Nigerian Football
Kwara Face Ekiti As The Chief Of Naval Staff Cup Gets To Final
BY PAUL AKHAGBEMHE
The scores have finally been settled but the search for the 2021 champions of the Chief of the Naval Staff and NOWA.Cup competitions is not yet over
True to expectations, the NSCDC playing pitch in Souka the Federal Capital Territory Abuja was virtually on fire on Friday as the battle to lift the Chief of the Naval Staff converted trophy rages.
In the boys first semi finals, the defending champions, the ODEP boys of Ekiti virtually resorted to Prayers before they could overcome the Kano State team’s desperate bid for victory
The nerve cracking encounter went all the way to the final whistle before the Ekiti team won 8-7 on penalties after a goalless draw
In the second semi finals, Kebbi team also put up the fight of their lives, missing several goal opportunities due to inexperience.
Although the game was tension soaked, the Kwara team had to rely on mother luck and determination to beat their Kebbi opponents 1-0
It was drama mixed with controversy all the way in the girls’ matches. The first semi finals match between Imo girls and Cross River was highly emotional as the Imo girls who were tipped to get to the finals allowed overconfidence to take control of the team, giving room for the underdogs Cross Rivers to run away with a lone goal victory
More painful was the second semi finals match between Kwara and Ekiti girls.
The vuvuzela was so loud that even the pundits gave the match to Ekiti before the commencement of the game.But they were all wrong.
The Kwara girls proved it as they stood their grounds with never say die display that yeilded the much needed Victory
It was Kwara 1 Ekiti 0
After a week long battle for the important titles Saturday will witness the formal closing of the football championship
The third place match will be between Imo girls and Ekiti, while the boys game will be between Kano and Kebbi
The girls’ final match will come up first at the Old Parade ground in Abuja, with Kwara locking horns with their Cross Rivers Counterpart while the boys final will be between Kwara and Ekiti
The Youths Sports Federation Of Nigeria YSFON Says the 2021 Edition of the Chief of Naval Staff and NOWA Championships have again opened a window of opportunities for Nigerian Youths to exhibit their talents being the future great of our society.
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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