Rivers United have returned to winning ways after a winless streak of three matches. A 58th-minute penalty kick converted by Ndifreke Effiong saved Rivers United from a possible winless effort as they beat visiting Abia Warriors 1-0 in Port Harcourt.

The win was a big boost that was given a fillip by a corresponding loss by initial table-toppers, Remo Stars who lost 2-0 away to Katsina United.

Rivers United with 25 points thus climbed up the ladder as Remo Stars remain with 23 points as second on the log.  

Remo Stars losing steam crumbled 2-0 at Katsina United. After a goalless first half, Azeez Falolu secured the opening goal for the hosts in the 50^th minute with a close drive that beat stand-in captain, Kayode Bankole to the goal.

Dawi Boslam doubled the lead in the 68^th minute and all efforts by the visitors to peg the score were checked by the hosts who were in firm control of the match.

Plateau United pushed neighbours,  Nasarawa United down the cliff, winning 2-0. An own goal by Nasarawa United’s Shina Kumater in the 49th minute was further compounded with Olawale Doyeni’s second goal in the 81st  minute.

In Ibadan, Shooting Stars returned the winning ways with a lone goal win against visiting Bayelsa United at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

Anthony Okachi’s 16th-minute goal decided the encounter and lifted the Oluyole Warriors to the ninth position on the log.

The Ibadan team now has 18 points, just seven below the table-toppers, Rivers United.

On Saturday, embattled Insurance of Benin may have commenced their resurgence following a 3-1 win at home against Kwara United of Ilorin.

Two goals from Nazir Mohammed in the 18^th and 29^th minute had put the host in the lead after Emmanuel Ogbole had an equaliser in the 23^rd minute and Austin Ogunye put the tie beyond the visitors with third goal in the 84^th minute.

The win however still left the Insurance in the relegation zone with 12 points and languishing in the 19^th position.

El Kanemi Warriors were a lone goal better than visiting Akwa United. The lone goal was scored Ibrahim Mustapha who converted a penalty in the 17^th minute.

The win pushed El Kanemi into third position while Akwa United are with 12 points and in the 18^th position on the log.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke continues his cruise with Heartland FC with a draw at home against defending champions, Enugu Rangers. The result dropped the Red Antelopes into fifth position with 20 points while the Naze Warriors maintained their 11^th position but now with 17 points.

Lobi stars and Kano Pillars shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 scoreline.

The host had shot into the lead in the 7^th minute through Ahmad Liman and Martin Ossy made it two in the 14^th minute but veteran Kano Pillars defender, Rabiu Ali pegged the score line in the 76^th minute while Umar Shehu scored the equaliser in the 77^th minute.

In Minna, Ikorodu City also continued their impressive run after a poor start as they forced host, Niger Tornadoes to a goalless draw.

RESULTS

Rivers Utd 1-0 Abia Warriors

Katsina Utd 2-0 Remo Stars

Plateau United 2-0 Nasarawa Utd

El Kanemi 1-0 Akwa Utd

Shooting Stars 1-0 Bayelsa Utd

Insurance 3-1 Kwara Utd

Heartland 0-0 Rangers

Lobi Stars 2-2 Kano Pillars

Tornadoes 0-0 Ikorodu City

Head Coach Justine Madugu has called up CAF Awards nominee, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide among a list of 20 players for Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France.

US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Turkey-based Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Adoo Yina and forwards Mercy Omokwo and Ifeoma Onumonu are also invited to the encounter scheduled for the Stade Raymond Kopa in the city of Angers, with kick-off set for 9.30pm France time.

Midfield lubricator Toni Payne, now with Everton Ladies in England, as well as Rofiat Imuran and Shukurat Oladipo – who both starred for the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in September – will also fly to France for the big match.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who is also a CAF Awards nominee, is out as a result of injury.

While the Bleues are happy to take the game as part of their preparations for the League of Nations in the spring and the 2025 UEFA Euro Women Championship in Switzerland in the summer, the Falcons will welcome the encounter as part of the process for blooding a new squad, as well as another test ahead of the 2025 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next summer.

Already pitched with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in Group B of the Africa Cup final tournament, Madugu will be grateful for the stern test that the Les Bleues will provide for his nine-time African champions in Angers.

All the invited players will fly directly to France for the match, to be joined by the coaching crew and backroom staff.

SUPER FALCONS FOR LES BLEUES CHALLENGE:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lioness, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)

Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards: Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens) Head Coach Justine Madugu has called up CAF Awards nominee, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide among a list of 20 players for Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France.

US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Turkey-based Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Adoo Yina and forwards Mercy Omokwo and Ifeoma Onumonu are also invited to the encounter scheduled for the Stade Raymond Kopa in the city of Angers, with kick-off set for 9.30pm France time.

Midfield lubricator Toni Payne, now with Everton Ladies in England, as well as Rofiat Imuran and Shukurat Oladipo – who both starred for the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in September – will also fly to France for the big match.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who is also a CAF Awards nominee, is out as a result of injury.

While the Bleues are happy to take the game as part of their preparations for the League of Nations in the spring and the 2025 UEFA Euro Women Championship in Switzerland in the summer, the Falcons will welcome the encounter as part of the process for blooding a new squad, as well as another test ahead of the 2025 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next summer.

Already pitched with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in Group B of the Africa Cup final tournament, Madugu will be grateful for the stern test that the Les Bleues will provide for his nine-time African champions in Angers.

All the invited players will fly directly to France for the match, to be joined by the coaching crew and backroom staff.

SUPER FALCONS FOR LES BLEUES CHALLENGE:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lioness, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)

Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards: Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens) Head Coach Justine Madugu has called up CAF Awards nominee, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide among a list of 20 players for Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France.

US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Turkey-based Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Adoo Yina and forwards Mercy Omokwo and Ifeoma Onumonu are also invited to the encounter scheduled for the Stade Raymond Kopa in the city of Angers, with kick-off set for 9.30pm France time.

Midfield lubricator Toni Payne, now with Everton Ladies in England, as well as Rofiat Imuran and Shukurat Oladipo – who both starred for the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in September – will also fly to France for the big match.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who is also a CAF Awards nominee, is out as a result of injury.

While the Bleues are happy to take the game as part of their preparations for the League of Nations in the spring and the 2025 UEFA Euro Women Championship in Switzerland in the summer, the Falcons will welcome the encounter as part of the process for blooding a new squad, as well as another test ahead of the 2025 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next summer.

Already pitched with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in Group B of the Africa Cup final tournament, Madugu will be grateful for the stern test that the Les Bleues will provide for his nine-time African champions in Angers.

All the invited players will fly directly to France for the match, to be joined by the coaching crew and backroom staff.

SUPER FALCONS FOR LES BLEUES CHALLENGE:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lioness, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)

Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards: Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens) 

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s legendary left winger, Felix Owolabi Akinloye celebrates his 70th birthday this Sunday 24 November 2024 the same day another legend of the same generation, Adokiye Amiesimaka clocks 68.

The duo don’t only share birthday dates, there are other striking similarities. They were left-wingers in the national team.

They attended the same institution, the University of Lagos, making them good examples of sportsmen who also combined their prowess with academic excellence. Both made their debut in matches involving the Republic of Benin.

Amiesimaka debuted against Benin on 14 February 1977. Owolabi made his first international match against Benin on 14 January 1978. Nigeria won both matches by 7-0.  

Amiesimaka was a successor to fast-playing Kunle Awesu, another November birthday celebrant who incidentally attended CMS Grammar School, Bariga in Lagos.

Both later became lawyers. Amiesimaka may not have been as fast as Awesu who is now deceased, he was more mesmerising on the left wing.

That often delighted the crowd. For his skills, Amiesimaka was aptly nicknamed ‘Chief Justice’ by the inimitable radio commentator, Ernest Okonkwo.

His switching of positions on the field and long throw-ins were amazing.