Nigerian Football
GTI stunned by Ubah’s demise, commiserates with family
Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited, has expressed deep shock and grief over the demise of Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah on Saturday, 27th July 2024 in London. The death of the former FC Ifeanyiubah proprietor came 48hours after the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. Ubah was aged 52.
In a press statement made available to journalists in Lagos on Monday, GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, stated that the death of the oil Magnet and billionaire businessman was a colossal loss not only to the Nigerian football ecosystem, but to the entire nation.
“The death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah came to us as a rude shock few hours after GTI Group commiserated with the family of the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
“No one envisaged that the cold hands of death would snatch Senator Ubah away from our football ecosystem at a time many football fans are still mourning the demise of Chief Iwuanyanwu.
“Many followers of Nigerian football saw late Ubah as a great lover of our beautiful game which also enticed him to set up the now defunct FC Ifeanyiubah. His massive support to the Super Eagles and its travelling fans to major football events will remain memorable because Ubah’s death has created a big vacuum in our football ecosystem and in our nation’s political landscape.
“The deceased’s family, associates and loved ones should be comforted by the knowledge that his legacies and impact in the society would remain evergreen,” Ekejiuba stated with a tinge of regret.
Late Ubah was the Senator Representing Anambra South in the upper chambers of the National Assembly and he hailed from Nnewi, Anambra State.
He was the publisher of Authority Newspapers based in Lagos and also owned other broadcasting outfits. He also made remarkable investment in sports facilities and development of youths, which will remain indelible in the history of sports in Nigeria.
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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