Excitement As Dettol Becomes Official Hygiene Partner Of The Super Eagles

 

Excitement As Dettol Becomes Official Hygiene Partner Of The Super Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation and Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited

on Thursday in Lagos signed a contractual agreement that immediately

made Reckitt’s product, Dettol the Official Hygiene Partner of the

Super Eagles.

At a simple ceremony inside the Studio2 of HotSports Media Group in

Oregun, Akbar Ali Sha, General Manager of Reckitt Benckiser in

Sub-Sahara Africa, described the union between the Football House and

his company as a ‘historical moment’, insisting the agreement aligned

firmly with the firm’s purpose, which is “to protect, heal and to

nurture in relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world.”

In this spirit, Dettol is primed to provide hygiene protection for the

Super Eagles at every turn before and after every of their matches on

the road to and at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in

Cameroon next year summer, and on the road to and at the FIFA World

Cup finals taking place in Qatar at the end of next year.

“We will also seek to extend the protection to millions of fans of the

Super Eagles through our partnership with the Nigeria Football

Federation. The world is presently going through the worst health

crisis in the history of mankind and it is a glorious opportunity to

underscore the importance of hygiene and best health practices around

the Super Eagles and their supporters,” Ali Sha added.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick,

acknowledged Dettol as the household name for anti-septic globally,

and expressed the excitement of the football body to welcome the

much-loved product on board. “In truth, the COVID-19 pandemic has

changed the way so many things are done, including the organization of

football itself. We are guided and guarded, and with Dettol, we know

we will be the better for it.

“Our goal at the NFF is to attain 80% self-funding by the end of this

year, and I have faith that we will get there. Football is the biggest

single unifier in our country and I believe that makes it one of the

sectors that should be doing exceedingly well. Our vision is to have

corporate support all around our events and activities, and I am

particularly happy that Dettol is here. It is a further vindication

that we are doing things right.

“I want to here and now provide Dettol full assurance that the NFF

will observe the spirit and letter of the entire contract that we have

signed today.”

Also at the event were Mr Tanzim Rezwan (Reckitt’s Marketing Director,

Sub-Sahara Africa); Mustapha Bugaje (Reckitt’s Sales Director,

Nigeria); Mr Taye Ige (President, HotSports Media Group - facilitators

of the agreement); Mr Ademola Olajire (NFF’s Director of

Communications); Mr Yohanna Mathias (NFF’s Director, Audit) and Mr

Alizor Chuks (NFF’s Ag. Director, Marketing).

There was also Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

Ilechukwu Rubbishes Report On Heartland Protest, Boycott Of Ifeanyi Ubah Game

 

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has distanced himself from a news published on Tuesday in a national newspaper which reported that players of Heartland are set to embark on a protest and also boycott the MatchDay 28 game against Oriental Derby rivals, FC Ifeanyi Ubah.

According to Ilechukwu, "This is just another fake news, a cheap means to distract my team and fuel unnecessary tension in Owerri. 

"Let me state clearly that the players under my watch will never go on such protest or boycott any NPFL game. How would a Sports Journalist cook such a story when there is security challenges in the South East, let alone boycott an NPFL game.

"He should off course know the negative effects of such actions before he began writing his fake news where he quoted me.

"For record purposes, I did not grant such interview with any reporter on Monday or had a chat with any on social media platform, WhatsApp. I have taken time to go through the call log on phone and  chats, no number of such from the reporter that claimed to have interviewed me.

"The reporter has gotten on my nerve and he must face the consequences, I intend to seek the advice of my lawyer before I decide to take him and medium to court. Since I started coaching I have never had any issues with the media as I see them as partners in progress. During interviews I chose my words carefully as I don't want to be misquoted because I know the negative consequences. 

"This is the kind of issues I want to avoid. Of late some media have said to my face that am been selective with who I grant interviews with."

Speaking further, "I understand what the players are agitating for, like I have maintained, I want to use this medium to reassure the players that Governor Hope Uzodinma who is the club's number one fan will take care of the situation.

"Like every other teams in the NPFL have their challenges and that of Heartland is no different. So all hands would be on deck to proffer solutions to them as we move on."

NPFL: Sunshine Stars End Winless Run, Pipped Dakkada FC

 

NPFL: Sunshine Stars End Winless Run, Pipped Dakkada FC

Sunshine Stars returned to winning ways in the NPFL with a 1-0 victory over Dakkada in Wednesday's round 26 clash at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure.

Centre back, Uzoechi Ejike's goal powered the Owena Whales to the double over the visitors from Uyo, to halt an alarming sequence of 18 games without a win in the league.

The hosts exacted their dominance on the game from the get-go but had to wait till the 38th minute to have a real crack at goal when Sunday Abe whipped in delightful ball for Sadeeq Yusuf, who saw his header kept out with a last ditch effort by the goalkeeper.

The coach Deji Ayeni tinkered side broke the goal drought in seven consecutive home games at the stroke of a hugely eventful first half when Ejike powered home a header from one of Abe's perfectly-weighted crosses.

Sunshine Stars created further openings to add to the tally in the second period, first through Faud Ekelojuoti who slipped in the area when sent through on goal.

Then Akindoyin Nasiru narrowly missed out on a worldie after his bicycle flick sailed just wide 18 minutes from time.

The Akure landlords took hold of the contest in the final stages but required goalkeeper Henry Ayodele to intervene with a punching save when Dakkada heightened their failed search for a leveler.

A delightful coach Ayeni shared his thoughts on the game.

"I am highly elated; I want to thank God for the victory and the boys for their resilience, all Ondo State football stakeholders for their support. The win has given us some relief, but this is just the beginning!

"With this win we have gotten our confidence back, we will build on it till the end of the season. We are going to Enugu to make things happen." Ikoh Allah, former Ekiti Utd tactician stated.

Sunshine Stars next visit Enugu for a match day 27 tie with Rangers on Sunday.

Minifootball AFCON 2021: Nigeria Pitched Against Senegal, Morocco and Djibouti

 

Nigeria national team have been drawn in the group A with Senegal,  Morocco and Djibouti in the first round of next month's Africa Minifootball Nations Cup.

The draw ceremony which took place at the Ilaji Hotels, Ibadan, Nigeria on Wednesday evening was attended by presidents of African Minifootball Association as well as Oyo state Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan  and African football legends.

The Nigeria Minifootball team will hope to manoeuvre their way past their rivals in Group A for a chance to feature in their knockout stages  of the tournament.

Since making their debut in the biennial tournament in 2018 in Libya, where Nigeria finished fifth, this time the team will need to do more on the home soil to lift the trophy in the front of the home fans.

In group B, Burkina Faso will face Benin Republic, South Africa and Tunisia, while the defending champions, Ivory Coast will lock horns with Egypt, Somalia and Ghana in group C.

The 2018 host, Libya, Gabon, Zambia and Algeria completed the teams in group D.

The draw process was carried out by former Super Eagles star and the face of Mini Football in Nigeria, Mutiu Adepoju and the president of African Mini Football Federation Achref Ben Salha.

The best five teams will qualify for the World Cup in Ukraine in August.

The Group in Full 

Group A

Nigeria (Host)

Senegal

Morocco

Djibouti

Group B

Burkina Faso

Benin Republic

South Africa

Tunisia

Group C

Ivory Coast (Defending Champion)

Egypt

Somalia

Ghana

Group D

Libya

Gabon

Zambia

Algeria

NNL: Baruwa In Cloud Nine As Unlucky 3SC Narrowly Lost To Osun Utd

NNL: Baruwa In Cloud Nine As Unlucky 3SC Narrowly Lost To Osun Utd

Akanni Seyi

Osun Utd. were handed a boost in their quest to avoid relegation as they took Oluyole Warriors to cleaners in one of the match day 18 matches at the Osogbo Township Stadium.

Former Delta Force goal poacher, Monsuru Adio strikes as early as two minute to give United the needed maximum points, the encounter which saw the host ending 9 years winless streak against Ibadan landlord. 

The Omoluabi Giants as they are fondly regarded took initiatives right from the blast of the whistle, marauding ex-Shootings forward Thomas Adesina wreck an havoc in the vital area after controlling brilliant loop from byline. Onrushing lwo born striker instantly took it and slotted home acutely inside Shootings' six yard. 

Early in the second half, unlucky 3SC rattle the bar in their quest to salvage a point however United's keeper Arinze Okoro quickly diverted the rebound into a corner kick same way Elum Henry's header from close range goes narrowly off target at the death.

Edith Agoye later turned to top scorer Gafar Olafimihan who takes the place of hard fighting Malomo Ayodeji but were unable to break the stiff defensive pairings of Olushola Akilapa and Olatubosun Afolabi who was later replaced due to shoulder injury. Osun United endured a lengthy period of pressures and were rewarded with vital points against the run away group leader.

While speaking to newsmen after the tension soaked duel, the acting head coach of Osun Utd, Tunji Baruwa was full of excitement as he informed that the outcome would be the first of many. 

"We knew the strength of almighty 3SC before this match and we equally prepared for this game. It's unbelievable defeating the table topper but my lads have to put their lives on the wire to achieve the positive results.

"I want to thank the state government and the managements for the confidence reposed in me. I want us to believe this is a collective assignments and we will all be proud where we are going to finish this season." Ejo as he's fondly called who last worked with Gateway United stated.