The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NPFL

  • Court of Appeal upholds Giwa FC expulsion from NPFL

    Court of Appeal upholds Giwa FC expulsion from NPFL

    The Court of Appeal, Jos Division, has struck down the order of the High Court of Plateau State directing the League Management Company (LMC) to compulsorily re-instate Giwa FC to the Nigeria Professional Football (NPFL), after the Jos based Club had been expelled from the NPFL for multiple infractions of the Rules and Framework of the League in the 2015/16 season.

    Three issues were before the Court of Appeal in Jos for determination and they included, one, LMC’s challenge of Justice Kunda of the High Court of Plateau State exparte order directing the reinstatement of Giwa FC into the NPFL in a case filed by Mustapha Abubakar on behalf of Giwa FC against LMC pending hearing of the case.

    The second issue was LMC’s challenge of Justice Kunda’s order suspending the NPFL pending the determination of the appeal after he had ruled that his court lacked the power to continue hearing the case following LMC’s appeal of his first order asking him to stay off the case.

    The third was LMC’s appeal of the order of Justice Kunda charging and convicting two officials of the LMC in their absence for contempt for not obeying his earlier order suspending the league.

    The Court of Appeal in Jos consolidated the three appeals and delivered judgment read by Hon. Justice H. O. A Abiru, ruling on the first, that Kunda lacked the competence to order for Giwa’s reinstatement into the NPFL. It dismissed that order of the High Court of Plateau State on the grounds that Mustapha, who sued the LMC had no locus on the matter and Kunda was hasty in giving the exparte order instead of hearing from all parties.

    The Jos Appeal Court on the second issue set aside the particular order and all other consequential orders made by the lower court on its basis, including the orders committing to prison the Chairman of LMC, Shehu Dikko, and its Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, for failing to obey the reinstatement order.

    LMC and its officials had maintained consistently that they were not bound by law to obey the orders of the lower Jos High Court because they had already appealed against those same orders.

    However, the Court of Appeal upheld the order of the lower Court suspending the 2015/2016 season of the League, pending appeal.

    Counsel to LMC, Mr. Olumide Olujinmi applauded the decisions of the Appeal Court as he described the ruling on the order suspending the league pending appeal as having expired and of no practical purpose, particularly as the affected 2015/2016 season of the NPFL  has long been concluded and a new season commenced.

  • NPFL hotshot Odey rejects Barca deal, opts for Belgium

    NPFL hotshot Odey rejects Barca deal, opts for Belgium

    SCORENigeria can  exclusively reveal that NPFL leading scorer Stephen Odey has turned down a chance to try out with mighty Barcelona as he has already agreed to join a Belgian club (name withheld).

    This season, the 19-year-old Odey has taken the Nigeria league by storm with 13 goals so far to spark off a flurry of interests from top European clubs including mighty Barcelona.

    The Barcelona proposal was for both Odey and his agent to visit the Catalan giants to see things for themselves.

    Contacts were made to both the player and his representatives, but the representatives turned down the proposal on the basis that they are already committed to a Belgian club.

    “Barcelona are interested, but his agent said they are already committed to a club in Belgium,” atop source informed only SCORENigeria.

    Odey’s camp have long rejected Russian club Rostov as several other European clubs have continued to show interest in the striker.

    The highly promising striker scored nine goals last season in his first season in the NPFL after he led his secondary school at the Principals Cup in Lagos.

  • Yusuf: Scrap NPFL if no player is good for Eagles

    The Nigeria Football federation (NFF)Assistant Director ( Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf has described the non inclusion of the home based players in the international friendly match in London as an unacceptable decision on the part of the handlers of the senior national team.

    Yusuf, who made this known to  Sportinglife at the weekend during the closing ceremony of CAF-B Coaching Licence Course in Abuja , said the non invitation of at least 3 or 4 players in the Nigerian league by Gernot Rohr and his assistants  means our league is not good.

    “I’m a firm  believer of our league because I am a product of the League. You can’t  tell me that no player locally is good for the Super Eagles even for friendly matches. How do we develop the game?

    “The essence of the league is to develop and identify players for the national teams. But if they are not good for the senior team why are we playing the league.  Why are we praising the league managed by the LMC. The best thing is to scrap the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)”, Yusuf said.

    He concluded by saying  that the Super Eagles handlers  should look inwards in future invitation  to the senior national team as some of them playing locally are better than the so -called foriegn based which majority of them are not first team players in their clubs.

  • Wikki Tourists receive royal blessing

    Wikki Tourists receive royal blessing

    The management, technical crew as well as players of Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi have been urged to be more united towards achieving success this season.

    The Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleimau Adamu gave the charge in his palace when he hosted the team on Saturday.

    He said no meaningful development can be achieved without peace and he assured them of his continuous support and prayers.

    The chairman of the club, Isa Musa Matori told the Emir that the visit was to show respect and seek for his support and royal blessings.

    Matori, however, apologised to the royal father for their inability to come earlier before now.

    The chairman later presented the emir with a plaque and appointment letter as the royal father of Wikki Tourist FC.

    The Big Elephants lost 1-0 to Plateau United in the matchday 17 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash in Jos on Sunday.

  • Ishaq back for 3SC after NPFL All Stars exploits

    Ishaq back for 3SC after NPFL All Stars exploits

    Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) forward, Rafiu Kayode Ishaq has returned to the Oluyole Warriors after his experience with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Under-17 All-Stars team at the just concluded Future Champions Gaunteng International Tournament in South Africa.

    The 16 year old played all the games except final where the Coach Austin Eguavoen-led team were beaten 2-1 by Spanish club Atletico Madrid, having received a red card in the 3-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi final.

    The highly rated player who featured six times for the Ibadan-based clubside before being called to the All Stars team is now expected to feature in the NPFL matchday 17 fixture away to Akwa United on Sunday.

    The Abraysports Academy player, who is on loan to Shooting Stars and has been courted by European clubs, said his main focus is helping 3SC secure a comfortable finish this season.

    “All glory belongs to Almighty God for the journey mercies and injury-free tournament. Also I have to thank the League Management Company ( LMC) for giving us the opportunity to showcase our talents outside the country, it was a huge experience for me in particular.

    “Right now I only want to concentrate on my football at Shooting Stars. We are not in good position and the team is worried about that. My focus now is to help the team secure a top place finish at the end of the season. I’m not in a rush for any foreign deal now, Europe move will come later,” Ishaq said.

  • NPFL: Full league ranking

    NPFL: Full league ranking

    Following the victory of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football Club on Wednesday, the club has managed to return to the top of the league table with 30 points.

    Closely behind MFMFC is Plateau United with 29 points, followed by El-Kanemi Warriors FC 27points, Kano Pillars 24.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddb57a” bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Related Post: NPFL week 16 result: MFM back on top[/quote]

    See the table below for others:

     

    NPFL league table

  • Plateau 4-1 ABS: Bala nets hat-trick as United return to NPFL summit

    Plateau 4-1 ABS: Bala nets hat-trick as United return to NPFL summit

    •Coach Makinwa sent off

    Reuben Bala scored a hat-trick as Plataeu United returned to the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) following a 4-1 home win against ABS FC at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos yesterday.

    The match was eventful, as both sides gave it a real go from the blast of the referee’s whistle but it was the Bukola Saraki Boys that suffered the first misfortune of the encounter as coach Henry Makinwa was sent-off in the 12th minute.

    Eight minutes later, Joshua Obaje put the home side in front with a delightful header from a Mafeng Pam’s cross.

    ABS FC responded with a goal of their own when a direct ball into the penalty area came off Plateau United defender Hamisu Saleh and sailed past Dele Ajiboye.

    However, just before the end of the first half, the referee signalled for a penalty after ABS defender, Ernest Governor was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. Reuben Bala stepped up and finished past Sulaiman Dogo to make it 2-1.

    The second half saw a total collapse by the Illorin based side as the home side ran riot.

    Bala rose highest to head home Daniel Itodo’s long throw-in to restore Plateau United’s two-goal cushion.

    And with the game in its final minutes, Ibeh Johnson was fouled inside the box by Ibrahim Omolayo and the referee awarded a penalty which Bala stepped up and finished with aplomb to complete his hat-trick.

    The 4-1 win saw Plateau United return to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log after leaders MFM FC lost 1-0 against Gombe United.

  • Match Day 15 results in 2016/2017 NPFL

    Match Day 15 results in 2016/2017 NPFL

    Following are the results of Match Day 15 fixtures in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), played on Sunday:

    Plateau United FC 4-1 ABS FC

    Remo Stars FC 2-1 Wikki Tourists

    Gombe United 1-0 MFM FC

    Niger Tornadoes FC 2-1 Sunshine Stars FC

    Abia Warriors FC 3-0 Kano Pillars FC

    Enyimba International FC 1-0 Rivers United FC

    Katsina United 1-0 Rangers International

    Nasarawa United 1-0 Shooting Stars

    El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0 Lobi Stars

    To be played later:

    Akwa United vs FC IfeanyiUbah

  • Ganaru is not Wikki Tourists’ problem, says Bosso

    Ganaru is not Wikki Tourists’ problem, says Bosso

    El Kanemi Warriors technical adviser, Isa Ladan Bosso has thrown his weight behind the embattled Wikki Tourists coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru.

    Ganaru and his technical crew as well as the players were given four-match ultimatum by the management to change the situation at the club following series of poor results.

    Bosso told SportingLife that the Nigerian system was frustrating the former Nasarawa United coach, adding that Ganaru achievements in the Nigeria league have not been appreciated.

    “I think the system is frustrating Ganaru,” Bosso lamented. “This is a coach that has won the league back-to-back when he was at Kano Pillars and nobody from the system considered him good for the national team job (U-17, U-20, U-23 and Super Eagles), even as an assistant coach. Just last season, some coaches were given Super Eagles jobs because they did well at the beginning of the season.

    “I know Ganaru as a good coach. He has worked under me and I know his worth, and I have never doubt his competency as far as coaching is concerned. He should not be placed under undue pressure because things are not going the way they want it at the moment. I don’t think he is the problem of the Wikki Tourists and I believe that results will come if everybody rally behind and give him all the necessary support,” Bosso said to SportingLife.

  • Bosso hails LMC over Emeteole’s intervention

    Bosso hails LMC over Emeteole’s intervention

    The President of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Isa Ladan Bosso has applauded the League Management Company (LMC) for its timely intervention on coach Kelechi Emeteole’s illness.

    Emeteole is in need of help to raise 11, 000 dollars to carry out an operation in India for Cancer of the throat.

    It is understood that Emeteole is being owed by El Kanemi Warriors and Heartland FC when he was in charge of the clubs as head coach.

    But LMC in its kind gesture paid up the money to Emeteole with intention to remove the money from the funds the league body is expected to give to the indebted clubs.

    In a telephone conversation with SportingLife, Bosso, said the LMC intervention will encourage Nigeria coaches to do more for the country while he urged his colleagues to plan for their future.

    The former Flying Eagles handler, therefore, pleaded with LMC to also do something for the former Super Eagles’ coach, Paul  Hamilton who is down with sickness too.

    “I am in contact with coach Emeteole’s wife for update on his health. On behalf of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association I want to thank LMC leadership for their kind gesture. Their quick intervention is a welcome development and I believe it will serve as a morale booster to other coaches to do more. Like Oliver Twist, we want to plead on behalf of coach Hamilton so that he can be assisted too. He is in need of help from everybody for his sickness.

    “I think it is very important for us (coaches) to save for the raining days. We have to plan for our future. By the grace of God I will visit coach Emeteole on Friday while I will go to Lagos next week to visit coach Hamilton,” Bosso said to SportingLife.