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Nigerian Football

MINUTE SILENCE, BLACK ARMBAND AT MATCHDAY 6 AS LMC MOURNS ON TRAGIC NIGERIAN SPORTING WEEKEND

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The organizers of Nigerian football elite league, the League Management Company (LMC) are saddened by the news of the death of one of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) referees, Femi Okebukola.

The football referee died in a motor accident on his way to his base after the match day 4 fixture in Maiduguri.

The announcement of his death came shortly after that of Jide Fashikun, a sports journalist and former athlete. The announcement of the deaths came on the 17th anniversary of a national tragedy, the 2002 Ikeja bomb blast.

Shehu Dikko, the LMC Chairman in a statement said the sad news came shortly after the shocking death of sports journalist, Jide Fashikun.

“We mourn the death of the two gentlemen and commiserate with their families, the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on this untimely deaths”.

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Dikko said to honour the late gentlemen who are has contributed to the development of the NPFL through their respective professions, the LMC has directed the observation of a minute silence and wearing of black armband by all players and officials during the Match day 6 of the NPFL this midweek.

“In honour of the departed Referee and Journalist, all players and Referees are to wear black armband during this Wednesday fixtures of NPFL Match Day 6”, the LMC Chairman directed.

Okebukola handled the Match Day 4 fixture between El-Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United on Thursday in Maiduguri.

Fashikun of online publication, the Gong News reportedly died after a brief illness.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Nigerian Football

Remo Stars win Star War against Sunshine Stars to take temporary NPFL lead

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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.

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 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.

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Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

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Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

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.

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 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.”

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Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s  Doyeni is first scorer of  Season 2024/25

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Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

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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