Nigerian Football
GTI disburses winnings to Enugu Rangers and El Kanemi as League and cup winners
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the President Federation Cup (PFC), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited has confirmed that Rangers International FC of Enugu has received their prize money of N150million for emerging champions of the 2023/2024 NPFL season.
GTI Head of Media Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba who broke the news in Lagos revealed that winners of the 2024 President Federation Cup (PFC) for men, El-Kanemi Warriors FC also received their prize money of N50million, while the the runners up, Abia Warriors FC got N20million.
He further stated that in the women’s category of PFC, winners, Rivers Angels FC received N25million while runners up, Naija Ratels FC of Abuja got the sum of N10million.
Prize money of N1million was given to each of the awardees in the men and women’s PFC categories which includes Highest Goal Scorer, Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper respectively.
Reacting to the prompt receipt of their prize monies, some Chairmen/CEO’s of the aforementioned award-winning clubs and individuals commended GTI, NPFL and NFF for the timely payment of the prize monies in the outgone season.
In his submission, Enugu Rangers GM/CEO, Amobi Ezeaku expressed delight after receiving their club’s prize money which according to him will assist the team prepare adequately for their continental engagement next season.
“On behalf of the management and players of Enugu Rangers Football Club, we want to express our appreciation to the NFF, NPFL and their strategic partners GTI Group for upholding the integrity of financial commitment to the Champion of the league. We are glad we got our prize money at a record time to enable us to plan for next season. Frankly, it shows that we are truly in a new dawn in our elite league following the successful completion of the 2023/2024 season,” he said.
Earlier in the week, Enugu Rangers gaffer, Fidelis Ilechukwu thumbed up the strategic impact of GTI Group’s initiative towards the restructuring of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and assured that his team are busy in the transfer market in a bid to acquire fresh legs to fortify the squad ahead of their continental engagement next season.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview with GTI, the Chairman of Naija Ratels FC, runners up in the PFC Women’s category, Allison Ene James commended the NFF for staging a hitch-free competition and praised their strategic partners GTI on their commitment in repositioning Nigeria football ecosystem.
Nigerian Football
Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead
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
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
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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