Nigerian Football
OMA ACADEMY TACKLES, FORMER CONTINENTAL GREATS, 3SC
The Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan will on Wednesday host a high profile friendly match between Nigeria National league (NNL) side Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and the wave-making OMA Football Academy.
Shooting Stars are former continental giants who became the first club in Africa to feature in all the former CAF final competitions. The club won the now defunct Africa Cup Winners in 1977 and the maiden edition of CAF Cup in 1992 apart from playing the final matches of the then African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1984 and 1996.
The early morning showdown according to organisers would be an opportunity to test new players and their readiness for forthcoming competitive engagements.
While 3SC are preparing ahead of next month’s kick off date for the 219 NNL season, OMA Football Academy will be using the exercise to test their new recruits ahead of a scouting programme by European agents.
“Playing against 3SC is a good one for us and we considered it a privilege because our academy is even less than six months old and this shows our seriousness about the project we are working on,” Abass Oshunkunle, chief operating officer of OMA Football Academy .
“Of course, we are working hard to prepare our players for the future and the friendly match is another milestone since we officially launched OMA Academy last December.”
It would be recalled that OMA Football Academy officially took off last December after two of its players Oluwagbemileke Samson and Olawale Adeshina made eye-catching performances during the national Under-17 screening in Abuja. “ We are proud that both Samson and Olawale made the 60-man list that took part in the last phase of the Golden Eaglets’ screening before the last WAFU U-17 Tournament in Niger and playing against 3SCon Wednesday would afford us to see some other players we have in our fold,” noted Oshunkunle popularly known as Seedorf.
Nigerian Football
Away two-goal specialists, Remo Stars win in Kano to stay atop
Remo Stars continued their good form in the Nigeria domestic league as they snatched another 2-0 away win against one of the traditional strong sides, Kano Pillars on Sunday.
They had earlier had another 2-0 away win when they defeated Abia Warriors in Umuahia two weeks ago. With Sunday’s win, they remain on top of the log with their nine points and five goals.
They are yet to concede any goal this season. On Sunday, Sodiq Ismail put Remo Stars in front after 26 minutes. Togolese import, Franck Mawuena doubled the lead in the 60th minute.
In another encounter, Niger Tornadoes pulled a major upset, winning 2-1 away from home as they beat former Nigerian champions, Plateau United. Ifeanyi Okechukwu put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute. They doubled theit lead in the fourth minute of added time of the second half through Kufre Ebong.
A minute later, Pam Samuel scored a consolatory goal for Plateau United. Hearrtland of Owerri continued their winless run as they played a goalless draw at home with visiting Katsina United.
Sunshine Stars also played 0-0 with Abia Warriors.
Nigerian Football
Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead
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.
Nigerian Football
Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
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.”
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