Nigerian Football
Star War at Onikan as Seyi Akinwunmi marks 60th birthday
The hitherto serene waterfront Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan will figuratively gets agog as fairy tale team of the last NPFL Season, Remo Stars of Ikenne take on one of Nigeria’s legacy football clubs, the Shooting Stars of Ibadan.
The two ‘Stars’ teams go head-oncolissio in honour of the immediate past senior vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi who is celebrating his 60th birthday.
For both Remo Stars and Shooting Stars, the Mobolaji Johnson Arena evokes fine memories. It was at the stadium that Remo Stars began their adventures into what turned out to be their best season ever, finishing third on the log of the Nigeria Professional Football League.
They began the season with a 3-0 away win against Lagos MFM at the Onikan stadium. They are back at the arena to face their regional rivals, Shooting Stars who on the same turf recently got their highest ever cash prize in an invitational four- legacy clubs tournament.
Their cash prize of N100 million easily stand out as the biggest ever, Ahead of their clash atpm this Friday, Seyi Akinwunmi, an apostle of youth development, has his birthday celebration kicking off at 10am with “let the children play” programme.
According to him, the young children alone will play football among themselves including small sided games and have breakfast.
Later, at 2.30pm -the ladies take to the pitch to be followed ar 3.00 pm by Under 15 boys match.
After the star match of the day featuring clubs with the nomenclature ‘Stars’, scholarship awards will be announced to some youths.
The Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini-Tournament (SACMT) is an annual football event that brings people together in a convivial atmosphere to enjoy the round leather game whilst raising funds for the education and care of indigent children in the society.
In the past, the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation (SACF) has over the past eight years enabled over 40 children (aged 12-15 years) to remain in school by supporting their education and related needs, while also through their local FA’s highlight and nurture their football skills.
The foundation supported the education of more than 200 indigent but intelligent children in collaboration with Courage Education Foundation (CEF) which was also conceived and co-founded by Seyi Akinwunmi over 17 years ago.
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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