The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wolves

  • Wolves, Akwa United clash in opener

    Wolves, Akwa United clash in opener

    Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2014/15 season runners-up, Warri Wolves and Akwa United, the 2015 Federation Cup champions have been drawn to kick-off the quest for honours in the first round of the 2016 NPFL Super 4 Tournament.

    The Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna is the venue of the first leg of the Super 4 tournament starting on Wednesday, January 20 and billed to end on Sunday, January 24. A second leg of the Super 4 will be played at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, nicknamed Nest of Champions in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital from February 1 to February 5.

    In the draws for the first leg released by the Office of the Chief Operating Officer of the League Management Company, (LMC), NPFL champions, Enyimba International of Aba will take on the NPFL second runners-up, Nasarawa United for the second fixture of the first day. The clubs will observe a rest day on Thursday,  January 21 and return to action again on Friday, with late kick-off by 5pm when Akwa United will tackle Enyimba International in the first game while Warri Wolves and Nasarawa United slug it out in a night game from 7pm.

    “We have scheduled the late kick-off on that Friday to enable Nigerians watch the Super Eagles play their Tunisian counterparts in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. We consider it as part of the development of the league for players in the NPFL to watch their team mates representing the country in international competitions. Seeing their mates will fire up their own aspiration to up their game and also be in a position to make the national team,” remarked Salihu Abubakar,  the LMC COO.

    On the last day of the tournament, Nasarawa United and Akwa United will play in the first game at 2pm while the closing fixture will be between Enyimba International and Warri Wolves play the last game of the tournament.

    The LMC is organising the two rounds of the Super 4 this season to provide the four teams representing the country in continental club competitions sufficient competitive games to gain match fitness before their respective international fixtures commencing on the weekend of February 12-14

  • Mine, Ojobo, Ajiboye pitch tents with Warri Wolves

    Mine, Ojobo, Ajiboye pitch tents with Warri Wolves

    SportingLife can exclusively report that Nigeria Professional Football League side, Warri Wolves have completed the signing of trio of Mine Ojo, Markson Ojobo and goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye.

    The club’s chairman, Moses Etu who confirms the deal to SportingLife, said the signing is to form a formidable squad for both the Glo league and CAF Champions League campaigns.

    Mine, who is making his return to Wolves after a spell at Enyimba, arrived in Asaba on Thursday to seal the deal while it is understood that Ojobo has already agreed terms with the club.  Mine and Ojobo played key roles in helping Enyimba win a record seventh league title last season.

    Mine, who has also played for Rangers International of Enugu and Heartland FC of Owerri, is expected to settle down immediately having played with Seasiders before.

    Ojobo fell out with Enyimba after he was informed by club officials that he would be allowed to leave the team.

    The former Bayelsa United was, however, placed on transfer for  violating the club’s code of conduct”.

    The former Golden Eaglets gold medalist, Ajiboye is expected to use his experience in helping the team.

    Etu said the club is ready to compete for more success this season.

    “Some of our players who left us are ready to come back and play for us again. I am trying to call them. Ojo Mine that went to Enyimba has come back. He was in Warri on Thursday. These are core players who have called me and I told them to come back. Martins Ojobo has agreed terms with Warri Wolves. Dele Ajiboye is on his way to Warri,” Etu said.

  • Ikeme salutes Wolves’ fighting spirit

    Ikeme salutes Wolves’ fighting spirit

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme has praised his fellow Wolverhampton Wanderers teammates for digging deep to get victory over Reading in an English Championship game.

    Ikeme was in goal as Wolves won 1-0 on Saturday.

    Wolves are now 16th on the league table with 28 points from 23 games.

    “Good result, wasn’t pretty at times. But sometimes just need to dig in and thought the lads done that. Thank u for u support ????” Ikeme tweeted.

    The Nigeria first-choice goalkeeper has been in goal 11 times this season.

  • Wolves reject Leeds bid for Carl Ikeme

    Wolves reject Leeds bid for Carl Ikeme

    LEEDS United had a bid rejected for Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, according to reports in the UK.

    The Wolves shot-stopper is a serial loanee, having been sent out to eight different clubs in the football league since 2003.

    It’s understood Leeds made the loan approach in October, shortly after Steve Evans’ appointment as manager.But according to the Yorkshire Post, they were knocked back despite Ikeme not being a starter for Wolves at the time.

    The 29-year-old has since been reinstated to the No1 spot by Kenny Jackett following an injury to on-loan Arsenal man Emiliano Martinez.

    And Evans’ need for a goalkeeper has also lessened following the improved performances of Marco Silvestri.

    The 24-year-old kept a clean sheet in his last Championship outing against Charlton, but Leeds are still lagging down in 18th place.

  • Heavy rain stops Wolves vs Taraba

    Heavy rain stops Wolves vs Taraba

    Heavy rainfall which left the Warri Township Stadium pitch waterlogged has forced the League Management Company (LMC) to postpone a Week 38 game between Warri Wolves and FC Taraba.

    The game will now be played this morning. The new kick off time is 8am.

    Taraba are relegated to the Nigeria National League (NNL) already, while Wolves are battling for the second CAF Champions League ticket after Enyimba emerged champions.

  • Wolves to play for ACL ticket

    Wolves to play for ACL ticket

    Warri Wolves attacking midfielder Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has said his side will be playing for the CAF Champions League ticket against relegated side FC Taraba.

    The Seasiders will host the Jalingo outfit in Sunday’s Nigerian top flight match day 38 clash at the Warri City Stadium.

    Ibenegbu said his side will give their very best in the encounter knowing quite well that the visitors could be out to play the spoilers.

    “We will approach the clash against FC Taraba with every seriousness, aware that the visitors already down and out could play the spoilers. We understand that outright victory will secure the CAF Champions League ticket for us so we will be stepping out on the pitch on Sunday with Africa’s elite club spot on our mind.

    “FC Taraba have already gone down on relegation but that does not mean their players will come here for sightseeing, rather to play for themselves and chance marketing themselves as well with flawless performance.

    “We have already prepared our minds for the toughest match of the season to ensure we grab the whole three points at stake. We have missed the league title so we will not want to lose the second spot that will guarantee us ticket to Africa.

    “We will only have ourselves to blame if we allowed the golden opportunity to slip off our hands,” said the former Heartland goal poacher to supersport.com.

    Warri Wolves are second on the top flight log on 63 points six points behind runaway champions Enyimba with the game against FC Taraba to wrap up the season’s campaign.

  • Lobi Stars dent Wolves title chase

    Lobi Stars dent Wolves title chase

    Lobi Stars have dented the title chase of Warri Wolves after they pipped them 1-0 in a rescheduled Nigeria league game on Thursday.

    Wolves have now slipped to third on the table with 59 points from 35 games, six points adrift of leaders Enyimba.

    Lobi have 43 points from 35 games.

    Anthony Agbaji scored from the penalty spot in the third minute after referee spotted an infringement in Wolves’ box for the only goal of the game.

    In the 15th minute, Abdulrahman Bashir failed to double Lobi’s lead after he fired off target from an open chance.

    In the 33rd minute, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Oke Ogagatewho was sent off for a foul.

    Wolves thought they had restored parity in the 88th minute, but Etebor Oghenekaro’s strike off a rebound was ruled offside.

  • Ikeme told to fight for Wolves’ first-team shirt

    Ikeme told to fight for Wolves’ first-team shirt

    Wolves boss Kenny Jackett has told new Nigeria No 1 goalkeeper Carl Ikeme to fight for his place in the first team as he has no plans to sell the goalkeeper.

    The 29-year-old has recently lost his place in the Wolves’ side to Arsenal Loanee Emiliano Martinez.

    With Ikeme eager to make sure he is playing regularly in order to cement his place in Nigeria’s national side, speculation had arisen suggesting the big goalkeeper could look elsewhere for regular football action in January.

    Jackett said he does not want to lose Ikeme and wants him to remain on his toes, claiming he could yet come back into the team should he impress in training.

    “Carl is a very good goalkeeper but at the moment we are looking to build and add if we can. We are not looking to decrease the club,” Jackett told the Express & Star.

    “From us it is a case of head down, work for the club, work for Wolves and do our best to make sure the club is successful. Does he have to wait for his opportunity? “Yes – and do well enough in training to keep the pressure on the other player, that is what football is all about.”

    After a handful of caps, Ikeme has been installed as Nigeria’s top-choice in goal in place of Lille shot stopper Vincent Ikeme, who has called time on his international career.

  • Rangers were poor in first half against Wolves-Amapakabo

    Rangers were poor in first half against Wolves-Amapakabo

    Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo has described as game of two halves, his side’s draw against Warri Wolves.

    The Coal City side were held to a 1-1 draw by the Seasiders in Sunday’s Nigeria professional Football League (NPFL) match day 33 clash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

    Top striker, Gbolahan Salami scored the match opener in the 13th minute for Wolves while forward, Osas Okoro grabbed the equaliser for the Flying Antelopes in the 52nd minute.

    Amapakabo said his side were far better in the second half of the encounter though they still failed to make it count positively.

    “The match was more or less a game of two halves, Warri Wolves were far the best side in the first half of the encounter while we came into the match meaningfully in the second half.

    “We got everything wrong in the first half allowing Warri Wolves all the room to operate unchallenged.

    “I won’t say I’m happy with the outcome of the match however it’s still better than losing the entire points.

    “We will work on the lapses to ensure we come out with a different approach in our next match at Sunshine Stars,” said the former Sharks coach to supersport.com.

    The point against Warri Wolves adds Rangers total earnings to 41 points from 99 points in the 33-week old Nigerian top flight.

  • Wolves coach hails Sheyi Ojo

    Wolves coach hails Sheyi Ojo

    Wolves manager Kenny Jackett was unhappy that his side could only pick up a point when they faced Preston North End ( 1 – 1) in the English Championship on Saturday.

    And the gaffer went on to point out that a couple of players fluffed several scoring opportunities including Anglo – Nigerian fullback Dominic Iorfa, who would have netted his first goal as a professional but failed to convert his header.

    “Iorfa had a good chance with a header, Le Fondre with a header, and Afobe probably had three good chances which he will be disappointed he didn’t convert, ” Jackett told wolves.co.uk.

    Twenty five minutes from time, Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo stepped out onto the Deepdale Stadium pitch for his ninth appearance of the season across all competitions and the coach admitted that he added more width in attack.

    “We changed it around late on and tried to give it some freshness and Ojo gave us some good penetration down the left which he has done when coming on, ” Kenny Jackett added.

    Nigeria international Carl Ikeme was an unused substitute against Preston while the teenage striker Bright Enobakhare did not make the 18 – man squad.