between put Bosso and his team ahead of other competitors in February and helped them claim 12 points out of the 15 available.

  • We did not bargain for loss — MFM Coach

    We did not bargain for loss — MFM Coach

    Lagos-based MFM Technical Adviser, Fidelis Ilechukwu, on Monday said that his team got what they did not bargain for in their scandalous 0-4 defeat to Nasarawa United in Lafia on Sunday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MFM were whitewashed by Nasarawa United in the Match Day 17 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    It was, however, the turn of Nasarawa United to take their pound of flesh on MFM from whom they suffered two defeats during their last encounter in the 2015/2016 NPFL.

    Olayinka Onaolapo’s cross was nodded in by Adamu Hassan in the 45th minutes to give Nasarawa United the first goal which ended the half by a lone goal.

    MFM conceded another in the 61st minute when Olayinka Onaolapo slotted home, while Anthony Oussou made it three and Bashir Abdulrahman added to the goal feast in the 86th minutes to complete the routing.

    However, MFM had defeated Nasarawa United in the opening game of the 2015/2016 season by 2-1 in Lafia after which they defeated them in the return fixture in Agege by same margin in the Match Day 21fixture.

    On the poor performance by his youthful team, Ilechukwu said that the result was what he had no idea of how it came about.

    “I am sincerely short of words for the game; the game didn’t go as planned. What happened was not our intention.

    “I have watched some games before and I can say that we did not plan to lose with such margin. I don’t have any words for the loss.

    “Maybe the players are tired or we had a bad day, the players know better. We were outplayed by all standards.

    “Maybe next time we will try better and not lose focus,’’ he said.

    Nasarawa United coach, Kabiru Dogo said he was happy to have avenged MFM’s double header defeat last season.

    “They have the upper hand against us last season. We didn’t want to lose again this season. We put in everything to avoid what happened last season.

    “We know MFM plays very well in the first half and fade out in the second half, so we tried to stop them from playing in the first half.

    “As soon as the first half was over, I knew we had done it,’’ he said.

    “We started slowly this season. Now the team is jelling at the right time. I am happy with the boys’ performance. Every coach will be proud of these boys,’’ he said.