Nigerian Football

SUPER EAGLES’ STARS, ARIBO & BALOGUN IN HISTORIC SCOTTISH LEAGUE WIN WITH RANGERS

Published

4 years ago

March 7, 2021

Two Nigeria national football team players, Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo have won the Scottish Premier League with Rangers to end the club’s 10-year wait. The achievement came following Celtic’s goalless outing at Dundee United on Sunday.

Steven Gerrard’s team moved to the brink of sealing the championship for the 55th time in their history when they beat St Mirren 3-0 on Saturday, sparking wild scenes of celebration both inside and outside Ibrox.

And now they have been mathematically confirmed as champions after bitter rivals Celtic dropped points in a goalless draw at Tannadice.

Celtic saw 26 shots on goal come and go as they failed to score at Dundee United, the result leaving them 20 points behind Rangers with only 18 left to play for.

Liverpool were among the clubs to offer their congratulations to Rangers as the final whistle in Dundee sealed the end of their long climb back to the top.

Former Rangers player and manager Graeme Souness said in the Sky Sports studio: ‘I’m delighted for Steven Gerrard and all his team. It’s been a long time coming.

Celtic have had a period of domination that has been, let’s say, uncomfortable for us Rangers supporters. They totally deserve it, they have been fantastic all season and I just wish I was in Glasgow right now.

‘There is part of me that wishes Celtic had won today so Rangers had to go to Parkhead and winning it there which would have compounded Celtic’s problems but I’ll take it.

‘They have never had turmoil in their history like they’ve had in the last 10 years after being thrown out the league – unfairly in my opinion – and all the anti-rangers brigade that came out the woodwork up there.

‘When you’re in the third tier and you’ve got 50,000 people turning up to your stadium, that’s a proper support. So I’m absolutely delighted, there will be some parties going on right now.

‘He has worked away quietly, this is his third year. Nothing was going to happen overnight simply because of where Rangers were. It was a slow burn but he’s got them back and now they are reaping the rewards of all the hard work they have put in.’

Nigerian Football

Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead

Published

7 days ago

September 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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

Published

1 week ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

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

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

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 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.