Ogunjobi Gold Cup: Yobo FC shocks Niger Tornadoes

Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney favorites, Niger Tornadoes were handed a reality check after they lost 1-0 to Nationwide League One side, FC Yobo in the first game of MatchDay 3 at the Kwara State Stadium Complex, Ilorin.


The Lagos based team who lost 2-1 to Kwara United in their opening game, had a better of the Ikon Allah Boys making use of the only half chance that came their way in the first half.


Domas Ewelike grabbed the opening goal in the 10th minute as he fired into top of the net.


Yobo profited from a scrappy defending as a heavy pass from Alpha Igbudu put the duo of  Akinmoladun and goalkeeper Moses Ocheje to pressure as Oliver David stole the ball and provided the needed assist to Ewelike.


Speaking after the game, captain of FC Yobo, Muri Lawal said: " Having lost to Kwara United in our first game on Friday, we had no choice that to come all out against Tornadoes.


"Playing them with respect would have cost us, so we took the game to them and then made use of the half chance they gifted us from a defensive mix up.

• "The victory is a big boost for us, that we'll take into our subsequent games."

Ilorin agog as Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney kicks off

Ilorin, capital of Kwara State will come alive with top class domestic football excitements as the Ogunjobi Gold Cup Tourney kicks off today (Thursday August 29).


It's the 7th edition of the nation's prestigious pre-season tourney and the State of Harmony are hosting it for a second time.


Runners-up in the 2015 edition in Ijebu-Ode, MFM FC of Lagos will lock horns with FC Ebedei  for the first 3points of the tourney, as their game is billed for 8am local time.


Two hours later, it will be a clash of two Nation-Wide League One (NLO) sides as the 2018 edition in Akure giant-killers, Cynosure FC of Ebonyi hosts Wasiu Alabelewe FC of Ifon-Osun.


The star game of MatchDay 1 is a North-Central Derby between Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes at 4pm.


It's not just a derby as its also a tie where an assistant, Coach Sulyman Ashifat will prove to his employers  that he has what it takes to beat his immediate former boss, Abubakar Bala.


However the Harmony Boys will hope to make use of home advantage and the 12th man (their fans) as they battle for supremacy in Group A.


Group 🅰
MFM FC vs FC Ebedei  -8am
Kwara  Utd vs Tornadoes -4pm

Group 🅱
Cynosure FC vs Alabelewe -10am



The country's First Pre-Season Tournament is sponsored by distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic, Dr. Buhari Abdul-Fatai (BAF), and its proudly supported by Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi Foundation, Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee Member; Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, foremost betting company, Bet9ja, Nigeria leading sportswear firm, ‘Owu’, Newbell Global Investment, Naija League Magazine, Matchroom, Sportspro, 11th Media Global Concept, Phreestyle Sports, Kao Concept, Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation, Dejavu Communication, Play Sportswear, Phamatex Industries, Bovina View Hotel, Centre Ball Sports Ltd and Lagos State Sports Commission.

12th African Games: Nigeria Hit 12 Gold Medals, Still 6th On Medals Table

Team Nigeria has won six gold medals in weightlifting and three silver at the ongoing African Games in Morocco.

The weightlifting event was held at the Nahda Arena in Salle Nahda.

A former national junior lifter, Emmanuel Appah, won three gold medals in the men’s 61kg, having lifted a total of 271kg, with 120kg in snatch. He also lifted 151kg in Clean and Jerk.

Adijat Olarinoye also won two gold and one silver in the women’s -55kg, while former national champion, Chika Amalaho won 1 gold and 2 silver medals in the women’s -55kg.

It was all Team Nigeria in the final of table tennis women’s double with

Cecilia Akpan and Edem Offiong defeating Funke Oshonaike and Fatimo Bello 3-2 (7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-2, 13-11).

In track and field, Grace Anigbata claimed the gold medal in the women’s Triple Jump with 13.75m jump, while Dotun Ogundeji clinched silver medal with his last throw in the men’s Discus event.

Nigerian gymnasts won bronze medal in the women’s team Artistic event at the Ibn Rochd Centre.

Nigeria currently have 12 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze medals at the Games.

NAN

CAFCL: Enyimba's progress excites Dare Olatunji after ripping Rahimo

Seyi Joshua

Coming back from Ougadougou with a goal deficit, fortnight ago, in the first leg of CAF Champions League first round, the People's Elephant needed a two-goal margin win  but later got much more as Enyimba ease past Rahimo with 5-1 aggregate win.

Reuben Bala and Stanley Dimgba's braces added to Stanley Okorom's first ever Enyimba goal to give Aba Gunners easy passage to second round.

The visitors came with a plan no doubt but they got it wrong when their point man Zanon was given the marching order inside ten minutes for unsportsmanlike tackles on Emmanuel Ampiah's hips.

"Their plan crumbled the moment they were reduced to 10 men, we made things difficult for them and we were all over the pitch ripping them apart."

The former holding midfielder of Osun united saw full actions on his CAF debut, praising his gaffer for the believe and faith he had in him. 

"I want to sincerely appreciate the coach for giving me the opportunity. Am excited to be part of the success story, I will cherish this for so long because am excited my full debut in CAF competition is fostered with a win.

"The squad is full of experienced players and this high-margin win has boosted our confidence going into second round.

"Al-Hilal is a famous and a typical modest side in Africa, we would do everything we can to progress into the group stage of this competition. 

"Enyimba's pedigree on the continent cannot be rubbished. We will be on front foot as soon as we engage  our opponents. We will keep working on our lapses and finish the job ever before going for return leg." Osun Pogba as he's fondly called concluded.

Enyimba will face Sudanese side Al Hilal in the next round with the first leg holding in Aba in mid September.

Football must be revolutionalized in Osun - Ajiroba

Seyi Joshua

The state of Osun FA chairman, Chief Rasaq Isola Mustapha (RIM) has hinted that, stakeholders have a lot to offer,  if the elusive glory days of round leather game would be restored in the state.



The unfortunate circumstances bedevilling Osun football have been telling on the major state owned teams. There's a need to revamp the system, The chairman noted.



To ensure the fruition of his desire to revive the round leather game in the state, The Ajiroba of the source on Monday called on sports writers in the state to support his board in their quest to reposition the football development in the state.



"We have been meeting with stakeholders in the state to chat a new course for our football, countless factors have been identified as major bane to football development in the state. It is high time we suggest and proffer solutions collectively.



“Without press there is no football. Without reports, nobody will know what we are doing in terms of football development or management.



“We need you (journalists) and want you to work with us hand in hand to promote and move football forward in the state.



“I need you to work with us to reposition the football in the state; I want you as major stakeholder in the state to come around and work for development of football in the state,” he said.



Mr Yemi Aboderin, the Chairman of Osun SWAN, in his own comment congratulated the chairman on his emergence as the FA boss, commending him for recognising journalists as critical stakeholder to football development in the state.



Aboderin, also applauded him for identifying with the journalists, pledging the support of sports writers in the state to the course of sports growth and development.



He assured the FA boss that sports journalists would assist the state FA in promoting and projecting football in the state, especially at the grassroot.



The FA secretary in the state, Mr Abayomi Amoo had earlier reeled out the various football programmes lined up for the 2019/20 season thus; Federations Cup, Nationwide State League, Ogunjobi Cup Final (2018), Ogunjobi Cup 2019, Maiden Edition of Osun State Youth League, Ajiroba Ooni Football Competition and stakeholders meetings.



He noted that, sports writers would be part of the committees that would sparehead the programmes.



The new Osun FA chairman, who was elected on July 17, after the demise of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, had included it in his manifesto to restore the lost glory of football in the state which gave birth to the media chat.

FIFA Ban: It's shocking, I will clear my name -Siasia

Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has refuted having any knowledge of Federation of International Football Association, FIFA ban.

Samson Siasia on Friday was reported to have been ban for life by the adjudicatory chamber of the Independent Ethics FIFA over bribery.

In a letter claimed to be written by FIFA dated 16th August, 2019 and titled ‘Adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee sanctions Samson Siasia.

It was also conveyed in the letter that Samson Siasia was approached by Mr Wilson Raj Peruma who attempted to manipulate the result of a match which involved Siasia as a coach for betting purpose.

Samson Siasia who led Nigeria to win bronze in football event in 2016 Olympics strongly refuted the claim by FIFA saying no letter has been sent to him by FIFA as regards the ban adding he will fight back to clear his name.

To this end, the most decorated coach at the Olympics is set to address the media tomorrow. It is expected that Samson Siasia who is battling with the issues surrounding his mother's kidnap would clear the air and appeal the 'life ban'by FIFA. 

COACH DANJUMA RELIEVED AS NASARAWA AMAZONS PUMMEL KADUNA QUEENS

Eche Amos

It was a harvest of goals at the Lafia City Stadium as rejuvenated Nasarawa Amazons FC tore apart Kaduna Queens on Wednesday by five goals to nil in the last match of the first phase of the Nigerian Women's Premier League

The journey to the stunning result began when Dooshima Tarnum picked up a loose ball following some poor defensive miscalculations from Kaduna Queens and lashed it past the goalkeeper to put the home side ahead in the second minute.

Seven minutes later, Igboamalu Chinyere would increase the tally for the Lafia-based team as she feasted on another poor defensive clearance to leave the new league comers in oblivion.

Igboamalu Chinyere scored her second goal of the evening when Goalkeeper, Badmus Mutiyat, parried Ugochi Emenayo's diagonal cross from the right wing into her waiting legs, and she wasted no time in slotting it into the back of the net in the 27th minute.

At the 45th minute, a 35-metre thunderbolt from teenage sensation, Deborah Abiodum, almost tore the net, as Nasarawa Amazons went into the half-time leading 4-0.

The visitors, however, came back in the second-half with some glimpses of hope, shooting from distance.

Twice Anita Akabike shot from a distance, catching Nasarawa Amazons' goalkeeper, Chukwu Uchenna, unawares, but those efforts could not find the back of the net.

Odoma Amarachi who was brought in by Nasarawa Amazons to replace Tarnum Dooshima, did not last long on the pitch before scoring her own goal after receiving a world-class pass from Deborah Abiodum inside the box, twisting her marker before driving a low shot past the arms of the helpless goalkeeper at the 85th minute to put final score at 5-0 in favour of the 2019 AITEO Cup winners.

In his post-match interview, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa Amazons, Danjuma Christopher stated that the result was a resurgence from their last dismal loss to Bayelsa Queens in Lafia.

"After a wonderful performance at the final of the Aiteo Cup and the dismal outing at home against Bayelsa Queens, we needed to catch up. That was why we came out with all vigor.

"This is the match before the mid- season, so we gave it all we have got, even though, with all due modesty and respect for our opponents today, my players would have scored more goals than they did", the happy-looking Danjuma explained.

With the result, Nasarawa Amazons are now placed in second position in Group C of the 2017/2018 abridged Nigerian Women's  League Season with 4 points and plus five goals advantage from three matches.

Bayelsa Queens have a seamless record record with nine points from same number of games and top the Group, while Sunshine Queens of Akure are placed 3rd position with four points with no goals advantage, and Kaduna Queens have no points.

The Women's League would go on a mid-season break to resume in two weeks' time for the continuation of the second stanza.

In the meantime, Technical Adviser of Nasarawa Amazons, Danjuma Christopher, has reacted to the invitation of six players of the club to the senior National football team, the Super Falcons, by coach Thomas Dennerby, ahead of the African qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"I feel great. It's great news for the team; it's great news for the State, and for the development of Women's football in the country", he said.

The invited players are defenders Ugochi Emenayo, Maryam Ibrahim, and Joy Duru.

Others are midfielder Amarachi Okoronkwo, and strikers Adejoke Ejalonibu and Lola Phillip.

He further reacted to the drafting of the goalkeeper trainer of the club, Yahaya Audu, into the Super Falcons coaching hierarchy as a welcome development.

"It's a beautiful development. You can see that Nasarawa Amazons have been consistent for the past four to five years.

"We have been either in one final or the other, so, am not surprised that he has been drafted into the Super Falcons."

Plateau United targets continental ticket

The management of Plateau United Football Club of Jos says its priority is to pick a continental ticket in the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

General Manager of Club, Pius Henwan stated this while addressing players and members crew at the new Jos stadium, shortly after the team resumption from a seven weeks break.

Henwan explained that with the calibre of players at the team,s disposition, he is optimistic the target will be achievable.

The General Manager warned the players that, there will be no room for complacency as such, any player who who failed to live up to expectations will be shown the way out.

Henwan who expressed regret with the team lacklustre performance last season, noted that there will be no room for experiment as such both the old and the newly invited players who are on trials will be given fair opportunity to prove themselves and player who failed to meet the club expectations, will be dropped.

According to the General Manager "gone are the days where players sit on the bench and collect free money on the bench stressing that henceforth, every players must justify his inclusion by giving hundred percent at all times"

He disclosed that the state government who are sponsoring the team will continue with their obligation of paying the team their entitlements promptly and challenged them to reciprocate the gesture by working hard to achieve the club target.


The General Manager equally appealed to the technical crew not to compromise on standard as they recruit new players to fortify the team, warning that management will not hesitate to drop any of them found wanting in discharging his duties.

It would be recalled that Plateau United narrowly escaped relegation last season after they maintained their top flight status following a hardfought goaless draw against Delta Force in Asaba in the last match of the 2018/2019 season.