NPFL23: Insurance Maintain Unbeaten Run, Put Enyimba lnto Sword

NPFL23: Insurance Maintain Unbeaten Run, Put Enyimba lnto Sword 

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin on Sunday evening defeated visiting Enyimba International Football Club of Aba 1-0 in the week 9 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. 

The only goal of the tension-soaked  match was scored by top striker Imade Osarenkhoe courtesy of Ebuka Akobundu's assist from the right flank in the 23rd minute of play and eventually sealed victory for the high flying Bendel Insurance FC.

Imade, Sarki Ismael and Vincent Augustus came close to increasing the goal tally for the host but their efforts went inches away from the post at different occasions as the homers came all out against the People's Elephants.

Enyimba on the other hand showed why their most respected club in the country as they gave a good account of themselves with possessive display throughout but all their attempt for possible equaliser met the brick walls posed by  Insurance defence network of Sunday Anyawu,Benjamin Tanimu, Julius Emiloju and Ebuka Akobundu. 

On resumption of hostility  in the second half, the homers continued from where they stopped in the second half as they piled up more pressure on the visitors in search of  more goals but it ended 1-0.

With the victory over the two times CAF Champions League Winners, the Benin Arsenal ended the first round of the 2023 NPFL Group A with 23 points, seven points clear of the second placed Enyimba.

In a post match interview, Coach Monday Odigie of Insurance expressed delight on the victory over the hard-fighting Enyimba boys, just as he promised to correct some mistakes noticed in his team before the resumption of the second round. 

On the chances of Bendel Insurance winning the league, coach  Odigie said his boys will be taking each game at a time.

Insurance FC have been in spectacular form since return to the premier league and will be proceeding on three weeks midseason break satisfied.

NPFL23: We Are Mindful Of Our Position - Coach Bala

NPFL23: We Are Mindful Of Our Position - Coach Bala

Ahead of their clash with Dakkada FC, Tornadoes gaffer Abubakar Bala has assured fans of good things to come and also solicits for support for his lads.

Former Kwara United tactician has this to say;

"The game against Dakkada FC is going to be a tough. They always proved stubborn and difficult to beat here in our home. Most of our recent meetings always produced a slim win for the 2 sides at home. 

"Our current position on the log is not the true reflection of our performance and we are mindful of that. The players are in good shape and ready to come back to winning ways.

"We have also told them to be calm in front of goal so that they can make the right judgement in converting most of the chances being created, thus, we are confident that they will get it right again as they have done from the beginning of the league. 

 "This is the time that the players need all necessary support and motivation." He noted.

Amoo Abayomi, A Saving Grace For Tourists

 

Amoo Abayomi, A Saving Grace For Tourists

Nigeria Premier Football League Match Day Seven (7) between Abia Warriors and Wikki Tourist of Bauchi witnessed a mild drama which could have escalated into a sordid clash at the end of the said game in Aba.

 The game which ended one-all witnessed no ugly incidence before and during the game, however, an incident greeted the aftermath of the encounter which lasted for two hours.

One Obinna Orji, a former player of Wikki Tourist suddenly appeared and held the visitors hostage on their way out of the mainbowl.

He claimed that Wikki Tourist are indebted to him to the tune of One Million Five Hundred Thousand naira (1,500, 000). He brought out the evidence to support his claim.

Suddenly, his boys popped up and refused the visitors to leave the arena demanding the full payment of the debt. 

The team were helpless even with the security personnels on ground. That was when the Match Commissioner from Osun, named Amoo Abayomi wade in.

He persuaded both sides to have a written agreement on how the money will be paid and to be endorsed by host FA as witness. He equally ensured that commitment fee of fifty thousand naira is paid instantly into the account of Obinna Orji whose accumulated salary remain unpaid since 2012.

The Match Commissioner, being a pragmatic administrator, a problem solver and integrity personified later secured the release of the away team.

Wikki Tourist are not having it rossy in the current campaign following the abysmal performances but a point on the road isn't a bad result going into their next game.

Fortunate Cup: 16 Teams Set To Battle For Big Price

 

Fortunate Cup: 16 Teams Set To Battle For Big Price

The organisers of Fortunate Cup have released the Grouping of the prestigious Fortunate Cup U-16 Championship.

The tournament in its third edition will see 16 teams battle for supremacy and over 300 players jostle for individual awards.

The tournament which is the brain child of ace entrepreneur, Alhaji Wasiu Adejumo who is the CEO of Fortunate Bread in Osun will take off from the preliminary stage. The opening game will feature perennial rivals Excel FC and Golden Boys on  Tuesday by 4pm at the main bowl of Osogbo Township Stadium. Kolawole FC will then trade tackle with Light Star FC in the second match, of the tourney the following day.

The tournament is aimed at discovering young talents and provide exposures for upcoming footballers in the state.

Defunct Olansile FC made history last time as they won it back to back. The tournament is powered by Fortunate Bread and endorsed by Osun FA. Fortunate Bread are producing quality products such as Jumbo, Sardine, Fortubite, Premium, Cluster, Fruitbite, Bamba , Tyson, and King loaves under a well controlled hygienic environment.

GROUPINGS

GROUP A

EXCEL FC

GOLDEN BOYS

KOLAWOLE FC

LIGHT STAR

GROUP B

YSF WARRIORS

GOLDEN STARS

YOUNG KINGS FC

NET BREAKERS FC

GROUP C

TSO FC

SHARP STRIKER

ZAKARIYAU FC

FORTUNATE FC

GROUP D

HADJI HAMMED FC

KAMAL FC

CITY ROLLER FC

LATONA FC

 Full fixtures soon..

Throwback: Omoyele, An Indispensable Bunky- Ex Teammate

 

Throwback: Omoyele, An Indispensable Bunky- Ex Teammate 

The journey is never ending, there's always going to be growth, adversities, highs, lows, helpers and detractors, even some beautiful paths can't be discovered without moving with destined companions.

As rightly narrated by Victor Okeji, one time team mate of Tosin Omoyele in two different clubs, the path of life is meant to be a journey, not a destination. 

The Sweden based footballer believes his coming across Omoyele isn't anyone's making but destiny. According to the lanky winger, who describes his longtime friend 

'as nice as ninepence'.

Omoyele had since starred for the National Team, he has also played for several clubs such as, Plateau United, Norgom FC (Egypt), Enyimba FC, Katsina Utd., he is currently on the payroll of USM Khenchela in Algeria. 

"The journey started way back in 2015/2016 in COD, Lagos. I was staying with him and Stephen Anyanwu in the hotel. Coach Festus Allen prefers Tosin to grow through the rank because he prefers experienced strikers ahead of him.

" I remember vividly how I used to excuse myself from the bed for Tosin and Stephen to feel comfortable while I sleep on the floor. I didn't know we will still meet at Osun Utd.

" Under the tutelage of Okey Emordi, when COD played Prime FC in Osogbo, he wasn't part of the squad but was around to see the game. He would later proved to be a weapon of mass destruction for Omoluabi Giants under coach Duke Udi.

"Tosin is a nice guy who's always ready to single handedly lift the team. He's focused and fun to be with." The Linkoping FC forward submitted.