Nigerian Football
VAT Wonder Goal 9: Abu Azeez, Abbani and Abiodun are Contenders
Sand Eagles veteran, Abu Azeez made it to the shortlist for Matchday 28 VAT Wonder Goal award with his inside the box blast of the ball that earned the Ibadan side a 1-1 draw in Enugu against Rangers International.
Other contenders for the VAT Wonder Goal award are Sani Abbani of Gombe United and Sunshine Stars’ Joseph Abiodun.
Azeez, who returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) mid-season to play for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) following the amicable resolution of his issues with Enyimba International benefited from a well laid pass by Najeem Olukokun to blast home a right-footed shot amidst a cluster of legs of Rangers defenders.
Abbani was at the end of a three-man passing orchestra that saw him shoot from outside the box in Gombe United’s 2-0 defeat of North East neighbours, El-Kanemi Warriors.
The beauty of the goal is seen in the move that began from the half line with Abbani and swung to the right wing before a pass by Mannir Ubale was laid for Abbani who set up properly and took aim.
In Ilorin, where Sunshine Stars began their revival to remain in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with a 4-2 defeat of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC, Abiodun turned his marker inside and out to have a clear sight at goal to score with a calculated left-footed shot.
The video of the goals are now on the NPFL website www.npfl.ng and the Twitter handle, @LMCNPFL for fans to vote their favourite of the goals. Voting will end at 11.59pm on Friday, July 28.
The VAT Wonder Goal award is corporate social investment of the League Management Company (LMC) and is supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), using the league platform to promote its tax education campaign.
Winners of the award get a prize of N150,000 half of which is donated to a charity to be nominated by the player and situated within the state where the club is based.
Nigerian Football
Nigerian women coaches conclude first module of CAF C-License course
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/women-coaches.png)
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.
Nigerian Football
Osimhen’s outburst was a moment of madness, says Amaju
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/finidi-and-osimhen.png)
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.
Nigerian Football
I prefer a foreign coach for the Super Eagles, says Amaju
![](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/amaju-pinnick-1.png)
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.
-
Nigerian Football1 week ago
I prefer a foreign coach for the Super Eagles, says Amaju
-
Olympics5 days ago
Brazilian women train in Zidane’s birthplace ahead of Nigeria Super Falcons clash
-
Premier League1 week ago
Nigerian-born Man United’s new striker promises creativity and unpredictability to fans
-
Olympics11 hours ago
This is my story: Odegbami on how he is stranded in London
-
Nigerian Football1 week ago
Osimhen’s outburst was a moment of madness, says Amaju
-
Olympics6 days ago
Teams plan for lack of toilets on Paris opening ceremony barges
-
OBITUARY1 day ago
BREAKING! Former Heartland FC owner, Iwuanyanwu, dies at 81
-
Olympics1 week ago
What you need to know about the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony