WIKKI TOURISTS OR RANGERS?

This weekend cracker will take place in Bauchi between league leader Wikki Tourists and Rangers int’l, the two clubs are separated with two points going into this weekend game.

While Rangers will be going into the game with full arsenal in a bid to wrestle the full points away from Bauchi, the home team will bank on the confidence of the home fans to ensure Rangers leave Bauchi empty hands back to Enugu.

MFM FC will be hosting league bottom side Ikorodu United in the Lagos derby at the Agege stadium but this time around without the Agege fans to cheer them to victory has they have done in previous matches, not much is expected from the derby as the first round game played at Onikan stadium ended in a goalless draw

Fixtures for match day 25

Wikki Tourists VS Rangers int’l

MFM FC vs Ikorodu United

Akwa United VS Kano Pillars

N.Tornadoes VS Warri Wolves

Abia Warriors VS Plateau United

Lobi Stars VS Heartland FC

Enyimba int’l VS EL-KANEMI Warriors

FC Ifeanyi Ubah VS Sunshine stars

Nasarawa United VS Rivers United

MFM FC LOSING STREAK CONTINUES

Rangers int’l keeping it cool and calm with two points trailing Wikki Tourists after match day 25

Kano pillars dismissed Abia Warriors opposition by white washing the Abia state owned team with 5 unreplied goals.

The "oracle" couldn't do much in front of home fans as shooting stars was held by the eastern millions to a 2 all draw in Ibadan.

MFM FC losing trend continue as they were humble 2 goals to nil by host Sunshine Stars in Akure.

Relegation threaten Plateau United defeated league leader Wikki Tourists in Jos, it ended 2 nil after 90 minutes of play.

Enugu Rangers 2-1 Warri Wolves

Heartland FC 2-0 Akwa United

Elkanemi Warriors 1-0 Lobi Stars

Shooting Stars 2-2 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Nasarawa United 1-0 Niger Tornadoes

Plateau United 2-0 Wikki Tourists

Sunshine Stars 2-0 MFM FC

Kano Pillars 5-0 Abia Warriors

NIGERIA GET OPPONENTS FOR RUSSIA 2018 WORLD CUP

Nigeria to play against Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria in group B for Russia 2018 ticket

MIKEL OBI LEAD NFF OLYMPIC PROVISIONAL 35 MAN LIST

The Nigeria Football Federation has disclosed that the country’s Olympic football team will depart the country next week for a final training camp in the United States of America ahead of this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Head Coach Samson Siasia opted for a final training camp in Atlanta, venue of Nigeria’s historic triumph 20 years ago, in order to “psychologically prepare my boys for victory in Brazil.”

Earlier in the week, the NFF confirmed that there would be a friendly match between the Nigeria Olympic team and the U23 National Team of Mexico in Mexico on Saturday, 2^ndJuly. The match will take place at the Aguascalientes Stadium, home ground of newly promoted top tier club, Necaxa FC, and is scheduled to start at 8.30pm Mexican time.

The NFF also announced that after the friendly, the Nigeria U23 squad will continue its training camp in the United States of America and will play Charleston Battery FC in Atlanta on Saturday, 16^thJuly. A game against the Honduras U23 team is also being planned for 27^thJuly.

Meanwhile, players who have had experience playing in the Nigeria senior team constitute half of those listed in Coach Siasia’s provisional squad of 35, who will train in the USA before a final list of 18 is drawn up just before the trip to Brazil.

FULL LIST
Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa FC, South Africa), Yusuf Bala (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Taiwo Abdulrahman (Kwara United), Ndubuisi Agu (FC Porto, Portugal), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal), Taiwo Awoniyi (Frankfurt FC, Germany), Okechukwu Azubuike (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Etor Daniel (Enyimba FC), Augustine Dimgba (Sunshine Stars), William Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway), Saturday Erimuya (Kayseri Erciyespor, Turkey), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense FC, Portugal), Imoh Ezekiel (Anderlecht, Belgium), Saviour Godwin (Ostende, Belgium), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Emiloju Julius (MFM FC), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Usman Muhammed (CF Uniao, Portugal), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium), Erhun Obanor (MFM FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England), Sodiq Saliu (Seraing FC, Belgium), Abdullahi Shehu (CF Uniao, Portugal), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Seth Sincere (Rhapsody FC), Ndifreke Udo (Abia Warriors), Aminu Umar (Osmalispor, Turkey), Sadiq Umar (AS Roma, Italy)

BATTLE FOR PROMOTION HOT UP IN NNL

WEEK 5 FIXTURES

DIVISION A1:

Sokoto Utd VS Kaduna United

Yarmalight FC VS Kogi United

Katsina Utd VS Mighty Jets FC

Jigawa G' Stars VS Shekarau Babes

DIVISION B1:

FC Zamfara VS FC Taraba.

Kwara United VS Wikki Tourists Feeders

Adamawa Utd VS Gombe United

Supreme Court FC VS Dreams Int'l FC

DIVISION B1:

Remo Stars FC VS COD United

Go-round FC VS PRIME FC

Akwa Starlets VS Delta Force

Abia Comets VS Unicem Rovers

DIVISION B1:

ABS FC VS J.Atete FC

Bayelsa utd VS First bank FC

Cofine FC VS Crown FC

Bendel Insurance VS Gateway Utd

CAN THE ORACLE SUSTAIN THE MOMENTUM

Shooting Stars vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Sunshine Stars vs MFM FC

Ikorodu United vs Enyimba Int’l (PP)

ElKanemi Warriors vs Lobi Stars

Heartland FC vs Akwa United

Kano Pillars vs Abia Warriors

Plateau United vs Wikki Tourists

Rangers Int’l vs Warri Wolves

Nasarawa United vs Niger Tornadoes

Match day 24 fixtures in the NPFL, the league is getting more clearer as to who the contenders are and who are the pretenders.

Can the one named "oracle" take cash trapped Oluyole warriors to avoid relegation as he did last season or will his second coming be a fruitless one, and to prove this to the fans and employer he will have to face the millions to improve on the away victory recorded in lagos against the Olukoya boys.

Rangers int’l will be hosting a not too good warri Wolves, with a win coach Amapakabo led boys will surely be putting on the pressure on the league leader Wikki Tourists who will be away to Plateau utd in Jos.

Nasarawa United will be hosting Biffo and his lad in a battle for middle belt supremacy.

Ikorodu United tie with the former two times Africa champion Enyimba int’l FC will not hold this weekend as the club will be on continental engagement.

MFM FC TO LOSE MILLIONS DUE TO "AGEGE FANS"

These things happen when you fail to register and control your fans ;

Lost of revenues from the gates.

Lost of sponsorship from cooperate world.

Lack of insecurity on the part of fans for fear of being attacked or molested by other fans.

Even television rights may be taking away by the organiser simply because they fear for the safety for the company paying for the broadcast right.

These are few of what MFM are going to go through as they failed to control their fans on NPFL match day 23 .

The league organiser after the incident of match day 23, fined the club two million naira (#2M) and also impose a three match home game behind closed doors on the team for failing to control their fans.

Now imagine a privately owned club losing revenues from a 4,200 seat capacity stadium on these match days

Match day 25 : MFM FC vs Ikorodu United

Match day 27 : MFM FC vs Heartland FC

Match day 29 : MFM FC vs Plateau United

And am sure one of these matches might have been penciled down for TV most especially the Lagos derby match, which means revenue might also be lost .

The team is a young team and needs to get things done in a more professional ways so as to enhance and sustain their participation in the country top league.

MANU GARBA TO WELCOME SHELL CUP PLAYERS TO CAMP

Nigeria U17 Head Coach, Manu Garba has expressed delight in having players who excelled during this year’s NNPC/Shell Cup competition at his screening exercise in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The NFF announced on Tuesday that outstanding players from the NNPC/Shell Cup have been pencilled down for stern test at the ongoing screening exercise, as the reigning world champions prepare for the qualification series for 2017 Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

Selected from the leading youth football event are Kelvin Amadi, Obinna Onyia (best goalkeeper) and Tari Joseph (most valuable player), all from eventual champions Excel Education Centre, Port Harcourt, while Ismail Ahmad (best midfield player) was picked from Government Science Secondary School, Bauchi and Fatinikun Leke (most promising player) was selected from Asegun Conprehensive High School, Ibadan.

FOSLA Academy, a renown football school based in Karshi, Abuja and owned by former NFF president Sani Lulu Abdullahi, finished as runner-up in this year’s competition. For its efforts, FOSLA is supplying Ejeh Joseph, Onyeke Andrew (best defender) and Abraham Solomon (highest goal -scorer)

GIWA FC PLAYERS FREE AT LAST

The Nigeria Football Federation has given provisional clearance to all players of erstwhile NPFL club, Giwa FC of Jos to join other clubs.

In a letter to the Chairman of League Management Company, signed by NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi on Monday, the NFF wrote: “Based on the LMC’s expulsion of the club from the Premier League and the NFF ratification of the same measure and with special reference to article 14 & 23 of the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players, all players of Giwa FC as pronounced by the LMC and the NFF Disciplinary Committee are free to provisionally register for any club of their choice till the end of the 2015/2016 football season.

“Note also that, all the players are to return to the management of Giwa FC after the last match of the 2015/2016 League Season.” 

WHERE ARE THE CLUB STEWARDS

It's now a common scene to see fans encroach pitches around the country immediately afternoon the referee final whistle.

The practice is now seen as a must and clubs sees nothing wrong in such act, even the league organiser is not bothered or feel little concern about the act.

From our investigation on how the duration of a football team, we got to know that the match commissioner representing the league organiser in collaboration with the state FA and clubs are to ensure safety of all 24 hours to a game and 24 hours after a game.

The safety of match officials and fans are of priority according to FIFA status.

In as much as the league organiser are doing much to ensure safety of all at league venues, what effort has the clubs themselves put in place to ensure safety of their players, fans and that of the visitors and also putting into consideration the match officials, they clubs need to go extra miles to make such safety is of importance.

Clubs need to engage stewards to compliment the efforts of the state FA in ensuring safety of all, in so doing they are also giving out employment to some of their own fans on match days.

Need to curb the way fans encroach pitches across the country need to be minimised or stop completely, so that match officials, players and fans are protected on each match day.

This will also help to ensure stadium facilities are not vandalized in the process.

AIGBOGUN EMERGED MANAGER OF THE MONTH

Paul Aigbogun and Godwin Obaje have been named Manager and Player respectively for the month of May in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) by the League Bloggers Awards (LBA).

The two men were among eight shortlists named in the race for the two awards in the month under review.

Enyimba head coach, Aigbogun, beat the trio of Abdu Maikaba of Wikki Tourists, Rivers United's Stanley Eguma and Kabiru Dogo of Nasarawa United to the manager's award after guiding the Peoples Elephant to an unbeaten run in May.

The Nigerian champions notched up 17 points in seven matches including four points on the road. The high-point of Enyimba's run in May was their 2-1 win over arch-rivals Kano Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on May 4.

Rivers United gaffer, Eguma, was the closest challenger to Aigbogun for the manager's award in May. But his team had five points less having won four matches out of six. Eguma could not save the Port Harcourt club from losses at Abia Warriors and Lobi Stars.

The pair of Dogo and Maikaba could only help their clubs to nine points apiece in the past month.

However, Obaje emerged clear favourite to land the player's award in May for inspiring Wikki's charge into top spot with six goals, therefore accounting for half of the Bauchi club's goals in the month under review.

The Wikki striker helped himself to a brace against Nasarawa United and a hat-trick against Shooting Stars, thereby securing six points for his club. His other goal came in their 1-3 defeat at Sunshine Stars on Match Day 18.

The goalkeeping pair of Enyimba's Theophilus Afelokhai and Rotimi Sunday of Rivers United made the race for the player's award on the back of three clean sheets each in May. Afelokhai did not concede in games against MFM FC, Nasarawa United and FC Ifeanyiu bah while Sunday was a massive figure between the sticks for Rivers United in the matches against Akwa United, Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists.

Rivers United's Bernard Ovoke earned himself a nomination with his three goals, including one on the road at Wolves, which earned the Garden City club the full points. His other goals against title-contenders Enugu Rangers and Cup holders, Akwa United, we're equally influential in securing full points for his club.

Aigbogun and Obaje will be presented their awards in the coming days by the LBA

UGBADE DEMAND MORE AS REMO STARS TARGET PROMOTION

Remo Stars Football Club remains unbeaten in the Nigeria National League after they secured a vital 1-1 draw away from home in the Week 4 encounter against Abia Comets.

The Sky Blue Stars have won 2 and drawn 2 of their opening four games in the 2015/16 NNL season.

Pascal Eze set the ball rolling for the host in the second half after the first half ended in a scoreless draw.

Umar Martaba was at the right place at the right time to score from 23 yards, after a poor clearance for Comets defender sees Martaba lash on to score, a goal Ugbade described as a miraculous one.

Speaking toreporters Nduka Ugbade described the encounter as an interesting one as he remains unsatisfied with the team's performance.

"Well it's was quite an interesting encounter today for the neutrals but I am not too satisfied as both teams had to share the points.

"As a technical man that I am, I would expect more from the lads but this does not take away the fact that they give a good account of themselves because it's not easy that we've seen two miracles in two matches."

Speaking on the team's conversion of chances, Ugbade admits that is an issue he needs to address again and again.

"Yes this is a very very big problem for a technical man and at my level, creating the opportunities is one thing and converting it is another.

"We were not to good today because a team that I handle for about 1 month are always about 50 percent. The ability to listen and put to practice simple instructions is still amidst and its something I have to keep working on to ensure the team gets past the 50 percent mark."

MANU CALL OFF SCREENING TO HONOUR FORMER COACH

Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach Manu Garba (OON)on Saturdaystopped the on-going screening of budding talents into the U-17 National Team after news filtered in that NFF's Technical Director, Shaibu Amodu, had died.

It was a visibly sober and sad moment as players and officials yet again mourned the death of another high-ranking football man following the death of Stephen Keshion Wednesday.

Garba said Amodu's death was not only tragic but a personal loss to him because it was under the watch of the late Super Eagles coach that he captained and won the FA Cup with El-Kanemi Warriors in the 1990s.

"This is a great loss to me," Garba toldreporters"
I spoke with Amodu just two days ago and we discussed about our screening, and I feel so sad that he has gone few days after we lost Stephen Keshi. Amodu was my coach at El-Kanemi Warriors when I captained El-Kanemi to winthe FA Cup and we have remained ever so close ever since.

"He was a man with a reservoir of knowledge and we all enjoyed his presentation during the CAF License A Coaching Course here in Abuja and I can't just believe Amodu is dead. I'm too sad over this loss and in his honour, we have to call off our training session Saturdayand God's willing, we shall continueon Monday," Garba informed.

FLYING EAGLES SOAR PAST BURUNDI

Nigeria’s U-20 squad reached the final round of qualifying for next year’s CAF U-20 Cup of Nations after edging Burundi’s Young Swallows 2-1 in Calabar on Saturday.

Before kick –off, a minute’s silence was observed in honour of Nigeria and African coaching legends Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu, who died on Wednesday and Saturday respectively. The Nigerian players also wore black armbands.

Forward Victor Osimhen and captain Kelechi Nwakali scored second half goals to seal the Flying Eagles’ passage, never thought to be in doubt after they won the first leg 1-0 in Bujumbura three weeks ago.

It was, however, a hard –fought encounter, as the Swallows gave a better account of their abilities on the turf of the UJ Esuene Stadium than they did on home ground in Bujumbura.

Nigeria created several chances, mostly from Kingsley Michael’s mazy runs, and the lanky midfielder himself could have opened scores after eight minutes when he had the Burundian defence in knots.

Chinedu Madueke had the ball in the net from a brilliant Samuel Chukwueze run into the box in the 32^nd minute, but was ruled off –side. Just before recess, Nwakali’s weighted shot missed narrowly.

Nwakali came close again nine minutes into the second period, before Michael missed with a header on the hour mark. Orji Okonkwo also missed with a flash shot in the 64^th minute, but Osimhen made no mistake from the penalty spot after Udochukwu Anumudu was brought down in the box on 72 minutes.

Eight minutes from time, Nwakali scored the goal of the day, placing the ball beyond Jonathan Nahimana from 22 yards after lively substitute Gavi Thompson was brought down.

The Swallows however pulled one back two minutes from time, Magloire Ndikumana finishing off a swift counter attack.

The Flying Eagles will play Sudan for a spot at the CAF U-20 Cup of Nations Zambia 2017. The first leg will take place in Khartoum in four weeks. 

PICTURES STORY FROM SHAUIBU AMODU BURIAL

IKORODU EARNED A DRAW IN UMUAHIA

Most surprising result of match day 21 is Ikorodu United going all the way to Umuahia to picked up a point in a game everyone believed they are going to lost.

Sunshine stars drew with Akwa United in the nest of champion in Uyo.

The star match of match day 21 between Rangers int’l and Kano Pillars could only produce a goal in the game that will ensure Rangers keep up the momentum on the league leader, Wikki Tourists.

MFM FC with the two goals win over Nasarawa United means the club did a double on Nasarawa as they were defeated in week two in the first stanza.

The remaining match day 21 results are listed below

MFM FC 2 : 0 Nasarawa Utd

Lobi Stars 3 : 1 Shooting Stars

Akwa Utd 3 : 3 Sunshine Stars

Abia Warriors 1 : 1 Ikorodu Utd

Wikki Tourists 1 : 0 El-Kanemi Warriors

Warri Wolves 2 : 2 Heartland FC

Rangers Int'l 1 : 0 Kano Pillars

Niger Tornadoes 1 : 0 Plateau Utd

ARMY COLONEL TO OFFICATE ENYIMBA, RIVERS GAME

what a match it's going to be in Enugu as NPFL former champion Kano pillars tackle Rangers in a quest for this year's title, while Rangers is in purse of winning the title in over three decade, kano pillars is looking to return as champion after relinquishing the title to Enyimba int’l. 

Enyimba int’l will tackle Rivers United with FIFA badge Col. Fawole a serving army colonel will be at the centre of the affair.

Other fixtures of match day 21 with appointments is listed below.

MATCH DAY 21 OFFICIALS APPOINTMENT

MFM FC vs Nasarawa Utd

John Charles

Bethel

Anyanwu

Enyimba Int'l VS Rivers United

Col Fawole

Adamu

Garba y

Lobi stars vs Shooting stars

Ndubuisi

Iribor

Uzonna

Akwa United vs Sunshine stars

Chibuzor

Eyelori

Jerry Emma

Abia Warriors vs Ikorodu United

Jingi

Abdul Razak

Dauda Bulus

Wikki Tourists vs Elkanemi Warriors

Sani Salihu

Robert

Bwamba

Warri Wolves vs Heartland FC

Oluwabonmi Olayombo

Ogunjumelo

Busayo

Rangers int’l vs Kano Pillars

Isiaku Ibrahim

Philip Ihembe

Hinda

Niger Tornadoes vs Plateau United

Garuba Hamza

Sheidu Saidu

Musa Rabiu

FEDERATION CUP ROUND OF 32 GET DATE AND VENUES

The Round of 32 matches of this year’s men’s Federation Cup competition will take place next week, with the clash between NPFL sides Enyimba FC and El-Kanemi Warriors the pick of the pack.

CAF Champions League contenders Enyimba take on the Maiduguri Warriors at the Area 3 venue, Abuja on Wednesday, 15^thJune at 4pm.

The UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar will be venue for the only other all-NPFL clash, between FC IfeanyiUbah and Lobi Stars.

Kwara United FC will be at loggerheads with NPFL side Akwa United at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi on Thursday, while Nasarawa United are up against Go Round FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Wednesday.

MEN’S ROUND OF 32
Akwa United Vs Kwara United - Makurdi - 16/6 - 4pm
Sunshine Stars Vs Abia Comets - Oleh - 15/6 - 4pm
Dynamite FC Vs Flash Flamingoes - Abuja - 16/6 - 4pm
Nasarawa United Vs Go Round FC - Enugu - 15/6 - 4pm
Rivers United Vs Kaduna United - Makurdi - 15/6 - 4pm
Shooting Stars Vs Almar FC - Agege - 15/6 - 4pm
Top World FC Vs J. Atete FC - Enugu - 16/6 - 4pm
El-Kanemi Warriors Vs Enyimba - Abuja - 15/6 - 4pm
Crown FC Vs Niger Tornadoes - Akure - 15/6 - 4pm
ABS FC Vs Enugu Rangers - Bauchi - 15/6 - 4pm
Kogi United Vs Wikki Tourists - Kaduna - 15/6 - 4pm
Dreams FC Vs Plateau United - Damaturu - 15/6 - 4pm
Kano Pillars Vs Prime FC - Lokoja - 15/6 - 4pm
Warri Wolves Vs Jigawa Stars - Ilorin - 15/6 - 4pm
MFM FC Vs Katsina United - Lokoja - 16/6 - 4pm
FC IfeanyiUbah Vs Lobi Stars - Calabar - 15/6 - 4pm

JOHN OBUH KEEPING IT REAL WITH KWARA UNITED

Quite an exciting weekend of league matches in the second tier of Nigeria leagues, Katsina United thrashed Sokoto with four unreplied goals in katsina.

Yarmalight yet to win full maximum points in the two weeks old league.

Kwara united under the tutelage of coach Obuh have shown consistency in the two weeks old league by claiming the six points at stake so far from six available six points.

Remo stars of Remoland, with Nduka Ugbade in charge went all the way to Uyo to picked up a draw against Akwa Starlets as the home team couldn't claim all maximum points but had to share it with Remo stars.

Crown FC came back from week one lost to defeat First bank FC inside Soun township stadium to claim their first victory in the league with coach Fatai Osho in charge.

The full league results for week two of the NNL is stated below

GROUP A1:

Katsina Utd 4 : 0 Sokoto Utd

Jigawa G' Stars 1 : 0 FC Yarmalight

Shekarau Babes 1 : 1 Kaduna United

Mighty Jets FC 1 : 0 Kogi United

GROUP A2:

Adamawa Utd FC 3 : 1 FC Zamfara

Supreme Court 0 : 1 Kwara United

Gombe Utd 1 : 0 Wikki Tourists Feeders

GROUP B1:

Akwa Starlets FC 1 : 1 Remo Stars FC

Unicem Rovers 2 : 1 COD United FC

Delta Force FC 1 : 0,Prime FC

Abia Comets 1 : 0 Go-Round FC

GROUP B2:

Bendel Insurance 0 : 0 Bayelsa Utd

Gateway United 3 : 0 Julius Atete FC

Cofine FC 3 : 0 ABS FC (Walkover)

Crown FC 3 : 0 First bank FC

AFN CONFIRM JUNE 6 FOR AKURE GOLDEN LEAGUE MEET

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN have announced that the final leg of the Golden League will be holding in Akure on Monday, June 6, 2016 inside the Sports Complex of the Federal University of Technology, FUTA.

Olukayode Thomas Head of the Media in a press statement explained that Federation is opting to have the Akure Meet on Monday in order to beat the deadline to submit final entries for the African Senior Athletics Championship billed for Durban, South Africa later this month.

“The next leg of our Golden League will take place in Akure on Monday, the athletes are already in shape after participating in the first three legs in Abuja, Sapele and Sagamu just last Tuesday,” Mr. Thomas stated.

He added that the list of athletes to the Durban championships will be based strictly on merit as the country is keen to get the best representation in the Rainbow Nation.

Nigeria finished as runners-up behind South Africa at the last African Senior Athletics Championship in Morocco and would be hoping to put up a more formidable challenge this term.

Omolara Omotosho who made a stunning comeback from injury during the Sagamu Meet as well as Egwero Ogho-Oghene who has been dominating the 100 races in the past Golden League races are top on the list of athletes expected to add sparkle to the Akure Meet on Monday.

Meanwhile, some of the events expected to be competed for in Monday’s Golden League Meet in Akure include the men and women’s 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, 1500m, 100m/110m hurdles and 400m hurdles.

The field events include the men and women’s Triple Jump, Long Jump, Javelin throw, shot put and a host of others. 

RANGERS SHONE LIKE A MILLION STARS IN OWERRI

Kano pillars could only manage a goal against Plateau United in Sabo Gari in front of their massive crowd.

Wikki Tourist came to the land of excellent and did an excellent job, snatched the maximum points at the Onikan water front as they defeated Ikorodu United.

Rangers int’l stole the show in the oldest oriental derby reverse fixture as Heartland FC was defeated in owerri in front of their fans.

Shooting Stars paid back Akwa United in their own coins as the Oluyole warriors thrashed the long distnce club by three unreplied goals in Ibadan.

NPFL MATCH DAY 20 RESULTS

Kano Pillars 1 : 0 Plateau Utd

Ikorodu Utd 0 : 1 Wikki Tourists

Heartland FC 1 : 2 Rangers Int'l

Sunshine Stars 1 : 1 Abia Warriors

Shooting Stars 3 : 0 Akwa Utd

Rivers Utd 1 : 0 Lobi Stars

Nasarawa Utd 2 : 1 Enyimba Int'l

Niger Tornadoes 2 : 1 FC Ifeanyi ubah

El-Kanemi Warriors 2 : 0 Warri Wolves

CAN WIKKI SUSTAIN THE MOMENTUM

The second stanza of Nigeria Professional Football League kicked off on Saturday in Maiduguru with a win for the home team as El-Kanemi Warriors defeated Warri Wolves FC as a starter.

The reverse fixtures of the oldest oriental derby between Rangers int’l and Heartland FC will take place in Owerri, the first stanza ended in a draw with both teams recording such result for the first time in ten seasons.

All other games are scheduled for Sunday with exemption of MFM FC that would hold due to Giwa FC non participation in the lucrative league any more for breaching the league organiser framework and rules.

Other fixtures for Sunday and match officials appointments as released by league organiser and NFF Referees Committee for match day 20

Kano Pillars vs Plateau United

Mba LG Assesor

Hadiza AD

Pwadutakam AD

Jimeta AD

Basheer K

Heartland FC vs Rangers int’l

Tade LG

Quadri LG

Kabir LG

Baouku LG

Agugesi IM

Ikorodu United vs Wikki tourists

Victor FCT

Nwite AB

Eze chikaodili EN

Madu EN

Olabiyi LG

Sunshine stars vs Abia Warriors

Faith ED

Marcus BA

Peter BA

Gbileka GM

Awosakin OD

Shooting stars vs Akwa United

Abraham FCT

Nura ZM

Taiye SK

Kabiru ZM

K.S Akinwale OY

Rivers United vs Lobi stars

E.D Olokor KG

Segun OY

Sesan OY

Moroof OY

China RV

Nasarawa United vs Enyimba Int’l

Dave DT

Paul DT

Evans ED

China Levi RV

Robert BN

Niger Tornadoes vs FC Ifeanyi Ubah

Zubairu BA

Shittu KD

Moses KD

Adebayo KD

Zakari KG

SUWON TOURNAMENT AN EYE OPENER

Coach Samson Siasia has blamed the Nigeria U-23 team's embarrassing 6-2 defeat by Denmark at the Suwon Invitational Tournament on Saturday on several mistakes by his boys that were ruthlessly punished by the Danes. Siasia said this much at the post match conference after the game played at the Goyang Sports Complex‎.

"We got it wrong from the blast of the referee’s whistle; we made so many mistakes; we didn't play like we were meant to. The Danes did not play so well in their first game but they were tactically sound and we simply did not know how to defend against them.

"There were too many blunders on our side. We allowed them to control and pass the ball, and that's how we got killed. It's so embarrassing. I have never lost by six goals anywhere since I started my coaching career. All the same, that's why we are here, to look at the guys that can play, and the ones that we can take to the Olympics.

“It is very embarrassing, not because we lost, but the way we lost. Now, we have to snap out of it. We still have one more game to play, we will work hard to see that one turns out differently."

Siasia said his biggest problem is the defence, as well as the inability of the strikers to convert the goal –scoring opportunities that have come their way‎ at the tournament, beginning with the 0-1 loss to host South Korea on Thursday.

The Dream Team lost 6-2 to Denmark in its second game at the 4 –Nation Suwon Invitational Football Tournament, conceding the first goal in the 26th minute after central defender Erhun Obanor nodded the ball past a stranded goalkeeper Daniel. This came after Daniel had saved a 7th minute penalty after Obanor handled the ball.

After the first goal, the Danes were all over Nigeria and in the 34th minute scored the second goal through Emil Larsen, who went on to bag a hat –trick by scoring in the 38th and 54th minutes. Patrick Da Silva scored the fifth in the 62nd minute and Emiliano Marcondes scored the sixth in the 75th minute. The Dream Team pulled two goals back in the 85th and 88th minutes through Taiwo Abdulrahman.

The Nigeria U-23 will play its last game at the tournament against Honduras on Monday at the 35,000 –capacity Bucheon Sports Complex, starting from 3.30pm local time, which is 7.30am in Nigeria.

TEAP FC KICK START CAMPAIGN LOSING FROM HOME

Relegated TEAP FC of Abuja began their campaign for promotion to the second tier Nigeria league with a defeat away to KJ united football club.

Enyimba feeders team could only manage a slim victory at home against Ebony united football club.

AS Racines won their opener when they defeated Gray int'l in their campaign for promotion as the season kicked off on friday.

Other opening day fixtures are listed below as released officially by the league organiser

1. FC ABUJA 2 : 0 KATSINA UTD JNR FC
2. YOBE D. STARS FC 2 : 0 FLASH FLAMINGOS FC
3. ENYIMBA FEEDERS FC 1 : 0 EBONYI UNITED FC
4. KJ. UNITED FC 2 :0 VS. TEAP FC
5. AS. RACINES FC 2 : 0 GRAY INT’L FC
6. DELTA STAR FC 2 : 0 PAPILO FC
7. ZABGAI FC 1 : 0 YANKARI BABES FC

NIGERIA NATIONAL LEAGUE ONE KICKS OFF FRIDAY

The Nigeria nationwide league now reformed and know as National league One will kick off on Friday with matches in Kano and Lagos centres.

The league is divided into 8 groups of 5 teams in each group with the winner in each group moving to the second tier league at season end.

Fixtures for week one with appointments of match officials are list below

Star match of week one fixtures is the game between Ebedei FC and Rising stars

As Racine vs Gray

Jinad G

Adelesi OG

Olisa OG

Oabyemi LG

Ebedei vs rising stars

Kareem LG

Ajala LG

Jimoh LG

Adenekan OG

Spartan vs my people

Adiboye OY

Adebayo OY

Raifu OY

Faro LG

Ekiti vs Akure

Usman OS

Akinola OS

Wasiu OS

Ayoade EK

Enyimba feeders vs Ebonyi

Felix IM

Aniulobi IM

Ekeoma IM

Ukaegbu AB

Nembe city vs Bussdors

Ogbu RV

Ahmed RV

Chikaodiri RV

Ebitei BY

Delta stars vs Papilo

Osoria ED

Ogbomo ED

Edosa ED

Dominic DT

Ibom youths vs Garden City

Ebuka CR

Samuel CR

Njar CR

Austin Obama AK

Avalon vs Kwara

Alhassan NG

Bolaji NG

Adikwu NG

Onifade KW

Niger feeders vs Bids Lions

Arowolo FCT

Abdulmaliq FCT

Ayuba FCT

Abu Elisha NG

KJ vs TEAP

Ibrahim KT

Samaila Bello KT

Ahmed KT

Tachio Kenneth KD

Samba vs Highlanders

Lohjul Bancir PL

Augustine PL

Babale D. PL

Maikaba KN

Abuja vs kastina jnr

Yusuf Nta NG

Bala M. KD

Mohamed NG

Daniel FCT

Kano pillars vs Giodano

Bobby B.Y KD

Mohammed Ayatu KG

Ibrahim KG

Hussein I FCT

Kaduna bees vs Lobi stars

Rabiu ZM

Bello Sani

Nasiru sani ZM

Jonathan H. KD

Zabgai vs yankari babes

Ali musa GM

Adamu GM

Sunday GM

Ashafa BA

Yobe D.vs Flash Flamingoes

Abdullahi BA

Abdulwahab BA

Ahmed BA

Kashim Dogari YB

NIGERIA REFEREES ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY

Nigeria Referees on international duties

U-20 Nations cup qualifier, Zambia 2017

Gabon vs Angola

Match officials listed below

Abdullahi Shauibu

Isah Usman

Orowole Temitope Azeez

All referees from Nigeria, to officiate the second leg , second round of the qualifier.

The game will be played in Gabon on the 11th of June 2016 by 3:30PM local time.

NIGERIA NATIONAL LEAGUE WEEK TWO FIXTURES

Matches in the country second tier league enters week two with games to be played across the country.

Week two of the season will see Mighty Jets of Jos hoping to consolidate on their away point as they will be home in this weekend fixtures.

Remo stars with the confirmation of Ex-super Eagles star and one time assistance coach of the nation U20 team Nduka Ugbade as the new Technical Adviser of the will want to prove a point that winning their first match was not a fluke as they will be the guest of Akwa Starlets.

Go-Round FC from Port Harcourt will they be able to consolidate on their fine start to the league as they go away in this week two fixtures.

Below are fixtures and referee appointments for week two games as released by NFF Referees Committee

Katsina vs Sokoto

Jumare KD Assessor

Madugu KD

Yusuf KD

Didan KD

Rabiu KT

Jigawa vs Yarmalight

Mohd Sani YB

Godfrey KD

Joseph SK

Ibrahim SK

Zakari JG

Shekarau vs Kaduna

Bello KG

Abba BA

Bukar BO

Tijjani GM

Gloria KN

Mighty jets vs Kogi

Muhd NS

Aliyu KD

Imam malik KN

Abe Ola KN

Yakubu PL

Adamawa vs Zamfara

Majidadi GM

Umar TR

Luther TR

Ismaila TR

Ayuba AD

Supreme vs Kwara

Abdulahi NG

Babagana NG

Jacob NG

Hassan NS

Ishaya FCT

Dream vs Taraba

David FCT

Dankano KG

Mohd KW

Yakubu FCT

Ben BN

Gombe vs wikki

James TR

Auwal TR

Mohd AD

Safiyanu AD

Kazzem GM

Akwa starlets vs Remo

James RV

Eze Godwin EB

Cyprian Sunday EB

Onwe EB

Mfon F Ak

Comets vs Go Round

Agbo EN

Akwa Robbe CR

Emure CR

Nneji CR

Sunday AB

Unicem Rovers vs COD

Oboho AK

OKorie B AB

Samson AB

Onyema Sunday AB

Promise

Delta Force vs Prime

Iruero D ED

Ndiokwere Uche IM

Nledin Uche IM

Okonkwo B IM

Arinze V DT

Cofine VS ABS

Eke IM

Okonkwo IM

Neji B CR

I Kelechi IM

Ukpa G AK

Insurance vs Bayelsa

Adeniyi DT

Giwa Muiz LG

Imam Kabir LG

Azeez LG

Tongo Eric ED

Gateway vs J Atete

Usman OS

Akinfemisoye OD

Abayomi A OD

Goke OD

Faton OG

Crown vs First Bank

Wande Fabuluje OD

Idowu S. OG

Bamigboye OG

Adigun OG

Ogbonna

QUADRI APOLOGIES TO FANS

From absenting himself from the just concluded ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open, Aruna Quadri has apologized to fans while promising to continue to work harder in order to make an impact at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

  Quadri, who was seeded number one in the men’s singles of the ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open could not make it to Lagos for the championship due to club engagement as his French club, Jura Morez was fighting to escape relegation from the elite European league.

  “I am using this medium to appeal to all my fans and particularly the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and its President, Wahid Oshodi for my inability to feature in this year’s Nigeria Open. My mind was with the tournament throughout but my club needed me as we were on the verge of going into relegation. We were four players in the team and one of my teammates was injured and for us to play in any league match we have to be a three-man team and this was what prevented me from coming to Lagos,” he said.

  “I made several efforts to have the match postponed but being the final match on May 22, which coincided with the grand finale of the Nigeria Open, all teams in the league were expected to play at the same time and so it was a bit difficult for me to allow the team to go into relegation. This will affect me and the club will not be happy as well. But despite all, I want to promise my fans that I will continue to represent my country and make my nation proud. I have started my personal preparation for the Olympics and I hope I can repay their trust with good performance at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil,” the 2014 ITTF Star Player added.

 As Quadri was able to save Jura Morez from going into relegation, it was not the same for Egypt’s Omar Assar as the Egyptian could not save his team – Istres from dropping to the second division in the French League after losing 4-2 in the play-off match on Monday in Paris.

   

NIGERIA OPEN WINNER GET IMPROVE ITTF RANKING

Players that performed well at the 2016 ITTF Premier Lotto Nigeria Open have started getting rewarded for their efforts after the world table tennis ruling body released the June ranking on Wednesday.

  Specifically, the men and women singles winners, Finland’s Benedek Olah and Portugal’s Jieni Shao are among the biggest movers in the latest world rating while the winners of the U-21 singles events were not left out of the improved rating.

  Finland’s Benedek Olah who was ranked 74 in May achieved his best rating in the June ranking list released as the Finnish is now rated 63 in the world to become the first Finnish to achieve such feat.

  Also, Portugal’s Jieni Shao, who was able to defend her title at the 2016 edition of the Nigeria Open climbed from 60 to 54 in the world.

  U-21 men’s singles champion, Egypt’s Shady Madgy moved from 323 to 295 while the women U-21 singles winner, Romania’s Irina Ciobanu also benefited in the rating as the Romania who was ranked 200 in May has now moved to 173 in the world.

  Men’s singles runner’s up, Egypt’s Khalid Assar got an improved ranking as the Egyptian climbed 214 from 264 while his compatriot, who was bundled out in the quarterfinal, El-Sayed Lashin also gained points as he is now rated 132 from 136.

  However, Nigerian players were not left out of the gains, as Segun Toriola, Bode Abiodun, Ojo Onaolapo, Edem Offiong and Olufunke Oshonaike improved in their world rating.

  Toriola, a semifinalist at the Nigeria Open climbed from 120 to 110 while Abiodun, Nigeria Open quarterfinalist; improved to 177 to 191.

  The highest Nigeria female player in the latest ranking is Edem Offiong who is now rated 196 from 222 in May.

  Six-time Olympian, Olufunke Oshonaike moved up from 241 to 204.

  The absence of Aruna Quadri may have rubbed off on his world rating as the 2014 ITTF Star Player dropped to 37 from 32 while his continental’s rival who was not at the 2016 Nigeria Open, Egypt’s Omar Assar was unmoved as the Egyptian maintained his 39^th place in the world.

  

DOSU JOSEPH TO TACKLE OBAGOAL AND FRIENDS

With the ongoing series of charity matches going on between Dosu Joseph westerloo football academy and selected professionals which includes obafemi Martins and Taye Taiwo.

This Friday is going to be another day for one of the series, the match will take place at the new Agege stadium by 8AM.

The last time the two met, the professional side won by 5-4 on penalties, hoping this series will end in the regulation time of 90 minutes