Nigerian Football
Shooting Stars Will Fight To The Last, Says Agoye
BY JUBRIL AROWOLO.
Relegation threatened Shooting Stars are determined to fight gamely against a possible drop at the close of the season. “It’s a battle for survival”, said head coach, Edith Agoye.
He gave the assurance during the post match reaction to www.3sc.com.ng after their 2-0 win over visiting Wikki Tourists on Sunday in the week 27 tie of the Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL).
He also expressed happiness over the team’s recent form which he believed would help it to survive the drop.
“For some time, things have not been working well but now the team is evolving and the last four games have given us some stability. We are happy for the three points.”
We are taking the game as they come and we won’t relent till the last game.
Agoye also disclosed the injury status of the team’s highest scorer, Sunday Faleye.
“Sunday scored against ABS but he has not really recovered from injury he got from the game. He was on the bench today and we couldn’t bring him in because we got what we wanted early and we have to let him recover well,” Agoye explained.
Ajani Ibrahim and Bode Daniel scored in the 29th and 45th respectively to check the fighting spirit of the visitors and buoyed the chances of Shooting Stars to escape the drop.
Shooting Stars started the game on a fast note with smallish duo, Ayobami Junior and Ibrahim Shile pulling the strings from the midfield.
Their efforts were complemented by Ajani Ibrahim, Bode Daniel and Jimoh Wasiu who kept the heat on the tall defence line of Wikki Tourists.
With the constant raids, goalkeeper Emeka Nwabulu, despite the good cover from his defence quartets of Festus Ummanah, Waziri Christopher, Harrison Madu and Ambrose Peter, had to make some daring saves from their rampaging hosts.
But it was not all a one-sided affair as Wikki Tourists too made some dangerous incursions with promising Victor Alegbe who combined well with the duo of Ajoku Chidiebere and Chinedu Onyelonu to bring out the best in Waheed Omololu, Ebiaku Promise, Samuelson Owono and Alaba Osawe in the heart of Shooting Stars defence and goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar.
However, Ajani’s goal on 29′ gave the homers some respite. Wasiu Jimoh free kick was cleared for corner which he shortly took before Ajani jabbed into the left side of impressive goalie Emeka Nwabulu.
The second goal was in similar manner as Emeka parried a corner into to the path of trailing Bode Daniel who tapped it in on 45′ while the second have could not produce more goals despite the fireworks from the two teams.
In his own reaction to www.3sc.com.ng, Coach Magnut blamed his side for not converting their chances with high regards for the referees.
“The result wasn’t what we expected but we must give it to 3SC, they took their chances. The officiating was excellent and the goals were good.”
Coach Magnut however expressed hope that Wikki Tourists continental aspiration is still intact.
“We still need to step up in our remaining games, only six points separate the leaders from us, so, our continental dream is not over yet,” he concluded.
A total of 30 women coaches have concluded the first of a three-module CAF C-License program in the Federal Capital, Abuja and are expected to commence a two-week internship with different teams in a few days.
Peopled largely by former Nigerian internationals and other serving coaches, the group was taken through a full week of rigorous classroom and practical sessions by a team of coach educators and resource persons, in a baptism of what the next two modules are likely to entail,
NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, told thenff.com that the first module has shown that the women coaches are actually desirous of learning.
“I am very much impressed with their attitude, mannerisms and conduct through the first module. They impressed everyone, and the coach educators also told me they were impressed, and are looking forward to having them back for the second and concluding modules.
“We are grateful for the leadership of the NFF for the support and encouragement for coach-education programmes all the time.”
The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12th – 20th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23rd August – 4th September. The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9th – 19th September.
Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lanrence Ndaks.
Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President and a FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has expressed shock at last month’s outburst by Super Eagles’ striker, Victor Osimhen against Finidi George.
“It is very unfortunate”, Amaju Pinnick remarked on an Arise Television programme. The former NFF president said he had put a call to Osimhen who was very remorseful while the telephone conversation lasted.
“I told him he has to apologise, and I am sure he will if he has not yet done so.” Amaju remarked that he could not comprehend what went wrong as Osimhen was the most cool-headed player in the national team.
He went on to remark that Finidi George was not a personality to be disregarded like that. He has won virtually every honour available during his playing days and was a member of the Super Eagles at their peak when Nigeria ranked fifth in the world.
“I believe players should learn to respect their coaches”, said the former NFF boss.
Nigeria’s FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has told the world that he has always been an advocate of foreign coaches for the Super Eagles. He spoke on Arise Television while fielding questions with Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Ayo Mairo-Ese.
His reason for being averse to indigenous coaches stemmed from lack of respect for them by the players.
“Yes, the Nigerian coaches have the requisite knowledge and the technical ability, but modern football is beyond that in managing players.
“Will the national team players respect the coach? The sad thing is that they don’t”, said Amaju Pinnick.
He however revealed that he supported the appointment of Finidi George owing to the circumstances that the NFF found itself after the exit of Jose Peseiro.
The NFF, he revealed, had no money to hire a foreign coach. The body therefore went for the most available option, Finidi to ensure a smooth transition.
“Finidi was part of the coaching crew of Peseiro and it was therefore logical to ask him to continue.
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