FC lfeanyi Ubah Unveil Ladan Bosso as new coach

Former El-Kanemi Warriors FC coach Isa Ladan Bosso was on Monday unveiled as new head coach of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Saharareporterssport.com reports.


The former Flying Eagles coach, replaced Ghanaian gaffer Yaw Preko, who parted ways with the club at the end of last season  after the expiration of his one-year  contract with the Anambra Warriors.


Bosso on his own part, ended his two-year contract with the El-Kanemi side at the end of last season, helping them to finish in sixth position, thereby failing to pick the targeted continental ticket for the club.


At the same time, Bosso was linked with NPFL clubs like, Katsina United, Enyimba International before deciding to pitch tent with the Nnewi club, as they plan to intensify preparation for the new league season.

Meanwhile, FC Ifeanyi Ubah failed to end the season on the high after finishing in a disappointing ninth position at the end of last season.

Fresh hails Falconets, sure Morocco will fall in Benin City

Newly –appointed Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed (popularly called ‘Fresh’) has commended the country’s U20 girls, Falconets, for the 1-1 draw secured against their Moroccan counterparts in Sale on Sunday.



The match was the first leg of a second round fixture of the African qualifying race for the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.



The homers got the opening goal of the encounter in the 24th minute but Nigeria’s leading scorer of the qualifiers, Rasheedat Ajibade drew the Falconets level minutes later, and scoreline remained that way until the final whistle by the Ghanaian referee.



“I want to praise the Falconets for putting up a great effort despite the fact that they were playing away, and also despite the very cold weather. I have heard reports of how the weather made the game difficult for our girls.



“No doubt, I have confidence that the Falconets will go all out and win the second leg in Benin City next week, to qualify for the final round of qualifiers,” Ahmed told thenff.com.



The return leg will take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on 18th November, with the winner on aggregate proceeding to the final round of the African qualifying series.

CCL: Wydad Casablanca rules Africa again after 25 years

Wydad Casablanca of Morocco became African champions for a second time when they defeated Al Ahly of Egypt 1-0 Saturday in the second leg of the CAF Champions League final.

Walid El Karty nodded the lone goal on 69 minutes to give the home team a 2-1 aggregate triumph after they forced a 1-1 draw in Egyptian coastal city Alexandria last weekend.

Achraf Bencharki, who equalised in the first leg, set up the goal with a deflected cross for El Karty to score his third goal of the competition. 

  

Victory bridged a 25-year gap for Wydad, who conquered Africa for the first time in 1992 when they defeated Al Hilal of Sudan in the African Cup of Champions Clubs.

The name of the premier African club competition changed to the CAF Champions League in 1997 when a new format and prize money were introduced.

Wydad pocketed a record $2.5 million (about 2.1 million euros) and are guaranteed at least another $1 million by competing at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates during December. 

  

Although Ahly dominated possession and territory during the goalless opening half, Wydad came closest to breaking the deadlock with 30 minutes gone. 

A long clearance from goalkeeper Zouheir Laaroubi set in motion a move that ended with a deflected shot from Abdeladim Khadrouf rattling the crossbar.

Relieved Ahly had a great chance to take the lead four minutes later when first-leg scorer Moamen Zakaria broke clear to go one-on-one with Laaroubi.

But the Egyptian failed to lift his shot sufficiently at Stade Mohammed V and the Moroccan shot-stopper used both hands to make a brilliant block.

Smoke from flares enveloped the pitch as the second half started in the Moroccan commercial capital, making visibility temporarily difficult for the near-capacity crowd. 

Wydad were more adventurous as the half progressed, using the flanks to put pressure on Ahly, and forcing their first corner with 58 minutes gone. 

  

Morocco-born Walid Azaro, battling the make an impact as the lone Ahly striker, was withdrawn on the hour by coach Hossam El Badry with Ahmed Hamoudi taking his place.

As the second leg drifted into the final quarter, play continued to be confined mainly to midfield with Wydad in pole position thanks to the away goal.

With 69 minutes gone the deadlock finally ended as El Karty struck with his point-blank header evading Ahly captain and goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy. 

  

El Badry reacted to his team falling behind by introducing veteran striker Emad Meteab and winger Walid Soliman as he sought the goal that would level the final on aggregate. 

But it was Wydad who came closest to scoring in a frenetic finish.

Cafonline

'Ahlan': Referees Will Always Be In Beautiful Perspectives

The newly appointed chairman Nigeria football federation referees appointment committee, Alhaji Rabiu Sherrif Inuwa, has promised that Nigeria referees will always be in beautiful perspectives, codedreporter. blogspot.com.ng gathers.


'Ahlan' has he is popularly called, wishes to thank President Amaju Pinnick led NFF board for making him the head of the referees appointment committee. 'Ahlan' had previously served as vice chairman of the same committee for two years and the Kano State FA chairman says he will only continue the good job from where Ahmed Yusuf Fresh had stopped.


Expressing his gratitude and optimism Ahead of the new challenge, the Kano man said;

"I thank the NFF board, our president Amaju Pinnick, for saddling me with the responsibility as chairman referees appointment committee.t I'll continue as chairman from where Ahmed Yusuf Fresh stopped because he did a fantastic job as chairman while I was the vice"


"I also want to assure Nigeria football fans and stakeholders that after seeing the incredible rise in profile of our referees in the last couple years, I'll tell you they will continue to be seen in beautiful perspectives. All of them" Ahlan Concluded

Enyeama’s return to Eagles dangerous, Owolabi tells Rohr

Former Green Eagles winger, Felix Owolabi, has warned against the return of Vincent Enyeama into the national team saying: “It may spell doom for the country at Russia 2018 World Cup.”

There are strong indications that Coach Gernot Rohr is unsatisfied with the goalkeepers in the Super Eagles and has extended invitation to Deportivo La Coruña goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho and afterward Enyeama, as he steps up his preparation for the Mundial.

According to Owolabi, after Enyeama called it quit from the national team, he should be allowed to enjoy his retirement after serving the nation well.

“Enyeama for me has no business in the Eagles again. The fact that he has called it quit from active football for the nation and coupled with the controversies surrounding his forced retirement, I believed there should no clamour for his return.

“Let Enyeama stays retired as far as the national team is concerned. It will be good for Nigeria if he is asked not to come back. And if he is asked to come back, sincerely it is going to spell doom for the country,” he said.

Recounting an incident in 1982, the former IICC of Ibadan player said that any controversy that precedes a tournament always end in a disaster.

“Previous experiences have shown that when there is a controversy over stay or do not stay on a particular player when he decides to come back, it does not speak well for the entire team.

“A similar thing happened in 1982 when I was in the Eagles. I will not mention names, but at the end of the day we lost out. Several events have unfolded pertaining to a player coming back from retirement. For God sake, Enyeama has gone on retirement and let it remain so.

Rohr as a good coach must be able to mold whatever material he has available at his disposal. It is not as if we do not have good goalkeepers, after all a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step.

“Most of us were able to find our way into the national team because we were given just one match as a test and we went through it and we passed. It is like an examination,” he stated.