Nigerian Football
DOGO HAPPY WITH SUNSHINE STARS DRAW AWAY TO ABIA WARRIORS
Sunshine Stars have gone three games without a win in the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with two draws and a defeat. After their defeat in Enugu to Rangers in a rescheduled MatchDay 1 fixture, Coach Kabiru Dogo whose side had earlier drawn 1-1 at home to Warri Wolves had only encomiums for the players, assuring that they would soon turn up with results.
In Umuahia on Sunday evening, the Akure side failed to defend a one goal lead, allowing Abia Warriors to rally to a draw. Dogo remains impressed and again commended his players.
“I give credit to my players, its not easy to get a point on the road in the NPFL, I would have loved to win here because we have a good record against Abia Warriors, but in all, I believe we can get better,” Dogo told www.npfl.ng after the match
Dogo thinks it’s early day in the season with more matches ahead during which he hopes to see the players become a stronger unit.
“its only MatchDay 3, so I am sure my players will get better as the season progresses. We will go back to Akure to prepare for the game against Enyimba Fc, and its a game we must win, so as to go up the table”, declared the former Nasarawa United coach.
Abia Warrior Fc started the game with same players that played in Uyo on MatchDay 2 against Akwa United, with only striker Abdulsalam Atilola’s place in the Starting XI taken by Ikedinachi Nwakanma.
The first chance of the game came on the 3rd minute to the hosts after Emeka Isaac’s cross from the corner flag was saved by Sunshine stars goalkeeper, Saliu Suleiman.
Two minutes after, Jimoh Oni got his chance for Sunshine but his freekick was also saved by Abia warriors goalkeeper, Godsgift Elkanah.
The “Akure Gunners” continued to dominate possession with Wasiu Jimoh, Timo Ogunniyi, Fuad Ekelejuoti and Uche Ihuarulam causing problems for the Abia Warriors defenders led by captain Austin Obaroakpo and Perfait Jean.
The visitors were rewarded on the 19th minute as Abia Warriors defender, Perfait Jean couldn’t clear his line, allowing Sunshine stars Winger Fuad Ekelujoti to tap home with an assist from Uche Ihuarulam.
With Abia warriors trailing at home after the goal, coach Emmanuel Deutsche had to change formation preferring winger, Philip Auta deployed to the flank to support Jimoh Oni upfront.
However, Abia Warriors got thier equalizer on 32nd minute from a throw-in by Emeka Isaac allowing Philip Auta to score from a rebound after Sunshine stars goalkeeper Suleiman had let the ball off his hands.
Up next for Sunshine stars will be a home fixture against NPFL Champions Enyimba Fc on match day 4, while Abia Warriors Fc will be guests to Adamawa United.
Nigerian Football
Like what happened to Stores earlier, another Lagos club thrown out of the Nigerian League
Another Lagos club, 1472 FC, has been thrown out of Nigeria’s second-tier league, the Nigeria National League, for failure to honour three matches in the current season.
Crowd-pulling Stationery Stores suffered a similar fate 32 years ago when they were expelled from the Nigeria Professional League.
In a press release on Tuesday, the NFF announced that 1472 FC did not honour three matches during the current season.
The matches were against Abia Comets (Match 9), Dakkada FC (Match 53) and Ijele FC (Match 74).
The NNL relied on the league’s Article 14.11 to expel the club.
In the letter signed by the NNL’s Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, 1472 FC are also fined the sum of N5 million, with the consequence that the results of all their played matches have been nullified, and those yet to be played are cancelled.
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Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has extolled the commitment and determination of Remo Stars Foot ball Club on its victory over Niger Tornadoes, describing it as unprecedented feat in the annals of Ogun State.
It would be recalled that the local football team won the first-ever Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title with a 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday, April 27.
In so doing, they become the first team in the state to win the Nigerian elite division league since the state was created on 3 February 1976.
Before the current feat, no team from the state had won the national league. The famous Abiola Babes, the rave of the 1980s, won the Challenge Cup in 1985 and 1987.
Governor Abiodun, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the team has sustained the inherent first capacity Ogun State is known for, adding that their resilience and perseverance have paid off.
Governor Abiodun added that Remo Stars has consistently pushed for the best with enviable patriotic tendencies since its formation.
He said the level of the team’s dexterity and capacity earned it the 2024-2025 Nigerian Premier Football League title as well as it’s promotion to the elite league four years ago.
The Governor, therefore, implored other local clubs in Nigeria to emulate the degree of resilience and doggedness the team displayed to help in promoting Nigeria’s local league to enviable heights.
“It is my utmost delight that the age-long perseverance and consistency of the Remo Stars Football team have eventually paid off at the national level and to the admiration of every Nigerian, including our amiable President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As the first privately-owned NPFL champions since 1996, which ceremoniously secured a place in the CAF Champions League, we commend the undiluted and unwavering determination of the players, the coaching formation, and the entire management.
“This is indeed a clear reflection of the profound trait of Ogun State as the first in all areas of success and our all-inclusive policy of transformation as enshrined in our ISEYA mantra,” the statement read.
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The historic feat of Remo Stars, who won their maiden Nigerian Premier League title on the birthday occasion of the club owner, has attracted the attention of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement posted on the State House X handle and signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Tinubu congratulated Remo Stars Football Club.
He remarked that winning the 2024-2025 Nigerian Premier Football League title is a milestone achievement that spotlights Ikenne and Ogun State.
President Tinubu describes the historic victory, four years after the team’s promotion to the elite league, as a testament to the hard work, discipline, and unyielding spirit of the players, the coaching crew and the management.
He admires the team’s resilience and perseverance, noting their courage in pursuing success despite three previous near misses in the race for the league title.
He hopes their example will inspire other Nigerian clubs to pursue their dreams continuously with tenacity and optimism.
He also commends the vision and commitment of the club’s owner and chairman, Kunle Soname.
His investment in grassroots football—exemplified by the construction of the state-of-the-art stadium in Ikenne—has provided a vital foundation for the growth of sports in Nigeria.
As Nigeria’s champions, Remo Stars have become Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League. President Tinubu urges the team to deploy the same undaunted spirit and focus to win continental honours.
He calls on football fans across Nigeria to rally behind the team as they carry the nation’s hopes onto the African stage.
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