Nigerian Football
RIVERS UNITED DROWN WARRI WOLVES TO PICK QUARTERFINALS SLOT IN AITEO CUP
BY SAMMY WEJINYA.
Well-taken goals by Ossy Martins and Kehinde Adedipe, either side of half time,
gave Rivers United a 2-0 win over Warri Wolves in a 2019 AITEO Cup round of 16
game on Sunday.
United uncharacteristically made a slow start to the game but Wolves failed to
make their early territorial advantage count.
The Port Harcourt side was always going to up the ante and when it happened, it
was with deadly efficiency.
A Peter Ubakanma free kick caused havoc in the Wolves box in the 14th minute
and with the Warri club failing to clear their lines, predatory forward,
Martins, lurking dangerously in the box, pounced and prodded home to give
Rivers United the lead.
Martins thought he’d doubled United’s lead in the 19th minute when he shot
fiercely into the top corner but the effort was correctly chalked off for
offside.
United were the superior side in the first half and deservedly took the
solitary advantage into the break.
Wolves improved markedly in the second half and just when it looked like they
had gained a foothold in the game, they were hit by a sucker punch by United
who scored their second in brilliant fashion just after the hour mark.
Adedipe was the man on the money as he waltzed past the Wolves defence before
rounding off the spectacular solo effort with a firm strike, which the Wolves
goalkeeper, Mamudu Belema failed to hold.
The United technical manager, Stanley Eguma was pleased with his side’s efforts
on the day which eventually delivered a quarter final ticket as he addressed
the media afterwards.
“First, I commend my players for winning this game which was not easy at all as
Wolves came here (the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, venue of the game) with
the intent of winning,” Eguma told the Rivers United official website, www.riversunitedfc.com.ng.
“Wolves gave us a good run for our money but we were better than them in the
end.
“We showed our experience and our tactics was spot on,” he said.
The Wolves coach, Kester Osagie also voiced his sentiments after the game.
“It was a good game when we first started and I wuish them the best of luck
(for the rest of the competition). Rivers United is a good side,” he said.
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.”
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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