Nigerian Football
José Peseiro appointed coach of Zamalek
Zamalek announced the appointment of Portuguese coach José Peseiro as the new head of their technical team, replacing Christian Gross.
He coached the Nigeria national football team to the title match of the last Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
Peseiro has signed an 18-month contract with the Egyptian club and replaces Swiss tactician Gross, who was hired in December 2024 to succeed José Gomez.
The Portuguese coach returns to the Egyptian league after a stint as coach of Zamalek’s rivals Al Ahly during the 2015/16 season.
José Peseiro has solid experience at the head of both clubs and national teams. He has coached several European clubs and African national teams, including Nigeria, who he led to the final of the last TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
The announcement of his appointment was made by the club in a press release.
“The board of directors has examined the report of the planning committee, on its evaluation of the football of the first team and the position of the technical and administrative staff. The Board has therefore decided to thank the Swiss coach, Christian Gross and his assistants,” the statement said.
“The Board reiterates its sincere appreciation for the great efforts made by Gross and his assistants, wishing them well for the rest of their careers. The Board of Directors also decided, following the recommendation of the Sports Planning Committee which reviewed a number of coaches’ resumes, to appoint the Portuguese, José Peseiro, former coach of Porto and Sporting Lisbon, as head of the technical staff of Zamalek, for a period of one and a half seasons.”
Zamalek have qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup after finishing top of Group B with 16 points, five wins and one draw. The Egyptian club is the title holder in this competition after beating the Moroccans of Renaissance Berkane in the final last season.
Locally, Zamalek is in third place in the Egyptian league with 26 points taken in 13 rounds. It is ahead of Al Ahly (2nd) and Pyramids FC, leader of the championship.
Zamalek fans hope that the arrival of Peseiro at the head of their team will allow them to do better and go for new trophies at the end of this season.
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Initial front runners, Rivers United have gone 10 points adrift from their initial rivals after losing 1-0 to Enyimba. It was an encounter in which both coaches had swapped positions from their last season’s duty posts.
Last season, Stanley Eguma who now manages Enyimba was with Rivers United while the current helmsman in Rivers United, Finidi George was Enyimba’s coach.
For Enyimba it is a return to winning ways as Imo Obot scored the decisive goal in the 41st minute.
In Ilorin, Kwara United returned to their winning ways after they beat Bayelsa United 1-0. Wasiu Jimoh’s 78’ minute goal lifted the Ilorin side to seventh position on the log.
Ikorodu City played a goalless draw away to Nasarawa United while Plateau United beat El Kanemi 2-0.
In Ikenne, the adopted home ground for Sunshine Stars, it was a battle of relegation candidates. Sunshine won 1-0 but still remained in the relegation zone.
Sunshine Stars are in the 17th position while Akwa United are 18th.
- Enyimba 1-0 Rivers United
- Kwara United 1-0 Bayelsa United
- Lobi Stars 1-1 Bayelsa United
- Nasarawa United 0-0 Ikorodu City
- Plateau United 2-0 El Kanemi
- Sunshine Stars 1-0 Akwa United
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Disciplinary Committee has restored the points deducted from Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United.
This was contained in a statement by the NFF following the protest lodged by Bendel Insurance and Nasarawa United against the NPFL’s decision to deduct points accrued to the club.
The NFF findings in the game between Bendel Insurance and Kano Pillars in a match day 11 encounter reads, “The Committee affirmed paragraphs a, b, c, d, and f of the decisions of the NPFL as contained in Form 16, Summary Jurisdiction Notice to Bendel Insurance FC dated 11th November 2024.
“The order in paragraph “e” deducting 3 points and 3 goals from the accrued points/goals of Bendel Insurance FC by the NPFL is hereby set aside, on the ground that the assault on the match officials was not grievous as provided in Rule C11 of the Frameworks and Rules of the NPFL.”
The NFF findings in the game between Nasarawa United and Rivers United played on 22nd December 2024 read: “The Committee affirmed paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the decisions of the NPFL as contained in Form 16, Summary Jurisdiction Notice to Nasarawa United FC dated 13th January, 205.
“The order in paragraph “4” deducting 3 points and 3 goals from the accrued points/goals of Nasarawa United FC by the NPFL is hereby set aside, on the ground that the case of assault on the match official was not proven beyond reasonable doubt.
“The Committee recommends that the Match Commissioner, Mr Godfrey Maman JP should be demoted to the Nigeria National League (NNL) category with immediate effect.”
Meanwhile, the NFF Committee affirmed the decision of the NPFL following the protest lodged by Plateau United in the game against Rangers International.
“The Committee affirmed paragraphs a – h of the decisions of the NPFL as contained in Form 16, Summary Jurisdiction Notice to Plateau United FC dated 11th November 2024.”
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Ahead of their Matchday 24 clash in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Remo Stars’ coach, Daniel Ogunmodede, has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to take on defending champions Rangers International.
The hitherto Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium fortress has been demystified in the ongoing season following the string of losses by Rangers on the same ground where they secured a 100% record last season leading to their being crowned Nigeria’s champions.
The current league leaders will take their unbeaten run which has spanned 74 days since losing 2-1 to Niger Tornadoes on December 1 last year. By Sunday, it will be 77 days since the strong Ikenne side last lost a match.
Ogunmodede has reiterated his team’s determination to maintain the momentum.
“No game is too easy or too difficult for us. It all depends on what unfolds during the match,” Ogunmodede said in an interview with Remo Stars media.
“Some games you expect to be tough turn out to be easier, and others that you think will be straightforward become challenging. It’s the moments in the game that often decide the outcome. It doesn’t matter who we face – what matters is how we handle the game in those critical moments.”
“We will prepare as a team and hope to get it right when the time comes,” he added.
Remo Stars currently lead the table with 48 points, while Rangers are in 5th place with 35 points.
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