Nigerian Football
ANOZIE, OKONKWO GO INTO MATCH DAY 3 AS BIG HITTERS
It has been a roller coaster in the Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) after just two match days with most of the
big guns faltering while the unfancied actors have taken the lead cast in this season’s
campaign.
Prior to the season’s kickoff, the preview of
the pundits centred on Akwa United, Plateau United and Kano Pillars among
others considered as the title contenders but after just two match days the
shape and complexion has been characterized by wild and unpredictable outcomes.
FC Ifeanyiubah, with the odds stacked against
them to even keep their status as top-flight teams following high-profile
departures after last season are punching above their weights with goalkeeper
Chinedu Anozie and Chijioke Alaekwe shouldering the responsibilities of largely
inexperienced playing personnel.
Anozie currently leads the race for most clean
sheets so far as he is yet to concede in 180 minutes of football in the league.
He kept clean sheets against Plateau United and Nasarawa United and will hope
for a third successive outing without conceding at Go Round this Sunday.
Alaekwe was responsible for that last-gasp goal that knocked the stuffing out
of Nasarawa United on Matchday 2 in Nnewi. FC Ifeanyiubah are currently second
with four points after two matches behind El-Kanemi Warriors in Group B of the
NPFL.
El-Kanemi go into Matchday 3 as the only side
that have won their opening two matches and against very difficult opponents.
Mohammed BabaGanaru’s men won 1-0 at Akwa United and followed up with an
impressive 2-1 win over four-time champions Kano Pillars. Midfielder Abdulrazak
Aliyu was influential for El-Kanemi in both games as his assist helped win at
Akwa and his winning goal secured all points at home against Kano Pillars.
So far in the goalscoring race, the expected
names are yet to get off the mark instead Heartland forward Chinonso Okonkwo is
setting the pace with two goals — both he scored in his side’s 3-0 thumping of
Plateau United at the Okigwe Township Stadium in midweek. Okonkwo is expected
to lead the Naze Millionaires’ attack this Sunday when they face Nasarawa
United at the Lafia City Stadium.
THE OTHER WORTHY MENTIONS
Seven-time champions Enyimba got their campaign
to a superb start in front of their supporters in Aba where they defeated MFM
FC 2-0, and this weekend they are up against Kwara United in Ilorin. Striker
Abdulrahman Bashir got off the mark on Matchday 1 and he returns to Ilorin,
where he remains a cult hero following his time at ABS FC.
Go Round FC pulled off the shock result of
Matchday 2 when they beat Abia Warriors 2-1 on their patch and are now in
buoyant mood to face FC Ifeanyiubah at the Krisdera Hotel Stadium in Omoku.
After masterminding the defeat of his former team in Umuahia in midweek, Go
Round head coach Willy Udube is keen to add another southeast outfit to his
list of conquered this term.
However it is still early days for these actors
who have jumped to the front row after just two matchdays. Sunday’s matches are
expected to be mouthwatering with two of the big sides Kano Pillars and Akwa
United going head to head at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
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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