The Nation Newspaper

Tag: relegation

  • Weeping and gnashing of teeth as Stoke relegates

     

    It was weeping and gnashing of teeth for most Stoke fans on Saturday as the club sank in the relegation waters after a 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace.  The club is returning to the lower division after 10 years in the top flight following a return to the elite division in the 2007/8 season.

    Xherdan Shaqiri put the Potters ahead with a brilliant free-kick in the 43rd minute but James McArthur leveled for Palace after half-time.

    Patrick van Aanholt then capitalised on a defensive error to score a late winner to end Stoke’s 10-year stay in the top-flight.

    Palace themselves are guaranteed to stay in the Premier League thanks to the result, while Stoke will look back with plenty of regret on the points they have dropped in the last month as, for the third time in four games, they failed to hold onto the lead.

    In total, they have now lost 18 points from winning positions this season while Paul Lambert has managed just one victory since he was appointed manager in January.

    Stoke had not finished below 14th in their previous nine Premier League seasons, but they could not get the victory they needed against a Palace side who have been revitalised under Roy Hodgson.

    Victory would have seen Stoke survive in the Premier League for at least another day, but Palace dominated possession after the break and saw their pressure pay off in the 68th minute when McArthur slid past Jack Butland.

    This is Stoke’s first relegation from any division since the 1997-98 campaign, when they were relegated from the second tier alongside Reading and Manchester City.

    Crystal Palace are mathematically safe from relegation, and are therefore the first top-flight team since Liverpool in the 1899-1900 season to avoid relegation despite losing their first seven matches of the season.

    Stoke finish their season with a trip to Swansea next Sunday while Crystal Palace host West Brom.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Heartland to appeal relegation

    Heartland to appeal relegation

    Four-time Nigeria champions Heartland have announced they will appeal a decision by the League Management Company (LMC) to relegate them after their last league match was awarded to hosts Plateau United.

    Heartland will appear before the commission that would be set up by the League Management Company (LMC) as a first step towards seeking redress from the sanctions imposed on them after an abandoned league game at Plateau United.

    The club’s director of media, Cajetan Nkwopara, in a statement on Friday said that the commission might not be the last port for case as Heartland are ready to pursue all channels of justice to put an end to the reign of a dubious cartel that has seized up the apparatus of match officiating in Nigeria football.

    Nkwopara said the sanctions by the LMC were an initial administrative action but cautioned that the LMC risks shooting itself in the foot if it does not quickly apply wisdom and address the case in its proper perspective.

    “The whole world is already judging the case and by the grace of God, Heartland already have offers from reputable international football experts who would like to help advance the case before the world football court and which is capable of sparking off an uncanny revolution in Nigeria football league,” he stated.

    The director of media said Heartland would obediently follow laid down rules in seeking redress but will not stop at that if justice is not done.

    “We’re touched by the shocking reaction of the world to the overall inglorious conduct of that game in Jos and we thank everybody for the sympathies expressed after viewing clips of the match,” he said.

    “We also call on all progressives who want a better future for Nigeria football to stand behind Heartland while we fight the cankerworm in the Nigeria football.”

     

  • Abia Warriors have avoided relegation

    Abia Warriors have avoided relegation

    Coach Abdullahi Biffo has said he will accomplish his mission at Abia Warriors by ensuring they stay up in the Nigeria premier league on Sunday.

    “We will end the season unbeaten in six matches and we will remain in the league by finishing the job at home in our last game,” Biffo said.

    “We went to a difficult ground (Rivers United) to pick the point that will save us from relegation. The target set for me was to help the team remain in the NPFL. It is already an accomplished season for me.”

    With a round of matches to end the season, the Umuahia club are on 45 points, only two points outside the relegation pack.

    They are home to already safe Shooting Stars on the final day of the season on Sunday. And former Giwa and Niger Tornadoes coach, Biffo said even before this match he believes Abia Warriors will be safe after they grinded a point at title chasers, Rivers United.

  • ‘NPFL win key to avoid relegation’

    ‘NPFL win key to avoid relegation’

    Heartland head coach, Ramson Madu said the hard-fought win against former champions Kano Pillars has hugely brightened the side’s hope to avoid the drop in the on-going top-flight.

    The Naze Millionaires pipped the Pyramid City side 1-0 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 37 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

    Striker Emeka Ogbugh scored the match winner in the 65th minute to hand his side the much needed three points in the clash.

    Madu said Kano Pillars proved their mettle as former champions with several scary moments, but praised his wards for holding firm to their lead till the end.

    “Of course, the victory over Kano Pillars has greatly boosted our confidence as well as brightened the chance to escape relegation at the end of the season.

    “We just have the last-day match at newcomers Plateau United in Jos to decide our fate in the NPFL.

    “I believe we can make it playing with less anxiety, fatigue and tension as witnessed in the encounter against Pillars.

    “We strongly believe that everything is still possible as the remaining game on the calendar can drastically change the entire picture on the league log.

    “Pillars will always prove their mettle anywhere and the side did not disappoint in the match against us.

    “Pillars are a good side and played quite well, but they met a side whose back is against the wall and desperately gasping for breath.

    “I praise my boys for a good performance and renewal of hope that they can pull through at the end of the day,” said Madu to supersport.com.

    The win against Pillars has upped Heartland’s total earnings to 43 points, 17 behind league leaders and oriental neighbours Enugu Rangers.

  • MFM compound Ikorodu Utd’s relegation woes

    MFM compound Ikorodu Utd’s relegation woes

    Mountain of Fire Football Club FC breezed past Ikorodu United 3-1 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League game at the Agege Stadium.

    Goals from Sikiru Olatunbosun, Stephen Odey and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi were all the Olukoya Boys needed to tear apart the Oga Boys in the Lagos derby watched by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Both sides came into this fixture in poor form, MFM without a win in their last four games in all competitions while Ikorodu United were looking for their first away win of the season.

    Ebiye Moses looked dangerous from the kickoff, as Ikorodu United began to assert themselves on proceedings, winning two corners in quick succession.

    MFM slowly worked their way into the game, with Newman Musa forcing goalkeeper Segun Fatunwase into a smart save with a half volley in the ninth minute.

    Musa tested the visitors’ goalkeeper again in the tenth minute – a goalmouth scramble ensued but Oga Boys cleared Ifeanyi Ifeanyi’s rebound.

    It didn’t take long for the hosts to take the lead. Shedrack Francis was booked by referee Olayombo Olubunmi for a rough challenge on Sikiru Olatunbosun on the edge of the Ikorodu United penalty area.

    Obanor Erhun took the resultant free kick, which was spilled by Oga Boys’ keeper Fatunwase into Olatunbosun’s path who had the simple task of tucking in the rebound.

    Just as MFM were threatening to run away with the game at this point, an error by Obanor in the 19th minute handed Ikorodu United a lifeline back into the game. The MFM midfielder fouled menacing Ebiye and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot with  Fatai Abdullahi netting the equaliser from the penalty spot.

    Oga Boys could have taken the lead on the stroke of half time as Ebiye breezed past his markers and was about pulling the trigger beore Atu Paul cleared his low cross to safety.

    Substitute Onuwa stamped his authority on the game with his first touch, sending Musa through on goal but the MFM winger couldn’t convert for his side to retake the lead.

    Odey netted from close range as the Olukoya Boys retook the lead with  Ifeanyi’s penalty guaranteeing victory as Theo de Jong’s men returned home with heads bowed low.

  • ‘Relegation talks not for Heartland’

    ‘Relegation talks not for Heartland’

    Heartland head coach, Alphonsus Dike has promised that his side will successfully shake off the relegation scare in the on-going Nigerian top-flight.

    The Naze Millionaires benched Akwa United 2-0 in Saturday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 24 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

    Two second-half goals off the foot of substitute and debutant, Omo Johnson in the 61st minute and captain Chinedu Efugh handed the Owerri outfit a breather after going nine matches without a win.

    Dike said his side will be consistent with the survival fight in the remaining matches on the top-flight calendar.

    “We will successfully walk away from the threatening relegation wind as well as end the season’s campaign respectfully.

    “Saturday’s victory against Akwa United is a sign of a consistent approach for us to earn more wins in the on-going league season.

    “We will be religious on the survival path, especially with the new intakes complementing the efforts of the older players.

    “We are happy with the hard-fought victory as it will further boost the confidence of the players going forward in other matches,” said the former Enugu Rangers to supersport.com.

    Dike said his charges will further steel themselves to challenge Lobi Stars for the three points at stake in Makurdi.

    “We will take our time to work on the noted lapses before we head off to Makurdi to confront and challenge Lobi Stars.

    “Definitely, the cushioning from today’s (Saturday) win against Akwa United will help us to avoid pressure at Lobi Stars.

    “We hope for another five-star performance at Lobi Stars,” said the former Nasarawa United coach.

    The win against Akwa United takes Heartland’s total earnings to 26 from a possible 69 in the 24-week old top-flight.

  • Quadri leads Jura Morez’s relegation battle

    Quadri leads Jura Morez’s relegation battle

    With four matches to the end of the French Table Tennis Premier League, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri will tomorrow lead Jura Morez battle to escape relegation in the European elite league.

    Occupying seventh place in the 10-team league, Jura Morez garnered 24points from 14 matches with five wins and nine defeats, the battle to remain in the elite division of the lucrative French League will commence tomorrow away to SPO ROUEN, a team which is also fighting to escape the drop.

    In their first meeting, it was Jura Morez that claimed the victory at home with Quadri recording an emphatic wins over Ruiwu Tan and  Jesus Cantero Juncal in their 4-2 triumph.

    Having joined Jura Morez from Portugal, Quadri will be the cynosure of all eyes in the four matches as the 2014 ITTF Star Player has continued to inspire the team this season while his presence has also motivated his teammates.

    In their last league match against Garde Du Voeu Hennebont in March, it was Quadri that marshaled Jura Morez 4-2 win after defeating highly-rated Greek, Kalinikos Kreanga and Frenchman, Quentin Robinot.

    Sportinglife leant that the management of the Jura Morez has given the Quadri and his teammates an ultimatum to win their matches as they have vowed to disband the team, if they fails to beat the relegation battle.

    “We are still topping in the Portuguese league and we have remained unbeaten this season. But in France, we are going to fight well to remain in the Premier League next season. I need to be at my best and hoping that my teammates will also work hard so that we can be among the teams that will campaign in the top division next season. I must also admit that it won’t be easy because the gap between us and the other lower teams is not much. So we need to win at least three out of the four matches to escape being relegated,” Quadri said.

  • Sharks deal still intact despite relegation – Eunisell

    Sharks deal still intact despite relegation – Eunisell

    The official jersey sponsors of the Sharks FC, Eunisell Limited has declared that despite the demotion of the sponsored Port Harcourt based side to the Nigerian National League, it won’t stop helping the league from achieving its full potential.

    The petro-chemical products company penned a deal with the league side in July – a move which heralded a new era in the franchise of the Port Harcourt based team.

    In a statement by the Group Managing Director of Eunisell, Mr. Chika Ikenga, the company won’t call off the contracts with the Blue Sharks despite being relegated from the Nigeria topflight.

    “We will not abandon the league; neither will we abandon Sharks FC because of the relegation. Though they will be playing in the second tier league, we won’t terminate our contract with them. We will rather encourage them to improve on their game and hopefully come back to play in the NPFL,” Ikenga said.

    “We know our league can create jobs and reach its highest potential if well supported. That is why we got involved in the first place and we won’t withdraw our support in a bid to help the county achieve its full potential in this regard.”

    He also assured that the company remains optimistic about the opportunities the domestic league offers in reducing economical challenges faced in the country.

  • Relegation: Kwara Utd thanks, apologizes to fans

    Relegation: Kwara Utd thanks, apologizes to fans

    • Vows to bounce back 

    Management of Relegated Kwara United FC of Ilorin has thanked fans of the team for their support during the season even as it described the eventual outcome as disappointing and unfortunate.

    General Manager of the team, Alhaji Haruna Maigidansanma, in a statement on Monday in Ilorin said hard lessons have been learnt from the unpalatable outcome adding that everything will be done to ensure that Afonja Warriors return to the elite division where they rightly belong.

    He thanked Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed for believing in the team despite the team’s inability to achieve its originally set goal, that of finishing atop the league table and earning continental ticket.

    “We have learnt our lessons and we will amend where necessary. “We did not plan to be where we are today but we can always bounce back” he said.

    Maigidansanma called on Kwarans not to despair but keep their loyalty intact for the club.  If there is one thing the Afonja Warriors have in abundance according to him, it is fighting spirit which failed to click this time. “Definitely Kwara United will return with a bang. We still have our fighting spirit intact and we are optimistic it will fast track our return,” he enthused

  • ‘Bayelsa United will survive relegation’

    ‘Bayelsa United will survive relegation’

    The Vice Chairman of Bayelsa United, Julius Laye has assured fans and Bayelsa indigenes that the club will not be relegated if it can win its match against Sunshine Stars this weekend and the LMC deducts points from clubs who are owing players’ salaries.

    While urging fans to pray for the club, Laye noted that most of the teams battling relegation with Bayelsa United have also run foul of the League Management Committee (LMC) rules over payment of players’ salaries. He said that most of the clubs in the relegation zone were owing their players over three months salaries and expressed belief that they would be sanctioned with six point deduction before the end of the season.

    He stated that his club has consistently paid players despite having series of problem in the ongoing season. “Inspite of the fact that Bayelsa is the most stressed in the Nigeria League, playing away from home and having to pay to use stadium, while also meeting financial obligation to players and officials.”

    He said that teams like Dolphin, Sharks, Kwara United, Elkanemi and FC Taraba are all owing players over three months salaries and was sure that points would be deducted from them, which will to pave way for his team to escape relegation.

    “The LMC has come out several times to assure Nigerians that any team that flouts its rule over payment of players will have six points deducted. And we at Bayelsa believe that the LMC will enforce the rules as the season gradually comes to an end.

    “We have paid our players their September salaries and would get their October pay as soon as every worker in the state gets paid,” Laye said.