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Nigerian Football

ASABA SET TO HOST NIGERIA PITCH AWARDS CEREMONY

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The 6th Award Ceremony of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards will hold in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Saturday 8 June 2019.

Organizers announced that the ceremony will begin after the Nigeria-Zimbabwe International Friendly scheduled to hold at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

Speaking in Lagos, Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, said organizers have concluded plans to host all nominees, the media, and football stakeholders including top NFF bigwigs.

‘The Award Ceremony’, Philips continued ‘will spotlight top Super Eagles members, other footballers, coaches, referees, football journalists and other stakeholders who were voted as winners by our voters spread across the 36 states of the country.’

At the 6th Award Ceremony, winners will be announced in all 20 categories. Guests at the ceremony and football fans world over would be eager to know who among Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo and Wilfred Ndidi will emerge King of the Pitch, which is the awards version of the Most Valuable Player.

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Interestingly, the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Delta State are among nominees for the Football Friendly Governor Award and Award for the State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Award respectively.

‘The voting process of the Nigeria Pitch Awards is coordinated entirely by SIAO Partners, Nigeria’s foremost accounting firm. Like all lovers of football in Nigeria, we eagerly await the results from the accounting firm at the award ceremony in Asaba’, Philips concluded

The award ceremony will be anchored by Stephanie Isuma, aka ‘Calabar Chic’. The event will kick off at 7:00 pm with Red Carpet appearances and interviews while the award proper will commence at 8:00 pm at the Golden Tulip Hotel on Maryam Babangida Way, Asaba

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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Away two-goal specialists, Remo Stars win in Kano to stay atop

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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.

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 Sunshine Stars also played 0-0 with Abia Warriors.

 

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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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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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