The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NPFL

  • LMC reschedules five NPFL matches

    LMC reschedules five NPFL matches

    The League Management Company (LMC) has rescheduled five matches in this season’s Nigeria Professional Football League.

    The match day 29 fixture involving Rivers United and Ikorodu United which should have been played on July 31 will now come up on August 11 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.

    An auto crash involving Rivers United on Thursday necessitated the change in date for the fixture which could have seen the Port Harcourt club go level on points with Wikki Tourists at the summit of the NPFL standings if they defeat Ikorodu United.

    Meanwhile, four outstanding fixtures involving the champions, Enyimba, have also been rescheduled.

    The Peoples Elephant will now face Sunshine Stars in Port Harcourt on August 3 while their outstanding game against Wikki Tourists will now be played on September 7.

  • Baraje calls MFM tough in NPFL loss

    Baraje calls MFM tough in NPFL loss

    Plateau United head coach,  Zachary Baraje has spoken glowingly of Nigerian top-flight newcomers, Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC.

    The Tin City side piped the Olukoya Boys 1-0 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 29 clash at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos.

    Former Heartland and Kano Pillars hitman, Kabiru Umar scored the match winner to hand his side a vital away three points.

    Baraje said tactical discipline proved decisive to hand his side the winner in the clash against difficult and great side, MFM FC.

    “It’s a difficult match playing a quality side like Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC at their fortress in Agege, Lagos.

    “MFM FC are not walkovers they put every pressure to even scores but did not yield the desired result because I told my wards to calm down, absorb the pressure and chance a counter.

    “I used two weeks to prepare for the match at MFM FC because I know the quality in the side and the uphill task in the matchup.

    “My wards are quite exciting and good and were tactically disciplined in the game.

    “They played strictly to instruction so I can say that tactical discipline contributed greatly to the hard fought victory.

    “Of course, we are gradually climbing out from the uncomfortable zone though not yet completely out of it.

    “There is still work to be done as we have quality opposition in the remaining matches on the calendar.

    “We just have to work even harder to consolidate on our recent successes and hopefully we will escape the drop,” said the former Akwa United and Enyimba coach to supersport.com.

    The away win at MFM FC has upped the Jos landlords total earnings to 36 points, 12 adrift league leaders, Enugu Rangers.

  • Bashir gutted not on NPFL All-Stars final squad

    Bashir gutted not on NPFL All-Stars final squad

    The hottest striker in the Nigeria league on current form, Abdulrahman Bashir has admitted he was disappointed he did not make the final cut for the NPFL All-Stars squad to Spain next month.

    On Saturday, Abdulrahman fired his seventh goal in as many games for Nasarawa United against El Kanemi Warriors and now has 13 goals, just one short of the league’s leading scorer, Godwin Obaje.

    “I give thanks to God that I was called up by the NPFL All-Stars in the first place, but I was disappointed I did not eventually make the final squad to travel to Spain,” the former Enyimba and ABS FC striker told AfricanFootball.com.

    “My attention is now shifted to finishing as top scorer in the league and also helping my club to win the Federation Cup.”

  • Rangers’ Bonsu praises competition in the NPFL

    Rangers’ Bonsu praises competition in the NPFL

    Enugu Rangers’ goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu has been impressed with the quality of play and organisation in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    “First I will say the Nigerian league is very interesting and tough, the competition in the NPFL is very high. I don’t think the Ghana league is near what we have here in Nigeria. Every player gives their best in every game which makes you to do something special to win a game. If you aren’t ready to work hard then you may not survive in the NPFL,” Bonsu told Goal.

    “I played in seven matches in the first half of the league and I’ve kept in five games in the second round. My coaches at Enugu Rangers have helped me improve and the only way to repay their confidence in me is to consistently deliver. I’m enjoying the competition here and I’ll remain focused.

    “I’ve told a couple of my friends in the Ghana national team who ask me about the NPFL that it’s a very good league compared to other leagues in Africa but to survive here you must be mentally and physically strong.”

    The former Ghana U-17 and U-20 star joined the Flying Antelopes at the start of the season and he has notched up 12 appearances so far.

  • Wikki fail to regain NPFL’s top spot

    Wikki fail to regain NPFL’s top spot

    Wikki Tourists on Sunday failed to regain leadership of the Nigeria league after they forced hosts, Niger Tornadoes to a 1-1 draw in Lokoja.

    Wikki will now be second on the table having recorded 44 points from 26 matches, two points behind new leaders, Enugu Rangers.

    Rivers United stayed in third place also on 44 points, but with an inferior goals difference to Wikki.

    Tornadoes opened scoring against Wikki through Kunle Issa after 21 minutes.

    Charles Henlong equalised for Wikki in the 64th minute from close range.

    Rivers United were truly at home in Port Harcourt when they defeated Shooting Stars 2-0 only days after they eliminated the Ibadan club from the Federation Cup after penalties.

    Rivers goals were by Ivorian striker Guy Kuemian and Frederick Obomate with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike watching in the stands.

    In other matches, Abia Warriors pipped Warri Wolves 1-0, MFM FC beat Heartland 2-0 and Lobi Stars were 1-0 winners over visiting Plateau United.

    FC IfeanyiUbah defeated El Kanemi Warriors 1-0.

  • LMC to reveal Yobo’s NPFL club this week

    LMC to reveal Yobo’s NPFL club this week

    • Ex- Eagles’ star agrees to be NPFL Ambassador

    Ex-Nigeria international, Joseph Yobo will come out of retirement to play for a top club in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the remainder of the season after he agreed to be NPFL Ambassador. The club the former Everton and Fenerbahce defender will lace boots for will be made public this week.

    Kano Pillars, FC IfeanyiUbah, Rivers United and Wikki Tourists are clubs that have shown interest in the services Yobo and the LMC will this week conclude on the one the Port Harcourt born player will feature for with 10 matches to the end of the current season.

    The Chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko in a chat with SportingLife hinted that the league body is presently holding discussion with clubs that have indicated interest in the ex-Eagles’ talisman and that the identity of the club that gets the nod will be revealed in the coming days.

    He told SportingLife: “Yobo and LMC have concluded arrangements for him to be NPFL ambassador which is the first step. It is the conclusion of the offer and acceptance and next week (this week) we would likely conclude on the club he would play with among those that wanted him.

     

  • NPFL clubs observe minute of silence for Keshi

    NPFL clubs observe minute of silence for Keshi

    Clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League paid tribute with a minute of silence in honour of Nigeria football legend Stephen Keshi during Wednesday’s matches across nine centres in the country.

    Keshi passed away on Wednesday in Benin City, Nigeria at the age of 54 due to cardiac arrest.

    The 18 teams paid their respect to the icon by observing one minute of silence as the League Management Company had announced before the games.

    A moment of silence for Keshi in Uyo: Akwa Utd vs Sunshine Stars #AKWSUN pic.twitter.com/Vc99CW9zqE

    — League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) June 8, 2016″A minute silence will be observed before the kick-off of Match Day 21 fixtures of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) during which all players are to wear black armbands in honour of late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, the former Super Eagles captain and Coach who passed on in the early hours of Wednesday,” the LMC announced.

    Keshi played in the domestic scene for defunct club sides ACB and Nigeria National Bank before moving to Cote d’Ivoire and then on to Europe as Nigeria’s first true professional.

    He was captain when the Super Eagles won their second African title in 1994 before leading them as coach to the 2013 title after 19 years.

    “We want to honour Keshi today (Wednesday) as a deserving hero of the league and Nigerian football during our Match Day 21 fixtures with a minute silence before kick-off and the wearing of black armbands by all players,” it concluded.

  • LMC boss predicts better second round of NPFL

    LMC boss predicts better second round of NPFL

    • Says more innovations will come

    League Management Company(LMC) boss, Shehu Dikko has assured Nigerians that they are going to have a hitch free second stanza that is filled with new innovations when the 2015/2016 season restarts this weekend across the country.

    Dikko, who featured for Team Yobo during the testimonial game held in honour of the former Eagles’ captain told SportingLife that the LMC has taken stock of the first stanza and has identified areas that should be improved upon before the commencement of the second round this Sunday.

    He confirmed that they have changed the sponsorship model of the NPFL and that it has shut the door on single sponsor but that the NPFL will now have partners who  can contribute their quota to the development of the league.

    Dikko disclosed that the LMC’s major pre-occupation is to ensure that they create the right atmosphere, develop the league to attract the best revenue from the broadcast on  television and other activities.

  • Four top NPFL clubs chase Agba

    Four top NPFL clubs chase Agba

    Former Enugu Rangers striker, Sam Agba may tie up a deal with a top club in the NPFL soon.

    Agba was part of Wikki Tourists’ pre-season activities but couldn’t tie up a deal, after failing to agree on personal terms with the Elephants.

    “I can confirm to you that four top clubs in the NPFL have shown interest to sign Sam Agba but at the moment we are studying the details of the offers and would make a final decision soon. We want the identity of these clubs to remain confidential but I’m optimistic that we shall tie up a deal as soon as possible,” Yunus told Goal.

    “Sam Agba is an orphan, he grew up with Godwin Obaje so they are like brothers. We couldn’t agree terms with Wikki Tourist that’s why he left before the season started.

    “I’m happy with the interest shown by these big clubs to secure my services. I can’t wait to get started but I’ll have to wait till a decision is taken which I think should be within 72 hours,”Agba  told Goal.

  • Rangers lead race for Dele Ajiboye

    Rangers lead race for Dele Ajiboye

    NPFL table toppers Rangers are the front runners in the race to sign former Nigeria youth international goalkeeper, Dele Ajiboye as the transfer window in the Nigeria league opens.

    AfricanFootball.com reliably gathered that apart from Rangers, Abia Warriors and his former club, Nasarawa United, have shown interest in signing Ajiboye who has been outstanding in goal for Warri Wolves this term.

    “Ajiboye may not finish the season with Warrri Wolves because he is wanted by Rangers, Abia Warriors, Nasarawa United and one other team,” a source informed AfricanFootball.com

    “He has been doing well for Wolves.”a