Tag: Warri Wolves

Warri Wolves have reached an agreement for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan striker, Gbolahan Salami to join the club.

Salami was in the Super Eagles’ squad that won bronze at the just concluded African Nations Championship (CHAN) in their debut outing.

Revealing the news to NationSport on telephone, Wolves’ Media Officer, Moses Etu said the club agreed the deal in principle with the Oluyole Warriors’ talisman and he had become the club’s second acquisition within a day, after the capture of Heartland goalie, Daniel Akpeyi.

Etu said the Seasiders decided to add both players to their squad because of their wealth of experience domestically and internationally.

He opined that Akpeyi’s signing would stimulate competition for starting shirts among the club’s goalies, which includes Odah Okeimute and Ambrose Vanzekin, while Salami was included to add pace and urgency to the team’s goal-scoring efforts.

“I can tell you that we have signed Daniel Akpeyi and Gbolahan Salami because we have agreed with them. They are now our players.

“Both of them were bought because of their experience and they have been added to help us end our cup drought,” Etu told NationSport.

Curiously, however, 3SC Media Officer, Jubril Arowolo in a swift reaction to the news, informed NationSport that he had yet to be officially notified that such a deal concerning their attacker, Gbolahan Salami, had indeed taken place.

He claimed that Salami’s licence was with the Ibadan side and that before the CHAN tournament in South Africa, the striker pledged his loyalty to the Oluyole Warriors.

• 28 players, officials make trip

Players and officials of Warri Wolves arrived Abuja yesterday in time for the start of the Super Four Pre Season Competition among four leading clubs in the country slated for January 24th to 28th.

Twenty-eight players embarked on the road trip to the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) ahead of their games organised by the League Management Company(LMC) for the clubs representing the country in the CAF inter club competitions this year.

Before their departure to Abuja the Seasiders showed glimpses of what their opponents at the Super Four pre season competition should expect when they cruise into the final of an invitational tournament in Lagos on Tuesday night.

The Seasiders beat Dolphins 3-2 and drew 1-1 with Yobo FC on Tuesday after they had beaten My People FC 1-0 and Remo Stars 2-0 to top Group A.

The game against Dolphins was a beauty to behold after Warri Wolves went two goals down inside the first 30 minutes but they rallied back through goals from Kola Anubi, Joseph Osadaiye and Martins Ebere.

Warri Wolves’ Media Officer, Moses Etu told SportingLife that the substitutions made by head coach Paul Aigbogun turned the game around and tilted the tie the way of Warri Wolves at the Agege Stadium.

Etu boasted that their three other opponents at the Super Four would have it tough and they would find it difficult coping with the imperious form of the Seasiders at Abuja.

He confirmed that the club did not honour the final match because of the Super Four competition they rated highly than the pre season tournament in Lagos.

Etu said Warri Wolves decided to get to Abuja at least two days before the start of hostilities so that they could acclimatise and at least have a training or two sessions together before Friday when they will tackle Kano Pillars in the second match of the day.

Warri Wolves placed sixth in the premier league with 55 points from 38 matches but they grabbed a CAF Confederation Cup ticket having finished runners up to Enyimba in the 2013 Federation Cup in Lagos. The Peoples Elephant were second in the league which gave them a slot to the more lucrative CAF Champions League and thus conceded the second tier Confederation Cup ticket to Warri Wolves.

Warri Wolves Football Club made up of 33 players and the technical crew led by the Technical Adviser, Paul Aigbogun departed the shores of Warri on Wednesday morning for Shagamu for a close camping which will last 10 days.

The team will leave Shagamu for Abuja to compete in the pre season competition involving clubs that will represent the country in the CAF competitions.

The 33 players, made up four goalkeepers, Okiemute Odah, Ambrose Vanzekin, Tega Iriose and Tejiri Rhiogbere while the defenders are workaholic Trojan ThankGod Ike, Monday Osagie, Oke Oghenetewho, Bright Akpojuvwewho, Uche Ossai, and Goodluck Onamado.

The rest are John Agbawu, Bright Ebighagha, Joseph Eyimofe, Adama Coulibally, Ojo Mine, Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelvin Itoya, Gift Atuluwa, Kola Anobi, Achibi Ewenike, Joseph Osadiaye, Freedom Omafoman, and Bright Obada.

Those on the trip also include Daddy Bazuaye, Ichull Lordson, Brendan Ogbuh, Stanley Dimgba, Josiah Maduabuchi, Austin Amutu and John Nnam.

The team will be joined by Captain Azubuike Egwueke and Joshua Obaje, who are presently with the Home-based Super Eagles in South Africa when they return to the country.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the team, Davison Owumi has advised the players to be dedicated and committed as the task ahead is enormous.

“I want to enjoin you all to be disciplined, dedicated and committed as the task ahead is not easy. We have no choice than to do well. Management cares about your welfare and you just have to reciprocate the good gesture of the Delta State government and the Executive Chairman, Amaju Pinnick who takes your matters as a priority.

Warri Wolves’ players and officials will resume for the new league season on Saturday this week, a top official of the club has said.

The club’s media officer, Moses Etu, told SportingLife that the players, coaches and other officials have been instructed to resume camp unfailing by Saturday so that preparation for the coming season could begin without delay.

The Seasiders ended the last premier league season in sixth position with 55 points from 38 matches and with their eye on improving on that position next season, the club has gone for very good players to close up leaky areas before the start of the season.

Wolves will resume on Saturday and thereafter proceed for the final pre-season camping where the coaches and players hope to draw up fitting strategies ahead of the new season.

The Warri based club will campaign in both the domestic competitions and the CAF Confederation Cup this year, having come second in the Federation Cup to Enyimba who opted to play in the CAF Champions League. The Peoples Elephant made use of their second place heroics in the premier league last season thus conceding the Federation Cup title slot to the Seasiders.

The management of Glo Premier League side, Warri Wolves has decided to give talented rookies the chance to lay claim to first-team opportunities in the 2013/14 season.

The open exhibition exercise has been holding at the Warri City Stadium since Monday and will end today.

An official of the Seasiders, Etu Moses said the players selected within the three-day trials will be subjected to serious friendly matches in the next one week including the intra-club tournament fixed for the Sapele Township Stadium in December.

“We’ve decided to give some talented youngsters within Warri and its environs an opportunity to come and showcase what they can do with the round-leather-game.

“We don’t want a situation whereby some players complain that they’re not given the chance to do one or two things and, who knows, we could get one or two players that will shine like Oghenekaro Etebo who was discovered last season.

“The exercise will last for only three days. Those selected will be subjected to play series of friendly matches lined up for the side in the next two weeks and after that we are done,” Etu said.

Etu disclosed that some players have been invited based on what the coaches saw of them in the outgone season and as soon as negotiations are concluded their names will be made public.

On the vacant technical adviser’s position, Etu said in due course Warri Wolves will unveil the new man to pilot the affairs of the club in the coming season.

“We understand the feelings of the public but we’re doing our best to unveil the technical adviser in due course. We want to do it the way it is done in Europe by unveiling him and our choice will surprise many,” said Etu.

The Warri-based side recently parted ways with their former gaffer, Solomon Ogbeide who guided them to a sixth-place finish on 55 points in the outgone season. Wolves also ended as runners-up in the 2013 Federation Cup.

The newly appointed board of Warri Wolves was on Wednesday inaugurated by the Executive Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Pinnick Amaju with a task to reposition the club as a brand and among the best sides in the country.

The members are Chief Executive Officer, Davidson Owumi, Emmanuel Ibru, Stephen Agbeyegbe, Ogheneochuko Ambakederemo Nevil. Others are Lawrence Omowho, who will serve as Secretary, Godwin Abigor is Chairman, and Kenneth Nwomucha.

According to the Media Manager of the Club, Etu Moses, Amaju charged the new board to redefine and take the club to where it belongs in the League, promising to give them a free hand to operate.

Amaju urged the new board to work together and see that brotherly love exist as Warri Wolves is an asset which should be well managed.

He declared that Warri Wolves is the only club in the country which met its obligation to players and officials last season and thanked Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan who gave the nod for the formation of the club and who has been supporting them.

“We want you to redefine and make Warri Wolves a brand because it is an asset. This is the only club, if I am not mistaken, that has met its obligations to players and officials.

“I want to see that brotherly love exist among all of you with emphasis on discipline and fair play which the club is noted for.

“I will always support you and I also promise to give you free hand to operate.

“The club has produced players for the national team in its six years of its existence and must continue to thrive to be a role model in the country” said Amaju.

Responding on behalf of the Board, Davidson Owumi promised to carry everybody along as they do their best to meet the aspirations of the government.

He further thanked the Commission for the appointment and vowed to lift the club to an enviable position in the League.

Warri Wolves Football Club, Warri have joined the growing list of clubs that have abolished signing-on-fees with effect from the 2013/2014 season.

According to the Media Manager of the club, Etu Moses, even though the club have paid one hundred percent of last season’s fees, the new management has decided to abolish it and instead introduce performing contracts.

According to Etu, the introduction of performing contracts for the players will make them sit up and compete favourably for shirts.

Etu disclosed that players will now earn money based on their performances unlike the previous years when players who did not play a single match went home with millions of naira.

“As part of efforts to obtain maximum performance from the players, we have decided to abolish sign-on-fees and instead, what we have now is called performing contract. This, to us, will make those of them who are lazy to sit up.

“If you know that playing more matches will guarantee you more money, you will have to work hard, but if you think you are there to make up the numbers, you will go home empty-handed.

“Could you believe that some players did not play more than three matches last season and they are comfortable? Do you know that some of them don’t know why they are at the club? The era of Father Christmas is gone and anybody who wants money will have to work for it.”

Etu also disclosed that the club have successfully paid the salaries of the players, match bonuses and signing-on fees for last season.

“I am happy to tell you that we have paid up to date the salaries, match bonuses and sign-on fees and I am sure we are the only club who have done that. Kudos should therefore go to the Government of Delta State and the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Pinnick Amaju who takes players’ welfare seriously. All the players went home happily and we hope to continue on that note next season.”