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LOBI STARS, RANGERS BEGIN JOURNEY TO CONTINENTAL GLORY

Published

5 years ago

November 27, 2018

BY APESIN ADEMOLA.

Nigerian clubs begin their campaign for continental glory this Wednesday, a day after some of their counterparts across Africa would have kicked off the 2018/19 edition of CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.

In order to align with international football calendar, CAF will run its season from August to May next year. The transitional schedule therefore runs from this month and ends next May.

Nigerian teams have failed to do well in Africa in recent years and the federation will therefore have one club in each of the two club competitions. In the CAF Champions League, Premier League winners Lobi Stars will file out on Wednesday at Stade Municipal de Loum, a city in the Littoral Province of Cameroon. Their opponents will be Union des Mouvements Sportifs de Loum (UMS de Loum, for short)

On the same day, Federation Cup champions Enugu Rangers will host Ethiopia’s Defence Force in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Lobi Stars will be playing in Africa for the fifth time in their 37 years existence. It was not until 2000 that the Makurdi-based side first featured in a CAF competition. They were eliminated in that year’s group stage of the CAF Champions League after finishing third among Ghana’s Heart of Oaks, Al-Ahly of Egypt and ASC Jeanne d’Arc of Senegal.

Four years later, Lobi Stars were knocked out at the second round of CAF Confederation Cup, just as they did in 2006 and even performed worse in 2012 with a first round elimination.

Founded in 2011, UMS de Loum won their first Cameroon Cup three years ago by beating former CAF Champions League winners Coton Sport, three-time African Cup of Champions Clubs title holders Canon Sportif de Yaoundé and Union Doula on their way to the final where they defeated Panthère du Ndé 2–0.

The Cameroonian side lost in the preliminary round of CAF Champions League last year and the first round of the Confederation Cup in 2016.

Runners-up behind Coton Sport in the Cameroon top flight concluded last July, UMS de Loum have not had a competitive match since then, while Lobi Stars featured in the Nigerian SuperCup match as recent as last Tuesday beating Federation Cup champions Rangers 1-0 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

In that SuperCup fixture, Lobi Stars tried out new players including Lobi handed starts to new signings Sikiru Alimi (ex-Sunshine Stars), Alex Aghahowa (formerly El-Kanemi Warriors), Chile Azu (from Go Round FC) and Samuel Mathias (El-Kanemi Warriors).

AS Vita Club of DR Congo await the winners of Lobi Stars/UMS de Loum pair in the first round.

For Rangers, they were in continental competition as recent as last year but could not go beyond the first round of the CAF Champions League. The Flying Antelopes managed to beat Algeria’s JS Saoura on away goal rule at the preliminary stage but lost 3-5 aggregate to Zamalek of Egypt in the next round.

Relegated to the Confederation Cup thereafter, Rangers still couldn’t go far as Zambia’s ZESCO United triumphed 5-2 aggregate in the playoff round.

Rangers only hurrah in Africa was winning the CAF Cup Winners Cup in 1977. Ten appearances in the CAF Champions League (including in its precursor, the African Cup of Champions Clubs), four in the Confederation Cup and two in the CAF Cup have seen Rangers gone only as far as the final in 1975 in the African Cup of Champions Clubs.

In the off-season, Rangers acquired new players including Michael Uchebo, who was in the Super Eagles squad to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He re-joined the club after a few years unattached.

Gbenga Ogunbote, a veteran Nigerian coach, lead Rangers who are fired up to win. “We don’t have any option but to win on Wednesday against Defence FC,” goalkeeper Femi Thomas agrees.

The Ethiopian club featured in last year’s CAF Confederation Cup but got knocked out at the preliminary round. Before then, they had travelled as far as the quarterfinals of the 1976 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup. They also got eliminated at the first round in the 1977 edition of the African Cup of Champions Clubs and CAF Confederation Cup in 2007.

Also known as Mekelakeya, Defence Force’s last competitive match was on November 4 when they beat Debub Police 2-1 away in the first match of the 2018/19 Ethiopian Premier League season.

Whoever win between Rangers and their Ethiopian opposition will face either Algeria’s USM Bel Abbès or LISCR (Liberia) in the first round.

Tuesday’s fixtures…

2018/19 CAF Champions League (Preliminary round first leg)

Volcan Club (Comoros Islands) v African StarsFC (Namibia) (1pm)
Stade Centrafricaine (Central Africa Republic) v Stade Malien (Mali) (3pm),
ASAS Djibouti Télécom (Djibouti) v Jimma Aba Jifar (Ethiopia) (4pm)
ASF Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) v Coton Sport (Cameroon) (4.30 pm)
AS SONIDEP (Niger Republic) v ZESCO United(Zambia) (4:30pm)
CS Constantine (Algeria) v GAMTEL (Gambia) (5pm)
Al-Nasr (Libya) v Al-Hilal Juba (South Sudan) (5pm)
ASC Diaraf (Senegal) v US Koroki (Togo) (6pm)
Township Rollers (Botswana) v BantuFC (Lesotho) (6:30pm)
JS Saoura (Algeria) v SC Gagnoa (Côte d’Ivoire) (7pm)
Ittihad Tanger (Morocco) v Elect-Sport (Chad) (8pm)
Al-Hilal (Sudan) v JKUSC (Zanzibar) (8pm)

2018/19 CAF Confederation Cup (Preliminary round first leg)

Mtibwa Sugar (Tanzania) v Northern Dynamo FC (Seychelles) (2pm)
Kariobangi Sharks (Kenya) v Arta Solar 7 (Djibouti) (2pm)
USM Bel Abbès (Algeria) v LISCR (Liberia) (3:30pm)
FC San Pédro (Côte d’Ivoire) v Armed Forces FC (Gambia) (5pm)
Nouakchott King’s (Mauritania) v Stade d’Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) (6pm)
Hassania Agadir (Morocco) v AS GNN (Niger Republic) (6pm)
NA Hussein Dey (Algeria) v Diables Noirs (Congo Republic) (6pm)
Salitas FC (Burkina Faso) v WakiryaAC (Guinea) (7pm)
Petro de Luanda (Angola) v Orapa United (Botswana)
Green Eagles (Zambia) v Young Buffaloes (eSwatini)
Ashanti Kotoko SC (Ghana) v Eding Sport (Cameroon) (Ashanti Kotoko SC gain walkover)

Wednesday’s fixtures…

2018/19 CAF Champions League (Preliminary round first leg)

UMS de Loum(Cameroon) v Lobi Stars (Nigeria) (3:30pm)
CNaPS Sport (Madagascar) v FC Platinum (Zimbabwe) (12:30pm)
Le Messager Ngozi (Burundi) v Ismaily (Egypt) (2pm)
UD Songo (Mozambique) v Nkana(Zambia) (2pm)
Simba (Tanzania) v Mbabane Swallows (eSwatini) (2pm)
APR FC (Rwanda) v Club Africain (Tunisia) (2:30pm)
Leones Vegetarianos (Equatorial Guinea) v Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) (3pm)
1º de Agosto (Angola) v AS Otôho(Congo Republic) (4pm)
Gor Mahia (Kenya) v Nyasa Big Bullets (Malawi)(5pm)
ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire) v AS Mangasport (Gabon) (5pm)
FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania) v Al-Ahly Benghazi (Libya) (6pm)
Horoya (Guinea) v Barrack Young Controllers (Liberia) (6pm)
Orlando Pirates (South Africa) v Light Stars FC (Seychelles) (6.30pm)
Al-Merrikh (Sudan) v Vipers (Uganda) (both 6:30pm)

2018/19 CAF Confederation Cup (Preliminary round first leg)

Enugu Rangers (Nigeria) v Defence Force SC (Ethiopia) (4pm)
Miracle Club (Comoros Islands) v Al-Ittihad (Libya) (1pm)
Free State Stars (South Africa) v Mukura Victory Sports (Rwanda) (2pm)
Green Buffaloes (Zambia) v Al-Merreikh Juba FC (South Sudan) (2pm)
New Star FC (Cameroon) v Vital’O FC (Burundi) (3pm)
AS CotonTchad (Chad) v Gomido FC (Togo) (3.30pm)
DC Motema Pembe (DR Congo) v Anges de Fatima (Central Africa Republic) (3.30pm)
Cercle Mbéri Sportif (Gabon) v Silver StrikersFC (Malawi) (3:30pm)
Génération Foot (Senegal) v Djoliba (Mali) (5:30pm)
Al-Ahly Shendi (Sudan) v AS Nyuki (DR Congo) (6pm)
Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) v Zimamoto FC (Zanzibar) (6:30pm)
ASSM Elgeco Plus (Madagascar) v Deportivo Unidad (Equatorial Guinea) (6.30pm)

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New dawn expected as Nigeria sports ministry partners with Yanga Games

Published

5 days ago

April 20, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Towards creating a new dawn for Nigerian Sports, the Federal Ministry of Sports has signed a landmark agreement with top lottery company Yanga Games to raise the revenue profile of the Ministry and ensure a new deal for the welfare of athletes.

Speaking during the unveiling of the partnership between the Ministry and Yanga Games in Lagos on Friday, Chairman/CEO of Yanga Games Derrick David Kentebe said: “we are so super excited by this opportunity to work with the Ministry of Sports Development to change the narrative about Sports in the country.

Continuing, he remarked: “We see opportunity for marketing our athletes and sports generally . We shall avail ourselves the best use of this unique and special partnership. We shall pursue this mandate with vigour, passion and unrivaled commitment to bring benefits to all the critical stakeholders.”

The agreement according to Kentebe will provide support for retired athletes, enhance grassroot sports Development and advance the potentials of special athletes.

He assured that ” Yanga Games has the capacity to raise funds on behalf of the Ministry of Sports for athletes Development, endorsement and sponsorship deals for athletes”.

Minister of Sports Senator John Owan Enoh assured that the Ministry has total and absolute confidence in Yanga Games to deliver on the given mandate.

“Gone are the era when we depended solely on government to fund sports development. We are partnering with Yanga Games to bring maximum benefits to the athletes and all critical stakeholders.

“We shall give institutional encouragement and support to the Management of Yanga Games to succeed in this onerous task of rebuilding our sports sub sector.”

Speaking further, Kentebe said ” We shall raise about 34 Billion in the next four years to assist athletes and improve sports in the country.

“We shall help to develop grassroot sports and sustain youth involvement through raffle draws, fund raiser and other avenues.

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Iheanacho and Ndidi on course for return to Premiership as Leicester will not lose points for rule breaches

Published

2 weeks ago

April 13, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Leicester City cannot be deducted any points in the second-tier Championship if they are convicted of any violations of the Premier League’s spending rules, the English Football League (EFL) said on Friday.

Nigeria duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi are Leicester players yearning for the club’s return to the English Premiership.

Leicester, who were relegated from the top flight last season, were referred to an independent commission by the Premier League last month for alleged violations of the league’s spending rules.

The Championship’s governing body EFL wrote to the Premier League saying they would apply any sanction handed down on Leicester while they are still in the second tier, a move Leicester opposed.

However, the EFL said they later changed their position in a letter to the English FA’s League Arbitration Panel (LAP).

“EFL has confirmed to all parties that… it does not have the power under the Regulations as currently drafted,” the EFL said in a statement.

Leicester said they will continue to co-operate with Premier League and the EFL with regards to the charges against them.

“Any charges against the Club should be properly and proportionately determined, in accordance with the applicable rules, by the right bodies, and at the right time,” Leicester said.

The LAP said that the Premier League Disciplinary Commission’s proceedings against Leicester will not be expedited to conclude by May 4 due to any possible points deductions not being applicable this season.

Leicester are top of the standings in the Championship with 88 points from 41 matches as they seek a promotion back to the Premier League.

-Reuters

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Super Eagles’ kids fly to Spain for UEFA Tourney

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Future Eagles confront Morocco’s U15 boys in Kenitra

Nigeria’s U15 boys, nicknamed Future Eagles, will fly into Spain on Tuesday afternoon for a UEFA U16 Development Tournament to which the African giants have been invited.

The special invitation has come as a result of Nigeria’s pedigree in youth football, in which she has won five world titles at U17 boys’ level and reached the FIFA World Cup final on two occasions at U20 level.

As part of its preparation for the tournament, the Future Eagles trained for a week at the Remo Stars’ Sports Institute in Ikenne, during which it played two matches against the Remo Stars’ U16 boys (Beyond Limits FC), winning one and losing the other.

Only last month, the Future Eagles, coached by Patrick Bassey, also won one and lost one against their Moroccan counterparts on a two-match tour of that North African country. Their first game ended in a 2-3 defeat, but they buckled up to win the second game 5-3 in the city of Kenitra.

The UEFA U16 Tournament, which brings warm memories of the UEFA-CAF U17 Meridian Tournament that started in 1997 but was discontinued a decade after, will take place at the Pinatar Arena Football Centre in San Pedro del Pinatar.

It can be recalled that the UEFA-CAF Meridian Tournament was part of a cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF, and Nigeria won the inaugural tournament in 1997. The Eaglets defeated the Spain U17 team 3-2 in the final in Lisbon, Portugal.

Spain won the next three tournaments hosted by South Africa (1999), Italy (2001) and Egypt (2003) before France broke their run by winning the 2005 edition hosted by Turkey. The tournament was abolished in 2007.

At this new tournament, the Future Eagles will play against Belgium on Friday, 12^th April (8pm), face Italy on Sunday, 14^th April (8pm) and square up to England on Wednesday, 17^th April (1pm). Other games will see England against Italy on Friday, 12^th April 5pm), England against Belgium on Sunday, 14^th April (5pm) and Italy against Belgium on Wednesday, 17^th April (11am).

The Future Eagles’ delegation to Spain, inclusive of 20 players, will be led by Zannah Mohammed Malah, a member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee.