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KANO PILLARS PICK SUPER 6 TICKET AS RELEGATION BATTLE GOES TO THE WIRE
BY FISAYO DAIRO
The 2014 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions Kano Pillars on Monday confirmed their place in the season-ending Super Six playoff with an emphatic 3-0 drubbing of Delta Force in Kano in one of the full programme of activities on the penultimate Match Day of 2018/19 regular season.
Although many other matters in the league were left unresolved until the final
day, Kano Pillars’ confirmation of a top three finish and Niger Tornadoes’
relegation in Group A were settled on a day of twist-and-turns in results
across the twelve match centres.
The ageless Rabiu Ali set Pillars en route to a routine victory with a 19th
minute penalty before further goals in the second half from Auwalu Ali Malam
and Yusuf Maigoro put Mbwas Mangut’s side to the sword and all but put paid to
their late rally for a playoff spot.
In Maiduguri, FC Ifeanyiubah put themselves in pole position to join Pillars
and already qualified Akwa United as Group B’s representatives with a superb
1-0 win away to El-Kanemi Warriors in a game played behind closed doors.
Striker Chibuike Ezeh scored for a second game in a row to take
the Anambra Warriors to just within a point of sealing a Top Three spot.
Monday’s trend of results ensured that only Yobe Desert Stars are condemned to
the second tier in Group B after Gombe United, Plateau United and Go Round FC
all secured results in their games, the latter denied by a last gasp goal at
Nasarawa United.
Left winger Yusuf Abdulazeez’s strike in the 72nd minute gave Gombe United a
1-0 win over Heartland at the Pantami Stadium and Ladan Bosso’s men are now
within one point of their visitors going into the final day while Plateau
United climbed out of the relegation zone with a comfortable 2-0 win over
ten-man Yobe Desert Stars courtesy of Amos Gyang (penalty) and Godwin Obaje’s
goals in each half.
Go Round FC were just seconds away from achieving the best result of the Match
Day but Abubakar Lawal’s 90th minute goal ensured honours were shared among
both sides in a 2-2 draw. Joshua Osem and Chiebonam Nwogbaga gave Go Round the
lead twice in the game but twice were they pegged back through goals by Sunusi
Ibrahim and Lawal.
Group leaders Akwa United also left it late to deny Abia Warriors a safety net
when Ocheme Edoh headed home in the 89th minute to secure a 2-2 draw for the
hosts at the Nest of Champions.
Midfielder Fatai Abdullahi and substitute Obi Samson twice gave
Warriors shock leads in Uyo but Rafael Everton’s men replied in each situation
with goals from Godspower Aniefiok and Edoh.
Group A
Striker Sikiru Alimi was once again instrumental for ‘nominal’ league champions
Lobi Stars as they endured a hard-earned 2-1 win over relegation haunted Wikki
Tourists in Makurdi.
Lobi needed maximum points to move within touching distance of qualification
for the Super Six and they did just exactly that, once again through the help
of Alimi.
They had to break the resistance of a stubborn Wikki side in the
49th minute through Austin Ogunye’s header but after Ukeme Williams had replied
for Aliyu Zubair’s Wikki, Alimi once again delivered the goods with an 81st
minute winner.
Ten-man Enyimba FC also moved within touching distance of qualification with a
2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, a result which
confirmed the demotion of their opponents to the second tier of Nigerian
football.
Captain Ifeanyi Anaemena gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot in first
half stoppage time before Ibrahim Mustapha, making a return after a lengthy
injury layoff made sure of the points in the 70th minute.
Left back Nasiru Sani was however sent off late in the game by referee Paul Umuago.
In Lagos, MFM FC showed a rare resilience they had not displayed in recent weeks when they dug deep to beat Katsina United 2-1 and ensure the race for the final two top three spots in Group A will go down to the wire.
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men defied the rain and obstinacy of their visitors to grind out the win at the Agege Stadium.
Adeniji Kabir ended his goals drought to steer them in front in the 10th minute but defender Timothy Danladi equalised for Katsina early in the second half.
Substitute Michael Ohanu however claimed the full marks for MFM
when he headed home Jonathan Zikiye’s cross deep into stoppage time.
Group A leaders Rangers International ended Rivers United’s hopes of a hopeful
top three finish with an excruciating 1-0 defeat inflicted on Stanley Eguma’s
men.
United still kept their hopes of leaving Enugu with at least a
point in tact until wing back Chidera Ezeh struck the decisive blow five
minutes from time.
Kwara United ensured they preserve their Nigeria Professional Football League
(NPFL) status till the final day with an expected 2-1 win over already
relegated Remo Stars.
All goals were scored in the final sixteen minutes of the tensed
game in Ilorin. Uche Onwuasonaya and Razaq Alamoyo put United two-goal up
before Victor Mbaoma’s stoppage time strike halved the deficit.
Bendel Insurance also stayed alive with a 1-0 win over ten-man Sunshine Stars
in a relegation six-pointer in Benin City.
Despite putting up a defensive 5-3-2 shape, Kabiru Dogo’s Sunshine conceded within the opening four minutes through Junior Osaghae’s strike and they had no reply with their case exacerbated with a straight sending off for centre back Gabriel Olalekan late on.
The Supreme Council of Sufi Orders has officially recognised the Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order, marking a significant step in the regulation of Sufi practices and reinforcing what the Council describes as its commitment to a moderate religious approach.
Sheikh Sayyid Ayman Hamdi al-Akbariyya, head of the Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order, met with Dr Abdel-Hadi al-Qasabi, Grand Sheikh of Sufi Orders and President of the Supreme Council, where he presented the official recognition decree.
With the issuance of the decree, the Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order becomes one of the officially recognised Sufi orders in the Arab Republic of Egypt, joining 80 other orders operating under the Council’s umbrella.
According to officials, the recognition follows a period of organisational and administrative work by the Order’s leadership, including compliance with legal requirements and regulatory standards approved by the Council. The move is expected to strengthen the Order’s institutional presence and enhance its religious and spiritual role within Egyptian society.
Rooted in the Legacy of Ibn Arabi
The Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order derives its methodology from the teachings of the renowned Sufi master Ibn Arabi, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Islamic mysticism. The Order has followers in Egypt and across several countries in the Islamic world, with a notable presence in parts of Europe and Asia.
Its teachings emphasise love, spiritual purification, tolerance and deepening the spiritual dimension of Muslim life.
During the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of adhering to the moderate Azharite approach and strengthening the role of Sufi orders in promoting sound religious awareness, ethical values, coexistence and social peace.
The Influence of “The Greatest Sheikh”
Born in 560 AH in Murcia, Andalusia, Ibn Arabi — whose full name was Muhyiddin Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Arabi al-Hatimi al-Ta’i al-Andalusi — grew up in a scholarly and spiritual environment. He later travelled extensively across North Africa and the Levant before settling in Damascus, where he died in 638 AH/1240 CE. His shrine in Damascus remains a well-known landmark.
Often referred to as “The Greatest Sheikh,” Ibn Arabi’s school of thought came to be known as the Akbariyya. Among his most celebrated works are Al-Futuhat al-Makkiyya (The Meccan Revelations), Fusus al-Hikam (The Bezels of Wisdom), and Tarjuman al-Ashwaq (The Interpreter of Desires).
His writings are characterised by philosophical depth and a mystical exploration of divine love, spiritual purification and the concept of the “perfect human being.” His influence has shaped Sufi thought across the Islamic world and extended into intellectual circles in Europe and Asia.
The formal recognition of the Akbariyya Hatimiyya Order reflects Egypt’s continued effort to regulate religious institutions while preserving the rich spiritual traditions rooted in centuries of Islamic scholarship and mysticism.
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- Summary
- * Tottenham slip closer to the relegation zone
- * West Ham denied at the death by Man Utd
- * Chelsea held at home by Leeds
Yet another Premier League home defeat left Tottenham Hotspur looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone and manager Thomas Frank nearer the exit door on Tuesday as Newcastle United eased their own slump with a 2-1 victory in north London.
Last season’s Europa League winners and qualifiers for this season’s Champions League last-16 were booed off after Jacob Ramsey sealed a rare away win for Eddie Howe’s side.
Tottenham would have found themselves only three points above the drop zone had it not been for Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko scoring a stoppage-time equaliser to deny 18th-placed West Ham United a 1-0 win.
The 1-1 draw kept United in fourth place although it ended caretaker manager Michael Carrick’s 100% record since taking over in January.
Another unblemished record went at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior dropped his first league points since replacing Enzo Maresca, his side drawing 2-2 at home to Leeds United having led 2-0.
Bournemouth came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Everton with second-half goals by Brazilian teenager Rayan and Amine Adli. Everton, who had led through Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half penalty, ended with 10 men after Jake O’Brien was red-carded.
Tottenham have not been relegated from the top flight since 1977 but such is the present malaise at the club it is now becoming a genuine fear as they are in 16th place, five points above West Ham whose form is on the up.
They have not won a Premier League game since December 28 and have managed only two victories from their 13 home league games this season. To make matters worse, their next fixture is at home to north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.
‘UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION’
Whether Frank is still in charge then is beginning to look increasingly unlikely. Not for the first time this season, the Dane left the pitch to chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ from Tottenham’s fans.
“I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me,” Frank said of the fans. “That’s part of the job unfortunately. I will work day and night to turn this around but it is not just one person. There is no doubt we need to improve and I need to be part of that.”
Newcastle completely dominated the first half and the only surprise was it took them until stoppage time to get ahead as defender Malick Thiaw stabbed home a rebound.
Injury-hit Tottenham were marginally better after the break and Archie Gray levelled. But Newcastle deservedly took the points when Anthony Gordon teed up Ramsey for a cute finish, his first goal since joining from Aston Villa.
Newcastle moved up to 10th in the table on 36 points. Tottenham have 29 points from 26 games, with Nottingham Forest, who play bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, on 26 from 25. West Ham have 24.
SESKO SALVAGES POINT FOR MAN UNITED
West Ham were seconds away from a fourth win in five league games as they led with Tomas Soucek’s strike early in the second half after good work by Jarrod Bowen.
United had an effort from Casemiro ruled out but salvaged a point when substitute Sesko struck at the death.
Carrick’s side have 45 points, one more than Chelsea who will be kicking themselves after drawing with Leeds.
“It is a tough place to come and we didn’t have that sharpness to find the answers,” Carrick said. “Great spirit again and we will take the point and move on.”
Chelsea appeared to be cruising with goals either side of the interval from Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer who scored his third penalty in two games.
But they threw away two points as Moises Caicedo fouled Jayden Bogle and Lukas Nmecha converted a penalty before Noah Okafor poked in an equaliser after Chelsea failed to clear a ball into the area.
“If we want to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make sure we’re switched on for 90 minutes. It’s as simple as that,” Rosenior said afterwards.
The draw lifted Leeds above Tottenham into 15th.
-Reuters
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Rivers United’s campaign in the CAF Champions League suffered a major setback on Sunday after the Nigerian champions fell 1–0 at home to Zambia’s Power Dynamos.
The defeat, recorded in Uyo, leaves Rivers United anchored at the bottom of Group A with just one point from four matches, severely denting their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
With only two matches left in the group, the Port Harcourt-based side now faces an uphill task, as both remaining fixtures are against the group’s leading teams; Morocco’s RS Berkane and defending champions Pyramids FC of Egypt.
Sunday’s result boosted Power Dynamos’ chances, as the Zambian side moved up to third place in the group with four points, three adrift of second-placed RS Berkane. Berkane’s position was weakened earlier in the day after they were thrashed 3–0 by Pyramids in Egypt.
Pyramids FC continued their impressive run in the group, tightening their grip on the standings with 10 points from four matches to remain firmly on course for qualification.
For Rivers United, the loss marked another frustrating night in their continental campaign, with hopes of a late revival now resting on unlikely results against Africa’s in-form clubs in the remaining group fixtures.
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