Nigerian Football
Star War in Ibadan!
By JUBRIL AROWOLO
It is the battle of stars just as it is also battle against relegation. It is also a South West war as all attention will be on Ibadan this Sunday as the Week 22 NPFL match between Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Sunshine Stars of Akure takes centre stage.
Interestingly, they are both fighting to avoid the drop; perhaps it will be a good way to redemption for the home team that has conceded eight goals in the last three matches and scoring just one!
Notably, this is about the first time in recent seasons that the build up to a similar fixture between two teams wouldn’t bring tension and apprehension beforehand.
A peaceful meeting was brokered by stakeholders earlier in the pre-season to address the often imbroglio and brouhaha that always attend the Shooting versus Sunshine Stars’ fixtures in the past.
The two teams are seen as ‘brothers’ from the Southwest but on the pitch they employ different tactics of excelling in their match situations.
Shooting Stars lost to Lobi Stars last week at the Aper Aku Stadium Makurdi by 3-0 so there’s no excuse for the Amoo Boys not to rise to the occasion this time around if they are serious about surviving the drop.
Sunshine Stars in turn won against Enyimba at the Akure Township Stadium amidst no spectatorship due to crowd troubles.
However, the latest addition to the Shooting Stars’ fold – the beach soccer Abu Azeez who joined the camp recently is expected to bring his experience to bear on the Week 22 fixture.
“We announced Abu’s singing on our twitter handle @official3SC after getting the final clearance and waiver to sign the player from the LMC” , a message from Shooting Stars’ management read.
Similar fixtures last season ended 2-1 apiece at both Akure and Ibadan, and this season, Shooting Stars lost 0-1 in Akure.
“Our old players Adesina Thomas and Otegbeye Ajibola will be filling out for the Owena Boys so we expect a warm welcome from the fans”, a message from Shooting Stars read.
Nigerian Football
Nigerian women coaches conclude first module of CAF C-License course
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/women-coaches.png)
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.
Nigerian Football
Osimhen’s outburst was a moment of madness, says Amaju
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/finidi-and-osimhen.png)
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.
Nigerian Football
I prefer a foreign coach for the Super Eagles, says Amaju
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/amaju-pinnick-1.png)
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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