Benue State bid to host 2018 GoldCup Pre-Season Tourney

Benue State Government has declared it's interest to host the 2018 edition of the Gold Cup Pre-Season Tourney.

The iconic Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi is expected to host matches of the Nigeria's most prestigious domestic club event, the Gold Cup Pre-season Tournament.

General Coordinator of the tourney, Tunde Shamsudeen, disclosed to Gold Cup Media Team after Kano Pillars were crowned champions of the 5th edition with 1-0 triumph over defending champion Lobi Stars FC  to claim their second Gold Cup trophy in three years courtesy of a 33rd minute strike from Rabiu Ali.  

"The next edition of the Gold Cup could be moved out of Ilorin, Kwara State, capital. We are delighted to announce that the Food Basket State have signified its intentions to host the next edition of the Gold Cup.

"Reason been that, we want to spread it to other Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fans state. You would agree with me that there's a good follower-ship of our three tier leagues in Makurdi.

 

"We all know that we can't talk about our domestic football without mentioning Benue State or teams and sports administrators that have come from the state. 

"The state boast of teams that have won laurel in and outside Nigeria, produced players that have excelled in the game of football and also produced fine administrators too. 

"Benue State saying they want to host the next edition of Gold Cup Tourney is a big boost for the tourney and we believe that with their support the next edition will be bigger than the previous editions.

"Let me also state here, that Kano State have also indicated it's intentions to host the tournament too."

South West Pre-Season Tourney: 11 teams to participate in readiness for new season

The Chairman, South West Football forum, Seyi Akinwunmi said that Pre-Season tournament, will feature 11 teams.

The competition will hold between Dec 3 to Dec 8 at the Agege Township Stadium. Akinwunmi said the competition would serve as a platform for the clubs playing in the league to assess their teams.

”The regional tournament could serve as an appraisal for the team on their preparedness for the new season. ”The Pre-Season tournament is aimed at giving the clubs campaigning in the league a veritable platform to assess their team before the commencement of the league,” he said.

 Akinwunmi who is also First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said that the regional championships to provide a synergy for football developmental programmes among the south west clubs. ”It is also an avenue for the discovery of young players in the South West Zone,” he said.

Akinwunmi said that the organisers were satisfied with the level of preparedness of the teams that had registered for the tournament. “We are satisfied with the level of preparation for the championships . The teams are getting prepared”. “We are expecting teams from the Nigeria Professional Football League and Nigeria National League 10 of them,” he said.

 Akinwunmi said the organiser of the tournament had learnt from the previous edition of the tournament. ”This showed that the teams that performed well also translate it to their campaign in the league. “We are quite satisfied with the timing of the tournament because it will serve as a prelude to the new league season.

 “The last edition affords various teams the opportunity to assess their team in terms of performance and technicalities. “Those that performed well in the championships last year can see their effect in their campaign during the league season because they can assess the players. “The tournament helps them to know their strength and weakness and also affords them the opportunity to plan ahead for the league,’’ he said.

Akinwunmi assured that the tournament would keep improving in terms of organisation and coordination. “What we are assuring is that the competition will continue to get better as the time comes by. The mistakes noticed in the previous edition will be corrected in the next. “By next year, we hope to see more clubs interested in the tournament,” he said.

 The Secretary of the forum, Akin Akinbobola, said that not only the teams and players would enjoy the benefit of assessing themselves, but also the referees. “The opportunity of assessment is not only for the teams, but also the referees and match officials getting them ready for the new league season.

“The teams that will be participating are drawn from the Premier League, National League and a state representative from Ekiti.

 “The teams are MFM FC, Sunshine Stars of Akure, Remo Stars, Crown FC, of Ogbomosho, Spartan FC of Lagos, Akure City, and a club assembled by Ekiti,’’ he said.

Akinbobola said that part of the gains of the tournament would be a technical assessment reports to be given by some experts in the league system to strengthen the clubs participating in the tournament. “Parts of the gain include a technical report that will be given by the technical committee headed by Taiwo Ogunjobi who will give a holistic approach to the teams.

“They will be assessed in their areas of strength and weakness and advice on where they needed to consolidate and improve top have a successful outing in their campaign.

 “We are also giving the team opportunity to know what to expect from other teams and if there are more lapses, there would be another tournament to assess them. “The tournament would probably hold a month to the commencement of the new league season,’’ he said. The tournament which was first held in 2016 at Onikan Stadium was won by Gateway FC of Abeokuta.

Gold Cup: Pillars claim second Gold Cup trophy in three years

Kano Pillars beat Lobi Stars 1-0 in the final of the 5th edition of the Gold Cup Preseason Tournament to claim their second Gold Cup trophy in three years courtesy of a 33rd minute strike from Rabiu Ali. 

The interesting game produced some breathtaking moment for both teams avid fans in Ilorin. Kano Pillars created the first chance of the game after four minutes of play when Nyima Nwagua failed to connect Ifeanyi Nweke's well delivered cross.

 

Nwagua had another opportunity to score the first goal of the pulsating encounter after receiving a pass from Nzube Anaezemba but his shot went inches wide.

The defending Champions were awarded a free kick in the 8th minute of the match when Salau Ibrahim was brought down in the final third by Chris Madaki but Moses Bunde poor delivery from the free kick was cleared by Chinedu Udoji.

Evans Ogenyi's men were denied an opportunity to net the opener in the 28th minute through Ibrahim Salau but Pillars goalkeeper David Obiazor pulled a brilliant save.

Ibrahim Musa's wards scored the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute when Rabiu Ali beat an offside trap before putting the ball past John Lawrence. The first 45 minutes ended with the Pillars claiming a deserved one goal lead.

The Benue Army came out strong in the second half and created couple of goal scoring chances but Pillars were resolute with their defensive play.

In their bid to get the equaliser, Lobi Stars made few changes. Eze Uchenna was introduced for Ibrahim Salau in the 53rd minute while David Tyavkase and Manir Ubale came in for Paul Onobi and Adeshina Thomas. The 75th minute of the exchange saw Lobi Stars weaving around Pillars defense with great passing skills, Duru sent in a lovely pass to Okpotu but Udoji intercepted it with a timely tackle.

Pillars stood their ground and defended their lead as they claimed their second Gold Cup trophy in three years.

However, FC Ebedei's youngster Batholomew Daniel claimed the top scorer award with three goals, Rabiu Ali was voted the tourney most valuable player while John Lawrence of Lobi Stars was named the tournament's best goalkeeper.

Lobi, Pillars for Gold Cup Final

Kano Pillars beat Niger Tornadoes 3-2 on penaties in the second semi final of the ongoing Gold Cup Preseason Tournament on Friday after a goalless draw in a pusulating encounter played at the Kwara Township Stadium, Ilorin.


Both sides went into the game with hopes of facing already qualified Lobi Stars FC in the final of the 5th edition of the Gold Cup Preseason Tournament.


Niger Tornadoes had the first glaring chance to score the first goal of the game, following a long throw in from Reuben Ogbonnaya but Shamsudeen's header went unattended to. 


Terkaa Melaai denied another close effort from Adamu Hassan after Nweke Ifeanyi delivered a wonderful cross into the final half.


Kano Pillars continued to mount pressure on Ikon Allah Boys in the second half, Abbah Hamza had a clear chance to score but Terkaa Melaai pulled a  beautiful save.


Minutes later, Niger Tornadoes got an attempt to punish the Sai Masu Gida Boys but Uche Ohusanya wasted a glorious opportunity to bury into an empty net from Wakali Mohammed's brilliant run.


The penalties shootouts presented Tornadoes with a chance to book the final ticket after Terkaa had saved two  spot kicks but Uche Uhusanya hit the upright to hand Pillars opportunity to win their second Gold Cup Tournament in three years.


Head Coach of Niger Tornadoes, Sola Adewuyi said he is satisfied with his boys, though they missed so many chances to have buried the game before it got to the penalty shoot out but they were very unlucky and have have positives to take home from this competition.


Technical Adviser of Kano Pillars, Ibrahim Musa on the other hand said he isn't happy because his boys played their worst game of the tournament and they will work on it going into the final of the competition against Lobi Stars FC.

My injury hell is over – Dele Olorundare

Former Sunshine Stars forward, Dele Olorundare has declared he would soon be back on the pitch and scoring goals after finally finding a lasting solution to his persistent injury.

Olorundare, who once led Sunshine Stars to third place in the NPFL and led the line as Sunshine Stars played on the continent for the first time has battled consistent knee problems for the past two years and his career has stalled as a result of the injury.

Olorundare is arguably Sunshine Stars record scorer with 42 goals from 69 appearances. His superb season form earned him a call-up to the Home-based Super Eagles under late Stephen Keshi in 2013.

However, it appears he is certain the lingering problem has now being solved and is gearing up for a return to the league.

“It started two years ago when I felt something in my knee. I continued playing with it because I wanted to help my club but apparently, it was getting worse. When I fully broke down, I started looking for medical solutions to resolve it and that was where my problems began,” he says.

“One solution led to another but I wasn’t feeling any better and loosing hope till I heard about Kasi Healthcare. Dr Salami and Dr Dayo Osholowu assured me they could finally resolve the issue and I decided to go with them as they seemed to know what they were talking about and I saw the technology they had. It has turned out to be the best decision I have made in my career. My knee is healing fast now and I will resume training very soon. I cannot wait to be back.”

Speaking on Olorundare’s injury, Dr Salami, Chief of Surgery at Kasi Healthcare said making the right diagnosis and confirming same with modern technology is fundamental to identify and plan for treatment of delicate sports injuries and ensuring that players make the best of their short careers.

“It is sad many players lose out on the best years of their careers because of inadequate care. Our team has extensive clinical experience managing sports injuries. Nigerian athletes can now gain access to diagnostic ultrasound and MRI scans reported by specialist sports medicine specialists and l radiologists, either same day or within 48 hours of their initial appointment.

“We offer a world class but local solution for injured Nigerian athletes. We have consolidated all our skills, expertise, and made the investment in the modern technology to create a world class sports medicine service here in Lagos Nigeria. That is our mission here at Kasi. I am happy for Olorundare, he deserves to be back on the pitch. He has been through a lot. 

Dr Salami is a Fellow in Arthroscopy at the Sancheti Institute of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Pune, India. He is also a fellow of the West African College of Surgeons and member International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS); European Society for Sports Traumatology.

Also speaking on the issue is Head of the Kasi Healthcare Interventional Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation service Dr Dayo Osholowu who is a Diplomat of the FIFA Football Medicine Center of Excellence Johannesburg and member of the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup Medical team and Former Team Doctor of NIgerian Dodan Warriors Basketball Team says NPFL players, other Nigeria athletes all need fast diagnosis and full recovery.

"They want to return to their achieved levels of fitness and performance as soon as possible with minimal disruption. For even the most severe sports injuries such as a torn ACL (knee ligament) we offer advance keyhole and micro surgery including Laser treatments for Sports Injuries. We also offer Physiotherapy and individualized rehabilitation programmes to ensure full recovery from sports injuries and orthopedic surgery.

“Our team is 100% Nigerian and trained at top Sports Medicine centers in Europe, USA, South Africa and India. We are here to provide the best quality specialist healthcare to this category of Nigerians. It is sad that in the past many have never fully recovered from these injuries which are completely treatable.

“We are happy, we are giving athletes and Nigerians hope by helping them recover from injuries. This year we have treated Terry Envoh, a former Nigerian international and he is on his way to fully recovering. Another Nigerian International Segun Oduduwa who also got injured playing for the National U23 team has had his surgery and is strictly following our recovery plan.

“Segun will make a full and complete recovery and he will be back on the pitch soon. That’s what gives us pride, helping our people return to sports or any other endeavor and leading active, productive lives.”