Nigerian Football

Nasarawa Goalkeeper Set to Extend Clean Sheets in Rivers United Clash

Published

7 years ago

May 19, 2017

BY ADAMS JESSE

When action resumes in the Nigerian Premier League this weekend, Nasarawa United’s goalkeeper, Suraj Ayeleso, will be attempting to extend his clean sheets to nine.

In the first phase of the league, he had eight clean sheets, a performance that projects him as the most consistent in the league.

If he manages not to concede a goal, he would have extended his clean sheets to nine. Can he do that?

He told www.nasarawasportgist.wordpress.com that he is set again to prevent picking of the ball from his net.

“We all know that Rivers United are a very compact team with great team but have recently found it hard to score goals this season.

“Though they still remain the most active club side in Nigeria fighting for trophies on three fronts, with our current squad, I am very positive we will get the job done. I can assure you that it is not going to be an easy task though” Ayeleso remarked.

Even though the host team is having a continental campaign, it has been having a poor run in the domestic scene. Nasarawa United are therefore hoping to compound the domestic woes.

Rivers United have not been in the best of forms lately. Last Sunday’s 3-1 loss away to Club Africain in the Confederation Cup was the third straight loss by the struggling side.

But having acquired some of the best legs in the league, Rivers United will be looking forward to a decent second round starting with the game against Nasarawa United.

Their captain, Festus Austin told www.nasarawasportgist.wordpress.com after their week 19 encounter with Nasarawa United in Lafia, that his side’s poor domestic form was due to fatigue and that the club will peak in the second phase of the league.

Nasarawa United will head into this tie full of confidence having defeated Rivers United 1-0 in Lafia with Adamu Hassan’s solitary strike proving enough to hand the three points to the solid miners. That put Nasarawa in the ninth position in a log of 20 teams.

No injury worries for Nasarawa United with only Thomas Zenke missing out due to illness but former Rangers’ front man; Ocheme Edoh will be primed to make his official debut for the solid miners against the pride of Rivers.

Also Ifeanyi Nweke and Esosa Igbinoba will be coming up against a team they both defended its colours last season.

Rivers United currently occupies the 13th position on the NPFL log having accumulated a total of 24 points from 19 games while Nasarawa United occupies the ninth position with 27 points from same number of games.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

9 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.