Nigerian Football
PEOPLES’ ELEPHANT, ENYIMBA DROWNS IN RIVERS TO END 12-MATCH UNBEATEN RUN
BY SAMMY WEJINYA
Ossy Martins struck early as an impressive Rivers United side snapped ‘People’s Elephant’, Enyimba’s 12-match unbeaten run in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Wednesday with a richly deserved 1-0 victory.
United could have won more handsomely but for some impressive goalkeeping heroics by the Enyimba goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai who produced a stunning double save late on to keep the score respectable.
The win at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt keeps United in the hunt for a playoff ticket as they now sit just two points behind the third placed MFM FC who have amassed 28 points from 18 matches.
Enyimba started Wednesday’s contest on the front football and should have opened the scoring in the second minute when an unmarked Chinedu Udechukwu rose highest to head Stanley Dimgba’s cross narrowly wide.
It was a premonition the hosts failed to heed as the irrepressible visitors, seemingly buoyed by their assured start to the contest, continued to step on the accelerator.
Former national U20 star, Simon Zenke was the next to ask an attacking question, from an Enyimba perspective as his fierce strike off a defence-splitting Chinedu Udeagha pass skimmed across the face of the United goal with goalkeeper, Abiodun Akande well-beaten.
The hosts then took over, creating the better chances for the rest of the half.
It was therefore no real surprise when they took the lead on 12 minutes through Ossy Martins’ simple tap in, following good work, off a thrilling team move, by Wasiu Jimoh and Malachi Ohawume.
Wasiu, Martins and Kehinde Adedipe all had gilt-edged opportunities to score before the game hit the may way stage as the ‘Pride off Rivers’ looked to rapidly put the game to bed.
United continued to boss proceedings and enjoyed two more excellent opportunities on the stroke of half time through Martins and Adedipe as they looked to put daylight between themselves and the visitors.
Enyimba improved after the break and enjoyed fleeting moments of joy.
Their best chances at restoring parity against a badly flagging United side arrived 14 minutes from time when Udechukwu produced two great efforts in about a minute – the first from a freekick and another with a great turn – but the United rear guard stood resolute.
Moments earlier, Akande saved Faourk Mohammed’s free kick brilliantly as the visitors desperately looked to preserve their unbeaten run which was, at that stage, hanging by a thread.
The introduction of pint-sized Esor Nelson, in the second half breathed new life into the United side that finished the game on the ascendancy.
Only an extraordinary double save by Afelokhai in the 85th minute prevented Nelson and Martins from adding to United’s advantage.
Afelokhai was again, in outstanding form to deny the nifty Nelson whose pinging effort from a tight angle, late on, seemed destined for the far corner.
It was a richly deserved win for the hosts who can now afford to dream of a place in the playoff places.
Head coach of Enyimba, Usman Abdalah was quick to offer words of praise to United as he saw his side’s long standing winning run come to a shuddering half.
“Rivers United gave a very good account of themselves and they deserved to win,” Abdallah said.
United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma also voiced his sentiments as he spoke to the club’s official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
“There is improvement in our team as we have been playing some great football recently. We played better than Enyimba today and we will continue working harder,” he said.
Rivers United now sit in fourth place on the NPFL standings with 26 points from 18 matches.
The Port Harcourt club will now embark on a length trip to Illorin where they will face Kwara United on Sunday.
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 50th minute with a close drive that beat stand-in captain, Kayode Bankole to the goal.
Dawi Boslam doubled the lead in the 68th 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 18th and 29th minute had put the host in the lead after Emmanuel Ogbole had an equaliser in the 23rd minute and Austin Ogunye put the tie beyond the visitors with third goal in the 84th minute.
The win however still left the Insurance in the relegation zone with 12 points and languishing in the 19th 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 17th minute.
The win pushed El Kanemi into third position while Akwa United are with 12 points and in the 18th 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 11th 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 7th minute through Ahmad Liman and Martin Ossy made it two in the 14th minute but veteran Kano Pillars defender, Rabiu Ali pegged the score line in the 76th minute while Umar Shehu scored the equaliser in the 77th 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
Nigerian Football
Ashleigh Plumptre makes Super Falcons return as Madugu unveils his list for France friendly match
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)
Nigerian Football
Amazing! Two Nigerian legendary left-wingers, Owolabi and Adokie share the same birthday
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.
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