Nigerian Football

Tornadoes To End El Kanemi Home Run

Published

8 years ago

March 10, 2017

BY WALE MUSTAPHA.

If the strategies being tinkered by Niger Tornadoes’ coach, Abubakar Bala works, an end may come to the streak of home wins by El Kanemi on Sunday when both sides clash in the Nigerian league.
El Kanemi has remained unbeaten at the Maiduguri Township Stadium which has remained a fortress for the club.
The anticipated grudge match is expected to see El Kanemi extend their home wins in the apex league to a round figure of 20 games with a victory over their visitors.
Tornadoes on the other side are also aiming to continue their resurgence in the NPFL with a good result, a feat no club has achieved in the last 19 trials.
However, Bala would be banking on his side’s current form couple with a special match strategy to nick out a memorable result against the Maiduguri Warriors, citing Tornadoes’ previous performance on the road which has seen the club garnered four points (a draw against Rangers in Enugu and a win against Remo Stars) in total.
“I’m happy with what the boys are doing, we are taking all games as they come with absolute seriousness and determination, that reflected in our last game (a 2-0 home win over Nasarawa United) and I believe we can still improve as there are rooms to do better in next games,” said Bala.
“We are going to approach our next game with a special pattern, it’s even good a lot of pundits will not give us a chance that we can get anything from Maiduguri, but it’s a plus for us as all pressure will now be on El Kanemi on Sunday.
“I’m sure we will surprise everyone at the end of the day, this was how we went to Enugu against Rangers and nobody could see us getting anything there, same thing with Remo Stars, we hope for a better and friendly atmosphere with a prayer for luck, I’m sure you will all be shocked with the outcome of the result on Sunday,” he said.
El Kanemi Warriors are occupying second spot on the 12 Weeks old NPFL with 21 points while Tornadoes sits sixth with 18points from the same number of games played.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

11 hours 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

3 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

3 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.