Welcome to Sportinglens.blogspot.com: 2016

Friday 30 December 2016

Maikaba predicts tough opening fixtures

Akwa United coach, Abdu Maikaba believes opening fixtures of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League will be difficult, but key to his side's title ambition. The Promise Keepers resumed preparations for the new season on Thursday after a week long break, but Maikaba believes the club's decision to recall the players to camp before the New Year is geared towards efficient completion of his pre-season programme.

Glo-CAF award: Top three nominees emerged

Top three nominees for the 2016 Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year and African Player of the Year (based in Africa) awards were released on Wednesday in Cairo by Confederation of African Football (CAF). The players were shortlisted from a five-man list earlier nominated for the African Player of the Year and 5 players who made the list for the Player of the Year (based in Africa) category.

If information coming from the camp of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu is anything to go by, former Super Eagles winger Ejike Uzoenyi may return to the team for the next soccer season,Sportinglens.blogspot.com understands.

Gombe United defender Uzama Douglas was shot dead in Benin City by armed men believed to be cultists on Thursday. The murder of Uzama is the second tragedy to hit the domestic football scene in the last three months after Shooting Stars central defender Izu Joseph was shot dead.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has signed a new contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers which will last until 2019. The Nigerian international has been a professional at Molineux since 2003 and he has gone to make 192 appearances in all competitions during that time.

Ndidi closes in on Leicester City £15m move

Leicester City have reportedly agreed a £15m deal to sign Wilfred Ndidi from Genk after the midfielder confirmed that he has played his last game for the club. The 20-year-old was initially linked with a switch to the King Power Stadium earlier this month following a string of impressive performances in both midfield and defence.

Rivers United defender, Chigozie Ihunda has undergone successful surgery on his knee and is expected to be back in action for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ in the next three to six months. Ihunda injured his left knee during United’s 1-0 win over Warri Wolves at the Warri City Stadium, Warri on May 8 and has not played competitively ever since.

Sportinglens.blogspot.com can reveal that players and technical crew of Kano Pillars arrive in Kaduna today for a two-week closed camping ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

EGBUCHULAM TRANSFER SAGA: No agreement with Etoile Sportive Du Sahel - Rangers FC

The management of Rangers International of Enugu has said that the Tunisian club, Etoile Sportive Du Sahel has illegally poached its player, Chisom Egbuchulam. The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions stressed that the Flying Antelopes have not agreed any terms with Etoile Sportive Du Sahel over Egbuchulam’s move to the club.

Duke Udi, Oyekale, 20 others interviewed for Prime FC job

Ex-internationals Duke Udi, Oladunni Oyekale and Tunde Sanni were among the 22 coaches interviewed for Prime Football Club FC of Oshogbo vacant coaching jobs.

The League Management Company (LMC) has approved Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata in Kano State as home ground of Kano Pillars FC for the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football league (NPFL) season.

22 coaches applied for Prime job

No fewer than twenty two coaches have applied for the vacant posts of chief coach and assistant coach of Nigeria National League (NNL) side Prime Football Club of Oshogbo as at Friday morning.

Players and officials of the Super Falcons have been paid various sums of money as approved by the Federal Government after the Nigeria Football Federation received the sums on Friday.

.N113m to Super Eagles

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation on Friday said it has released to the Central Bank of Nigeria the payment mandate of $1.17m (N358m) to settle the allowances of the victorious Super Falcons.

Katsina United FC have emerged the best Nigeria National League (NNL) team for the 2015/2016 season, after beating Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC 4-3 on penalties in the final of the Super 4 played at Pantami Stadium in Gombe on Thursday evening.

Eleje, Abdulwahab complete Katsina United switch

Sportinglens.blogspot.com can reveal that the newly promoted side, Katsina United have completed the signing of Obinna Eleje and Bidemi Abdulwahab in preparation for 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United have arrived in Madrid, Spain for the fifth and final phase of pre-season ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.

Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) FC mercurial midfielder, Fawaz Gbolahan Otun has rejected a move to Premier league rivals, Sunshine Stars and newly promoted Remo Stars for the love of the club.The Ijebu Ode-born player disclosed this during an interview on his second season with the Oluyole Warriors.

Players and officials of Nasarawa United will leave Kaduna to Jos on Wednesday to play another round of pre-season friendly matches in preparation for the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports.

El Kanemi Warriors have beefed up its squad with the duo of Kenneth Ehis and Emmanuel Ajia ahead of 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports that Ehis, a central defender, joined Borno Army from Gombe United while Ajia, an attacking midfielder, moved to the Maiduguri-based outfit from Lobi Stars.

Adarabioyo targets more first-team appearances with Man City

Manchester City defender Tosin Adarabioyo is backing the club's academy stars to save Pep Guardiola millions in the transfer market. City's issues at the back have been well-documented with Saturday's capitulation against Leicester City the latest in a string of poor defensive showings.

Wikki Tourists left full back Christopher Waziri has made a sensational return to the club. Waziri was expected to join Enugu Rangers having trained with the Flying Antelopes for some weeks, but had a change of mind and opted to return to his former club.

Rivers United’s technical manager, Stanley Eguma has expressed satisfaction with his side’s 1-0 win over Wikki Tourists in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 on Sunday.

The defending Champions, Enugu Rangers are to begin their 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title defence with a derby clash against Abia Warriors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. The Week 1 fixtures for next season was released at the draws conducted on Saturday night in Enugu.

… Omagbemi, National U-23 also nominated for Coach and National team of the Year

Confederation of African Football (CAF), on Sunday in Cairo released top 5 nominees in other categories for the 2016 Glo-CAF Awards.

Wikki Tourists unveil new logo

Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi State have unveiled a new logo for the club ahead of the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. According to the club's media officer, Nasiru Kobi, the club has adopted The Giant Elephant has their new nickname.

Lobi Stars FC ended its first phase of the pre-season preparation in style on Friday morning with a win over Esperanza Football Club of Lagos in Ijebu-Ode.

The management of Gombe United has expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparation and believes that they are set for the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) kicks off.

Gombe United unveil Zango, Ubale, Fabiyi, nine others

Gombe United have beefed-up its squad with additional 12 new players ahead of forthcoming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

Kano Pillars players undergo medical

Kano Pillars players were on Tuesday undergone medical at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano, Sportinglens.blogspot.com can reports.

.Return to Jos from Abeokuta

Plateau United Team Manager Abel LLiyah has revealed to SportingLife that the club has recruited 15 new players ahead of new Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Season.

The Director of Football (DOF), Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, Alloy Chukwuemeka (ACC), has said that the team is almost ready for the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

Technical manager of Rivers United FC, Stanley Eguma says there will be no talk of revenge when his charges face Enugu Rangers in the second game of the annual pre-season tournament of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the Super 4.

Former Nigerian International, Benedict Akuegbu has been introduced to Players and Officials of Mighty Jets FC of Jos immediately after the team's training session at their Commonwealth College of Commence playground in Faringada area of Jos.

El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri defeated Police FC of Gombe 2-1 in a pre-season friendly match played at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe this evening. Two goals from new signings, Babagida Ibrahim in the 50th minute and Malachy illo’s 70th minute gave El Kanemi victory in the game.

Buhari congratulates Super Falcons on AWCON victory

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Nigeria’s Super Falcons on their victory over the senior female football team of Cameroon on Saturday at the final game of the women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Yaounde.

Asisat Oshoala won the Africa Women Cup of Nations’ Golden Boot as Nigeria beat Cameroon in Saturday’s final. Oshoala finished the tournament with six goals, three clear of Oparanozie and Ghana’s Elizabeth Addo.

Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi have emerged champions of the 4th edition of Gold Cup Pre-season tournament after defeating Mountain of Fire Miracles and Ministries FC of Lagos 4-3 on penalties. The full time ended at 0-0 even as both teams tried to outwit themselves while trying to take their chances during the game.

Rivers United FC will round off their pre-season preparations for the 2016/17 season in Madrid, Spain. The contingent of 41 persons (28 players and 13 officials) will depart for Spain on Monday, December 12 via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Rangers International of Enugu forward Chishom Egbuchulam has emerged the 2016 Nigerian Sports Award Footballer of the Year. Egbuchulam, who helped Flying Antelopes to win 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after 32 years, beat Manchester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wikki Tourists hit-man Godwin Obaje to the ward.

NORTH EAST PRE-SEASON TOURNEY: El Kanemi Warriors are champions

El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri have emerged winners of this year’s North East Pre -season competition after defeating Gombe United 2-1 in the final match played at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe State on Thursday. Goals from new signing, Efe Yarhere and club’s attacking midfielder, Samuel Mathias was all Borno Army needed to lift the trophy as Fabassou Djoufou scored Gombe United’s only goal of the encounter via penalty kick.

Wikki Tourists striker Godwin Obaje has revealed to Sportinglens.blogspot.com that it took him two days before he could adapt to Russian weather when he went for trails with Spartak Moscow. The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) highest goal scorer believes he could cope with the severe weather if he is eventually getting an offer from the Russian premier league giant.

The chairman League Management Company, (LMC) Shehu Dikko has advised Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) coaches and players to get good lawyers or advisers to negotiate on their behalf before signing contracts with any club. The second Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who was a guest on the Nigeria Football Support Platform (NFSP) blamed them for most of the problems they encounter over backlogs of unpaid wages at their various clubs.

Wikki Tourists and FC IfeanyiUbah have been drawn to play the opening game of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) which flags off on December 7 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. According to fixtures released by the League Management Company (LMC), the opening match will kick-off at 5pm with the second fixture between League champions, Rangers International and runners-up, Rivers United starting at 7pm.

PRE-SEASON: El Kanemi Warriors edge Wikki Tourists

El Kanemi Warriors FC on Tuesday night defeated Wikki Tourists of Bauchi by 2-1 in the ongoing North East pre-season tournament in Gombe State. Mathias Samuel’ brace gave the Borno Army victory in the match. The club’s attacking midfielder opened scoring with his fine header in the 40th minute before his well-taken free kick in the 65th gave the coach Ladan Bosso-led team the all-important three points in the match. Super sub Gift Atiluwa gave Wikki Tourists a consolatory goal in the 80th minute.

Players and officials of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) arrived in Ilaro in Ogun State on Tuesday for a two-week training camping in preparations for 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. Sportinglens.blogspot.com reports that 35 players and seven officials traveled with the team and will start training Wednesday morning. In the team are 17 old players and 18 possible new signings, with five from Team B of the club.

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United have entered the third phase of their pre-season exercise ahead of the commencement of the 2016/17 football season. The first phase commenced in Port Harcourt on November 1 with the ‘Pride of Rivers’ playing a handful of test matches against local sides while the coaches concentrated on bringing the players up to speed from a physical perspective.

Kano Pillars FC have described the ongoing Gold Cup pre-season tournament as an avenue to test the quality of its new players ahead of 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. The club’s media Officer, Idris Malikawa said the quality of matches they are playing in the tournament have given them the opportunity to know the strength of the team and how to blend their players ahead of the new season.

Moses was always destined for greatness - Kalou

Salomon Kalou believes that Victor Moses was always going to make it at Stamford Bridge and sympathised with the in-form wing-back after a difficult first few years under Chelsea's management. Moses was signed as the Blues' replacement for the departing Kalou in 2012, but is only now showing his true talent after a series of good performances in a new role under Antonio Conte.

Chelsea plan to offer Moses improved new contract

Chelsea plan to enter contract talks with Super Eagles star Victor Moses in the coming weeks to ward off interest from Barcelona, according to Sky sources. The Nigerian international, who turns 26 next month, is under contract until the summer of 2019, having signed a new four-year deal just before joining West Ham on loan for the 2015-16 season.

Technical adviser of Abuja Football College, Gobbo Renzo says Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United is ‘one of the strongest teams in the country’. Renzo, a former assistant coach at Italian Serie A club, Palermo was left impressed after United came from a goal down to beat his Abuja Football College side 2-1 in a pre-season game decided at the training pitch of the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday.

Friday 30 December 2016

Thursday 29 December 2016

Thursday 22 December 2016

Monday 19 December 2016

Friday 16 December 2016

Tuesday 13 December 2016

Sunday 11 December 2016

Friday 9 December 2016

Thursday 8 December 2016

Tuesday 6 December 2016

Sunday 4 December 2016

Thursday 1 December 2016

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Monday 28 November 2016

Sunday 27 November 2016