₦airaland Forum

Sunshine Stars' spirited 2-1 defeat of champions Enyimba has catapulted three of their players into the NPL's Team of the Week.

Left back Daniel Mende, centre back Onyi Chiemeke and midfielder Cletus Itodo all played their way into the weekly honors list.

Heartland and Ocean Boys followed with two players each.

But the star of the show is JUTH's Ghanaian striker James Amankwei, who scored for the second week running, following his strike against Sharks in Week 1 with another in his side's 1-1 draw against Gombe United.

Two players who missed out narrowly in the Week 1 list, forced their way into the second week's selection. Ocean Boys goalkeeper Olufemi Thomas and Kano Pillars defender Wasiu Sowemimo both made up ground after missing out last week.

Once again, the team will be coached by Dolphins coach Stanley Eguma, whose team maintained their perfect start to the season

Team of the Week:
Goalkeeper: Olufemi Thomas (Ocean Boys)
Right Back: Chibuzor Okonkwo (Heartland) Left Back: Daniel Mende(SSS), Centre back: Onyi Chiemeke (SSS), Centre back: Wasiu Sowemimo (Kano Pillars) Defensive midfielder: Cletus Itodo (SSS) Attacking
midfielder: Harrison Egbune (Crown) Right midfield: Ndubuisi Nkoro (Ocean Boys) Left midfield: Omo Ojabu (Dolphins)
Forward: James Amankwei (JUTH FC),
Forward: Osas Okoro (Heartland)

Coach: Stanley Eguma

http://www.kickoff.com/news/18868/sunshine-stars-dominate-npl-team-of-the-week.php

Tornadoes hit with N1m fine

Posted: 2010-11-16 09:53

Niger Tornadoes have been hit with a N1 million fine by the Nigeria Premier League as punishment for both their starting and reserve goalkeepers turning up in unauthorised kit for last weekend's game.

Okiki Tawose and Timothy Unachukwu both showed up for the 1-2 loss at Heartland kitted in Nigeria jersey, and NPL's Acting Executive Secretary Tunji Babalola said in a statement that the action was in contravention of League Regulations.

Tornadoes will have to pay the fine before their next home game.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/18855/niger-tornadoes-hit-with-n1m-fine.php

ThankGod Ike off on trials

Posted: 2010-11-16 09:57

Warri Wolves defender ThankGod Ike was not available for the club this weekend after going off on trials to Asia.

Ike left on Thursday, and missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Crown FC but is expected back on time to captain the side against his former club.

Wolves Media Manager Timi Ebikagboro told KickOffNigeria.com that the club were aware informed about the player's movement.

"He was upfront with us when he joined, saying that he had two offers and he would probably leave as soon as a deal was done.

"Before he left, he told us and he was given permission to leave. He will return before our match against Heartland this weekend," Ebikagboro said.

semid4lyfe:
Cut NTA some slack. It was on it I watched the Heartland vs Niger Tornadoes match and the picture quality & commentary was okay IMO.

Did you by any chance watch Niger Tornadoes vs Crown FC? it was shown on NTA, i almost vomited!!!

Dis Guy:
I heard bukola babes is the only privately run club in naija?

Same as Lobi star.

Pharoh:
@AjanleKoko

Off-course mixture of skill, pace and strenght is needed but it is all about the first eleven, who will be sitting on the bench and who is going to start?

I used t think it was Madrid that does not believe in their youth system, now i know better.  Only bojan has been able to graduate and he is now warming the bench, dos santos is nowhere to be found and what about is younger brother? Make una take am easy oooooooo, na so una buy chynginrin abi wetin be him name and where him dey now.

These youth players play in some of our cup matches, they even get to play in some of the end of the season matches, you don't expect these boys to be commanding 1st team shirt when alot is at stake, The current players we have graduated from the youth team so why do you think the ones that are being raise now won't follow suite?

We were undone by extra time - 3SC
by George Akpayen 16 November 2010, 10:23

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) head coach, Fatai Amoo, believes that the excess in added time by centre referee, Felicia Okugbowa, during their game against Zamfara United at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano left them to rue the chance of winning away points.

Though Amoo is happy that his side played according to their pre-match plan, he complained that the excess of the actual three minutes of added time played a role in ensuring that Zamfara grabbed a late equaliser to bag a point.

“Well I wasn’t happy because the centre referee gave more than the three minutes of added time. In the first place there were no stoppages during the game to warrant so much added time,” he said.

The former gaffer of Sunshine Stars also said he approached the fourth official, Aminu Mammaga, on the excess in the added time but was told “the referee is the custodian of time and I am just doing my own bit from the touch line.”

But the Shooting Stars’ manager thumbed up referee Okugbowa for her commanding style in handling the game in Kano except for the excess in added time.

“I must be very fair to her. She did a very good job in officiating the game from start to finish. The only area I disagree is the amount of added time she gave because there was no such delay during open play.

“There was an instance when Zamfara United scored from an offside position and she correctly cancelled the goal. So she was very fair in her handling of the match but for the added time.

“Yes we have seen this happen even in the best leagues in the world like the English Premier League where referees give even more time to added time. May be they need to let us know what we don’t know about this,” said Amoo.

The 3SC coach explained that the own goal conceded by his side late in the game was soft since Festus Iyoma was under no pressure from the opponents but unfortunately turned the ball into his own net.

© SuperSport.com

Four KFA youngsters to watch in NPL
by Ojeikere Aikhoje 16 November 2010, 15:19

The Kwara football academy, which was modeled after Dutch football academies has successfully produced several youngsters.

Four products of the academy; namely Kelvin Kpakor, Barnabas Imenger, Gbenga Arokoyo and Chinedu Ajanah have since graduated to the Nigeria Premier League side, Kwara United.

In this report, SuperSport.com profiles the rookies who secured their first professional contracts in the NPL.

Kelvin Kpakor – Midfield/Attack

This youngster is following the footsteps of his father, Moses Kpakor, who came to prominence in the domestic league.

He is only 17 years old, but Kelvin has convinced everyone that he has learnt the trade the right way under the legendary Clemens Westerhof, a former Super Eagles coach. Interestingly, his father, Moses, was tutored by the same Dutch at the Super Eagles.

Kelvin proved that Kwara United manager, Kadiri Ikhana, made no mistake when he gave him his debut during the Super 4 League, in August.

The youngster is actually the first product of the KFA to score a goal for Kwara United.

However, it was during the Super 4 League, which was organised after the regular 2009/2010 NPL season.

On August 8, the teenager beat one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the league, Afeso Attah, when he chipped from 35 yards to score against Sunshine Stars during the Super Four in Ijebu-Ode. Overall, he worked well with his teammates.

He is known for his strength, pace and ability to shoot with both feet though he is left-footed player.

Barnabas Imenger - Forward

Imenger is also from a football family. His father, Barnabas, equally played under Clemens Westerhof in the Super Eagles.

The youngster is the first product of the KFA to score a league goal for Kwara United.

He entered the history books with a goal against Kaduna United on match day two in the NPL. However, the visitors came back into the game and secured an equalizer.

Imenger has grown in confidence and there is no doubt that he has more goals to score as the season progresses.

In fact, assistant coach of Kaduna United, Abdullahi Heyman applauded his performance on match day.

“He’s a natural striker who will go far. His final touch was perfect,” Heyman told SuperSport.com

Gbenga Arokoyo - Goalkeeper

Arokoyo is a goalkeeper who excelled at the Academy.

He got a chance during the Super 4 with Kelvin and grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Arokoyo didn’t show any sign of a rookie when he was in goal. In fact, his team conceded a goal after he was substituted due to injury during the four-team competition.

The young goalkeeper has been out of action due to injury but returned to training on Monday.

Chinedu Ajanah - Defender

Chinedu Ajanah is a brilliant defender, who can play anywhere amongst the back-four.

Assistant coach of Kwara United, Tunde Sanni told SuperSport.com that Ajanah was drafted to the team after the Super 4.

Ajanah was an unused substitute during the first match at Warri Wolves.

Kwara United coach, Kadiri Ikhana will certainly have no problems at his defence-line with a player like Ajanah who can fill it properly.

© SuperSport.com

This doesn't make sense to me, why on earth should Heartland be expected to play twice in 2 days?

Who cares? As long as each player gets nothing less than $10k from the president, nothing do them!!!

^^^
Is ur team better than the low teams?

^^^^

Which yeye soap? nobi night dem dey show their yeye soap? how about all these useless programs they air during the period they are suppose to be showing league matches? Anyways it's something we have to deal with, it's either we do something about it or just let it continue.


NTA annoys me even though they show few matches, but the quality is useless to me.

The Lord is good all the time.

^^^^

They have alot to get in return if they have foresight, do you know how many opportunity is out there for them to grab? do you know what they can do with the viewership? adverts can be placed on these matches (before, during and after), if they can be showing those useless Mexican soaps, then they can as well show the Nigerian league. Let's get serious, they just don't want to do anything about it, that's the gospel truth!!!

What is it going to cost them if they try to strike a deal with supersports? supersports is not even a Nigerian company, yet they are televising the matches, what does that tell you? why would supersports televise our league if there's nothing in there?

Wednesday's international friendly match between Nigeria and Iran has been called off by Nigeria.

The game was scheduled to take place in Tehran on Wednesday, but Nigeria officials told KickOffNigeria.com that the unavailability of key players for the Super Eagles due to injuries has prompted the cancellation.

Both countries have also been involved in a diplomatic tiff following an arms shipment that landed at a Nigerian port, with the shipping company claiming the arms came from Iran.

It is a charge that Iran have denied.

It means new Nigeria coach Samson Siasia will not get a chance to look at his team before he takes over on December 1.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/18840/nigeria-iran-game-off.php

^^^^

That's just the problem, can't a private station just fight for the right or maybe shared right with supersports?

Yours sincerely, Praise to God almighty!!!

Seun:
Now that we have a whole forum for Nigerian issues is it time to start posting match threads for each club instead of a single Nigerian league fan thread? And also, match threads for the major clubs?

We are going to work on that.

Dr Kitaun:
why use Panadol extra for their own migraine ?

do u know that if Villa gets his act right, heavens go fall for La Liga ?

I hate Barca, but I love Villa . . .

Villa has made me hate him for joining the evil club Barca, my hatred for Barca spans as long as my support for Arsenal and Villa joining them means I rejoice with him when he scores and I get high alongside FBS and urself when they lose

Sadist

Missed today's matches, lost my bishop few weeks ago, we are preparing for his funeral and i needed to forgo some things to pay him the due respect he deserves.

Enyimba should try and win this.

Goal

o : o

Nwanna rejoins Enugu Rangers
by Ojeikere Aikhoje 12 November 2010, 21:37

Former Heartland and Enyimba forward, Emeka Nwanna, has reunited with his former team, Enugu Rangers.

Rangers media officer, Foster Chime, confirmed the return of Nwanna, fondly called ‘Ayaya’ to the ‘Flying Antelopes’.

“We’ve completed the registration of Nwanna at the NPL. Rangers got him after one of our forwards, Nonso Elias left for Enyimba.

“The NPL gave us the chance to replace Elias, so we decided to bring Nwanna, who is well known to us. He is a former player of Rangers and will be useful to us considering his experience. The Rangers squad is happy to have him back,” he told SuperSport.com, on Friday.

NPL acting executive secretary, Tunji Babalola, informed SuperSport.com that Nwanna can play for his new team.

“The NPL has registered Nwanna as player of Rangers,” Babalola said.

Chime revealed that Rangers will unleash Nwanna on Dolphins when both sides clash in a week two Nigeria Premier League match, on Sunday.

He stated that another former Heartland player, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who left the Owerri side with Nwanna, has also joined Rangers.

“Ezenwa is with us, but can’t play until the transfer window reopens.

It’s the same with Nduka Ozokwo, who has returned from Turkey,” Chime explained.

Nwanna left Rangers eight years ago for rivals, Enyimba, when he set a transfer record in the domestic league. The move cost Enyimba N1million which made him the most expensive player.

He was a member of the Enyimba squad that ruled Africa in 2003 and 2004.

The forward had an unpleasant stint in Tunisia before Heartland signed him on his return to Nigeria.

supersports.com

Lobi won’t take points off Sharks - Ezeji
by George Akpayen 12 November 2010, 09:39

Sharks Football Club forward Victor Ezeji is confident that Lobi Stars will not take the maximum points off his team when both sides come up against each other in a Week 2 game of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

Ezeji explained that his confidence stems from the fact that Lobi Stars will be playing their home game at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo instead of their traditional home ground of the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

“For me they will not take the three points from us. We have a good chance of picking an away win against them because we will be playing on a neutral ground as far as ii am concerned,” he said.

But the former Enyimba man believes that playing Lobi Stars in Jalingo will not amount to the Blue Angels thinking that the game billed to hold on Sunday will be a stroll in the park.

“No doubt it will be a difficult game because they lost their first game and will want to win this one. We are also angling for a win as well because we dropped points in our first game at home to Jos University Teaching Hospital (Juth) Football Club, which is still a shock anyway. But we have got over that and will go to Jalingo with the aim of winning and if we end up with a point, it is still acceptable,” he said.

Ezeji said he has set aside a personal target for himself but will not reveal it yet.

“Yes I have my target but I think it is personal and I will want to work on it and see it get to a realistic stage before I start talking,” he said.

© SuperSport.com

Shooting Stars aim away win over Zamfara
by George Akpayen 13 November 2010, 15:25

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) believes that they can pick the maximum points when they confront Zamfara United at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Sunday afternoon in a Week Two Premier League game.

Head of the Oluyole Warriors, Fatai Amoo, said his team will head into this game with an attacking style and with the hope of pegging back Zamfara United in order to steal all points for this encounter.

“We will not go there defending. We will attack from the start and when you attack definitely you will get something from it,” began Amoo. “No doubt, it will be a difficult game but we are confident that we can go there and win.”

Amoo has also downplayed the belief that the absence of his side’s two-goal hero, Gbolahan Salami, now suspended, could affect Shooting Stars in Sunday’s game.

“Yes, Gbolahan (Salami) is a very good player but we are not a club of one player. Remember that he scored those two goals through the help of his teammates and so we have replacements that can fill in the gap left by him.”

© SuperSport.com

Results

Ojabu strike sinks Rangers.
by Sammy Wejinya 13 November 2010, 22:51

An Omo Ojabu strike, 8 minutes from time gave Dolphin a one-nil win over Rangers, Saturday, at the Port Harcourt Liberation stadium on match day two of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL).

The two sides went into the game with wins under their belts after the first round of matches and the game was aptly billed as the week’s “star” match.

On 7 minutes, Dolphin had an excellent chance to open the scoring when Captain Ejindu was upended in the box. Osita Echendu struck the ensuing penalty well enough but despite sending Ebele Obi the wrong way, his effort missed the target by whiskers.

The game then descended into sad farce with misplaced passes and cautious tactics dominating.

Owusu Addae however came close for the home side on 14 minutes but his acrobatic bicycle kick never really worried the Rangers goalie. Owusu was proving to be a troublesome customer for the Rangers backline and on 24 minutes, he combined well with Captain Ejindu on the right flank but the latter’s effort could only strike the side netting.

The visitors rarely threatened and were content to sit back, soak up the pressure and hit with lightening fast breaks but Emma Godwin, Kennedy Chinwo, Yusuf Adaji and NPL goalkeeper of the week, Sunday Rotimi were giving very little away in defence for the home side.

Dolphin started the second half slowly but gradually got to grips with some neat interchanges and enterprising forward play.

On 54 minutes, the home side won a free kick on the right hand side of the Rangers penalty area. The set piece was sweetly struck by former junior International, Chinwo but Owusu’s powerful header clattered off the crossbar to the much to the relief of Obi who was hopeless caught out of position.

Rangers defended spiritedly as the home side tightened the screw with wave after wave of attacks. The Dolphin Manager, Stanley Eguma’s frustrations was evident and he made a rash of substitutions.

Eventually, his shuffling of the pack paid off as one of the new entrants, Ojabu struck in the dying minutes of the game to send the home fans into raptures.

“I am pleased to score,” Ojabu told SuperSport.com after the game.

“It was a very tough match against a very good team but I am happy my goal gave the victory to my team,” he said. The Rangers camp was the antithesis of the victors as Coach Alphonsus Dike voiced his frustrations for all to hear.

“The referees in this country are killing our football with shameless displays. The officiating in this game was so bad. He was very biased and did not hide his preference for Dolphin whom he wanted to win at all costs,” he said.

Dolphin now have six points from two matches and a goals difference of plus two while Rangers have three points less than their conquerors and a goals difference of zero.

Dolphin takes on city neigbours, Sharks in their next game while Rangers welcome Ocean Boys to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu for their next game.

Dolphin.

Sunday Rotimi, Kennedy Chinwo, Adeji Husseini, Bilamo Yabrifa, Emma Godwin, Festus Austin, Derrick Amadi (Emma Nwachi, 80 mins), Owusu Addae, Captain Ejindu (Omo Ojabu, 55 mins) Osita Echendu, Chidi Osuchukwu (Aaron Samuel, 67 mins)

Subs not used; Afessoh Attah, Uche Oguchi, Victor Ezurike, Daddy Morris.
Yellow cards: Adaji Husseini (3 min)
Red cards: nil
Manager: Stanley Eguma

Rangers

Ebele Obi, Henry Obiekwu, Ojo Mime, Chigozie Egwu, Cyril Owakwu, Francis Okammor, Emeka Eze (Chinedu Sunday, 38 min), Ejike Uzoenyi, John Nnam, Uche Nwafor, Peter Obiora (Brendan Ogbu 49 min)

Subs not used: Uche Okafor, Oge Okoro, Ugonna Uzochukwu, Emeka Onuoha, Hakeem Yakubu
Yellow Cards: Cyril Owakwu (44 min), John Nnam (65 min)
Manager: Alphonsus Dike.

© SuperSport.com

Cappadona123:
Crown 1 warri wolves 1

hehehehehe, i told you, you won't listen , God save una, i hope you guys didn't use ogboju score?

dominique:
Any news on the sunshine vs enyimba match?

Coming up tomorrow, check the fixture i posted below.

Dis Guy:
which kind draw come be this one, this season start is very slow o!!

It's always like this when clubs are trying to flex muscles against each other.

Ibrahim Affelay, well welcome to Barca, the best club in the whole universe.

Good, well i really feel they deserve the title and i am glad they got the title.

Congrats.

This boy is surely a boy, there's no chance in hell that this should be called a girl


This one a girl? God forbids bad thing