The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wolves

  • Wolves advance to Confed Cup play-off

    Wolves advance to Confed Cup play-off

    Warri Wolves qualified for the play-off stage of the CAF Confederation Cup with a 3-1 aggregate victory after holding FC MK Étanchéité to a 1-0 win in Kinshasa in the second leg fixture on Friday.

    The Seasiders went into the game at the 80000 seater Stade des Martyrs with the hopes of qualifying into the next stage of the competition after winning the first leg 2-1 in Warri two weeks ago.

    This comes as big relief to Warri Wolves who have been inconsistent on the domestic front.

    The Seasiders are eager to write their name in the history books as they are the only Nigerian side remaining in the competition.

    Coach Paul Aigbogun will be pleased if he can win a major trophy for the Seasiders this year.

    The hosts dominated the opening 45 minutes of the game by creating all the decent chances, but they failed to hit the back of the net.

    Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi denied the homers on several occasions.

    After recess, FC MK Étanchéité put the Seasiders under intense pressure searching for the opener, but the resolute defense marshaled by captain Azubuike Egwuekwe kept the scoreline barren.

    Late in the game, Wolves took the game to the hosts and had the most glorious chance in the game, and Oghenekaro Etebo scored as the game ended 1-0.

    Wolves have reached the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup competition after their 3-1 aggregate win.

    Warri Wolves Starters: Daniel Akpeyi, Goodluck Onamado, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Oke Ogagatevwho, Ojo Mine, Lordson Ichull, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Michael Egbeta, Stanley Dimgba, Oghenekaro Etebo, Gbolahan Salami.

  • CAF Champions’ League ouster: Glo seeks support for Wolves

    CAF Champions’ League ouster: Glo seeks support for Wolves

    • Shocked over Pillars’ Enyimba’s exits

    Title sponsor of the Glo Premier League, Globacom, has expressed concern over the early exit of Kano Pillars FC and Enyimba FC of Aba after both sides were eliminated from the ongoing CAF Champions League.

    Pillars and Enyimba lost out in the second round to teams from Algeria and Egypt respectively in what observers termed their inadequate preparedness for the continental challenge.

    In a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, Globacom expressed concern at the clubs’ early ouster from the lucrative Champions League, saying Nigeria had lost some prestige in the process.

    “We believe Kano Pillars and Enyimba have the pedigree to go far in the competition having both won the Glo Premier League between themselves in the past five years,” the statement said.

    “The situation can only be described as unfortunate, especially after the clubs participated in the recently concluded Super Four competition which was expected to put them in shape for local and continental tournaments this season,” it added.

    The telecoms provider, however, expressed delight that Warri Wolves FC is still in contention for the CAF Confederation Cup glory after dispatching Dedebit FC of Ethiopia to move to the next round.

    “Wolves are the shining light at the moment and we wish to commend the team while urging its management and coaching crew not to relent in their effort to go all the way in the competition. We also want to call on the Delta State government and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to continuously give the club adequate support,” the statement further said.

  • Wolves restate commitment to CAF Confederation Cup

    Wolves restate commitment to CAF Confederation Cup

    Warri Wolves, the Nigerian  representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, have reassured their fans of the club’s commitment to the African club competition.

    The media manager of the Warri-based side, Moses Etu, informed SL10.ng of the Seasiders’ plan to honour the return leg of the Confederation Cup against Dedebit in Ethiopia after a 2-0 win in Warri.

    According to Etu, there are reports that the team may not be able to honour the return leg in Ethiopia and may end up like Dolphin FC of Port-Harcourt.

    “I wish to state it clearly that the government and those in charge of the club are working seriously to see that the team leave the shores of this country as planned,” Etu stated.

    “The players, 20 in number, have been moved to the club’s camp in Warri since Monday morning to prepare their minds for the journey as the team is expected to leave Warri on Thursday morning and will spend the night in Lagos before flying to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday morning.

    “However, we wish to assure our fans and the general public that we have a dynamic sports-loving governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who has remained a source of inspiration to the club and I am sure will not allow such thing to happen,” Etu insisted.

    “It is pertinent to point out that we also have the Chairman of the Sports Commission in Amaju Pinnick who incidentally is the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He has done more than enough to sustain the tempo in Warri Wolves and will not close his eyes to see such thing happen to the club.

    “We therefore urge all our fans to ignore such reports and continue to pray for a successful outing as the players are well determined to do the country proud. We must avoid anything that will distract the players at this time,” Etu concluded.

  • Egwuekwe eyeing Wolves exit

    Egwuekwe eyeing Wolves exit

    Nigeria  international  Azubuike Egwuekwe looks certain to leave Warri Wolves at the end of the season, but his destination is not yet finalised.

    The defender was ready to depart Nigeria  in January with West Ham reportedly interested in signing him, but a deal never materialised.

    After the Hammers’ interest cooled, Israeli side Hapoel Tel-Aviv stepped in and went as far as announcing his signing on Twitter, before that deal also fell through.

    “Several things went wrong [with the deal to join Hapoel]. There were some minor details but by the grace of God, those issues have now been sorted out. I will very likely move [away from current club, Warri Wolves] in the summer,” said Egwuekwe.

    “I still don’t know if I will go to Hapoel in the summer. I really don’t know. Everything is in God’s hands but what I know is that I will likely leave in the summer,” he said.

    While he seems uncertain of his final destination, Egwuekwe admitted if it was up to him, he would end up at West Ham United.

    “Like I said earlier, the future can only be decided by God but if I had to make a choice, I would love to go to West Ham,” he said.

    The defender impressed European scouts while representing Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and has scored two goals in 34 appearances for the Super Eagles.

  • Warri Wolves arrive in Abuja today

    Warri Wolves arrive in Abuja today

    CAF Confederation Cup  campaigners, Warri Wolves will arrive in Abuja today for the Super Six with 35 players and 10 officials.

    The Seasiders will be aiming to perform better than last year where the team came second, losing only to Enyimba International after thrashing Kano Pillars and Bayelsa United.

    In a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday by the media spokesman of the club, Etu Moses, the players – both old and new – are in high spirits and cannot afford to fail.

    They are even happy that they will be playing with the Flying Eagles and the Dream Team VI, as that will stretch and prepare them for the CAF continental assignment which comes up in February in Burkina Faso.

    Etu also disclosed that the team will leave Abuja after the tournament for Shagamu and Ibadan, where they hope to play some friendly matches all in a bid to correct the lapses noticed in the Super Six in Abuja.

    Part of the statement read: “We are leaving Warri for Abuja on Friday with 35 players and 10 officials for the Super Six.

    “Our players are well relaxed having played some local teams here but they are very excited that they will playing against the Under-20 and Under-23 as they believe that these matches will prepare them well for the task ahead.”

  • Nembe eye victory over wolves

    Nembe eye victory over wolves

    The Media Officer of Nembe City FC, Gbenga Adeleye, says he is confident of his side getting a good result when they take on South-South neighbours, Warri Wolves, on Sunday, in a Matchday 22 tie of the Glo Premier League.

    The Kala-Eku Lema boys defeated Rangers International 2-1 on Wednesday at the Krisdera Hotel Stadium, Omoku, Rivers State, and Adeleye told SportingLife Nembe were “confident of a good result in Warri.”

    He said: “The boys are in high spirits and ready to take something out of Warri, so we are taking this game seriously because we have never lost to Warri Wolves in the league and we want to maintain this record.

    “Considering the players we brought in to beef up the squad in the second stanza, I believe we can pick results anywhere. Warri Wolves are a good side so we won’t underrate them but we are going there with full determination to win.”

  • Abu, Uzezi state mission to Warri Wolves

    Abu, Uzezi state mission to Warri Wolves

    • Seasiders reveal identity of new signings

    Azzez Abu and Uzezi Oghenebo have stated their missions to Warri Wolves after they and four others put pen to paper on deals with the club till the end of the season.

    Abu, a member of the national Beach Eagles team, crossed over from Kwara United while Uzezi joined the Seasiders from Union Bank.

    Both players expressed happiness at the prospect of featuring for the 2013 Federation Cup finalists and reiterated their desires to ensure that Warri Wolves return to the continent.

    “I am happy about this move and very confident that I will do well in Warri. I thank Kwara United’s management and players for the opportunity I had with the club. This is a new experience for me and I would like to make the best of it,” an elated Abu told SportingLife.

    On his part Uzezi promised to make the Seasiders happy with his form both on and off pitch.

    Warri Wolves have also added Ifeanyi Ede, formerly of Enyimba, Tega Irihose, Gift Atulewa and Adama Coulibaly to their squad to ensure that the club finish the season higher than their present seventh position.

  • Warri Wolves’ coach Francis Temele dies

    Warri Wolves’ assistant coach Francis Temele is dead.

    SportingLife learnt yesterday that coach Temele died on Thursday after a brief illness. He is survived by a wife and two children.

    Temele until his death was member of the Warri Wolves technical crew. He was the head coach of the club’s junior team, a position he was appointed to this season.

    Fransis Temele was from a great Delta football family. His older brother Clement Temele played for the Green Eagles. Other members of the family include Frank Temele, who plays in Ukraine, and Omonigo Temele, a member of the national Under 17 team to Trinidad and Tobago in 2001.

  • Warri Wolves sign Ede, six others

    Warri Wolves sign Ede, six others

    • Drop three

    Warri Wolves  have  confirmed  the signing of CHAN Eagles’ star Ifeanyi Ede and six others ahead of the Glo Premier League second stanza which kicks off on July 27.

    The Seasiders also announced the sack of three players to make way for the newly acquired ones.

    A top official of Warri Wolves, who disclosed this to SportingLife, said everything had been put in place to ensure that the club  bounce back in style in the second stanza.

    Warri Wolves will open their second stanza league adventure at home to Kaduna United on Sunday.

  • Wolves wary of Prime FC

    Wolves wary of Prime FC

    • Yarhere gets first child

    Warri Wolves have stated that they are aware of the intimidating credentials of their Federation Cup Round of 32 opponents, Prime FC of Osogbo and that they are not going to take them lightly when they face them on Friday in Lokoja.

    The Seasiders‘ Media Officer, Moses Etu explained to SportingLife that the players and coaches have intensified the build up to the tie and that they are practising on all fronts including the act of penalty kick taking if the game stretches into a penalty shootout.

    “We know  Prime is not new in the Federation Cup and that their giant killing status dates back to years back.

    “We are preparing well for them and we won’t take them with kids glove at all. We are engaging in all forms of practising including penalty kicks to ensure that we are not caught off-guard at all,” Etu told SportingLife in a brief chat.

    Meanwhile, Warri Wolves striker, Efe Yarhere scored his first goal off the pitch after his wife gave birth to a baby boy recently and Yarhere’s joy knew no bounds when he brought drinks and other refreshments to the club’s training session on Monday.

    He had a brief spell with Enugu Rangers before he was recalled by the management of Warri Wolves after the failure of the Flying Antelopes to properly clear him. This is his first child since he got married to his heartthrob recently.