Nigerian Football
VIDEO: IT’S UNMISSABLE MATCH AS MASTER DRIBBLER, OKOCHA CLASHES WITH ACE DEFENDER PUYOL
It promises a thrill of epic proportion when two globally iconic footballers featuring in contrasting positions clash. This is the setting at the “Unmissable Match” holding in Uyo on April 16.
Austin Jay Jay Okocha, a master dribbler, will be leading an array of stars who will attempt to break a defensive wall marshalled by former FC Barcelona central defender, Carles Puyol Saforcada who is better known as Puyol.
He was a three-time winner of the UEFA Champions League trophy with FC Barcelona in 2006, 2009 and 2011.
On the other hand, Okocha featured in three straight World Cup competitions for Nigeria in 1994, 1998 and 2002 and was one of the top 125 living footballers in the world named by the legendary Brazilian football icon, Pelé some years ago. Significantly, only five players from Africa made the list.
That is the setting when Nigeria’s Austin Jay Jay Okocha leads the ‘Shine Shine Bobo’ squad, depicting the Star Lager Beer, to face a Puyol “The Wall” -inspired team, tagged The Chairman Team.
The ‘Chairman Team’ depicts Heineken, the Chairman of International Premium Beers and official partner of UEFA and UEFA Champions League since 1994.
The “Unmissable Match” is part of the UEFA Champions League Tour. Football fans will be the major beneficiaries when both brands from the stable of Nigeria Breweries line out iconic stars to feature in “Unmissable Match” on April 16 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
The match will feature 20 minutes each half, with a mixture of footballers from Akwa United Football club, selected Heineken consumers and ex-Nigerian international footballers such as Mutiu Adepoju, Daniel Amokachi, Austin Eguavoen and Uche Okechukwu playing for either either side of Unmissable Match.
Carlos Puyol will captain the Chairman team of Heineken while former Super Eagles captain, Okocha will captain the Shine Shine Bobo team of Star.
Already, in a trending video on social media, Okocha is calling on the public to be part of the excitement. Tickets, are already in distribution to fans via outlets in Uyo and environs, just as listeners have been engaged on radio programmes with several tickets already won and some lucky fans have won the right to be at the Consumers’ later in the evening.
The Unmissable Match is a complimentary moment to the visit of the UEFA Champions League Trophy for the third time since 2009 and 2014.
It is the first time the tour would be held outside Lagos and it will give teeming football fans the unique opportunity to come close to the iconic trophy and have photo opportunity to it and its ambassador, Carlos Puyol courtesy of Heineken, the International premium lager beer.
Remo Stars continued their good form in the Nigeria domestic league as they snatched another 2-0 away win against one of the traditional strong sides, Kano Pillars on Sunday.
They had earlier had another 2-0 away win when they defeated Abia Warriors in Umuahia two weeks ago. With Sunday’s win, they remain on top of the log with their nine points and five goals.
They are yet to concede any goal this season. On Sunday, Sodiq Ismail put Remo Stars in front after 26 minutes. Togolese import, Franck Mawuena doubled the lead in the 60th minute.
In another encounter, Niger Tornadoes pulled a major upset, winning 2-1 away from home as they beat former Nigerian champions, Plateau United. Ifeanyi Okechukwu put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute. They doubled theit lead in the fourth minute of added time of the second half through Kufre Ebong.
A minute later, Pam Samuel scored a consolatory goal for Plateau United. Hearrtland of Owerri continued their winless run as they played a goalless draw at home with visiting Katsina United.
Sunshine Stars also played 0-0 with Abia Warriors.
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.”
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