Nigerian Football
AITEO CUP FINAL IS A MATCH TO MAKE US LANDLORDS IN UYO, SAYS IFEANYI IFEANYI
BY KINGSLEY OYERO.
Akwa United midfielder, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, is bubbling with enthusiasm ahead of Sunday’s AITEO Cup final. The match at the Agege Stadium is like home-coming for him having in the past played for MFM, the landlords of Agege.
He told Sports Village Square that he was prepared for the AITEO Cup final against Niger Tornadoes, but labels Abubakar Bala’s men as “cheats”, having defeated his teams in the past.
Ifeanyi is buoyed by the fact that his solitary goal this season for Akwa United is the one that qualified the club for the cup final. It was the winning goal of the 3-2 aggregate score line against Sunshine Stars in the semi-finals.
“I felt very good, as that was my first goal of the season. I was so happy that my goal qualified my team to the final.
“We know that this is a match for us to be a landlord in Uyo. So we are really motivated to win the game.
“After winning the trophy, a lot of goodies will come with it”, remarked Ifeanyi who felt that Niger Tornadoes had cheated him twice in matches he featured against the Minna side.
“When I was with MFM, we defeated them when they came to the Agege Stadium, but they defeated us the same way they cheat away playing clubs.
“At Akwa United, we went there and they defeated us the same way but we beat them in Uyo.
“Have played against them and I know them too well and am prepared for them.”
The former MFM captain is also looking forward to returning to his former hunting ground – the Agege Stadium.
“I feel very happy playing in front of them once more. It’s been a while they saw me play. Am glad I will get to see the supporters and hear them cheering me up the same way they use to.
“The Agege stadium is still our home. Have played there and I know how to manoeuvre my way on the pitch. It’s a dream come through.
“Am not the only Akwa United player that have played there. About five of us have been playing on that pitch. We also have Godspower Igudia, Aremu Afeez, Musa Newman and Okechukwu Gabriel. It will really help us.
On his contract renewal, the WAFU Cup silver medallist said: “My contract ends after this game. I might renew the contract or may not depending on my discussion with the chairman.”
Ifeanyi made the standby list as Nigeria beat Zambia to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Remo Stars on Saturday made it two straight wins in the Nigeria Premier League after labouring to a 1-0 defeat of Sunshine Stars of Akure to follow-up their last weekend 2-0 away win over Abia Warriors.
On Saturday, under eight minutes they shot ahead through Shuaibu Ibrahim. That was where the story ended as Sunshine Stars came up strongly and almost stalemated scores.
The win, though narrow, is enough to temporarily take Remo Stars to the top of the log after two games.
They are followed by Rivers United who beat Heartland 3-1. It is the second consecutive 3-1 loss that Heartland are getting in the two-week old season.
The situation could change on Sunday when other matches are played.
On the card are: Akwa United hosting Abia Warriors while Kano Pillars will be away to Bayelsa United.
Katsina United host Bendel Insurance and Niger Tornadoes will be home to Nasarawa United. Shooting Stars will host Plateau United.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.
Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.
“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.
According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.
Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.
Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.
He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.
To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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