Tag: NPFL

  • Silas Nwankwo Wins MVP As Nasarawa United Steals Show In Owerri

    Silas Nwankwo Wins MVP As Nasarawa United Steals Show In Owerri

    By Abel Leonard, Lafia

    It is always a fierce battle on the pitch when Heartland and Nasarawa United engage each other ,as the last time both sides met at the newly refurbished Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri Imo State , Naze Millionaires won by two goals to one. 

    It was rather a different situation as the Solid Miners secured three points,  thanks to Silas Nwankwo’s winner in the 74th minute. 

    The game started on a frantic pace as the Solid Miners threw everything into the game right from the blast of the whistle.

    Their urgency paid-off as Chinedu Ohanachom latched unto a well-placed Tebo Franklin’s pass to glide the ball past Ikechukwu Ezenwa in goal for Heartland for the  first goal of the game on the 14th minute.

    Silas Nwankwo had the opportunity to make it two moments later but he could not find the net as Nasarawa United continued to dominate play. 

    The energetic attacker continued to pressurise the home side as his speed and tricks unsettled the host. 

    After ringing in some changes by Fidelis Ilechukwu, Heartland restored parity when substitute, Shedrack Oghali, equalized for Heartland on the 62nd minute. 

    Two minutes later, goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, was to make way for Chijioke Ejiogu in a forced substitution. 

    And on the 74th minute, Silas Nwankwo found the back of the net after some beautiful work from substitute, Adamu Hassan, who breezed past his marker to set up his striking partner as Nasarawa United secured their second consecutive win from two games. 

    Speaking after the game, Nasarawa United Technical Adviser, Bala Nikyu, told journalists that it’s not time for celebration yet.

    “You can’t start dreaming after two matches out of thirty-eight. Even at twenty matches, you can’t start dreaming as anything can still happen.”

    The Solid Miners’ winning goal scorer and Man-of-The-Match, Silas Nwankwo, said he believed he has more to offer as a striker despite missing plenty scoring chances in the game today. 

    “I am very grateful as it is not easy to be voted the MOTM in a game like this, especially coming away from lafia. I am indeed grateful, and I believe the door to keep scoring has now opened up for me.”

    Nasarawa United will next play-host to Kano Pillars at the Lafia City Stadium on Matchday three of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League.

  • NNL to dispatch stadium compliance officers to ascertain level of facilities ahead of new season Nationwide.

    NNL to dispatch stadium compliance officers to ascertain level of facilities ahead of new season Nationwide.

    By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri

    The Nigeria National League(NNL) has hinted that it will, as from Thursday November 6,2020,send Stadium Compliance Officers to  designated home grounds of teams, to herald the fresh season under the new leadership of Senator Obinna Ogba.

    According to the chief operating officer, COO, Emmanuel Adesanya, the stadium Compliance Officers are to ascertain the level of facilities in the various Stadiums to be used by clubs as stipulated in the NNL rule book.
    He said  most national stadiums will have no choice than to provide alternative venue for their matches ,if their stadium fall short of the required standard and added that, the clubs are to ensure that every logistics for the ease of the inspection exercise are in place .

    It could be recalled that, the NNL stakeholders meeting held on  November 6,2020 in Abuja agreed for two conferences in the Northern and Southern regions of the country, for an abridged League format for the 2020-2021 season.
    And that following directives  by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF),the Nigeria National League  is expected to kick – off three(3) weeks after the start of the elite class, the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.

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  • Plateau United resumes on Wednesday

    Plateau United resumes on Wednesday

    By Mike Oboh

    Nigeria premier league champions, Plateau United football club will begin its preparations for the season billed to start on November 18 this year, as the players are expected to commence training on Wednesday in Jos.

    The club’s Technical Adviser, Abdullahi Maikaba told Daybreak Sports in an exclusive interview that the players are expected to resume on Wednesday to begin preparations for its national and continental engagements.

    Maikaba said the club would have started its training programme earlier than the Wednesday date but for the crisis of the #Endsars, protest in the state, it was better the camp opens on the said date.

     The versatile coach said the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation to fix the resumption date for on the November 18, was a welcome development as it will create apple time for the teams campaign in the Africa champions league and the Confederation Cup competitions to prepare well ahead.

    He said for his team, the focus will be how best to get a better result from the continental engagement and a repeat of their sterling performance in the local league last season.

    He said the club will also see how best they can tap from its experience from the continental engagement it did in recent years.

    The Kano born coach reinstated that the players who are newly recruited by the club will now have the apple time to blend with the old ones to get the desired results.

    While speaking on the welfare package for the club, he commended the state government for its unflinching support towards getting the best of all the players.

    “The Plateau State government under the able leadership of Governor Simon Lalong has been forth right in the payment of the players’ entitlements, as we speak now the government has been up to date with the payment of our salaries despite the COVID 19 pandemic which is very commendable and a plus for our quest to get the needed result.

    “I must tell you, the management too have been up and doing in our collective desire to improve on our performance so for us, getting a good result in the local and continental championship will be the only way to pay back and by God’s grace it will be done,” he said.   

  • Akwa United intensifies preparation for new NPFL season

    Akwa United intensifies preparation for new NPFL season

    By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo

    NPFL side Akwa United Football Club of Uyo have intensified training to ensure that players’ fitness level is maximized as the new Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season draw closer.

    Last weekend, the team  performed some fitness drills at their home ground, Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo under the watchful eyes of Coach Kennedy Boboye.

    Recall that due to the Coronavirus regulations by the country’s Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, footballing activities were put on hold for months as the virus hit hard on nations of the world.

    However, key absentees during the drills was big Centre-back Dennis Nya who is said to have joined  Plateau United while old warhorse Akarandot Orok and Ali Chiwendu also sat out the session due to minor injuries. 

    New faces also pictured at the Nest of Champions training pitch included FC Ifeanyi Ubah captain, Charles Okafor who was part of the training session and believed to be a replacement for the departing Nya.

    A familiar stranger was also involved in the set up. Kufre Ebong who formerly played for the Promise Keepers before leaving for Europe also made a return.

    The Uyo-based side are yet to officially unveil their 2020/2021 squad but a number of fringed players have been said to have departed the Nest of Champions while new additions are said to have been made to the side.

  • NPFL: A/United set to hold contract talks with players

    NPFL: A/United set to hold contract talks with players

    By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo

    As football clubs in Nigeria continue to wait for the official resumption of the 2020/2021 football season, the management of Akwa United football Club has invited all her players for contract renegotiation with the club in Uyo.

    It was gathered that the players who have been on break since March 2020 following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic have been directed to report to the club’s camp in Uyo on or before Monday next week for the exercise.

    “The Players have been asked to come for profiling and the signing of relevant contract papers and attestation for proper registration ahead of the new football league season, following the need to renew some of the contracts that had elapsed when the league was officially cancelled by the organisers early this month.

    “New players who have been contacted by the club are to report with their agents/intermediaries to discuss personal terms and undergo medical examination ahead of penning their acceptance documents.

    “While in Uyo, the players will be made to undergo sessions on the club’s Code of Conduct and the ever-changing laws of the game.” Club chairman, Paul Bassey said in a statement.

    The two-time federation Cup Champions ended the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League season in 6th place after twenty-five rounds of matches before the indefinite suspension/cancellation of the league by the league organisers due to coronavirus pandemic.

    The Promise Keepers recently decontaminated their camp/office space in line with the precautionary measures as directed by the National Centre for Disease Control NCDC, in preparation for the commencement of the new NPFL season.

  • Results of Match Day 24 fixtures in 2019/2020 NPFL

    Results of Match Day 24 fixtures in 2019/2020 NPFL

    Following are the results of Match Day 24 fixtures in the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), played on Sunday:

    Kwara United 1-0 Wikki Tourists

    Kano Pillars 2-0 Jigawa Golden Stars

    Heartland FC 2-0 Lobi Stars

    FC IfeanyiUbah 2-1 Dakkada FC

    Rangers International 1-0 Rivers United

    Warri Wolves 2-0 MFM FC

    Abia Warriors 2-1 Adamawa United

    Enyimba International 3-0 Sunshine Stars

    Katsina United 1-1 Akwa United

    Plateau United 2-1 Nasarawa United

    (NAN)

  • NPFL: Warri Wolves whip visiting MFM FC

    NPFL: Warri Wolves whip visiting MFM FC

    Warri Wolves Football Club on Sunday beat the MFM FC of Lagos 2-0 at the Warri City Stadium in a Match Day 24 fixture of the 2019/2020 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    Substitute Okoyoh Michael put the hosts ahead in the 89th minute, while Charles Atshemene scored the second goal in the first minute of added time.
    A combination between Goodluck Onamado and Abu Azeez almost earned Warri Wolves the first goal in the 8th minute but the final effort was deflected by the MFM FC goalkeeper.
    At the resumption of the second half, both sides changed their tactical approach to the game.
    Bala Akintunde of MFM FC was issued a red card for unprofessional misconduct in the 52nd minute and that changed the game plan for the visitors.
    While Warri Wolves made three substitutions, MFM FC made two in the second half.
    At the post-match interview, the coach of Warri Wolves, Evans Ogenyi, commended the performance of his players.
    “Our opponents came with dull defensive tactics. When we played against them in the first stanza, we ran away with a win.
    “I know they will now come with anger and I told my boys to expect a difficult match.
    “We created about four chances in the first half, but they were wasted because of anxiety.
    “In the dressing room, we said there was the need to up our game, be patient and take our chances, especially in the attack.
    “On the whole, my boys did not play to their full potential today.
    “But the important thing is that we got the three maximum points because we took the two chances that came our way,” he said.
    The coach said he would now approach their mid-week match against Rivers United with every seriousness.
    One of the day’s scorers, Michael said he dedicated the goal to the late Chineme Martins who slumped and died on the pitch on March 8.(NAN)
  • NPFL: Plateau United pips Rivers United 1-0

    NPFL: Plateau United pips Rivers United 1-0

    Plateau United FC of Jos has defeated Rivers United FC 1-0 in the week 18 encounter of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
    The match played on Sunday at the Zaria Road Stadium, Jos, produced the lone goal scored against Rivers FC by Mustapha Ibrahim, seven minutes into the match.
    The encounter was fierce as both teams were on top of their game.
    Speaking immediately after the match, Plateau United Technical Adviser, Mr Abdul Maikaba, commended his team for winning the match.
    He said the outcome of the match had helped his team to push down both Lobi Stars and Rivers United and assume the top position on the table.
    “I told my players that the match was going to be very difficult and we had to stand firm to win.
    “I am happy with the outcome and the manner in which my boys played. This has made us to use one stone to kill two birds.
    “With this win, we were able to push down Lobi Stars and Rivers United; we are now topping the table.
    “So, it is good but we must work harder to consolidate on the result by winning more matches,” Maikaba said.
    He assured fans of Plateau United and Plateau people that the team would do better in its subsequent matches, particularly the away encounters.
    On his part, Chief Coach of Rivers United, Mr Stanley Eguma, commended his boys for the way they played, adding that Plateau United was a team to beat.
    He said his team would not be discouraged by the result of the match, saying that its target was to get to the top.
    “We have played a very good site today, and my boys played well. It is however unfortunate that we lost.
    “But our target is to get to the top and we will do everything possible to get there,” Eguma said. (NAN)

  • NPFL Match Day 17: Plateau United, Rivers United, Lobi Stars in battle for top spot

    NPFL Match Day 17: Plateau United, Rivers United, Lobi Stars in battle for top spot

    There is no doubting the fact that the 2019/2020 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season is gradually becoming something to behold.

    Not the least among reasons for this is the fact that it is the first 380 matches series the league would witness in three years.

    Shocking results, eye-catching football artistry and unexpected formulations are some of the metrics that have left fans and stakeholders in the league with surreal palpitations every match day.

    This is in view of the fact that no one knows where the day’s shocking results would emerge from.

    The fact that no team has a 100 percent home record after eight home games apiece is enough to throw up some interesting permutations ahead of any match day, Match Day 17 inclusive.

    As it is, three teams are now fighting neck-to-neck at the top of the table as we approach the half way mark of this marathon-like event.

    Plateau United went back to the summit in style on Sunday after mercilessly smashing Adamawa United 5-0 in Jos.

    But Abdu Maikaba’s men know quite alright that only a win away to MFM FC in Lagos can guarantee their stay on top of the table for the next week.

    This is because their leadership rivals have home matches to execute.

    Lobi Stars stayed on top for just four days after Dakkada FC held Gbenga Ogunbote’s side to a 0-0 draw in Makurdi last Sunday, their first points dropped at home this season.

    They, however have another home game to negotiate on Sunday, this time against hapless North Central opponents Nasarawa United who remain entangled in relegation mess.

    Rivers United are the other team sharing top spot with 28 points alongside Plateau United (and Lobi Stars) and they have a date with Wikki Tourists in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

    Wikki Tourists have claimed four points out of a possible six under new coach Usman Abd’Allah.

    They will now be hoping to add more against a Rivers United side they have beaten in their last three league meetings.

    Rivers United are however yet to lose at home this term.

    There is a top half of the table contest between Akwa United and Heartland at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.

    Both sides have overcome their poor starts to the season and just one point separates them in 7th and 9th respectively.

    The hosts have lost their last two matches by 0-2 score line and must be at their best to have a chance against Heartland who have kept clean sheets in their last three matches.

    Kano Pillars are in an unbelievable 11-match unbeaten sequence and they will further stake that in Akure against Sunshine Stars.

    The Owena Whales on their own are no small fish as well and currently are unbeaten in their last four matches, winning three of those.

    Kabiru Dogo’s men should provide the sternest threat yet to the former champions’ unbeaten run on Sunday.

    Adamawa United are one of just seven clubs to have changed coaches this term but they are still praying for a change in fortunes.

    They face Kwara United at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe in search of their first win in eight outings.

    Any result other than a win might surely put paid to their survival hopes, even before the halfway mark.

    Katsina United will host FC IfeanyiUbah, seeking to earn that win that should take them into the top half of the table.

    FC IfeanyiUbah will also be hoping to arrest their away hoodoo which has seen them lose their last seven away games in the league.

    Another game on Sunday will see Abia Warriors entertain Warri Wolves in Umuahia, with Wolves midfielder Mark Daniel returning to the club which gave him his NPFL bow last season.

    But all eyes will be on Wolves forward Charles Atshimene and Warriors lanky star Lukman Bello.

    Match Day 17 action starts with a Saturday afternoon game in Uyo between Dakkada FC and Jigawa Golden Stars at the Nest of Champions.

    Dakkada were humiliated by Kwara United in their last home game.

    But they can take solace from achieving what no other side in the league have done last Sunday —- stopping Lobi Stars from winning in Makurdi.

    MATCH DAY 17 FIXTURES

    Saturday

    Dakkada FC vs Jigawa Golden Stars

    Sunday

    Abia Warriors vs Warri Wolves

    Enyimba vs Rangers (Postponed)

    Katsina United vs FC IfeanyiUbah

    Akwa United vs Heartland

    Sunshine Stars vs Kano Pillars

    Adamawa United vs Kwara United

    MFM FC vs Plateau United

    Rivers United vs Wikki Tourists

    Lobi Stars vs Nasarawa United.(NAN)

  • NPFL: Plateau United thrashed Adamawa United 5-0

    NPFL: Plateau United thrashed Adamawa United 5-0

    Plateau United on Sunday thrashed Adamawa United 5-0 in round 16 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match played at the new Zaria Road Township Stadium, Jos.

    Mustapha Ibrahim scored a brace with goals in the 18th and 40th minutes while Oche Ocheochi, Uche Onoasanya and Abba Umar scored a goal each in the encounter.

    Chief Coach of Plateau United, Audu Pele, said after the match that the victory marked the end of bad times for the Jos team and commended his players for an excellent performance.

    “You know every match comes with its challenges, and we always take it as it comes, but today’s encounter is interesting and our boys played well and thank God we are back to our winning days,” said Pele.

    He assured that the team would perform better in its subsequent matches.

    The coach explained that the team had put modalities on ground to win its forthcoming away matches.

    On his part, Chief Coach of Adamawa United, Ibrahim Barki, said his team lost to a very experienced side.

    “It is unfortunate that we lost the match with a very wide margin, but we lost to a more experienced team.

    “We are just a young team coming into the league, but we will work hard to cover up lapses in our next encounter,” he said.

    With this win, Plateau United would go top of the league table. (NAN)