The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Professional Football League

  • Oladapo seeks ‘glory’ at NPFL playoffs

    Enyimba midfielder Austin Oladapo has set his sights on the top prize of the Nigeria Professional Football League playoffs which begins at the Agege Stadium on Tuesday.

    The six-team tournament will offer The People’s Elephant, alongside five others, the opportunity to claim the NPFL title, as well as entry into Africa’s Club Competitions next season.

    Oladapo, was an integral part of Enyimba’s qualification for the playoffs with consistent performance in the regular season, and the CHAN 2018 silver medallist is bidding to replicate such displays and win laurels for his team.

    “I am hungry for glory,” the 23-year-old began.

    Read Also: NPFL: Our tears have been washed away – Ortom

    “This is an opportunity for me because I’ve not been able to win any major trophy. I know what the premiership will mean to me, to my career, to my family as a whole. So I’m desperately waiting for the super six to kick off on Tuesday and I’m hoping I’ll be able to give out my best that will give me this major League at the end of the day.”

    Aware of the quality of the opposition at the tournament, Oladapo knows exactly what Enyimba must do to win silverware.

    “We know the teams – Rangers, Lobi, Kano Pillars, and Akwa. They are all big teams and we are here to fight. We are here to fight too because we know what we want and it’s not going to be easy. We are here to fight to make sure at the end of the day we are able to get what we want”

    Enyimba will be involved in the opening game of the tournament, with a crunch clash with Rangers International set for 3pm.

  • Tornadoes forces Insurance to a goalless draw

    Visiting Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna on Saturday forced Bendel Insurance FC of Benin to a goalless draw in a 2018/2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match played at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Benin.

    Speaking at a post match conference, Head Coach of Tornadoes, Mohammed Abubakar expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance.

    Abubakar said that it was a good game, saying that the delay tactics put up by his players was part of the game.

    “It is in the game, delay tactics is part of football, we couldn’t even delay because the referee started giving us card from on set.

    “To be frank, you watch the game, tactically it is not too good, the center referee deal with us.

    “We expect a fair play, when they came to Mina they had a good game, we expect to have a good game here too,”he said.

    He expressed optimism that his team would not be relegated at end of the season.

  • New NPFL Season: Enyimba eager to get cracking

     

    *Olatunbosun set to debut for Plateau Utd

    With less than 24 hours to the kickoff of the New Nigeria professional football league season, seven times league winners Enyimba can hardly wait to get started. The two time CAF Champions league winners are opening the season against MFM and after training Saturday, the Aba based side believe they are good to go

    “With thumbs up like these after training, we are in for a cracking game tomorrow” the team enthused while dishing out some training pictures to show their battle readiness. While the Peoples Elephant will be slugging it out with MFM, Heartland of Owerri will be guests of Kano Pillars who are eager to begin their season on an impressive note especially after the missed the continental ticket by whiskers.

    In other ties lined up for tomorrow in what could be dubbed flag off Sunday, Akwa United will host Elkanemi, Nasarawa United battle Abia Warriors. Kwara United lock horns with sunshine Stars while last Plateau United open shop with FC IfeanyiUbah. The new season will for the first time feature 24 teams as against the usual 20 teams.

    For fans of Plateau United, it will be interesting to see former MFM ace Siriru Olatunbosun made his debut for the Jos based side. He had earlier sent social media message thanking the management and fans of MFM for the opportunity given to him adding in what could pass emotional farewell ” I want to use this channel to appreciate the management, fans, & the coaching crew led by a brother, a father figure, Fidelis Ilechukwu.

    I know the supporters & the fans wanted me to remain & I would have loved to but I had to leave for good reasons” The reason for his exit did not take long in coming following further disclosure via @Skolatunbosun.

    “Now I am @plateauutdfc for the new season that will be starting tomorrow. The reception was massive & the atmosphere is great & I am loving it here.

    I want to be successful & achieve with this team, I want to win the league & be among the history makers at the end of it all” he submitted.

     

     

     

     

     

  • After 10 seasons, Bendel Insurance return to NPFL

    Bendel Insurance FC of Benin on Wednesday defeated the Oluyole Warriors to gain promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The club defeated Oluyole Warriors 1-0 at the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 in Aba.

    Bendel Insurance was relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) 10 seasons ago.

    Teams for the Super 8 are made of four clubs each from the Northern and Southern Conferences.

    Clubs in the Northern Conference are Kada City, Kogi United, Real Stars FC and Gombe United FC.

    For the Southern Conference are Bendel Insurance, Remo Stars, Shooting Stars and Delta Force FC.

    The Edo-based team was, however, able to secure three straight wins from the Southern Conference after it defeated Delta Force 3-0 and Remo Stars by 1-0.

    The team’s Media Officer, Harrison Iyunmana, told NAN that the team was in celebration mood as the promotion was important to the state.

    “We thank God for the support of the state government, for its motivation and kudos to the players for believing in themselves.

    “The deputy governor had charged the players not to rest on their oars until they return to playing continental competitions.

    “We want to bring back continental football to Edo State,” he said.

    Bendel Insurance will now compete in the NPFL which starts on Sunday, Jan.

  • FA Cup Round of 16: 17 NPFL teams in battle of survival

    No fewer than Seventeen Nigeria Professional Football League sides will be in action Saturday and Sunday, as they attempt to survive the challenges posed by less fancied sides for advance to the round of 16 of this year’s FA cup.

    Last season finalist Niger Tornadoes will be praying against any obstacles as they dream to replicate the achievement of last season by cruising all the way to the final.

    The Minna side will take on Kogi United in Makurdi, just as last year champions Akwa United who few days ago got N70million naira largesse for winning last year’s edition will take on Aklosendi FC in Enugu. In Gombe, two premier league sides Yobe Desert Stars and Plateau United will slug it out.

    The likes of Heartland and Shooting stars know for doing exploits in the federation cup unfortunately hit the exit door in the round of 64

    Nationwide League one side, Cofine FC created an upset of the round of 64 edging out Premier league returnees Heartland 4-2 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 at regulation time. The FA cup which has run for decades has continued to maintain the surprises that make it thick with amateur clubs pulling the rugs out of the feet of top teams.

  • NPFL: Our tears have been washed away – Ortom

    Governor Samuel Ortom said with the victory of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi in the Nigeria Professional Football League trophy the tears of Benue people have been wash away.

    Ortom who received management and players of Lobi stars who had been declared winner of the NPFL said with the league trophy Benue shall arise for bigger victory in development.

    The Governor who almost shed tears when he was informed by the chairman and vice chairman of the club that the Makurdi premier league side had been declared champion commended both the deputy governor, Engineer Benson Abouno, Mike Idoko, Solomon Ogbeide and his players for the feat.

    Vice chairman of Lobi stars in his remark commended Governor Ortom for his support to the club which made the victory possible.

    Read Also: Ortom condemns impunity against journalists

    Mike Idoko like Oliver twist called for more assistant to the club in the area  of logistics and payment of match bonuses pending .

    He assured the governor that Lobi stars would go all out to bring the CAF Champions League  trophy to Nigeria .

    Deputy Governor who is the chairman of Lobi stars described Solomon Ogbeide as a good coach and good manager of coaches and players.

    The deputy governor stated that since Ogbeide resumed as a Technical Adviser, Lobi stars has remained on top league table.

    Former Lobi stars Vice chairman Dominic Iorfa and members of the Benue state Executive councils join Lobi players in Government House Makurdi to savour in the victory celebration.

  • NPFL top scorer focuses on league title with Kano Pillars

     Junior Lokosa, current 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL ) leading scorer, says his focus is to lift the league trophy with his club Kano Pillars FC.

    Lokosa, who is leading with 12 goals as at the NPFL Match day 14, told the News men in Abuja on Friday that hardwork had kept him ‘in form’.

    The player, who joined the team the previous season, said that he is not focused on being the top scorer of the season but to help the club, which is currently third on the table, to finish first place.

    “My focus at the moment is to help my team win the title. If I emerge as top scorer at the end of the season, I will be very happy but for now the title is important.

    Read Also: Rohr calls for more grass pitch stadiums for NPFL matches

    “So far, hardwork and God has kept me going and in good form. I hope I don’t disappoint but give my best to the team always,” he says.

    Lokosa’s 12th league goal of the season against Kwara United could not save the Kano boys as they lost 1-2 in Ilorin on Sunday.

    The team on 21 points will host FC IfeanyiUbah in the Matchday 15 fixture on April 4.

    The match was earlier scheduled for April 1 but the League Management Company (LMC) moved all Sunday matches to Wednesday.

    NAN

  • Rohr calls for more grass pitch stadiums for NPFL matches

    Super Eagles’ coach Gernot Rohr on Sunday in Lagos expressed his preference for Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches to be played more on grass pitch stadiums.

    Rohr spoke with the News men after the NPFL Match Day 12 fixture between Lagos-based MFM FC and Heartland FC of Owerri at Agege Stadium.

    The coach said while he was impressed with the standard of the league he believed it would be improved more if games were played on grass as against synthetic pitches.

    “I am here to see MFM FC play once again after the CAF Champions League fixture which they won. I am also here to see the other team, Heartland FC.

    “What I also noticed is that the league is being played on synthetic pitches. That is old-fashioned because the sun is not favourable playing on such turf.

    “Synthetic pitches are hot during the sun and it is not the best for the players,’’ he said.

    Rohr said he would like to see other players outside the ones he had shortlisted for the upcoming Super Eagles’ matches, so as to see their level of commitment and play.

    Read Also: NIGERIA’S WORLD CUP SQUAD: Everyone must fight for a shirt – Rohr

    “I am not here to see those players on my list, but discovering more players and to see the level of the league, which is better for me.

    “I want to see those that are doing better and to discover other teams. This is where I can watch the team play because there are no NPFL clubs playing in Abuja.

    “The level of the league is interesting and I must commend the teams for their good spirit, though none of the players are in my list,’’ he said.

    The news men reports, MFM FC had defeated Heartland FC 3-0, with goals from Stanley Okorom (8th minute), Chuka Uwaga (88th minute) and Tchato Giscard (92nd minute).

    NAN

  • MFM FC bus accident: We are safe and sound – Media Officer

    MFM FC bus accident: We are safe and sound – Media Officer

    The Media Officer of MFM FC, Olawale Quadri said on Sunday that the team was safe and sound after they were involved in an accident at Akungba, Ondo State.

    Reports say that the Lagos bound MFM FC players and official were returning from Jos after the Match Day 5 fixtures of the Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL ).

    The Olukoya Boys, however, lost to the incumbent league winners Plateau United by a lone goal courtesy of a second-minute strike by Tosin Omolyele.

    Quadri said though the bus conveying the team was badly damaged,  most of the players escaped unscathed.

    Read also: MFM FC do the double over Sunshine Stars

    “The accident was unfortunate, but we thank God that no one sustained serious injury. I have read some reports that our coach was injured, nothing of such happened.

    “We are safe and sound; we are presently in a hotel in Akure so that we can take off from there after some time so that the players can also have some rest.

    “Some of the players that sustained minor injuries are being taken care of and they will join the rest of the team; we thank God for his protection.

    “We hope to resume the journey as soon as possible and we also thank our fans too for their support and prayers, he said.

    NAN

  • Season opener: Kastina Utd, Pillars share points.

    Season opener: Kastina Utd, Pillars share points.

    It was a no victor no vanquished situation Saturday as Kano Pillars and Kastina United played out a 2-2 draw in the opener of the new season. The match which is the only one scheduled for the day  lived up to its billing as both teams fought to the finish in an attempt to avoid starting on a losing note. Pillars Junior Lokosa made a major statement when he scored the first goal of the season and signaled his desire to compete among goal scorers of the season.

     While Pillars enjoyed the honour of leading by a lone goal to the end of the first half, the music soon changed when they homers grabbed an equaliser on return of the second half thanks to Ajana Chinedu.

    Pillars however restored their lead in the 61st minute after Alassan Ibrahim scored. The Kano side looked set as at the 83rd minute to run away with three points even saving penalty against Kastina United, but bagging the first red card through Victor Dennis. It was not until the 94th minute however that Destiny Ashadi of Kastina United scored a penalty to level up leaving the score at 2-2.

    Pillars believe it was a match they should have won but for last minute change of destiny, noting however that it was a good outing all the same. 

    “We are supposed to win this match, but “Destiny” changed. Over all it was a fantastic start of this year #NPFL season” the club dished out on social media shortly after the final whistle.

    All eyes will be on new comers Go Round FC as they take on Wikki Tourist on Sunday just as returnees Heartland keep a date with Akwa United in Uyo. Kwara United tackle visiting Tornadoes. In other ties, Ifeanyi Ubah will slug it out with Yobe Stars. MFM take on Abia Warriors while league defending champions Plateau United lock horns with Nasarawa United.