The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wolves

  • Wolves to unleash three ex-Rangers on Flying Antelopes

    Warri Wolves will feature the trio of Lazarus Chukwu, Michael Egbeta and Efe Yarhere against their former club Enugu Rangers on Sunday in a day 23 Globacom Premier League tie.

    Yarhere played for the Flying Antelopes for about two seasons before he was recalled before the start of the second stanza because of Rangers’ inability to pay his clearance fees. Chukwu and Egbeta were with the Coal City side at the beginning of the season before they returned to Warri after Rangers’ lack of cash to complete the move.

    Speaking ahead of the tie billed for the Warri City Stadium on Sunday, Warri Wolves’ Media Officer, Moses Etu, told SportingLife that the three players have been licensed by team’s head coach, Solomon Ogbeide, to play against Rangers and seek revenge for the way they were used while at Enugu.

    Etu disclosed that he was aware of the three-match ultimatum given to the Rangers’ technical crew but that Rangers would not escape defeat on Sunday.

    “We have settled in well and have put our win over Kano Pillars behind us. We have set our sights on Rangers that we are playing next on Sunday.

    “I want to tell you that we are going to unleash three of our players that know them inside out against them. Lazarus Chukwu and Michael Egbeta absconded with Sunday Mba at the beginning of the season before they retraced their steps and returned to the club.

    “We have since taken them back. Efe Yarhere played for Rangers for about two seasons and we had to recall him when they refused to clear him properly.

    “These three players have scores to settle with Rangers and the coaches will give them space and the opportunity to vent their anger on Rangers.

    “We know Rangers have some difficulties of their own but they are unfortunate to have met us at this time when we are in top form. They can’t escape defeat,” Etu boasted.

    Warri Wolves are fourth on the log with 34 points while Rangers are seventh with 33 points. Both teams have played 21 and 22 games in that order.

  • Only Wolves can negotiate on my behalf— Mba

    Only Wolves can negotiate on my behalf— Mba

    SUPER Eagles ace Sunday Mba says it is only Warri Wolves that can enter contract talks with any club, whether local or foreign, seeking to sign him.

    The Nigeria international, who is on a one-year loan to Rangers of Enugu, told NationSport he was relieved that the transfer dispute surrounding his movement from Wolves to the Naze Millionaires was finally over.

    He said that while the drawn-out claims of both Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) teams over who owned his contract rights lasted, his football career was in the balance. But everything was later settled, he said.

    “The most difficult time of my playing career was after the 2013 Africa Nations Cup when I had so many clubs all over Europe coming for me, but I couldn’t make any move because of the transfer saga hanging on me.

    “Nobody wanted to have any dealings with me. These clubs were scared of doing business with a player that had a transfer problem.

    “But I am happy now because I have just settled my transfer issue with Warri Wolves.

    “Warri Wolves have now allowed me to play for Rangers International on (a year’s) loan deal.

    “It is not that I am going back to Warri Wolves after the loan, no. I have already signed for Rangers.

    “The loan does not attract any fee and would expire at the end of the Globacom Nigeria Professional Football League season.

  • WOLVES TO DELTA POLITICIANS Come watch us play

    WOLVES TO DELTA POLITICIANS Come watch us play

    AN appeal has gone to members of the Delta State House of Assembly and functionaries in the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan-led cabinet to watch the new-look Warri Wolves in one of their home matches.

    Wolves began this league season with mixed results and were bottom of the table for some weeks despite only losing a match in the first nine games of the season, but results appreciated during the latter part of the first stanza and the Seasiders are now second on the log with 34 points from 20 games with a tie at hand.

    Media Officer Moses Etu told SportingLife from Ilorin where the club has a must-win 2013 Federation Cup Round of 32 encounter against Spotlight of Katsina, that Warri Wolves have been playing their home games at the Warri City Stadium without the presence of most of the state’s dignitaries.

    He appealed to the law makers and other cabinet members including commissioners to attend their matches and see the renewed zeal within Warri Wolves’ players in their quest to bring national and international accolades to the state.

    “I am appealing to our honourable members in the House of Assembly and other important state dignitaries to grace our home matches. They should come and watch the best of Warri Wolves. The new-look Warri Wolves are are ready to do the state proud. Let them come and watch us,” Etu said.

    Wolves arrived at Ilorin for their Federation Cup tie with Spotlight on Monday afternoon and immediately went to the Kwara State International Stadium for a training session. They trained again yesterday evening ahead of today’s encounter.

    The Delta State-owned club are seeking an end to bad results in the Federation Cup, a competition where they are yet to reach the quarter final in the club’s history.

    They were eliminated without kicking a ball last season after they chose not to travel to Bauchi for security reasons, leaving Enyimba and Sharks to progress from the centre.

     

  • Mba set to leave Warri Wolves

    Mba set to leave Warri Wolves

    Sunday Mba’s agent claims the Nigeria international is set to end his contract at Warri Wolves in a bid to secure a move to Europe in 2014.

    The Super Eagles playmaker has been strongly tipped with a move abroad following some stand-out performances for both club and country, including his starring role in Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning campaign.

    The midfielder’s representative, Friday Nwankwo Kujah, has since revealed that a number of Turkish top-flight clubs are interested in the 24-year-old’s services, but that they will have to wait until January when the player becomes a free agent.

    “There are a number of offers for Sunday Mba at the moment. Clubs from Turkey are interested in him but nothing is done yet. He is considering leaving in January when he will be a free agent so as to avoid any form of issues over his transfer,” Kujah told SuperSport.

  • Wolves vow to crush Spotlight

    Wolves vow to crush Spotlight

    The Technical Adviser of Warri Wolves Football Club, Solomon Ogbeide, has vowed to feature his first eleven against Spotlight Football Club of Katsina in a Federation Cup round of 32 match in Ilorin on Wednesday.

    Ogbeide told SportingLife after a Wolves training session at the Warri City Stadium during the week, that the team began closed camping yesterday with 24 players and would leave for Ilorin on Monday.

    He said: “This match is very important to us and we cannot afford to underrate any team, especially Spotlight.

    “We are very familiar with them because Warri Wolves edged them out via penalty shootout last season after they equalised in the last minute of the game. They are in the Pro-league and are doing well.

    “Our aim is to play in the final and all hands must be on deck for this match.

    “The team will move into closed camping on Friday (yesterday) and from there to Ilorin on Monday.

    “I am going to feature my best eleven because the teams in the lower league are fond of springing surprises.”

    Ogbeide also thanked Coach Stephen Keshi for inviting three Wolves players to the home-based Super Eagles. Osadiaye Joseph, Azubuike Egweke and Oghenekaro Eteto have been called up to the national team.

  • Ekoh: Wolves have no case

    Ekoh: Wolves have no case

    Akwa United media officier Uwen Ekoh has said Warri Wolves should accept the judgment of the O&D (Organising and Disciplinary Committee) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rather than appealing its decision.

    The O&D cleared Akwa United to return to Uyo from Oba for its home league matches and the completion of the week 16 tie against Warri Wolves which the centre referee failed to continue in the second half. He alleged physical assault by the home fans at the Uyo township stadium.

    Revealing this in an interview with SportingLife from Uyo, Ekoh stated that the appeal launched by Warri Wolves to rescind the judgment was a waste of time and could undermind the integrity of members of the O&D.

    “I know they have money to splash around. One would ask, are they appealing for three points and three goals?

    “Are they appealing not to play the remaining 45mins which is a FIFA rule or that the centre referee and match commissioner who abandoned the match should not be punished? Let them (Warri Wolves) judge their conscience as they are appealing.”

    He further alleged that Wolves master-minded what happened at the Uyo Township Stadium.

    ” I know the appeal committee is composed of men of proven integrity, they will not want to dent their image. I am sure justice will continue to prevail.”

    Meanwhile, Akwa have signed four players to beef up their team. The players are Moses Amadi (defender) from Nembe City, Muhammad Abdullahi (midfielder) from Sunshine Stars, Maigamu Moses (attacker) from Kaduna Utd and goalkeeper, Olabisi Adewumi from El-kanemi Warriors.

  • Wolves pay N500k to appeal O&D ruling on Akwa Utd

    Wolves pay N500k to appeal O&D ruling on Akwa Utd

    The Management of Warri Wolves has expressed dismay at the decision of Organising and Disciplinary Committee (O&D) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which ordered a replay of the 45 minutes left in the botched match with Akwa United and has decided to file an appeal.

    Briefing journalists in Warri, Wolves’ Media Officer Moses Etu said the club was not really surprised at the decision in view of the relationship of a member of the NFF, Effiong Johnson, with members of the Committee.

    Etu said all the clubs were given a copy of the rules governing the League and those who have erred in the past have been punished. He wondered how the O&D came by it’s decision in this case.

    “We are aware of that decision but it did not come to us as a surprise because if you look at all those in that committee, you will understand.

    “However, we have paid the Five Hundred Thousand Naira for the appeal because we believe that the right thing should be done. Football should not be run by sentiments but by the rules.

    “The League Management Committee saddled with the responsibility of running the League gave all the clubs a copy of the rules and as a responsible club; we believe that all should abide by it.

    “You cannot use the rules for some and exempt some. It will not augur well for the round-leather-game and we stand to condemn that decision. It is our view that it cannot stand the test of time,” Etu said.

    Etu also informed all stakeholders that Warri Wolves had passed a vote of no confidence on Effiong Johnson and he would thus no longer be recognised as representing the club on the NFF board.

    ‘We have examined the actions of Mr. Effiong Johnson critically especially on this matter and we have passed a vote of no confidence on him.

    “He ceases to represent Warri Wolves on the Board of the NFF. He is supposed to be representing the interest of all clubs in the South- South but you can see that he has deviated from that and we will no longer recognise him.

    “Anybody who transacts business with him in the name of Warri Wolves is doing so at his own risk as he is no longer our representative,” Etu declared.

  • Azubuike cries over Warri Wolves mate’s death

    Azubuike cries over Warri Wolves mate’s death

    Eagles continue build up for Namibia match 

    Gangling Super Eagles central defender and captain of Warri Wolves FC, Emmanuel Azubuike was all tears when he got news of the demise of his friend and teammate in Warri wolves , Solomon Oboh this morning.

    Solomon was reported to have died in a car accident. Azubuike said Late Solomon was like a brother whom he will sorely miss, because they do almost everything together. He further described Solomon as a funny chap, easy going and fun to be with.

    Chigozie Agbim, former Warri Wolves player, also expressed shock over the sudden death of his one time teammate and prayed for the repose of his soul.

    Also officials and players of the Super Eagles have condoled Azubike and enjoined him to take it as an act of God.

    Meanwhile the Super Eagles continue its build up for the crunch game against Namibia on the 12th of June with a training session tonight 8 pm at the Independent Stadium.

    The Nigeria Ambassador in Namibia has been full of support for the Eagles and was at the training session yesterday night.

    Chairman House Committee on Sports, Hon. Geofrey Gaya was expected at the training yesterday night.

  • WARRI WOLVES TO RANGERS Pay N15m get Mba for keeps

    WARRI WOLVES TO RANGERS Pay N15m get Mba for keeps

    •Oil-City dwellers give Antelopes 14 days grace

    THE SUM of N15m is expected from Enugu Rangers within 14 days by Warri Wolves if they are to have AFCON hero Sunday Mba for keeps.

    Moses Etu, media officer to Wolves, made the latest demand clear in a statement made available to futaa.com as he assured that the South-south team will be more thorough in their transactions having learnt from previous mistakes.

    “On Sunday Mba, the Management of Warri Wolves has also maintained that it will not hold any player from achieving the best in his career and that of Sunday Mba cannot be an exemption.

    “As a result of that, having listened to their plea and that of many Nigerians, we have come to the conclusion that in order to help him in his career and in the overall interest of this great country, Rangers will in the next two weeks pay the sum of N15m to the purse of Warri Wolves and in addition, Warri Wolves will be entitled to 60% of the total sales of Sunday Mba to any club albeit to tell you that such negotiation must involve our consultants and must be under the watchful eyes of the Nigeria Football Federation.

    “In view of our past experience in the last few months, we have asked our lawyers to prepare the necessary papers and both parties will endorse them with representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation in attendance,,” the statement from Wolves read.

    Enugu Rangers are yet to respond to the latest demands put before them even though there are unconfirmed reports that the Flying Antelopes are planning to field Mba for today’s CAF Champions League game.

  • WARRI WOLVES READY TO BREAK WIN-LESS JINX

    WARRI WOLVES READY TO BREAK WIN-LESS JINX

    •Return to Oil-City

    THE home fixture against newly promoted Nembe City will see Warri Wolves end their five-match win-less run, versatile Wolves midfielder, Joseph Osadiaye has predicted.

    Speaking on the heels of the goodwill of the Chairman of the Club who only recently approved the payment of outstanding bonuses and 25% of sign-on fess, Osadiaye who is known for his electrifying dribbling promised to break the jinx in their next match against Nembe City coming up next Thursday.

    “People will begin to see the real talent in us as from next week because the management has done their own,” he enthused.

    “I believe in myself and I know the goals will come.

    “We will break the jinx next week against Nembe City. We are not going to underrate them because they can cause upset.”

    Wolves have played 5 matches this term losing once and drawn four times; the roster of draws includes those secured in Aba and Enugu against Enyimba and Rangers.

    The Nembe clash will take place inside the Warri City Stadium with Wolves returning to their traditional home ground having played their last home match against Nassarawa United at the Oleh Township Stadium.

    The Oil-City dwellers will return to the Warri International Stadium following the conclusion of the 1st Africa Youth Athletics Championships, according to the officials of team.

    The inaugural athletics championships that saw over 30 countries converge in Warri last week forced Wolves to play their Week 5 game against Nasarawa United at the Oleh Township Stadium.

    With no victory so far in the season, Wolves will hope they can get their campaign running when they host Nenbe inside the Warri stadium that breath good luck on Nigeria and saw the country emerge tops at the Athletics Championships.