Nigerian Football
Nigeria: A history of football-related abductions
Abducted former general secretary of the Nigeria Football Association, Sani Ahmed Toro has regained his freedom along with two others.
The other two are: former Nigeria under-23 assistant coach Garba Ila and Isa Jah. Circumstances regarding their release are still unclear. But it was gathered that the abductors who initially demanded for N150 million reduced the ransom. It is not clear if anything was paid.
But according to BBC, Toro’s son said his father was on his way home after the ordeal. A police spokesperson has confirmed the release of the hostages but did not give further details.
Kidnappings – more often of politicians, the rich and famous – are a regular occurrence in Nigeria but footballers, officials and their families have also been targeted in the West African country.
- In 2020, former Nigeria midfielder Christian Obodo was left traumatised after he was kidnapped in the country’s oil-rich Delta state for the second time in eight years.
- In January 2019, the abducted coach of Nigerian Premier League club Katsina United, Abdullahi Biffo, was released three weeks after an undisclosed ransom was paid
- Two months later the mother of Nigeria international Samuel Kalu was let go after being held by gunmen for six days.
- During the World Cup in 2018, former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi’s father was kidnapped for the second time in seven years, before being released after a ransom of 10 million naira (about $27,500) was paid.
- Back in 2007, France-based defender Onyekachi Apam was kidnapped by armed men who took his car before releasing him.
- In 2008, the elder brother of Everton defender Joseph Yobo was kidnapped in oil-rich Port Harcourt before being freed 10 days later.
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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