Nigerian Football
A South West Derby of Contrasting Fortunes
BY OLADIMEJI OSHODE.
It is another South West derby as MFM of Lagos makes a short trip of about 60 km to Sagamu to face home side, Remo Stars on Sunday. Both have contrasting aim at the encounter, Bottom placed Remo Star will be struggling to navigate the difficulty murky waters of relegation while MFM will be aiming at consolidating the possibility of taking a ticket for continental outings next season, if not aiming at the league title itself.
MFM struggled to beat Katsina United last Monday in match that was shifted from Sunday owing to disruption by rain. In the end, the 3-2 win was a relief. Great thanks to , Onuwa Chukwuka strike that helped fired the ‘Olukoya Boys’ back to the second position on the log after Destiny Ashadi and Obinna Eleje cancelled two first half goals from Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun.
For Remo Stars that same week, Nyima Nwagua and Sikiru Jamal gave the Kano Pillars the maximum points in Match Day 31 of the NPFL. Pillars won 2-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday.
No doubt, Remo Stars have a mountain to climb even at home on Sunday. First, they will have to provide antidotes to the possible poisoned arrows of the dreaded MFM triple ‘O’ of Olatubosun Sikiru, Odey Stephen and Onuwa Chukwuka.
But the Remo Stars duo of Obi Ekene and Osas Okunuoghae will be up to the task. In the reverse fixture, the Olukoya Boys secured the bragging right over the Sky Blue Stars after Stephen Odey’s spot kick proved the difference at the Agege Stadium in Match Day 12 of the league.
Remo Stars’ defender, Onuoha Chukwujekwu vowed to be up to the task. “It’s going to be a delightful contest between two sides who play ‘tiki taka’ football in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the fans will have no other choice than to enjoy total football on Sunday.
“They are fighting to stamp their feet to play in the continent next season, they are second on the log now and they play a kind of football that attract fans to the stadium, likewise ours but our position on the log isn’t showing our worth.”
“We are not happy with our current position but we will still show the world we aren’t meant for 20th and our display against MFM FC would speak for us.
“The coach always tells us to play for our career because the future is quite important to us and we would play to interpret all what the coach has taught during training sessions.”
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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