The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria Professional Football League

  • Returnee Heartland banking on lady luck

    Returnee Heartland banking on lady luck

     

    With barely 24 hours to the kick off the new Nigeria Premier League Season, all fillers indicate that returnee premier league side Heartland  did not have adequate preparations, but remain hopeful they can fly.

    The Owerri based side just back into the elite division after season relegation, are scheduled to host Sunshine Stars of Akure at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in their opening match of the season on Sunday, but will need every arsenal in their armory and luck  to avoid flagging off on a losing note.

    Some technical crew members and players who bared their minds ahead of the new season revealed that they neither had camping nor proper preparation for the new season but were unanimous in faith that mother luck and grace of God will see them through. A cross section of the Nazi Millionaires fans who reacted to development emanating from the team expressed worry that the club which has gone through a lot of changes in its 42 years of existence may be heading back to relegation if nothing urgent is done.

    Recall that the club was formerly known as Spartans then Iwuanyanwu Nationale before becoming Heartland of Owerri.

    A worried Goalkeeper of the side Ebere Obi described their state of unpreparedness as worrisome adding however that the players have resolved to simply put in their best and leave the rest to God.

    We didn’t have any preparation at all ,but I, as the last man of the defense and captain of the side Julius Ubido have resolved to ginger our teammates to go all out and put in their best no matter what and then leave the rest to God,” he said just after the Super Four held in Lagos. Heartland were beaten by both Remo Stars and Go Round FC.

    Coach of the side Ramson Madu who admitted that the team did not even prepare for the super four in which it participated, however said he has hope in God and hoping for the best in the new season.

    “We did not prepare but by the grace of God we will excel I know myself and I know we will do well not withstanding” he enthused

    Sunshine Stars  finished 10th on the log last season with 54 points in 38 matches. The Akure side towards the end of last season offloaded some players while engaging new ones to fortify with intent to rattle opponents in the new season.

     

     

     

  • Plateau United FC ready for 2017/2018 NPFL season

    Plateau United FC ready for 2017/2018 NPFL season

    Defending champions, Plateau United Football Club of Jos on Wednesday said they were fully prepared for the new 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL ) season which begins on Sunday.

    Albert Dakup, the club’s Media Officer, said in Jos that the management has put in place all necessities for a successful outing.

    He recalled that the club had shortly after the end of last season released 12 players whose service were no longer needed.

    “In their stead, the club has recruited 12 new players to strengthen the team for the new NPFL season, as well as its continental engagements.

    Read also: Ikoyi Club fetes ‘Elders’ for 2018

    “Experience was a key factor which was considered in the recruitment of new players, taking into cognisance the continental matches.

    “Based on that, some experienced players like Terna Suswam from Enyimba, Amos Gyang from Kano Pillars, Charles Henlong from Rangers of Enugu, Raphael Ayagwa of Lobi Stars, amongst others, were recruited,” Dakup said.

    The spokesman said also that Plateau United played two pre-season tournaments and some friendly matches as part of its preparations for the new season.

    “We played the NPFL invitational tournament and the Ahlan pre-season tournament.

    “The club began closed camping in Abuja on January 2 and played a friendly match with a Nationwide League One side, Water FC of Abuja.

    “Our first match of the season is away to Nasarawa United of Lafia on Sunday and we are confident that with our level of preparations, we will get a positive result,” he said.

    NAN

  • Plateau United to register 50 players for 2017/2018 season

    Plateau United to register 50 players for 2017/2018 season

    Pius Henwan, General Manager, Plateau United FC of Jos on Saturday says the club will register 50 players for the 2017/2018 football season.

    Henwan said this was to strengthen the team for its CAF Champions League, Nigeria Professional Football League and the Aiteo Cup engagements next season.

    He said already some new players have been recruited to replace the 12 players released last season and to fortify the team before the commencement of the 2017/2018 NPFL which kick-off in January.

    The GM announced that the team would participate in a pre-season tournament in Kano next week to allow the technical crew evaluate the players.

    “Efforts are on for the team to embark on a close camping outside the country where the team is expected to map out plans for their continental campaign.

    “During the camping the team will play some quality friendly matches with some foreign clubs,” he said.

    Henwan explained that the state government would ensure a befitting reception for the team for doing the state proud by winning the NPFL title.

    NAN

  • Yekini’s daughter presents N100,000 to highest goal scorer

    Yekini’s daughter presents N100,000 to highest goal scorer

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    The late Rashidi Yekini’s daughter, Yemisi, has presented Lobi stars striker, Anthony Okpotu with an award and a cheque of a hundred thousand Naira for his feat as the highest goal scorer (19goals) at the just concluded Nigeria Professional Football League.

    Okpotu was honoured by the Rashidi Yekini foundation  while Yemisi presented the award that is now in the third year.

  • Football is all about professionalism-Ammeh

    Football is all about professionalism-Ammeh

     

    Adjudged man-of-the match in Tornadoes 3-0 victory over MFM on match day 21 of the Nigeria Professional Football league at the weekend, Ammeh Angel Wilfred is happy with his new found form, predicting that the victory came at a time when the spirit was tilting towards a nose dive.

    Tornadoes started the game with eyes on goal as Samuel Agba well-taken volley was tipped off over the goal post by MFM goalkeeper, Nasamu Emmanuel.

    As the host continued to mount pressures and  dominate the proceedings, Ammeh  broke the deadlock in the 37th as he calmly collected a loose ball in the box of the visitors rattled the defense and took a left shot to the roof of the net that left  Nasamu helpless.

    An elated Ammeh did not however fail to lament initial lone goal loss to Kano pillars in a tie in which he believes the Minna landlords fought to the finish.

    “We were not happy that we lost in Kano and we have to return to winning ways that was why we all came out fighting hard to ensure that we get the total victory, and am happy we won.

    “Personally am happy to have scored. Incidentally it was against MFM who provided initial platform for my career but in football it is about professionalism not sentiment,” enthused the attacking midfielder who predicted that the team will continue to wax stronger as the league progresses.

    Wakili Abdullahi Musa’s brace in the 45th minute and 51st minute were enough to hand Tornadoes who are currently having Lokoja as base their first heavy victory. Tornadoes will next meet Gombe United mid week.

    On paper Tornadoes who are 7th on the log should have a jolly ride against Gombe United who are 10 places below. The match however promises to be full battle as earning an away win does not come on a platter.

  • Results of match day 19 fixtures in 2016/2017 NPFL

    Results of match day 19 fixtures in 2016/2017 NPFL

    Following are the results of eight of the 10 Match Day 19 fixtures of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), played on Wednesday:

    FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 Shooting Stars FC

    Abia Warriors FC 2-0 Wikki Tourists FC

    Plateau United FC 3-0 Katsina United FC

    Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Kano Pillars FC

    Enyimba International FC 1-0 Remo Stars FC

    Lobi Stars FC 3-1 Sunshine Stars FC

    El-Kanemi Warriors FC 1-0 ABS FC

    Akwa United FC 2-0 MFM FC

  • Expectations for the week

    Finally, the Big Brother Naija show came to an exciting end yesterday after reaching its peak; Efe Ejeba, a graduate of Economics who hails from Delta state emerged victorious after securing 57% of the total number of votes casted by fans.

    To give you a quick recap, earlier in the program yesterday, Marvis, DebbieRise and Tboss were evicted making Bisola and Efe as the last two standing housemates; eventually, Efe was announced winner. The implication of his meteoric rise to fame means that he gets a cash prize of 25,000,000 naira and an SUV.

    The breakdown of the votes are: Efe (2,502,494), Bisola (704,072), DebbieRise (109,659), while Marvis and Tboss got 57,341 and 683,802 respectively.

    With these numbers of votes, the housemates won’t be the only ones smiling to the bank, the organizers too must be making so much ‘mazuma’ and wishing they can put this up twice in a year.

    After performing many tasks and taking part in this entertaining show, people are hopeful that these individuals will go ahead to blossom in their chosen careers like former Big Brother housemates, Karen Igho, Ebuka Uchendu and Tayo Faniran after now.

    The health crisis ravaging the country seems to be on the increase, over 420 Nigerians have been reported dead as a result of Meningitis. However, the glimmer of light for us all is that a solution is underway.

    In a hilarious slant, the Zamfara State governor added comic spice to the already tense situation when he declared that God was “punishing” his people with the disease.

    Many Nigerians including the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi urged the state governor not to bring God into the picture but rather look for pragmatic solutions to assuage the health crisis that has overtaken his state. In a reprisal response, Yari reiterated his earlier comment, stating that his people have stopped living the life pleasing to God and He was using this medium to punish the people.

    Hopefully, natural solutions and “spiritual” ones too will be gotten quickly so that this very deadly disease will become a thing of the past.  Already, the federal government has commenced vaccination in Zamfara which happens to be the most affected state after recording over 200 deaths to this scourge.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has discovered monies whose owners haven’t showed up to claim them in recent times. They have also been able to get suspects arrested but they have not been able to properly prosecute their cases in court. Judging from very recent examples, the anti-graft agency needs to beef-up its prosecution process to ensure that they are not labeled ‘toothless dog’ by the public.

    President Buhari has equally called upon them to properly dig deeper into issues before dragging suspects to court.

    Mfm fc of Agege has moved back to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League after trouncing El-Kanemi warriors of Maduguri 3-0 in Lagos at the weekend. With goals from wonderboy Sikiru Olatunbosun, goal king Stephen Odey and Austine Ogunye, the “Olukoya boys” now go top of the log with 33 points followed closely by Plateau United who have a game in hand.

    In an ugly incident over the weekend in the league, fans of Kano Pillars attacked the Akwa United team after losing the home game. Hopefully, proper punishment will be meted out to the club to serve as deterrent to others by the organizers of the league. Also, the organizing body has to ensure they bring the league back on television after two weeks of non-availability of league football live for all to see.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

     

  • Danladi assures Nasarawa Utd fans of better results

    Danladi assures Nasarawa Utd fans of better results

     

    Nasarawa United Chairman, Isaac Danladi has appealed for patience from home fans assuring that better days are ahead for the team.

    The Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura boys rallied back from behind to steal a deserved 1-1 draw at Kano Pillars on Wednesday in the match day 16 of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), a result that moved the Lafia-based side to 9th position on the twenty teams log with 21 points.

    The Solid miners are yet to pick an away win in the league this season as against previous two seasons, and this has not gone down well with the fans who are seriously mounting pressures on the coach Kabiru Dogo tutored-outfit.

    But Danladi, who also doubles as chairman of NPFL club owners, is quick to appeal for patience and understanding after Wednesday morale boosting 1-1 draw with Pillars in Kano.

    “Results like this one can only spur us to work harder and dream big. We have the best sets of fans in the league and we are not disputing their passion for the game. We have set a standard for this club that we must maintain. We see the pressure from the fans as the needed motivation to fight harder and dream big. This draw against Kano Pillars is the beginning of better things to come. We hope to consolidate on that to get all three points at home this weekend against another difficult opponent, MFM FC. Once that is achieved, we can say the revival has begun in full swing,” Danladi said.

    He added: “We have a governor who has given us everything we want; we have a Deputy Governor too who picks our calls at any time of the day to listen to our cries.  When you have all these going for you, there is no excuse for failure and we cannot afford to fail.

    “Twenty teams started this race from kickoff and we are currently sitting in 9th position but we can get better before the mid-season. Rangers won the league last season, Rivers United finished second but today both teams are not finding life comfortable at the bottom. The race is a marathon, nobody can rule Rangers or Rivers United out of the title race just yet, just as no one should rule us out too.

    “Our target is to win a trophy or at worst pick a continental ticket this season to appease our teeming fans and to say thank you to the government and people of Nasarawa state for all their support thus far.”

  • Lobi Stars FC gets technical advisory committee

    Lobi Stars FC gets technical advisory committee

    The Board of Lobi Stars FC has constituted a technical advisory committee to assist Coach Evans Ogenyi-led crew to push the team to greater heights.

    The board gave the approval at a meeting in Makurdi after it assessed the team’s performance 14 weeks since the commencement  of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    According to a release signed by the Club’s Secretary, Terzungwe Chugh, the role of the new committee “is purely advisory.”

    It listed the names of the committee members as Moses Kpakor, Tom Aondona, Emmanuel Orkaa, Peter Akaazua and Fidelis Antyumbe.

    The statement warned the players against any form of laxity and indiscipline as displayed during the game against Nasarawa United at the Aper Aku Stadium on March 19.

    The board observed that although the performance of the team so far was commendable, there was need for  more commitment on the part of the players.

    It expressed confidence that the dream of the team to be among the best at the end of the season remains realisable as only five points separate Lobi Stars FC and the team on top of the log.

    “The management express appreciation to Gov. Samuel Ortom for all the support and funding despite the present economic realities.”

    It also acknowledged the support of media and the club’s teeming fans for their wonderful support and show of solidarity.

  • Lobi appoints Committee. Reads riot act to players

    Lobi appoints Committee. Reads riot act to players

     

    The Lobi Stars management board has approved the constitution of a Technical Committee to assist the coach Evans Ogenyi-led technical crew with tactical inputs from time to time.

    The board made the decision after a crucial meeting held in Makurdi to assess the performance of the team in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) as at week 14 of the season.

    According to a release signed by the Club’s Secretary and board member, Terzungwe Chugh, the committee role is purely advisory.

    The members of the committee are Moses Kpakor, Tom Aondona and Emmanuel Orkaa. Others are Peter Akaazua and Fidelis Antyumbe.

    However, the board read the riot act to the players and further resolved to introduce even more stringent measures that will instill discipline while condemning in strong terms the lackadaisical attitude of some players, particularly as was noticed during the game against Nasarawa United at the Aper  Aku Stadium last Sunday.

    “The board observed that the performance of the team so far has been commendable but called for more commitment on the part of the players. It also noted that there was high level of competitiveness in the current season, which explains why the North Central Derbies involving Lobi Stars, Plateau United and Nasarawa United all ended in draws.

    “The board, however, assures that the dream of the team to be among the best at the end of the season remains realisable as only five points separate Lobi Stars FC and the team on top of the league table at the moment and therefore warned that any member of the team that sabotages its resolve to achieve its set objectives would be accordingly sanctioned or rooted out.

    “The management expressed appreciation to his Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom for all the support and funding despite the present economic realities and acknowledged the support of members of the press as well as the club’s teeming fans for their wonderful support and show of solidarity,” the release said in part.