Nigerian Football

Udechukwu’s Heroics Humble Rivers United

Published

7 years ago

April 28, 2017

BY SAMMY WEJINYA

Rivers United failed to turn on the style on Thursday, losing 0-2 to Katsina United in a rearranged Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game decided at the Kardkanda Stadium, Katsina.
Chinedu Udechukwu was the match winner for the hosts as he struck twice, either side of the break in identical fashion to give the new boys a win over the vice-champions of the NPFL.
His first on nine minutes was a header off an Isah Abdulrahman delivery while his second in the 63rd minute was also a header, this time off an Eric Gwammy cross.
United were second best for large parts and deserved to lose. The however had isolated moments of liveliness which ought to have fetched more joy.
The first was just before half time when striker, Godbless Asamoah hit a wild volley well wide from six yards with just the Katsina United goalkeeper, Yinka David to beat.
The second was probably the nadir; Bolaji Sakin firing into Orbit from three yards following good work by Emeka Ogbugh when he had an open goal at his mercy.
Chief Coach of Rivers United, Willy Udube was left to ponder what might have been in his post-match assessment to the media.
“We had good chances but failed to convert any. If we had, especially when the score was just 1-0 in their (Katsina United’s favour), it might have been a completely different game,” he told our official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
Baldwin Bazuaye, the head coach of Katsina United also took the time to discuss his side’s performance at the Karkanda Stadium.
“I watched carefully how Rivers United play domestically and on the continent and found some tricks to beat them.
“I told my team to put pressure on them because Rivers United does not like pressure being applied on them,” he said.
The win took Katsina United up to 10th on the NPFL standings with 25 points from 19 matches. Rivers United is in 16th place with 21 points from 17 matches.

Nigerian Football

Enugu Rangers hold on at the top of Nigeria Premier League

Published

14 mins ago

April 28, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Enugu Rangers on Sunday beat Plateau United 2-0 to hold on at the top of the Nigeria Premier League. They extended their point haul to 57, two points ahead of their Oriental brothers, Enyimba who also beat Katsina United 1-0 to keep the chase for the title very hot.

Initial second placed team, Remo Stars dropped to the third position but still in contention for either the title, but at worse a continental ticket for next season.

Following Shooting Stars 2-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars in a South West derby, the top four positions of the are now held by the South East and South West as the league gets into its closing stage.

While Rangers and Enyimba are first and second at the moment, Remo Stars, though with an outstanding home game are third while their fellow westerners, Shooting Stars are fourth.

The weekend’s results:

Rivers United 2-0 Katsina United

Remo Stars 3-0 Niger Tornadoes

Doma United 0-0 Kwara United

Bendel Insurance 1-0 Heartland

Enugu Rangers 2-0 Plateau United

Shooting Stars 2-0 Sunshine Stars

Akwa United 3-0 Kano Pillars

Enyimba 1-0 Katsina United

Gombe United 3-2 Lobi Stars

Sporting Lagos 4-2 Abia Warriors

Nigerian Football

Remo Stars close to winning their first Nigeria Premier League title

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Remo Stars on Friday inch closer to achieving their first ever title in the Nigeria elite division league after beating visiting Niger Tornadoes 3-0 to move second on the log and just a point behind league leaders, Enugu Rangers.

Remo Stars are now with 53 points and still have an outstanding home game to play.

Friday’s win which comes on the eve of the proprietor’s birthday has put the team back into contention for the title.

They have progressively become prominent in the Nigerian premier league having placed third two seasons ago and second last season.

Top finish this season will confirm their progression and also a third consecutive continental outing.

Top scorer, Sikiru Alimi launched them of victory path as his 28^th minute penalty kick heralded their return to high scoring ways.

It has been a while since they scored high in the league. Barely three minutes later, Sikiru, a contender for the top scorer award increased the tally to two.

Ahmed Akinyele completed the route in the 75^th minute.

Nigerian Football

Nigeria face tough defence as Burkina Faso lie in wait at U17 WAFU B AFCON qualifiers

Published

5 days ago

April 23, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Defending champions Nigeria have been handed a difficult path to the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations finals after being drawn in the same group as Burkina Faso for next month’s WAFU B qualifying tournament in Ghana.

The Golden Eaglets, who won the last edition of the regional championship in 2022, will also face Togo and Niger in Group B of the competition which runs from 15-28 May.

Hosts Ghana find themselves in Group A alongside Cote d’Ivoire and Benin in a tough-looking section of the competition to be played in Accra.

The draw was conducted by 1970s Ivorian football legends Kobenan Kouman and Die Foneye at the Ivorian FA headquarters in Abidjan on Friday.

Nigeria claimed their WAFU B U17 AFCON title by defeating Burkina Faso 2-1 in the regional final in Ghana two years ago.

However, they will need to overcome some familiar foes if they are to defend their crown and with the Burkina Faso finishing third at the last TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations, some exciting matches are expected.

Arch-rivals Nigeria and Ghana are among the two favourites and could meet in the final in Accra on 28 May, should they top their respective groups and make it through the semi-finals.

Ghana also have pedigree at this level, having the World Cup in 1991 and 1995 as they bid to reach the U17 AFCON finals on home soil.

The top two teams from the WAFU B tournament will qualify for next year’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Groups:

Group A: Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin

Group B: Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Togo, Niger.