Nigerian Football

National Stadium Lagos: Ambode Promises Legacy For Next Generation

Published

8 years ago

March 1, 2017

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has promised to bequeath a legacy for the next generation.

He made the promise when he visited the National Stadium Surulere in company of the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung on Wednesday.

According to a press statement issued by the special adviser to the sports minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the governor said that his government will create an all inclusive infrastructure that will not only provide facilities for sports men and women to train but will also allow families to bond.

“We promised during our campaign to use tourism, entertainment, arts and sports to drive youth employment and excellence. This is just one chapter in that road map to growing the GDP of Lagos. We cannot fold our arms and leave this monument to waste away. The last match that was played here was almost fifteen years ago. The truth is that the inner key to youth empowerment and youth employment is in re-establishing this edifice to its real world class standard, and then you earn layers of employment for our younger ones and even create family bonding”

Earlier, the minister thanked Governor Ambode and the people of Lagos State for stepping in to restore national pride to the stadium.

Barrister Dalung noted that the country’s sports history remains inconclusive if nothing is done to address the level of deterioration at the National Stadium.

“This edifice is a monument of national pride. Our visit is very important because it has provided us with the information on how we got to where we are today and what steps can be taken to forestall this in future. We have gone round and seen that this edifice is in a sorry state. The level of dilapidation is embarrassing. It can never be equated with our civilization as a people.”

Barrister Dalung urged the governor to establish a state infrastructural development agency when negotiations on the stadium are concluded, to help in the sustenance and development of the structure. He also promised continued partnership with Lagos state in other sports and youth empowerment related projects.

The Governor and the Minister visited the two training pitches, the indoor halls, the main bowl, switch room, the dilapidated boardroom as well as the players’ changing rooms.

Talks on a possible handover of the National Stadium to Lagos state will continue after a technical team carries out an evaluation of the level of decadence at the stadium.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

3 days ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.

Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.

“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.

According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.

Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.

Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.

He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.

To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

6 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.

The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.

Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.

Nigerian Football

Three away wins mark the opening phase of Nigeria’s Season 2024/25

Published

6 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigerian Premier Football League burst into life this Sunday with eight matches on the card and contrasting results. Three of the eight matches resulted in away wins signalling level playing field of the league.

It is a sharp departure from the past seasons when it is almost predictable that home teams would win. Remo Stars, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes have away wins and with scoring multiple goals.

Remo Stars won against Abia Warriors by 2-0. Enyimba came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Heartland while Niger Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1 away from home.