Nigerian Football
NFF PROTOCOL OFFICER, AKPENPUUN GETS AWARD OF HONOUR
Robert Terlumun Akpenpuun, who is the protocol officer of Nigeria national football teams, has been honoured in his local government area in Nigeria’s middle belt region.
Akpenpuun, an officer at the Nigerian Immigration Service is the chairman of the football council of his local government, the Vandeikya Local Government in Benue State.
According to a media release signed by David Ibi, the Head of Media and Publicity of Vandeikya Local Government Football Council, Akpenpuun was presented with the Award of Honour on the last day of 2020.
The presentation which was done by the Mbaduku Development Association (MDA) was to mark an annual celebration. It was held at Community Secondary School in Tsar.
Akpenpuun apart from being a member of the Protocol Committee of the NFF has been a football referee and a Nigeria Professional football league assessor.
According to the press release, the special Award of Honour was in recognition of his sterling qualities that have come to bear on the development of football in not only Mbaduku community, but also in the entire Kunavland and beyond.
His efforts at maintaining peace between the two hitherto warring border communities of Obudu and Tsar through football was specially mentioned and commended by the MDA as deserving of honour as peace was cardinal to development.
Responding, Apenpuun thanked the MDA, the organizers of the 2020 Mbaduku Day celebrations for the honour done him and promised to get as many football talents of Mbaduku extraction out of obscurity and into sporting limelight by the help of God.
He also brought up the idea of a Mbaduku United Football Club that will nurture these youngsters and sell them to more established professional clubs.
“I’ll like to first and foremost thank God Almighty and Mbaduku Development Association for finding me worthy of a special award.
“This honour will propel me to do more in helping talented and disciplined footballers of Mbaduku extraction further their careers in more established clubs at home and abroad.
“But this can only be possible with the formation of Mbaduku United Football Club from where these boys can be trained and exported out to the Big Leagues” he said.
Akpenpuun also commended Mbaduku leaders and elites for identifying with football as a tool for ensuring peace and development and sued for sustainable peace, cooperation and support in order to move the community to greater heights through football.
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.”
Nigerian Football
Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25
The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.
The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.
Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65th , 70th and 73rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.
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