Nigerian Football
Nigeria’s NNL gathers momentum at Match Day 17 –
BY PATRICK NGWAOGU
The jungle rumbles In Lafia, as Nasarawa United hosts Elkanemi Warriors. The Matchday 16 Midweek matches were interesting in all ramifications with 29 goals in 18 matches, though with only one away win.
However, as the league gradually gets to an end, teams will endeavor to continue to cover their home front in Matchday 17
CONFERENCE A
Coal City vs Edel
Coal city is hosting their next door neighbors Edel FC. The visitors would be all out to grab the points to improve their chances of going into the Super 8 playoff. But, the home team will also be out to consolidate on their position. But, the end will justify the means.
Abia Comets vs Stomers
An interesting encounter will play out at the Umuahia Township Stadium this weekend. Abia Comets 11 matches unbeaten runs started against the Stomers in Abeokuta in Week 6. Since then, the Umuahia side has remained unbeaten till date. Stomers will try to put a stop to that record, but it will be very difficult for them as Coach Kelvin Ejeh and his boys are going all out to grab the maximum points.
Madiba vs 1472
Madiba will extend their leadership in Group A after this encounter. The guest are not in the right frames of mind, if what happened during the midweek is anything to go by. Though, the match is a local derby one, but the Surulere boys will get more than they bargained for.
Beyond Limit Vs Smart City
This is a match to watch. It will be an end- to -end encounter involving two ball playing teams. Beyond Limit who are on the verge of getting a play off slot will be all out tp out smart the Lagos boys who can pull a surprise any time, any day.
Ekiti Utd vs Dakkada
Ekiti Utd may not have an easy run over Dakkada FC in Ado Ekiti this weekend. The visitors who are experienced enough, having played in the Premiership last season, will be a hard nut for their host to crack. But, at the end, the home team will smile.
CONFERENCE B
FC One Rocket vs Gateway
Gateway takes their unbeaten runs to Uyo. Against FC One Rocket, there is every possibility that the record maybe smashed this weekend.
Ikorodu city vs Tradesafe
Ikorodu city will not spare their visitors at the Mobolaji Johnson stadium this weekend, as their dream of playing in the super eight lies much in this match. The visitors will not go down without a fight, but the home team will smile at last.
Giant Brillars vs Warri Wolves
The seasiders are taking a short trip to Enugu to meet the Giant Brillar boys. The outcome of the match may not have any impact on the group standing, but it would increase the fortunes of both sides.
Crown Vs Solution
Can Solution from Soludo’s home state find solution to their problems in Ibadan, that is the million naira question that will be answered at the end of the ninty minutes at the Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Ijebu Utd vs Osun Utd
Coach Festus Allen experience will come to play this weekend in his new job, as his team Ijebu Utd confront high riding Osun United. The Ataoja boys are not ready to drop their guards, unless the unexpected happens in Ijebu ode. A positive result will be a moral booster for Coach Allen on his new job.
CONFERENCE C
ABS vs EFCC
This is a match for two teams that are on the drop zone. Too bad for both teams, as they once played in the Premiership. With few matches to the end of their regular season, both teams can pull a surprise against each other.
NAF vs Mighty Jets
NAF is one of the FCT teams that are relegation bound, unless the unexpected happens. The Air Force boys has alot to play for, but the Jet team is on a familiar terrain in Abuja, and many will not be surprised if the away team run away with a positive result.
Nasarawa Utd vs Elkanemi Warriors
This is the star match of the group. The two top contenders, and the result of the match may likely decides who tops the group. The solid miners will want to remain solid at home, while the visitors will be a hard nut to crack. Lafia City Stadium is the best place to be this weekend.
Wikki Tourists vs Yobe Stars
The home team verge of going for the playoff lies very much in this match. Wikki will be all out to pick the maximum point, while waiting for the results of others.
CONFERENCE D
Mailantariki vs City
A local derby by every standard. Both teams play their matches at the Area 3 playing pitch in Abuja, and more agonizing is that both of them are in the drop zone. So, a positive result for any of the sides may improve their fortune at the end of the day.
Jigawa Golden stars vs Sporting Supreme
Sporting Supreme has a herculean task to accomplish against Jigawa Golden Stars.
The home team are in the red zone, and they will want to escape the drop zone, and this is a match they will want to use in proving that. However, the Sporting Boys from Abuja are respecter of nobody. and I doubt if Jigawa will survive them
Adamawa Utd vs Sokoto Utd
Sokoto United is expected to solidify their play off space this weekend in Gombe. Any slip may see them delaying their celebration till the last day. Adamawa United, will want to use the match to consolidate their position in the league.
Nigerian Football
Nigeria’s broadcast icon, Danladi Bako hails NFF on choice of Finidi George
Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako has praised the Nigeria Football Federation for settling for former international and ex-Enyimba FC strategist Finidi George as Head Coach of the Super Eagles.
The Kogunan Sakwatto, 66, who created a plethora of famous TV programmes including Morning Ride, Mastersports and Second Chance, among others, and served as Special Adviser to a number of Sports Ministers many years ago, insisted the NFF leadership struck a bull’s eye with the appointment of the two-time FIFA World Cup star, stating that George oozes class and character, and an iron determination to succeed despite his public carapace of a quiet person.
“Finidi George has that cultured, disciplined mien and personality that makes you want to trust him with a big project. He understands the meaning of constituted authority and right from his playing days, has always displayed the attribute of a team player. He has always had that calm, collected nature even in the face of pressure or danger.
“Above all, he is not someone who thinks he is doing the nation a favour. He is grateful for the opportunity and I believe that he has all it takes to succeed. I am calling on the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the NFF and Nigerians as a whole to support him to take the Super Eagles to brand-new heights.”
Bako, who holds a doctorate degree in development communication from the Ahmadu Bello University and was Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission between 1999 and 2002, says all hands must now be on deck to ensure victories in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic on 7 June and 11 June respectively.
“No doubt, the NFF got this one appointment right. Very much on point. Now, they should endeavour to give George all the support he needs to succeed in his task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
Nigerian Football
Nigeria’s sports minister, Enoh applauds NFF for ‘buying local material’
Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh on Monday praised the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation for settling for an indigenous Head Coach for the Super Eagles, despite the plethora of foreign tacticians who applied for the job.
Enoh, who spoke at the unveiling ceremony of the Eagles’ new substantive Head Coach, Finidi George at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, charged the NFF to give the former winger all the support to succeed, while also soliciting the support of all Nigerians for the new helmsman.
“As a student of the University of Calabar in those days, I used to go to the UJ Esuene Stadium to watch Calabar Rovers, which included Finidi George. I am excited to see him seated here as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.”
President of NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau exuded delight with the ‘new chapter’ the Federation is opening about the Nigeria game, saying the football-governing body is determined to fully support George and his assistants to lead the Super Eagles to new heights.
“When we returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, we began the search for a new Head Coach. There was a plethora of foreign applicants, far more than the indigenous applicants. However, we undertook a thorough process that has produced an indigenous Coach and we are very happy about that. Finidi George was part of the technical crew that came close to winning the AFCON, and we have faith in him that he will lead the team to the title next time.
“Our objective now is to ensure the enthronement of excellence at all levels of the National Teams.”
Nigerian Football
No more bench-warmers in the Super Eagles, says Finidi George
New man on the managerial saddle of the Super Eagles, Finidi George has stated that he will invite for international assignments, only players who feature regularly at their clubs either in Nigeria or in the diaspora, and promised that the Super Eagles will remain even more competitive in the years ahead.
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