NNL: Unuanel confident of positive results

Osun United Football Club head coach, Samson Unuanel says the Omoluabi Giants are ready for the upcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

The Omoluabi Giants have added several players with big game experience into their squad for the 2018/2019 season.

The State of Osun financed side are ready to turn things around positively this season.

Unuanel stated in an interview with *Osun United Media* that the club is ready to challenge for the NNL Group B1 promotion slot to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The coach admitted that the team have come along to gel with the inclusion of some fresh legs and called for the support and prayers of soccer fans in the state for the team to triumph.

"The team is ready for the league challenges, the players are focus, with great determination and ready to take the league by storm. The players all know what we are in for this season but, I think we are ready to play well all the season long," the former Kwara United and Sunshine Stars gaffer said.

Osun United go into the league opener action against NNL newcomers De Sapele Lions Football Club at the Sapele Township Stadium on Wednesday April 3, 2019.

NNL: Agbana optimistic ahead of new season

Seyi Akanni

As the Nigeria National League (NNL) season set to take the center stage this week, the gaffer of the re-branded Ekiti United has reiterated the chances of his side. 

Ekiti United has once again revitalized by the sports loving governor of the state John Kayode Fayemi. 

• The club who find a new lease of life under the leadership of the sports loving governor, ply its trade in the Nigeria Nationwide League last term. 

              New face of Ekiti Utd squad

With rigorous training and drilling under few weeks of existence in second tier league, the club has added matured, energetic and experienced league players to its order. 

With high profile tune up games played during the preseason, Coach Ademola Agbana has instilled confidence and tactical masterpiece to his squad while raising a formidable team for the state. 

The one time Nnewi United gaffer informed that every game would be taken as cup final.

"Let me first of all appreciate and congratulate the people's governor in the state for his vision towards giving the new life to the long abandoned Ekiti United FC. 

"My boys are in high spirit to fight and replicate our governor's gestures with good results. We are approaching the season with vigor and confidence.

"We are not afraid of big names in our group, we would always perfect our home work and go for the kill. Picking the only play-off slot in the group B2 will be our top priority." The immediate past Choice FC tactician informed Coded Sports exclusively.

Ekiti United is grouped in B2 along fellow NNL campaigners such as Crown FC, Ibom Youth FC, FCIkoroduunited, Warri WolvesFC, Word Of The Free Life Bible Church FC, LamrayUtd, Nnewi Utd, Rovers Utd, Gateway United FC and Dynamite Force. 

Warri Township Stadium would come alive on Wednesday April 3rd, 2019, when Warri Wolves shall play host to the NNL new comers Ekiti United.

NNL: Osun Utd off to Sapele in season's opener

Osun United Football Club bid for promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) begins with a trip to De Sapele Lions Football Club on Wednesday April 3, 2019.


The NNL on Thursday March 27, announced fixtures for the 2018/2019 season with Wednesday April 3rd, set for the opening matches.


Osun United will look to kick off the season in the best way possible when they play away to NNL newcomers Sapele Lions.


Four days later, the Omoluabi Giants will be at home (Oshogbo Township Stadium) where they will welcome Julius Atete Football Club.


The opening day fixtures presents clubs with an opportunity to set the tone for the season, and for the David Samson Unuanel tutored side, it will be no different.


History shows that Coach Unuanel usually start the season on a positive note.


Osun United have had a mixed but generally positive preseason to date, with varying results along with a host of new signings in the hopes of securing a promotion ticket at the end of the season.


2018 was largely a disappointing season for the Omoluabi Giants and the new season brings Unuanel and his side the chance to return the team to his glorious days.

Bye bye to bad football pitches - NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has resolved to build two football pitches in each of the 36 states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

This was contained in a communique issued after the meeting of the NFF Executive Committee held in Asaba on Monday.

“ In line with the new thinking and focus of world football –governing body, FIFA with regards to laying less emphasis on building infrastructure and more on football pitches, the Executive Committee resolved that after the ongoing Mini-Secretariat projects must have been completed in each of the 36 States and the FCT, the mission of building two Football Pitches in each State of the Federation and the FCT would commence apace.

 

In the meantime, work would proceed quickly on the building of Mini-Secretariats for the next batch of selected beneficiary States as soon as the sponsors release the money for the project, expectedly before the end of March 2019.

Emeka Nwabulu under serious hammer at Rivers Utd

Rivers United have announced the indefinite suspension of goalkeeper, Emeka Nwabulu, according to club media.

Nwabulu was suspended for a breach of contract and gross indiscipline.

Ratifying the decision, General Manager of the club, Chief Dr. Okey Kpalukwu explained that the decision was taken following consistent reprimands on the player which were not heeded.

Chief Dr. Kpalukwu added the discipline and professionalism remains the watchword of Rivers United as the club aims at finishing the current campaign on a high.

Nwabulu’s indefinite suspension takes effect immediately.

UEFA Assist: Senegal put Eaglets to sword

Seyi Akanni

The Golden Eaglets started their campaign at the ongoing UEFA Assist U17 International Tournament against Senegal with a defeat to their African counterpart Senegal.


The WAFU U-17 champions missed alot of chances in the first half despite dominating the proceeding from the blast of the whistle.


Senegal grew in confidence as the game proceeded with two quick fire goals deep into second half, thereby condemning the former world champions to a defeat in their first game of the invitational tournament.


"Yeah, we created lots of chances in the first half and failed to score.

"We conceded both goals in the second half. One from corner kick and the other a shot from the edge of the eighteen after one of our defender gave away the ball.

"The two teams gave a good account of themselves with Nigeria dominating play in the first half while Senegal had the second half". An official of the team informed Coded Sports.

Eaglets will now aim for win when they tackle Montenegro  in their second game of the competition on Thursday

UEFA Assist: Senegal put Eaglets to sword

Seyi Akanni

The Golden Eaglets started their campaign at the ongoing UEFA Assist U17 International Tournament against Senegal with a defeat to their African counterpart Senegal.


The WAFU U-17 champions missed alot of chances in the first half despite dominating the proceeding from the blast of the whistle.


Senegal grew in confidence as the game proceeded with two quick fire goals deep into second half, thereby condemning the former world champions to a defeat in their first game of the invitational tournament.


"Yeah, we created lots of chances in the first half and failed to score.

"We conceded both goals in the second half. One from corner kick and the other a shot from the edge of the eighteen after one of our defender gave away the ball.

"The two teams gave a good account of themselves with Nigeria dominating play in the first half while Senegal had the second half". An official of the team informed Coded Sports.

Eaglets will now aim for win when they tackle Montenegro  in their second game of the competition on Thursday.

NLO: Magate FC To Sign 30 As Players Screening Ends

Ahead the kick-off of the new Nigeria Nation-Wide League One (NLO) season, Magate FC is set to sign 30 players after it concluded a 3-day screening programme in Lagos on Monday.


No fewer than 120 grass-root players took part in the  scouting programme which began last week Saturday at the Alade Stadium, Command-Ipaja, Lagos.

Coach Yema
"It's been a tough three days for me, the turn out has been fantastic as each an every player that took part in the screening, gave a good account of themselves.

"The quality and skills from many of them is quite commendable but I can only do with 26 or 30 players. This I  have got after the exercise.

"Without bias to anyone, the players we have selected were purely on merit as they met with the standard we have set.

"Now that the screening is over, the second phase will be working with the 30 players on tactics and pattern of football  we want to play this season.

"I should use from now till next two weeks to drill the players, with a view of getting ready to take on any team in tune-up games."

The Head Coach of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN Selected) gave kudos to the management of Magate FC for the role it played during the screening exercise. 

"Am very impressed with my employers as they acted professionally during the screening programme as I was given a free hand to select the 30 players."

For Magate FC General Manager, Owolabi Aleshinloye, "I was impressed with the turn-out and quality from the players.

"The third day of screening was most exciting for me as I saw the best from many of these youngsters. 

"From what I saw today and what I think the team would look like in the next two weeks, Magate FC will be ready to compete well in the NLO this season."