Abdulrahman Bashir was the match winner as hosts Nasarawa United stopped Rivers United 1-0 in a Nigeria league Saturday.
The home win catapulted Nasarawa from 14th position to seventh on the table with 33 points from 24 matches, while Rivers United remain in third place on 38 points.
Former Enyimba striker Bashir scored on the hour to give the Lafia club all three points at stake in this encounter. He jabbed home a cross to make hay. It was his ninth goal of the season.
Ahead of today’s round of 64 tie in this year’s Federation Cup, proprietor of Papilo FC of Owerri, Nwankwo Kanu has boosted the amateur side with special attention to their welfare.
The giant killing side will have their hands full today when they battle for a place in the last 32 against Nigeria Premier League side, Rivers United in Umuahia, Kanu is placing priority on the welfare and general condition of the team with a N50m reception/launch ceremony.
According to the organizer of the event, and Chief Executive Officer of All Seasons Hotel, Myke Ikoku the ceremony would be chaired by Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Capital Oil & Gas, on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Nwankwo Kanu Sports Complex, behind Imo State University, Owerri.
According to him, “Kanu’s aim of sponsoring this event is to ensure that other budding and talented footballers follow in his successful footsteps as a footballer. He sincerely wants to give back to the people all the glory, honour and rhapsodies that football has been giving him.”
Ikoku added that the event was expected to attract big shots in the football, business and political fields including serving and former Ministers, National Assembly members, state governors, and the Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalong.
Lobi Stars improved their lot on the NPFL log with crucial home win against Rivers United in Makurdi.
10-man Pride of Benue defied the loss of their defender, Solomon Kwambe to a red card 20 minutes from time and a late penalty kick awarded their visitors, Rivers United to win 1-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium yesterday.
Sunday Akleche got his side a goal up from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after Rivers United’s skipper, Austin Festus was judged to have handled the ball in the vital area. Kwambe received his matching orders three minutes later for a second bookable offence.
Lobi thought they had the points in the bag before the centre referee spotted an infringement in the 18-yard box of the host after Bunde Moses had palmed the ball. Chukwunonso Okonkwo was unable to hit target as his effort cannoned off the post in the 90th minute of the match.
The Makurdi side thus moved to second place on the log with 31 points from 19 matches.
In other matches, FC IfeanyiUbah beat Niger Tornadoes 2-0 through two late goals but Kano Pillars held Plateau United to another goalless draw in Jos for the hosts’ sixth straight draws from seven matches.
Dolphins FC have been granted approval to change their name to Rivers United FC by the League Management Company (LMC) with a proviso that they comply with relevant rules dealing with specific sections of the Framework and Rules for change of name.
The approval was granted pursuant to an application for change of name endorsed by the Rivers State Government, owners of the club through the office of the Commissioner for Sports.
The approval was conveyed in a letter by the LMC which read, “Pursuant to the provisions of article A5.4 of the Framework and Rules of the Nigeria Professional Football League, having duly considered your application for permission to change the name of the Football Club from “Dolphins Football Club” to “Rivers United Football Club”, we are pleased to convey to you the approval of the League Management Company”.
The letter further stated that the approval was in line with the provisions of article A5.4.3 and A5.4.4, stating that the approval was granted on the basis that the proposed name change is not offensive or prejudicial to national unity, community identity, fans or supporters’ followership, other objectives and commercial interests of the League as a marketing brand and football competition.
Dolphins were directed to in line with the change notify the LMC when the change of name is effected in line with the national company legislation for the implementation of the necessary changes in the LMC records and publications.
It also required Dolphins to comply with requirements with the Personnel and Administrative Criteria of the Club Licensing Regulations as well as the League Rules to submit the club management structure by submitting the CVs, employment contract/appointment letter, copies of relevant certificates of all personnel.