NPFL: Sunshine Stars Get Partial Reprieve On New Players Restriction

The imposed order restricting Sunshine Stars FC from fielding its new players has been partially relaxed by the League Management Company (LMC) on Friday.



Last Sunday in Jos Sunshine Stars were forced to make do with an entire team of 11 old players in a league meeting with Plateau United as the LMC enforced its ruling over litigation issues bordering on the Club's alleged indebtedness to its former personnel.



However following renewed efforts made by the team's management and other stakeholders to address the issue the league body has agreed to lift the ban partially with only seven of the Club's new players now eligible for Sunday's match against Kano Pillars.



Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) chairman and Club president, Otunba Tajudeen Akinyemi who confirmed the development to Sunshine Stars FC media revealed that for delays in response from some concerned parties the case would have been fully resolved by now.



 "Yes LMC only allow us to use seven (less than half) of our new players for our next match. The situation would have been fully resolved but their have been delays in response from some parties we are to reach agreement with.



 "Since we came on board we have been fulfilling our financial obligations to our personnel. The issue on ground has nothing to do with us but the past administrations but we have the will to address it. You know the system is continuous and the situation is already under control." Akinyemi assured.



The Sunshine Stars versus Kano Pillars Nigeria Professional Football League Match Day eight tie comes up at the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure.

NFF/ Nike unveil Nigeria World Cup kit

NFF and Nike have made public the 2018 World Cup kit to be worn by the Super Eagles at June’s Mundial in Russia.



The away kit, a neon and white retro design on the body, and dark green chevrons on a white background on the arms, received a more muted response.



Despite the mixed reaction, the kit’s similarity to the iconic shirts worn by the nation’s Golden Generation in their maiden World Cup campaign in the United States in 1994 should earn it major points for nostalgia among Super Eagles supporters.




Also unveiled is the camp wears of the Super Eagles, with report saying the kits will go on sale from April/May



Nigeria are using Nike as their kit manufacturer after having been fitted by Adidas for their last two World Cup campaigns – in 2010 and 2014.



They will wear the shirts for the first time on March 23 when they face Poland in a friendly in Warsaw.



Nigeria have been pitted against Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in World Cup Group D.

 

At last, I've been vindicated – Lulu

Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Sani Lulu said he has been vindicated by the court after he was discharge and acquainted.

According to New Hunter, He made this claim yesterday when journalists stormed his residence where they came across other well-wishers who came to celebrate with him.

According to Lulu, “Well, this is a very good moment for me and my entire family. For eight years I have gone through herculean task of problems and I want to say I give glory to Almighty God, He has done it.

“God has vindicated me. The main person involved, which is the secretary general (Bolaji Ojo-Oba) has since been set free by the court because the secretariat is the one in charge of activities but because they want to get at me by all means they decided to turn the table against me but God has vindicated me.

“During my time as the president of the NFF, God exposed me to so many things in life and I thank God for the opportunity. I will always depend on God to tell me my next direction in life,” the chairman of Fosla Football Academy disclosed.

The quartet of Lulu, Uchegbulam, Ojo-Oba and Ogunjobi in the court room

Recall that Sani Lulu, Ojo-Oba, Ogunjobi and others were charged to court for various allegations including corruption after their tenures as president, secretary-general and board members respectively.

2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup: Nigeria Draws Argentina Again

The Women national basketball team, D’Tigress have been grouped alongside Turkey, Argentina and Australia for the 2018 FIBA women’s World Cup taking place in Tenerife, Spain.

At a brief ceremony held on Tuesday at the Teatro Leal, San Cristobal de la Laguna, Spain, Nigeria was drawn in group B for the biggest women basketball tournament coming up between 22nd and 30th of September, 2018.

The team will be hoping to surpass their 2006 outing where they lost all their group games against China, Russia and United States before suffering another defeat in the classification game against Senegal to finish 16th.

Reacting to the draws, Dallas Wings player and one of the most influential Nigerians in the WNBA, Evelyn Akhator said, “I think it will be a great outing for us being drawn alongside Australia, Turkey and Argentina. I have watched the Turkish national team play and I am confident that we will surmount them. On the other hand Australia and Argentina, we will give a good fight with all hopes of winning.”

These were the official drawings for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup:

Group A: South Korea, Greece, Canada, France

Group B: Australia, Turkey, Argentina, Nigeria

Group C: Japan, Puerto Rico, Belgium, Spain

Group D: Latvia, USA, Senegal and China

Haggai introduce Osun Utd, Osun Babes 'Player of the Month Award'

Osun United Football Club and Osun Babes FC kit sponsor, Haggai Sportswear have introduced 'Player of the Month Award' to motivate their squad to do well in the 2018 Bet9ja National League and Nigeria Women Premier League season.




Chief Executive Officer, Haggai Sportswear, Paul Maduakor, revealed the ‘Player of the Month Award’ winners will walk away with award plaque, tracksuit, shirt, bag and his/her bill board will be raised for the month.





"We are determined to motivate Osun United and Osun Babes players in every way."




Winners of the monthly appraisal scheme for players will be determined by fans of the two clubs.




"The fans of the two teams will determine winners of the monthly award, with that the fans will be fully involved and we will know most popular fans player for every month.




“We have come up with this award that will see the winner walk away with award plaque, tracksuit, shirt, bag and his/her bill board will be raised for the month," *Maduakor told Osun United Media* .