Nigerian Football
KOGI UNITED, GOMBE UNITED SHARE SPOILS IN NNL SUPER 8 OPENER
BY WALE MUSTAPHA.
Kogi United held Gombe United to 1-1 draw in the opening fixture of the Nigeria National League Super 8 tournament in Aba on Sunday.
The match played at the Enyimba International stadium in Aba was part of the games to determine who pick the four tickets for the promotion to the top flight football in Nigeria.
Gombe United took an early lead when Joseph Onoja volleyed over Shola Sheshere with just two minutes into the game.
The Savannah Scorpions could have doubled their lead midway through the first but Usman Adamu forced Sheshere to a smart save after beaten the offside trap.
Idris Muye had an opportunity to level the score line for Kogi United but was quick to take aim which went off target.
Gombe United’s keeper, Olawale Adeyinka parried a dangerous cross from Tunde Oladapo to corner as the Confluence boys tried to find an equalizer before the end of first half but Gombe’s defence stood firm to keep them at bay.
Kogi United resumed the second half with more vigour and zeal and could equalize with just two minutes into restart but had their two penalty appeals within a minute waived.
But the boys of Tunde Abdulrahman kept pushing until 62 minutes when they equalized through Ibrahim Enesi’s effort which spilled into the net by Adeyinka.
John John who replaced Salisu Tanko almost complete the turn around for Kogi when Adeyinka spilled his thunderous free kick to corner.
Shola Sheshere punched a clearance to Yusuf Abdulazeez’s path but the winger kicked aimlessly to side.
Adamu Mohammed hit side netting for Gombe soon after as the Scorpions tried to make a late sting on Kogi United.
The game became an end to end stuff in the final stages as both sides went in search of the decisive goal but went out of ideas to complete their build ups to end the game one apiece.
Kogi United will next take on Kada City in their second game on Monday by while Gombe United will engage Real Stars FC same day.
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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