Nigerian Football

Kwara, Ogun Compete For Channels International Kids Cup Trophy

Published

7 years ago

May 26, 2017

Burahanudeen LGEA Primary School from Kwara and African Church Central Primary School from Ogun State will play in the finals of the first edition of the Channels International Kids Cup. The match holds on Saturday at the Campos Square Mini Stadium, Lagos Island
Both schools enjoyed a good run from the start of the tournament and will be hoping to make record by becoming the first team to win the maiden international edition.
The boys from Burahanudeen played in Group B alongside last year’s champion, Kaduna, Rivers and Ekiti. In their first game, they defeated St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary school from Ekiti 2-1.
In the second match, they swept aside World Book Model Primary School from Rivers State 2-0 and rounded off the group stage with a 1-1 result against Jaafaru School from Kaduna, who were also a strong force in the group.
In the quarter-finals, the boys from Kwara played a different brand of football that showed they meant business. Playing against the impressive boys from Community Primary School, Imo they showed good character and achieved a convincing 4-0 victory. Waiting for them in the semi-finals was Mowoe Primary School from Delta.
In the semi-finals, Burahanudeen continued where they stopped against Imo. Five minutes into the game, Isiaka Shamsudeen scored the opener for Kwara.
But Delta will not go down without a fight and moments later, Oke Ahere drew level with a beautiful header. First half ended 1-1. It was a thrilling encounter.
When the game resumed, it was a post to post affair. Ten minutes to stoppage time, the boys from Kwara had a clear chance but Issa Kayode could not convert. But they didn’t have to wait too long when Delta’s defender, Onyema Trinity carelessly handled the ball in the box and gifted Kwara a penalty. Issa Kayode stepped to it and scored to give Kwara a 2-1 victory and a ticket into the final.
For African Church Central Primary School, Ogun, it was a fairytale ride. In their opening group C match against Abeka Basic 4 Primary School from Ghana, they struggled to play a goalless draw. The other group opponent, Islamiya from Kogi beat Turaki Model School, 2-1 and topped the table.
In their second game, they bounced back to beat Kogi 1-0 and kept hopes alive. In the final group game, they played 1-1 with Sokoto and the five points they gathered was good enough to take them to the next round. Ghana and Sokoto also finished with five points.
In the quarter-finals, Ogun came from a goal down to stun Paragon Demonstration School, Edo 2-1. It was a major upset! In the semi-final match against X-Planter Primary School from Lagos, in ten minutes Oloyede Qudus scored a brace and left Lagos chasing the game. Nababa Abdulsalam pulled one back but it couldn’t stop African Church Central Primary School, Ogun from making it to the final.
The Channels Kids Cup is a grassroots football development programme for boys in primary school under the age of thirteen. The competition became international this year with the inclusion of Ghana and Benin Republic.

Nigerian Football

Manu Garba, U17 World Cup winner, returns as Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach

Published

4 days ago

April 12, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Board of Nigeria Football Federation has appointed former U17 World Cup winner Manu Garba as Head Coach of the Nigeria U17 boys, Golden Eaglets.

Garba had, in the same role, led the Golden Eaglets to win the FIFA U17 World Cup for Nigeria in the United Arab Emirates in 2013 – Nigeria’s fourth triumph at that stage.

Garba’s world-conquering squad in 2013 included Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac Success, Musa Mohammed, Chidiebere Nwakali and goalkeeper Dele Alampasu.

The squad, which finished as runners-up at the African U17 Championship in Morocco after a penalty shootout defeat by Cote d’Ivoire, defeated Mexico 6-1 in their opening game, drew 3-3 with Sweden and hammered Iraq 5-0. In the Round of 16, they ran Iran ragged 4-1, dispatched Uruguay 2-0 in the quarter-finals and trounced Sweden 3-0 in the semi-finals, before they dislodged Mexico by the same margin in the final to lift the trophy.

The former Nigeria international will now immediately resume the role and take charge of the team’s preparations for next month’s WAFU B U17 Championship, taking place in Ghana.

Nigerian Football

Kano Pillars on the verge of relegation again?

Published

7 days ago

April 9, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY NURA GARBA SABONSARA

As the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) 2023/2024 season enters the home stretch, Kano Pillars find themselves in a precarious situation, despite being in the 8th on the league table.

They have 41 points in a close-packed league in which no situation below the top eight can be regarded as safe now.

On the surface, the eighth position occupied by Kano Pillars might seem a decent position, but beneath lies a series of crises that is threatening the club’s stability.

Kano Pillars, a team deeply entrenched in the hearts of the people of Kano, holds a unique status in Nigerian football. Yet, recent events have cast doubts on their future in the league.

Despite a promising start to the season where they occupied the third position, the team has encountered a harsh reality check.

For the first time in its history since establishment in 1990, Kano Pillars faced back-to-back home losses in a single season, a stunning defeat against Abia Warriors followed by a recent upset against Shooting Stars of Ibadan on Monday, 8th April, 2024.

These losses, coupled with a humiliating 5-0 defeat by Enyimba, paint a troubling picture.

While some attribute these setbacks to the challenges of Ramadan fasting affecting the players, others argue that this explanation falls short because the team has been playing in this situation for many years.

Why now?. The root of Pillars’ problems lies deeper, starting from the inability to secure key signings and a lack of strong financial backing.

Recruitment primarily from local talent pools received mixed reactions.

While some praised the emphasis on nurturing grassroots talent, others feared the consequences of inexperience, a concern that seems to be materializing now.

Moreover, the team’s financial woes, compounded by fines imposed due to fan misconduct, further exacerbate the situation.

Similarly, some close government allies and individuals are forcing the technical crew to recruit their players irrespective of whether they are competent or not, a development that has angered many fans of the club.

Many players seem motivated solely by personal career advancement rather than team success, raising questions about commitment and morale.

Additionally, scheduling matches during Ramadan, though a long standing practice, has never before yielded such dismal results.

With relegation looming just eight points away, urgent action is imperative.

The government, alongside club officials, must step in decisively to address these issues. Ignoring the plight of Kano Pillars risks tarnishing the state’s football legacy irreparably.

In conclusion, Kano Pillars stand at a critical juncture. Without swift intervention and a concerted effort to rectify underlying problems, the club faces the grim prospect of relegation once again.

Nigerian Football

Shooting Stars rally from behind to clinch a rare victory in Kano

Published

1 week ago

April 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Shooting Stars continue to press for the top three slot in the Nigeria Premier League as they clinched a rare 2-1 victory in Kano on Monday evening.

Before now, they have always been battered with basketful of goals in their away duels with Kano Pillars.

In some instances, the score lines were as wide as 6-0. But on Monday, Shooting Stars continued their chase of the frontrunners. It initially looked a continuation of the past when in the opening two minutes, Shooting Stars were already a goal down.

Rabiu Ali shot the hosts ahead and held on till half time. Three minutes into the second half, Taiye Murtala levelled up for Shooting Stars before serial scorer, Christian Pyagbara scored the winner in the fourth minute of the added time.