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RANGERS, LOBI IN FIVE GOALS THRILLER
Monday, November 8, 2010, 11:22News52 viewsAdd a comment
Siasia Falls With Heartland In Bauchi 3SC Ground Sunshine Stars Eguma’s Dolphins Pip Plateau In Jos

Rangers International and Lobi stars gave Enugu fans so much to cheer on the opening day of the 2010/2011 Premier League with both teams involved in  a five goals thriller.

The hosts made their home advantage count with three goals that dwarfed Lobi Star two strikes.

Fred Okwara (15 Mins), Ejike Uzoenyi (44mins) and Brendan Ogbu (92mins) all scored to fetch the maximum points but perhaps it was Ogbu’s stoppage  time goal that proved vital with the game heading to a two all draw finishing.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars were truly at home, coming from behind to earn a 2-1 win over hard fighting Sunshine Stars.

Akombo Ukeyima got the visitors onto a brilliant start, handling them a first half lead with a well headed in 8 minutes goal.

But Ganiyu Salami would reply with a brace in the second period to hand Sooting all three points on offer on the first day of the new season.

Stanley Eguma proved his superiority over his former assistant, Ndubuisi Nduka with Dolphins recording the only away victory of the new season.

Dolphins visit to Rwang Pam stadium, Jos proved rewarding with Owusu Adae scoring in the 8 minute of the opening period.

Enyimba, six times champions began their title defence on a brilliant note in Aba. It was John Chukwudi’s 45th minute goal that handed the hosts the maximum points.

Tornadoes earned a 1-0 win over newly prompted Crown FC of Ogbomosho with Baba Sule fetching the eventual winner a quarter of an hour after kick off.

In Bauchi, inside the Tafawa Balewa stadium, Heartland of Owerri crashed 0-2 to Gombe United with goals from Salaudeen Rafiu (25mins) and Ifeanyi Okoro (52mins).

New Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia was on the losing Heartland’s bench while Victor Ezeji opened scoring for Sharks against JUTH inside the Sharks stadium, Port Harcourt.

But his 76th strike was cancelled out by James Amakwei on the dot of 90 minutes to ensure that the two teams shared the points.

Sunday scores:

Enyimba 1 - 0 Ocean Boys
Plateau United 0 - 1 Dolphins
Rangers 3 - 2 Lobi Stars
Gombe 2 - 0 Heartland
Sharks 1 - 1 JUTH
Bukola Babes 0 - 0 Zamfara
Tornadoes 1 - 0 Crown FC
Wolves 1 - 0 Kwara United
Shooting 2 - 1 Sunshine Stars

We have a result!

Kaduna 1 Pillars1

After delays of epic preportions, the NPL finally kicks of.
Can Enyimba repeat?
Can Kano get over the hump?
Can Rangers finally break through?
Can JUTH avoid a yo-yo year?

Week 1 Fixtures?

Enyimba V Ocean Boys
Plateau Utd V Dolphin
Rangers V Lobi Stars
Kaduna Utd V Kano Pillars
Gombe Utd V Heartland
Sharks V JUTH FC
Bukola Babes V Zamfara Utd
Tornadoes V Crown FC
Wolves V Kwara Utd
3SC V Sunshine Stars

The four promoted clubs are:

JUTH (Jos)
Crown Football Club (Ogbomosho)
Bukola Babes (Ilorin)
Plateau United (Jos)

To the victors go the spoils,

Orji showers Enyimba players with cash rewards
SportsJul 10, 2010
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•CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Enyimba lifted the Globacom Premier League trophy again in Aba on Wednesday.

Abia State governor Theodore Orji  made winning the Globacom Premier League title worth the while for Enyimba players as he showered the team with N5m with a promise to do more when he receives them officially in Umuahia.

Enyimba  last Wednesday at the Aba Township Stadium lifted the domestic title a record sixth time, to level with Rangers International of Enugu. The Aba side defeated Kano Pillars 2-1 in an entertaining game to claim  the league title, a feat that sent the whole of Aba into a frenzy.

Enyimba media officer Tonnex Chukwu was in ecstasy when Inside the Glo Premier League called him after Enyimba’s 2-1 victory. “We are have won the league title and once again we are back to the Champions League”, he said.

Enyimba chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu described the feat as spectacular because many never expected Enyimba to lift the league title at the beginning of the season. And equally described the generosity of the governor as heart warming.

“We feel we have been able to accomplish something even when it was least expected. I know our fans have missed us and it is good to be back. We believe the Champions League is where we belong and this feat adds spice to this belief. We are happy to be back to the Champions League. We are also happy to have satisfied our fans. The kind of reactions from our fans both home and abroad  is very encouraging.

Governor Orji of Abia State has truly demonstrated that he loves sports and his support has been very encouraging. He gave the team N5m and he has promised the players and officials more when he receives them officially”, The former governor laid the foundation and I am happy the present governor is following the footsteps and that has really boosted the morale of both the players and officials of the team”, Anyansi said.

Enyimba went into the game needing just a draw to match Rangers, whose last triumph was in 1984, but it took until five minutes before the break for them to open the scores.

Pillars, hunting for only their second ever title, matched the five_time winners and threatened with record-breaking league scorer Ahmed Musa a constant danger.

“I must confess  Pillars  playedi very well,” Enyimba Media Officer Tonnex Chukwu admitted.

Sweet, Enyimba will clinch the title when they beat Pillars on Wednesday.

http://naijaligue..com/2010/05/premier-league-to-get-anthem-next.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+PremierLeague-Nigeria+(Premier+League+-+Nigeria)


he board of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) is thinking of adding value to the Premier League next season and has decided to have a theme song to be played in all matches next season.
Towards this end, the NPL has called on Nigerians who can produce a quality anthem to quickly submit their entries to the marketing and sponsorship department of the Premier League in Abuja.
According to the Chairman of the Premier League, Davidson Owumi, the anthem will be given to all the clubs from next season and they are expected to play it before and after Premier League games.
“We want a create a new image for the Premier League next season and that is why we are eager to get our own anthem that will be played all over the stadia used for Premier League matches next season.
“We are hereby calling on Nigerians who think they can produce very good anthem to get in touch with the marketing and sponsorship department of NPL to submit their entries as soon as possible.
“We are going to pick the best from the entries and then give it out to the 20 Premier League clubs for the coming season,” Owumi said.
– Emeka Nwani, Naijaligue..com

NPL orders live broadcast of Zamfara, Sunshine match

THURSDAY, 01 APRIL 2010 20:09 EDITOR SPORTS - HOME

To ensure that soccer fans follow he proceedings during the match between Zamfara United and Sunshine Stars the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has mandated the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) to broadcast the game live.

The match comes up this weekend in Gusau.

According to the Executive Secretary of the NPL, Mallam Alhasan Yakmut-Saleh, the decision to televise the match live was to avail Nigerians the opportunity to watch first class action as well as to allow for even distribution of live coverage of league matches.
“For a very long time, we have not seen matches in the far north, especially Gusau and we decided it is time we correct this imbalance. Again, the players in these teams also need exposure and it is only live coverage of their matches that Nigerians will have the opportunity to watch them live. Zamfara United have some very good players in their fold and some of them play fantastic football in front of their fans, so we want Nigerians to see them at their best”, the NPL scribe stated.

Sharks, Lobi For WAFU Cup

March 15, 2010

Sharks of Port Harcourt and Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi will represent Nigeria in this year’s WAFU club competition for the Eyadema Cup, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

NFF General Secretary, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, said the two teams are already registering for the competition which preliminaries will begin in May. The finals will take place in December.

Since emerging as President of WAFU in April 2008, FIFA and CAF Executive Committee member, Amos Adamu, has spared no efforts to ensure that the game in the sub-region is lifted through top-level competitions.

First, there was an U-20 competition in Delta State in late 2008, before the Inter –club competition, whose finals were played in Lome, Togo, in December.

From April 8-18, the WAFU Cup of Nations will take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, featuring eight countries.

NPL board dissolved, Obaseki may face probe
SportsMar 16, 2010
Oyuiki Obaseki’s tenure as chairman of the Nigeria Premier League expired on Monday night, and following the official dissolution of his executive committee, NPL sources say a far-reaching probe of his tenure will be carried out in the coming days.
Obaseki and his board members battled long and hard at a meeting that lasted way past midnight to secure an extension of their tenure, pending the election of a new executive committee, but met steely resistance from the management of the secretariat, led by Executive Secretary Alhassan Yakmut.
In the end, they were forced to back down and will now face an investigation into their management of the body’s finances.
Allegations of financial impropriety have been whispered in the corridors of the NPL, and extensively reported by Next, a national daily, but no steps had been taken by the NPL to investigate the charges.
A top member of the NPL secretariat, however, told KickOffNigeria.com that all expenses will now be audited.
“An instruction will be sent to the bank this morning to furnish us with all documents signed by Obaseki during his time, as he was the only one who approved all expenses.
“We will also look into the allegations of N50 million retainership for a lawyer, and how the broadcast rights were awarded to Total Promotions rather than directly to the broadcaster.”
Additionally, the NPL would also stop paying the rent for Obaseki’s house in Abuja when it runs out this year, and the salaries of his domestic staff, including driver, cook and others.
However, Executive Secretary, Alhassan Yakmut, said that will not be the case, at least for now.
“The secretariat is not in a position to carry out any audit of the past board’s finances, especially as it is not the end of year.
“All we can do is run the league until a new executive committee is appointed. If they decide that there is a need to carry out such an audit, it is entirely up to them.”

14/03 00:00 Sunshine Stars 1 - 0 Ocean Boys Unknown
14/03 00:00 Enyimba 2 - 0 Kwara United Unknown
14/03 00:00 Dolphins FC 2 - 1 Zamfara United Unknown
14/03 00:00 Kano Pillars 2 - 1 Sharks Unknown
14/03 00:00 Wikki Tourists 0 - 0 Shooting Stars Unknown
14/03 00:00 Bayelsa United 3 - 1 Ranch Bees FC Unknown
14/03 00:00 Warri Wolves 1 - 0 Gombe United Unknown
14/03 00:00 Kaduna United 2 - 0 Lobi Stars Unknown
13/03 00:00 Niger Tornadoes 2 - 0 Rangers International Unknown
13/03 00:00 Gateway 0 - 0 Heartland FC

Midweek action around Nigeria:

10/03 Sharks 2-1 Gateway
10/03 Ocean 1-1 Wikki
10/03 Lobi 2-0 Sunshine
10/03 3SC 0-0 Enyimba
10/03 R Bees 2-1 Niger
10/03 Kwara 1-0 Dolphins
10/03 Heartland 2-0 Wolves
10/03 Rangers 1-0 Kaduna

11/03 Zamfara 0-0 Pillars
11/03 Gombe 1-0 Bayelsa

Pos Teams Pld Pst
1. Enyimba 23 41
2. Pillars 23 39
3. Kwara 23 39
4. Rangers 23 38
5. Wolves 23 35
6. Sunshine 23 35
7. Niger 23 35
8. Heartland 23 32
9. R Bees 23 32
10. Gombe 23 31
11. Dolphins 23 30
12. Ocean 23 29
13. Zamfara 23 29
14. 3SC 23 28
15. Wikki 23 27
16. Kaduna 23 27
17. Lobi 23 27
18. Bayelsa 22 26
19. Sharks 22 25
20. Gateway 23 25

Anyansi demands fairness in live telecast
By EMMA NJOKU and OKEY SAMPSON in Aba
Saturday, February 27, 2010


Enyimba players in action
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Enyimba International has protested what it described as unfair schedule of live telecast of matches in the Globacom Premier League.

Chairman of the two times Africa champions, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, who made the complaint in Aba last weekend wondered why league fixtures involving his team in Aba have been telecast live about six times in the current season while some teams have not had their home matches beamed live once.

“I am not against Supersport television crew or the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) coming to Aba to telecast our home matches live but I expect that they should also visit other league venues and show matches involving other teams live when they are playing at home too”

Anyansi reasoned. “In a league where every team wants to win at home at all costs, it is unfair to concentrate on one club for live telecast. Each time we complain, we're told that Enyimba is a big club that everybody wants to watch. If it is so, then we expect that the same people who love to see Enyimba when we play at home in Aba would love to watch our match when we play away from home. The question then is, why are our matches not telecast live when we play away from home?
“For instance, our match against Wikki Tourists in Bauchi was supposed to be live on Supersport but it was not. Whenever we play big teams like Rangers, Heartland, Lobi Stars and Kano Pillars in Aba, the matches are beamed live on television because such fixtures are considered as star matches, but when we go to these teams the matches won't be telecast live. That is most unfair to us (Enyimba).

“We now have a situation whereby our match against Kaduna United was not on schedule for live telecast but the Supersport crew are here for the live coverage. It shows that Enyimba is the endangered club in Nigerian League” the Peoples' Elephant boss lamented. Reacting to the allegation from the Enyimba chairman, a representative of Supersport, Niyi Oyeleke, admitted that last Sunday's fixture between Enyimba and Kaduna United was not originally on their match schedule for live telecast, but explained that they, sometimes, juggle the schedule due to the difficulties they encounter while moving their equipment from one end of the country to another.

“We have nothing against Enyimba. On the contrar, the club is a household name in the African continent and everybody loves to watch them play. However, we have noted their complaint and I can assure you that we are working hard to station enough equipment around the league venues to ensure fair live telecast of matches” Oyeleke assured.

07/03 00:00 Wikki Tourists 1 - 0 Lobi Stars Unknown
07/03 00:00 Sunshine Stars 2 - 1 Kaduna United Unknown
07/03 00:00 Enyimba 2 - 1 Ocean Boys Unknown
07/03 00:00 Warri Wolves 1 - 0 Sharks Unknown
07/03 00:00 Bayelsa United 1 - 0 Heartland FC Unknown
07/03 00:00 Gateway 1 - 0 Zamfara United Unknown
06/03 00:00 Dolphins FC 2 - 0 Shooting Stars Unknown
06/03 00:00 Ranch Bees FC 1 - 1 Rangers International Unknown
06/03 00:00 Kano Pillars 3 - 0 Kwara United Unknown
06/03 00:00 Niger Tornadoes 1 - 0 Gombe United Unknown
04/03 00:00 Zamfara United 2 - 0 Warri Wolves Unknown
01/03 00:00 Ocean Boys 2 - 0 Dolphins FC

Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Enyimba 22 11 7 4 25 14 11 40
Kano Pillars 22 11 5 6 28 16 12 38
Kwara United 22 10 6 6 25 20 5 36
Warri Wolves 22 10 5 7 30 20 10 35
Rangers International 22 9 8 5 20 10 10 35
Sunshine Stars 22 10 5 7 21 16 5 35
Niger Tornadoes 22 10 5 7 24 21 3 35
Dolphins FC 22 8 6 8 23 24 -1 30
Heartland FC 22 8 5 9 20 19 1 29
Ranch Bees FC 22 8 5 9 15 22 -7 29
Gombe United 22 8 4 10 21 22 -1 28
Ocean Boys 22 7 7 8 18 23 -5 28
Zamfara United 22 8 4 10 18 30 -12 28
Kaduna United 22 7 6 9 20 24 -4 27
Shooting Stars 22 7 6 9 13 18 -5 27
Wikki Tourists 22 7 5 10 21 24 -3 26
Bayelsa United 21 7 5 9 20 23 -3 26
Gateway 22 7 4 11 21 28 -7 25
Lobi Stars 22 6 6 10 15 22 -7 24
Sharks 21 6 4 11 23 25 -2 22

NPL explains ban on Rangers, Lobi
06 March, 2010 06:23:00 REPORTS
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The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has expressed displeasure over the two separate incidents that occurred in Enugu and Makurdi during the Week 21 fixtures involving Rangers, Sunshine Stars on one hand, and Lobi Stars vs Enyimba respectively.

In a release signed by the Head Competition department, Tunji Babalola and made available to Saturday League Special the league body warned that it will not condone incidents where match officials were physically assaulted by players and fans.

"The incident that happened in the match involving Lobi Stars FC and Enyimba was a clear case of gross indiscipline where the center referee, K.A. Akinwale was attacked and assaulted by Lobi Stars quartet of Hingir Son, Umar Zango, John George and Okardi Blessing."

The statement further stresses that, the players involved will be suspended indefinitely while each player shall pay a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000.00) to serve as a deterrent to others and Lobi’s subsequent home matches shall still be played behind closed doors.

Rangers on the other hand, were fined the sum of N1m and shall be playing their subsequent home matches behind closed doors as a result of encroachment by a fan into the pitch in an attempt to attack the Center Referee, Emmanuel Yua from Kano Referees Council.

Meanwhile, the NPL have directed that the football fan captured by television images stands banned from all NPL organized matches. Also, Rangers management is mandated to provide the culprit.

The above recommendations were made in line with article 5.6 and 5.8 of the rules and regulations of the NPL pending the Disciplinary Committee decision of the NFF.

Confed Cup: Enyimba, Wolves get opponents
By ‘Tana Aiyejina, Published: Tuesday, 2 Mar 2010


Nigerian representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Enyimba and Warri Wolves have been handed Southern African opponents in the second round stage of the competition.

Two-time African champions, Enyimba will play Angolan side, Academica FC, in the first leg of the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup in Luanda on March 19 or 21.

Nigeria‘s other representative in the competition, Warri Wolves, who defeated Atletico Olympic of Rwanda 1-0 on Sunday to advance to the second round on 2-1 aggregate, will meet Zesco FC of Zambia.

Etoile du Sahel, champion of the competition in 2006 will hope to ride on the back of AS FAN of Niger to the next stage while Libya‘s Al Ahly Tripoli and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia will clash in an encounter that promises to be explosive.

CR Belouizdad of Algeria will aim to proceed ahead of North African rival and former African champion, FAR Rabat of Morocco while Petrojet of Egypt and Al Khartoum of Sudan will lock horns.

In other second round matches, Al Amal of Sudan will tackle Costa do Sol of Mozambique as Cote d‘Ivoire‘s Sewe Sport and Baraka of Guinea play Stade Malien of Mali and FUS Rabat of Morocco respectively.

File this one under "Privatize now!"

Rangers: Board members contribute money to run club
SportsMar 5, 2010
It’s unbelievable but true. Premier League side Rangers of Enugu is currently being run with financial contributions from board members.
An inside source revealed to Inside The Glo Premier League that Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu has released fund for the club but the bureaucratic procedures involved in releasing the money to the club has made it almost impossible for Rangers to get the money.  Thus board members now task themselves to ensure that the club gets money to compete in the Globacom Premier League.
“You will not believe this but we (board members) task ourselves financially to ensure that Rangers take part in the league. The governor has done a lot but the procedures for the release of funds is cumbersome”, the source said.
Despite the troubled times, the Flying Antelopes still believe thay can win the Glo Premier League. But with the current situation in the club, it would be a tall order for the coach Alphonsus Dike led side to achieve their set objective. Rangers are currently fourth on the Premier League table.

Warri Wolves Offers Shares To Public
By SportsDay Reporter | 3 March 2010 - 10:15pm FOOTBALL WORLD
Glo Premier League side Warri Wolves is offering shares for sale in a novel bid to professionalise the club for profit making and people acceptability, so says Delta State FA Chairman, Amaju Pinnick, who also oversees the club.
“In order to live the dream of a solid structure, enviable ownership and passionate followership, a deal of partnership is being sought for Warri Wolves Football Club to assert itself in the pedestal of financial autonomy”, he said in a release.
Under the new order for shares allotment which has been broken into five categories of bronze, silver, gold, diamond and platinum, interested parties are expected to pay N10,000 each for 100,000,000 shares available, silver will pay N25,000 each for 200,000, 000 shares available, gold card holders will pay N50,000 each for 250,000,000 shares available, diamond card holder will pay N500,000 each for 250,000,000 available shares, while platinum card holders will N2,000,000 for 60,000,000 available shares.

28/02 Rangers International 0-0 Sunshine Stars
28/02 Kaduna United 1-0 Wikki Tourists
28/02 Lobi Stars 0-1 Enyimba
28/02 Heartland FC 1-1 Niger Tornadoes
27/02 Gombe United 2-0 Ranch Bees FC
27/02 Shooting Stars 0-0 Kano Pillars
27/02 Kwara United 2-0 Gateway

27/02 3SC vs Pillars
27/02 Gombe vs R Bees
28/02 Ocean vs Dolphins
28/02 Lobi vs Enyimba
28/02 Rangers vs Sunshine
28/02 Heartland vs Niger
28/02 Kaduna vs Wikki

Fallout from the weekend


KADUNA KEEPER BANNED, WIKKI FINED

Posted: 2010-02-22 20:07

Kaduna United goalkeeper Pius Ibrahim has been handed an indefinite ban and fined N100 000 by the Nigeria Premier League for attempting to assault the centre referee after being sent off for using abusive language on the official in their 1-1 at Enyimba.

Ibrahim was booked for time-wasting in the second half, and immediately launched a tirade of abuse at the referee, who had no option but to show him a straight red.

Ibrahim totally lost it and had to be restrained by two of his team mates as he attempted to attack the referee, holding up the game for about 3 minutes. It took the security personnel at stadium to get him off the pitch.

NPL's Head of Competition Tunji Babalola, described Ibrahim conduct as "unbecoming of a professional as there was a vicious attempt by the player to attack the Center Referee after receiving an expulsion card for unsporting behavior.

"The NPL believes that, regardless of the decisions of the match officials, no player or official is allowed to use foul language on the match officials."

According to Babalola, Pius could face additional sanctions from the NFF Disciplinary Committee.

Wikki Tourists were also fined N1 million for the unruly behaviour of their fans in their own 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

At the end of the game, the center referee, Otujeme Joachim and his assistant referee were physically assaulted.

Wikki have been directed to identify the perpetrators of the act and hand them over for prosecution. The club's subsequent home matches shall be played behind closed doors until the perpetrators are identified.

Colin Udoh
----------

EJIOGU BLUNDER COSTS ENYIMBA

Posted: 2010-02-22 14:45

Goalkeeper Chijioke Ejiogu's calamitous mistake in first half stoppage time cost Enyimba the chance to return to the top of the Nigerian Premier League on Sunday.

Ejiogu allowed Bola Bello's speculative effort from 25 yards to slip out of his hands and creep into the net to give Kaduna United a 1-0 lead going into the break.

The goalkeeper looked to have the shot well covered as it came in, only for fans to look on in horror as the ball squirmed out of his hands and go agonisingly behind the line.

There was even more drama in the second half, when Junior Osagie's shot came off the cross bar and bounced on the line. The 'goal' was given by the referee, although replays showed that the ball did not cross the line.

Kaduna United goalkeeper Pius Ibrahim was sent off after using abusive language on the referee and had to be restrained by team mates as he attempted to attack the match official.

Enyimba dominated most of the game but failed to find the back of the net, and the result means that Kano Pillars, who handed down a 5-1 mauling to Ocean Boys, stayed top on goals difference.

In Minna, there was even more drama as Sharks lost 2-1 to Niger Tornadoes, picking up two red cards in the process.

Victor Ezeji gave Sharks the lead after 28 minutes, but Afolabi Abdullahi drew the hosts level on 50 minutes. Sharks' Kola Anubi and Musa Kundi were red-carded on 95 minutes and 100 minutes respectively.

Eugene Salami scored the winner on 105 minutes, but Sharks disputed the goal, claiming he pushed the ball in with his hands.

The game ended in confusion with fans invading the pitch and the referee escaping to the dressing room.

Elsewhere, Shooting Stars eased their relegation worries with a 2-1 win at Gateway. Dolphins beat Lobi stars 1-0 and Ranchers Bees damaged Heartland's title ambitions with a 1-0 win.

Wikki Tourists played out a 1-1 draw with Sunshine Stars, although the game was disrupted by fans.

Colin Udoh

Got them from kickoffnigeria.

Pillars move to the top on goal differance

21/02 00:00 Rangers International 2-0 Gombe United
21/02 00:00 Warri Wolves 3-1 Kwara United
21/02 00:00 Enyimba 1-1 Kaduna United
20/02 00:00 Ranch Bees FC 1-0 Heartland FC
20/02 00:00 Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Sharks
20/02 00:00 Kano Pillars 5-1 Ocean Boys
20/02 00:00 Dolphins FC 1-0 Lobi Stars
20/02 00:00 Gateway 1-2 Shooting Stars (an away victory!)
20/02 00:00 Wikki Tourists 1-1 Sunshine Stars

LOG:
  Team Pld Pts
1. Pillars 20 34
2. Enyimba 20 34
3. Rangers 20 33
4. Kwara 20 33
5. Wolves 20 32
6. Sunshine 20 31
7. Niger 20 31
8. Heartland 20 28
9. R Bees 20 28
10. Dolphins 20 27
11. 3SC 20 26
12. Gombe 20 25
13. Ocean 20 25
14. Zamfara 19 25
15. Kaduna 20 24
16. Lobi 20 24
17. Wikki 20 23
18. Sharks 20 22
19. Gateway 20 22
20. Bayelsa 19 20

Jaja lists agenda for NPL

ONE of the aspirants for the chairmanship of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Sam Sam Jaja, has listed a three-point agenda for his campaign for the chairmanship of the elite league body.

Jaja told journalists in Port Harcourt during the week that the Oyuiki Obaseki-led team has outlived its stay, adding that the league needed a breath of fresh air. He said: "Our league needs adequate broadcasting and showing two games a week on SuperSport is not enough. Only very few Nigerians have access to DSTV, so viewing of the league is still not meant for all.

"In broadcasting, I am talking about radio, which every man has at home or on his phone, that was what made our league and players household names in the 70s and early 80s. Some players who we did not even know facially we knew their names and could even describe how they played.

"Football is a media event and when the media is not carried, it fails. We are going to dialogue with broadcast houses and we may even have to change match times because of the competition from the English league. There is no need insisting on 4p.m kick-off when most Nigerians would want to sit at home then to watch the English league, which is currently of better standard than ours.

He added: "The issue of pitches is one that must be addressed. I know our pitches have improved a lot, especially since the World Cup we hosted last year, but some stadia still have horrible pitches. Watching games on those pitches is an eyesore and no meaningful football can be played there. Rather than give clubs money every year, the NPL will improve their pitches so every stadium in the Premier League will have a good pitch."

Jaja said there would be frequent training and development programmes for referees and coaches. He added: "People talk negatively about the quality of the home-based players but have we ever asked the quality of coaching they receive? A lot of attention will be given to training of coaches and referees to improve the standard and quality of the Nigerian league."

It would appear that Bayelsa Uniteds African adventure is over before it started.

Bayelsa United slips in Champions League debut
By Tunde Eludini
February 15, 2010 01:39AM
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Nigeria’s representative in this year’s Africa Champion League, Bayelsa United, began their campaign on a losing note as they were defeated 0-1 by their host, Gazelle Football Club of the Chad Republic.

The team which have been having a tough time, even on the local scene, would be playing the second leg of their game in a fortnight, in Yenagoa.

Speaking online from the match venue, the team’s media officer, Ebi Avi, accused the referee of poor officiating as he attributed the loss to him.

“He made a lot of questionable calls and that affected our game,” he said.

Avi however remains confident that Bayelsa would turn around this deficit when both teams clash in a fortnight.

“We would get back on track in the next game, they are not a fantastic side so I am sure we would defeat them when they come over,” he said.

Meanwhile, the country’s representatives in the Confederations Cup competition, Warri Wolves had a good start to their campaign pulling a 1-1 draw away to Athletico Olympic of Burundi.

The team led by Lawrence Akpokona is having its debut on the continent and now have a slim advantage ahead of their second leg tie billed for the Oleh Township in Warri in two weeks.

Nigerian teams had a good run in both competitions last season with two teams; Kano pillars and Bayelsa United getting to the semi final stage of the Champions League and Confederations Cup respectively, while Heartland made it to the finals of the Champions league losing 0-1 to TP Mazembe.

Ocean Boys 1-0 Kano Pillars
Heartland FC 2-0 Ranch Bees FC
Lobi Stars 2-1 Dolphins FC
Kaduna United 1-0 Enyimba
Sunshine Stars 4-0 Wikki Tourists
Shooting Stars 1-0 Gateway
Gombe United 0-0 Rangers International
Sharks 2-0 Niger Tornadoes

1. Enyimba 19 33
2. Pillars 19 31
3. Rangers 19 30
4. Kwara 18 30
5. Sunshine 19 30
6. Wolves 18 29
7. Heartland 19 28
8. Niger 19 28
9. Gombe 19 25
10. Ocean 19 25
11. R Bees 19 25
12. Dolphins 19 24
13. Lobi 19 24
14. Kaduna 19 23
15. 3SC 19 23
16. Sharks 19 22
17. Wikki 19 22
18. Gateway 19 22
19. Zamfara 18 22
20. Bayelsa 18 20

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/02/12/npl-election-the-politics-intrigues-of-south-west/

NPL election: The politics, intrigues of South West
SportsFeb 12, 2010

The much talked about elections into the board of the Nigeria Premier League comes up on March 3rd 2010 and venue is the Conference Hall of Lamonde Hotel in Abuja. As usual, the intrigues that has charactersized the process so far has been breath taking as candidates have maneuvered their way to ensuring that they secured the required mandate.

But securing the mandate has turned out to be a big politics and there is now a lot of horse trading between candidates from the same zone.
The guidelines for the elections have also made the forthcoming election more cumbersome as it seeks to erase some private ambitions and in the process have made the race more difficult for people with genuine interest.

Another intriguing aspect of the election is the battle to secure confirmation and endorsement from Premier League clubs in the zones. Unlike in the past, where candidates are expected to get endorsement from a Premier League club in their zone and can be confirmed by any Premier league club anywhere in the country. The new arrangement has seen candidates pitched against each other in their zones and it appears the battle has moved to the Congress where candidates may finally appear.

Take the South West for instance. Former Shooting Stars Sports Club boss Elder Bode Oyewole is not finding things easy in his zone. While Oyewole has secured the endorsement of 3SC of Ibadan, getting another Premier League team in the South West to confirm him is now a daunting task. Sunshine Stars of Akure which could have confirmed him, have endorsed another candidate- SA to the Ondo State Governor on Sports, Hon. Akin Akinbobola, Ogun State equally has a different game plan, one that will not benefit the former 3SC boss. Thus with only 3SC on his card, Oyewole now looks forward to the congress to secure his mandate.

South East candiadate General Okaro looked as if he was going to suffer a similar fate before he was confirmed during the week by Enyimba of Aba. Okaro a well respected sports administrator has the backing of Rangers FC. Candidates from the north appears to be enjoying a smooth sail. None seem to have encountered the kind of politics in the South West.

As we speak, Oyewole, is looking ahead to the congress where he believes he would emerge as the South West zonal representative. From all indications, the congress which is yet to get a date, will be the battle ground for the candidate.

http://www.compassnews.net/Ng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41074:warri-wolves-close-to-mega-deal&catid=637:leagues&Itemid=670

Warri Wolves close to mega deal

SATURDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2010 00:00 NIGERIAN COMPASS

THE management of Warri Wolves is close to sealing a mega deal with a new generation bank, Sports Compass can reveal. According to an impeccable source close to both parties, in a couple of weeks, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), will be signed.


"We are at an advanced stage of endorsement deal with a new generation bank. As soon as the agreement is sealed, it will be made public," our source said.

The Delta State owned outfit, currently placed fourth on the Nigerian Premier League log, is being branded by Ocean Waves.
Meanwhile the executive chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Amaju Pinnick has disclosed that the state government has taken the welfare of the team in utmost importance. Amaju stated that towards boosting the team's spirit, the government paid all bonuses due to the players and their officials in the Nigeria premier league.

Relatedly, the high flying Warri Wolves will soon relocate from Oleh township Stadium to Warri City stadium, Sports Compass can reveal.
The relocation of the team, according to our reliable source will take effect from the start of second stanza of the on going season.
It is recalled that the Delta State owned outfit moved to Oleh owing to the upgrading of the facilities at the Warri township stadium.

The league reaches the halfway point.

Warri Wolves are in Burundi on CAF Confederation Cup duty
Bayelsa United travel to Chad for Champions League action

13/02 3SC vs Gateway
13/02 Sharks vs Niger
13/02 Gombe vs Rangers
14/02 Kaduna vs Enyimba
14/02 Heartland vs R Bees
14/02 Sunshine vs Wikki
14/02 Lobi vs Dolphins
14/02 Rangers vs Kaduna
14/02 Ocean vs Pillars


1. Enyimba 18 33
2. Pillars 18 31
3. Kwara 18 30
4. Wolves 18 29
5. Rangers 18 29
6. Niger 18 28
7. Sunshine 18 27
8. Heartland18 25
9. R Bees 18 25
10. Gombe 18 24
11. Dolphins 18 24
12. Wikki 18 22
13. Ocean 18 22
14. Gateway 18 22
15. Zamfara 18 22
16. Lobi 18 21
17. Bayelsa 18 20
18. Kaduna 18 20
19. 3SC 18 20
20. Sharks 18 19

06/02 Pillars vs Lobi
06/02 Niger vs Zamfara
06/02 Gombe vs Heartland
06/02 Gateway vs Ocean
06/02 R Bees vs Sharks
06/02 Dolphins vs Kaduna
07/02 Bayelsa vs Kwara
07/02 Rangers vs Wikki
07/02 Enyimba vs Sunshine

LOG:
Team Pld Pts
1. Enyimba 17 30
2. Pillars 17 28
3. Kwara 17 27
4. Sunshine 17 27
5. Wolves 17 26
6. Rangers 17 26
7. Heartland 17 25
8. Niger 17 25
9. Wikki 17 22
10. Ocean 17 22
11. R Bees 17 22
12. Zamfara 17 22
13. Gombe 17 21
14. Dolphins 17 21
15. Lobi 17 21
16. Bayelsa 17 20
17. 3SC 17 20
18. Kaduna 17 20
19. Sharks 17 19 (Still in relegation zone )
20. Gateway 17 19

31/01 00:00 Lobi Stars 2-1 Gateway Unknown
31/01 00:00 Kaduna United 0-0 Kano Pillars Unknown
31/01 00:00 Sunshine Stars 1-0 Dolphins FC Unknown
31/01 00:00 Ocean Boys 1-1 Warri Wolves Unknown
31/01 00:00 Zamfara United 2-0 Ranch Bees FC Unknown
31/01 00:00 Heartland FC 1-0 Rangers International Unknown
30/01 00:00 Shooting Stars 2-0 Bayelsa United Unknown
30/01 00:00 Wikki Tourists 1-0 Enyimba Unknown
30/01 00:00 Kwara United 2-0 Niger Tornadoes Unknown
30/01 00:00 Sharks 1-1 Gombe United Unknown