Nigerian Football
Former Super Eagles’ media officer, Ben Alaiya is dead
A pall of darkness has again enveloped the Nigerian football space. Following the earlier deaths of former Nigerian football chieftain, Brig. Gen. Dominic Oneya and international footballers, Thompson Usiyan and Sunday Oyarekhua, the death of a former media officer, Ben Alaiya has also occurred.
The string of tragedies has consequently thrown the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) into mourning.
The NFF has expressed shock and sadness over the death on Monday of former Nigeria international striker Oyarekhua and also that of Tuesday night of Alaiya.
Oyarekhua, who retired as an Assistant Commissioner of Police, was top scorer of the men’s football event of the 2nd All-Africa Games that Nigeria hosted in 1973, as the Green Eagles won the gold medal after a 2-0 win over Guinea in the Final. He featured for the Senior Men National Team between 1971 – 1976 and was known for his marksmanship in front of goal.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said: “Oyarekhua was a quintessential poacher, and also contributed his bit to the administration of the game. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
The retired police officer was also a Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation between 1999-2002, during the presidency of Brigadier-General Dominic Oneya, who passed on early August.
Oyarekhua’s death comes just a month after that of another former Nigeria international striker, Thompson Usiyen who died in the United States of America.
The NFF has also expressed shock and sorrow over the passing on Tuesday night of leading journalist and former Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Benjamin Alaiya. Alaiya, Media Officer of the Super Eagles between November 2011 and February 2015, was reported to have died in his hometown, Ososo, Edo State after a brief illness.
“Ben worked very hard in his role as Super Eagles’ media officer and was always a jolly good fellow. He was very professional and dedicated. This is quite sad. Our hearts go out to his young wife and the children. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also give the family and other loved ones he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss. It is devastating,” Sanusi said.
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.
Many fans risk missing 2026 World Cup as Visa window for visitors is closing
Nigeria’s Victor Olatunji becomes third African scoring debutant in Uefa Champions League
Lagos sports writers mourn Adeyinka Adebayo
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
AFCON1 week agoSuper Eagles lead Afcon Group D qualifiers despite Benin’s defeat of Libya
-
AFCON1 week agoAustin Eguavoen remains the ‘Big Boss’, says NFF
-
AFCON1 week agoWhy I benched Osimhen again – Eguavoen
-
AFCON1 week agoRwanda newspaper gives 5 lessons gleaned from Rwanda-Nigeria clash
-
Nigerian Football1 week agoWesterhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
-
AFCON1 week agoNigeria’s managerial crisis resumes as Eguavoen reportedly declines to continue
-
AFCON1 week agoPresent and Past as CAF Coaches Symposium unites Rohr, Peseiro and Eguavoen
-
CAF Confederation Cup6 days agoEnyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs