Nigerian Football
Esosa’s Strike Sinks Rangers
By Sammy Wejinya
It was a clash of two continental glory seeking sides, but it was Esosa Igbinoba’s early strike proved to be the winner in Sunday’s eagerly anticipated Nigeria league clash between big guns, Rivers United and Enugu Rangers in Port Harcourt.
United won 1-0 to edge closer towards the top half of the log. The midfielder, crept in unnoticed, following a quickly-taken corner kick, to slot past the Rangers goal keeper, Itodo Akor as the hosts claimed a slim win at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.
It was the first attack launched by the hosts and they clung on to that lead until the end to record their first win in the NPFL since January 22.
The build up to the game had fans anticipating a slugfest but in the end, it turned out to be an underwhelming contest lacking in genuine quality for most parts.
Rangers’ first real crack at goal arrived just before half time when Bobby Clement struck his effort from the edge of the box well over the bar.
United were first to threaten upon resumption but Igbinoba missed a glorious chance to complete his brace as he fired a 25-yard free kick straight at Akor after Ovoke was fouled in the 51st minute.
Rangers threatened through a set piece of their own six minutes later with Rotimi needing to produce an impressive block to deny Osas Okoro from a tight angle.
The home side thought they had won a penalty on the hour as they looked to put the game to bed but Guy Kuemian was booked for simulation after the referee ruled that there was no contact before he went to ground in the Rangers box after taking two defenders to the cleaners.
Substitute, Obomate Frederick, making his season’s debut, had a chance to kill off the late charge by Rangers but struck a tame effort straight at Akor.
The Pride of Rivers were almost made to pay for the numerous missed opportunities to kill of the game as a contest when Fortune Omoniwari fired a goal bound free kick from 25 yards.
The effort was flying into the top corner but Rotimi read the danger unerringly and spectacularly pushed the ball over for a corner.
After the game, Enugu Rangers head coach, Imama Amapakabo spoke to the media and blamed a slow start and loss of concentration for his side’s loss to United in the tension-soaked contest.
“We struggled to retain possession in the opposing third (of our opponents) in the first half but corrected that in the second half.
“We got punished for (a lack of concentration) in the first minute of the game and got punished for it,” Amapakabo said in the post-match press conference.
On his part, technical manager of United, Stanley Eguma praised his side for the win.
“A football match is played for 90 minutes and it does not matter when the goal comes.
“What was important was scoring and keeping the (lead) until the end,” he said.
The win was enough to see United move up four places on the log to 12th with 14 points from 10 matches while Rangers slip to 16th with 12 points from 10 matches.
Match Statistics: Rivers United versus Enugu Rangers.
Rivers United : Sunday Rotimi, Markson Ojobo, Doumbia Zoumana, Weli Christian, Emeka Atuloma, Festus Austine, Ayobami Asekunuwo, Bernard Ovoke (Emeka Ogbugh 53′), Lukman Mohammed (Yusuf Jaiyeola 60′), Guy Kuemian and Esosa Igbinoba (Frederick Obomate 82′).
Substitutes not used: Femi Thomas, Gabriel Wassa, Joseph Douhadji and Bolaji Sakin.
Enugu Rangers: Itodo Akor, Osas Okoro, Chidiebere Okolie, Pape Ousmane, Camara Azeez, Obinna Nwobodo, Aguda Godwin, Daniel Etor (Chinedu Udeagha 55′), Chiamaka Madu (Tope Olusesi 70′), Bobby Clement (Fortune Omoniwari 77′) and Charles Henlong.
Substitutes not used: Nana Bonsu, Okey Odita, Christian Madu and Orji Kalu.
Yellow cards:
Rivers United: Emeka Atuloma (35′), Guy Kuemian (61′) and Markson Ojobo (88′).
Enugu Rangers: Obinna Nwobodo (19′), Charles Henlong (44′) and Godwin Aguda (78′).
Goal(s): Esosa Igbinoba (2′).
A total of 30 women coaches have concluded the first of a three-module CAF C-License program in the Federal Capital, Abuja and are expected to commence a two-week internship with different teams in a few days.
Peopled largely by former Nigerian internationals and other serving coaches, the group was taken through a full week of rigorous classroom and practical sessions by a team of coach educators and resource persons, in a baptism of what the next two modules are likely to entail,
NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, told thenff.com that the first module has shown that the women coaches are actually desirous of learning.
“I am very much impressed with their attitude, mannerisms and conduct through the first module. They impressed everyone, and the coach educators also told me they were impressed, and are looking forward to having them back for the second and concluding modules.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the NFF for the support and encouragement for coach-education programmes all the time.”
The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12th – 20th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23rd August – 4th September. The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9th – 19th September.
Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lanrence Ndaks.
Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and a FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has expressed shock at last month’s outburst by Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Osimhen against Finidi George.
“It is very unfortunate”, Amaju Pinnick remarked on an Arise Television programme. The former NFF president said he had put a call to Osimhen who was very remorseful while the telephone conversation lasted.
“I told him he has to apologise, and I am sure he will if he has not yet done so.” Amaju remarked that he could not comprehend what went wrong as Osimhen was the most cool-headed player in the national team.
He went on to remark that Finidi George was not a personality to be disregarded like that. He has won virtually every honour available during his playing days and was a member of the Super Eagles at their peak when Nigeria ranked fifth in the world.
“I believe players should learn to respect their coaches”, said the former NFF boss.
Nigeria’s FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has told the world that he has always been an advocate of foreign coaches for the Super Eagles. He spoke on Arise Television while fielding questions with Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Mairo-Ese.
His reason for being averse to indigenous coaches stemmed from lack of respect for them by the players.
“Yes, the Nigerian coaches have the requisite knowledge and the technical ability, but modern football is beyond that in managing players.
“Will the national team players respect the coach? The sad thing is that they don’t”, said Amaju Pinnick.
He however revealed that he supported the appointment of Finidi George owing to the circumstances that the NFF found itself after the exit of Jose Peseiro.
The NFF, he revealed, had no money to hire a foreign coach. The body therefore went for the most available option, Finidi to ensure a smooth transition.
“Finidi was part of the coaching crew of Peseiro and it was therefore logical to ask him to continue.
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