₦airaland Forum

Bukola Babes dominate team of the week

Greenhorns in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Bukola Babes, made a bold statement by grabbing four positions in the playing personnel of the Team of the Week (TofW) and the coaching role as well.

Bukola Babes' head coach, Festus Allen, returned as coach of the week for the second consecutive week following his side's 2 – 0 win on the road to struggling Crown Football Club in Ilaro on Sunday.

Two players from the Premier League newcomers, Seun Sogbesan and Effiom Otu-Bassey, were also named in the team for the second week running.

The Ilorin club also provided the right-back in Promise James while Abdulrahman Bashir claimed one of the three striking positions in a 4-3-3 formation for the team of the week.

Goalkeeper of Sharks, Okiemute Odah, was given the number one place ahead of his Enugu Rangers' counterpart, Godwin Anyalogu, who also kept a clean sheet at the weekend.

Warri Wolves' defender, ThankGod Ike, makes the team for the umpteenth time to pair Sogbesan in the heart of the defence while Mine Ojo of Enugu Rangers, a former teammate of Ike during their time at Heartland, fills left-back.

Playing in the midfield with Otu-Bassey will be Heartland star, Chinedu Efugh, who can play as centre-back and defensive midfielder. But the former Rangers' man will play in the holding role.

Amanze Elekwachi of Warri Wolves is named in the left side of midfield for his darting runs, short passes and crosses that unlocked Plateau United at the weekend.

It will be a three-man attack with Fidelis Saviour of Kaduna United being flanked by Heartland's Bello Kofarmata and Bashir of Bukola Babes.

Why they made the team:

Goalkeeper: Okiemute Odah (Sharks)
Penultimate weekend Odah lost out in this position. But this time he beats Enugu Rangers' Godwin Anyalogu following his display in the game against Gombe United at the weekend in Bauchi. He did not concede in that game.

Right-back: Promise James (Bukola Babes)
James held the lines well against Crown Football Club, as his side romped to a 2-0 win on the road. He provided width down the right flank for Bukola Babes.

Centre-back: Seun Sogbesan (Bukola Babes)
The centre-back for the second week finds himself in the team of the week for his sterling performance in the defence of Bukola Babes. He is the main reason Femi Allen's side left Ilaro with all points. Sogbesan's performance was not only top class but commanding.

Centre-back: ThankGod Ike (Warri Wolves)
Wolves' strong man in defence played with so much zest and little wonder Plateau United struggled to breach the back line of the Warri-based club. Ike also showed he can also score as well as defend.

Left-back: Mine Ojo (Enugu Rangers)
Ojo slots into left-back following a wonderful display of work rate to keep Niger Tornadoes in check. He is one of the players that made sure that the Flying Antelopes left Kaduna with their first point on the road and also keep a clean sheet for the first time in an away game.

Right midfielder: Effiom Otu-Bassey (Bukola Babes)
The Cross River-born winger slots into the right side of midfield after his roving and superb display against Crown FC. Otu-Bassey makes the team for the second week like his coach.

Central midfielder: Chinedu Efugh (Heartland)
The former Enugu Rangers' man was the focal point in the middle for Heartland. He defended, cut off the opponents' play and join the attack when the need arose in the game against Zamfara United. Efugh also known as Chicago scored from the spot to cap up his performance for the day.

Left midfielder: Amanze Elekwachi (Warri Wolves)
The former Jigawa Golden Stars' winger was a handful for Plateau United. He combined so well with Ehiosun Ekigho and others to put Plateau to sword and scored one of Wolves' three goals in their 3-1 win in Warri.

Striker: Bello Kofarmata (Heartland)
After just returning from trials abroad, the former Kano Pillars' striker justified his starting in Emma Osigwe's Heartland squad against Zamfara United. He scored one and got two assists.

Striker: Fidelis Saviour (Kaduna Utd)
Like his surname suggests, he has been Kaduna United's Saviour in the past two games. He scored the winner against champions, Enyimba, on Sunday his side's lone goal win.

Striker: Abdulrahman Bashir (Bukola Babes)
The petite striker troubled Crown FC's defence with runs and combined well with Akeem Audu. Bashir crowned his massive work rate with one of his team's two goals.

Coach: Festus Allen (Bukola Babes)
The Bukola Babes' head coach for the second consecutive week picks the gong as coach of the week for his team's superb performance against Crown FC on the road. Allen's men followed up with their 3-0 win over Kwara United with a two-nil win against Crown - the only away win in Week 13.

Team of the Week:
Okiemute Odah (Sharks)
Promise James (Bukola Babes)
Seun Sogbesan (Bukola Babes
ThankGod Ike (Warri Wolves)
Mine Ojo (Enugu Rangers)
Effiom Otu-Bassey (Bukola Babes)
Chinedu Efugh (Heartland)
Amanze Elekwachi (Warri Wolves)
Bello Kofarmata (Heartland)
Fidelis Saviour (Kaduna United)
Abdulrahman Bashir (Bukola Babes)

Coach: Festus Allen (Bukola Babes)

http://www.kickoff.com/news/19872/bukola-babes-dominate-team-of-the-week.php

question:
^^^
I go for Kim.
She is like a moving train.

Vera has won 3 of their last 4 meetings.

question:
Murray  wins the 4th set to take the game.
Looks like the top 4 seeds going for the semi-finals
1. Fedex vs Djokovic
2. Nadal vs Murray

Why is tennis always like this,  I want bright newcomers to challenge these 4 guys out of the scene.
Their games are becoming too predictable,

Yeah, way too predictable. We hardly see any stunners these days. When last did you see an unseeded player make it to the final of a slam? I remember back in 2001, Goran Ivanisevic ranked 125 in the world then, won the Wimbledon Open.

You don't see such stuff happening these days.

Clijsters and Zvonareva are also through to the s/final.

Kim Clijsters vs Vera Zvonareva - repeat of US Open 2010 final. I hope Zvonareva will get one over Clijsters this time around.

Caroline Wozniacki vs Na Li

Dolgopolov wins the third set 7 - 6. This is the first time Murray is dropping a set in this tournament.

Murray is 2 sets up against Dolgopolov. Third set is tied 5 - 5

tanimz:
My love!

aww, that's so sweet, luv luv how every?

tz darling

He ya, fairytale is over. Three straight losses. Whatever happened to the magic Coyle worked on the team?

AjanleKoko:
Guys,
It seems Dani Alves may be on his way out at the end of the season, maybe even by the end of the week.
His contract negotiations seem to have fallen through, and I'm sure clubs like Milan or even City might just swoop for him.
Even Cryuff is advocating a quick sale: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/01/25/2322262/johan-cruyff-barcelona-should-consider-selling-dani-alves-to

What do you guys think? I like Dani, but it's unrealistic that every Barcelona player should be paid like Messi, especially with the debt situation. We would be sad to let him go, but I'm sure he can be replaced.

I think he will sign. He's trying to adopt the same tactics as Tevez.

Federer really had it easy against his friend and doubles partner, Stanislas Wawrinka.

Federer vs Djokovic - Federer will be hoping to avenge his US Open 2010 s/final loss to Djokovic. Fed won their last meeting at the tour finals and I hope he can repeat it.

Four of the men's top 5 will make it to the s/finals, I forsee no upsets.

I dey laugh

I dey laugh

tell her that I'll catch a grenade for her

Nadal is 2 sets up against Cilic. Third set is about to begin

pot pouri

Black & Yellow - Wiz Khalifa ft. T - Pain

aww Dortmund. They must be really missing their Japanese wonderkid.

I was stunned to see a BL match live on local tv during the weekend. Looks like your campaign here is begining to yield result

Must Madrid always buy? Is there no player you can promote to cover for your striker shortage? Na wa o! Rudd Van Nilsteroy

Must Madrid always buy? Is there no player you can promote to cover for your striker shortage? Na wa o! Rudd Van Nilsteroy

Great game over the weekend. Pedro's early goal dampened Racing's spirit.
My worry is that there are moments we looked defensively frail. Valdes put up a really good performance.

Next :
vs Almeria @ Camp Nou. CDR S/final

Yeah Murray beat Jurgen Melzer in straight sets. I dey fear that boy now o!

Justin Henin lost to Kuznetsova. I think she's yet to recover fully since that injury last year.

Men's Singles Q/Final

Andy Murray(GBR) vs Alexandr Dolgopolov(UKR)

Roger Federer(SWI) vs Stanislas Wawrinka(SWI)

Novak Djokovic(SRB) vs Tomas Berdych(CZH)

David Ferrer(SPA) vs Rafael Nadal(SPA)

^^ahn ahn, wetin happen?
But seriously, it will take a miracle for Crown to survive. They started brightly but now they seem to have lost it. Good one for Festus Allen and his Bukola Babes, an away win; second win on the throt.

A nice weekend for Rangers too. They picked up their first point on the road. They've only scored once away from home.

Enyimba lost yet again. I think they should just forget about the league. I pray the do us proud on the continent.

Only Dolphins can stop Dolphins.

4th seed Robin Soderling has been eliminated by Alexander Dolgopolov after a 5 sets encounter:
6 - 1, 3 - 6, 1 - 6, 6 - 4, 2 - 6.

Nadal vs Cilic is another one to look out for

ogazi007:
@Medjai

Keirrison is a young promising center forward we signed from palmeiras in 2009,he was only seen in Barcelona jersey when he was introduced to our fans in

camp nou.he was sent on loan to Benefica and he left Benefica for lack of playing time to fiorentina.i think he presently play for santos in Brazil.it was another

money miss road syndrome of Larporta and Tixiki with approval of Pep though.Barca wasted almost 15m euros just to be loaning him about.the same thing

happened to Honerique a young central back,he is still on loan to our opponent in tomorrow's game Racing santander.we have been piss poor in signing

players during pep era,but he is a very good Coach.

Thanks. I had no idea he has returned to Brazil. Last I heard of him was when he was loaned to Fiorentina.

Barca And Inter Dominate UEFA ‘Team Of The Year’ 2010

UEFA.com have taken the time and good grace to bestow upon us their Team of the Year 2010, and it should come as scant surprise that both Barcelona and Inter Milan dominate proceedings – with 8 of the final 11 slots being occupied by their employees, along with a further 7 of the 44 ‘unsuccessful’ nominees.

UEFA’s Team of the Year 2010, in all it’s glory, reads thusly…

Read more: http://soccerlens.com/barca-and-inter-dominate-uefa-team-of-2010/64539/#ixzz1BgzoSr3K

NPL rejects reversal on sponsorship deal

The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has declared that it has no business with the purported statement credited to its Acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola, that the body will re-conduct the title sponsorship bid for the Premier League.
“Nigeria Premier League wishes to dissociate itself from the alleged press release purportedly signed by acting Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola on the sponsorship deal with MTN.
“NPL is a registered company and as such can take decisions on how to improve the game in the country without any interference,” said the statement.
The Premier League also made it clear that Babalola’s decision to sign the statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) media officer, Ademola Olajire, does not affect the earlier bid process, which awarded Total Promotions Limited representing MTN Nigeria, the title sponsorship of the topflight in Nigeria.
The league arbiter also stated that it is the body’s chairman or the vice chairman that has the powers to append signature on statements concerning matters concerning the Premier League.
“We want to state here that whatever Tunji Babalola has signed is null and void because it does not have the mandate of the congress, which is the highest decision-making body and the board of NPL.
“We did what is best for the Premier League in the country and for anybody to feel that they can drag us back will not be good for the game in the country.
“Babalola cannot sign a document on behalf of the NPL concerning the bid process when the Chairman and Vice Chairman are still alive.
“For him to sign that the bid process that brought in a new sponsor was not well done when the congress and board has not decided otherwise is simply not binding," NPL said in a statement.

http://naijaligue..com/

Nigeria preview for Week 13

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Gombe United v Sharks

Bernard Ogbe’s Gombe United head into this game in 12th position on the log against in-form Sharks at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi. Gombe have won all their five games at home this season while the Blue Angels have taken three draws on the road in five games with the remaining ending in losses. It will be difficult for Sharks to pick a result at Gombe.

Prediction: 2 – 1

Recent head-to-head
June 6, 2010: Gombe United 2 – 0 Sharks
January 30, 2010: Sharks 1 – 1 Gombe United
February 7, 2009: Sharks 0 – 0 Gombe United
September 14, 2008: Gombe United 1 – 0 Sharks
April 12, 2008: Sharks 3 – 1 Gombe United
December 9, 2007: Gombe United 0 – 0 Sharks
August 17, 2006: Gombe United 3 – 0 Sharks
June 3, 2006: Sharks 2 – 1 Gombe United
December 18, 2005: Sharks 0 – 3 Gombe United
June 12, 2005: Gombe United 0 – 0 Sharks
September 14, 2003: Gombe United 3 – 1 Sharks
March 26, 2003: Sharks 1 – 1 Gombe United

Niger Tornadoes v Enugu Rangers

The Flying Antelopes will seek to end their poor away run in which they are yet to score a goal this season. Enugu Rangers have an open window to dent Tornadoes at home considering that they are yet to win in their last five games – a scorecard of four draws and one loss. But with Alphonsus Dike’s men yet to hit the ground running on the road, the best from this game will be a draw

Prediction: 0 – 0

Recent head-to-head

March 13, 2010: Niger Tornadoes 2 – 0 Enugu Rangers
October 10, 2009: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
May 2, 2009: Enugu Rangers 0 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
December 17, 2008: Niger Tornadoes 0 – 0 Enugu Rangers
May 25, 2008: Niger Tornadoes 0 – 0 Enugu Rangers
January 6, 2008: Enugu Rangers 2 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
March 18, 2007: Enugu Rangers 2 – 2 Niger Tornadoes
January 20, 2007: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 0 Enugu Rangers
August 7, 2005: Enugu Rangers 0 – 1 Niger Tornadoes
February 26, 2005: Niger Tornadoes 0 – 1 Enugu Rangers
August 1, 2004: Enugu Rangers 2 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
April 3, 2004: Niger Tornadoes 1 – 1 Enugu Rangers
May 25, 2003: Enugu Rangers 1 – 0 Niger Tornadoes
February 1, 2003: Niger Tornadoes 3 – 0 Enugu Rangers

Kwara United v 3SC

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) have been poor on the road with just one point from 15. But it will be a short trip from their base in Ibadan to Sagamu to face Kwara United, who were battered last weekend by Bukola Babes. 3SC have not beaten Kwara United in seven years on the road except for two draws last season and on April 16, 2005. But Kadiri Ikhana’s side will seek to return to winning ways.
Prediction: 1 – 0

Recent head-to-head

May 1, 2010: 3SC 1 – 0 Kwara United
December 12, 2009: Kwara United 0 – 0 3SC
September 24, 2005: 3SC 1 – 0 Kwara United
April 16, 2005: Kwara United 0 – 0 3SC
June 5, 2004: 3SC 3 – 1 Kwara United
March 3, 2004: Kwara United 3 – 1 3SC

Dolphins v Kano Pillars

Five previous visits by Kano Pillars to Port Harcourt have ended empty-handed. Dolphins have the longest winning streak of four and will stretch that to five on Saturday when they play host to Kano Pillars. Dolphins have won all six games at home this season.

Prediction: 1 – 0
Prediction: 1 – 0
Recent head-to-head

May 22, 2010: Kano Pillars 1 – 1 Dolphins
January 13, 2010: Dolphins 3 – 1 Kano Pillars
July 15, 2006: Dolphins 3 – 0 Kano Pillars
May 6, 2006: Kano Pillars 2 – 0 Dolphins
October 22, 2005: Kano Pillars 2 – 1 Dolphins
June 15, 2005: Dolphins 2 – 0 Kano Pillars
July 25, 2004: Dolphins 2 – 0 Kano Pillars
March 31, 2004: Kano Pillars 3 – 0 Dolphins
August 2, 2003: Kano Pillars 2 – 1 Dolphins
March 9, 2003: Dolphins 3 – 1 Kano Pillars

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Crown FC v Bukola Babes

It is the first topflight meeting between the two sides. Ganiyu Salami’s men are on a streak of four losses in their last five matches compared to Bukola Babes’ three wins, one draw and one loss. Coach Festus Allen of Bukola Babes is confident that his side can take something from this game in spite of having picked just a point from five games on the road.
Prediction: 2 – 1

Recent head-to-head
None

Heartland v Zamfara United

The Naze Millionaires will play their first game at their new home ground – the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar against Zamfara United. Heartland have been comfortable facing Zamfara as evident in their past four meetings at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri dating back to March 20, 2005. Zamfara should drop back to the relegation zone after this game.

Prediction: 3 – 1

Recent head-to-head

June 28, 2010: Heartland 2 – 1 Zamfara United
January 24, 2010: Zamfara United 1 – 0 Heartland
June 3, 2009: Heartland 3 – 0 Zamfara United
December 17, 2008: Zamfara United 0 – 0 Heartland
March 5, 2008: Heartland 3 – 0 Zamfara United
October 28, 2007: Zamfara United 1 – 0 Heartland
August 27, 2005: Zamfara United 0 – 0 Nationale (now Heartland)
March 20, 2005: Nationale (now Heartland) 1 – 0 Zamfara United

Lobi Stars v Ocean Boys

This is a game between (Ocean Boys in) 15th and (Lobi Stars in) 16th placed sides. The two teams are of equal strength considering their unimpressive start to the season. One of them will return to the drop zone at the end of this tie – and Ocean Boys look likely due to their form on the road of five losses in five away games.
Prediction: 1 – 0

Recent head-to-head

March 28, 2010: Lobi Stars 2 – 0 Ocean Boys
November 18, 2009: Ocean Boys 1 – 0 Lobi Stars
June 14, 2009: Ocean Boys 1 – 0 Lobi Stars
January 11, 2009: Lobi Stars 2 – 1 Ocean Boys
April 27, 2008: Ocean Boys 2 – 0 Lobi Stars
January 9, 2008: Lobi Stars 1 – 1 Ocean Boys
June 18, 2006: Ocean Boys 1 – 0 Lobi Stars
June 7, 2006: Lobi Stars 2 – 1 Ocean Boys

Warri Wolves v Plateau Utd

The last time both sides met in the topflight was on August 21, 2004 in Jos and that ended in a 1 – 1 draw. The reverse fixture played earlier that year also ended 1 – 1. But Wolves were known then as NPA, and will pose a different opposition to Ndubuisi Nduka’s men who have continued their faltering start since their return to the Premier League. Paul Aigbogun’s team should blow Plateau apart.

Prediction: 3 – 1

Recent head-to-head
August 21, 2004: Plateau United 1 – 1 NPA (now Warri Wolves)
April 14, 2004: NPA (Warri Wolves) 1 – 1 Plateau United

Kaduna United v Enyimba

This is the number 130 game of the season on the calendar. It will be Maurice Cooreman leading Kaduna United out against his old team. Already, Cooreman’s side enjoyed a cup win over the Peoples Elephant last season and will want to add to the woes of the champions, who have started the season on a crawling note. Kaduna United are the only side to have scored in every game this season and will continue that run.

Prediction: 2 – 1

Recent head-to-head

February 21, 2010: Enyimba 1 – 1 Kaduna United
February 14, 2010: Kaduna United 1 – 0 Enyimba
April 5, 2009: Enyimba 1 – 0 Kaduna United
November 23, 2008: Kaduna United 0 – 0 Enyimba
August 2, 2006: Enyimba 4 – 1 Kaduna United
May 21, 2006: Kaduna United 2 – 1 Enyimba

NPL suspends keeper Akpan

In the wake of the brawl game in an encounter between Sunshine Stars and Heartland, goalkeeper Bassey Akpan (pictured) has become the latest to be charged with unsporting conduct.
The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) in a statement has slammed a one-game suspension on the Heartland goalkeeper for his poor behaviour in last Sunday's game against Sunshine Stars.
Akpan will also pay N100,000 as fine to the NPL.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Premier League, Tunji Babalola, told SuperSport.com that Akpan was charged and suspended based on the match report submitted to the NPL.
Babalola said the Heartland goalkeeper was suspended for shoving the centre referee, Friday Awogo from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja during a Week 12 game.
"He (Akpan) pushed the referee during the game between Sunshine Stars and Heartland. That incident was in the match report submitted to the NPL. So we have decided to act on it," said the Premier League scribe.
Babalola added that the wave of fines and suspensions in the Nigerian topflight is to ensure that all actors in the championship keep to the rules guiding the NPL.
“NPL will remain steadfast in sanitising the league of any unprofessional conduct on and off the pitch at regular interval,” said Babalola.
Akpan will now miss Heartland's next home match against Zamfara United in Calabar this weekend.
He is the second player to be slammed with such charge this week after Enyimba's Austin Kadiri suffered same fate for punching an opponent in a Week 12 game against Warri Wolves last Sunday.

http://naijaligue..com/

Sunshine Stars to play behind closed doors

Nigeria Premier League (NPL) side, Sunshine Stars, are to play their next two home games in the country’s topflight behind closed doors starting with matches scheduled for this weekend.
The directive comes from the Premier League following scenes from last Sunday’s Week 12 game between Sunshine Stars and Heartland at the Gateway International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Premier League, Tunji Babalola, said Sunshine Stars have been slammed with the charge due to the misconduct of their supporters during last Sunday’s game.
Babalola said: “Sunshine Stars FC supporters were harassing the away team in their game against Heartland FC over the weekend thereby violating the rules and regulations of the NPL.”
“The supporters of Sunshine Stars FC are hereby warned to desist from such attitude or NPL will be obliged to invoke stiffer sanction on the erring club(s).”
Also, the supporters of 3SC where equally issued a warning order by the NPL.
The NPL also slammed a one-game suspension on Ahmed Kadiri of Enyimba for unsporting behaviour in their match against Warri Wolves last Sunday.
Kadiri will also pay the sum of N100,000 as fine, as he will miss his team’s next game against Kaduna United this weekend.

http://naijaligue..com/

rokiatu:
Monfils is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than him duh! Are you like kidding me?

Monfils is sure gonna win. I mean the match, not the whole game lol

Nah. Wawrinka is a better player. Wawrinka is an Olympic Gold medalist. He and Fed. won Gold for men's double in Beijing '08. He also proved it today. 7 - 6, 6 - 2, 6 - 3; he had it easy against Monfils.