Nigerian Football

RIVERS UNITED GOALKEEPER, AKANDE BACK IN ACTION AFTER HORRIFIC LEG INJURY

Published

5 years ago

November 8, 2018

BY SAMMY WEJINYA

On Sunday, July 23, 2017, Rivers United goalkeeper, Abiodun Akande woke up with one thought at the back of his mind – inspire the ‘Pride of Rivers’ to a resounding victory over Wikki Tourists in the Nigeria Professional Football League, later that day.

Akande’s wish was granted as United won that game, 3-1 (the club’s biggest home win in the league in 11 months) against the Tourists but that win was soured by a shocking incident of monumental proportions.

Late in the second half, a freak incident involving a Wikki Tourists attacker and Akande culminated in a collision that left the latter with a multiple fracture of the right leg.

“The pain I felt at that moment was unbelievably excruciating,” Akande recounted in an exclusive chat with the official Rivers United FC website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.

“I thought my career was over at that instant. I recall that the Rivers State Commissioner (Boma Iyaye) ran towards me, with several other officials assuring me, while I was in tears, that the sponsors of the club would not abandon me.

“He assured me that I would get the best possible care and that my financial entitlements would still be paid for as long I was sidelined.

“Psychologically that was a big boost and it aided my complete recovery,” he said.

Akande fractured/broke the bones (tibia and fibula) of his right leg and had to undergo a special procedure to correct the damage.

It was a slow and painstaking process but there was light at the end of the tunnel with the club doctor, Chukwuemeka Agi confirming that the player has now been medically certified fit to return to competitive action.

“Akande was operated on by a foremost orthopedic surgeon in Rivers State, Dr. Bob Yellowe and metals (implants) were inserted in his leg,” Dr Agi said.

“It took quite a while to rehabilitate him and bring him back to his previous level (before he sustained the injury) after the metals were removed from his leg.

“The sponsors of the club, the Rivers State Government must be commended for the role they played in helping this young Man return to full fitness,” Dr Agi concluded.

Akande made his return to action for Rivers United on Wednesday, November 8, 2018 (16 months after his initial injury) in a 0-1 reverse to Cynosure FC at the ongoing South East/South South pre-season football tournament in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

He played all 90 minutes of the encounter and was outstanding between the sticks.

The goalkeeper was understandably pleased to return to action.

“I want to thank the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his help in making this a reality and also a big thank you must be said to the Commissioner of Sports in Rivers State, Boma Iyaye.

“I thank everyone involved with Rivers United for helping me return to football.

“Without their support, my career would have been over,” he said.

Nigerian Football

GTI enlarges coast…spreads from League fund-raising to Federation Cup

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Strategic partners of the Nigeria Football Federation, GTI Asset Management and Trust Ltd has expanded their scope of operations from fund sourcing for the Nigeria Premier League to adding the responsibility of getting the national cup competition back into its glamorous days.

The MD of the company, Abubakar Lawal at the unveiling a revamped Federation Cup which has been renamed President Federation Cup remarked that his company decided to take a bold step to support the national cup.

“I am the happiest man today, he said in the opening remark of the rebranding of the national cup through signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Sports and the NFF.

“Our company is also strategically involved in ensuring that the President Federation Cup is given necessary attention to thrive using The Nigeria Football Fund (TNFF) as our vehicle to actualise this dream.

“Therefore, it is our vision that the oldest domestic football event becomes one of the best organised football events in the world in no distant future.”

Nigerian Football

Ikenne’s Beyond Limit Football Academy top goal chart as NNL releases vital statistics

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The secretariat of the Nigeria National League has released the match statistics of the four conferences of the 2024 season.

With 198 matches so far played in Conferences A and B, 426 goals were scored, with 125 home wins and 26 away wins, representing 63.1%, & 26% respectively. There were 47 draw matches, representing 23.7% of matches. 299 home goals were scored, and 127 home goals.

Beyond Limit FC scored the highest goals of 33 goals, with Stormers FC and Ekiti United conceeding the least goals of 28 goals. Tradesafe and Solution FC scored the least numbers of goals of 11 goals and Osun conceded the least numbers of goals of 8.

In group C & D, 209 goals have been scored in the 106 so far played, with 70 home wins and 14 won away representing 66. 3% and 13.1% respectively.

Teams drew 31 matches representing 29.2% of the matches played. Wikki Tourists scored the highest numbers of goals, with 23 goals, while EFCC FC conceded the least numbers of goals. They conceded 18 goals. Nasarawa United’s 8 goals conceded made them the team that conceded the lowest numbers of goals, while ABS scored the least number of goals of 5 goals.

Nigerian Football

Heartland back to their homeland as they host Shooting Stars

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY TOSIN OMOJOLA, OWERRI

The uncertainty surrounding our Matchday 31 encounter against Heartland FC of Owerri, has been cleared with the game eventually slated to hold at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the home ground of the host team

The Nigeria Premier League has given the approval to the stadium after an inspection was carried out on Wednesday afternoon.

The Oluyole Warriors have since arrived the Imo State capital and have settled down ahead of Friday’s clash which will be be shown live on cable television.

Meanwhile, the Technical Adviser of the Ibadan soccer lords, Gbenga Ogunbote, while addressing the players on arrival at their hotel, urged them not to be distracted by the development.

“I want to apologise to you on the change of venue. We got to know about it some hours ago, but be that as it may, I want us to remain focused as and get the desired results we needed”.

In the same vein, the players of the Ibadan soccer lords, said they are not in any way moved by the change of venue, expressing their readiness to get the maximum points, not minding the venue.