Okachi's Late Winner Sinks Go Round As 3SC Extend Lead

 

An 81st minute goal by substitute Anthony Okachi, was all the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan needed to beat hard fighting Go Round FC of Omoku 2-1 o. Sunday afternoon.

It was the toughest game for the Oluyole Warriors so far as they had to muzzle their way to pick the maximum points, coming from a goal down to snatch victory in the NNL Group B1 Matxhday three encounter decided at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.

Despite being under pressure, the visitors  shocked the homers with a  beautiful goal, few minutes to the end of the first half. It was their first clear chance of the first 45 minutes.

Before the Omoku based side got the goal, 3SC had failed to convert the numerous chances that came their way, having dominated proceedings after a ding dong affair in the opening stages.

Having battled in vain to level up in the first half, the Waheed Omololu led 3SC, spurred on by the pep talk from the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Asiwaju Seun Fakorede, came into the second half like wounded lions, bombarding the visitors' goal area for the equaliser 

However, it was the visitors who almost doubled their lead minutes after the restart but goalkeeper Laide Okanlawon made a wonderful one on one save to keep the homers in the game.

A golden opportunity for the leveller came the way of 3SC when referee Uche Osondu awarded a penalty kick to the Stars after Gafar Olafmihan was brought down in the box.

Adebayo Abayomi stepped up to take the kick which was saved by goalkeeper Nwandu Chizoba.

The Ibadan soccer lords finally got the much needed equalizer barely a minute after missing the penalty kick when right back Muritala Taiwo slotted in the ball from a goal mouth scramble.

The goal gingered the host as the swooped on their opponents in search of the second goal but they were undone by a stout defending by Go Round backline and the flexibility of goalkeeper Chizoba.

On two occasions, goalkeeper Chizoba produced superb saves, parrying Malomo Ayodeji's well taken shots while the Ibadan soccer lords were also denied by the woodworks twice.

The visitors resorted to time wasting with goalkeeper Chizoba as the main culprit.

With time running out, the coach Edith Agoye led technical crew of 3SC introduced Anthony Okachi for impressive Malomo and the substitution paid off as Okachi headed in a well taken corner kick to seal a win for the Oluyole Warriors.

The visitors were punished for their acts of indiscipline which saw two of their players, Ngwu Onyedikachi and central defender Ezeala Christopher getting the marching order.

The team captain, Akaba Otega, had started it all, making uncomplimentary remarks while the teams were filing out, a development that nearly sparked off trouble even before the game kicked off.

The win over Go Round makes it three wins from three matches for the Oluyole Warriors and nine points from the possible nine.

Up next for the team is a trip to Lagos next Saturday, for a matchday four clash with eternal rivals, Stationery Stores of Lagos.

NLO1: Hammola International FC Unveil 'Hoppers' As Technical Adviser

 

Nationwide League One(Division One): Hammola International FC Unveil 'Hoppers' As Technical Adviser.

Ambitious Nationwide League One (NLO) (division One) side Hammola International FC of Ido Osun on Friday unveiled former Osun Babes Head Coach, Abdulazeez Abdulrazaq as the club's new technical adviser. 

In his address during the well organised unveiling ceremony, the President of the club, Muideen Odeyemi, popularly knows as 'Odhelee' said the club was found mainly to encourage home grown talent and give them a chance to excel to the world. 

"We are optimistic that this initiative will give opportunities to many young players around our environment, playing in the NLO division One will ensure the players get the chance to showcase themselves. 

"We aim to progress through to the Nigeria National League next season and that is alot of work to do. 

"The new manager is experienced and one who have managed some notable clubs in the past. He was with Osun Babes, Knight FC and is also the assistant manager of the South-west U-13 and U-15 team. We are hopeful and know he is going to do a great job with us. He concluded.

Also speaking, Team Manager of club and Chairman Grassroot Football Coaches Association of Nigeria (Osun), Rasheed Adeleke in his words reiterated on the words of 'Odhelee' , highlighting the aim behind Hammola International FC. 

"Our vision is to transform local talents into greatness, as a club, we have about 85% of local talents in the team, and also we are well instituted and want to do things the right way, because that is what we believe in. The team is disciplined and we aim to achieve our set out goals." He concluded.

In their speeches, Former Chairman of Egbedore Local Government, Hon. Kola Ajao, Renowned Sports Philanthropist Muideen Elebuibon, Sports Adminstrator Suleiman Folarin, Osun State F.A Secretary, Amoo Abayomi, Grassroots Football Coach, Akin Oyedunmola and Top Sports Journalists, Tunde Shamsudeen all expressed confidence that the new manager would take the club to the expected height. 

Speaking after his unveiling, Coach Abdulazeez Abdulrazaq said he joined Hammola FC International to achieve success, adding that he was happy to be part of the Ido-Osun based club, setting an NNL target for himself.

Akinwunmi Assures NLO Of NFF Massive Support

 

Akinwunmi Assures NLO Of NFF Massive Support 

The First Vice President Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has assured the Nationwide League One (NLO) of massive support from the country's apex football body.

Akinwunmi gave the hint on Thursday in Abuja after he commissioned the newly renovated administrative office of the NLO.

According to the renowned Football Administrator as well as a Sports lawyer said, "This is a sign of seriousness, it shows the NLO Board is serious as regards providing an enabling environment for its staff to function optimally and this is to our aspirations. 

"We also need to celebrate any small feat and am proud to celebrate with them. We all pray that from here, they will move to the building that belongs o them. NLO is a serious business and am glad they are taking things seriously."

The Lagos Football Association boss also reiterated NFF stance towards the nation's third-tier league as its poised to get massive support from the Amaju Pinnick Board.

"Certainly, even as at Monday when we had our meetings with all the league bodies, we did discuss and we particularly assured the NLO of our massive support. They have got our back and for me as Chairman of the NFF Football Committee and Youth Committee, grassroot football is my thing, am really interested in it and they have got my support."

Akinwumi further assured that the Nationwide League One can become the best in the continent and among the best in the world.

"What the NLO does, is it creates a platform for those who venture into such business. They are not business men but run a league and ensure of its success. So it can be about a particular or number of players, in my opinion a wrong target. 

"The NLO is to ensure that its league reaches same standard of any youth development league in the world. It can be the best in Africa and among the best in the world."

Support The Girl-Child School Campaign: Ratels Sports Foundation Partners SWAN In A Fundraising Novelty Match

 

In a bid to sensitize and create awareness against poverty, discrimination and exploitations which has seen many girls drop out of school, Ratels Sports Foundation has collaborated with the Sports Writers Association Of Nigeria (SWAN), Abuja Branch on a fund raising Football novelty match to support and advocate for the education of the girl child.

The fundraising Novelty Match which will hold on Saturday, the 20th of February 2021 at the Area 3 Sports Complex, Abuja, will attract huge numbers of philanthropists who have seen reasons to support Ratels Sports Foundation and Barrister Paul Edeh in his quest to make life better for the girl child. 

Ratels Sports Foundation having staged a similar exercise last week, which was themed: "Kick Against Gender Based Violence" has gone further to help create an avenue to give the girl child hope on education, with the "Support The Girl Child School Campaign" initiative. Members of the Abuja Sports Writers Association Of Nigeria (SWAN) and Naija Ratels FC will tackle each other on the pitch to highlight the sensitivity on the initiative.

The convener of the event and President of Ratels Sports Foundation, Barrister Paul Edeh said the organisation decided to organize the novelty match with SWAN, with a view to put an end to many barriers facing the girl child education. 

"Everyday, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural practices, poor infrastructure, violence and more. Reason why we are collaborating with SWAN, Civil society organisation, the private sector, donors to overcome these challenges through the novelty match. 

"Girls education goes beyond getting girls into school. It is also about ensuring that girls learn and feel safe in school and have the opportunity to complete all levels of education, acquiring the knowledge and skills to compete in the labour market. 

"We believe in our ability as a body to make meaningful impacts through our various programmes and hopefully we can change the world in our own little way by ensuring there is a great turn around in the enrollment of the girl child in school." He concluded.

Waldrum Signs Agreement With NFF, To Be Officially Unveiled In Nigeria

 

 

Waldrum Signs Agreement With NFF, To Be Officially Unveiled In Nigeria

 

New Head Coach of the Women’s National Team of Nigeria of Nigeria (Super Falcons), Randy Waldrum, on Wednesday signed his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, as he started his work with the nine-time African champions. The simple ceremony took place at the Super Falcons’ Emir Hotels abode in Antalya, Turkey.

 

President of the NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, affirmed the belief of the football-governing body in the ability of the 64 –year old American to propel the Super Falcons to a higher level in women football’s global ranking.

 

“We believe that Mr Waldrum is the right man to take the Super Falcons from where the team presently is to that higher level that we want it to be. We have been champions of Africa on nine occasions and it is time that we move up to competing stoutly for honours at global level.”

 

General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi signed on behalf of the NFF, with NFF Executive Member Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Chairman of the Women’s Football Committee, Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran and Technical Director, Mr Augustine Eguavoen also present.

 

The Turkish Women’s Cup Tournament, also known as the Alanya Gold City Cup, is Waldrum’s first run-out with the reigning African champions.

 

While dislosing that Waldrum would be officially unveiled at a ceremony as soon as he is in Nigeria, Pinnick also charged the General Secretary to endeavour to invite credible businessmen to have sessions with players of the Super Falcons any time they are in camp, with a view to guiding the players on how to invest wisely.   

 

PHOTO: NFF GS Sanusi (middle) with Waldrum (second from right) at the signing of the contract in Antalya, Turkey on Wednesday. NFF Executive Member Yahaya-Kwande (second from left), Chairman of the Women’s Football Committee Ayo Omidiran (right) and Technical Director Eguavoen (left) watch.