Crisis, Accusations Tear Ekiti State FA Apart

Things have fallen apart among the rank and file of members and officials of Ekiti State Football Association, as prolonged crisis has stalled activities of the body, with fingers of accusation pointing in the direction of the body’s chairman, Ayo Alabi.

Information on offer from the state capital, Ado Ekiti indicates that stakeholders and board members of the association have blamed the poor state of football in the state on the crisis currently rocking the FA.

Some members of the board described the status of football in the FA as a state of comatose, which they attributed to the administrative system of Alabi, who is also commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs in the state.

However, while Alabi says there is no crisis, top members of the board, including the vice chairman, Otunba Ariyo Yomi and spokesman, Joseph Fatukasi, insist he is to blame for their woes.

They went on to accuse the chairman of several offences, including arbitrariness in decision making, as well as high handedness, blackmail, intimidation and misappropriation of funds.

The aggrieved board members also accused the chairman of boasting of support by the leadership of South West football forum led Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.

These are praying for a meeting of stakeholders and the football Congress for them to table their grievances and fashion a way forward.

However, Lagos Football Association chairman, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who is also chairman of South West Football Forum, is wading into the situation.

Akinwunmi stated in reaction to enquiries on the crisis that he would be in Ekiti State on  Thursday and promised that the issue would be resolved when he gets there.

Gold Cup: Saka humbled after marching order

Akanni Seyi



The semi final hero of Lobi Stars in the ongoing Gold Cup preseason tournament, Ayo Saka has apologized to his coaches and team mates after being involved in a verbal altercation that sparked the center referee to issue a red card.



Pride of Benue were leading the 'Chanji Boys' by a lone goal, courtesy of a solo effort from the former Rivers United hitman when the incidence took place.



Both Samuel Tswanya and Ayo Saka were involved in skanky and loathsome arguments in the sixty fifth (65) minute of play after a certain Katsina United defender was seen rolling in pains in his six yard, the center referee was left with no option than to dismiss the two veterans.



" I regret my actions today, l was so pissed off the way l was challenged and l found my self unable to control my anger.



" My dream is to win this tournament for my club back to back but it's unfortunate for me now, l won't be able to appear in the final. I want to apologize to whoever is disappointed with my actions, most especially my team mates and coaches. I hence forth promise to control my anger next time". The veteran midfielder stated

Ahead of CHAN, home base Eagles to camp in Morocco

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The home-based Super Eagles will commence camping in Morocco in January in preparation for the 2018 Africa Nation Championship billed for the same country.

The Salisu Yusuf-led side have also been lined up for the Nigeria Professional Football League Super Six competition in Kano in December in preparation for the CHAN tourney.

Media Officer of the team, Toyin Ibitoye disclosed the arrangements on ground for the CHAN Eagles to fine tune their readiness for the continental tourney.

“Our preparation for the CHAN has been divided into three stages by coach Salisu Yusuf,” Ibitoye disclosed to Complete Sports.

“The main preparation which is the final phase will be in Morocco and will start early next year.

“The first phase will be the camping exercise for the Super Six in Kano which starts early next month after which the players will proceed on break and come back for the second phase and after which we will embark on the last phase in Morocco.

“We also expect that the list of players that will play in the Super Four will be out in a couple of days.

The Eagles are drawn in Group C of the competition alongside Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and Libya.

Lobi Stars advance to second Gold Cup final in two years

Ayo Saka's 19th solo effort helped Lobi Stars advanced to the final of the 2017 Gold Cup Preseason Tournament on Tuesday in Ilorin after defeating Katsina United 1-0 in the first semi final fixture played at the Kwara State Stadium.

Both sides started the encounter on a high with Thomas Adeshina of Lobi Stars had a chance to score the first goal but his effort went inches wide. 

Minutes after, Adeshina had another chance from Anthony Okputu but he was unlucky to hand his team the lead.

Ayo Saka later put the Markurdi-based club ahead in the 19th minute with a solo effort after connecting a beautiful pass from Cletus Itodo.

The 23rd minute of the pulsating match presented an opportunity  to Kastina United to level up but Agboola Joshua failed to bury his chance from a goal mouth scramble.

Coach Biffo tutored side continued to mount pressure on the Stars but John Lawrence did a yeoman's job pulling series of great saves to keep the scoreline intact.

The two teams were reduced to ten men in the second half following unsportsmanlike conduct from Ayo Saka and Samuel Tswanya, the center referee issued them a straight red card.

In the closing minutes of the game, the Chanji Boys had a glorious chance to equal the scoreline through Stephen Adah but he missed the opportunity.

The game ended with Lobi Stars securing their second consecutive Gold Cup final.

Speaking after the match Katsina United manager, Abdullahi Biffo said" I didn't see this defeat as a disappointment because like I said our coming here was not to win but to test the our level of preparations for the season, but reaching this far shows we are closer to where we want to be."

"I want to commend the boys for adjusting to my philosophy and I want to commend the organizers of this tournament, it has assist clubs to check their level of readiness for the season," he said.

Chief Coach of Lobi Stars, Evans Ogenyi on his part told Gold Cup Media that "We are happy to reach another final consecutively, it was a good match and we are happy with the way the boys played and hold up during the difficult moments.

"All the semifinalists are potential winners of the tournament but we want to try as much as possible to win it which I believe it will be an added impetus apart from using the tournament to prepare for the new league season," said an obviously elated Lobi Stars handler Evans Ogenyi.

Lobi Stars will await the winner between Niger Tornadoes and Kano Pillars to determine their opponent in the final to be decided on Friday.

GOLD CUP: Lobi, Tornadoes book Semifinal tickets

Lobi Stars and Niger Tornadoes have booked the semifinal tickets of the ongoing Nigeria most elaborate Preseason Tournament, Gold Cup after their respective victories over Remo Stars FC and ABS FC in Ilorin, on Monday.



The Markurdi outfit advanced to next round of the Gold Cup tourney after claiming a 1-0 win over Remo Stars in one of the games played Monday morning at the Kwara State Stadium.



Ubale Manir scored the only goal of that game in the 23rd minute of the exchange.




Solomon Ogbedei's men emerged as the first team to qualify to the semifinal of the competition with eight (8) points from four (4) matches.





Niger Tornadoes made it to the next stage of the competition after Mubarak Umar, Ifeanyi Okoye and John Kim netted a goal each to hand their team their first ever Gold Cup semifinal ticket with a 3-1 victory over the Saraki Boys.



Chindo Babangida got ABS FC's consolation goal from the penalty spot in the 54th minute of the explosive match-up.



Coach Abubark Bala and his charges amassed eight (8) points from four (4) matches to emerge as the first team to qualify next round of tournament from Group B.