Nigerian Football

JIM NWOBODO HAILS UGWUANYI FOR RANGERS’ REVIVAL

Published

5 years ago

November 18, 2018

The former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo who about 40 years ago was also a chairman of Enugu Rangers has applauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his commitment and contributions to the remarkable feats recorded by the Rangers International Football Club.

The club in one of the most remarkable come-back in Nigerian football history overturned a three goal deficit to win Nigeria’s national cup, the Aiteo Cup last month in Asaba.

It was also the club’s first victory of the national cup in 35 years. Rangers won the old Challenge Cup after defeating the defunct DIC Bees of Kaduna in 1983.

Two years ago, the Enugu side also won the national league for the first time in 32 years.

Senator Nwobodo, who narrated how he became Governor of old Anambra State through his passion and support for Enugu Rangers, expressed delight that after 32 years the club has now won a trophy, “Gov. Ugwuanyi whose name is also Ifeanyi” came in and opened the door of victory for the club.

Speaking at the grand reception for the 2018 AITEO Cup Champions, the former governor, described the club’s recent feat as “the miracle of Asaba” made possible because Gov. Ugwuanyi’s entrustment of Enugu State into the hands of God.

He said that football is a unifying factor for all segments of the society and stressed that Rangers’ outstanding performance under Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration has united everybody in the state, saying: “I am here because of Rangers and Gov. Ugwuanyi”.

Describing Gov. Ugwuanyi as his “younger brother”, Senator Nwobodo stated that he was happy with his style of leadership and commitment to God, maintaining that the AITEO cup won by Flying Antelopes in Asaba was a Miracle and “only God performs Miracle not Satan”. He therefore congratulated the new Champions for doing the state proud.

In his address, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who dedicated the trophy to God, stated that the event was “in thanksgiving and praise to the merciful Lord for yet another prayer that He has answered, and for all that He has been doing for us in Enugu State”.

According to him, “for 35 years, the club had labored in vain for victory in the National Football Challenge Cup having won its last trophy in the competition in 1983. Again, by the special grace of God, that jinx was however broken on the 24^th of October, 2018 when, in what is now popularly referred to as the “Miracle of Asaba”, the club came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Kano Pillars Football Club and win this year’s edition of the completion now known as the AITEO Cup”.

The governor, who disclosed that he was “profoundly grateful and humbled” that the remarkable achievements were happening under his watch as Governor of Enugu state, also expressed gratitude to the management, coaching crew and players of the club for their sacrifices, hard work and commitment.

He equally thanked all stakeholders and teeming supporters of Rangers across the country and beyond, including the people of Enugu State for their fervent and unceasing prayers “for this day of glory as well as the overall success of our administration”.

Gov. Ugwuanyi further stated that his administration has resolved to restore the legacy of Enugu State as a centre of sports excellence and breeding ground for sporting talents in the country, noting that “as a government, we have always believed that sports offers tremendous opportunities for economic growth, empowerment, employment generation, poverty alleviation as well as progressive youth and social development”.

He therefore, reassured Rangers fans and the people of the state of his administration’s unwavering support and assistance to the club as it continues to pursue both national and international glory next season.

Nigerian Football

Remo Stars close to winning their first Nigeria Premier League title

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Remo Stars on Friday inch closer to achieving their first ever title in the Nigeria elite division league after beating visiting Niger Tornadoes 3-0 to move second on the log and just a point behind league leaders, Enugu Rangers.

Remo Stars are now with 53 points and still have an outstanding home game to play.

Friday’s win which comes on the eve of the proprietor’s birthday has put the team back into contention for the title.

They have progressively become prominent in the Nigerian premier league having placed third two seasons ago and second last season.

Top finish this season will confirm their progression and also a third consecutive continental outing.

Top scorer, Sikiru Alimi launched them of victory path as his 28^th minute penalty kick heralded their return to high scoring ways.

It has been a while since they scored high in the league. Barely three minutes later, Sikiru, a contender for the top scorer award increased the tally to two.

Ahmed Akinyele completed the route in the 75^th minute.

Nigerian Football

Nigeria face tough defence as Burkina Faso lie in wait at U17 WAFU B AFCON qualifiers

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Defending champions Nigeria have been handed a difficult path to the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations finals after being drawn in the same group as Burkina Faso for next month’s WAFU B qualifying tournament in Ghana.

The Golden Eaglets, who won the last edition of the regional championship in 2022, will also face Togo and Niger in Group B of the competition which runs from 15-28 May.

Hosts Ghana find themselves in Group A alongside Cote d’Ivoire and Benin in a tough-looking section of the competition to be played in Accra.

The draw was conducted by 1970s Ivorian football legends Kobenan Kouman and Die Foneye at the Ivorian FA headquarters in Abidjan on Friday.

Nigeria claimed their WAFU B U17 AFCON title by defeating Burkina Faso 2-1 in the regional final in Ghana two years ago.

However, they will need to overcome some familiar foes if they are to defend their crown and with the Burkina Faso finishing third at the last TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations, some exciting matches are expected.

Arch-rivals Nigeria and Ghana are among the two favourites and could meet in the final in Accra on 28 May, should they top their respective groups and make it through the semi-finals.

Ghana also have pedigree at this level, having the World Cup in 1991 and 1995 as they bid to reach the U17 AFCON finals on home soil.

The top two teams from the WAFU B tournament will qualify for next year’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Groups:

Group A: Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin

Group B: Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Togo, Niger.

Nigerian Football

Former Nigeria international, Onye recommends Amuneke-Siasia combo for Super Eagles

Published

5 days ago

April 22, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Kingsley Onye, the left sided defender who was a member of the first Flying Eagles side to have a podium finish at the U-20 World Cup has suggested the employment of Emmanuel Amuneke as the coach of the Super Eagles.

He wants him to be assisted by Samson Siasia when the ban on the latter lapses in August. Alternatively, Onye pointed to Sylvanus Okpala as alternative to Siasia.

The Super Eagles are in dare need for a head coach as the clock ticks down to the Match day 4 and 5 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in which the team is trailing at the third position.

The two matches in early June are crucial for the Super Eagles to bounce back into reckoning as the team can not afford to drop any of the available six points in the duels with South Africa at home and away to Benin.

From this Monday, it is 41 days to the potentially challenging tie with South Africa, but the Nigerian national team has been without a coach since the expiration of the contract of Portugal’s Jose Peseiro shortly after the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Without mincing words, Onye remarked: “Emmanuel Amuneke is the right man for the job of the coach of Super Eagles. He has been there before.

“He tasted it and had been fantastic with the Nigeria youth team, the U-17 by assisting Manu Garba to win the U17 World Cup in 2013 and as head coach, led the Golden Eaglets to win the cup again in 2015.”

Onye who played for the Enugu Rangers in Nigeria before venturing to the UK but had his career scuppered by freak injury pointed out that the solution to Super Eagles’ technical deficiency is the appointment of an indigenous coach and that Amuneke is the man.

In buttressing his assertion, he declared: “As a senior team coach, Amuneke qualified a long standing absentee team, Tanzania for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

“His record as a player is also very impressive. He played and won with the Super Eagles, the AFCON 1994. He played at the Olympic Games and was also the first Nigerian to score two goals at the World Cup.

“He has played at the African Games and also for top clubs in the continent as he was a member of the Egyptian giants, Zamalek. In Europe, he played for Sporting Clube de Portugal and then Barcelona before injury ended his playing career.”

Onye also looked at the personality of Amuneke in recommending him for the Super Eagles job.

His record as a player is also very impressive. He played and won with the Super Eagles, the AFCON 1994. He played at the Olympic Games and was also the first Nigerian to score two goals at the World Cup.

He has played at the African Games and also for top clubs in the continent as he was a member of the Egyptian giants, Zamalek. In Europe, he played for Sporting Clube de Portugal and then Barcelona before injury ended his playing career.