Nigerian Football

Obuh Calls for Early Preparation for Flying Eagles

Published

7 years ago

May 15, 2017

BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA

Former Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh, has tasked Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to begin early preparation for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Niger Republic. The championship is the route to the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2019.

Obuh who handled the Nigeria’s under 17 side that placed second at the FIFA tournament in 2009 is unhappy that the rebuilding to the Nigerian under 20 side is not getting adequate attention at the moment.

He told Sports Village Square that since the conclusion of the 2017 edition which Nigeria missed in Zambia, the rebuilding process for the next tournament ought to have commenced.

“No one is happy watching other teams jostling for a trophy that we have dominated. It was disastrous. I mean being absent in Zambia has shown our present standard in world football.

“The harm has been done and I believe the next option should be us looking forward to conquer any challenge that will hinder us from making it to the next tournament come 2019.

“I use to love watching youth football. But I got no choice than watching from distance. The under 17 tournament is also going on in Gabon and I pray we get it right and regain our lost glory come 2019,” he remarked.

The Nigeria U-20 team lost its qualification ticket to Sudan on away goal rule after aggregate score line stood at 5-5.

Nigeria’s initial 2-1 away win was overturned by Sudan which won the return leg in Lagos by 4-3 in a rain soaked encounter.

Nigerian Football

Rivers flow to the top!

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Rivers United have launched themselves to the top of the log at the end of the match day 5 of the Nigeria Premier League. The Port Harcourt side beat Akwa United 2-1 to go afloat after initial leaders, Remo Stars crumbled to a 1-0 defeat at Kwara United in Ilorin on Sunday.

It was Remo Stars’ first defeat in the season. Rivers United are now with 13 points. Stephen Mayo put Rivers United ahead after 31 minutes. But it turned a temporary lead as Akwa United bounced back almost at the blast of the referee’s whistle for the second half.

Friday Apollos levelled up for Akwa United before Ndifreke Effiong Udo scored the winner in the 85^th minute.

Sunday Results

Kwara United 1-0 Remo Stars
Rangers International 1-0 Abia Warriors
Heartland FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Rivers United 2-1 Akwa United
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina United* Suspended
Nasarawa 0-0 Bayelsa United

Nigerian Football

Enyimba’s duel with Katsina United plunges into darkness

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Former Nigerian champions, Enyimba were coasting to a comfortable 3-0 lead before the game got enveloped by darkness.

The game could not be completed after 75 minutes when the floodlights of the arena suddenly went off.

According to a post on Enymba x-handle, the match will resume at 8.00 am on Monday “ as agreed by both teams and the match officials.”

Sunday Results

Kwara United 1-0 Remo Stars
Rangers International 1-0 Abia Warriors
Heartland FC 2-0 Niger Tornadoes
Kano Pillars 2-0 Sunshine Stars
Plateau United 1-0 Ikorodu City
Rivers United 1-1 Akwa United
Enyimba 3-0 Katsina United* Suspended
Nasarawa 0-0 Bayelsa United

Nigerian Football

Amuneke’s Heartland secures first win this season

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Heartland finally got into winning ways on Sunday after the Owerri side secured a 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes.

The club, under former Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke had gone four matches without a win, finding themselves swimming in the murky waters of relegation.

A brace by Michael Ogu has lifted the club which climbed up to the 16^th position. They had begun the season badly losing at home to Enyimba and failing to win any of the subsequent three matches.

Sunday Results