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Tag: Warri Wolves

  • Okowa promises Warri Wolves govt support

    Okowa promises Warri Wolves govt support

    The chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Tony Okowa has assured players of Warri wolves FC of the state government’s continual support in ensuring the team remains among the top contenders in the country and continent.

    He disclosed this to the players in their close camp in Kwale as the team finalised  preparations for the super four next week in Kaduna.

    The Sports Commission chairman said  that certain changes will be injected into the team so as to achieve the set target for the team this season.

    He assured the players that all bonuses and any financial obligations between the players,team management and the state government will be sorted out and settled next week.

    “I can tell you that all your bonuses and the 20% payment we agreed on will be paid  next week Monday and for the new season your salary structure is already being prepared and it has to be based on your performance as a player. You must be in top form so as keep your relevance in the team’s players grading structure. This is a new era of Warri Wolves so all past grievances should be forgiven and forgotten and every body must work together to surpass the previous  standard and record. ”

    Speaking on behalf of the team, the vice captain, Goodluck  Onamodoh thanked Okowa for the visitation and promised that the players will certainly work harder this season so as to show gratitude to the state government for its continual support and encouragement.

    The team is expected to depart Kwale for Kaduna the venue of this seasons super four today and play their opening match against Akwa United on Wednesday.

  • Warri Wolves slam Aigbogun

    Warri Wolves slam Aigbogun

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Warri Wolves have criticised former coach, Paul Aigbogun over what they perceive as a lack of commitment from him.

    Aigbogun joined Enyimba as head coach following the departure of Kadiri Ikhana who reportedly fell out with the management of the Aba club.

    Wolves chairman, Moses Etu says Aigbogun’s body language was not right for most of last season.

    “We (Wolves) actually asked Paul Aigbogun to leave because we had very good reasons. He was busy negotiating with other clubs even when he had a contract with us and that was not right. Sam Okpodu has been appointed as his replacement and we are sure he will do a good job,” Etu told supersport.com.

    Meanwhile, Aigbogun has dismissed the allegations levelled against him describing them as “baseless.”

    “I am shocked the Wolves people will say these things because I served them with total commitment while I was head coach of the club. The thing is my contract ended at the conclusion of the last football season.

    “As it is the norm all over the world, interested clubs had discussions with me but that was after my contract had run out. Also there was no management board in place at Wolves at the time and even when I spoke to (former Wolves CEO), Davidson Owumi, there was really no headway made,” he said.

    Wolves and Enyimba (Aigbogun’s present employers) will represent Nigeria in the 2016 CAF Champions League.

  • Warri Wolves owe 115% sign-on fee, says Azeez

    Warri Wolves owe 115% sign-on fee, says Azeez

    Warri Wolves player, Abdul Azeez denied any agreement has been reached with the club over the lingering crisis of unpaid sign on fees.

    Azeez told footballlive.ng that a meeting was held to reach an agreement on the base payment the club could offset in the short run. The player claims they are owed 115% of the sign-on fee but the club has offered to clear 15%; which was blatantly refused.

    “First of all, no money has been paid or received and we are owed 115% and that’s a fact. I heard a meeting was held between the club and player representatives. The news is that they offered to pay just 15% but it was rejected.”

    The situation has sparked an exodus from the club including that of league top scorer, Gbolahan Salami and Azeez fears the club risks losing some of its best legs before the kick off of the new season.

    “It’s a sad situation and  the implication is that players will continue to leave the club for better pastures. Salami is a friend but I don’t discuss such personal matters like transfers with him; plus he has not been reachable since news of his deserting the CHAN camp in December,” he said.

  • Aigbogun uncertain about Warri Wolves’ future

    Aigbogun uncertain about Warri Wolves’ future

    Warri Wolves head coach, Paul Aigbogun is still in a state of dilemma if he will continue with the Seasiders next season or whether he would walk away, SportingLife has exclusively gathered.

    Aigbogun delivered the most sought after CAF Champions League ticket to the Seasiders on a platter after overseeing an effortless campaign in which Warri Wolves were a fortress from the beginning till the end of the season.

    But the coach, who has since left for England to visit his family whom he has not seen for close to one year, told SportingLife from London that he does not know if he would be with Warri Wolves next season.

    He was evasive with words but assured SportingLife that his position would be made known in the coming weeks.

    When Sportinglife quizzed the Britain trained coach, he said:”I don’t know yet. Let’s see what will happen. I don’t know about that yet.”

    SportingLife however contacted the Media Officer of Warri Wolves, Moses Etu to seek his view on the comments credited to Aigbogun, he stated that he is absolutely certain that the head coach and his lieutenants would remain with the club next season.

    He said even though the Seasiders only signed a season contract with all the members of the technical crew at the beginning of the season, the management is willing to extend the coaches’ contract to give room for continuity.

    Aigbogun and his backroom staff led Warri Wolves to second on the league table with 66 points from 38 matches but they couldn’t qualify for the Federation Cup from Delta State after their elimination in the quarter-final of the State FA Cup to a lowly rated team.

  • Warri Wolves dump Taraba 5-1

    Warri Wolves dump Taraba 5-1

    Warri Wolves ended the league season in style after they thrashed Enyimba 5-1 in a rescheduled match played at the Warri City Stadium on Monday morning.

    Wolves finished as runners-up with 66 points from 38 matches, four points behind champions Enyimba, and they will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Champions League, while Nasarawa United will feature in the Confederation Cup.

    Gbolahan Salami opened scoring after 13 minutes from the penalty spot after he was upended inside the box on his way to goal. However, Taraba drew level four minutes later through an own goal by Uche Ossai.

    Taraba’s goalkeeper Ikechukwu Obilo stood between the home team and more goals, but in the second half Warri Wolves took the centre stage.

    Abu Azeez regained the lead for Wolves in the 59th minute when he drilled home a left-footed strike from six yards out.

    Lordson Ichull made it 3-1 after he fired home from 16 yards after he was set up by Joseph Osadiaye.

    Freedom Omofoman increased the tally six minutes later during a goalmouth scramble, before Salami completed his brace from the penalty spot on the dot of time after he was again fouled inside the box.

  • Warri Wolves keep pressure on leaders Enyimba

    Warri Wolves keep pressure on leaders Enyimba

    Warri Wolves kept the pressure on Enyimba after they spanked Bayelsa United 4-0 at home on Sunday to set up a cracking clash with the Nigeria league leaders next Sunday.

    Wolves will need to win their remaining two games including Sunday’s clash at Enyimba and hope Enyimba also lose at Sunshine Stars on the final day of the season to clinch the championship on a better goals difference.

    Wolves are second behind Enyimba with 62 points from 36 games, six points adrift of Enyimba.

    Gbolahan Salami opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a penalty after Etebor Oghenekaro was brought down.

    U-23 star Oghenekaro then made it 2-0 for Wolves in the 28th minutes when he curled in a free kick from the edge of the box after Salami was brought down.

    Etebor completed a double in the 52nd minute, before he set up Joseph Osadiaye for the fourth goal in the 82nd minute to nail Bayelsa United.Warri Wolves keep pressure on leaders Enyimba

    Warri Wolves kept the pressure on Enyimba after they spanked Bayelsa United 4-0 at home on Sunday to set up a cracking clash with the Nigeria league leaders next Sunday.

    Wolves will need to win their remaining two games including Sunday’s clash at Enyimba and hope Enyimba also lose at Sunshine Stars on the final day of the season to clinch the championship on a better goals difference.

    Wolves are second behind Enyimba with 62 points from 36 games, six points adrift of Enyimba.

    Gbolahan Salami opened the scoring in the 10th minute through a penalty after Etebor Oghenekaro was brought down.

    U-23 star Oghenekaro then made it 2-0 for Wolves in the 28th minutes when he curled in a free kick from the edge of the box after Salami was brought down.

    Etebor completed a double in the 52nd minute, before he set up Joseph Osadiaye for the fourth goal in the 82nd minute to nail Bayelsa United.

  • Lobi: We know how to beat Warri Wolves

    Lobi: We know how to beat Warri Wolves

    Lobi Stars Team Manager, Barnabas Imenger has boasted that the Pride of Benue have the resilient spirit that would turn back Warri Wolves to their base empty handed after their Glo Premier League Week 35 tie at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi on Thursday.

    Imenger told SportingLife that Lobi were condemned to win the league tie against Warri Wolves and that they know how best to deal with the Seasiders.

    The former Super Eagles’ striker revealed to SportingLife that Lobi Stars are in a precarious position on the league table and are under pressure to beat Warri Wolves today to ward off drop zone worries.

    Imenger told SportingLife: “We have the resilient spirit and this will help us to beat Warri Wolves. They are a good side and we must not take them with kids glove.”

    Lobi are 14th on the log with 40 points from 34 games but are only two points clear of the relegation zone with only four games to the end of the season.

  • Unpaid wages: Warri Wolves fail to meet LMC’s deadline

    Unpaid wages: Warri Wolves fail to meet LMC’s deadline

    • Club still owes 4-month salary, 100% signing-on fee, five-match bonuses

     • Risk six-point deduction

    Warri Wolves Football Club stand the risk of losing six points after failing to meet the League Management Company’s (LMC) deadline to pay all outstanding financial entitlements of its players and officials.

    The LMC had given Warri Wolves until October 24, which elapsed on Saturday, to settle the wages or risk fine.

    But SportingLife’s investigation at the club’s camp revealed that the club still owed players and officials four months salaries, 100% signing- on fees as well as five match bonuses.

    The Seasiders are second on the log with 59 points, two points behind table-toppers, Enyimba FC of Aba.

    A point deduction at this level will scuttle Warri Wolves’ hope of clinching the league title or getting continental ticket at the end of the season.

    A source told SportingLife that the club’s are now at the mercy of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to offset the wages.

    It would be recalled that players protested against their unpaid seven months salaries and allowances but the club pays three month salaries after the protest.

    SportingLife reports that players’ efforts to stage another protest and embark on strike was stopped by the LMC, insisting that time given to the club to pay the entitlements has not elapsed.

    But with the expiration of the 60 days notice given to the club  on Saturday,  management of the club is confused on what measure of punishment could be placed on the club.

    A player, who did not want his name mentioned in the media, told SportingLife that hunger is still in their camp.

    “There is hunger in our camp. We are still been owed four months and 100 per cent sign on fee plus five bonuses. So it’s bad and you know the LMC threatened to withdraw points. We are confused,” the player said.

    “The deadline ended on Saturday, according to a letter from the LMC. So our government needs to be reminded now as we risk sanction and points deduction.”

  • Warri Wolves beats Akwa Utd .Closes in on Enyimba

    Warri Wolves beats Akwa Utd .Closes in on Enyimba

    Warri Wolves have closed within three points of Nigeria league leaders Enyimba after they thrashed Akwa United 3-0 in a rescheduled game Thursday morning.

    Wolves now have 59 points from 34 matches, just three points shy of leaders Enyimba with four matches to the end of the season.

    The match between hosts Wolves and Akwa was re-arranged for Thursday after heavy rain rendered the pitch at the Warri City Stadium unplayable.

    Joseph Osadiaye smashed a hat-trick within 68 minutes against his former club.

    He opened scoring after 13 minutes off a corner by Ikechukwu Igbenegbu, before he completed his brace in the 51st minute courtesy of another assist by Ibenegbu.

    His third goal was a superb curler from outside the box.

    Akwa were reduced to 10 men in the 53rd minute when Konnou Paterne was sent off after a second booking.

  • Rangers rue home draw with Warri Wolves

    Rangers rue home draw with Warri Wolves

    Enugu Rangers have expressed regrets over the inability of the Flying Antelopes to record a famous double victory over Warri Wolves after they could only draw 1-1 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday in a Glo Premier League Week 33 tie.

    The Enugu side defeated Warri Wolves when the corresponding fixture was played in June this year in a Week 13 duel 1-0 but  they couldn’t replicate that feat yesterday after they fought harder before gaining a draw before their fans.

    Gbolahan Salami scored the curtain raiser in the 10th minute after an unselfish assist from Kufre Ebong but the Seasiders  lost other  chances that came their way before Rangers raised the bar in the second half to get the equaliser in the 50th minute  through Osas Okoro.

    The Director of Media and Publicity of Rangers, Foster Chime told SportingLife that they were pained by their inability to secure a double win over Warri Wolves and that they must approach their next away tie with victory on their minds.

    He said with the good gesture of the state government under Governor  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Rangers players ought to have beaten  Warri Wolves as a way of showing gratitude for the  government’s kind gesture but reckoned that the game was tough from the beginning to  the end.

    Rangers will face Sunshine Stars next in Akure and Chime told SportingLife that the Flying Antelopes must strive to  pick at least a point from the tough tie to show their fans and  supporters that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

    Rangers are 12th on the table with 45 points from 33 games while Warri Wolves are second with 56 points from 33 matches on  the log.