NNL: Okeji optimistic ahead of new season as United goes spiritual

Seyi Joshua


The wait is finally over as
Osun United Football Club ambush Remo Stars Football Club, on Saturday evening in one of the Week One fixtures of the 2018 Bet9ja Nigeria National League at the Oshogbo Township Stadium.



'Omoluabi Giants' will have their hands full when they tango with the 'Sky Blue Stars' who have unarguably enjoyed nothing less than six months of intensive preparations after a stint in Nigeria Professional Football League.



In a chat with codedreporter.blogspot.com.ng after their final training at the main bowl of Osogbo Township Stadium, Victor Okeji is confident of positive result and a blissful season ahead.



"We have determined to start the season with vigor and a brisk momentum, after a rigorous preseason preparations.



"Our aim is to finish the season on high note and qualify for the Nigeria Professional Football League play off,  playing each game as if it's a cup final."




A reliable and informed pacy forward who in the time past had carried the team on his shoulder underscores the importance of right attitude and the veracity of club's slogan 'Believe and Achieve' as the wave guide to the season.




"With the new blood of players injected into the team, the spirit is so high and we won't forget to fight during our games, we will fight for the financier of the team, we will fight for the management and lastly, we will fight for our supporters and the passionate fans." The former Gateway FC of Abeokuta forward concluded.




Meanwhile, the team in conjunction with the Supporters Club spent quality times in the presence of Almighty God yesterday, committing their ways and club activities in the hand of God. The well attended prayer session is aimed at seeking God's mercy and divine intervention as the season unfolds.





The expectations is so high on the home team to perform better than the last outing. Recall, the 'Omoluabi Giants' finished seventh (7th) on the log in the Southern Conference last season, scoring thirty (30) goals and conceded twenty-five (25) goals.

ABS FC to play Offa utd in Charity match for robbery victims

The management of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC on Monday said it has concluded plans to help raise money for the victims of the recent  robbery attack in Offa via a charity football match, codedreporter.blogspot.com.ng gathers.


The team's Director of Football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, said this on Monday  in Ilorin.


He said the ABS management had informed the management of Offa United FC that it will play it in a friendly match which proceeds from the gate takings and other free will donations will go to the victims of the offa robbery attack.


Chukwuemeka said the match will also be used in bringing Offa people together again after the robbery incident, which has not seen the ancient city come back to life again.


"Football is one of the most unifying sport in the world today, we want to use this friendly to bring Offa town and people together again, that's why we are playing in Offa.


"We urge Offa residents to come out enmass to watch this game and pay for it because the gate takings and other donations will go to the victims.


"We at ABS commiserate with the people of Offa who lost their loved ones in the incident and we pray for quick recovery for those recuperating at the hospital.


"We have a lot of fans in Offa and this is the time to show that we care about them.


"If we had started the Nigeria National League (NNL), before now, we would have taken one of our games there to raise money for the victims.


"But since we have not started we will do that with a friendly match" Chukwuemeka said.


The match according to him is scheduled for Tuesday April 24 by 3pm at the Offa Township Stadium.

The match is being organized in conjunction with OFFA Descendants Union (ODU)

NPFL: Ashadi shoots Katsina Utd to second on the log

Destiny Ashadi's 63rd minute spot kick  secured the maximum points for Katsina Utd against El Kanemi Warriors and shoot ‘The Changi Boys’ to second spot on the NPFL table.

They have 27 points form 18 games, six points behind leaders Lobi Stars.

El Kanemi have now dropped to 18th place with 19 points from 17 games

‘The Changi Boys’ started the game brightly after Tasiu Lawal forced goalkeeper Jobe to a world-class save with a spectacular right-footed strike from about 23 yards out in the early minutes of the game.

El Kanemi Warriors also came close with a fantastic header by Anthony Yeful on 17 minutes, but Dami Paul was on hand to parry the danger to safety.

As the intensity of the game increased, Katsina United continued to dominate the game with Ashadi and Usman Barau dictating the pace of the game with crisp passes, but could not carve out a hole in the defence of the visitors. 

Joshua Agboola came close on 30 minutes with a fabulous drive as Jobe did brilliantly once again to parry the ball to safety.

Ashadi's goal-bound strike would then be blocked by Lucky Erimuya few minutes later.

Both teams poked and knocked severally, but could not find the back of the net as they went to the break with a goalless draw.

On resumption, the visitors grew in confidence as they threw more men forward in search of a vital away goal.

Barely two minutes into the second half, Tasiu Lawal ghosted past three markers and released a thunderbolt, but Jobe was on hand to palm the goal-bound effort to safety.

Katsina United would then break the deadlock on the 63rd minute with a penalty that was well taken by Ashadi after Martins Usule, who was ready to pounce on a dangerous pass into the goal area by Musa Suleman, was hacked down by Ebuka.

Samuel Mathias could have restored the parity in the 55th minute, but his clever free-kick from the edge of Katsina United box went inches away from goal.

Lively Tasiu Lawal could have doubled Katsina United advantage on the hour, but his right-footed strike went inches away from the crossbar

The visitors effort to restore parity was thwarted by Katsina United defence led by Timothy Danladi as the game ended 1 - 0 in favour of the hosts.

In a post match reaction, Coach Abdullahi Biffo noted that his boys delivered when it mattered most.

"Yes, it was a very tough game for us because the goals were not coming after my boys have created a lot of scoring opportunities, but I am happy they delivered by scoring the winning goal when it mattered most.

"Kudos to the boys because they played with all their mind and that was the reason why we got the goal.

"We have now shifted our attention to the next game which is against Plateau United.

“Hopefully, we will come back with something from Jos.”

Katsina United Media

Babalola name Knights FC squad for NLO

Knights Football Club of Ile-Ife, has stated their readiness for the 2018 Nationwide League One Division Two season as the technical crew named its final 30-man squad.


In a statement signed by the club’s President, Seeni Falonipe, the head coach of the Odua Boys, Babalola Olabode, expressed confidence in the players listed.


Seenesco as the sole financier of the club is fondly called stated that the quality of players at the team disposal will help the club to achieve its dream of securing promotion to the NLO Division One.


The recruited players include Adefowope Adeogun, Azeez Odemuyiwa, Bolaji Akintaro, Christian Jones, Dauda Adeosun, Dotun Awosode, Emmanuel Ajayi, Emmanuel Kolawole, Hammed Oyewale, and Henry Augustine.


Others are Ojo Adebisi, Olasunkanmi Ayoade, Opeyemi Adeyemi, Ridwan Olagboye, Taiwo Adefioye, Tolulope Amola, and Wasiu Eyinade.


The old players who were named by Ejalo, as Coach Babalola is fondly called, include captain Dauda Adekanmi, Abolaji Aworefa, Ayokunle Awoseemo, Ayotunde Faleti, Emeka Maduakor, Gideon Afolahan, Giveth Emmanuel, Joseph Ugwu, Luknan Akanbi, Olalekan Akanbi, Oluwafemi Adebayo, Oluwaseyi Olumofe, and Sarafadeen Alao.

No hiding place for Enyimba - Issa

Kwara United's midfielder Magaji Issa has called on Kwarans to support their team today when they face Enyimba International FC at the Kwara State Stadium in their rescheduled match day 15 of the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL encounter.


Speaking to pressmen In Ilorin, Issa disclosed their intention to win today's game against Enyimba which he believed would move the club out of drop water in the league.


He noted the fans' presence would give them added motivation to give their best as Kwara United continue to steady their rise in form.


 "Enyimba's game look very difficult match for us but we want to give our all to claim the full points, even though w know it won't be easy, that's why we need the fans to come nad give us their full support," Issa begins after the club's last training in Ilorin on Tuesday.


"In order to ensure total commitment and togetherness in the team for actualization of our goals of leaving the relegation zone and perhaps getting a top four finish, we need adequate support and motivation from all stakeholders, supporters, football lovers, and individuals in the state."


"I know that our game against Enyimba would attract a lot of spectators and I believe with new ideology, right attitude and continuous winning mentality our esteem fans would enjoy good football and get the three maximum points.


The former Barrier Football Academy, BFA playmaker enthused that the Harmony Boys would scale out of their present position just as he's sure of the team's top four finish at the end of the 2017/2018 NPFL season.

FC ROBO QUEENS UNVEILS NEW KITS FOR 2017/2018 SEASON

Ahead of the new NWFL season, FC Robo Queens of Lagos has unveiled Haggai Sportswear as official kit of the club for the 2017/18 league season. 


The deal which was completed in Lagos In February will have the Lagos side dressed in official sky-blue and white home jersey colour and all navy blue away jersey colour.


According to the statement from the Club, "We are youth development oriented team and are proud of our new partnership with Haggai Sports who have also shown their commitment to the total development of the game and the main actors involved,
We believe we will achieve greatness together."


"In the same vein, our preparation for the season went smoothly as we recruited a host of talented academy players to the main team to fortify the team from last season In line with our the clubs model of developing and promoting talents, these young talents are ready to take the NWPL by storm.


"The players includes;
1)AZEEZ ZAINAB
2)ALIU ABIOLA
3)OGBUCHI CHIDINMA
4)AJAYI SHAKIRAT
5) MICHEAL BLESSING
6)ONYENEZIDE ESTHER
7)OLADIPO  SHUKURAT
8)AYODELE TOYIN
9)KANU HANNAH
10)OLAOBI MARIAM
11)PETER DEBORAH
12)NWANZE AWELE
13)OGUNDARE OLUWAKEMI
14)MUTAIRU KEHINDE
15)  EZECHUKWU CHINONSO
16)  ABRAHAM JANE
17)  ADEYEMO FASILAT."


FC Robo Queens are to kick-start their 2017/18 NWPL season away to the league defending champion, Nasarawa Amazons In Lafia. This fixture is the seasonal opener and the only match of the day for 7th April.

36 Lion unveil nine new players

Nationwide League One side, 36 Lion Football Club have announced the signing of nine new players ahead of the 2018 season scheduled to kick off on Thursday April 6, 2018.



36 Lion signed exceptional players in the off-season as they prepare another season in the NLO Division One.



The duo of Quadry Ajala and Ayoade Babatunde, were signed from Team 360 Football Club.



Akeem Wasiu, joined from G12 FC, while Chukwu Chinendu, was recruited from FC Bethel, and Chiroma Yazidu signed from Obazz FC.



Teamidayo Okanlawon, Quadry Liameed, Chidubem Nwosu and Mohamed Tijani graduated from the club Under-18 to the main team.



Meanwhile, the club President Alhaji Gafar Liameed, has expressed confidence in the ability of the team to play in the Nigeria National League next season.



Gafar, who's a board member of Lagos State Football Association, stated that he will be excited if his team at the end of the season can secure one of the promotion to the NNL.



"Our aim this season is to secure promotion to the Nigeria National League, win the Lagos FA Cup and go all the way to the Aiteo Cup finals.



"With the performance of my players during the preseason, we should be able to clinch one of the promotion slots, though it won't be easy but I believe we can spring surprise. It will be double joy for me if we can win the Lagos FA Cup and promotion ticket to the NNL."