Nigerian Football

NPFL: TOP 3 SEEK CONSOLIDATION ON MATCH DAY 23

Published

4 years ago

March 8, 2020

BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE

Plateau United travel 130 kilometers to Bauchi hoping to preserve their leadership position while Rivers United and Lobi Stars – both one point behind – will hunt for points at home.

There is already a gulf between the top three and the rest of the field with Plateau United as well as Rivers United and Lobi Stars seven and six points better than Akwa United and Sunshine Stars, in fourth and fifth.

Wikki Tourists v Plateau United

Two seasons ago, this fixture ended in favour of the hosts who won 1-0.

November 17 when Plateau United hosted this evening’s opponents, it ended 2-1, advantage the home side.

Twelfth placed Wikki walloped Lobi Stars 4-0 and pipped Nasarawa United by a lone goal in their last two home games, while Plateau played goalless with Lobi Stars and Dakkada FC in their recent trips.

Rivers United v FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Current runners-up Rivers United welcome ninth placed FC Ifeanyi Ubah to Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt with a mission to repay the Nnewi-based side in their own coins.

The reverse fixture four months ago had the Anambra Warriors scoring the only goal of the match.

In four previous visits to Port Harcourt, FC Ifeanyi Ubah had managed two draws losing the others.

Rivers United returned from their last match victorious in Okigwe against Heartland to preserve their second spot. They had beaten their last two guests, Kano Pillars 2-1 and Kwara United 1-0.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah, on their part, lost their last two away games to bottom placed Adamawa United 1-2 and Sunshine Stars 0-2.

Lobi Stars v Kano Pillars

For Lobi Stars, the focus is on achieving a season’s double over their visitors, who suffered a lone goal setback at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano last November 17.

That result was payback for the Ortom Boys who were beaten by the same scoreline in Makurdi five months earlier at the closing stages of last season.

Like Rivers United, Lobi Stars also triumphed in their trip last Sunday by pipping Kwara United 1-0 in Ilorin.

At home however, it has been only one victory in their last three outings – 2-1 over Wikki Tourists in between goalless (versus Plateau United) and 1-1 against Rangers.

Last Sunday, Pillars defeated Dakkada FC 2-0 in Kano to make up for three away losses on the bounce.

Sunshine Stars v Abia Warriors

While Akwa United in fourth spot will rest today as their opponents Enyimba engage in continental assignment in Guinea, the team next on the log Sunshine Stars receive Abia Warriors in Akure.

June 2, 2017 was the last time the Stars played host to the Warriors, and the home team picked maximum points via the only goal.

Sunshine Stars were dimmed 0-3 at Warri Township Stadium by Warri Wolves last Sunday and played goalless with Rangers in their last home game after beating FC Ifeanyi Ubah 2-0 two Matchdays earlier.

Abia Warriors meanwhile lost their last six away matches.

MFM v Rangers

Both teams only two points above the bottom four, although the Flying Antelopes have two games in hand.

Inconsistency at home has been the undoing of the Olukoya Boys this season, their last outing at Agege Township Stadium ending barren against struggling Heartland.

That was after they fought back from a goal down to beat Kano Pillars 3-1 and make up for their lone goal setback against Enyimba.

MFM appear to have Rangers’ number though going by their lone goal victory in the first leg in Enugu last November.

Rangers, 2-0 victors over Adamawa United last Sunday in Enugu, recently lost 1-2 away to Nasarawa United and played goalless with Sunshine Stars in Akure.

Rangers had also been defeated in their two visits to MFM in the top flight.

Bottom Four

In a relegation faceoff, Jigawa Golden Stars host Kwara United; the latter just two points and a step ahead.

Jigawa are themselves three points and a spot better than Adamawa United, who occupy the last place on the table.

Nasarawa United, who have visiting Katsina United to contend with, complete the bottom four.

Matchday 23 fixtures:

Wikki Tourists v Plateau United
Jigawa Golden Stars v Kwara United
Lobi Stars v Kano Pillars
Dakkada FC v Heartland
Rivers United v FC Ifeanyi Ubah
MFM v Rangers
Adamawa United v Warri Wolves
Sunshine Stars v Abia Warriors
Nasarawa United v Katsina United
Akwa United v Enyimba (rescheduled)

Nigerian Football

Nigerian women coaches conclude first module of CAF C-License course

Published

5 days ago

July 22, 2024

Kunle Solaja

NFF President Gusau and GS Sanusi with NFF Management and the coach educators and participants at the commencement of the course on Monday last week.

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 12^th – 20^th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23^rd August – 4^th September. The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9^th – 19^th 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

Published

1 week ago

July 17, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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

Published

1 week ago

July 17, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.