We Must Bring Consistency To Our Game - Ogbonnaya

 

We Must Bring Consistency To Our Game - Ogbonnaya

Enyimba must learn to build consistency in order to stand a chance at the Nigeria Professional Football League title, says centreback Nelson Ogbonnaya.

Ogbonnaya, one of the most senior players in the current Enyimba set up has seen every minute of Enyimba’s last three league fixtures, after missing out of the first three for personal reasons.

Enyimba have won two of those three games in which Ogbonnaya featured, including Monday’s 2-1 win against Adamawa United in Bauchi.

And with this Sunday’s fixture against Katsina United around the corner, the experienced defender has sounded the importance of recording consecutive wins to his mates.

“As we can see, this season is already looking very tough. We’ve seen so many teams travel to win matches, meaning no team can be underrated.

“One thing I’ve noticed in the Nigerian league is that if we can show consistency and go many games without losing, them we will definitely need on top.

“That’s just what we need to add to our game right now. Wet must go into every match with the mindset of winning; because with the kind of team we have right now, we can win anywhere.”

Enyimba go into matchday seven with twelve points, having won four and lost two of their opening six fixtures.

Coach Caleb Esu Linked With Warri Wolves And Abia Warri FC

Coach Caleb Esu Linked With Warri Wolves And Abia Warri FC

Former Dakkada FC technial adviser Caleb Edu has sensationally been linked with Warri Wolves FC and Abia Warriors FC respectively.

CAF "A" licensed Coach Esu, who guided Dakkada FC to a top 8 finish in thier debut NPFL season last year, has been out of the dugout for months now,  despite his wealth of coaching experience.

The rumour mill has it that the former Calabar Rovers Fc and Go Round FC of Omoku coach Caleb Edu is attracting interest from struggling Abia Warriors and Warri Wolves Fc Respectively. 

Abia Warriors Fc is currently having their worst start to the season after recording just 2 points from 6 games played, with the technical crew under intense pressure to change their fortunes around or face been sacked. 

Warri wolves FC coach Evans Ogenyi has also struggled with the "Sea Sidders" so far with the team loosing against Nassarwa United in Ozoro, delta state on Matchday 5.

It will be interesting to see how things turn out to be in the coming days as we await the club that will dropped down the sledge hammer on its technical crew for incompetence.

 

NNL Insist On Full Covid-19 Protocols Ahead Of New Season

 

NNL Insist On Full Covid-19 Protocols Ahead Of New Season.

The Nigeria National League under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Obinna Ogba says it will enforce to the latter guidelines to protect against the spread of COVID-19 as the kick off date for the League beckons, this is following nine new guidelines sent to its forty six clubs.

The guidance, say that clubs will be required to take coronavirus tests for the players and team officials before the start of the new season ,the result of which must be part of registration documents to be submitted to the NNL Secretariat before licenses can be issued.

The test must be repeated on monthly basis to ensure continuous check of the novel virus. 

The clubs must provide face masks, hand sanitizers and hand washing facility in their various camps and home venues.

Clubs playing in the League  must have all their players camped in designated place all through the season, and must not allow them have contacts with unauthorized persons. This means that there must be restriction of players' movements.

Other measures  strictly spelt out by the NNL to fight the novel corona virus is that Clubs must engage the services of a qualified medical doctor, who must be attached to the Team both in camp and at match venues.

On the side of State Football Associations, they are to ensure that all match officials assigned to officiate adhere to all Covid-l9 protocols.

The stadium facilities and environments are disinfected every two weeks.

  The clubs should liaise with the state Football Associations to ensure a well-equipped Ambulance is present at match venues with full compliments of medical staff.

State Football Associations must ensure the provision of emergency medical room at all match venues.

The Nigeria Football Federation few days ago set up a special Covid-19 Task Force led by its Security Committee Chairman and member of the Organising Committee for African Nations Championship (CHAN),Mr.Ibrahim Gusau ,with a charge to work with the various domestic Leagues in the country, to monitor compliance with the Covid-19 protocols by all clubs at every level.

Jubilation In Ilorin As Kwara United Record lncredible Win Over Enyimba Of Aba

 

Jubilation In Ilorin As Kwara United Record lncredible Win Over Enyimba Of Aba

There was serious jubilation on Wednesday evening at the Kwara state stadium as Kwara United recorded a 1-0 win over visiting Enyimba in rescheduled NPFL match day 2 encounter.

Victory over Enyimba was Kwara United first home win this season in the NPFL having played a 1-1 draw against Akwa United last week in what was a disappointing result.

Kwara United goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba once again proved himself as one of the best goalies in the country after keeping second clean sheet against his former club where he made his name.

Harmony Boys started the match impressively and it took them only five minutes for Stephen Jude to score after connecting perfectly with a superb pass from Michael Ohanu.

Ohanu almost scored the second goal for Kwara United three minutes later, but his shot was parried away by Enyimba goalie John Noble.

Enyimba mounted serious pressure in the second half looking for all possible ways to restore parity, but they would have the wood work to thank at the death for Gata not to score the second goal for Kwara United after a superb counter attack.

The match eventually ended 1-0 in favour of the Harmony Boys at the Kwara state stadium in Ilorin.

Kwara United coach expressed satisfaction with his wards' performance against Enyimba claiming that there is room for improvement.

"My players were relaxed against Akwa United in our first home game and that was the reason they faced Enyimba will will full strengths and thanks to God for us to have gotten the three needed points," Biffo explained.

Kwara United are now occupying ninth position on the NPFL standings and the Harmony Boys will face Ifeanyi Ubah in Ilorin this coming Sunday in next game.

Ogunjobi U-17 Tourney Gets Date As Organizers Roll Out Plans

 

Organisers of the of late Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi U-17 Tournament, Ijesha Football Association in State of Osun have rolled out plans for the hosting of the second edition which kicks off on February 5th to 28th 2021.

In a meeting held recently the Board of football council approved that the 2nd season of the cadet championship be hosted in honour the former Secretary General of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Recall Ogunjobi, a former Nigeria international and IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan legend died on February 10, 2019.

His death, at the age of 65, came 35 years to the day after he made his debut for Nigeria against Morocco in an Olympic qualifier, which in 1984 was not restricted to under-23 sides.

According to Rawlings Oyebayo, Chairman Ijesha Football Council said: "The essence of the age grade tournament which is sponsored by Siji lagunju, Deputy Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is to boost the discovery of exceptional talents at the grassroots and catching them young in a bid to provide a well defined future for them."

Oyebayo also outlined the modalities for this year's championship did inform that: "Interested grassroot teams are expected to pay a none refundable fee of Ten Thousand Naira Only (#10,000) as the sale of registration forms began on Monday, 17th of January. 

"With a view to curbing age-cheats, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has fixed January 31st for player's screening and will would not hesitate to sanction any team found to have presented over-aged players."

The Ijesha Football Council egg-head used the media to appreciate Lagunju who has been the sole sponsor of Ogunjobi U-17 championship and also Tunde Shamsudeen, the Media Officer (2) of the nation's third-tier league, NationWide League One (NLO) for the media mileage provided the tournament.

"We also want to carry everyone and other well meaning personalities along as a formal invitation has been extended to the late Ogunjobi family as regards the programme and also to the late Ogunjobi Foundation through Shamsudeen."