Nigerian Football

RIVERS UNITED OVERLOAD TIMBERLOADER WITH GOALS

Published

5 years ago

June 15, 2019

BY SAMMY WEJINYA
A brilliant performance capped by a world class Bright Onyedikachi goal headlined Rivers United’s overflowing 4-0 win over FC Timberloader in the round of 64 of the 2019 AITEO Cup.

Peter Ubankanma scored a brace while Ossy Martins’ delightful header midway into the second half set the tone as the ‘Pride of Rivers’ won at a canter at the Lafia City Stadium, Lafia on Saturday evening.

Ubakanma scored the opener on nine minutes as he struck an indirect free kick with venom from 25 yards.

United had no less than five clear cut-opportunities to increase their advantage in a largely one-sided first half but had to wait until 33 minutes to get their second.

The wait was worth the trouble as the goal was one of extraordinary quality, a strike for the ages and a contender for goal of the tournament.

Winger, Bright Onyedikachi picked up a pass just inside the FC Timberloader half and proceeded on a mazy run which left no less than five defenders in his wake before showing ice-cold precision to fire into the bottom corner.

The Stadium rose in unison to applaud the truly special strike as United smelt blood and honed in for the kill.

Ubankama completed his brace three minutes after the restart with a simple half volley from close range while Martins’ well-placed header on 58 minutes represented the coup de grace.

The Port Harcourt side then took their foot off the gas, knowing the game was won as it was seen out in professional style.

“We do not look down on any team in this type of competition,” Stanley Eguma, technical manager of Rivers United FC, Stanley Eguma told the official website of the club, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng afterwards.

“We were better today and that’s because we played seriously and did not think about the name of the team we were playing against.

“I am particularly happy that we scored four goals today because our problem has always been converting our chances and psychologically, it will help our players who will now know that they can score goals,” Eguma concluded.

Head coach of FC Timberloader, Kasimu ‘Socrates’ Mohammed also took the time to discuss his side’s performance against higher rated opposition.

“This was not a bad game because we have never played against a team at such a high level before.

“Rivers United is a good team and I appreciate the way they play,” he said.

United now march on to the last 32 of the competition knowing that far sterner tests lie ahead.

Nigerian Football

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

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

5 days ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.

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.”

Nigerian Football

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

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.