The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Warri Wolves

  • Warri Wolves study Ifeanyi Ubah FC’s match tapes

    Warri Wolves study Ifeanyi Ubah FC’s match tapes

    SportingLife has reliably gathered from those that should know within Warri Wolves that the Seasiders have obtained video tapes of Ifeanyi Ubah United’s two matches at the just concluded NNL Super 4 and are studying them ahead of their Nigeria Premier League Week One clash at Nnewi next Sunday.

    A top official of Warri Wolves told SportingLife that the club have fixed their sights on winning the league crown this season and, to this length, they want to start the season impressively so that they do not labour when the season is about drawing to an end.

    Warri Wolves last Saturday dumped Burkina Faso foes, Racing Club de Bobo Dioulasso 4-0 on aggregate from the CAF Confederation Cup competition and they will this weekend face Ifeanyi Ubah United FC who recently changed nomenclature from Gabros FC.

    The Nnewi side won the NNL Super 4 after two consecutive wins over Wikki Tourists and 3SC of Ibadan, and Warri Wolves’ inside source has revealed that the management, coaches and players of the Seasiders do not want to take the Premier League newcomers for granted.

    Warri Wolves came third in the league last season behind Kano Pillars (league champions) and Enyimba who were second despite a close title race with the Sai Masugida towards the end of last season.

  • Warri Wolves depart for Burkina Faso Thursday

    Warri Wolves depart for Burkina Faso Thursday

    Warri Wolves Football Club will depart the Oil City for Lagos today and further depart for Burkina Faso on Thursday to begin their campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup competition.

    In a release made available to sports writers by the Media Manager, Etu Moses, the team made up of 18 players and nine officials will leave Lagos by 15.00 hours .

    According to Etu, the team has been in close camping in Otu- Jeremi, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State after the Super Six in Abuja  where the coaches led by Paul Aigbogun have been perfecting their strategies for this crucial match.

    Etu further revealed that some of the players that will make the trip are Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and Okiemute Odah, Goodluck Onamado, Eyimofe Joseph, Semiu Liadi who joined from Enyimba, Monday Osagie, Oke Ogagotewho and Ibenegbu Ikechukwu.

    Others are Micheal Egbeta, Michael Okoyoh, Joseph Osadiaye, Stanley Dimgba, Abu Azeez and Bright Akpojuvwewo.

    Also, some of the team’s U-23 players like Ichull Lordson, Austin Amutu, Omoforman Freedom and Achibi Ewenike have been released and may make the team depending on the coach’s plan.

    Etu, however, disclosed that Oghenekaro Etebo was not released because the National team coaches sent a word that he is nursing injury.

    Speaking on the match, coach Paul Aigbogun is confident that he has enough players to prosecute the match and called on Nigerians to pray for the team.

     

  • Egwuekwe returns to Warri Wolves

    Egwuekwe returns to Warri Wolves

    •Trains with Seasiders 

    Super Eagles’ defender,  Azubuike Egwuekwe has   returned to Warri Wolves

    after his overseas deals failed to materialise and has started training with the Seasiders ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg tie against Burkina Faso’s Racing Club de Bobo Dioulasso.

    Egwuekwe was said to have travelled to England to have talks with West Ham United before he later surfaced in Israel with Hapoel Tel Aviv but because a deal could not be agreed on between the towering defender’s representatives and that of Warri Wolves, Egwuekwe elected to come back to the country to continue with the Seasiders.

    The defender is among other players that have started real camping at a village known as Otujeremi in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and not too far from Warri.

    The Media Manager of Warri Wolves, Moses Etu disclosed that the Seasiders decided to train for a few days at the outskirts of Warri in order to focus and that their hosts have chosen to have the game played on a natural turf hence their resolve to have the team train on the same surface before travelling to Burkina Faso.

    Etu said that the game would be played on February 13 and that Warri Wolves are working round the clock to ensure that all errors noticed during the Super Four tournament are corrected before they can play one or two friendly matches before hitting Ouagadougou early next week.

    He said they won’t be participating in any tournament or friendly matches until they perfect their weak points before the first leg away from home.

  • Vanzekin set to dump Warri Wolves for Kwara Utd

    Vanzekin set to dump Warri Wolves for Kwara Utd

    Former Dream Team  IV goalkeeper, Ambrose Vanzekin is set to dump Warri Wolves and join Kwara United, ahead of the new Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    Vanzekin, who was on loan to Bayelsa United last season, said he is tired of the loan spells and will want to experience a permanent move in a club where he will be playing more regularly.

    “Bayelsa United is a very good club and I enjoy playing there on loan. But this coming season, I don’t think I will be playing for them because I want to go to a different club where I will be able to play regularly. I’m hoping to join Kwara United,” the former Nigerian U-23 goalkeeper revealed.

    Vanzekin joined Warri Wolves from Akwa United F.C. in July 2009 and the 28-year-old said he will not be returning to his parent club.

    “I don’t want to go back to Warri Wolves because I’ve spent much time there and they are very nice to me. They want me to come back but I don’t want to go back because I’m not really happy being sent on loan. So, I need to go to a place where I’ll have more playing time to show my fans that I still exist in this country.  That is why I want to make this bold move to where I will have the opportunity to play good games,” the 2008 Beijing Olympics silver medallist noted.

    The 20-year-old said though he has not signed any pre-contract with the Afonja Warriors, he hopes to get the deal done in the next one week.

    “We’ve been talking and I have good rapport with them and by God’s grace that is where I will play next. Though I don’t have any pre contract with them for now, but in the next one week, I believe by God’s grace we will get the deal sorted out,”he said.

  • Ibenegbu unfazed by Super Six defeats

    Ibenegbu unfazed by Super Six defeats

    Warri Wolves  midfielder,  Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has said his side are not disappointed following two successive defeats at the ongoing Super Six tournament in Abuja.

    The Seasiders were caged 1-2 by the Dream Team V1 on match day one while they further conceded 0-1 defeat to Federation Cup winners, Enyimba on Monday at the main bowl of Abuja National Stadium.

    Ifeanyi George scored from the penalty spot to hand the People’s Elephant their first win of the tournament.

    Ibenegbu said the focus for his side is not to win the pre-season tournament but to cash in on the event to prepare for the continental assignment against Burkinabe side, Racing Club de Bobo-Dioullasso.

    “We just resumed for the season barely four days prior to the commencement of the Super Six tournament, so our match fitness is not yet 100%. However, we don’t consider the tournament a do-or-die affair, rather it’s a platform that will enable us prepare for our continental assignment.

    “We’ve new and old players in our midst so if the tournament helps us to blend and understand ourselves the event would be considered a huge success even though we end up not winning it.

    “I think we improved against Enyimba compared with our performance against the Under-23 team. So we’re not disappointed with our performances so far in the tournament, I know we’ll achieve our aim as the tournament progresses,” said the Nigerian playmaker to supersport.com.

    Ibenegbu is however optimistic his side will perform better against the Under-20 team on Wednesday.

    “We’re quite hopeful that Wednesday’s clash against the Under-20 side will be a far better match. Winning is okay but that won’t be our priority when we line up to engage the side.

    “We have our own agenda and vision for participating in the tournament and I’m positive it’ll be reality at the end of the day,” said the former Heartland star.

    The ongoing tournament is put together by the League Management Company (LMC) to prepare the sides for their respective African assignments.

  • ‘Mosquito’ challenges Warri Wolves on ambition

    ‘Mosquito’ challenges Warri Wolves on ambition

    WarriWolves midfield marshal, Ibenegbu Ikechukwu has challenged his team mates to raise the bar on their ambitions, as the team prepares to challenge for the new season.

    Ibenegbu, who is a part of the Nigeria Beach Soccer team, disclosed that his aim of joining the club has not been fulfilled, thus, he has urged his team mates to brace up and win something with him this season.

    Mosquito – as Ibenegbu is known in Nigeria football circle – revealed that the main reason of playing for the Warri based team is to win trophies and he believes the team can do it if all work together.

    “My aim of joining this club has not been met. I came here to win trophies and it really pained me that we did not win anything last season. I just want to appeal to all, including Management to put all hands on deck and see that we win something.”

    Meanwhile, Ibenegbu is happy with the progress made so far this season even with the late resumption, especially the spirit displaced against the National U-23 in their first match which they lost by two goals to one.

    “I am happy with the progress made so far ,especially the way they have been going about it even though we resumed late. We have a combination of experience and young boys who are hungry to make a name for themselves and that is good for the team,” said Ibenegbu.

  • Dream Team pip Warri Wolves 2-1

    Dream Team pip Warri Wolves 2-1

    Nigeria U-23 team, Dream Team VI, pipped Warri Wolves 2-1 Saturday in a Super 6 match played in Abuja.

    Dream Team‘s goals were scored by Austin Amutu and Baker Ebimabowei, while Gift Atulewa scored Wolves consolation goal.

    Striker  Amutu gave Dream Team the lead in the third minute against his club Warri Wolves.

    After an earlier effort in the 14th minute, Joseph Osadiaye continued to press for equalizer for Wolves as he had his shot in the 21st minute deflected for a corner.

    In the 26th minute, Osadiaye was denied by the goalkeeper.

    Chris Madaki’s ambitious long-range shot in the 36th minute in his bid to double Dream Team’s effort went off target by whiskers.

    Wolves were awarded a penalty after U-23 team goalkeeper Jonah Usman fouled Ebong and Gift Atulewa converted the spot kick in the 49th minute for the equalizer.

    In the 51st minute, Wolves’ Monday Osagie was lucky not to have been sent off for a second booking after his reckless tackle on Amutu which was picked for penalty as the resultant spot kick was converted by Baker Ebimabowei to restore the U23s’ lead.

    Bartholomew Ibenegbu’s well taken free kick in the 77th minute almost gave Wolves the equalizer but came off the post.

    Usman in goal for Dream Team pulled off another save in the 82nd minute.

     

  • Warri Wolves’ mgt, coaches for crucial talks on Monday

    Warri Wolves’ mgt, coaches for crucial talks on Monday

    Warri Wolves’ management will on Monday meet with the technical crew of the Seasiders where crucial matters pertaining to the club’s activities in the CAF Confederation Cup, premier league and others next year.

    Wolves ended last season in third position with 61 points from 38 matches and this ensured their qualification for the Confederation Cup for the third straight season.

    The Seasiders have failed to get to the group stages of the second tier African club competition in their last two year’s participation and a top official of the club revealed to NationSport that the club would make adequate preparations for the 2015 outing.

    The official noted that top of the agenda would be for the coaches to submit their plans for the new season and to also prune down on the 37 players  under the payroll of the Seasiders.

    He also added that at least 10 players would be shown the exit doors while quality players  spotted from Sunshine Stars, Dolphins and northern clubs would be brought in to fill the void left by those departing.

    The source said:” We are going to meet on Monday to deliberate on the way forward. The coaches have been invited to submit their programmes and they have been told to prune down on the list of players we presently have. Imagine some players that didn’t play up to two games for the club last season still want the club to retain them for the new season.

    “The club has been told in clear terms that if they fail to perform on the continent next year, no one will take them seriously and that they will be considered just like the politicians that change parties every year because of what they would get.

    “It is the sole reason we have decided to hold a meeting where many issues would be unearthed for us to have a good season in the league and also on the continent,”the source said.

  • Warri Wolves: a place on the continent is not a do or die affair

    Warri Wolves: a place on the continent is not a do or die affair

    •Pray for fair officiating in Lafia

    Warri Wolves have insisted that getting a place on the continent is not a do or die affair  and  they would ensure they approach their final premier league game of the season against Nasarawa United in Lafia with utmost respect for the rule of the game.

    Wolves are third on the league table with 60 points from 37 matches and are in need of at least a draw in Lafia in their quest for a place on the continent at the end of the season while the Soild Miners are also still in contention for a place in Africa with a home win over the Seasiders.

    Wolves’ Media Manager, Moses Etu explained to SportingLife that the Seasiders are praying that the rule of the game is observed to the letter in Lafia and that fair officiating should be observed .

    Etu told SportingLife:“The players are motivated and they have been charged to ensure that they get a decent result in Lafia. We are also hoping that fair officiating would be allowed to rule and that no law of the game would be breached on Sunday.

    “We are not desperate to qualify for the continent and it is neither a do or die affair for us. We are canvassing for a professional run league, one that is devoid of rancour and bickering,”he said.

  • WARRI WOLVES ETEBO CLINCHES WONDER GOAL 7 AWARD

    WARRI WOLVES ETEBO CLINCHES WONDER GOAL 7 AWARD

    Etebo Oghenekaro of Warri Wolves has emerged the winner of the Glo Premier League Wonder Goal Award.

    Warri Wolves thus becomes the second Club to produce back to back winners as Etebo emerged the seventh winner on the heels of Freedom Omofoman who was voted the sixth winner. Rangers International had earlier had two players, Osaguona Ighodaro and Emeka Eze winning the first and second edition of the award.

    Etebo secured 72.2% of the votes to beat a field of four other nominees including the League’s joint top scorer, Emem Eduok of Dolphins who came second with 12.8 votes. The other nominees, Bobby Clement of Heartland scored 9.8% of the votes leaving Bayelsa United’s Samuel Tswaya with 5.3% in fourth place.

    Fans, who participated in the voting exercise, chose Etebo’s goal in Warri Wolves defeat of Bayelsa United on Match Day 32 in Benin while Eduok was nominated for his fifth goal in the historic six he scored against Nembe City in Port Harcourt on Match Day 35. Bobby’s nomination was for his goal against Kano Pillars, a cheeky side flash on Match Day 30 in Owerri while Tswaya got on the nomination for his smashing shot against Sunshine Stars in another Match Day 30 fixture in Benin.

    Etebo will thus receive the N100, 000 prize money when the presentation ceremony holds in Warri this Sunday during their Match Day 37 fixture with Crown of Ogbomosho.

    The player, who took the league scene by storm two seasons’ ago before going for a spell in Turkey, described the award as a ‘a new inspiration for me to get back to the top of my game”.

    “Just last week, we watched our team mate receive the award from the NFF President and I never had the inkling that I would be the next considering that it is for every player in the league. I am grateful and will build on this success not only for my career but also for the club which has given me the opportunity to show my talent”, stated Etebo.

    The Wonder Goal Award is an initiative of the LMC to build closer relationship between clubs and their communities of domicile and also show-case spectacular goals scored during the season as well as the team work  behind the goals. Half of the cash prize is donated to a Charity located within the city of the club. Past winners, Osaguona Ighodaro and Emeka Eze of Rangers recently made donations to the Holy Child Orphanage in Enugu after winning the first and second edition of the Awards. In Aba, Rasheed Olabiyi of Enyimba made his donation to the Ngwa Road Motherless Babies Home after emerging the fourth winner of the award.