OMAGBEMI NAMES AWCON 2016 SQUAD

First lady to lift the African Women Cup of Nations and Super Falcons of Nigeria Coach Florence Omagbemi has today released the final list to the 10th edition of the African Women Cup of Nation 2016 scheduled to take place in Cameroon from November 19 through December 3, 2016.
The Super Falcons have won seven of the last nine editions of the final tournament and Omagbemi led her troops to two other successive victories in 2000 and 2002 to go
down in history as one of the most successive captains of a national women’s team on the continent.
She has since retired and will be one of two former amazons along with South Africa’s Desiree Ellis that would be leading their respective countries quest for glory as
coaches at the upcoming Women’s AFCON in Cameroon from 19 November to 3 December 2016.
Housed in Group B with perennial rivals, Ghana as well as Mali and Kenya, Omagbemi is not oblivious of the challenges ahead but was enthusiastic to win the trophy as coach.
In her words, “Though as the defending champions, a lot is expected from us, I don't see it as a pressure because every team coming to Cameroon would want to have a go at us but we know remaining at the top is never going to be easy,”
The 41-year-old former forward went forward to assure a save house among the ladies.
“We have communicated that to the team and we want to keep our high standard. We want to retain the trophy because that is the target in Cameroon. We want to respect the other teams because there are no smaller teams again in football but we are not under any pressure and we just want to retain our trophy as the defending champions,”
The side is said to be packed with foreign and local professional with notable names like Arsenal's Asisisat Oshola, Francisca Ordega, Desire Oparanozie, skilful Faith Ikidi, federations cup winner Ugo Njoku amidst others.
The full list includes;


GOALKEEPERS:
Alaba Jonathan, Rita Akarekor, Ibubuleye Whyte.

DEFENDERS:
 Ugo Njoku, Onome Ebi, Faith Ikidi, Ohale Osinachi, Ebere Ngozi, Gladys Akpa.

MIDFIELDERS:
Osas Igbinovia, Ngozi Okobi, Halimatu Ayinde, Glory Iroka, Rita Chikwuelu.

FORWARDS:
Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega, Esther Sunday, Uchechi Sunday, Asisat Oshoala, Chioma Wogu, Ijeoma Obi.

FEDERATION CUP SET FOR NEW WINNER.

From the eras' of War Memorial Challenge Cup in 1942, the oldest football competition in Nigeria has taken good shape yearly. The 74 year old competition has recorded lots of winners over the past and has given room for history write-up every year. This year final will have two sides playing at the final for the first time ever as we have the Anambra warriors squaring up against the solid miners.
Going down the memory lane, here are the past winners of the federation cup from the days of War Memorial Challenge Cup in 1942.

HONOURS ROLL (MEN COMPETITION)

WAR MEMORIAL CHALLENGE CUP

    1942: ZAC Bombers         1-0       Services FC

    1943: Lagos Marine         3-2      RAF FC

    1944: Lagos Railways      2-0       Lagos Marine

    1945: Lagos Railways      1-1       Lagos United

*Railway won 4-1 on penalty shootout



GOVERNOR'S CUP

    1945: Marine FC               1-0       Corinthians

    1946: Lagos Railways      3-1      Port Harcourt FC

    1947: Lagos Marine         3-1      Lagos Railways

    1948: Lagos Railways      1-0       Warri XI

    1949: Lagos Railways      3-0       Port Harcourt FC

    1950: Lagos UAC 3-2       Port Harcourt FC

    1951: Lagos Railways      3-2       Mighty Jets

    1952: PAN Bank              6-0       Warri XI

    1953: Kano XI                   2-1       Lagos Dynamos



FA CUP

    1954: Calabar XI               3-0       Kano XI

    1955: Port Harcourt FC    4-1       Warri XI

    1956: Lagos Railways      3-1       Warri XI

    1957: Lagos Railways      5-1       Zaria XI

    1958: Port Harcourt FC    6-0       Federal United

    1959: Ibadan Lions           1-0       Police FC



CHALLENGE CUP

    1960: Lagos ECN 5-2       Ibadan Lions

    1961: Ibadan Lions           1-0       Lagos UAC

    1962: Police FC                 1-0       Mighty Jets

    1963: Port Harcourt FC    1-0       Mighty Jets

    1964: Lagos Railways      3-1       Mighty Jets

    1965: Lagos ECN 3-1       Mighty Jets

    1966: Ibadan Lions           W/O Mighty Jets

    1967: Stationery Stores   3-1       Mighty Jets

    1968: Stationery Stores   3-1       Warri XI

    1969: Ibadan Lions           5-1       Warri XI

    1970: Lagos ECN              3-1       Mighty Jets

    1971: WNDC Ibadan        2-1       Enugu Rangers

    1972: Bendel Insurance   3-2       Mighty Jets

    1973: No competition, as a result of 2nd of All-Africa Games

    1974: Enugu Rangers       2-0      Mighty Jets

    1975: Enugu Rangers       1-0       Shooting Stars

    1976: Enugu Rangers       2-0       Alyufsalam Rocks

    1977: Shooting Stars        2-0       Raccah Rovers

    1978: Bendel Insurance   3-0       Enugu Rangers

    1979: Shooting Stars        2-0       Sharks FC

    1980: Bendel Insurance   1-0       Stationery Stores

    1981: Enugu Rangers       2-0       Bendel Insurance

    1982: Stationery Stores   4-1       Niger Tornadoes

: Enugu Rangers                   0-0       DIC Bees

*Rangers won 5-4 on penalty shootout

    1984: Leventis United      1-0       Abiola Babes

    1985: Abiola Babes          0-0       BCC Lions

*Abiola Babes won 6 – 5 on penalty shootout

    1986: Leventis United      1-0       Abiola Babes

    1987: Abiola Babes          1-1       Ranchers Bees

*Abiola Babes won 7-6 on penalty shootout

    1988: Iwuanyanwu Nationale 3-0 Flash Flamingoes

    1989: BCC Lions               1-0       Iwuanyanwu Nationale

   1990:  Stationery Stores   0-0       Enugu Rangers

*Stores won 5-4 on penalty shootout

    1991: El-Kanemi Warriors           3-2       Kano Pillars F.C.

    1992: El-Kanemi Warriors 1-0     Stationery Stores

    1993: BCC Lions               1-0       Plateau United

    1994: BCC Lions               1-0       Julius Berger FC

    1995: Shooting Stars        2-0       Katsina United

    1996: Julius Berger           1-0       Katsina United

    1997: BCC Lions               1-0       Katsina United

    1998: Wikki Tourists        0-0       Plateau United

    1999: Plateau United        1-0       Iwuanyanwu Nationale

    2000: Tornadoes FC         1-0      Enugu Rangers

    2001: Dolphins FC            2-0       El-Kanemi Warriors

    2002: Julius Berger FC     3-0       Yobe Stars

    2003: Lobi Stars                2-0       Sharks FC

    2004: Dolphins FC            1-0       Enugu Rangers

    2005: Enyimba FC             1-1       Lobi Stars

*Enyimba won 6-5 on penalty shootout

    2006: Dolphins FC            2-2       Bendel Insurance

*Dolphins won 5-3 on penalty shootout

    2007: Dolphins FC            1-1       Enugu Rangers

* Dolphins won 3-2 on penalty shootout

    2008: Ocean Boys            2-2       Gombe United

* Ocean Boys won 7-6 on penalty shootout

2009: Enyimba FC                 1-0       Sharks FC

    2010: Kaduna United       3-3       Enyimba FC

* Kaduna United won 3-2 on penalty shootout

2011: Heartland FC               1-0       Enyimba FC

2012: Heartland FC               2-1       Lobi Stars

2013 Enyimba FC               2-2         Warri Wolves   

*Enyimba won 5-4 on penalty shootout

2014: Enyimba FC 2 Dolphins FC 1

2015: Akwa United 2 Lobi Stars 1

 The 2016 final will have two different sides featuring at the final for the first time ever in the history of the competition as FC Ifeanyi Ubah will lock horns with Nasarawa united on Sunday the 6th of November, 2016 at the famous Teslim Balogun stadium in Lagos.
Meanwhile, the winner of the encounter will pick up the second place ticket to represent Nigeria at the CAF confederation cup alongside Wikki tourist of Bauchi.

ALGERIA NAMES SQUAD FOR NIGERIA TRIP.

Algeria have called up 18 foreign professionals including
Leicester City stars Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani as
well as Sofiane Feghouli of West Ham for a World Cup
qualifier against Nigeria.
Others are Yacine Brahimi from FC Porto, Nabil
Bentaleb of Schalke 04 as well as uncapped Bordeaux
midfielder Adam Ounas, who has changed his
international allegiance to Algeria after he featured for
France at age-grade level.
New coach Georges Leekens named the squad
Tuesday morning with a proviso to include five players
from the domestic league after the country’s Super
Cup.
The World Cup showdown is slated for Saturday,
November 12, in Uyo.

The squad includes;





GOALKEEPERS:
M'Bolhi  (Antalyaspor/Turkey)

DEFENDERS:
Mandi (Real Bétis/Spain), Belkaroui
(Espérance Tunis/Tunisia), Medjani (CD Leganès/
Spain), Ghoulam (SSC Naples/Italy),
Cadamuro (Servette Genève/Switzerland)

MIDFIELDERS:
Bentaleb (Schalke 04/Germany),
Guedioura (Watford FC/England), Taider (Bologne FC/
Italy), Abeid (Dijon/France), Brahimi (FC Porto/
Portugal), Boudebouz (Montpellier Herrault/France),
Feghouli (West-Ham/England), Ghezzal (Lyon/France)

FORWARDDS :
 Ounas (Bordeaux/France), Mahrez ,
Slimani (Leicester City/England), Soudani (Dinamo
Zagreb/Croatia)

50TH HOME WORLD CUP MATCHES FOR EAGLES.

The Super Eagles will be playing their 50th World Cup qualifying home matches when they take on the Fennecs of Algeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo next week Saturday.



In their previous 49 home matches, the Eagles had won 39 and drawn seven, while losing three.



The first home match for Nigeria was on 10th September 1960, when they tied 2-2 with Ghana’s Black Stars in Lagos. The team had earlier lost the first leg 4-1 to the Ghanaians in Accra and crashed out of the race to the 1962 World Cup finals in Chile.



The last was against the Sihlangu of Swaziland at the Adokiye Amiesieamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on 17th November 2015, in the preliminary round for Russia 2018. Nigeria won 2-0 courtesy of goals by Moses Simon and Efe Ambrose, following a 0-0 draw in Lobamba four days earlier.



The six other drawn matches were against Cameroon on 7th December 1968 (1-1 in Lagos); against Sudan on 13th September 1969 (2-2 in Ibadan); against Tanzania on 6th December 1980 (1-1 in Lagos); against Angola on 18th June 2005 (1-1 in Kano); against Tunisia on 6th September 2009 (2-2 in Abuja) and; against Kenya on 23rd March 2013 (1-1 in Calabar).



The Super Eagles’ three losses were against Ghana on 10th February 1973 (the Black Stars were leading 3-2 in Lagos when the match was abandoned; FIFA awarded it 2-0 to Ghana); against Tunisia on 12th November 1977 in Lagos (1-0 through a first half own goal by defender Godwin Odiye) and; against Algeria on 10th October 1981 (2-0 in Lagos).



However, the Super Eagles have never lost a World Cup qualifying home match played outside Lagos. In fact, the only times they have failed to win a World Cup qualifying home match away from Lagos was against Sudan (2-2 in Ibadan in 1969); against Angola (1-1 in Kano in 2005); against Tunisia (2-2 in Abuja in 2009) and; against Kenya (1-1 in Calabar in 2013).

EAGLES LIST FOR ALGERIA TEST

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT




Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has called up captain Mikel John Obi, assistant captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and 21 others for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Fennecs of Algeria in Uyo.



While he has retained the bulk of the squad that defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola earlier this month to establish Nigeria at the top of Group B of the African race, the Franco-German tactician has also beefed up the playing body with in –form Israeli –based midfielder John Ogu and Nigeria’s top scorer at the Olympic Men’s Football Tournament in Brazil, Oghenekaro Etebo.



Germany –based defender Leon Balogun, back from injury, also returns while English Premiership stars Victor Moses and Odion Ighalo are also called.



Former junior international goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and Dutch –based defender Tyrone Ebuehi are also invited.



Players are expected to start arriving at the team’s Bolton White Apartment in Abuja on Sunday, 6thNovember.



The Super Eagles welcome the Fennecs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, 12th November in one of the potentially most explosive games of the African series.



FULL LIST:



Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Dele Alampasu (FC Cesarense, Portugal)



Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Uche Henry Agbo (Granada FC, Spain); Tyrone Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kingsley Madu (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium)



Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)



Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)

FLAMINGOES LAND IN JORDAN

The delegation of Nigeria’s U17 Women National Team, Flamingoes, flew into Jordan on Tuesday morning aboard an Emirates Airline flight from Dubai. The contingent had flown out of Abuja aboard another Emirates Airline flight on Monday night.
The 32 –member delegation comprising of 21 players, 9 Officials, NFF Assistant Technical Director, Abdulrafiu Yusuf and Head of Women Football, Ruth David were on board the same Emirates Airline flight from Dubai with Group C opponents, Korea Democratic People’s Republic. The airplane landed at the Queen Alia International Airport, Amman at 9.25am Jordan time on Tuesday.
The Nigeria delegation was received Head of Chancery, Nigerian Embassy, Abdulhamid Aminu and Ernest Orogun, the Communications Officer, as well as members of the Local Organizing Committee of the 5thFIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. The players and officials later left for Le Royal Hotels and Resorts, Amman where they are lodged.
The Flamingoes will resume training on Wednesday. The three –time quarter finalists will play their opener against Brazil on Nigeria’s Independence Day (1st October) by 4pm Jordan time (2pm Nigeria), before games against England and Korea DPR at the Amman International Stadium. It is worthy of note that only 22 seconds were on the clock atNew Zealand 2008 whenNigeria's Soo Adekwagh scorednot only the fastest goal in thehistory of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, but in any FIFA women's competition.

 THE FULL LIST

 GOALKEEPERS:
 Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); Christiana Obia (Martins Whyte Doves); Agatha Thompson (Young Talent FC)

 DEFENDERS:
 Abidemi Ibe (Ibom Angels); Patience Dike (Abia Angels); Catherine Kenneth (Rivers Angels); Ebunoluwa Adeboye (Rivers Angels); Akudo Ogbonna (FC Robo); Joy Michael (Young Talent FC); Opeyemi Sunday (Sunshine Queens), Happiness Titus (Greater Tomorrow Academy)

 MIDFIELDERS:
Christy Ucheibe (Capital City Doves); Peace Efih (Edo Queens); Folashade Ijamilusi (Spring Soca Academy)

 FORWARDS:
Oghenebrume Ikekhua (Delta Queens); Mercy Omokwo (Abia Angels); Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo); Arit Itu (Rivers Angels); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo); Cynthia Aku (Rivers Angels); Mary-Ann Ezenagu (Delta Queens)

MIKEL,MUSA, 20 OTHERS TO FACE ZAMBIA

Nigeria’s Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has released a list of 23 players invited for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Matchday 1 clash between the Super Eagles and Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Ndola.



The Franco-German retained belief in the squad that pipped Tanzania 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo on 3rd September, but has added Alanyaspor of Turkey defender Kenneth Omeruo, Belgium –based midfielder Anderson Esiti and English Premiership duo Isaac Success and Alex Iwobi.



Skipper Mikel John Obi, assistant skipper Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, defender Elderson Echiejile, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and in –form Manchester City of England forward Kelechi Iheanacho are in the 23 –man roster.



Rohr has excused Watford FC forward Odion Ighalo, who will attend his father’s burial in Nigeria on Saturday, 8th October – eve of the big match at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.



Injured KAA Gent of Belgium striker Moses Simon is listed after assuring Coach Rohr that he has started treatment and would be fully healed well ahead of the encounter.



All invited players are expected to start arriving in Abuja as from Sunday, 2nd October.



ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS



Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah)



Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kingsley Madu (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium)



Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Anderson Esiti (KAA Gent, Belgium)



Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)

THE LMC HAMMER

LMC Sanctions, Abia Warriors, Sunshine Stars and Enyimba Masseur.


Sunshine Stars and Abia Warriors have been sanctioned by the League Management Company (LMC) for disruptive behaviour of their fans in recent matches just as Enyimba’s Masseur, Mr. Ifeanyi Kalu was handed a one year ban from all activities of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and his club fined N250,000.
In a related development, the LMC has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) requesting the exclusion of 12 Referees from further officiating of NPFL matches pending investigations into their respective performances in recent matches.
A total fine of N2.7m has been imposed on Sunshine Stars for various breaches of the rule including failure to provide adequate security, assault on match officials, throwing of object into the field of play, delaying the start of the second half and throwing of object at an official of Heartland FC.
The breaches were committed in the course of their Match Day 33 fixture against Heartland at the Akure Township Stadium. In addition to the fine, Sunshine Stars will now serve the one match behind closed door which was earlier imposed as a suspended punishment for similar breaches on Match Day 17 fixture against Warri Wolves. The assaulted Assistant Referee and the injured Heartland official will be paid compensations of N250, 000 each from the fine.
Abia Warriors are being sanctioned for the conduct of its fans in the Match Day 34 fixture against FC IfeanyiUbah and has been fined a total of N2.5m in addition to playing two matches behind closed door.
The club was fined N1m for encroachment of fans into the field of play while a fine of N750, 000 is to be paid for the club’s failure to provide adequate security for the match officials immediately after the match. Each of the three match officials are to be paid N250, 000 each as compensation by the club for the assault perpetrated by their fans on the match officials. Abia Warriors are also to replace the FIFA match wrist watch the referee lost during the fracas.
According to the Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued the club, the fan(s) who assaulted the match officials must be apprehended by Abia Warriors and handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution. The sanction further ordered that should the club fail to produce the culprit(s) after seven days from the date of the notice, a fine of N250, 000 shall accrue for each day until the order is complied with.
The club has until close of business on Friday, September 16 to respond in writing indicating acceptance of the charges or electing to appear before a commission.
For performances that has been perceived to have raised integrity concerns in recent league matches, the League Management Company (LMC) has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) requesting for the immediate exclusion of 12 Referees from officiating in matches pending the review of their performances in the said matches.
The 12 match officials are made up of four center referees and eight assistant referees who officiated in fixtures of Match Day 33, 34 and 35. The matches are Match Day 33 in Makurdi between Nasarawa United and Rangers International, match day 34 fixture in Umuahia between Abia Warriors and FC IfeanyiUbah, match day 35 in Nnewi between FC IfeanyiUbah and Akwa United and that in Lokoja between Niger Tornadoes and Enyimba.
In the letter to the NFF President, the LMC disclosed that it would engage the leadership of the NFF Referees Committee and the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) to address perceived lapses that are capable of casting the game in disrepute.
It further noted that the LMC in asking for the exclusion of the match officials from further participation in NPFL matches did not intend to pass any form of judgment “until the relevant regulatory bodies have had an opportunity to review material evidence which we would make available at the consultative meeting, we are compelled by the exigency of time”.
The League body also explained that it has become necessary to take the step in response to overwhelming concerns from all NPFL participating clubs and interest from all stakeholders and the need to protect the competition.

CAF DROPS PINNICK OUT OF FIFA ELECTIVE SLOTS.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick will not contest for a FIFA council seat later this month after CAF did not endorse his nomination having attempted a failed coup de grace when he hosted FIFA President, Giani Infanitno, shunning the CAF Chiefs as a result.
CAF named its candidates which did not include Mr Pinnick. The elections into the FIFA Council are slated for 29th September. The naed candidates are: Almamy Kabele Camara (Guinea); Suketu Patel (Sychelles); Kwesi Nyantakyi (Ghana); Ahmad (Madagascar); Augustin Senghor (Senegal); Hamidou Djibrilla (Niger) and Chabur Goc Alei (South Sudan).
The seven shortlisted candidates will undergo the FIFA integrity test, before their names are finally ratified for the ballot.
It would be recalled that Pinnick’s invitation of Infantino and 17 other African football federation presidents in July was only a cover-up to seek for support for his bid to contest for one of the FIFA seats and this much has been confirmed by the man himself.
“As big as Nigeria, we don’t have a representative in CAF or in FIFA, so if I am ambitious to go to CAF or FIFA, yes because I am the president of the NFF, not because I’m just a member,” Pinnick told newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.
“I am praying about it and if God wills it, why not? But the truth is Nigeria needs a presence globally and this is exactly what we are doing.”

AFCON WIN A GOOD START- SHORUNMU

Afcon win a good start - Shorunmu
 
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper coach Ike Shorunmu believes the win against Taifa Stars in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying match was the perfect start for new manager Gernot Rohr.
Eagles and Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho's match winner in the 78th minute proved enough to hand the three-time African champions the win in the inconsequential match.
Shorunmu said the Afcon victory is a perfect start as the new Eagles manager kick-start his reign.
“The important thing is that we won the Afcon clash against Tanzania, giving the new manager a perfect start to his reign. “We need to start somewhere to repair the Super Eagles.
“I’m certain the victory makes everybody happy and it will boost the side's morale in preparation for the World Cup qualifier next month against Zambia.
“The Afcon win is a good start; the scoreline was also decent and unlikely to put any pressure on the coach.
“If the Eagles had won the Afcon clash with as many as four or five unreplied goals the heat would have been unbearable on the coach in the next match.
“I’m satisfied with the overall performance and I hope they do well in future matches.
“The Eagles' performance prove they can comfortably match their opponents in the World Cup race.
“No country is a push-over any more. As we are bringing in new players to the fray others are doing the same thing.
“I believe the Eagles have started well; it’s now up to the entire country to queue behind the coach to bring out the best performance from the team,” said the former Nigerian shot stopper.

FG DROPS STATE OF EMERGENCY ON SPORTS MINISTRY

Sports reform committee submits report to Dalung miffed by the embarrassing performance of the Team Nigeria athletes in the two successive Olympic Games, the
Federal Government yesterday declared a state of emergency on Nigerian sports.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, who made the declaration in Abuja yesterday while receiving the reports of the Sports Reform Committee, maintained that certain measures must be introduced to return Nigeria to the community of major sporting nations,through provisions of emergency rule.
His words: “We are indeed in a state of emergency because of lack of performance in the sports sector. We will therefore take far reaching measures to restructure thesector. Our dismal outing at the just concluded Rio olympics is another factor why we must reform our sports.
“Although it is not what we hoped for, yet it offered a glimmer of hope that if we put our acts together, we will achieve greater results in future Olympics. This is part of what this report is about. Having received this report from the Sports Reform Committee, we will begin the implementation by declaring a state of emergency in Nigerian sports”. Dalung declared.
Speaking earlier while submitting the report, the chairman of the National Sports Reforms Committee, Godwin Kienka, recommended for transparency as panacea for the reform.
“The first step to a meaningful and enduring reform is transparency. Sports in the past has been run like a cult. No one knows how much the NOC gets from the IOC by way of
grants.
No one knows what the sports federations get from the IOC and their international federations and from other bodies by way of grants and counterpart funding. The nation and the sports men and women deserve to know,” he noted

NINTH OLYMPICS GOLD FOR BOLT.

Usain Bolt won his ninth Olympic Games gold
medal as he anchored Jamaica to victory in the
men's 4x100m relay in Rio.
Bolt took over on the last leg with a narrow deficit
to Japan but soon overcame it and won by a wide-
margin after some fine support from Asafa Powell,
Yohan Blake and Nickel Ashmeade.
The sprint great has now won gold medals in the
100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the last three
Olympic Games, starting off in Beijing eight years
ago and repeating the victories at London 2012.
Victory brings down the curtain on Bolt's Olympic
career as he has already stated he will retire from
the sport at the end of the World Championships in
London next summer.
Usain Bolt earlier picked up his gold for winning the 200m
Great Britain finished in fifth place, promoted from
sixth, with Japan taking the silver and Canada the
bronze after the United States quartet was
disqualified.
Bolt said: "I'm just happy to have done what I came
here to do. I'm just proud of myself. I have to give
thanks to the guys, they really came through for me
and I'm really happy about that.
"The pressure is real, but I look at it as an
accomplishment. I enjoy pressure and I live for
these moments. For me, it's beautiful.
What more can be said about the world's greatest track and
field athlete?
"I won't celebrate now. I'm just going to go
home and stay up late tonight, just talking and
having fun.
"I'm just happy and relieved. I've done it and it's
unreal. I never knew from the start that this was
going to happen to me and now it has it's a
brilliant feeling. I told the guys that if they didn't
come through for me I'd beat them up!"
"We wanted to win to make Usain immortal and he
is immortal," Blake added. "I've told him he should
come back for 2020!"

OLYMPICS EAGLES FAILED GERMAN TEST.

The Germans were the better side on the better team on the night in Sao Paulo as they defeated the African champions who will now settle for a bronze medal match.
Germany edged their way to a gold medal match against Brazil as they defeated Nigeria 2-0 at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
It was a rude ending to the fairytale run of Samson Siasia’s team who were hoping to emulate their compatriots of Atlanta ’96 in the search for a second Olympic title.
Hampered by the continued unavailability of forward Oghenekaro Etebo and the suspension of midfield impresario Okechukwu Azubuike, Nigeria struggled against a more compact German side whose fleet-footed forwards picked their way around their opponents almost with abandon.
Their forays into the Nigeria box paid off early as defender Lukas Klostermann found free space in the box to tap in a Max Meyer cross for their opening goal.
The Nigerians, stunned by the early deficit, picked themselves up and went in search of the equalizer albeit with the fear of being left open at the back.
Their first opportunity came moments later when goalkeeper Timo Horn’s poor clearance gifted Sadiq Umar an opportunity to score but he shot straight back at the goalkeeper leaving captain John Obi Mikel begging.
The Germans continued to use the flanks to penetrate the Nigerian defence and looked dangerous during every move forward without the cutting edge to finish it early.
Nigeria got their best opportunity to get even when Mikel found himself inside the box after some nice footwork that left one defender for dead but his final shot was blocked by the well-timed lunge of defender Matthias Ginter.
Umar Aminu missed a key opportunity to put Nigeria equal in first half stoppage time but Ginter was once again alert to Sadiq’s through pass and hit it out for a corner kick.
The Germans returned to the second half the more purposeful in attack but would find the Nigerian central defensive pair of William Troost-Ekong and Seth Sincere a tougher nut to crack.
Nigeria brought on Junior Ajayi and Saliu Popoola in the search for a goal but failed to find clear chances despite the cheering that followed every touch of the ball by the diminutive midfielder.
The Africans’ best chance came on 80 minutes when Stanley Amuzie hit a fee kick wide from just outside the Germany goal after Ajayi had been brought down by Ginter.
Moments after coming on as a replacement for Meyer, Nils Petersen would get onto the end of a Davie Selke cross to put it beyond the Nigerians give his country their first ever opportunity to win a gold medal.
Germany will be squaring up against Brazil on Sunday at the Maracana Stadium to renew their rivalry following the defeat at the World Cup two years ago.
Nigeria will have to battle out for the bronze by facing Honduras in the match for the bronze medal. ni

EAGLETS SET FOR NIAMEY BATTLE

Confident Eaglets depart for Niamey



After three days of intensive training session, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will depart Sokoto on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s second round, second leg U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Junior Menas of Niger Republic in Niamey.

Coach Manu Garba's wards take a 1-0 lead to their hosts and must at least secure a draw to progress to the third and final round for a place in next year's continental cadet championship to be held in Madagascar between April 2–16, 2017.

"We have worked hard in the last three days and after all said and done, it is the Almighty Allah that will know the outcome of the match," Garba told thenff.com. "On our part, we are full of confidence and we want Nigerians to remember the team in their prayers as we travel to Niamey.

"Our objective is to secure qualification to the next stage and having done our part in terms of preparation, we are praying and hopeful that Almighty Allah will bless us with good result so that we can come out unscathed against the Nigeriens."

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi will lead the delegation. Also on the trip is Assistant Director (Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf. Coach Garba and his assistants, as well as backroom staff, will lead a playing personnel of 18 players.

Garba in the meantime, applauded the local football fans in Sokoto State for coming out in large numbers daily to watch the team’s training sessions at the Giginya Memorial Stadium: "Our coming down to Sokoto has helped us to acclimatize with the same weather condition we are likely going to meet in Niamey. We thank the people of Sokoto State for providing us with the conducive environment to train."

Team coordinator Prince Udofia said the players were in high spirit, explaining the training camp in Sokoto has strengthened the team in several ways: "We have enjoyed our stay here in Sokoto and the players have been able to train here without distractions; by the grace of God, we shall get a good result from Niamey because we trained well; and we are hopeful the players will do their best."

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has listed Cameroonian officials including referee Henry Duvalier Mouandjou Kalla. Sadou Hamadou, Ernest Nkeniji Ekokobe and Anthoine Max will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and reserve referee respectively. Kadre Saleh Kana from Chad will be the match commissioner.

LMC: GIWA FC REGAINS LEAGUE SPOT

NPFL: LMC Confirms Giwa FC Return To The League.

The League Management Company (LMC), has confirmed the return of Giwa Football Club to the
Nigeria Professional Football League.

In a letter signed by the Chairman of Company,
Mallam Shehu Dikko, the LMC stated that its
decision was strictly in adherence with the court
order reinstating the club in the top flight league.

It will be recalled that a High Court sitting in Jos
with Circular No. 10/2016, dated 20th May 2016
had ordered the LMC to reinstate Giwa FC to the
Nigeria Professional Football League.

“However, as a law abiding corporate entity, LMC
has taken immediate steps to effect compliance
with the directives of the Court, as contained in the
Order, pending the hearing and determination of
the Motion on Notice.

“To this end, kindly be advised that Giwa FC has
been restored to the NPFL Table, while further
processes are being activated to reschedule the
matches concerning the Club, in accordance with
the NPFL Framework and Rules, 2015/2016
Season,” Dikko stated.

The League Management Company has also
asked players of the club (Giwa Fc) to return to
their club.

“No club shall henceforth feature any player
whose registration it acquired on the basis of the
expulsion of Giwa FC, as all such registrations are
withdrawn.

The above is for your information and compliance,” the Chairman said.

It will be recalled that Giwa Fc were thrown out of
league following their refusal to obey the League
Management Company’s order to play in Ilorin
after a crowd trouble ensued in a home game
against Rangers International at the Rwang Pam
Stadium, Jos.

RIO OLYMPICS MEDAL TABLE

Rio Summer Olympics
Country G S B Total
1 United States 26 22 24 72
2 Great Britain 16 17 8 41
3 China 15 14 17 46
4 Russian Federation
11 12 12 35
5 Italy 8 9 6 23
6 Germany 8 6 6 20
7 France 7 8 8 23
8 Japan 7 4 16 27
9 Australia 6 7 9 22
10 Republic of Korea 6 3 5 14
11 Netherlands 6 2 3 11
12 Hungary 5 3 4 12
13 Spain 3 0 2 5
14 New Zealand 2 6 0 8
15 Kazakhstan 2 3 4 9
16 DPR Korea 2 3 2 7
17 Canada 2 2 9 13
18 Colombia 2 2 0 4
19 Cuba 2 1 3 6
20 Poland 2 1 2 5
20 Switzerland 2 1 2 5
22 Belgium 2 1 1 4
22 Thailand 2 1 1 4
24 Croatia 2 1 0 3
25 Greece 2 0 1 3
25 IR Iran 2 0 1 3
25 Jamaica 2 0 1 3
28 South Africa 1 5 1 7
29 Sweden 1 4 1 6
30 Brazil 1 3 4 8
30 Denmark 1 3 4 8
32 Kenya 1 3 0 4
33 Belarus 1 2 2 5
34 Romania 1 1 2 4
35 Slovenia 1 1 1 3
36 Argentina 1 1 0 2
36 Bahrain 1 1 0 2
36 Slovakia 1 1 0 2
36 Vietnam 1 1 0 2
40 Czech Republic 1 0 5 6
41 Uzbekistan 1 0 4 5
42 Ethiopia 1 0 3 4
43 Chinese Taipei 1 0 2 3
44 IOA 1 0 1 2
45 Fiji 1 0 0 1
45 Kosovo 1 0 0 1
45 Puerto Rico 1 0 0 1
45 Singapore 1 0 0 1
49 Ukraine 0 4 1 5
50 Azerbaijan 0 2 1 3
51 Indonesia 0 2 0 2
51 Turkey 0 2 0 2
53 Lithuania 0 1 2 3
54 Georgia 0 1 1 2
54 Mongolia 0 1 1 2
56 Grenada 0 1 0 1
56 Ireland 0 1 0 1
56 Malaysia 0 1 0 1
56 Philippines 0 1 0 1
56 Venezuela 0 1 0 1
61 Norway 0 0 3 3
62 Egypt 0 0 2 2
62 Israel 0 0 2 2
64 Estonia 0 0 1 1
64 Kyrgyzstan 0 0 1 1
64 Morocco 0 0 1 1
64 Portugal 0 0 1 1
64 Tunisia 0 0 1 1
64 UAE 0 0 1 1

CONTE RULES IN LONDON DERBY

CONTE RULES  IN LONDON DERBY.

    Italian tactician Antonio Conte got his English premier league started on a winning note over fellow London's neighbour West Ham in a dramatic style on Monday night.
    The match started on high profile with the home team Chelsea dominating despite the absence of veteran play maker Fabregas. The mid field compatriot's of new signing N'golo Kante, Matric, Oscar where at their best against the harmers Despite high intensity play from Williams and Eden Hazard on both flanks of Stamford bridge, the saving gloves of Adrain was at its best to stop the blues from early lead as the defensive capabilities of Collins played a major role as well to leave the game on level terms at half time.
    Few minutes into the brick of the resumption saw great strike of Hazard from the spot after the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty for the home team. The Belgian dispersed the visitors goal keeper by roofing the ball from the spot.
    Slaven Bilic's men came close to scoring ways by sending several balls in the sky for leading striker Andy Carroll who was kept silenced by the defensive pairing of John Terry and Cahill. As time wave off gradually, hardworking Collins game from behind to slam in a great shot after the blues defence failed to keep out play a corner to level the score again.
    Antonio Conte brought his tactical abilities into play when he had pull of hardworking Hazard, William and Oscar for new signing Batsulyhi, Moses and Pedro respectively with just few minutes left on the board while the visitors brought in french player Dimitri Payet who had a glorious time at the just concluded Euro cup in native home town France.
    Barely few minutes from time saw a Diego Costa outside strike got past goalkeeper Adrian to earn the host a win in the first game of the season. The goal came when a victor Moses pass was well read by Costa who struck from far range to put his team among the premier league three points earners for the week.

NPFL LEAGUE MATCHES RESUMES

The Nigeria professional football league NPFL resumes for its week 31 matches across various cities of Nigeria. The league went for a short hold following the NPFL all stars trip to Spain for the la-liga/NPFL partnership tour which saw off matches with liga sides like Valencia, Granada and Athletics Madrid.

Meanwhile, league champions Enyimba, will have their game postponed due CAF champions league action in Egypt with Zamalek.

Below are the league fixtures across the nation.

Nigeria Professional Football League - Match Day 31 Fixtures

Tuesday 16th August

Niger Tornadoes Vs Akwa United 

Confluence Stadium, Lokoja

Wednesday 17th August

FC Ifeanyi Ubah Vs Enugu Rangers 

Ifeanyi Ubah Stadium, Nnewi

Lobi Stars Vs Abia Warriors

Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi

MFM FC Vs Warri Wolves 

Agege Stadium, Lagos

Rivers United Vs Heartland FC 

Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt

Shooting Stars Vs Elkanemi Warriors 

Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan

Sunshine Stars Vs Ikorodu United 

Akure Township Stadium, Akure

Thursday 18th August

Nasarawa United Vs Kano Pillars 

Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi

.

EAGLES NEW COACH WITH FIRST MOVE

Newly appointed  Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr swung into action to put together his defence ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in October by penciling down William Troost-Ekong and Musa Mohammed.

Rohr has hit the ground running by flying out to Spain to watch the NPFL All-Stars feature in a series of friendlies against Spanish clubs including Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

“Troost-Ekong and Musa Mohammed are among the defenders Rohr will consider for the World Cup qualifiers.

“He has mentioned the names of some of the players he is counting on for the qualifiers and some of them will be called up for the AFCON qualifier against Tanzania in Port Harcourt.”

Norway-based Troost-Ekong is currently leading the defence line of the country at the Rio Olympics.

The central defender, who was eligible to also feature for Holland by virtue of his Dutch mother, debuted for Nigeria against Chad in an AFCON qualifier in Kaduna in June 2015.

Musa, on the other hand, made his long-awaited Eagles bow against Mali in a friendly in France in May.

He also featured in a 3-1 win over Luxembourg that same month.

He is an all-action right fullback, who has captained both the country’s U17 and U20s.

MIKEL: THE 'ODOGWU' OF TEAM NIGERIA.

MIKEL: THE 'ODOGWU'
Nigeria Olympic captain John Obi Mikel has been handed a nickname by his teammates at the ongoing Rio Olympics following his fatherly role and influential performances for the team.

The 29-year old has been a huge source of motivation for the Dream Team both on and off the pitch, and has now been aptly nicknamed ‘Odogwu’, which is an Igbo word that means ‘hero’, when loosely translated.

Mikel has been a leading light amongst the players and interestingly, his leadership qualities have been required more off the pitch, following the challenges the team has had to endure before and during the Games in Brazil.

The Chelsea midfielder has been spending his personal resources to bail out the team as they continue to encounter money problems, the latest being his benevolence in paying the sum of $4,600 for hotel bills accrued by the extra officials accompanying the team.

And on the pitch, his importance and influence has also gone a long way in helping the team progress to the semifinal.

He scored one and created the other in the 2-0 quarterfinal win over Denmark, and has been impressive in the overall for the Nigerians.

He will be expected to star again when they face Germany in the semifinals on Wednesday scheduled for 8pm Nigeria time. Dream team of Nigeria will have to be at alert as the young German side is full with goal scoring heroes as well.

SABO SILAS ..#CEO #SILAS 9 SPORTS NETWORK.

EPL match day one results.

England - Premier League August 13
Hull City 2 - 1 Leicester City
Burnley 0 - 1 Swansea City
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 West Bromwich Albion
Everton 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Middleborough 1 - 1 Stoke City  Southampton 1 - 1 Watford
Manchester City 2 - 1 Sunderland
August 14
AFC Bournemouth 1 - 3 Manchester United
Arsenal 3 - 4 Liverpool
August 15
20:00 Chelsea vs West Ham United.

The new EPL season..

The new 2016/17 EPL season.
 The new English premiere league season for the 2016/17 calender kicks off on Saturday 13th August, 2016..Surprise last seasons champions Leicester city, will look forward to continue their dominant foam as they kick open the league season.
 Big spending like Manchester united and close town neighbour Manchester city will look forward to give the title a fight as the blue side of London Chelsea, under the mentoring of Italian Antoine Conte is set to reclaim the title won two season's ago..

Below are the fixtures for match day one of the new EPL season.

England - Premier League August 13
12:30 Hull City vs Leicester City
15:00 Burnley vsSwansea City
15:00 Crystal Palace vs West Brom
15:00 Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur
15:00 Middlesbrough vs Stoke City
15:00 Southampton vs Watford
17:30 Manchester City vs Sunderland
August 14
13:30 AFC Bournemouth  vs Manchester United
16:00 Arsenal vs Liverpool
August 15
20:00 Chelsea vs West Ham United.

**happy EPL season ahead...