Boboye, Double NPFL Winner Named Heartland FC Technical Adviser

To change the dwindling fortunes of Heartland FC in the ongoing 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season, the management of the five times league champions, has announced the employment of Kennedy Boboye as the club's new Technical Adviser.

He has replaced erstwhile coach, Christian Obi who until the development failed to win a game from opening nine matches of the season.

Boboye who has signed a one year renewable contract with the Naze Millionaires has come to the Owerri side with the impeccable record of winning the league title twice with Plateau United (2017) and Akwa United (2021).

The former Remo Stars gaffer's first target will be to ensure Heartland FC start winning their league games from the weekend blockbuster Oriental derby tie with Enyimba in Owerri and Boboye in his first interview with Heartland FC Media said he is aware of the enormity of the task before him.

"I am ready for the task. I had different thoughts when I was contacted initially because of the club's position on the league table but with what I have seen on ground I am certain we can pull through," Boboye told Heartland FC Media.

"We need everyone to get to work. You are going to be seeing a new mentality in the team. The players have assured there would be changes and I am excited to be here."

In the other shake up in the team, Charles Uzor has been elevated to the position of the Head Coach as Willie Udube's replacement.

Also, Osuorji Linus Maduabuchi is now the new Team Manager. He was the club's Assistant Team Manager before the new change. He is replacing Victor Ezuruike who has been redeployed to the club's feeder team. 

The head coach of the Heartland FC Feeder team, Chidi Ike has been sent to the Heartland FC main team to also fortified the technical crew.

Ambitious Adeyemi FC Dares Remo Stars ln Four-goal Thriller

Club Friendly: Ajekiigbe a delight to watch as NPFL side show class against Adeyemi FC 

Adeyemi Football Club of Ibadan displayed an outstanding performance in a friendly match against NPFL side Remo Stars that ended 3-1 at the Remo Stars Stadium on Tuesday November 21st 2023.

In the 24th minute, Omole Adebusuyi provided an excellent feed to Ajekiigbe Sunday, who skillfully scored a goal, giving Adeyemi FC an early lead. Despite Remo Stars' Samad Kadri responding with a goal in the 41st minute, Adeyemi FC continued with heavy attacks.

During the second half, Coach Daniel Ogunmodede's tactics allowed Remo Stars to take control, leading to Samad Kadri securing another goal in the 59th minute. Remo Stars extended their lead to 3-1 with a goal from Farayola Olawale in the 85th minute.

Post-Match Reaction:

Head Coach Kolawole Emmanuel (Coach Drey) shared his thoughts after the game:

🗣️‘While this isn't the result we desired, it's a learning experience. We faced a top NPFL side, and Remo Stars utilized their home advantage. We'll address our weaknesses and focus on the next agenda.’

Adeyemi Football Club continues its preparations for upcoming events in the world of football.

Osun Utd Secures 1-0 Win Against Stubborn Ilaji FC In A Friendly

 

Osun Utd decides to engage Nigeria Nationwide League One outfit Ilaji FC in a friendly, following the postponement of its Nigeria National League, Match Day One, against Gateway Utd., in a bid to get the lads busy for the season.

Abiola Sabitu started in goal while Afolabi Olatubosun and Abubakar Aminu paired at the back, Essien controls the middle as Rapheal Orngudwen lead upfront as countless fans thronged the stadium anticipating good football.

It's a close contest from the blast of the whistle as Omoluabi Giants dominate the proceedings early enough but fails to create chances as Ilaji FC defenders maintained a fine line at the back.

On resumption, following a goalless first half, Seye Ajayi rings some changes in a tactical substitution as Dayo Agbolade and Qozeem Raheem were called upon. 

Ilaji lads were excellent once again at the back frustrating good move by the home side.

Deadlock broken thirteen minutes after resumption owing to much intent and pressures thrown at opponents. Kid sensation, Ismail Ayodele appears before his marker and was hacked, inside six yard following a through low drive that falls behind the line from Emmanuel Essien who dazzles brilliantly. Centre Referee made no mistake pointing to the spot as substitute, Dayo Agbolade stepped on to send Ilaji FC goalkeeper the wrong way. 

The scoreline remains unchanged not untill Dayo Agbolade's tenacity saw him hitting the back of the net fifteen minutes from time, for second goal which was agonisingly ruled offside as he benefits from breakdown in communication via opponents back line. Ilaji lads despite going behind gave good account of themselves as centre referee ended the contest 

Coach Seye Ajayi after the game posited that his boys met a good fight from the opponents, he maintained that, his boys won't lose focus going into the season as few loopholes noticed will be worked on.

Dayo Agbolade the goal scorer maintained that, his compatriots needs to understand themselves better upfront following series of moves being flanked offside, he's optimistic of more goals as the season kiskstarts.

Omoluabi Giants will be on the road to engage Tradesafe FC of Lagos in Match Day 2 of Nigeria National League on Saturday 25th November, 2023. Tradesafe FC this evening lost 0-1 to NNL new comer Solution FC in far away Awka.

NPFL: Rangers Late Strike Stop Sunshine In Akure

 

A late goal by a substitute, Jonas Emmanuel on two of the four added-on minutes of the 2023/2024 NPFL match day 8 fixtures, helped the ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C earn a share of the spoils as they forced the ‘Owena Whales’, Sunshine Stars F.C to a 2-2 draw in an encounter played at the Akure Sports Complex on Sunday.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu had stuck to the squad that defeated Heartland on the last match day. The boys did not disappoint the traveling delegation as former league top-scorer, Godwin Obaje nodded the Coal City side into an early lead as he connected home an Isaac Saviour well-taken free kick that resulted from the fouling of Kenneth Igboke on 4 minutes under pressure from lanky Ekerette Udom.

The goal silenced the half-full Akure Township stadium but sprung the coach Edith Agoye’s wards into action as they pushed for an early leveler that failed to materialize as the backline of the visitors ably anchored by the duo of Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and David Chimezie as Kazeem Ogunleye almost increased the lead for Rangers on 11 minutes but his pile-driver from about 25 meters missed target by few inches before Ibrahim Yusuf drew the home side level on 13 minutes after been left unmarked to blast an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper, Japhet Opubo as fans of the ‘Owena Whales’ found their voices again.

Both sides retired for the first half on even note and on resumption of the second stanza, the home side pushed for the winning goal as they dominated the middle of the pack but Ejike Ugochukwu, Chukwudi Nwaodu, Isaac Saviour, Joel Odoh, and Kenneth Igboke joined others to put up stiff resistance until the 81st minute when Moses Omodumueke’ teasing shot found its way past a badly positioned Opubo to put the home side in front heading into the last ten minutes as the fans went into wild in celebrations that were cut short with only two minutes remaining in the match when Isaac Saviour found Odoh Joel on the right who ran down with the ball to deliver an inch-perfect cross that was stylishly side-footed into the net by Jonas Emmanuel as goalkeeper Mustafa Lawal was caught napping as the visitor’s bench went into wild jubilations.

Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu said after the match, “It was a very difficult match against a quality side but as our slogan says, we never say die until the final whistle and I give my players kudos as we keep working on the areas of deficiency. My defense gave away cheap goals but we keep working until we get it right.”

With the win, Rangers maintain the third spot of the twenty-team log with 14 points from eight matches and will next play Katsina United on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at the Awka City stadium.

Ilaji Hotel And Resorts Partners Ajara Humanitarian Foundation, Donates Kits, Plaques

 

Ilaji Hotel And Resorts Partners Ajara Humanitarian Foundation, Donates Kits, Plaques

Akanni Seyi, Osogbo. 12th November 2023.

Codedsports.com

It's glitz and glamour today as Ibadan based Hospitality and Nationwide League One outfit, Ilaji FC delivers kits and award plaques at the ongoing Ajara U-17 Football Competition in Osogbo.

The tournament in its quarter finals have more than two hundred and fifty secondary school students participating in the soccer fiesta in its second edition.

Ajara Humanitarian Foundation, a non governmental organization is established to support and promote youths, focussing on empowering them through education and talent discovery. The foundation has equally set up youths with life skills within and outside the state.

Speaking while taking delivery of kits, medals and plaques at a brief event in his Osogbo residence, Alhaji Dr. Adebayo Jimoh,  Executive Director of the foundation was full of praise for both Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the resort, ably represented by Coach Zico and Coach Sesan.

"I want to sincerely thank the management of Ilaji Hotels and Resorts for coming on board. We presented the visuals of what we did last year to them and they were so thrilled and partnered with us without any bottlenecks. Our football platform is aimed at discovering future Okochas, Kanus and even Oshimens.

"We are glad to have you with us, it's an honour, it means we are doing sensible things. We are so greatful for keying into this project. I am optimistic of more years of greater partnership," noted Dr. Jimoh a versatile administrator and financial expert.

According to Coach Zico, "Ilaji is synonymous for youth development, this underscores our vision and that's our area of calling. We have penciled down close to fifty players that we will further work with after the tourney. This is our first time of coming on board, our CEO and COO are delighted with the project. We will donate more and fully involve next year," said the Head Coach of Ilaji FC 

Ilaji FC donates 4 set of jerseys for the semi finalists, Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, highest goal scorer award, award for best goalkeeper, most behaved team award, and best coach award. 

The football competition is powered by US based Dr Lanre Jimoh, whose passion for youth empowerment shares affinity with that of his father, Alhaji Bayo Jimoh, a former group managing director of the Odua Investment Company.

Ataoja High School and Rex-Varsity have since qualified for semi final after dislodging their opponents, Osogbo Grammar School and Salvation GS respectively in a keenly contested duels. As An-Nur School is set to tango with Islamic School, while Ido Osun High School will face-off with Ham Zainab in the other quarter finals fixtures on Friday. The winner of the tourney goes home with a cash price of a million and two hundred and fifty thousand N1,250, 000.00 with a giant trophy while runner up smiles away with half a million naira. Souvenirs are on the table for all participating schools.