Nigerian Football
At Half-way Mark Lobi Stars Lead The NPF As Enyimba Beat 3SC In Ibadan –
![At Half-way Mark Lobi Stars Lead The NPF As Enyimba Beat 3SC In Ibadan -](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/At-Half-way-Mark-Lobi-Stars-Lead-The-NPF-As-Enyimba.jpg)
Lobi Stars’ ambition to return to the continental scene seems to remain alive as the club has held tenaciously to the top spot of the Nigeria Premier League which hit its halfway mark this weekend.
It has been the most competitive season ever as the top position has been held by as many as seven clubs from MatchDay I and the gaps separating the teams are very narrow.
Former champions, Lobi Stars of Makurdi who have led in the past two match days maintained the top spot after a lone-goal win over Plateau United on Sunday evening at the township stadium.
It was Suur Kumaga’s lone strike in the 23rd minute that cancelled Remo Stars’ momentary lead at the top following an early-minute goal against Abia Warriors at the Ikenne stadium in the 8th minute.
The win by Lobi Stars takes the team to 36 points with a goal difference while Remo Stars who also won 2-1 at home against Abia Warriors are on 35 points with 10 goal difference.
At the Lekan Salami Stadium, Enyimba recorded the biggest win of the night with a last-minute win over the home side with a 2-1 win.
The massive away win shot the team to the third position on the log with 32 points.
Chijioke Mboama silenced the Ibadan crowd with a 56th-minute penalty but Ademola Kareem restored parity in the 83rd minute but attempt to go for the winner backfired when the visitors scored in the injury time to leave the scoreline at 2-1.
In the other matches, Gombe United played a 1-1 draw at home with Bayelsa United while Akwa United continued their resurgence with a lone-goal win against Enugu Rangers.
Two goals from Idris Suleiman and Ali Rabiu assured Kano Pillars maximum points against visiting Heartland of Owerri with a 2-1 scoreline.
Niger Tornadoes and Katsina United played a goalless scoreline.
Matches resume for the second stanza this weekend with reverse fixtures of the just concluded week matches.
Meanwhile, two outstanding matches will come up mid-week with Enugu Rangers at home to River United while Heartland will host Kwara United in Owerri.
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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