Nigerian Football
EUNISELL RENEWS RIVERS UTD SPONSORSHIP; LOOKS TO CHANGE GAME’S DYNAMIC
Eunisell, Nigeria’s largest independent chemicals and oil & gas production Solutions Company has renewed its 2020/2021 season sponsorship with Port Harcourt’s Rivers United.
Eunisell is the longest standing front-of-shirt sponsor in Nigeria’s professional football league.
The renewal comes following Rivers United’s impressive start to the season in which the club has won its opening two matches and is on the verge of qualifying for the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Speaking on the latest development, Chika Ikenga, Eunisell Group Managing Director emphasised the importance of the company’s commitment to the future of professional football in Nigeria.
In a statement, the GMD noted that the company’s participation, through sponsorship, will not only benefit Rivers United and the team’s growing number of fans, but sets the standard for the private sector’s involvement in Nigeria’s national sport.
“Our participation, through sponsorship, will not only benefit Rivers United and the team’s growing number of fans but sets the standard for the private sector’s involvement in Nigeria’s national sport. Our vision from the outset has been to help lift the standard of professionalism in football here at home. That takes long-term financial commitment and time.”
He continued, “Port Harcourt is one of Eunisell’s principal markets and to be able to show visible and meaningful support for the local team, Rivers United, is important to us. A significant percentage of our staff and customers live in the oil and gas hub, so we are proud of our involvement and active support.”
Ikenga emphasised that the relationship between the company and the club has been for over six years, through the club’s ‘peaks and valleys’ performances in the past few seasons, adding that Eunisell is in it for the long haul.
“Rivers United has proved that by digging deep and staying focused, a team can rise steadily and regain their place at the top of the league. We admire the club’s management and players’ resolve – they made a commitment to us last year and indeed in previous years that the company would be proud of their performance, and that we are.”
Eunisell believes that professional football provides a significant employment opportunity for Nigeria’s youth. By increasing standards in the professional league, clubs will naturally attract more up and coming players and through the private sectors’ support, much like the Eunisell model, contracts and compensation will expand the job category.
“There’s a positive knock-on effect too,’ Ikenga said, “Better quality professional football will attract increasing numbers of fans and clubs’ income levels will rise substantially. It’s a win-win scenario all around. By simply reimagining our professional football club strategy and outlook, all stakeholders in the game will benefit.”
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.”
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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