Nigerian Football
AITEO CUP: PLETHORA OF TOUGH GAMES IN ROUND OF 64
The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday conducted the draw for the men’s Round of 64 and women’s Round of 25 of this year’s AITEO Cup competition, with a number of eye –catching fixtures accomplished in the draw.
NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, who represented the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi at the event, praised sponsors AITEO for the colour and glamour they have brought back into Nigeria’s oldest football competition.
NFF Director of Competitions Bola Oyeyode explained that this being a transition season, and with the mandate to conclude the competition on time in order to present to CAF Nigeria’s flag bearer in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup which starts in August, all matches will be on knockout basis.
A total of 64 teams, including 19 NPFL teams (minus Go Round FC, Heartland FC, FC IfeanyiUbah, Remo Stars and MFM that failed ot qualify), will battle for places in the men’s Round of 32.
There are a total of 25 teams in the women competition, who starts their sector of the race when the men will be battling in the Round of 32.
AITEO CUP MEN’S ROUND OF 64
- Rangers Int’l Vs Tornadoes Feeders
- Kebbi United Vs Lobi Stars
- Gateway FC Vs Almar FC
- Abia Warriors Vs Heartland Comets
- Ambassador FC Vs Yobe Desert Stars
- Warri Wolves Vs Doma United
- Rivers United Vs FC Timber Loader
- Sokoto United Vs Akwa United
- Walli Flamingoes Vs Delta Force
- Cynosure FC Vs Mighty Jets
- Gombe United Vs FC IfeanyiUbah Feeders
- Niger Tornadoes Vs Fasbir FC
- Enyimba FC Vs Kano Pillars Feeders
- Yobe Desert Feeders Vs Smart City
- Gwandu United Vs Katsina United
- Osun United Vs Shooting Stars
- Ekiti United Vs Ebonyi United
- Jigawa Golden Stars Vs Insurance FC
- Spartans FC Vs Port Harcourt City
- Police Osogbo Vs El-Kanemi Warriors
- Kogi United Vs Akure City
- Setraco United Vs Plateau United
- Amanda FC Vs Calabar Rovers
- Wikki Tourists Vs Qatar FC
- Layin Zomo FC Vs Sunshine Stars
- FC De-Leo Vs EFCC
- Katsina United Feeders Vs Nasarawa United
- Aklosendi FC Vs Zabgai FC
- Crown FC Vs Bayelsa United Feeders
- Kwara Unted Vs Ben Ayade FC
- Adamawa Heroes Vs ABS FC
- Aspire FC Vs Kano Pillars
. Matches to be played on 25th May, with only the fixtures involving the teams that will participate in the Super 6 to be put on hold
AITEO CUP WOMEN’S ROUND OF 25
- Capital City Dove Vs FC Robo
- Osun Babes Vs Linda Ayade FC
- Police Machine Vs Vera Gold Angels
- Solo Wonders Vs Bayelsa Queens
- Crystal Academy Vs Pelican Stars
- Edo Queens Vs YEF Queens
- Olori Babes Vs Moje Babes
- Young Talents 99 Vs Fortress Ladies
- Kaduna Queens Vs Abia Angels
. Rivers Angels, Adamawa Queens, Sunshine Queens, Delta Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Confluence Queens and Ibom Angels all draw bye to the Round of 16
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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