The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wolves

  • Enyimba,Wolves battle for supremacy

    Enyimba,Wolves battle for supremacy

    It will be winners take all in today’s Federation Cup final between Enyimba and Warri Wolves after both teams cancelled themselves out in the league this season.

    This season, both cup finalists have drawn in the league and so this cup final will determine who is the better team.

    Enyimba have won the cup competition twice, while Wolves are yet to clinch it.

    Enyimba striker Fidelis Saviour told MTNFootball.com that he is gunning for his second Federations Cup title against Warri Wolves after helping Kaduna United beat Enyimba 3-2 in 2010 edition.

    “This is my second time of playing in the final of the Federation Cup. I want to win it again. We have met Wolves twice this season and both matches ended in draws and so this will be the decider for both teams this season. We have a strong team to beat them,” Saviour declared.

    Last season’s league hotshot Sibi Gwar said he hopes to get his first cup winners’ medal with Enyimba today.

    “This is the first time I will be playing at this level of the competition, so I want to win it. It is not going to be an easy game, so I expect a good challenge from Warri Wolves,” said the former Niger Tornadoes star.

    “I pity them, they are meeting us at a wrong time because we are in form of our life now, with God on our side, we will triumph.”

    However, Warri Wolves captain Azubuike Egwuekwe told MTNFootball.com that they have score to settle with Enyimba in the Federation Cup final.

    “It is not going to be an easy game we all know after how we all worked hard to get here. It will be an interesting match but we have scores to settle. We could not beat them in both league games this season. We are therefore looking forward to win the Federation Cup and that way settle the scores,” Egwuekwe stated.

    Wolves goalkeeper John Dosu added: “Everybody is expecting an interesting and tough game, but we will come out victorious because we have prepared well for the game.”

    Meanwhile, organisers have announced the prize monies for the winners and the top stars of the cup competition.

    The winners of the 2013 Federation Cup will earn 2 million Naira, while the runners-up pocket 1 million Naira.

    The Most Valuable Player will be rewarded with the sum of N150,000, while the overall top scorer of the tournament will go home with N100,000.

    In the women’s category, winners will pocket the sum of 1 million Naira, while runners-up go home with N500,000. The Most Valuable Player in the women’s competition will get N150,000 and top scorer N100,000.

    Heartland won the 2012 Federation Cup with Brendan Ogbu adjudged the Most Valuable Player, while Isah Akor won the top scorers’ award.

  • Fed Cup: Wolves to storm Lagos with 20 buses

    Fed Cup: Wolves to storm Lagos with 20 buses

    The Management of Warri Wolves has directed all those wishing to storm Lagos from Warri and its environs to support the team against two time CAF Champions, Enyimba Football Club in the final of the Federations Cup to report at Warri Township Stadium by 6am on Sunday, 15th September where 20 luxurious buses have been positioned to ferry them to Teslim Balogun Stadium and back.

    According to the Media Officer of the Club, Etu Moses, Management has also decided to extend the gesture to the Delta Chapter of the Sports Writers Association by given them one hiace bus while the State Coaches Association will also benefit from the gesture.

    Etu also disclosed that all those going will however acquire the Club jersey at a subsided rate and ticket for the match will only be giving to those who put on the jersey at the entrance of the Stadium.

    Speaking on the arrangement for the match, the Media Officer thanked the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Mr Pinnick Amaju who is fully in support of the board in their quest to have enough support in Lagos.

    “I just want to commend the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Mr Pinnick Amaju who has made available 20 luxurious buses for fans.

    “He also gave the Sports Writers and the State Coaches Association one bus each.He has virtually approved all what the board tabled before him and we need to commend him for this gesture.

    “We hope to take over the arena and make the place uncomfortable for Enyimba who are clear favourites as far as this competition is concerned. We want to make this the best FA match to be watched by Nigerians and we are going to add glamour to it. Remember what we did at the Sports Festival. We can do more, Etu said.

     

  • Wolves chasing cup history — Egwuekwe

    Wolves chasing cup history — Egwuekwe

    Skipper Azubuike Egwuekwe has said Warri Wolves hope to make history on Sunday by winning a first-ever Federation Cup at the expense of Enyimba.

    This year’s cup final pits Wolves against two-time winners Enyimba at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    Super Eagles defender, Egwuekwe said Wolves have been training hard for the game and have the quality to go all the way against the more fancied Enyimba.

    “We have not won the trophy before, we want to write our names in gold. We have come this far and can’t allow the trophy slip away from us,” Egwuekwe told MTNFootball.com

    “It is going to be a tough and interesting game, we are battle ready for Enyimba. It is definitely not going to be easy, but we are not scared of them. We want to win the cup and we are set for the clash.”

    Warri will parade Egwuekwe and Oghenekaro Etebor, who has burst on to the scene with his goals in the league, while Enyimba will rely on the goals of Ifeanyi Edeh and Bishop Onyeudo to wreck Wolves.

    Wolves defeated Akwa United 2-1, while Enyimba pipped Lobi Stars 1-0 in the semi finals to book their places in the cup final.

  • Mba snubbed ‘slave deal’ – Wolves

    Mba snubbed ‘slave deal’ – Wolves

    Nigeria international Sunday Mba did not sign with French second division side CA Bastia because they offered him a “slave deal”.

    Top Warri Wolves officials told MTNFootball.com that they were forced to pull the plug on Mba’s move to Europe at the last minute after they went through a contract that they claimed was not favourable to the player.

    But those behind the Bastia deal have also countered quickly, saying Wolves officials were all about the cash they will make and not the player’s career.

    “This deal was not favourable to Mba because among other things it stipulated that should he be injured for four months, the deal will be terminated,” said top Wolves chief Amaju Pinnick, who made available to MTNFootball.com a translated copy of the contract proposed by Bastia.

    “The contract also put the player’s yearly salary at 100,000 Euros, which is not up to what he earns at Warri Wolves. Added to all these was the clause that should the club be relegated, the contract will also be terminated. Is Mba a magician? So, if he is playing alongside 10 bad players and the team go down, he should take the responsibility?”

    Wolves were also not comfortable that the 250,000 Euros transfer fee agreed for the player will be paid in several tranches right up to 2015.

    However, one of those behind the attempt to get the player signed by CA Bastia told MTNFootball.com Wolves officials blocked the player from getting “the best deal ever”.

    “Cash was the problem. They wanted all the cash and this was not possible especially with the financial regulations now in place in Europe,” argued the London-based agent.

    “This was to have been a stepping stone for Mba, because they needed a player in his role and by January we are very sure he would have moved to a bigger club. Wolves also got a generous 80per cent sell-on clause for the player and while other clubs demanded he come for trials, this club did not.”

     

  • Fed Cup: We are ready for Wolves, says Udoji

    Fed Cup: We are ready for Wolves, says Udoji

    Enyimba captain Chinedu Udoji has declared that the team will be ready for their opponents Warri Wolves in the September 15 final of the Federation Cup.

    The Aba Elephants defeated Lobi Stars 1-0 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin through a 67th minute goal scored by Ifeanyi Edeh.

    After the game, Udoji noted that they have been trained to face any team that will come their way on September 15 at the final that will be played at the Teslim Balogun.

    “It was a good game. We did our best. Lobi Stars was a tough side and they played well. But I want to say we will be ready for any team in the final of the competition,” Udoji told Goal.

    “I don’t want to know which team we will be playing. All I want is for my colleagues to get ready because it will not also be an easy game like the one against Lobi Stars.

    “The final deserves utmost concentration. We have come this far because we are dedicated and that is what we want in the final.”

    The midfielder also stated that he is keen to help the Aba Millionaires end their bareen trophy run this season.

    “For a long time, Enyimba have not won any major trophy and this is the time to make our supporters happy once again. They have waited for a long time and this is an opportunity for them to be happy again.

    “All our supporters should come out and cheer on the final day at the Teslim Balogun Stadium,” Udoji said.

    Warri Wolves defeated Akwa United 2-1 to book a place in the final of the competition on Thursday after the game was delayed by bad weather.

  • NFF congratulates Enyimba, Wolves

    • Amazons, Angels too

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has congratulated all four teams that have qualified for the grand finale of the 2013 Men and Women Federation Cup competitions, which holds at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Sunday, 15th September.

    Two-time CAF Champions League winners, Enyimba FC of Aba pipped hard-fighting Lobi Stars 1-0 in an exciting semi final duel at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Wednesday, while Warri Wolves FC edged Akwa United FC in the other semi final played over two days at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

    Heavy downpour led to stoppage of the Wolves/Akwa United match in Bauchi 15 minutes to the end, with both sides locked at 1-1 in a match watched by visiting FIFA Senior Development Manager (Africa), Mr. Francesco Bruscoli and FIFA Development Officer (West Africa), Mr. Sampon Kablan.

    The last quarter-hour was played out on Thursday with Wolves grabbing a goal to qualify for the showpiece grand finale in Lagos.

    In the women’s event, Nasarawa Amazons pipped Bayelsa Queens 1-0 in Ado Ekiti, at the same time that Rivers Angels were turning back Pelican Stars 2-0 in Abuja.

    “The NFF duly congratulates all the four teams and let me say clearly here that we are looking forward to a very colourful grand finale. All four teams are quality sides and will bring so much panache to that big day in Lagos,” said Emeka Inyama, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee.

    Super Eagles’ Team B marksmen Ifeanyi Edeh and Etebo Oghenekaro did the job for both Enyimba and Wolves, Edeh netting the only goal in Benin while Oghenekaro swept in the lone goal that sent packing ambitious an Akwa United in Bauchi.

    Inyama added: “The Federation Cup has certainly gained much more glamour with the women’s event being played alongside the men’s competition. The NFF and Lagos State anticipate great games in the finale in Lagos.”

  • Fed Cup: Wolves seal final ticket

    Fed Cup: Wolves seal final ticket

    • Beat Akwa United 2-1

    • Vow to be ready for Enyimba

    Warri Wolves have booked a ticket to the final of the Federation Cup and will now face Enyimba on September 15 in Lagos after the club defeated Akwa United 2-1 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, yesterday.

    The game was called off on Wednesday after heavy rainfall rendered the pitch water-logged with about 12 minutes to the end of the encounter.

    The remaining 12 minutes were played on Thursday and the Seasiders were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute after Oghenekaro Etebo was brought down in the vital area by an overzealous Akwa United defender.

    Gift Atulewa stepped out and planted the ball beyond the reach of the Akwa United goalkeeper and Warri Wolves held on for the famous win.

    An elated Wolves’ media officer, Moses Etu said the club would be targeting the Federation Cup title in Lagos and that Enyimba would have no hiding place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on September 15.

    He praised the never-say-die attitude of the players and technical crew which fetched the latest win.

    “Warri Wolves are through to the final of the Federation Cup. It was a difficult match but we thank God we were able to beat them. We only played the remaining 12 minutes and we got the goal from the penalty spot in the 6th minute of the 12 minutes played when Etebo was viciously brought down in the 18-yard-box.

    “Atulewa scored the resultant penalty kick. We are set for Enyimba and we shall show them the stuff we are made of in Lagos. We are going to Lagos with high expectations,” Etu said.

    This is Wolves’ m 0, 2011 to Kaduna United and Heartland respectively.

    Enyimba on Wednesday got the other ticket after a 1-0 win over Lobi Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City through Ifeanyi Ede’s goal in the 58th minute.

  • EL-Kanemi’s defeat pushed us against Wolves —Nembe

    EL-Kanemi’s defeat pushed us against Wolves —Nembe

    • Thrill with Maiduguri fans

    Nembe City media officer, Anthony Obaseki says his side’s 1-0 victory over Warri Wolves in a week 26 Globacom Premier League was as a result of the bashing received in the hand of El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.

    Tunde Adeboye’s 40th minute goal was all Nembe City needed to get three points in the game against Warri Wolves.

    Obaseki told SportingLife that the team was not happy with the 3-0 defeat to El-Kanemi in a week 25 match, resolving their determination to go for total victory against Wolves.

    “We are happy for our win over Warri Wolves. All the pains we went through from our trip to Maiduguri are over with the victory over Warri Wolves.

    “We did not bargain for that total bashing against El-Kanemi but the victory is now a source of relief for us now. We took the pain of our loss against El-Kanemi to play Warri Wolves. Wolves are a good side but we thank God we got our three points in the match and our focus now is our next away game with Kaduna United in Kaduna,” Obaseki said.

    The club’s spokesman also expressed joy over the large turn-out of supporters at the Maiduguri stadium.

    “We thank the Maiduguri State Football Association and the management of El-Kanemi for their support to us during our visit to Maiduguri. The club chairman Zannah Mohammed Mala made our stay a pleasant one.

    “El-Kanemi Stadium in Maiduguri is back to full action. The fans in Maiduguri love football, infact, you will not believe the large turnout at the stadium.

    “The stadium was full to capacity to show that peace has returned to the city of Maiduguri. The fans are friendly; they love good football but their support is for El-Kanemi. Any team going to Maiduguri is safe before, during and after the match.”

     

  • Tenger vows to muzzle Wolves

    Tenger vows to muzzle Wolves

    Akwa United head coach Justin Tenger has vowed to clinch the three points in the rescheduled Glo Premier League Matchday 16 encounter against Warri Wolves.

    The replay game ordered by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee will hold at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

    Though unhappy with the replay order, Tenger said his wards will head to Owerri to reclaim the three points denied them at the Uyo Township Stadium where they were comfortably two goals up before the game came to a sudden end.

    “The replay order is very annoying and a double standard by the NFF and I ask from here, is it because Warri Wolves are involved?

    “We had an uncompleted game against Dolphins in Port Harcourt and were asked to go back there and complete the remaining 45 minutes where we reduced the goal tally by one. The encounter ended 2-1 in Dolphins’ favour.

    “Similar incidents happened at Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, Enugu Rangers, among others and none was ordered out of their ground, and here we’re being asked to go to Owerri.

    “We’ll obey the replay order, we’re not worried where the game or similar games take place because I know for certain that my wards will defeat Warri Wolves any day, any where and any time.

    “We’ll surely grab the three points denied us at Uyo as well as use the encounter as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Federation Cup semi-final clash against the same side in Bauchi,” said the former Niger Tornadoes coach to supersport.com.

    Akwa United are in 19th position on the 20-team elite league log on 27 points though with less number of matches while Warri Wolves are second on the log on 37 points, two points behind leaders, Kano Pillars.

  • TRANSFER DRAMA Rangers can’t use Agbim, Wolves insist

    TRANSFER DRAMA Rangers can’t use Agbim, Wolves insist

    The feud from transfer dealings between two Glo Premier League sides, Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves was yesterday reignited when Delta State Sports Commission Chairman, Amaju Pinnick, warned the Flying Antelopes not to field Super Eagles goalkeeper, Agbim until he is cleared by the Warri team.

    Three of the five players that were with Rangers at the beginning of the season from Warri Wolves have been recalled by the Delta State-owned team because of the Coal City sides’ inability to complete their transfer formalities.

    The three returnees, Lazarus Chukwu, Efe Yarhere and Michael Egbeta were all on the bench before the last two were later introduced in the second half when Warri Wolves hosted and beat Rangers 1-0 at the Warri City Stadium last Sunday.

    Out of the remaining two, controversy still surrounds the status of Eagles’ back up goalie, Agbim. Amaju however told SportingLife that the keeper belongs to Warri Wolves 100 per cent because of Rangers’ delay in properly clearing him from Wolves.

    He said Agbim would only be eligible to play for Rangers when the club wraps up the deal with Wolves.

    “We at Warri Wolves are very straight and honest people. I can tell you and I even want you to quote that Agbim is still a Warri Wolves player. He has not been cleared and he is ineligible to play for Rangers,” Amaju said.

    He also spoke on the fate of another Super Eagles player, Sunday Mba: “Mba is a Warri Wolves’ player 100 per cent due to the right exceeded (sic) to us through the LMC and the NFF.

    “But we decided out of courtesy and out of the fact that if Mba comes back to Warri Wolves, where can he fit in? He cannot even fit-in into the club and so we told him ‘Mba, you can now play for Rangers and play on loan until we want you to travel.’

    “The underlining factor between Warri Wolves, Rangers and all stakeholders regarding Sunday Mba is what they would gain when the boy travels.

    “Warri Wolves must be the major beneficiary because it was Warri Wolves that propelled him to greatness. Whatever Mba and Agbim are today is because of Warri Wolves, because those boys were harassed and chased out of Rangers some years ago.”