Nigerian Football
NFF Eliminates Penalty Shoot-Out from AITEO Cup
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The maiden edition of the AITEO will not feature penalty shoot-out as tie breakers. According to the media release from the NFF Media Department., drawn matches of the national preliminary series will be replayed. The NFF explained that it was part of innovations to restore the glamour of the oldest national competition in Nigeria. Penalty shoot-out was first employed as tie breaker in the national cup in 1983 when on November 12, Enugu Rangers prevailed 5-4 after 0-0 score line at regulation in the encounter with the then DIC Bees.
Incidentally, that was the last time Rangers won a national competition until the league victory last season. Penalty shootout had been employed to decide nine other final matches ever since. The NFF in its press release revealed that matches that end in a draw, from the first round, would not go into penalties as had been the case over the years.
It pointed out that its General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, who doubles as secretary of the Organizing Committee, explained: “From the first round stage, teams would be designated A and B. Team A will have the prerogative to choose the centre for the match against Team B, from the pool of designated centres.
“If the match ends in a draw, Team B will now have the prerogative to pick a venue from the designated centres as its ‘home’ for the replay. This will apply to all matches from the first round stage.”
AITEO CUP 2017 SCHEDULE
Draw for 1st Round Matches: 11th August
1st Round Matches: 16th August
Draw for 2nd Round Matches: 18th August
2nd Round Matches: 30th August
Draw for 3rd Round Matches: 31st August
3rd Round Matches: 13th & 16th September
Draw for Quarter Final & Semi Final Matches: 14th September
Quarter Final Matches: 20th & 23rd September
Semi Final Matches: 27th September & 4th October
Women’s Final: Monday 2nd October
Men’s Final: Sunday, 8th October
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
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.”
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 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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