Nigerian Football

DIKKO, ADEPOJU COUNT GAINS OF NPFL/LALIGA U-15 TOURNAMENT

Published

5 years ago

April 29, 2019

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in collaboration with Spanish Football League (La Liga) over the last two weeks organised a tournament for U-15 players of all the 24 NPFL clubs, tagged NPFL/La Liga U-15 Promises.

The tournament is a product of the partnership between the two leagues and Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) says it has greatly contributed to development of the country’s future players.

Former Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju who is an Ambassador of La Liga also appraised the tournament and concluded that it has yielded fruits for football in the country.

According to Dikko, young talents have gained exposure in competitive atmosphere provided by the tournament and have also enjoyed the benefits of traveling to other parts of the country.

“The competitive atmosphere has been good for the young players and they can now look forward to the level next of their career.

“The tournament is organised in consonance with international football rules and is thus a rich learning platform for the teenagers to become accustomed with organised football rules”, remarked Dikko.

Adepoju on his part pointed out that the Nigeria cadet national team, the Eaglets have players from the last edition of the tournament.

In his words, “the tournament has produced players for the present U-16 team, the likes of Akinwunmi Amao, Olusegun A, Divine Nwachukwu were picked from the last edition as part of the team that represented Nigeria in the Africa Cadet Championship in Tanzania”.

“It has really brought about discoveries of raw talent from grassroots, thanks to LMC and La Liga for putting up this great initiative”, Adepoju further remarked.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

11 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

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.”

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

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 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.

Nigerian Football

Three away wins mark the opening phase of Nigeria’s Season 2024/25

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigerian Premier Football League burst into life this Sunday with eight matches on the card and contrasting results. Three of the eight matches resulted in away wins signalling level playing field of the league.

It is a sharp departure from the past seasons when it is almost predictable that home teams would win. Remo Stars, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes have away wins and with scoring multiple goals.

Remo Stars won against Abia Warriors by 2-0. Enyimba came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Heartland while Niger Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1 away from home.