Nigerian Football
NPFL PLAYOFF: FC IFEANYIUBAH WILL FIGHT TO THE END, DECLARES COACH OKAGBUE
Uche Okagbue, Manager of FC IfeanyiUbah saw his lads lose a third game despite spirited efforts at making a mark in the NPFL Championship Playoff, but the sturdily built coach says they would fight to the end to earn respect.
Okagbue’s lads tried fighting back top reverse a first half two goals lead against Kano Pillars but only succeeded in getting in just one goal and it was their third loss in as many games in the five-match Championship Playoff.
Going into the fourth game against seven times champions, Enyimba International, Okagbue was very combative, declaring that “we will fight to the very end”.
FC IfeanyiUbah really were never reckoned to finish among the playoff sides after the club in a pre-season reorganisation released most of their top stars and assembled a bunch of young and relatively unknown players with a coach that was not associated with any previous success. Yet, they led their group from the early stages and after some setbacks, finished in the top three of the group to make the playoff.
The significance is not lost on okagbue, a former Nigerian youth international and alumni of Insurance of Benin and Rangers International who all through the tournament’s post match conferences never failed to point to the fact that FC IfeanyiUbah was never reckoned with to make it to the Playoff.
“I must say that we got here on merit because we competed with boys who were inexperienced and never were given a chance to qualify. I also believe the other teams are here on merit, so, you cannot look down on any of the teams. Unfortunately, we have not been lucky in front of goals compared with the chances we created but with two games to go, we have to fight for respect and ensure we did not leave the tournament without winning a match or earning a point”, Okagbue responded when asked if the team still has the motivation to do well in the competition.
The Coach has some reservations about officiating and was particularly bitter with the penalty that gave Kano Pillars their first goal in the 2-1 win and believes the error of judgement on the part of the match officials affected his players.
“In our time, we played football on merit and were selected from the league clubs to represent the country. Today, our age grade teams are having issues because most of them didn’t get invited based on merit”, Okagbue said in an obvious hint at his reservations about the penalty award to Kano Pillars.
He has a message for message for Enyimba International and Rangers International, their remaining opponents in the tournament which is n all Oriental Derby, warning that, “It is not going to be easy. We will fight for prestige and we will not be a pushover for any team despite not being in contention for the title or season’s ticket”
FC IfeanyiUbah has enjoyed positive reviews from fans and the media for the quality of their game which though has been marred by a lack of good touch on the final third. Some analysts believe the lack of experienced strikers in the front line has been their bane, a view shared by the Coach who has had to blame inexperience for their defeats.
“I am happy with how far we have come to this tournament. We are playing with young boys who were assembled at the end of last season when all the big players left and it is commendable how thy have adjusted and become a team that finished well. Our major problem here has been the boys’ experience and if we can get to this stage next season, they should watch out for us”, declared Okagbue.
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.
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.
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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